The 2010–11 season Manchester City squad was nothing short of luxurious!
This was the early stage of the Blue Moon's transformation into a money-fueled super club.
Ever since the Emirati tycoons took over, they'd been throwing money around like confetti—splashing cash in the transfer market, sometimes not buying what's right, just what's expensive.
For these tycoons, the logic was often simple and crude:
If it's expensive, it must be good.
They went on a spree, acquiring all the high-priced, big-name players on the market.
Even Arsenal across the way was drooling with envy!
Manchester.
Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City had just finished an English Premier League match.
They crushed Wigan Athletic 4–0, securing back-to-back Premier League wins.
However, despite their stacked roster, City wasn't ranking too high this season.
They trailed behind Manchester United and Chelsea, sitting in third place.
And in both the Europa League and League Cup, they had already been shockingly eliminated early on!
So, with such a star-studded squad, and the threat of ending the season trophyless, City had just one target left:
The FA Cup.
When a Premier League team with no distractions goes all-in on a single front, it becomes a terrifying force!
Post-Match Press Conference.
A reporter brought up the upcoming FA Cup Fourth Round.
City's manager, Roberto Mancini, didn't hold back in front of the press:
"It's time to end this farce!
Putting a team like Crystal Palace on the same level as Manchester City—it's ridiculous.
Just like some people actually believe that so-called genius from Palace can challenge Balotelli for this year's Golden Boy award—what a joke!
These two clubs, these two players, there's just no comparison at all."
"In the FA Cup Fourth Round, my team will show all of Europe the unbridgeable chasm between the Premier League and the Championship."
"And Balotelli will make those fans in South London, still dreaming about the Golden Boy, wake up once and for all."
"He'll show them what a real genius looks like!"
With a flourish, Mancini dropped the mic and coolly left the media room.
The press erupted!
Media outlets across England and Europe were ablaze with headlines.
As this highly anticipated FA Cup showdown approached, Manchester City had taken the first strike—putting all the media pressure on Crystal Palace.
Headlines flooded in:
"Mancini takes aim: says Kai and Balotelli aren't in the same league!"
"Draw revealed! FA Cup Fourth Round to be played at Etihad Stadium!"
"No Premier League team has lost to a Championship side in this year's FA Cup so far!"
"European analysts give Man City a 90% chance to advance to the next round."
"Wenger declares: This battle is about defending the honor of all London—North and South now stand united!"
"Manchester United spokesperson: We support Palace beating the odds and wiping the last bit of blue from Manchester's skies.
Sir Alex Ferguson believes Kai is the brightest talent of this generation."
Bombshell after bombshell swept across Europe.
Mendes had been calling frequently lately.
Constantly updating Kai on the situation.
After training, when Kai returned to his room, Mendes called again:
"Off the field, I've done all I can. But it's no good—Balotelli's got that Champions League trophy from earlier this year. That's a rock-solid honor, and even my connections can't shake it."
"At this point, I'm all in on you.
If you can really lead your team to beat Man City, then this year's Golden Boy award will be yours!
It'll be your first individual career honor, and your name will explode across Europe—and the entire football world!"
The call ended.
Kai took a deep breath.
The eyes of all Europe were on him now.
But he was already prepared.
The thirst for victory, the dreams of countless fans—they filled him with unshakable resolve!
He would lead Crystal Palace into the next round of the FA Cup!
In recent days…
Every night after falling asleep, Kai would simulate the upcoming showdown over and over again in his dreams.
He'd replicate Manchester City's current lineup as the opponent…
Then set Crystal Palace's strongest possible formation.
But no matter how many times he ran the simulation—
The result was always the same: a crushing defeat!
The gap between Palace and City's squads was a chasm.
City's roster was packed with world-class talent across the board.
Especially in midfield.
With the likes of Yaya Touré, David Silva, and Patrick Vieira, their midfield formed a death trap in the simulations, tearing Palace's backline to shreds.
City's attacks were orchestrated like a symphony, with Tevez, Balotelli, and Džeko up front breaking down every attempt at defense.
Whether he tried all-out attack or a counterattacking strategy…
Palace's defense couldn't withstand the onslaught.
Morning.
Kai opened his eyes and lay in bed for half an hour.
He kept replaying the simulations from last night.
It felt like, with Palace's current tactics and style of play, there was no way to beat such a powerhouse squad.
Was there really no way?
Kai thought fast.
Time was running out.
Tomorrow, this FA Cup battle would begin!
And all of England—and even Europe—would be watching.
"There has to be a breakthrough somewhere!"
He rushed to the training ground.
To join his teammates for the final pre-match practice.
Crystal Palace's players were full of fighting spirit.
The looming battle and media pressure hadn't crushed them.
By now, this Crystal Palace squad had undergone a transformation.
They no longer felt hopeless when they saw Kai on the pitch.
Their young captain was like a banner, leading them forward.
Millen looked at Kai, his eyes gleaming:
"On paper, we're no match for City.
Our entire squad isn't worth even a tenth of theirs…"
Coach Holloway grabbed Kai's hand, his gaze filled with hope:
"Kai, you are our leader—our only chance against City.
Do everything you think is right, and lead the team forward with all your might.
Even if the end result is a heavy loss, no one will blame you.
The players, the fans—even us coaches—will always stand by your side!"
That night, back home, Kai continued experimenting in the stadium of his mind.
Simulating!
Relentlessly simulating!
Searching for even a one-in-ten-thousand chance of success!
Finally—
At dawn the next day, Kai bolted awake!
He had found the solution!
In those thousands of simulations, the one possible route to defeating Manchester City had revealed itself!
"So that's it…"
"In a battle of uneven strength, the key to the underdog winning lies in the unknown factor—'X'."
"And only I… can control this 'X' factor in the game!"
The next day!
The day that rocked English football had arrived!
FA Cup Fourth Round: Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace!
This highly anticipated clash would take place at City's home—Etihad Stadium, as determined by the draw.
Manchester's media erupted with excitement!
They had been worried the massive number of London journalists would drown out their presence…
But now, with the match on their turf—they were in control!
Etihad Stadium had become a pilgrimage site for City's growing legion of fans!
Why "growing"?
Because before the 2008 takeover, Manchester City had a tiny, barely influential fanbase.
But ever since entering the money era—
Their supporters had exploded in number!
Only now did they have the confidence and clout to challenge the other football giant in town—Manchester United!
Meanwhile, the Crystal Palace team bus slowly pulled out of Selhurst Park toward the airport.
Palace fans followed behind, shouting with all their might.
Their voices drowned out the roar of the engines and the city's noise.
These fans—who couldn't get tickets to witness the match in person—used their loudest cheers to express their deep love for the team.
"Kai! King of the Eagles! Lead us to soar once more!"
"All of South London will be your strongest support!"
"Crystal Palace will spread its wings at the Etihad!"