Chapter 426: A Porous Backline
A Manchester United team arrives at Old Trafford.
In the dressing room, Mourinho told the players: "Don't let things off the pitch affect the mood of the game. Football matters, or solve them on the field! Don't keep thinking about the two balls we have in hand. Let's start from zero. All we have to do in this game is to beat Juventus and reach the semi-finals! ”
On the commentary bench, the big-mouthed Dunphy said: "We have got the starting line-up for this game. Juventus' starting line-up is basically the same as in the last game. The only personnel change was the introduction of Leonardo Bonucci in place of the red-carded suspended Benatia. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, defender Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Stunendo, Alex. The midfield position is still Pjanic partnering Khedira. Dybala in front, Mandzukizi, Higuain, and Cuatrado on the attacking line. ”
Fat Bob said: "On Manchester United's side, the midfield is the same as the starting force in the first leg. It's different on the back line. Eric Bailly, Valencia, Luke Shaw and Phil Jones start. The players from both sides have walked out of the tunnel and the game is about to begin. Let's follow this game together. ”
With the referee's whistle, the game begins.
Juventus started the game with a massive attack. After all, they are two goals behind Manchester United and this game must win by more than three goals at the Theatre of Dreams to secure qualification.
In the 4th minute of the game, Juventus created danger in the Manchester United penalty area.
Dybala instigated an attack on the right and crossed to Mandzukic, who was in the middle. Mandzukic goes straight to Higuain in the box. Higuain receives the ball and pushes the shot. Thankfully, David De Gea was solid and caught the ball and held it down steadily.
Higuain, who missed the opportunity, hugged his head in frustration.
Mourinho couldn't help but throw a Portuguese national curse in the coach's box. United's porous back line is a headache for him. It took a lot of thought before the game to decide on the starting line-up for this game. However, just four minutes into the game, Bailly's leak gave Higuain a chance to get to his feet in stride.
Mourinho whispered to himself in Portuguese: "The transfer period disposes of the whole backline. ”
Although the assistant coach next to him, Barte, did not understand Portuguese, he could basically guess what Mourinho was saying.
Bart said to Mourinho: "Jose, I still think it's better to buy a back line than to develop a strong back line myself. There are a couple of nice guys in the reserves. ”
The two are talking, and Manchester United is in danger in front of the goal!
In the 7th minute, Cuatrado broke through Phil Jones' defence on the flank, and he crossed the ball
The ball flew straight into the Manchester United penalty area! Mandzukic has an excellent ability to head the ball and grab the ball. He jumped high and fought to the top to the first point. Header on goal!
The ball flies straight to the right side of the goal! At the crucial moment, De Gea once again showed his excellent goal-line skills, and a side-saving save kept the ball out. The experienced Valencia cleared the ball with a big foot.
Mourinho couldn't bear it anymore this time, he got up from his seat and scolded loudly at the field: "Jones, what were you doing just now? What about your brain? casually out of position and broken through by Cuatrado?! ”
Manchester United were suppressed by Juventus for 20 minutes after the opening. The Red Devils' penalty area is dangerous. Fortunately, De Gea played well, and Juventus lacked a little luck, and the score was still 0:0.
After withstanding Juventus' opening three-pronged axe, Manchester United finally took control of the situation on the pitch and began to launch a counterattack in front!
In the 24th minute of the game, the old lieutenant Liu Yun got the ball in the midfield! A pick pass went straight to Ibrahimovic in front. Ibrahimovic was in excellent form, and after beating Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, he fired from the edge of the box from distance.
It was a powerful long-range shot that flew straight into the top right corner of the Juventus goal. Buffon jumps! Lift the ball off the baseline with one palm.
It was a beautiful save. The 40-year-old Buffon is in the same form as any of the best goalkeepers in Europe!
On the commentary table, the big-mouthed Dunphy said: "Buffon, like the old lieutenant, belongs to that kind of natural warrior!" The years have not taken away their state, but have made them stand out from the crowd of young people! Buffon's save just now, even Kahn in his prime, was only at this level! ”
Fat Bob said, "Well, the cooperation between the old lieutenant and Eevee is getting more and more tacit. Almost as soon as the old lieutenant made a long pass, Ibrahimovic began to run. Truth be told, though, United's backline is much worse than a sharp striker. In the first 20 minutes, the Reds defenders made at least three or four mistakes that they shouldn't have made. Okay, let's start with this corner. ”
Liu Yun's corner kick was high and went directly to Lukaku at the back post.
It's a pity that Lukaku didn't grab the first point. The ball is cleared by Chiellini.
For the next ten minutes, Juventus and Manchester United exchanged attacks and defenses. However, neither side found the back of the net. The score of 0:0 remained until the 37th minute of the first half.
In the 37th minute of the first half, the powerful LIL finally wielded its might!
Lukaku broke through on the wing and picked up the old lieutenant Liu Yun in the middle. Liu Yun shook Chiellini and gently pushed the ball to Ibrahimovic in the box. Ibu kicks up!
How could Big Eevee waste such a good opportunity? He took a close-range shot from inside the box and hit a half-high shot.
Although the veteran Buffon struggled to save, the ball was extremely powerful and fast. Buffon could only look at the ball and sigh.
The ball is in! 1:0! Manchester United take the lead at the Theatre of Dreams!
"Yay~~~" Dream Theater is boiling!
Ibrahimovic turned around and ran to Liu Yun and Lukaku, and the three of them stood shoulder to shoulder, and they celebrated collectively on the track!
Mourinho, who was angry with his own backline, finally raised his eyebrows at this moment! He sprang up from the dugout like an agile frog and roared, "Beautiful, LIL!" ”
On the commentary seat, the big-mouthed Dunphy said: "The cooperation between LIL is really tacit! It's another masterpiece in the forbidden area between the three! In the end, it was Ibrahimovic who delivered the fatal blow! ”
"The season is coming to an end," Fat Bob said. I bet there will be countless European giants who want to poach Manchester United's corners during the transfer period! ”
The big-mouthed Dunphy smiled and said: "I also bet that even if those big teams spend more money, Manchester United will not let them go!" You know, now LIL is Manchester United, and Manchester United is LIL! ”
Fat Bob said with some concern: "I guess the only thing fans are afraid of now is the age of the old lieutenant and Ievee." One is 47 years old and the other is 37 years old。。。。。 ”
Dunphy said, "You mean Ibrahimovic and the old lieutenant will choose to retire?" Absolutely not! The biggest reason for the retirement of stars is generally the decline in form and the loss of the main position. With Ibrahimovic and the old lieutenant in their current form, do you think Mourinho will put them on the cold bench next season? Retiring due to age? This is a ridiculous view! ”