Football: Starting from the Ronaldo Template

Chapter 329 Guardiola's Last Light

"Manchester United had already scored two goals before 50 minutes had even started, which reminded me of the Champions League final last season."

"Manchester United were playing so hard, I couldn't even see any hope."

"In my eyes, Manchester United at that time was an atypical team, an idealistic team, a team full of dreams."

"Because I saw the light of disruption in Manchester United."

"And today?"

"I've seen their growth and I think if they could go back and play against that Real Madrid team again in the Champions League final."

"Let's not talk about winning or losing for now. At least it won't be that difficult."

"But that's the charm of football. You can never guess the script. That sense of unknown is fascinating."

Zhan Jun was deeply moved.

He still remembers Xiaochu's three goals in last season's Champions League final vividly, as if they were engraved in his mind.

Watch as the young Galactico boy who used strength and courage to break through Real Madrid has become the leader of the Red Devils who led Manchester United to defeat Atletico Madrid and reverse Liverpool today.

Zhan Jun is glad that he could witness this history with his own eyes, and he also believes that many fans share the same idea as him.

The camera turned to Mourinho on the sidelines.

He looked at the big-ear cup next to him, and then glanced at Guardiola next to him.

Thoughts are racing.

In 2010, he officially took over the Bernabeu, which was equivalent to declaring war on Barcelona.

At that time, the head coach of Barcelona was Guardiola.

When Mourinho ran wildly to celebrate at the Nou Camp, the relationship between the two also reached a freezing point at this moment.

Mourinho is a stain on Guardiola's perfect philosophy.

Guardiola is the opponent Mourinho wants to defeat.

"But Pep is really a genius, no, crazy."

Mourinho cut off the memories.

There is a saying: Those who are one step ahead of the times are geniuses, and those who are two steps ahead of the times are madmen.

Guardiola's obsession with tactics is like that of a madman who is obsessed with it, always thinking about how to play the most perfect football.

Mourinho thinks he can't compare to him because he separates work and life.

But that doesn't mean he's weak.

The on-the-spot dispatch was like a stroke of genius, and the defensive counterattack was used to the extreme.
Actually.

The relationship between the two is not as bad as imagined. When Mourinho's father passed away in 2017, Guardiola called him to comfort him.

Because Guardiola knows how important his father is to Mourinho.

As Mourinho said: "What happens in a football game should stay in the game, we should leave behind respect and something more positive."

But this is also the truth he has realized in the past two years.

It turns out that the two's quarrel was reported in Spanish newspapers every day.

Perhaps people lose their sharpness as they age, and don't want to always actively create conflicts.

"Boss, how are we going to adjust it later? I'll have someone warm up first."

Faria said excitedly.

He joined Mourinho's team because the two had the same philosophy, especially their attitude towards championships and honors.

Now we are one step closer to our third Champions League trophy.

Faria felt as if he was floating in the air like a balloon.

"After Manchester City made the substitution, we immediately replaced Ashley and had Scott replace Rashford. The overall formation was switched to 4312 to increase the defensive strength in the midfield and backcourt."

Mourinho thought for a moment and expressed his thoughts in a deep voice.

His idea is simple.

De Bruyne is a typical right-footed player, so he usually plays as a right midfielder.

But according to Manchester City's formation and tactics.

He deduced that De Bruyne would replace David Silva and combine with Sane on the left to create an advantage in the half-space.

McTominay has made a lot of progress, but it is still not enough against De Bruyne, especially in terms of defensive positioning.

Political Commissar Egypt is good at this and has excellent individual defense capabilities.

You know, he once froze Hazard.

So let McTominay play as left midfielder, Matic play in the middle to radiate the two flanks, and Herrera play as right midfielder to limit De Bruyne.

As for why Ashley Young was replaced?

His physical strength is reaching its limit and he cannot play the whole game.

"it is good."

Faria responded and walked towards the bench.

The game on the green field has begun.

After taking a two-goal lead, Manchester United became noticeably more restrained and no longer attacked as a whole team, but the intensity of the pressing in the midfield and backfield increased a lot.

They knew that as long as they kept the score until the end, they would be able to lift the coveted Big Ear Cup.

And this kind of psychological bonus is much more powerful than chicken blood.

63nd minute of the second half.

David Silva completed consecutive escapes from the ribs, showing the style of the Blue Moon magician.

But he was brought down by Matic before passing the ball.

Beep!

The referee blew the whistle and showed the yellow card.

David Silva held his knees and gasped for breath. If he could see his physical energy bar, he would find that it had turned red.

"Whoosh-"

He gestured toward the sidelines, indicating to the coaching staff that they could replace him.

Guardiola's new concept tactics consume too much physical energy of the players.

It requires players to pass, receive and run constantly.

Just like the gears in a precision machine, if one goes wrong the machine will stop.

So there is no point in forcing it.

On the contrary, it may drag down the team.

"We see Kevin De Bruyne coming up to the pitch and he will replace captain David Silva."

"Before the game we were still wondering why De Bruyne didn't start."

"Now I guess this is Guardiola's secret weapon, maybe the remaining 30 minutes will be more exciting."

"There's more than one substitution, Kompany comes on for Laporte."

"Here I want to talk about Laporte. His performance today was really unsatisfactory. He made many low-level and fatal mistakes."

"So why do we say there are big-game players and big-game wimps?"

"For football players, playing in front of tens of thousands of people requires a good mental state."

David Silva handed the captain's armband to Kompany, and the Belgian patted the Spaniard's shoulder hard.

Both of them are old and will leave soon.

But before leaving, they all wanted to leave the Champions League title for Manchester City and write their own story in Manchester City's history.

"Tell the young men that the meaning of hard work is never success, but to do your best to leave no regrets."

Guardiola said softly.

Kompany nodded and answered seriously: "We will have no regrets."

Belgians have the most spiritual attributes.

Since he came on the pitch, every shout and every pass seemed to ignite the fire in the hearts of Manchester City players.

What is a leader?

He must be infectious enough for his teammates to feel it.

Former Argentina national team full-back Zabaleta said: "Kompany's defense sometimes gives people a wonderful illusion, as if his team has one more player on the field than the opponent."

Because Kompany has a unique tension - indomitable spirit.

Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration.

But in the 2011/2012 season, Manchester City fought with Manchester United for the league championship.

In the third-to-last round face-to-face decisive battle, Kompany headed the ball into the goal and became the derby hero who killed the enemy.

Without this victory.

There would be no Aguero's last-second winning goal two weeks later, and there would be no first Premier League trophy in Manchester City's history.

At that moment Manchester City fans felt unyielding.

Even though Kompany is no longer young, he can still give Manchester City fans hope in his own way.

After the backcourt defense became solid, the frontcourt offense was also launched.

De Bruyne received the pass from Fernandez. Facing Matic, he did not try to break through, but cooperated with Gundogan in the middle.

The football drew a zigzag line and rolled towards the left side of Manchester United.

Sane also did not dribble past the opponent, but passed the ball back with the outside of his foot.

De Bruyne regained control of the ball.

On the surface, Manchester City did not advance.

But Manchester United's formation was concave.

In order to ensure stability of the defense line on the same side, Luke Shaw moved back and marked B Silva who came in from the right.

But Stones and Kyle Walker quickly moved forward at this moment.

Their appearance allowed Manchester City to go from three players in the midfield to five players, which in turn created a numerical advantage.

Rashford seemed to be distracted and was a little slow in retreating, so Kyle Walker instantly left him behind.

McTominay was unable to cope with all the situations and could only keep retreating.

De Bruyne made a classic low arc shot, passing half a meter behind McTominay and rolling accurately into Kyle Walker's running path.

The English superstar ran into the penalty area, trying to cause chaos among the Manchester United players.

"Seal the near corner!"

"Man-to-man marking in the middle!"

De Gea quickly gave instructions.

Manchester City players do not have the advantage of height, so there is no need to worry about high balls. The probability is that the ball will be passed low in front of the goal.

So just block the passing lanes and possible shooting spaces.

Manchester City's attack is unlikely to pose much threat.

Compared to Kyle Walker’s speed, his dribbling can only be described as medium-level, and his ball control at high speeds soon went wrong.

Maguire blocked his position and kicked the ball out of the baseline.

"Spread it sooner!"

Guardiola held his head again.

If it was seat B, maybe he could bring it in.

But Kyle Walker is absolutely impossible because his dribbling is not as good as Maguire.

The strong-side and weak-side conversion opportunities that were finally created through substitutions were wasted.

"Manchester City chose a tactical corner kick, and the second time it went into the penalty area, it was a half-man-high cross!"

"Maguire failed to clear the ball!"

"Aguero got a chance to shoot—"

"Beautiful, De Gea!"

"Aguero's shot was not strong enough and De Gea easily caught it!"

"Maguire almost got into trouble again."

Zhan Jun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Every time he watched Manchester United play, his heart would twitch uncontrollably when the opponent passed the ball into the penalty area.

It's because Maguire has both the divine and the demonic aspects, and he's unpredictable.

"We saw the fourth official holding up a sign that Manchester United were going to make a substitution, Luke Shaw replaced Ashley Young, McTominay replaced Rashford."

"Mourinho must have noticed the problem. The defensive intensity in the two flanks was reduced, which gave Manchester City a relaxed environment to handle the ball."

Zhan Jun breathed a sigh of relief.

He was worried that Manchester United would lose the ball, so Mourinho started to make substitutions.

I have to say that Mourinho's judgment of the situation was very accurate.

This substitution not only interrupted Manchester City's rhythm, but also gave their team a brief breathing space.

Guardiola on the sidelines looked deeply at Mourinho.

He feels that his old friend and old rival has taken his tactical level to a higher level since winning the Champions League last season.

And unlike the high-spirited player he was ten years ago, Mourinho has now become more calm.

how to say?

We have strengthened our research and control over our opponents, and no longer stick to our own ideas.

Not as stubborn as before.

compromise?

No, it should be said that it keeps pace with the times.

The same goes for Guardiola.

As football entered an era of rapid development, their tactical concepts also spiraled upward.

"It's probably going to be difficult today."

Guardiola sighed silently.

Immediately, he continued to make gestures frantically, like the hand seals in Naruto, constantly directing the Manchester City players.

The game unknowingly reached the 70th minute.

The score on the field remained at 2:0. After replacing McArthur and Luke Shaw, Manchester United gradually stabilized the defensive rhythm.

Manchester City's passing became anxious.

Safe balls are not threatening, and threatening balls are not safe.

It sounds like nonsense.

But De Bruyne understands the reason.

When he received the ball again, he decisively chose to pass it vertically.

Facing Manchester United's iron defense, the safety ball will not have much effect.

Only penetrating passes can create better opportunities and prevent Manchester City from losing the game.

The football tore through Manchester United's first line of defense.

When he was about to break through the last line of defense, he was intercepted by David Luiz.

Although De Bruyne's passing intention was not obvious.

But Sane's running trajectory could not be more obvious.

David Luiz once again took up his stance and placed the arch of his right foot hard on the ball.

The football flew towards Chu Feng in the front field.

This time he was unable to grab the ball easily, as Kompany behind him put enough pressure on him and also called on Fernandes to assist in defense.

The ball was headed back into Manchester United's half by Kompany.

De Bruyne received the ball and then dribbled it hard. People always say that he can't dribble past opponents.

That's because his ball handling, ball protection and passing are all world-class.

So most of the time there is no need to pass.

And if we really talk about extraordinary ability, he should be better than Anthony of Sao Paulo.

The continuous change of rhythm creates space.

"De Bruyne makes a diagonal pass with the inside or outside of his foot!"

"The football seemed to be equipped with a motor. It drew an incredible arc and passed in front of Matic and behind David Luiz!"

"Aguero!——"

Zhan Jun's voice stopped suddenly.

Because in order to avoid Manchester United players, De Bruyne chose the most tricky passing route, and it was very close to the goal.

De Gea decisively attacked, swung his body and held the football tightly in his arms.

Aguero was tripped.

There is definitely no possibility of a penalty kick, and there is no foul.

"Well done!"

Chu Feng gave his second like today.

He always felt that De Gea was better than Aola, but he ended up having no football to play in the future.

Now that we have our own intervention, it shouldn’t be that bad, right?

De Gea had a smile on his face as he buried himself in the grass.

He lay on the grass for a full six seconds before slowly getting up and teeing off.

Delay the time.

Now for Manchester United, the goal is to delay the game as much as possible within the rules.

Some might say it's immoral.

But being too moral is not a good way to play football.

(End of this chapter)