Star Card System

Barcelona scored the first goal and took the lead.

However, it was still early and Manchester United had plenty of time.

Next, Manchester United also stepped up their attack.

They hoped to equalize the score before the end of the first half.

However, their attack encountered big trouble.

Barcelona's defense was very solid today, and they did not give Manchester United any chances since the start of the game.

Alba, Mascherano, Pique, Roberto.

Such a defensive combination is world-class.

Pique is still Barcelona's mainstay and is good at defending high-altitude balls.

Mascherano has a large defensive coverage area and is a first-class runner.

Roberto, a product of the team's youth training, is good at both offense and defense and has long been one of the best full-backs in La Liga.

Alba is a rare left-footed player in Spain, with strong defense and assist capabilities, and his assists were in double digits last season.

With such a defense line, Manchester United's forward line is under great pressure.

Today Mourinho sent Ibrahimovic and Rashford to the front line, and Mkhitaryan assisted behind him.

Plus Xia Xing and Pogba delivering ammunition, it should be no problem.

But they just couldn't score.

Ibrahimovic, who once played for Barcelona, ​​was full of fighting spirit in this game.

But under Pique's close defense, he could hardly do anything.

After all, he had just returned from injury and his physical condition was not at its best.

And Rashford's speed advantage was not very prominent in front of Barcelona's right back Roberto.

He was overturned after several consecutive attacks.

Manchester United's most threatening two shots even came from the midfield.

Xia Xing and Pogba each had a long shot, just a little bit away from breaking the net.

Manchester United temporarily fell behind 0-1 in the first half.

In the second half, Manchester United changed 11 players.

But they still couldn't create too many good opportunities.

In the 75th minute of the game, Messi took advantage of a counterattack opportunity and shot low at the top of the penalty area, blasting open the goal guarded by De Gea.

2-0, Barcelona expanded the score lead.

It was not until the 89th minute that Lukaku took advantage of a counterattack opportunity, received a direct pass from Matic, waded through the Barcelona defense, and shot into the goal.

1-2, Manchester United scored a goal.

But there was no time.

In the end, Manchester United lost the game by one goal and lost the first International Champions Cup game.

Although they lost the game, Mourinho did not criticize the players today.

He still stayed in the locker room for a long time and explained to everyone the problems of today's game.

Especially the cooperation problems in the frontcourt.

This season, Ibrahimovic and Rooney are getting old, and their physical fitness and speed have further declined; Lukaku has just joined, and the degree of cooperation with his teammates is not high enough; Rashford and Martial have not fully entered the state.

Manchester United's loss of the ball in this game was not a special mistake, but Barcelona's attack was too good.

But Manchester United's forward line couldn't score, which is a big problem.

Seeing that the players were a little frustrated because of the loss, Mourinho encouraged everyone.

"We are losing now in order to lose less or no more in the league and Champions League. Winning is not important, finding the problem is the ultimate goal of the friendly match. Cheer up, I am very confident that if we meet Barcelona again this season, we will win!"

After losing the first game, Manchester United continued to forge ahead.

Three days later, they came to the Santa Clara Stadium, where they will usher in the second match with Real Madrid.

After losing to Barcelona, ​​Manchester United soldiers held their breath and wanted to make a big effort in this game.

Especially the forward line, rubbing their hands.

But Mourinho did not give them the opportunity to attack.

Mourinho's tactical arrangement for this game was to park the bus.

"Guys, stay calm today!"

Facing the powerful Real Madrid, Manchester United changed its previous strong posture in this game and completely retreated.

On the front line, only Lukaku was left.

The midfield lined up Xia Xing, Matic, Fellaini, Herrera and Schneiderlin.

Five players, all defensive stalwarts!

Zidane on the other side was overwhelmed.

It's just a friendly match, do you Manchester United have to play like this?

Mourinho didn't care.

I don't care if the scene is good or not, I just want to train my soldiers and see if we can keep a draw when facing the Champions League champion.

Or, grab a victory!

Unlike Manchester United's defensive defense, Real Madrid fielded a full lineup.

Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, and the BBC combination all appeared.

Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, the classic three midfielders also appeared.

Varane, Carvajal and other players on the defense line are also on the list.

Such a Real Madrid is the strongest Real Madrid at present!

And from the first minute of the game, they pressed Manchester United.

This is also expected by everyone.

Ronaldo's low shot after passing! Slightly off!

Benzema received the header from the bottom cross! De Gea punched it out with both fists!

Bale used his speed to break through Manchester United's right defense! A long shot! Slipped out!

In the midfield, Modric and Toni Kroos each had a long shot, which was very threatening.

But even with such a fierce attack, Real Madrid still couldn't score.

Until the 44th minute of the game.

Just when everyone thought the first half would end with 0-0, Manchester United suddenly exerted their strength!

Matic's interception in the backcourt changed the direction of Casemiro's through pass!

The ball fell to Xia Xing's feet!

Xia Xing did not hesitate and made a long pass to Lukaku in front!

Lukaku was not close to the goal, but he was very fast with the ball!

After receiving the ball, he dribbled the ball and rushed into the penalty area!

Varane tried his best to pull it, but he couldn't stop it!

Carvajal assisted and came forward, but he couldn't come back for the time being!

Lukaku rushed in!

In the penalty area, he made a low shot and the ball went straight to the far corner of the goal!

The distance was too close, and goalkeeper Navas was powerless!

The ball went in!

1-0!

At the end of the first half, Manchester United used an effective counterattack to score a goal!

They broke the deadlock first!

Mourinho on the sidelines excitedly punched hard!

Great!

This is what I want to see!

Boys, play like this!

Two minutes later, Ronaldo's free kick was blocked by the wall, and the referee whistled.

The first half of the game was over.

With a one-goal lead, Mourinho returned to the locker room humming a song.

Looking at all the players who returned, Mourinho smiled and nodded.

"Guys, I'm very satisfied with your performance just now!

"Just play like this, no problem!

"We have made a lot of changes in the frontcourt this season, and it takes some time to run in,

"So compared with Real Madrid, our offense is not superior,

"We must admit this,

"But this does not mean that we can't beat them!

"As long as we continue to maintain the same solid defense as in the first half, continue to defend,

"They will definitely leak out!

"Especially the two wingers, if they rush up, don't blame us for attacking!

"In the second half, our tactics remain the same!

"Hide and defend, no leaks!

"Seize the opportunity to break quickly, without mercy! " (End of this chapter)