Chapter 137: Semi-finals
'The Champions League semi-finals are never easy to play and Arsenal are strong opponents and we can't take it lightly. Arsenal have beaten every team at home this season, including Inter Milan, and they have always performed well on their home turf, and the United players will have to be mentally prepared for this. "The intrigue of the managers before such a big game is naturally the focus of the media, and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is one of them.
"Well, xiexie, your reminder, Bayern Munich got a win at the Emirates Stadium." The red-nosed Ferguson smiled and said to the reporter who reminded him at the beginning, "Are you telling me that the Emirates Stadium is not the home of the Devils?" Yes, I think so; Bayern can win here and so can we. We don't care how many wins they have in this stadium and I don't care what Arsenal have achieved this season, we just need to know that they will lose too. Manchester United will take the victory at the Emirates Stadium and we will be the best team! ”
Manchester United have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League 12 times, but the Red Devils have only progressed to the final four times before. In Ferguson's opinion, Manchester United have lost a little too much in the previous Champions League semi-finals: "Looking at the other giants, Real Madrid have won the Champions Cup nine times and finished second four times, AC Milan has won the trophy seven times and finished second four times, Bayern Munich has won four times and finished second four times, Ajax has won two places four times, and Liverpool has won five times and finished second twice. Manchester United have to reach the heights of those teams as well and we have to improve in the Champions League semi-finals. "The old man's biggest wish before bidding farewell to the coach's bench is to lead the Red Devils to lift the Big Ears Cup again, and now Manchester United, who are in the semi-finals, have only one goal. It's about beating all your opponents and winning the cup in the end. Therefore, the first leg away from home is crucial for Manchester United; The old man won the Champions League twice. But he will never be satisfied with what he has achieved now, and he hopes that he can do better!
In the first leg away, Ferguson's tactics should be defence-oriented, and even if a draw is a draw in the first leg, he will allow the Red Devils to finally eat the opponent at Old Trafford. Manchester United's defense is more solid, Carrick, Evra, Vidic and others will form a steel defence, although they are also for Xiao Qing and Arsenal to break through again and again, but they are indeed very capable. They are sure enough to keep a goal from conceding, and they can limit Xiao Qing and Arsenal's attacks as much as possible.
But the horror of Arsenal's attacking prowess is something that everyone must pay attention to, and it is no exaggeration to say that Arsenal have the most attacking ability right now, they are sure to break down any team's goal, and they have the ability to tear apart Manchester United's very good overall defence in the game.
Theo Walcott, who is incredibly fast and has the ability to break through and assist, will be a formidable threat to United's left-hand defence, and it will be difficult for the Reds if Patrice Evra does not have the upper hand against him. Add to that Fabregas in the middle and Nasri with a lot of range, Arsenal's attacking ability in midfield is really good, and it will be a huge pressure on Manchester United's defence. And once Manchester United can't limit Arsenal's midfield. Then they will be passive; Because once Xiao Qing has the opportunity to make waves in the penalty area, then he is fully capable of scoring in the game.
Xiao Qing's mood is still very good. He and his team-mates are full of confidence as they prepare for the semi-final against Manchester United; During this time, the Arsenal players did not pay too much attention to the voices of the outside world, and Xiao Qing did not care much about these. Love how to say it, it's true that Arsenal now has the initiative!
It must be admitted that Manchester United have been more successful than Arsenal in recent years, and Manchester United has been more competitive in recent seasons; Prior to last season, Arsenal were largely at the bottom of the pack against Manchester United, and they were clearly being suppressed by Manchester United. But now the situation is different, Arsenal have risen strongly, they have completely knocked Manchester United down in the league, and Arsenal will not give Manchester United any chance at all.
Arsenal did not have the upper hand in last season's meeting with Manchester United, but they did not have much initiative; Arsenal continue to grow in the new season, and Arsenal are gradually in a leading position against Manchester United. This meeting with Manchester United will have to win the game for Arsenal, and it is also a great opportunity for the Gunners, a sign that everyone will know that the Premier League has completely entered the rhythm of Arsenal!
Manchester United have been the most consistent and outstanding team of the last decade, but now it's Arsenal's showmanship, Manchester United is a thing of the past, Arsenal are the best team now!
In the pre-match preparation of the two sides, Arsenal is in good shape now, and the team has no major injuries now; Arsenal are clearly going to do their best in this game, they are in good shape right now, and at this time Arsenal are more confident of winning at the Emirates Stadium.
Fletcher continued to be absent from Manchester United's squad, while Beba was once again out of the squad due to injury, and the rest of the positions were evenly matched. At the back, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, and Patrice Evra are on the back with a minor injury, but they should be available, with twin brothers Fabio and Rafael on standby. In midfield, the combination of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick was an eye-catching performer against Chelsea and was almost certain to start. On the left, Lord Ferguson could hand the physically fit, aggressive Park Ji-sung against Walcott, who has been active lately; The right side will be torn between Nani and Valencia, with the former attacking sharply and being the team's assist leader, while the latter is more suitable for team play and does a good job defensively. The combination of Wayne Rooney and Little Pea Hernandez is becoming more and more mature in the forward line, and Rooney is now more involved in dropping back to the middle of the pitch, but his goalscoring ability must not be overlooked.
Compared to Arsenal, Manchester United's squad looks more balanced; However, just the balance is not necessarily the best, with absolute strength, Arsenal will also be more confident to win the game. Manchester United's defence was good, but the Arsenal attacking duo led by Xiao Qing were more confident that they would be able to score in the game.
On April 27, the first leg of the 2010-11 Champions League semi-finals was played at the Emirates Stadium; Arsenal host Manchester United and will be looking to go all out for a place in the Champions League final; This is the second time the two teams have met in the Champions League, and this time Arsenal will not continue to fall at the feet of Manchester United.
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar; From right to left in the back line, Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; midfielders Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Carrick, Park Ji-sung; Up front, Wayne Rooney and Hernandez.
Manchester United were defensively oriented in this game, and in the first leg of the game, Manchester United wanted to be able to keep as few goals as possible in away games; With Valencia, who are a better team player and defensively good, it is clear that United will have to do something to do in midfield. Once you can't limit Arsenal's midfield, once you let the Gunners continue to feed Xiao Qing in the field, then Manchester United's defense is really dangerous.
Arsenal is naturally unchanged in this game, although Arsenal does not have too many injuries now and has a lot of room for choice, although a young potential player like Wilshere is also very good, although Arshavin is also very capable; However, for the current Arsenal, what they need is to make the team burst out to the greatest combat effectiveness as much as possible, in terms of individual ability, maybe Arsenal has some players in the team, but to stimulate the team's combat ability to the greatest extent, after many games throughout the season, Arsenal has found their winning squad.
goalkeeper Szczesny; On the back line, Sagna, Mertesacker, Kolscheney and Klich lined up; midfielders Alexander Song, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Nasri; On the forward line is a terrifying combination like Van Persie and Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing and his teammates stood quietly in the players' tunnel, although the players of Manchester United stood aside, but the players of the two teams did not communicate; Although they know each other for sure, it's the game, it's the crucial Champions League semi-final, it's the time to fight, and they're not welcome.
Xiao Qing is very calm, although the cheers at the Emirates Stadium make people feel the blood boiling, but Xiao Qing can keep calm well, it is not the moment of excitement, keep enough calm and focus, this will make him have a better performance in the game. Xiao Qing believes that his teammates are also like this, to be able to sit firmly in the top giants, the psychological quality of the players needs to be guaranteed; In a crucial game like this, the players need to be more in shape to stay in shape.
The cheers at the Emirates Stadium reached its peak in an instant, and Xiao Qing and his teammates led the caddie out of the players' tunnel under the leadership of the referee; This is the Haode Emirates Stadium cheers, this season's excellent results of Arsenal have given Arsenal fans a huge encouragement, Arsenal continue to win games, which also makes fans have higher and higher expectations for this season.
Arsenal have now won the league title and they are unbeaten in the title; Then the next Arsenal may be able to do better, since they can beat Manchester United in the league, then Arsenal can also beat Manchester United in the Champions League; Arsenal fans want the team to go one step further and they believe they can do that because Arsenal are invincible because this season Arsenal are used to beating any opponent in the game! (To be continued......)