Time.
Space.
These two words are incredibly important in the world of football.
Isagi Yoichi's spatial awareness is excellent.
At least, at the U18~U20 level, his understanding is already very outstanding.
But he needs more.
Isagi does not have an outstanding physique, does not have flashy footwork, does not have a decisive pass, and certainly does not have an unparalleled shooting ability.
The template Ego Jinpachi prepared for him was Thomas Müller.
But, just being able to interpret space is not enough. He also needs to grasp the "time" of the pitch.
And Liverpool.
They have been the fastest counter-attacking team in recent years.
Liverpool's grasp of "time" is the strongest in the world.
With their frantic counter-attacking speed, often before the opponent has even set up their defense, Liverpool's shot is already there.
Only by mastering "time" as well can Isagi take the next step.
Otherwise, he will not have the chance to become Tendou's right-hand man.
Ego Jinpachi had planned it all long ago.
The core of this U-20 team has and only has one person, and that is Tendou Kageyoshi.
Itoshi Rin and Isagi Yoichi, including the possibly called-up Itoshi Sae, can only be Tendou's support.
And Isagi.
He, like his other comrades, was immersed in this shocking pass.
He did not have Ego's rich football knowledge; he couldn't understand just how amazing this pass was.
He just looked on with envy at Tendou, who was surrounded by the Liverpool players.
He didn't know, but the real-world audience heard it loud and clear.
The animation team even gave a big close-up.
Although he was on the pitch, Tendou's background was not Anfield and the Liverpool fans, but a vast universe.
And with Ego's explanation, first time, then space...
The audience felt a sense of profound mystery, and thought it was incredibly cool!
Tendou's popularity soared again.
He had too little screen time in the third season; most of it was given to Isagi and Bayern.
Who knew that after a few episodes, Tendou had already fucking gone to Europe to take on Bayern.
This impact was undeniably huge.
...
On the field, Müller's face was filled with shock.
"Some people's talents... are just indescribable."
He remembered the former Bayern head coach, Guardiola.
The whole world knew that in Guardiola's eyes, there was only Messi.
Although Guardiola would occasionally praise other players, including Müller himself, who had been praised many times by Guardiola as a unique spatial interpreter, that kind of praise was different from the heartfelt admiration he had for Messi.
Once, Müller had jokingly asked him if the gap between himself and Messi was really that big.
Guardiola had remained silent for a moment and then said, "Some people's talents are just indescribable."
And what about this one from Liverpool?
Even more indescribable.
Müller didn't understand how one person's talent could be so good, as if it were a masterpiece meticulously carved by God.
"Let go of me! I can't breathe!"
Tendou's neck was being squeezed by Henderson. He had played with Gerrard before, but he guaranteed that Gerrard was definitely not as amazing as TJ, not even the 18-year-old TJ.
"Damn it, TJ! You're brilliant! That pass was just too amazing!"
"If Steven were still at the club, he'd only be fit to wipe your boots!"
Henderson was in a really good mood.
3:0!
With such an advantage, Liverpool had almost sealed the victory.
Not just this match, but the entire knockout tie. Liverpool had it in the bag.
Their probability of advancing was as high as 80%!
The remaining 20% was out of respect for Bayern's "disaster-making" DNA.
The German national team's 7:1 victory over the Samba army in the World Cup happened in 2014.
And as everyone knows, more than half of the German national team players play for Bayern.
So, Henderson conservatively gave his team an 80% chance of advancing.
Arnold watched from the side, his eyes filled with jealousy.
There's no justice in this world.
He's stronger than me, and he's bigger than me...
Damn it!
In the Anfield stands, the Liverpool fans had already started to sing.
Bayern's head coach, Kovač, his face flushed.
He shouldn't have compromised. He should have trusted himself and defended deep until the end.
Although it would have been very difficult to come back from a 2:0 deficit against Liverpool, with a 3-goal deficit, Bayern had almost no hope.
They would need to beat Liverpool by 4 goals at the Allianz Arena to advance.
This was hell difficulty!
"Niko..."
"This was their own choice. They need to take responsibility for it."
Kovač did not want to take the blame for this loss.
Although, playing his way, Bayern was still 2 goals down in the first half.
He would tell the story as it was in the post-match press conference.
Not for his own future career at Bayern.
He knew that after this match, his departure from Bayern was a foregone conclusion.
He needed to explain to the media, to the other European clubs, for his next job.
However, the Bayern players clearly would not pay any attention to this fraudulent coach.
After the kickoff, they couldn't even be bothered to pretend anymore and directly launched an all-out attack.
There was no hope for this match.
But the knockout tie is two-legged.
Now, they just wanted to reduce the deficit as much as possible, so they would have a chance back at the Allianz Arena.
Amidst the singing of "You'll Never Walk Alone" by the Liverpool fans, the Bayern players, led by Müller and Noel, raised the flag of counter-attack.
The fans in the stands were elated.
Klopp, however, frowned tightly.
Leading Bayern 3:0 at home, the players were at their most excited.
For Bayern to come out and attack at this time, it would be easy to catch Liverpool's defense off guard.
Because today, they did not have Van Dijk anchoring the backline. To ensure they had an outlet for the ball and that their counter-attack speed was fast enough, he had still sent out Arnold.
If Bayern were to seize this opportunity, a two-goal lead going to the Allianz Arena would not be enough.
He knew too well how demonic the Allianz Arena was.
Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated. His gaze turned to the bench, and he had the team's vice-captain, Milner, go and warm up.
He was planning to substitute Arnold off to strengthen the defense.
However, Bayern's attack had already spread out.
The "Robbery" combination was frantically breaking through on the wings, while Müller acted as the pivot, interpreting Liverpool's defense and, with quick one-touch passes, using the breakthroughs of Robben and Ribéry to stretch the Liverpool defense.
The Liverpool defensive line couldn't help but shift to the sides.
At this moment, the entire Liverpool team was split at the waist, leaving a huge space in the middle.
Müller, of course, would not miss such a mistake.
A powerful through ball to Noel.
The world's number one received the ball and charged straight into the Liverpool penalty area. Robertson tracked back, and Tendou also quickly charged towards his position.
Noel knew in his heart that if he let Tendou double-team him, he would miss this opportunity.
Thinking of this, he did not hesitate to shoot, even though this was not his golden shooting zone.
BANG!
The ball shot towards the Liverpool goal like a cannon.
Thanks to the stretching of the "Robbery" combination, the Liverpool penalty area was not crowded.
But Alisson.
He saw this shot clearly and immediately made a diving save, blocking Noel's shot.
The Liverpool fans cheered loudly.
However, in Tendou's mind, three people were charging into the box regardless of the consequences.
The ball saved by Alisson did not leave the penalty area. Müller, like a vampire who had smelled fresh blood, went straight for it.
And then.
BANG!
Müller blasted a shot from close range, and the ball found the back of the net.
Alisson was powerless. The distance was too close, the ball speed too fast.
3:1!
Bayern had scored a precious away goal.
...
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