When Gao Nuo first got the System, he cherished every match, even the most boring friendly match Instances he could play with relish. He didn't know when it started, but he changed, he started to care about his playing time, and he started to get angry easily.
The growth of his skills and the help of the System gave Gao Nuo an inflated confidence. A young man who isn't a bit wild is not a true youth. Competitive sports need passion, they need to care, and they need anger, but what supports an athlete to the very end is still love, persistence, and self-discipline.
Perhaps the System can continuously improve Gao Nuo's abilities and constantly squeeze his talent, but the growth of his spiritual attributes can only be completed by Gao Nuo himself. To grow into a generation's King of Football, he needs to learn to control his emotions, learn how to motivate his teammates' performance, and learn how to lead a team.
Gao Nuo hadn't thought about such distant things yet. Through a conversation with the virtual Neymar, Gao Nuo knew that he only needed to give his all, let go of gains and losses, shed pressure, and drop his burdens. Just as the virtual Neymar said, enjoy the joy brought by competitive sports, and enjoy the passion brought by striving for victory with all his might.
Gao Nuo, who had become relaxed again, ended his virtual training.
It was about 4 AM. Gao Nuo, now awake, felt a warmth in his arms. In the moonlight, Wang Qing's small face came into view. They had been in a relationship for three months, and this was their first time sleeping in the same bed. Without needing to think deeply, Wang Qing just wanted to help him through the current difficulties in her own way. Unfortunately, he was using the System Space and was hard to wake up, missing Wang Qing's gentle affection. Gao Nuo gave up the idea of getting up for water, kissed Wang Qing's forehead, and went to sleep contentedly.
On May 28, 2023, the final round of the English Premier League saw Manchester United face Fulham.
Old Trafford's seats were packed. The Red Devils, Manchester United, with their long history, also had a vast number of fans. Countless club supporters came to the match, eager to help their team through another difficult season with their cheers.
In a certain platform's live broadcast room in China, commentators Zhan Jun and Zhang Lu were also ready, looking forward to Manchester United winning the match and hoping to see the Chinese youngster Gao Nuo on the Champions League stage next season.
Netizens and fans were also prepared for a late night. At 11:30 PM on a Sunday, a relatively friendly time, the live broadcast room's popularity soared.
As both teams' players entered for warm-ups, the director displayed today's starting lineups.
Manchester United, formation 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: De Gea
Defenders: Luke Shaw, Lindelöf, Varane, Dalot
Midfielders: Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes
Forwards: Rashford, Wout Weghorst, Gao Nuo
Substitutes: Heaton, Antony, Garnacho, Harry Maguire, Malacia, Sabitzer, Fred, Wan-Bissaka, Sancho
Fulham, formation 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Leno
Defenders: Robinson, Ream, Diop, Tete
Midfielders: Palhinha, Reed, Pereira
Forwards: Willian, Mitrovic, Bobby-Reid
Substitutes: Rodak, Cedric, James, Solomon, Cairney, Adarabioyo, Lukic, Wilson, Vinicius
Seeing Gao Nuo get a starting opportunity in such a crucial match, the netizens watching late at night didn't care about much else. They all took out sunflower seeds, peanuts, and beer, waiting attentively for the match to begin.
Amidst the fervent cheers of the home fans, the players entered, and the match began.
Fulham needed to avoid relegation, and Manchester United needed to secure a top-four finish. Accompanied by the fans' passionate shouts, the pitch also began to heat up.
In the 8th minute of the match, Rashford tripped Tete while tracking back, earning a yellow card.
In the 10th minute of the match, Mitrovic elbowed Varane while challenging for a header, and the Referee showed him a yellow card.
In the 13th minute of the match, Wout Weghorst's challenge was overly aggressive, leading to an altercation with Ream. The two exchanged shoves and were both booked by the Referee.
Within 5 minutes, almost every offensive and defensive exchange resulted in a yellow card. The situation on the field was momentarily out of control, making the audience very tense.
In reality, there was no deep-seated animosity between the two sides. Fierce challenges and a tough defensive attitude not only put pressure on the opponent but also quickly made their own teammates tense and get into the game. Teams known for their defense in football often use such small tricks.
The Referee's decisive carding effectively curbed the
performance
of both teams' players and brought the situation on the field under control.
In the 16th minute of the match, a Fulham full-back had a brain fade, sending a long back pass from midfield to his goalkeeper. Wout Weghorst seized the opportunity and sprinted at full speed, getting to the ball slightly faster than the goalkeeper in a fifty-fifty challenge. Facing an open goal from 30 meters, he chose to shoot directly. Perhaps due to excessive tension, not only did he not score, but he also missed by an absurd margin.
Not only were the fans disappointed, but Erik ten Hag shook his head repeatedly, and Zhan Jun in the live broadcast room also couldn't stay calm.
Fulham is taking a throw-in, Gao Nuo is pushing up to defend. Manchester United's high press is very good today. Fulham can't easily get the ball out. Hmm? Robinson chose to pass back to the goalkeeper. This pass was too weak, ah! Wout Weghorst rushed out, a fifty-fifty ball, oh! Wout Weghorst was a bit faster, it's an open goal, a chance for Manchester United, ah? He shot directly, it didn't go in, it was too far off target. Why didn't he continue to dribble? That shot choice in an open goal situation was too ridiculous.
Zhang then added,
Oh, this ball, oh, Fulham's full-back gave away a big gift first, but then, oh, Wout Weghorst, followed up by also giving away a big gift, ah. If they lose this match, oh, Wout Weghorst will take the blame.
The players on the field had no time for reflection; the match continued.
In the 19th minute of the match, Dalot crossed from 45 degrees. A Fulham center-back misjudged the header, and Rashford at the far post, facing a half-volley, leapt sideways and volleyed it with power. The goalkeeper had no reaction whatsoever.
Duang~!!!
This magnificent shot hit the crossbar, and the ball deflected into the stands.
In just 3 minutes, Manchester United missed two excellent opportunities. After a brief period of disappointment, the home fans cheered even more vigorously!
In the 22nd minute of the match, Gao Nuo broke through the defense on the wing, dribbled at high speed to the byline, and cut back a pass to the middle. Bruno Fernandes, arriving late, unleashed a powerful shot. Fulham goalkeeper Leno made a world-class save, pushing the ball destined for the top corner out for a corner kick.
In the 33rd minute of the match, Fulham's left winger Willian successively dribbled past Gao Nuo and Eriksen, cut inside with the ball, evaded Dalot's slide tackle, and entered the penalty area. His final shot was weak and easily gathered by De Gea. Willian almost scored a spectacular solo goal.
The first half ended with Manchester United dominating, yet they failed to break through Fulham's defense. Both teams went into halftime with a 0-0 score.