Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Tang Long is not a player who primarily focuses on scoring goals. In Pellegrini's tactical plans, he is mainly responsible for controlling the tempo and delivering threatening through balls.

This conclusion was reached after Pellegrini discussed with Tang Long's former coach, now England national team manager Mancini.

But surprisingly, he performed a hat-trick in the Manchester Derby and took home the match ball.

His phone exploded with calls, and messages poured in like snowflakes.

Most of them were from his former teammates at Inter Milan.

Apparently, even though Tang Long has left Serie A, many Serie A players are still watching globally-watched matches like the Manchester Derby.

Chiwo and Mancini also sent congratulatory messages to Tang Long.

Berni, who is far away in the United States, even sent him a selfie, in which he is holding a cigar, wearing a big gold chain and sunglasses, giving a thumbs up to the camera.

"Well done, kid, I always knew you had a knack for scoring goals!"

Even Pirlo, who had only met Tang Long once on the field, sent him a short message, congratulating him on winning the derby.

However, if anyone was happier than a Manchester City player about their derby win, it would undoubtedly be Tottenham's midfielder Gualin!

When Tang Long and Ranocchia visited London at Gualin's invitation, Gualin told him to give Manchester United a tough time in the derby and give Icardi a lesson.

Indeed, Manchester City did fiercely beat their opponents with a record score of 7-1, enough to engrave their local rivals on the pillar of historical disgrace.

Ranocchia's constant marking on Icardi throughout the match put the Manchester United sharpshooter in an all-game lockdown!

"Captain was amazing, so satisfying to watch," came Gualin's excited voice over the phone, "that's how it should be, hit Icardi hard, clamp him down, let them know your strength, look at that kid so arrogant, damn it!"

"But Tang, what I appreciate more is your assist to Icardi? Hahaha!"

"I later found out this own goal was the first of this kid's career, truly satisfying, offering this own goal to the Manchester Derby, he enjoyed the glory of the first blood!"

Tang Long told Gualin that when Icardi scored the own goal he was a bit dazed himself, thought he was still at Inter Milan, but then seeing Icardi's helpless expression made him burst into laughter.

The two were happily chatting on the phone when a picture popped up on his phone screen.

Tang Long opened it and found it was from Dilata, a selfie of her working overtime, looking utterly exhausted.

[Congratulations on winning a historic match! Unfortunately, there's no post-match interview to send you, I'm on a business trip in Switzerland, so tired, really want someone to chat with]

Tang Long impatiently swiped the photo away.

When enjoying a chat with his buddies, he showed no interest in women.

"Gualin, I remember in your defensive midfielder position, there could be more variety in passing choices..." and continued talking football with Gualin.

...

After playing the 11th round of the Premier League Manchester Derby, Manchester City didn't get a break midweek as they had an English League Cup round of 16 match to play.

Playing two matches in a week is a huge test for the players' fitness.

Fortunately, the team recently had a winning streak, and every player's morale was high.

Moreover, Pellegrini had enough rotations to adjust, so Manchester City set up at home, inviting Crystal Palace over.

Joe Hart wasn't completely benched by Pellegrini for his previous three outrageous mistakes and started this match.

Sabaleta, Mangala, Otamendi, Demichelis, Iheanacho, and other substitutes all started.

While core players like Tang Long, Ranocchia, Kompany, Agüero, and Sagna sat on the bench to watch.

Manchester City approached the game with a relaxed mindset, winning would be great, but losing wouldn't be a big deal;

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, had no intention of playing this match!

For a team like them, whose main goal is staying in the league, their focus is solely on the 38 rounds of the league;

Any matches outside of these 38 rounds are simply pointless as they drain energy.

Especially in the English League Cup, where a draw means no extra time, no penalty shootout, and a replay later.

Manchester City can tolerate playing twice a week because they have a deep bench;

But Crystal Palace cannot, their team is built for one match a week!

So not only did Manchester City rotate, but Crystal Palace rotated even more by promoting two young players from the youth team, clearly playing as a points-giving team.

The young Iheanacho was extremely active.

This was his first start of the season, and although it was in the English League Cup, which seemed less important, he wasn't going to miss any opportunity to showcase himself as England's emerging star striker.

He continuously combined beautifully with Nasri in the front, scoring twice in the first half.

But at the Etihad Stadium, this didn't cause much of a stir, and the applause wasn't very enthusiastic.

For this match, there were even just over 30,000 spectators at the Etihad Stadium, far from its 55,000 capacity.

Perhaps the fans also saw it as a less important match, and on a midweek workday, people who just finished work clearly weren't very enthusiastic about dragging their tired bodies to the stadium.