Chapter 17: Who's Worse Than Whom
Cantona basically did not put Wenger's new team in his eyes, for him, as long as he has an advantage in the game with Arsenal and Chelsea this season, and then wins as many other games as possible, it is not a problem to defend the title, and as long as he is not messed up, Willingham is not likely to take advantage of it, not to mention that the main players such as Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Hargriffs, and Ferdinand are in good shape in this game, so in his mind, he has already counted the three points of this game into his account.
Manchester United players who have come to London are thinking more about playing Lyon in the next game of the Champions League group stage, and if they can beat Lyon in France, it is not only possible to appear in the group early, but more importantly, to avenge the shame of being excluded from the Champions League semi-finals by Lyon in the knockout stage last season.
It was in such a situation that Manchester United's away match against Willingham began in the ninth round of the league.
The old and strong Ryan Giggs and the popular little Ronaldo on the two flanks posed a huge threat to Willingsim from the beginning, Cabo and Jim Bullard had to often come back to help Carax and Richards defend, but even in the local area to form more and less, but the experienced Manchester United players can always use the most reasonable way to pass the ball, and Scholes and Hargriefoss in the middle of the midfield are not vegetarians. Their direct long-range shots and penetrating passes left Johnson with little time to spare. Not to mention the threat that Wayne Rooney and Tevez pose to Willingsim up front.
But even so, Willingham did not shrink in defense, and once he stole the ball, he did not kick forward like many weak teams, but used the increasingly skilled passing and receiving of several players in the midfield to organize the attack.
The first goal happened very naturally, Hargrefors received a pass from the right side of Ronaldo near the midfield, did not listen to the ball, took a straight pass, and stabbed the ball to Rooney on the forward line, at this time Tevez ran sideways to try to open the gap, but Kompany was not led away by him, still staring at Rooney who had the ball, and was ready to interrupt Rooney's pass to Tevez at any time, and right-back Richards came up to watch Tevez very tacitly, and Jim Bullard in the middle maintained close contact with Giggs.
Rooney didn't shoot himself, nor did he give it to his frontcourt partner Tevez, but gently knocked back, and Scholes, who was inserted at high speed, made a powerful volley from Johnson's upper left and hung into the net, because he was blocked by other players, Johnson didn't even make a save, but even if he made a save, the ball couldn't be stopped.
There was silence in the stadium, Willingham fans were deeply shocked, this combination seems simple, but it can show a deep tactical foundation, every player in the Manchester United front court is more or less involved in this attack, but the goal from start to finish is unusually clean, and after Rooney gets the ball, no matter how Willingsm's defenders choose, he will have a chance to score.
Kompany exchanged glances with several of his teammates, and what he saw in the other team's eyes was a deep sense of helplessness and dissatisfaction.
Just five minutes after the goal, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic was knocked to the ground by Helder while blocking a breakthrough by Holder, referee Maureen awarded a free kick from Manchester United's back, and Vidic fell to the ground in pain, Manchester United's team doctor rushed into the field, taking advantage of this short time, Wenger made an amazing move, he waved his hand and shouted loudly to call all the players of Willingham to the sidelines, in a circle, in the stunned eyes of the audience, Manchester United players and referees, like a volleyball game paused. A small meeting was held.
The fourth official walked to Wenger's side, urging Wenger to let the players return to the field as soon as possible, Wenger raised his eyes to see that Vidic, who was rolling on the ground and couldn't get up, had followed the team doctor down the court quickly, and as soon as he came out of the sideline, he waved to the referee to ask to play, and Scholes put the ball on Holder's foul position, and his eyes kept sweeping the players who were meeting on the sidelines, especially when Johnson was not in place, a big foot sent the ball out and played a cold shot.
At this time, referee Maureen also ran to Wenger, and before he could speak, Wenger preemptively said, "If I hadn't had a meeting, Vidic would still be lying on the ground." Maureen couldn't help but wonder.
"By the way, before they are in place, if you dare to blow the whistle, I will ......" Morin said helplessly, "Alright, my professor, you old man hurry up and resume the game, when the whistle is blown, I will listen to you." ”
Seeing that everyone was already in place, Wenger signaled that Morin could whistle, and winked at Cantona not far away, at this time Cantona was also anxiously looking at Wenger's side, and was made to cry and laugh by this blink, and said in his heart, "Why does this old man seem to have changed his style a little?" ”
It is not certain whether Arsene Wenger has changed his style Cantona, but since this impromptu meeting, Wellingham has changed his style in front of the whole stadium, facing Manchester United who are in good form and full of momentum, Wengersoe asked the players to let go of their hands and feet, try their best, and replace defense with attack.
There are not many teams that can play against Manchester United in the Premier League, everyone's first reaction is that the professor is crazy, but such a new tactic seems to really distract Manchester United's determination and state of attack, although by the end of the first half, the chances created by Willingsmuso were not very effective, and they were not able to equalize, but Manchester United was not able to expand the score.
"Are they strong?" Back in the lounge, Arsene Wenger asked his players loudly, and captain Joyder was the first to stand up, "Yes, they are really good, but we are not much worse than them." ”
"So how much worse?"
"Poor game experience," "poor coordination skill," "poor confidence to win." "The other players rushed to answer the professor's questions.
"No," Lao Liu suddenly appeared at the door of the lounge, "you are only a little bit ......"
When all the players turned their heads to stare at Lao Liu, Lao Liu smiled, "You guys have a lower salary than them." ”
(To be continued)