Football Dynasty-Chapter 572: How is the Result?

Manchester United — 78 points

Arsenal — 73 points

Manchester City — 71 points

Chelsea — 70 points

Aston Villa — 68 points

Liverpool — 66 points

Let’s not talk about Manchester United, as they had already clinched their fifth Premier League title in seven seasons after beating Coventry City 3–1 at home on the final day of the campaign.

It was the perfect place and time to celebrate their triumph, marking the last fixture of the season at Old Trafford in style.

As for the relegated sides:

Charlton Athletic — 36 pts

Blackburn Rovers — 35 pts

Nottingham Forest — 30 pts

What makes the Premier League interesting now is the battle for a Champions League spot.

If City win, then nothing more needs to be said — their place in Europe’s top competition is secured.

But if they lose and Chelsea win, then they will have to say goodbye to European competition next season. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Well, there is still the FA Cup, of course.

And even though the UEFA Cup does not carry the same prestige as the Champions League, it remains an important European competition.

At halftime, the score was 2–1 as both teams returned to their locker rooms. After failing to score and struggling to break through, they realized just how strong Leicester’s defense was. They hadn’t managed a single clear shot on goal and were completely worn out from the relentless intensity on both sides of the pitch.

Mourinho turned toward Baltemar Brito, his expression tight but controlled.

"How is Arsenal doing?"

Brito glanced down at the small television screen in the corner of the dressing room, where the live scores were updating.

"0–3 so far," he replied quietly. "They’re leading. Goals from Dennis Bergkamp, Nicolas Anelka, and Nwankwo Kanu. One each."

Mourinho said nothing and the room felt smaller. The players avoided eye contact. Arsenal were doing their job. Now their hope shifted elsewhere.

"And Chelsea?" Mourinho asked.

Brito hesitated for half a second before answering.

"They’re currently leading 1–0."

Silence.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

You could almost hear the players thinking.

A season without European competition had already been painful enough — watching midweek matches from home, hearing the Champions League anthem without being part of it.

And now...

Next season too?

Boots scraped lightly against the dressing room floor. Someone exhaled sharply. Another stared at the ground, lost in thought.

For a moment, doubt crept into the room.

Then—BANG!

Mourinho slammed his fist against the tactics board, the sound echoing off the walls.

Everyone looked up.

He stepped forward, pointing sharply at the league table drawn on the whiteboard — the current standings circled in red marker.

"Look at this," he said, his voice low but intense. "Look at how close it is."

He turned, scanning each player one by one.

"You think this is over?"

No one answered. He pointed toward the pitch outside.

"The first half was a bluff."

His voice rose now.

"In the second half, we dominate."

He began moving pieces on the tactics board quickly — full-backs slightly deeper, midfield tighter, pressing triggers marked with aggressive arrows.

One thing he had learned at FC Barcelona, under Bobby Robson, was this: when you are behind, you do not chase the game with emotion. You control it.

There is no need for wild shouting or desperate long balls. Instead, you make the opponent think they have momentum. They push forward. They grow confident. And without realizing it, they begin to leave spaces behind.

"Come on! We’re still in this!"

The coaching staff joined in the moment, rising to their feet to applaud. Other coaches and the substitute players quickly followed suit.

"Together!"

PHWEEE~

Ten minutes had passed since the second half began.

When Mourinho saw Leicester’s demeanor as they stepped onto the pitch after halftime, he turned to Brito and smiled.

"We’ve won this," he said quietly.

Brito kept a serious expression. "Better to stay cautious," he replied.

In the second half, Leicester seemed to understand City’s game plan. They restrained themselves, conserving energy and refusing to overcommit, preparing for a long battle instead of chasing the match recklessly.

After that brief exchange, Mourinho stood and walked toward the touchline. The struggles of the first half — and Leicester’s more reserved approach in the second — shifted not only the tactical rhythm of the game but also the psychological balance on the pitch.

City continued to focus their attacks down the left side early in the half. Their full-backs pushed forward boldly, overlapping with confidence. Ronaldo and Zidane began to shine.

Ronaldo’s specialty was direct penetration. Time and time again, he drove at Leicester’s left flank, forcing defenders to retreat and reshuffle. He created chaos with his pace and sharp movement.

Zidane, on the other hand, dictated the tempo. His passes were deadly and threatening — disguised through balls, sudden switches of play, and perfectly weighted touches that opened narrow spaces.

When the match reached the seventieth minute, Mourinho made his move.

He substituted Okocha for Ronaldinho, Henry for Trezeguet, and Pires for Deco.

As Okocha, Trezeguet, and Pires left the field, Mourinho embraced each of them, praising their discipline. Even without goals or assists, they had executed the tactical plan perfectly and produced a clear strategic effect.

The introduction of Ronaldinho, Henry, and Deco sent a powerful message.

City had conserved energy for over seventy minutes.

Now the most fatigued players were off the pitch.

With fresh legs, the structure shifted immediately.

Ronaldinho drifted from the left toward the center, while Zidane dropped slightly deeper into a pure playmaker role. Henry positioned himself wider on the right, stretching Leicester’s back line with his pace. Deco operated as a wide midfielder, balancing defensive duties with intelligent link-up play.

The rhythm changed.

City stopped focusing solely on the left flank.

Now they attacked from everywhere.

Through the center.

Down the right.

With quick combinations and rapid switches of play.

It was no longer predictable pressure.

It was a full-scale offensive.

Leicester, who had looked untroubled for much of the match, suddenly realized that the flank they had guarded so tightly since the arrival of Deco and Ronaldinho was no longer stable. Ronaldinho was no longer just organizing play — he had transformed into a primary attacking threat, immediately throwing their defensive structure into disarray.

With Henry and Deco on the pitch, City’s attack became far more balanced and cohesive. Their movements were coordinated, their spacing sharper, and their transitions smoother.

When Pires played, he usually operated as a wide midfielder who covered large areas of the flank. But with Deco and Henry introduced, everything shifted. Even though the right side was not Henry’s natural position, Deco’s intelligent passing from the middle compensated for Henry’s occasional difficulty dribbling on the right. Deco’s timing and vision made the adjustment seamless.

It was the difference between playing with one-dimensional width and having two players who complemented each other’s weaknesses. Deco preferred quick pass-and-move combinations, constantly offering angles. Henry, less familiar on the right wing, thrived when given support and overlapping options. Together, they stabilized the right side and made it far more threatening.

From the seventieth minute onward, City launched a relentless, all-out attack, pinning Leicester deep inside their own half. As the minutes ticked by, the gap in quality between the two sides became increasingly apparent.

City grew stronger with every possession. Leicester, meanwhile, struggled to mount even a single counterattack. The physical toll of their earlier pressing and defensive work was now clearly visible — legs heavier, reactions slower, clearances rushed.

Ronaldinho’s ability to maneuver in tight spaces became a constant source of danger.

Just past the eightieth minute, he surged past Frank Sinclair with a sudden burst of acceleration. Then, just as Leicester’s defense scrambled to recover, he abruptly slowed down.

That single pause disrupted their entire defensive rhythm.

After that brief pause, Ronaldinho flicked the ball forward with delicate precision. It lifted gracefully into the air, arcing toward the left side of the penalty spot. Steve Walsh had just begun to turn, preparing to track the dropping ball — but he was half a second too late.

Someone else was already there.

Ashley Cole.

He burst into the box at full speed, attacking the space before Leicester’s defense could reorganize. For a split second, the back line hesitated — unsure whether to step out or hold their shape.

That hesitation was enough.

Leicester’s defense, so compact and disciplined all afternoon, was suddenly stretched and scrambling.

"Ashley Cole is flying down that flank!"

Ronaldinho’s timing was impeccable. As Ashley Cole charged forward, the ball was already perfectly played into the space he was attacking. Leicester’s defenders spun around, scrambling to recover, but it was already too late.

The clever pause from Ronaldinho had done its work. By holding the ball for just a fraction of a second, he had frozen the defenders — forced them to hesitate, to second-guess their positioning.

That tiny hesitation was all Cole needed. He exploded into the channel, every stride covering ground with purpose.

Ashley Cole’s body was perfectly balanced, leaning slightly forward, eyes locked on the landing spot of the ball. By the time the ball dropped near the left side of the penalty area, he was already in control.

As a left-back carrying the ball toward the corner, everyone — players, opponents, even the coaching staff — probably expected Ashley Cole to whip in a cross. After all, that’s the traditional job of a full-back: hug the touchline, drive forward, and deliver the ball into the box.

But Cole this time was not playing by tradition.

Leicester’s Robert Ullathorne was alert. He didn’t commit too far forward, yet he didn’t retreat either. Every movement was measured, calculated. His purpose was clear: anticipate Ashley Cole’s next move.

Ullathorne read the left-back’s run, trying to predict whether Cole would attempt a traditional cross. If Cole swung the ball into the box, Ullathorne would step up, lift his foot to block, and disrupt the delivery. But if Cole hesitated or cut inside, Ullathorne would stay grounded, ready to shield the space and prevent any immediate danger.

It was a delicate balance — too aggressive, and he’d be beaten by pace; too passive, and he’d leave the near post exposed.

As Cole approached the corner, Ullathorne’s body shifted slightly, weight on the balls of his feet, eyes fixed on the approaching ball. He was ready to spring forward at the exact moment, to close the angle, to anticipate the strike. Every twitch of Cole’s hips, every subtle lean, Ullathorne noted it.

And yet, Cole did something unexpected. The full-back didn’t rush for a cross. He slowed just enough to draw Ullathorne in, forcing a micro-hesitation.

Cole looked up, and without waiting for the ball to land, he unleashed a rocket!

BOOM!

Kasey Keller instinctively dived to save it. His palm brushed the ball, but the deflection wasn’t enough to alter its course — it still flew into the Leicester goal!

"81 minutes in, Manchester City levels! The scorer is the in-form Ashley Cole, who nets his first goal for City! They are now less than ten minutes away from winning the match."

After scoring, Ashley Cole raised his arms high before sprinting toward the cheering City fans in the East Away Stand.

The goal was a massive blow to the Leicester players and an even heavier one for their fans. It seemed their end-of-season celebration would no longer happen.

Moyes made substitutions, bringing on Matt Elliott to bolster the defense and motivate his players to keep fighting.

Mourinho stood at the sidelines with his hands in his pockets. Without saying a word, he knew exactly what to do.

Having a player like Ashley Cole was a true blessing. Unpredictable! A full-back who could execute both offensive and defensive duties impeccably. Even a decade later, in an era demanding a higher balance between attack and defense, few full-backs would manage to do what he was doing that day.

After the goal, Leicester launched a desperate counterattack, but it was already a last-ditch effort. In the dying moments of the match, Ronaldinho received a diagonal long pass from Makélélé. Seeing Kasey Keller rushing out, he opted for an audacious lob.

"Ronaldinho with a long-range lob! Kasey Keller is surely caught off guard — oh, so close! The lob hits the ground, bounces off the crossbar, and goes out. Keller rushes back to collect the ball. What a miss!"

Seeing the shot fail, Ronaldinho felt both frustrated and amused. He shook his head and quickly returned to his defensive position.

In the end, Leicester couldn’t alter the score, and Manchester City secured a narrow draw.

"Although Leicester performed well, tactically it was a complete victory for City over Moyes. Looking back at the 1996–97 League Cup two years ago, where City faced Leicester, today’s Leicester resembled the City of that time—lacking composure, eager for success, desperate to overpower their opponents from the first minute. Manchester City turned that match around to win; Leicester was just unlucky, as their opponent was not Nottingham Forest, but City."

"Indeed, Manchester City played very calmly today. They were not afraid of Leicester’s attacks and maintained control of the game with a stable rhythm, even after falling behind. Even under pressure, they never conceded. They knew they had dominated their opponents in the first half, and the intensity only increased in the second half. Although the score was only 2–2, the number of threatening attacks City created in just over 20 minutes was more than Leicester managed in an entire game."

"Yes, of course, it’s just that... what happened? Look at the City players. What are they doing?"

Normally, after a match — especially at the end of a season — players would turn toward the stands, wave, or circle the pitch to applaud and thank their fans. That gesture of respect and celebration was almost automatic, a way to honor the supporters who had cheered them on all year.

But not today.

As soon as the final whistle blew, the Manchester City players didn’t celebrate in the stands. They didn’t wave, they didn’t circle the pitch. Instead, almost immediately, they headed straight toward the City technical bench.

People thought they were frustrated with the draw and would head straight to the locker room, but that wasn’t the case. They seemed to gather together and hold a brief meeting. Even the coaching staff stayed calm, showing no excessive excitement.

What had happened?

As soon as captain Cannavaro arrived at the bench, he immediately asked, "How is Chelsea?"