Chapter 663: Playing To A Different Tune!

On the City bench, Pep Guardiola remained standing.

He clapped once, then called something towards his players.

The final minutes of the half passed with a little more urgency.

City continued to look the more threatening side, but Wigan refused to retreat completely.

Power and Henderson worked hard to protect the space in front of their defence, while Reyes tried to offer an outlet whenever possession was recovered.

There were still moments when City threatened to get through.

A Foden pass found Bernardo between the lines, but his attempt to release Haaland was intercepted.

Grealish then tried to carry the ball inside from the left, only for Darikwa to get a foot in and force it out for a throw-in.

Wigan survived, and just before the break, they found one more opportunity of their own.

Carlo collected possession on the left, with Ezra drawing Aké towards the opposite side.

He took a touch forward and delivered a cross towards the face of the penalty area.

It travelled across the six-yard box and looked like a chance.

Jake had made his run towards the near side, but Akanji stayed tight to him.

Reyes was a step too far behind, while Ezra was still recovering from his run on the opposite flank.

And so nobody arrived in time as the ball passed through the area and continued beyond the far post.

"Carlo puts it across! Oh, nobody there for Wigan!"

The home supporters groaned before applauding the attempt.

Carlo slowed near the byline, looking back towards his teammates with a frustrated shake of his head.

Dawson stood at the edge of his technical area, his arms folded.

He called out a few instructions, then turned towards Nolan, who had been watching the sequence closely.

Pep, on the opposite touchline, was already speaking to one of his assistants.

After a string of moments, the referee glanced at his watch.

And then a moment later, the whistle sounded.

That was half-time.

Both sets of players immediately came to a halt before turning towards the tunnel where their respective managers were already making their way down.

"An interesting opening forty-five minutes at the DW Stadium. Manchester City have created the clearer opportunities, with Haaland striking the post, while Wigan have had their moments without quite finding the finishing touch, but it’s still goalless between the sides."

His co-commentator picked up the discussion.

"And I think Dawson will be reasonably pleased with parts of that performance. They’ve kept their shape for long periods, and they’ve managed to get forward a few times.

But City are beginning to find those spaces. That Haaland chance should have ended up with them going down, but they can also take it as a warning."

"Certainly is. And we’ll have to see whether there are any changes after the break. Still plenty to play for in this fifth-round tie."

The commentary continued as the players began making their way off the pitch.

On the touchline, Leo rose from his seat.

Around him, the other substitutes were getting up as well.

A few pulled their jackets into place, while others collected their water bottles before following the staff towards the tunnel.

The scoreboard still showed 0–0, a reflection of either side’s inability to break through.

The fans, though, didn’t seem to mind the deadlocked situation.

The Wigan fans stood on their feet, perhaps pleased to get through the half without conceding.

Because there was something to look up to with Leo not yet making his appearance.

There was plenty left to play.

Leo slowly followed behind, adjusting his jacket before disappearing down the tunnel a second later with the rest of the players!

.....

Half-time, a time to relax and revisit the half they’d just been in, but the Manchester City players couldn’t relate to that.

They hadn’t even stepped into the locker room yet when Pep was already on their necks.

"What’s going on out there?"

The players kept their eyes on him as they moved into their seats, a bit surprised by the welcome.

"We’ve had the ball and moved into good positions, but what have we done with them?"

Pep continued, walking further into the room.

"One chance, another chance, Erling hits the post and Jack shoots straight at the goalkeeper. We cannot keep doing that."

He stopped in front of the players.

"You’re playing for Manchester City. You know what is expected. Some of you are paid what you’re paid because of what is expected of you, but I am not seeing that in this game."

Pep looked towards the opposite side of the room, where Kovacic sat with his elbows resting on his knees.

"We recognise that Calderon is not playing. Good. We recognise it. So what do we do? We change our approach.

We don’t continue playing as if he’s there, waiting for the same movements and the same spaces to appear. They have changed something. We need to respond."

He gestured towards the tactical board.

"Instead, we’re playing to the same tune. The same passes, the same movements. They are comfortable defending that. We have to make them uncomfortable."

His assistant stepped forward, bringing the board into the middle of the room.

Pep waited until the players had turned their attention towards him.

"I want you people to listen carefully."

He picked up a marker and began moving the magnets around.

....

Across the tunnel, Leo was already making his way back towards the pitch.

He walked a little ahead of the other substitutes, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets.

The interval was nearly over, and the sounds from the stadium were gradually returning.

As he walked by, one of the club staff members caught up with him.

"Still not on yet?"

Leo glanced towards him and shook his head.

"Soon, hopefully."

He continued walking, his attention shifting towards the opening ahead.

As he stepped out of the tunnel, the stands were beginning to fill again.

Supporters were returning from the concourses, finding their seats and settling back into the afternoon.

A few spotted him near the touchline and called his name.

Leo acknowledged them with a brief wave before making his way towards the substitutes’ area, and behind him, the tunnel was beginning to stir.