Although the Carabao Cup is less valuable than the league title and the FA Cup, Manchester City is happy to win the team's first title of the season.

At Wembley Stadium, they finished on the podium for the first time.

With so many rounds of the Carabao Cup being played by substitutes, they were credited with winning the trophy.

So Lin Quan proposed to let them come up and toast, and this proposal was supported by his teammates.

The substitute players were flattered, and under the support of the main players, they excitedly lifted the first championship of the season belonging to Manchester City!

……

After winning the Carabao Cup, Manchester City did not delay in London and returned to Manchester without stopping.

They have two home games ahead of them, at home to Stoke City in the FA Cup and Werder Bremen at home in the Champions League.

The two games were next to each other, leaving some differences of opinion within the Manchester City club.

Some people feel that it is necessary to strategically abandon the FA Cup and go all out to attack the league and the Champions League.

Compared to the FA Cup, the league title and the Champions League are obviously heavier.

And the FA Cup is not like the League Cup, which can end immediately.

Counting the game two days later, they have at least three more games to win.

And these three games are just interspersed between the league and the Champions League, which makes it very difficult for them.

But not everyone thinks they should give up on the FA Cup, as they are already in the quarter-finals and are only three games away from the title.

If you give up at this time, won't all your previous efforts be in vain?

"Stoke City are not very strong, and even if we don't send out a full squad of players, we may not lose to them."

'Yes, we have a huge lead in the Champions League and the league, we have a lot of room for error, and if we win the FA Cup, then we can hope to achieve the mini-treble this season!'

This so-called small treble winner is obviously counting the League Cup.

Generally speaking, the treble of the five major leagues refers to the league, cup competition and the Champions League, these three championships are very high, and it is very difficult to win all three titles at the same time, so the number of trebles in the five major leagues is not large.

In response to the differences of opinion among the assistant coaches, Pellegrini thought seriously.

They won 4-1 away at Werder Bremen in the last round, with three goal sheets and four away goals.

So in the next game against Werder Bremen, as long as they don't lose more than 4 goals, they will definitely make it to the next round.

So, should we think about the FA Cup first and play a little more conservatively against Werder Bremen?

Manuel Pellegrini couldn't make up his mind and decided to openly ask the players for advice during the next day's training session!

After all, the game is not tired, and the players themselves have the most right to speak.

In the face of Pellegrini's question, the substitutes were adamant that they should fight to the end.

Among the main players, such as veteran players such as Kompany and Yaya Toure, believe that the focus should be on the league.

They are a little tired of the busy schedule and are worried that injuries during the competition will affect this year's World Cup.

Pellegrini had a general understanding of the players' opinions, so he looked at Lin Quan, who had not expressed his opinion:

"Lin, what do you think?"

Lin Quan doesn't have the same concerns as other veteran players, he has a talent for injury immunity, and he doesn't need to worry about injury.

As for the physical exertion, he feels okay now, although he is a little mentally tired because of the continuous games, but it is still within the tolerable range.

As the substitutes said, if you give up now, won't all your previous efforts be in vain?

So he said, "I think we should fight for this championship!" ”

After De Bruyne saw Lin Quan's statement, he stood up to support Lin Quan as soon as possible:

"I support it too!"

Those in the Spanish gang naturally looked forward to Lin Quanwei, and they also expressed their support for the FA Cup title.

Aguero has a good relationship with Lin Quan, and he also stood up to support Lin Quan at this time.

As for the young players of the team, after receiving Lin Quan's support, they were all excited, and they hugged Lin Quan like their big brother, and they were extremely supportive of Lin Quan's decision.

Kroos silently watched the reactions of the Manchester City players and took it all in his eyes.

Lin's voice and influence at Manchester City are even greater than he expected.

Hearing Lin Quan's words, several veteran team members showed disappointed expressions on their faces.

In a game like a cup, the more you get to the back, the harder it is to play, because the rest are strong teams.

Although there are only three games, these three games are all tough battles, and you have to peel off the skin to win them all.

If you fall short halfway, it will really be a loss to your wife and a soldier.

However, the people who supported Lin Quan accounted for the majority, and even if they were against it, it was useless, so they simply didn't speak.

"Although I support continuing to play in the FA Cup, I think the physical consumption of the main players is too great, so I should use substitutes as much as possible to participate in the competition before reaching the final!"

Just when everyone felt that the dust had settled on this matter, Lin Quan spoke again, attracting everyone's attention.

"Lin, according to your meaning, don't you still want to give up the FA Cup?"

When Kompany heard Lin Quan's words, he was a little suspicious of his ears.

Is there any difference between sending all the substitutes and giving up the FA Cup?

You can't really expect a bunch of substitutes to win the championship, right?

"Hehe, of course not, because I'll shoot!"

Lin Quan immediately stated his intentions, before reaching the final, Manchester City used the substitute lineup for the remaining two games of the FA Cup, but Lin Quan will start the game to give the team a cover.

In this way, their main players can not only get enough rest, but also not be beaten by the opponent because of a group of substitutes.

If it really doesn't work, there are still a few main players on the bench, and if the team really can't win the opponent, they can be replaced in the second half.

In that case, Manchester City will be able to cope with the vast majority of opponents.

"The method is feasible, but in this way, the physical consumption of your own energy will inevitably be too great, is Lin Ling sure you want to do this?"

Pellegrini actually didn't approve of Lin Quan's plan in his heart, because he was worried that Lin Quan's full-line play would cause injuries.

"No problem, if I really can't hold on, I'll take the initiative!"

Pellegrini nodded, since Lin Quan said so, then he couldn't say anything more.

So, when lining up the starting list for the next day, Pellegrini put Lin Quan in.

The commentators had strange expressions on their faces after seeing Manchester City's starting line-up.

"To be honest, I don't understand this starting list for Manchester City!"

He Wei shook his head, most of Manchester City were substitutes, and then put the absolute core Lin Quan on the field, what does this mean?

Now that they are on the bench, it means that they are going to give up the FA Cup.

But letting Lin Quan start, it doesn't feel like giving up.

This kind of arrangement of troops highlights a twist, whether to give up or not to give up, can't you give a happy word?

"Maybe Pellegrini has his own unique understanding, as for the effect of Manchester City's arrangement, it will only have to wait for the game to start!"

Xu Yang also couldn't understand Manchester City's intentions, but he chose to believe first and then question.

In fact, even with the substitute lineup, Manchester City's strength is very strong.

In addition to Lin Quan, they can also have Negredo, Jovetic, Nasri, Xavi Garcia, Demichelis, Milner and others.

If Fernandinho is not suspended, then there is a Brazilian iron waist in the midfield position, and the squad will be stronger.

In this game, on the front line, Lin Quan was partnered with Spain's teammate Negredo.

Negredo has always been a backup for Sergio Aguero, but he and Sergio Aguero are not the same style of centre-forward.

He's tall and has the ability to carry and play with his back to the ball, and he is usually picked up when City need a fulcrum up front.

However, for the most part, the front duo is a small and fast combination of Lin Quan and Aguero.

The combination of Lin Quan and Negredo, one high and one fast, started at the same time relatively rarely.

Although Negredo didn't start much, he didn't make many appearances.

Negredo has made 32 appearances for Manchester City this season, including 22 in the league, four in the League Cup, three in the FA Cup and three in the Champions League.

If it weren't for that many appearances, he wouldn't have been able to make the Spanish squad for Bosque.

Being able to partner with Lin Quan, Negredo was very excited.

"Lin, just look at it, I will perfectly assume the role of the fulcrum of the front court and make the ball for you!"

Before the start of the game, Negredo swore an oath.

However, once the game began, Negredo's first confrontation with the opposing defender ended in defeat.

"Phew, this time doesn't count, I'm not ready!"

Lin Quan stretched out his hand and pulled up Negredo, who had fallen to the ground, and the latter spit out the grass clippings that had eaten in his mouth, and said unconvinced.

Lin Quan glanced at the tall black central defender on the other side, and then at Negredo.

He is pessimistic about the prospect of Negredo taking on the opposing defender alone!

As it turned out, Negredo was completely at a disadvantage in the confrontation with the opponent's physically strong central defenders, and the role of the fulcrum did not play a role, but it also became the breakthrough point of the opponent.

Fortunately, the opponent's offensive tactics were very rough, the ground penetration could not penetrate Manchester City's midfield, and the tactics of long passing and hanging were not easy to beat Manchester City, and the game quickly fell into a stalemate.

Seeing that the team could not play effectively in the middle, Lin Quan decisively took the ball to the side.

With two excellent players on either side, Milner and Nasri, they are more effective when they are combined with them.

Stoke City's players are very wary of Lin Quan, and of the 11 Manchester City players on the pitch, he is a far higher threat than the others.

So for Stoke City, preventing Lin Quan is basically half the battle.

In the 23rd minute, Manchester City completed the cooperation on the left side, Lin Quan received a pass from Nasri and cut inside with the ball and was brought down by the defender.

The opponent is willing to give a free kick opportunity, and Lin Quan is very happy.

It wasn't a great position, though, as his free-kick was not pressed and went just over the crossbar.

But even so, the goalkeeper of Stoke City was still taken aback, and the flying trajectory of the football made him almost surrender.

"Pay attention to the foul position, don't give the opponent too good a free kick opportunity!"

Hearing the goalkeeper's shouts, the Stoke City players were very embarrassed.

It is already difficult to prevent Lin Quan, and it is even more difficult not to foul.

However, they also know the consequences, and if they continue to give him the chance to take a free-kick, they will really concede the goal.

So, they specially sent a midfielder to keep an eye on Lin Quan, restricting his passing and receiving the ball, and not giving him space to start.

Lin Quan has not been targeted by opponents once or twice, and he has long been accustomed to this.

Since the opponent sent someone to keep an eye on him, he took the initiative to retreat, bring out the opponent's back waist, open up the opponent's formation space, and create opportunities for his teammates.

Seeing Lin Quan leave the forward line and run to the midfield to become the midfield commander of Manchester City, Stoke City's midfielder looked at his own manager with a little embarrassment:

Coach, are we going to continue to follow this situation?

The coach of Stoke City gritted his teeth and said ruthlessly: Follow!

Don't say that he is going to play in the midfield, even if he goes to be a goalkeeper, you will stand in front of him and stare him to death!

Seeing that the other party's back was still following him, Lin Quan was a little happy.

He passed the ball to Garcia and made a gesture to run forward.

Here it is, this guy's retreat to the midfield is really a lie!

Stoke City's back came to the spirit, Lin Quan retreated and he retreated, and controlled the distance from Lin Quan, and at the same time was ready to disrupt his catch.

However, Lin Quan's running forward was just a pretense, he ran two steps and suddenly retreated.

At the same time, Garcia's pass came to his feet.

Taking advantage of the opportunity that the other party had not yet come up, Lin Quan sent a straight kick.

The ball was not passed to striker Negredo, but to striker Jovetic.

Jovetic was in the open space at this time, and he received a pass from Lin Quan and shot directly from distance.

The ball was of great quality, but unfortunately it was a little higher, and the ball flew off the baseline against the crossbar.

Stoke City escaped!

"Pay attention to people, don't miss people!"

The Stoke City manager was unhappy with the goal, believing it was the lack of concentration of his players that gave Jovetic the opportunity to get forward.

And the defender McEachran did not mark Lin Quan in place, giving the opponent a chance to pass.

In short, the defence this time exposed a lot of problems, and if these mistakes are not corrected in time, Manchester City's ability to seize opportunities will sooner or later cause a catastrophe.

It's just that it's easier said than done.

McEachran further narrowed the distance between him and Lin Quan, almost inseparable from him!

However, getting too close is not necessarily a good thing, especially for an extraordinary king like Lin Quan.

In the 42nd minute of the first half, Lin Quan took the initiative to retreat to receive a pass from Demichelis.

The moment the ball came to his feet, he turned around with Cruyff, easily brushed McEachran, who was too close, and strode towards Stoke City's half with the ball.

With the absence of a midfielder, Stoke City's central defence was leaky, giving City a chance.

After Lin Quan and Jovetic completed a one-two collision with the wall, they dribbled into the penalty area and sent the ball into the goal with a light volley.

Manchester City scored first, leading Stoke City 1-0 temporarily.

After the goal was scored, the group of substitutes at Manchester City breathed a sigh of relief.

They all puffed up their chests proudly: we are so good, the substitutes can beat the opponent's main force!

They're playing more relaxed and they're getting better and better.

On the contrary, it was Stoke City, who were eager to equalize and launched a frantic attack, only to expose a bigger flaw, and were beaten by Manchester City several sneak attacks in succession.

In the 55th minute of the second half, James Milner's goal sealed the win for City.

In the end, Manchester City eliminated Stoke City 2-0 at home to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

However, their luck did not seem to be good, as Manchester City drew Arsenal in the semi-finals.

With Arsenal's desire for titles, this game will probably be difficult to play.

However, to reach the semi-finals, the substitutes are already happy.

Whether they can get past Arsenal or not, they have proved themselves this season.

Even if you can't stay at Manchester City next season, you should be able to find a good place to go.

After the game, Manuel Pellegrini gave the team a day off.

Three days later, they continue to host Werder Bremen.

Lin Quan was put on the bench in this game.

Although he assured Pellegrini that his form was fine, Pellegrini felt that Manchester City had a big advantage in this game, and Lin Quan was not needed to play until he had to.

The other party's consideration was also reasonable, so Lin Quan no longer insisted, and sat on the bench to watch the game with peace of mind

Although the team has little hope of qualifying, after coming to the away side, Werder Bremen has not played conservatively at all.

In this game, they chose to play against Manchester City, and Manchester City naturally raised their hands and feet in favor of such a choice.

As a result, after the start of the game, both teams played very unrestrained, and the number of goals was exaggerated.

In the 13th minute, Vincent Kompany scored with a header to give Manchester City a 1-0 lead.

In the 20th minute, Werder Bremen scored a goal by Petersen on the counter-attack, and the score became 1:1.

Just two minutes later, City added another goal when Kevin De Bruyne slotted home from a free-kick.

Like Lin Quan, De Bruyne pressed his hands down after the goal and did not choose to celebrate, even though it was Manchester City's home stadium.

The first half was not over, and in the 38th minute, Manchester City committed a foul in the box and gave Werder Bremen a penalty.

Captain Fritz personally handled it and rewrote the score to 2:2 in one fell swoop.

At this time, the aggregate score of the two teams was 6:3, and Manchester City still held a three-goal lead.

With the current state of both teams, it is clear that Werder Bremen will be difficult to turn the tables around.

However, even so, the Parrot Legion still did not give up, and they chose to continue the attack!

In the 67th minute, Werder Bremen scored again, Arnautovic used his powerful bounce to beat Kompany and head the ball into the Manchester City goal.

However, before that, Manchester City had already scored twice in the 48th and 55th minutes.

At this point, the score has become 4:3, and Manchester City's goal difference has one more.

After that, the offensive firepower of the two teams gradually died down, and the Parrot Army, who did their best, even experienced cramps in some players near the end of the game.

In the face of a huge gap in strength, the Parrots relied on their tenacious fighting spirit and indomitable spirit to score three goals on the road, almost equal to Manchester City, which earned them the respect of Manchester City fans.

After the game, the Manchester City fans gave a standing ovation to pay their respects to their opponents.

Although they failed to complete the miracle of the reversal, they proved the strength of the Parrot Legion with their actual actions!

This is a respectable team!

After beating Werder Bremen, Manchester City reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in a club-breaking all-time break.

In other matches, Bayern held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw away and eliminated Chelsea 4-1 over two legs to reach the quarter-finals.

Manchester United beat Galatasaray 1-0 at home to advance to the quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate.

Arsenal lost 0:3 to Barcelona away, suffered a double defeat home and away, and missed the quarterfinals.

Atletico Madrid swept AC Milan 4:1, also beating the opponent home and away and advancing to the quarterfinals.

Real Madrid comfortably advanced to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 home win over Olympiacos.

Dortmund lost to their opponents 1:2 at home, and advanced to the quarterfinals with an aggregate score of 5:4.

Grand Paris defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 to get the last ticket to the quarterfinals.

At this point, the list of the top eight is released, which are Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Grand Paris.

La Liga is the first league with three teams.

Both the Bundesliga and the Premier League have retained two places, which is considered decent.

Serie A was wiped out, and Ligue 1 still retained a spark.

After the final eight were announced, the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League was held at UEFA headquarters.

The first to be drawn was Real Madrid, who were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain.

The second to be drawn out is Manchester United, and their opponents are Bayern Munich.

The third to be drawn is Atletico Madrid, and their opponents are Borussia Dortmund.

In the end, there are two teams left, and you don't have to draw to know the result.

Manchester City will meet Barcelona in the quarter-finals!

(End of chapter)