Star card system.

What Mourinho thinks is "similar" does not mean coaching style or personal personality, but the situation.

Mourinho was in a similar situation to Conte's current situation before he left office after his second move to Chelsea.

Even worse.

There are also internal and external troubles, and there are also ups and downs in performance.

Looking at Conte who was extremely frustrated after losing, Mourinho even felt some sympathy.

But this is competitive sports, performance is king, everything is secondary.

After losing the game 0-2, Conte was naturally in no mood to say hello to Mourinho.

In fact, there was no communication between the two when they entered the venue.

If Chelsea win, Conte may still have something to worry about and have something to say to Mourinho, but now he is in a very bad mood.

Even after the game, he walked directly back to the locker room without waiting for the players.

This can also clearly see how far the relationship between Conte and his players has deteriorated.

But this has nothing to do with Mourinho. Now he belongs to red, not blue.

Not only is it not blue, it is also blue.

After winning against Chelsea, Manchester United still maintains a double-digit lead in the league.

And ten points became twelve points.

Manchester City met Arsenal in this round, and they were fiercely blocked by Wenger's team.

In the end, a 3-3 offensive battle allowed Manchester City to further widen the points gap with Manchester United.

They are getting further and further away from the league championship.

Only the cup stage can allow them to strive not to return empty-handed this season.

For example, the upcoming League Cup final.

After winning against Chelsea on February 2, Manchester United finally faced Manchester City in the League Cup final on March 25.

At Wembley Stadium, Manchester United soldiers are watching eagerly and ready to go.

Because in the recent league game against Chelsea, Manchester United appropriately rotated the lineup, and the entire team's physical condition was very good at this time.

However, Manchester United still did not send all their main players in this game.

It’s still a “cup lineup.”

Goalkeeper Romero, young Lingard, Rashford, McTominay and Bailly all appeared one after another.

For Mourinho, this means a commitment.

In the absolute main lineup, apart from Xia Xing, there is no one else who starts the game.

By the way, Carrick and Rooney also returned from injury in this game, and both got the chance to start.

Compared with Manchester United's semi-main lineup, Manchester City is much more luxurious.

For Manchester City, Guardiola deployed a 4-3-3 attacking formation.

Goalkeeper Ederson,
The back four of Kompany, Otamendi, and Kyle Walker,
The three midfielders are Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho and De Bruyne.
Three forwards: Sane, Jesus, and Aguero.

The attack group is very luxurious.

But even so, facing Manchester United's iron barrel formation, it was still difficult for them to score a goal.

The two sides have met three times this season.

The first time was in the 16th round of the league. The two sides started an offensive battle, and Manchester United narrowly won 4-3.

The second time was in the FA Cup knockout round half a month ago. Manchester City set up a bus and the substitute lineup won 1-0.

Although both games were won, Mourinho's tactics were completely different.

In the final analysis, it is still because the competition venues are different.

As the main stadium in the league, Manchester United is firing on all cylinders.

Xia Xing, Pogba, Lukaku and other stars all played, and they have full offensive power and can compete with Manchester City in an offensive battle.

On the cup stage, young players and substitute players are the main players.

The overall strength is not as good as Manchester City, so they simply retreat and wait for opportunities to counterattack, and finally hit the fatal blow.And today, it’s another cup match, another substitute lineup, and another bus.

The biggest difference between Mourinho and Guardiola is the difference in how others choose their dishes.

Guardiola is the icing on the cake, a coach who can lead a good team to become the best in the world.

Mourinho is a pragmatic coach who can make the team win games and win championships at all costs.

Like today.

The two old rivals met again. There was nothing to talk about, they just did it.

The referee whistles and the game begins!
Xia Xing retreated and still tried his best to organize defense.

Almost the same as before.

The only difference is that today he does not wear the captain's armband.

Because Rooney made his debut!
After a wave of injuries, Rooney has not played a few games this season.

After returning from injury, Mourinho originally wanted to let him rest, but in the training match, Rooney showed extraordinary form.

Even Lukaku pales in comparison.

"This shot is too violent..."

Accurate and fierce, Rooney is still one of the best shooters in the world.

Although his physical fitness has declined severely, his speed is far less than before, and his collision strength is no longer good, but relying on shooting and passing organization, Rooney is still an important member of this Manchester United team.

He made his debut today and was very active.

In the 11th minute of the first half, Rooney received a long pass from Xia Xing and shot directly from outside the penalty area!
The ball hit the crossbar and popped out of the baseline!

Only a little short!

In the 24th minute of the game, Rashford broke through with the ball and created a set-piece opportunity.

Rooney took a shot and the ball slipped out again, missing by just a little.

With two good chances in a row, Rooney was only one step away from scoring.

Although in excellent form, this game still belongs to Manchester City's rhythm.

Manchester City attacked frequently in the first half, and the continuous onslaught overwhelmed the Manchester United midfielder, unable to move forward and could only hold on step by step.

For a certain period of time, only Rooney and Rashford were in the frontcourt of Manchester United, and the other players were defending in the backcourt.

Although it was frustrating to be beaten, this was Mourinho's arrangement and the players strictly followed it.

The young players are a little angry and want to suppress it.

But as soon as they pressed out, they almost suffered a loss.

McTominay received Xia Xing's clearance ball and suddenly dribbled forward!

Sprint forward along the right path!

At this time, Lingard in the middle also went up!

Rashford and Rooney are in the frontcourt, forming a four-on-four situation!
Several midfielders and backfield players also moved forward quickly, and Xia Xing was shocked!
If the ball is intercepted, it will be dangerous!

Because his partner at this time was Carrick, whose running ability was not good, and he could not cover such a large area!

You can press on, but there is no need to be so desperate!
It's not that Xia Xing is conservative, but that Xia Xing understands his opponent.

Facing Manchester City, Xia Xing knew the strength of his opponent very well.

As a result, Manchester United was indeed in trouble.

McTominay accelerated with the ball and hit the defender decisively.

Lingard took the ball and sent a ball straight to Rooney!

Rooney didn't get the ball this time!

The ball was intercepted by Bernardo Silva who retreated to defend!

The intention of this pass was too obvious and it was interrupted!

At this time, Manchester United is pressing all the way, and the defense is empty!
Manchester City decisively started to counterattack!
Bernardo Silva quickly plays the ball, and Manchester City's front trident accelerates!
Manchester United's defense is in danger! (End of chapter)