host must win

Chapter 216 The Premier League's Strongest Showdown

"Players from both sides are about to play, let's take a look at the starting lineups of both sides today."

"For Manchester United, the goalkeeper is the American Howard who just joined in the summer."

"In the back line, the right back is Gary Neville, the center back is Ferdinand and Sylvester, and the left back is O'Shea." He Wei said.

"Manchester United's defensive formation is a bit surprising." Huang Jianqiang said, "The previous central defenders were usually Ferdinand and O'Shea, and Sylvester played left back. Today Sir Alex Ferguson put O'Shea together. Xie and Sylvester switched positions, and I don't know the effect."

He Wei continued: "In the midfield, Ferguson also unexpectedly lined up five midfielders. Captain Roy Keane and Phil Neville partnered with double midfielders, and Yin Jun, Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo formed the midfielder. Wire."

Huang Qiangqiang took the topic and said: "Ferguson didn't use Scholes. This game used the Portuguese teenager Cristiano Ronaldo to start, and Giggs was also moved to the middle. Ruud van Nistelrooy played the single striker. "

For Manchester United's starting lineup, the two Chinese commentators were a little surprised.Many positions were different from what they expected, and what surprised him in particular was that Ferguson did not let Manchester United play the 442 formation they are used to, but played 4231.

"Arsenal has the customary 442 lineup. At the center back, Campbell, who recently lost his father, was absent. Wenger had to use Keown to partner with Toure. The two full backs were Ashley Cole. and Lauren."

"The biggest change was in midfield, with Pires on the bench and Parlor starting. Along with Vieira, Gilberto and Ljungberg."

"Wiltord takes a break on the striker, and Bergkamp returns to the starting lineup, partnering with Henry."

………………

Ferguson formed a 451 formation, with Keane, Phil Neville, Yin Jun, Giggs and Portuguese teenager Cristiano Ronaldo in the midfield, with only one Ruud van Nistelrooy on the front line.

This is meant to fight Arsenal's counterattack.

"After the start of the new season, Manchester United has remained unbeaten in all competitions, especially in the league and European competitions. They have won six consecutive victories; while Arsenal are not doing well recently. They have not won two rounds of all competitions. Yes. Overall, the situation is favorable for the home team!" said the commentator of Sky Sports.

After the opening, the two sides directly entered into a fast-paced fight, but they both protected their respective backcourt very well, and there was no shot in the first 10 minutes.This allows enough time for the commentator to expand on the relevant background of the game.

It was not until the 14th minute of the game that the first shot took place on the court.

This time it was Manchester United's offense. Ronaldo passed the ball to Giggs, who knocked it to Yin Jun.

Yin Jun saw that there were many defenders in the penalty area of ​​Arsenal, but there were no people outside the penalty area, so he suddenly shot a long shot.

The shot was so powerful that Lehmann saved the ball out of the baseline.

Huang Jianqiang said with some excitement: "Yin Jun shot, Manchester United won the first corner kick of the game."

Giggs took a corner kick, and Ferdinand, who participated in the corner kick attack, shook his head and attacked the goal. After being held by Leman, the football bounced off the crossbar, and Arsenal central defender Keown pushed the football outward.

Keane squeezed Parlor away and gave the football to Yin Jun. Yin Jun immediately took another long shot. The football was like a fired shell, whizzing straight towards the Arsenal goal.

Vieira desperately blocked the shot with his body, the football hit him like a battering ram, and the Arsenal captain fell down.

"Someone's hurt!" the Arsenal man yelled.

The Manchester United didn't pay attention at all, and Ronaldo followed up and shot the ball. The football was slightly higher than the crossbar.

………………

"Foul!" Ferguson roared from the sidelines.

Manchester United's players also surrounded Gilberto, asking for an explanation.

The Arsenal people were also very angry. They pointed at Vieira, who was lying on the ground, meaning that our people were all injured. If you don’t stop, you deserve to be shoveled!
The players on both sides were emotional and gathered together, chatting and cursing non-stop.

The referee's whistle sounded again and again, and he came up to intervene in the conflict.

"Ooooh! Manchester United shot consecutively, Vieira fell to the ground after being bored for a while, the Portuguese teenager was almost shoveled, Arsenal and Manchester United clashed." John Mortensen, the commentator of Sky Sports, paused After a while, he looked at the time and said, "The game has only started for 4 minutes, and the smell of gunpowder between the two sides has risen! What a fierce game!"

The referee came to Bennett, who verbally warned Gilberto, which aroused strong dissatisfaction from Arsenal.

Wenger shouted loudly from the sidelines: "This is Manchester United's home field! It is Manchester United's home field!"

The fourth official had to come over to warn the emotional Wenger: "Mr. Wenger, please pay attention to your words."

"Am I wrong? Isn't this the home of Manchester United?" Wenger asked.

The fourth official said with a dark face: "I will say it one last time, please calm down!"

"Very good, I'm calm!" Wenger walked back chattering.

………………

Vieira was just bored by the football at close range, a little dazed, after a short treatment, there was no problem, and he returned to the court.

Gilberto tackled Ronaldo and Manchester United got a free kick in a good position.

This free kick was slightly to the left in the middle of the court, about 30 meters away from the goal, which was very suitable for Yin Jun's heavy bombardment, so he took the penalty.

The referee's whistle blew, Yin Jun ran up, and then hit the football with his right foot like a whip.After the football left the ground, it successfully bypassed the human wall and flew towards the goal in an arc. Toure jumped up and made a header to clear the siege but missed.

Arsenal goalkeeper Lehmann judged correctly and made a pounce. The football hit the lower edge of the crossbar and was immediately cleared by Keown.

The Manchester United players were all raising their hands and yelling, indicating that the ball had crossed the goal line.The Arsenal players were also yelling back.

The referee Bennett communicated with the sideline referee, then shook his hand to indicate that the goal was not scored, and the game continued.

On the sidelines, it was Ferguson's turn to explode this time. He questioned loudly: "Didn't this goal go in? Didn't it go in? I saw it go in with all my eyes!"

The fourth official said with a dark face: "Please calm down, sir! You have to trust the referee's judgment!"

"How can I be calm?! How can I trust the referee?! One of our goals was scored and was blown away!" Ferguson growled.

Seeing that the fourth official was about to call the referee, the Manchester United assistant coach Mike Phelan dragged Ferguson away first.

In this case, once the fourth official calls the referee, Ferguson is likely to be sent to the stands.

In the strong dialogue with Arsenal, the referee was sent to the stands, the impact will be huge, and Manchester United is likely to lose the game.

(End of this chapter)