291 The decisive battle begins!
At Old Trafford, Tang Hong's goal not only allowed Manchester United to regain control of the initiative in promotion, but also the situation was much better before the game.
Because Real Madrid still need to score at least two goals and have less than 60 minutes left on the game!
Jose Mourinho looked a little reluctant with his hands in his pockets on the sidelines.
At this moment, the commentators who broadcast the game live on Spanish TV are bluntly saying: Mourinho is losing control of this team!
The topic has not stopped since he abandoned Casillas and since the tensions in the dressing room surfaced.
Real Madrid is not as terrifying as it was last season, with a solid defense? Invincible fast break and counterattack?
The double weakening makes it hard not to suspect that the problems that have arisen within them have seriously affected their combat effectiveness, after all, they have been a source of fear for their opponents.
Real Madrid's players were slightly anxious and launched a fast attack immediately after kick-off.
Cristiano Ronaldo, as the current flag-bearer of Real Madrid, actively seeks opportunities to create a threat.
In the 36th minute of the game, he was fouled by Phil Jones at the edge of the penalty area after he collided with 272 in front of the wall and fell to the ground.
As soon as he got off the ground, he was ready to take a direct free-kick.
It was a little close to the goal, and a direct shot was not the best choice, but he still chose to force his foot to shoot, the momentum was terrifying, but a heavy shot still sent the ball to the stands.
United's morale was even stronger after the equaliser, and even Shinji Kagawa was very active in midfield, and in the 40th minute, Shinji Kagawa and Carrick collided with the wall to get rid of 272 in midfield, and then pinned down Khedira as he pushed forward to attack.
At this time, Tang Hong was naturally targeted, especially when he began to run inside, Abeloa shrank to the middle, and Alonso was more inclined to Tang Hong's side at the edge of the penalty area.
Shinji Kagawa decisively crossed the ball diagonally to the right in front of the penalty area.
Van Persie quickly runs inside and then adjusts his stance to shoot laterally!
When Raphael Varane stepped forward to block, he was surprised to see Van Persie send the ball straight into the right flank of the box.
Rooney runs diagonally into the penalty area to meet the ball, half-turns and shoots directly!
The ball flew to the near corner of the goal and was blocked by goalkeeper Diego López!
Rooney looked up to the sky and sighed, turning back to Van Persie and giving a thumbs up.
Ramos had to call Marcelo and let the opposition defend voluntarily shrink back to the middle.
Because Tang Hong's threat is too great, he also has to get closer to the opponent in his defensive position.
But at the end of the day, Manchester United still have Van Persie and Wayne Rooney to mark and restrict!
Two minutes later, Real Madrid launched a fast attack on the right, Di Maria quickly went down the right side after receiving Alonso's long pass, but the cross flew directly out of the air after that!
Di Maria had a threatening cross today, but overall the first half was poor.
Real Madrid's midfield failed to create a clear threat, especially the attacking organization was never fluent, which led to Higuain's almost useless use, and Ronaldo's strong individual ability and still creating a threat with the limited support of his teammates did reflect the superstar value.
As the first half drew to a close, United took the initiative to control the tempo, and it looked like they were not going to attack, with the forward line retreating to the midfield to play with their team-mates.
Manchester United can afford it, and it makes sense to seek stability.
But Real Madrid is racing against time, when their midfield formation is slightly pressed forward for active counter-attack, Tang Hong on the left side of the face of 272, Abeloa, Khedira when the ball is pulled to the sideline, it seems to be in an embattled situation, but it is for himself to win a limited space to complete a pick-up pass.
The soccer ball flew over 272's head, and when he looked back, he saw Shinji Kagawa quickly stepping forward without a moment of mud and water!
When Shinji Kagawa quickly stepped into the front, the Real Madrid defense quickly retreated, but Shinji Kagawa saw Rooney's run forward, and he immediately got up and sent a straight plug over the top!
Ramos and Varane retreated together to kill Rooney for a pinch, but Lu Xiaopang didn't stop the ball when the ball flew and kicked the ball to the top left corner of the goal!
Diego López is on the way to attack, subconsciously making a save but can't touch the football, and he can't return to the sky!
Ramos and Raphael Varane raised their hands together to signal Rooney for offside, but the linesman said nothing.
The cheers at Old Trafford shook the sky!
Rooney roared passionately and rushed to the sidelines, then opened his arms and closed his eyes in the corner flag area!
“omg! Manchester United is the next city! Wayne Rooney!
Real Madrid's eagerness to counter-attack led to a flaw in the defense and was caught by Manchester United!
Shinji Kagawa's kick over the top was just right, and Rooney's direct volley after running offside sank Real Madrid!
Manchester United lead Real Madrid on aggregate, which means that even if Real Madrid score two more goals, they will have to drag the game into extra time!
But with Manchester United's performance today, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Real Madrid to guarantee that they will not concede goals again.
Now Manchester United leads Real Madrid 5:3 on aggregate! ”
The camera swept over the Real Madrid players on the field, their expressions were different under pressure, some were expressionless, some had their feelings of loss written on their faces, and some were still full of fighting spirit.
Real Madrid's last attack before the end of the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo pressed Ferdinand's shoulders with both hands as he jumped up and down in the box, which caused the referee to blow him for a foul and caused him to be dissatisfied.
When the whistle blew at the end of the first half, the United fans applauded and were absolutely satisfied with the team's performance today!
The Real Madrid fans who came from afar kept shaking their heads.
It looks like the team's hopes of a comeback are extremely slim.
Jose Mourinho turned his head and walked along the sideline towards the tunnel with a blank face, but Ferguson did not look complacent, his expression was very calm.
When the players returned to the dressing room and Ferguson began to speak, everyone consciously closed their mouths to listen.
Ferguson exclaimed: "I know Real Madrid, I know Mourinho, they have 45 minutes to try to change their fate!"
Real Madrid will not surrender and Mourinho will not admit defeat!
The real decisive battle is coming, ask yourselves, are you optimistic because the situation is in our favor?
If that's the case, then we're in trouble for the second half!
Don't underestimate Real Madrid, don't be blindly optimistic!
We're going to knock them out and get to the last 8, and now our fate is in our own hands, and if we were to give it to our opponents, then we would have made a fatal mistake!
In the second half, limiting Real Madrid's scoring was the number one task, so we need to be tougher!
Especially their players who can make a good pass, don't make them comfortable on the field. ”
Manchester United's players nodded their heads, and after Ferguson reminded them, the players who were still talking and laughing when they first returned to the dressing room calmed down a little and became more focused.
In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again, and before kick-off, Mourinho studed.
All three substitutions are used!
Di Maria, 272, Arbeloa is substituted.
Benzema, Luka Modric, Kaka are here!
After this substitution, Real Madrid's formation was a little deformed, but there was no doubt that the attacking firepower was fiercer.
The so-called balance of formation is based on a balance of strength, and Real Madrid need at least two goals to drag the game into extra-time, so there is nothing to worry about at this point.
They even lined up a back three.
Ramos, Khedira, Varane.
4 midfielders.
Alonso, Modric, Kaka, Marcelo.
Benzema, Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo partner the trident.
As the second half began, United's tactics of restricting the harassment of Real Madrid over the two legs began to fail.
Because Real Madrid has more people in midfield, and at the same time, the players are very good at their feet, and they have a stronger sense of finding open positions.
Alonso, Modric, and Kaka are difficult to say how high the tacit understanding is, but making full use of the width of the field, plus Marcelo and Ramos on the wing, and the three forwards themselves in front of them have restrained the Manchester United defense, forcing the Manchester United defense to retreat more, and the space in the midfield is fully utilized by Real Madrid!
Things are starting to turn bad for United.
Ferguson expected that Mourinho would not sit still, and would not put the decisive time in the last 20 minutes, after all, Real Madrid need two goals!
Due to the deterrence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain, Manchester United's four defenders contracted the backfield while the two midfielders had to act as barriers at the edge of the penalty area.
In the 51st minute of the game, Modric received Kaka's pass in the middle of the front field and made a diagonal pass, and Marcelo assisted to the front and passed the ball to Ronaldo in front.
When Cristiano Ronaldo was about to wipe Rafael, he was tripped by the opponent's outstretched leg and fell to the ground.
Rafael was shown a yellow card by the referee.
Seeing this, Ferguson immediately gave Mike Phelan an an order to replace him with Valencia.
Valencia made a quick run to warm up and came back from Mike Phelan to arrange his post-arrival tasks.
Just three minutes later, United used their first substitution, with Valencia coming on to replace Rafael.
Now you need to be faster and fight better against people to strengthen your defense!
Real Madrid are difficult to create a threat in the penalty area, even if Manchester United don't want to put the bus, but the opponent's control of the ball is too strong, and when Real Madrid play attacking pressure, Manchester United can only shrink to the front of goal.
As a result, Real Madrid's midfield was able to make the most of their quality and create a threat.
Worst of all, United don't even have the opportunity to counter-attack quickly.
Being besieged by opponents for a long time inevitably makes the situation dangerous for Manchester United.
In the 59th minute of the game, Kaka's long-range shot from the right in front of the penalty area was saved by De Gea!
Ferguson continues to make substitutions!
Cleverley up, Shinji Kagawa down!