Barcelona's attack failed to produce a shot, so they patiently recycled possession and continued passing.
Meanwhile, Professor Young and Ander Herrera exchanged a breathless glance, both sensing the immense pressure in each other's hearts. No kidding!
Statistics from sports science institutions show that Messi's stride frequency is as high as 4.4 Hz, meaning he can take 4.4 steps per second.
For comparison, Usain Bolt's stride frequency is only 4.2 Hz. Of course, Bolt's legs are considerably longer.
But this still highlights Messi's terror from another angle—even if elite defenders read his intentions perfectly, their bodies physically can't keep up with his sudden changes of direction.
Didn't Jerome Boateng get talked about for a lifetime because of exactly this?
So when facing Messi, both United players raised their concentration to the absolute maximum.
"As long as we can contain Messi, we can win easily." These were Mourinho's exact words before the match.
Coincidentally, "As long as we can contain Ling, Manchester United will be easy to handle," Valverde had told his squad something remarkably similar.
But it's easier said than done!
"If you both get beaten, foul decisively—just not in the penalty area!" Ling shouted to his teammates during a dead ball, jogging back.
"Even just outside the box is fine. After all, our goalkeeper is David!"
David De Gea's expression instantly changed upon hearing this, thinking, 'I really thank you for that pressure!'
Messi's free-kick ability is arguably the best in the world!
But in reality, the Spanish keeper felt a little pleased, as being recognized by his captain felt quite nice.
17th minute.
Barcelona's attack came again, this time choosing the left flank.
Barcelona's iron defender Jordi Alba received the ball, combined with Arthur Melo in a slick one-two, and continued driving toward the byline.
As the fastest player in the Barcelona squad, once Alba launches an attack down the left flank, it means they're about to accelerate the tempo!
Coutinho cut inside to occupy Nemanja Matic, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka seemed a bit nervous by the overload and immediately went in for a sliding tackle!
But Alba poked the ball forcefully forward, shaking off both the defender and the ball.
Just before the ball went out of play over the byline, he sent in a high, cut-back cross with his left foot, the delivery precise—right to the penalty spot!
Darren Fletcher: "Suarez!"
Steve McManaman: "Currently second in La Liga's scoring charts!"
Luis Suarez, from Uruguay, was once a star Liverpool player, so he's always particularly fired up when facing Manchester United.
But in aerial duels, he gains no physical advantage against the towering Harry Maguire. Despite giving his all and throwing an elbow, he couldn't win the first ball.
Darren Fletcher: "Manchester United's protection of the second ball is too weak there! Rakitic is completely unmarked at the edge of the box!"
Steve McManaman: "He shoots on the volley! Oh... unfortunately for Barca, it's just a bit off target, flying wide of the right post!"
The local Barcelona commentator on-site clutched his head in frustration, sighing repeatedly into his mic.
The Barcelona fans in the stands felt the exact same way.
Up front, Ling clapped his hands vigorously to wake his team up. "Stay focused, everyone! Watch the edge of the box!"
Earlier in the play, Messi had cleverly pulled toward the back post, drawing Ander Herrera's full attention, leaving the dangerous space in the right half-space that he should have been covering.
In such situations, Rashford should have tracked back to fill the gap.
So Ling walked over to remind the winger, "Marcus, drop a bit deeper in defense and keep an eye on your teammates' positions. You have to track back."
Rashford nodded blankly.
He had been a bit distracted by the sheer noise of the stadium earlier, and looking back now, he was still shaken.
"Don't let the outside noise affect you. The match is what matters most right now," Ling didn't say much more, patting his shoulder.
Next, Barcelona found a way to deal with Manchester United, controlling the tempo of the match with solid possession and passing, while continuously probing attacks from both flanks.
Once Manchester United's defense showed any signs of loosening or fatigue, they immediately accelerated and intensified their vertical passing!
The match quietly reached the 30th minute.
Alba drove to the byline again and delivered a back pass to the edge of the box to Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian lad had dreamed of playing for Barcelona since childhood.
Abbreviated as the "childhood Barca dream."
Back then, Jurgen Klopp had earnestly advised Coutinho before his massive transfer, saying to him: "At Liverpool, you will be the core player. The team will continue to build the squad around you, and you can freely unleash your attacking talents. But at Barcelona, you will only become another version of yourself in Messi's shadow!"
Later events proved that Klopp was indeed right.
In the second half of the 17-18 season, Coutinho made only 18 appearances but scored 8 goals and provided 5 assists.
With his initial perfect performances, he not only conquered Camp Nou but also filled the fans with anticipation for the following season.
However, with Andres Iniesta's retirement, along with positional changes, role shifts, and stylistic differences, Coutinho found himself under immense pressure, and his recent performances had been nothing short of disastrous.
He was even on the verge of losing his starting spot to Dembele.
Now, Coutinho felt he had to prove himself once again to regain Valverde's trust on the biggest stage.
So, today's match was the perfect opportunity!
Coutinho shifted his weight continuously, and after creating a sliver of space for a shot, he directly fired the ball toward the far corner!
Darren Fletcher: "Coutinho lines one up! That signature curling effort!"
Steve McManaman: "But it's too close to the keeper. Caught mid-air by De Gea as he leaps."
Coutinho shook his hands in frustration.
He couldn't remember how long it had been since he last confidently cut inside for a long-range shot, because the half-spaces at Barcelona were essentially Messi's exclusive territory.
Before he could wallow in self-pity any further, Alba roared at him.
"They're counterattacking! Aren't you going to track back?!"
Just then, De Gea launched a booming long kick, sending the ball straight to the midfield.
Pique was tightly marking Ling, constantly trying to physically push him outward, but he couldn't help thinking to himself: 'This kid doesn't look overly muscular, so why can't I budge him at all?!'
As the ball dropped in front of him, Ling leaped high and headed it perfectly back into the midfield path of Paul Pogba.
Darren Fletcher: "Beautiful target play! Ling has maximized his role there. Pogba cushions it to the right flank without stopping the ball!"
Steve McManaman: "Manchester United has rapidly shifted their attacking focus to the weak side!"
Darren Fletcher: "Mahrez!!!"
Alba's aggressive forward runs were one of Barcelona's main attacking patterns, but it couldn't be ignored that he was already 31 years old.
It was normal for him not to make it back in time after pushing so far forward.
Mahrez received the ball in acres of space and advanced effortlessly.
Arthur chased back desperately, only catching up at the edge of the thirty-meter zone.
"Riyad, ahead!!" Ling shouted as he sprinted forward at full speed, darting menacingly between Pique and Lenglet.
Mahrez didn't hesitate, sending a curling, early pass with his right foot. The ball rolled swiftly along the grass toward the edge of the penalty area!
"Close the gap!" Pique shouted, crashing his body toward the left to block the run!
Lenglet did the exact same from the other side.
Watching the narrowing gap between the two center-backs, Ling gritted his teeth and aggressively charged straight through!
Thud!!
Muscle collided solidly against muscle.
The sheer momentum and balance of the United captain prevailed.
Pique and Lenglet both lost their footing, stumbling to either side as Ling burst through the middle!
Darren Fletcher: "A violent, powerful breakthrough through the closing defense!"
Steve McManaman: "He's through! He's too strong for them!"
Darren Fletcher: "One-on-one with Ter Stegen now!!!"
The traveling Manchester United fans in the high stands leaped to their feet, their eyes fixed expectantly on that lone red figure.
Could he score a brace before the end of the first half?
After forcing his way through the heavy contact, Ling's balance was also disrupted.
After all, those were Pique and Lenglet, not Championship-level center-backs.
Moreover, before he completely broke through the defensive block, Marc-André ter Stegen had already wisely chosen to rush off his line, and now the distance between them was only one meter!
There was absolutely no time to adjust for a clean shot.
Following the momentum of his fall, Ling desperately jabbed at the ball with his right toe.
But unfortunately...
Ter Stegen's judgment and positioning were precise, and the jab shot deflected heavily off his outstretched foot and went out for a corner.
Steve McManaman: "Whew! Ter Stegen has made a massive, crucial save, protecting Barcelona's goal!"
Darren Fletcher: "But it must be said, Manchester United's counterattack efficiency is truly impressive away from home!"
Steve McManaman: "The key, of course, is Ling. While moving at high speed and facing a physical double-team, he still managed to break through with his rare sprinting ability and formidable core strength! Pique and Lenglet just bounced off him!"
In the Chinese broadcast booth, Zhan Jun expressed his amazement while marveling at the replay.
"Although this counterattack didn't result in a goal, I think Barcelona will be much more cautious about pushing their full-backs high from now on."
"There are about ten minutes left in the first half's regular time. I wonder if there will be another goal?" Zhan Jun pondered. "Let's take a look at Manchester United's corner kick first!"
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