Chapter 15: Infighting
The Arsenal generals who walked back to the dressing room with a score of 0:1 were not good-looking, especially the two players who caused the goal conceded, Toure and Gala, whose faces were simply gloomy and about to drip water.
In the first half, United relied on sharp off-ball movement to gain the upper hand, and Arsenal's vaunted fluid attack failed to play, which was frustrating enough in itself, and even more unacceptable was that in the last attack of stoppage time, two of the most important centre-backs made such low-level mistakes, causing all the team's efforts in the first half to come to naught.
The professor couldn't adjust everyone's mentality for a while, this kind of goal loss in stoppage time hurt morale the most, and what made him even more unspeakable was that this incident obviously came from the coordination mistakes of the two central defenders, and he couldn't blame anyone alone, but the two scolded together, and it seemed to be too heavy.
The atmosphere in the locker room fell silent like this, and after a long time, perhaps because of the fact that everyone didn't speak, the two who made mistakes were a little embarrassed, Gala first straightened up and said to everyone: "I'm sorry, it's because of the mistakes of the two of us that the team fell behind, I want to apologize to everyone here first......"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Toure frowned and straightened up: "I'm a left central defender, that ball should have been marked by me, what are you doing behind you?" It's just that you didn't stand in this ball, don't put the blame on me! ”
Toure's words made everyone stunned, although he was telling the truth, and it was not unreasonable. But all who have played well understand that conceding a goal is not the responsibility of any one person, and by saying that, it is clear that it can only have a negative impact on the team's unity and atmosphere.
I don't know if it's because the scene of this game is too big and the pressure on everyone is not small, so he has an impatient mentality and says such things.
But those don't matter anymore, as soon as Toure's words came out, Gala's face had already turned iron-blue, and the hatred in his heart was also filled in his chest: Nima usually doesn't talk to Lao Tzu and pretend to be forced. Now I take the initiative to take responsibility and relieve everyone's pressure. You're going to stab me in the back, do you have a teammate like that?
Gala is an active person, and likewise, she is not good at hiding her joys and sorrows. He had an idea in his mind about Toure. Naturally, it was revealed to the face. It was clear to everyone that one of his eyes was almost like a flame-breathing one, staring at Toure with a fixed fixation.
Toure also knew at this time that what he was saying was a little too much. But he usually doesn't like Gala's flamboyant personality in the team, he is obviously not the captain, but he always likes to point fingers at his teammates on the back line, you know, in addition to Zhu Lu, a newcomer in the back line, that person has no longer seniority in the team than him?
Why did he shout at everyone?
The evil fire in Toure's heart has not been held back for a day or two, today's incident is just an introduction, he saw Gala's eyes like he wanted to kill, his heart was horizontal, and he simply glared back, without the slightest intention of showing weakness.
Seeing that the team's two defensive backbones were about to start, Wenger was also angry, snorted heavily, stood up and scolded loudly: "What are you going to do! Look what you guys look like, we're still competing, do you want to have one first? ”
With Wenger's scolding, the two restrained a little, but the two pairs of eyes were still staring at each other, quite reluctant.
The criticism and self-criticism were not done well, the atmosphere in the dressing room was quiet again, Wenger knew that he could not do nothing at this time, so he turned around, walked to the tactical board, and said to the crowd: "Okay, let go of other irrelevant things first, let's talk about the tactical arrangements for the second half." ”
Only then did everyone take their eyes off the two cockfighting people in the arena and turn to the tactical board.
Arsene Wenger drew a red line on the right side of the pitch on the tactical board and told the crowd: "Manchester United's tactics for this game are very clear, Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned the middle, Ryan Giggs is next to him, they have left both wings empty, leaving two strikers and two wing-backs to gallop, this is a typical pull tactic, the purpose is to pull our defenders in the middle and leave the gap for the players who are in the back. ”
'In the face of such tactics, what we need is to press them aggressively on the flanks, so that their two midfielders have to go back to the flanks to help defend, in that regard, I must say that in the first half we did not do enough on the wings, Theo, Alexander [Hleb], I want you to strengthen the attack on the flanks in the second half, I don't ask you to help defend, but you have to play the two full-backs of Manchester United back so that they don't dare to press the half easily, can you do that?"
Theo Walcott and Hleb nodded, and in the first half, they were too jealous of Rooney and Saha's involvement on the wings, and the force forward was completely insufficient, as a result, United's two full-backs lost their pressure, and Patrice Evra and Gary Neville's assists were not generic, and the pressure on Arsenal was unprecedented.
In the middle, with Carrick and Hargreaves sweeping up in midfield, United's two centre-backs, Rio Ferdinand and Brown, don't need to face the onslaught of Robin van Persie and Bam Adebayo, and their defence looks impregnable.
'So in the second half, Francisco [Cesc Fabregas], you have to be a little bit more advanced and at least draw one of their two midfielders out and create space for the strikers to burst into the box, can you do that?'
Xiaofa nodded, in the first half, due to the fierce attack of Manchester United's midfield, he spent most of his time helping to help defend, and there were not many opportunities to get the ball, let alone organize a decent attack.
Of course, these arrangements are only tactical adjustments, and specifically personnel adjustments must be made in order to truly achieve a balance between offense and defense.
In this regard, Flamini's performance in this game is somewhat unsatisfactory.
After a series of exciting performances at the beginning of the season, Flamini has gradually settled into the team's starting midfield. But after this game, everyone found out that when the team needs a strong defender who can stand up, the temperament of the literary young Flamini seems to be a little bourgeoisie. Compared to Diarra's full-time sweeping defensive midfielder, his protection of the defensive line is completely weaker by a notch.
So the professor has made up his mind to bring on Diarra in the second half to solve the problem of the midfield position not being able to block Manchester United's forward attack.
As for the central defender, the professor has not yet made up his mind to make a change, because Descartes will be replaced in the second half. Two substitutions have already been used up. He must leave a spot in case he needs it.
Moreover, the professor also believes that Galla and Toure are both dedicated professional players, and they should not spoil the team's interests for personal disputes.
As long as the two can play at their normal level, there is no better option at the back.
The most important thing is Descartes. Arsene Wenger had previously joked that he was the star of the game. It's not just a joke. It's because Arsene Wenger is really prepared to use him as a surprise player in the second half. Manchester United's defensive strength lies in toughness, with Rio Ferdinand, along with Brown and Hargreaves, all tough guys, and not intimidated by a rampageant striker like Bam Adebayo. But on the other hand, the three of them are often helpless against some deft strikers.
United's only defeat of the season, note note, has been the only defeat so far, both in Europe and in England, because they were unable to keep out Manchester City's diminutive striker Giovanni, who was cut out of the crowd by the Brazilian and dealt the Reds the fatal blow.
The professor believes that Descartes will never lose to Giovanni, and on the whole, Arsenal is even more unlikely to be inferior to Manchester City, this game, he made up his mind to win!
Returning to the pitch, Arsenal showed a completely different style, and after the professor's set-up in midfield, they had a comprehensive response to United's attacking back. Diarra's play protected the backline very well, preventing Galla and Toure from suffering from the unbridled impact of Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs again, and Walcott and Hleb, who were concentrating on breaking through the wings, also pressed back Manchester United's two menacing fullbacks, Gary Neville was not known for assists, even though Evra had the heart to be the king of the front, but Walcott's speed made him very jealous, and he could only be honestly locked in the backfield.
Regaining the advantage of the two flanks liberated the midfield, with Cesc Fabregas attracting the attention of Hargreaves and Michael Carrick in a midfield position, allowing Van Persie and Descartes, who were active outside the penalty line, to find new opportunities.
Just three minutes into the second half, Eboue's low cross from the left was met by Descartes in front of goal, who struggled past Brown to shoot and Van der Sar blocked Descartes' close-range tackle, but could no longer stop Cesc Fabregas from making the next goal, and the Gunners equalised in just one round.
Although he didn't score, Descartes, who was credited with an assist, deliberately walked past Ronaldo after the goal and held his head high.
The action was in response to Cristiano Ronaldo's provocation after the Manchester United goal in the first half, and although the goal was also not scored by Cristiano Ronaldo, the excited Portuguese deliberately passed in front of the Arsenal bench after the goal and snorted with disdain through his nose.
Descartes also had no good impression of this Portuguese who played with his feelings every day under Morse, and his kisses with other women had already been published in the newspapers, and he did not feel that he had made a mistake, but that Descartes was regarded as an "adulterer and adulteress" just because he sat with Gemma and drank a glass of wine, such a seriously self-centered person, Descartes felt that he was not the same person from the bottom of his heart.
Since there is nothing to hide from the mutual hostility of the two sides, then Ronaldo made a provocation, and of course Descartes had to respond, and his response was simple and direct, and he also pulled the two teams back to the same running line with an assist.
Arsenal's goal brought the battle to a fever pitch, and it also sent the crowd on the sidelines booed, with more than 85,000 spectators booing in absolute horror, and even the commentators who were commenting on the sidelines had to cover their ears and wait until the wave of noise had passed.
However, Arsenal's goal did not dampen United's determination to win the game, and Lord Ferdinand had made it clear before the game. Ronaldo is his own person, and if he doesn't support his own people, who will support you in the future?
Feeling the same hatred, the Red Devils worked harder on the pitch, watching them run as if it wasn't the second half of a game, they had just stepped onto the pitch.
Manchester United's relentless run soon caused problems for Arsenal, and in the 63rd minute, Carrick burst forward with the ball, bypassing Cesc Fabregas and heading straight for Arsenal on the left.
Hleb, who actively returned to the defense, had an accident in this attack and defense. He had wanted to run into Carrick from the side. made him lose his center of gravity, but he didn't expect Carrick to suddenly turn around, and the unprepared Hleb tripped over his calf, and Carrick, who was hit, didn't make a sound. Hleb, who hit the man, let out a terrible scream. Fall to the ground.
Arsene Wenger saw the scene. With a tight heart, he hurriedly pushed the team doctor next to him out, and after the team doctor's diagnosis. The Belarusian has once again strained his ligament, which has just recovered, and whether it is torn or not will not be determined until he goes to the hospital.
The professor sighed, glanced helplessly at the bench, and then pointed to Diaby, who was full of anticipation: "You, go and warm up." ”
Diaby made a small jump off the bench and made a quick run around the sidelines before signaling to the professor that he was ready.
Looking at Hleb, who was carried off the court on a stretcher, the professor's heart was full of entanglement, this Belarusian is good, but he is too easy to get injured, in a year, there are not many games that can be played, but most of the time he is lying on the injury list, his contract is about to expire, will he keep anyone next year?
Before the professor could come up with a statement, the audience on the sidelines had already let out a burst of exclamation, and the professor hurriedly turned his head to look at the field, only to find that Descartes was walking towards the backfield with his head in chagrin, and in front of him were the apprehensive Manchester United goalkeeper Van der Sar and the helpless defender Brown.
It turned out that Descartes had just broken through Hargreaves' entanglement with the ball, and suddenly launched a cold arrow outside the penalty area, and Brown, who couldn't stop it, could only watch the ball pass by his ear, and then there was a crisp "bang" sound, and the ball hit the crossbar and went straight to the sky.
If the ball goes down a little bit, even Van der Sar will have to sigh in vain.
Finally, there is one more thing that can make you happy! The professor looked at Descartes' expression full of regret, and his heart finally felt a little lighter, I don't know why, Descartes' performance in this game was almost like two people before, he just made a goal not long after he came on the field, and he was very active in the front of Arsenal, and several big men of Manchester United flew into the power and almost nothing could be done about him.
Could this be the power of love?
The professor suddenly felt a little grateful to Ronaldo at this time, if he hadn't made this matter a storm in the city, how could he inspire Descartes' state? A resurrected Descartes would soon be a powerful sight for Alex Ferguson and his Red Devils.
But what Wenger certainly didn't expect was that Descartes could have such a performance, not only because it was not the credit of love, but because it was because there was no credit for love.
In order to avoid the limelight of this game, Jenma chose to go to Dubai to avoid the wind, which made Descartes, who had been terrified for many days, suddenly like seeing the sunshine, although it was only a few days, but there was no fear of being exposed by the media about the relationship between the two, he felt more relaxed than ever in the past two days, no longer have to worry about Angelie's call from Italy in the middle of the night, no longer have to worry about Jenma's reaction after finding out that he already has a girlfriend, Descartes feels like Comrade Shawshank in the redemption of Shawshank, free, is Nima easy?!
Without the fetters, Descartes' performance on the field of course also improved, not to mention that because of Ronaldo's provocation before and during the game, he had more reasons not to lose this game, so it is reasonable for him to perform so hard.
It's just that I don't know if Descartes's luck is not good enough, or Arsenal has gone too smoothly recently, God is a little overwhelmed, they gradually gained the upper hand on the field, but they were not able to break through Manchester United's city, on the contrary, in the 82nd minute of the game, Manchester United seized the opportunity again and re-expanded the score!
This time it was Saha's clever pass that pulled to the left, and Patrice Evra, who was unexpectedly cut in front, went straight into the penalty area, and Ronaldo slotted in from six yards in front of goal, almost ending the suspense of the game.
There are two scenes worth talking about after the goal, one is that Ronaldo shook off his teammates who rushed up to celebrate, rushed straight in front of Descartes, and made a "two" gesture to him with a roar.
The gesture could be seen as either a show off by Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United's two goals, or a declaration of his victory.
For Ronaldo's forgetful move, Descartes looked at him coldly, there are nearly ten minutes left in the game, you are too early to be complacent!
Another shot is the conflict within Arsenal, this goal was scored by Ronaldo from the gap between Galla and Toure, after losing the goal, Toure was very angry and yelled at Galla: "How do you mark people, how can you let him leak into the box?" ”
Not to be outdone, Gala counterattacked: "I'm going to intercept Evra, why don't you come up and fill in for me, your reaction is too slow!" ”
The two got together like fighting cocks again, and if it weren't for Lehmann's rush into the middle of the two when he saw that the situation was not good, it is estimated that they would have staged a full martial arts directly on the court.
The team fell behind again, and staged a farce of infighting in front of nearly a billion spectators, the professor's face simply turned into a black pimple, he angrily kicked the rain shield next to him, and then sat back in the coach's seat without saying a word, and it can be seen from his expression that the professor is angry and the consequences are serious.
And the hearts of the Arsenal fans in the audience and in front of the TV also clenched, is the unbeaten golden body this season going to be broken like this? (To be continued......)