Chapter 94: The First Substitute Fullback

For the game against Chelsea, Manchester City has been preparing for a long time.

Needless to say in terms of tactics, as early as before Christmas, the team began to do targeted training. In the last game against Derby County, it was also used as an 'advance drill' to familiarize the team with the style of play and rhythm. In short, Manchester City played against the game. prepared very well.

It can also be seen from here that Manchester City attaches great importance to the game.

As many media have said, "This is a game that may decide the title of the league." The situation is not so serious, but it will definitely affect the league ranking. As long as Manchester City lose the game, no, as long as they draw, they are likely to be defeated. Chelsea overtook and fell to second place in the league.

They have already experienced the benefits of being first in the league, and the beauty of standing on the top of the mountain. Naturally, no one would want to fall back again, which is not a good feeling.

The importance of the game to the team is undoubtedly, which has far exceeded the ordinary league.

Those Manchester City media have labelled the game as 'the north-south war in England in the new century'. In the past, England's 'North-south war' was a match between Manchester United and Arsenal, but now it has changed. The best performers in the league are Chelsea and Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are in London, Manchester City and Manchester United are in Manchester, the two teams just replace the original 'North-South War'.

Of course, Manchester United and Arsenal fans will not admit it.

But what they think is not important, because there is more media attention to the game, which also means that the number of fans around the world is more concerned about the game, obviously the rise of Chelsea and Manchester City has attracted worldwide attention, the 'novel' of the two teams And strong, but also attracted more fans' attention.

On the morning of the game, the Manchester Stadium was already full of people, and there were people everywhere around the stadium, as if they couldn't get into the stadium if they came later. Many more of them don't have tickets. They come to experience the lively atmosphere here, or to cheer on the team they support up close.

At this point, the buses of Chelsea and Manchester City have already entered the stadium.

The whole Chelsea team got off the bus one by one. They looked left and right on the pitch, feeling the familiar warm atmosphere.

They have serious faces.

It's not nervous. Just seriously. The game is important for Manchester City, it is also important for Chelsea, so they take the game very seriously.

But they were full of confidence.

Although Manchester City's performance is very good, Chelsea players still recognize the strength of their team. The feeling of Manchester United is generally, "their luck is good" or "their coach is good", they still recognize the ability of Wansheng. But in the minds of many Chelsea players. The impression of Manchester City is that of Keegan's team last season.

As the head coach, Mourinho reminded them many times to be serious and pay attention to their opponents, but many of them didn't take it into their hearts, or because it didn't matter at all - anyway, when it came to the game, just follow the coach's instructions Just do it.

In fact, Mourinho is also full of confidence in the game.

Although it is difficult for him to take advantage of Wansheng, even though Chelsea are second in the league. There is one less point for Manchester City, but he still thinks the team can win Manchester City away.

He has carefully studied Manchester City's tactics.

Compared to Derby County last season. Manchester City's tactical control ability is stronger, the combination of passing and receiving and the control of rhythm, Manchester City have done very well, but they also lack the threat of quick attacks, there is no way to compare the two. Which is better, specifically Depends on strength and performance.

But there is no doubt that Chelsea's tactics are restraining Manchester City.

Manchester City's attack is gorgeous, but attacking is attacking, and the biggest headache is always a solid defense, and Chelsea is just good at defending. His team can guard their half-court very closely. As long as the goal is kept, Chelsea is equal to standing. in invincibility.

This is why Mourinho has always insisted on defending. Modern football defense wins. As long as the goal can be defended, the opponent will not be at a disadvantage.

A draw may not be the best outcome, but as long as you don't lose, you have the best chance of winning.

That's how Mourinho sees the outcome of the game.

So after taking the team to Manchester Stadium, Mourinho continued to emphasize in the dressing room, "I have said it many times, but I need to repeat it. We have to pay more attention to the defense and not give them any chance! Yes! Any chance!"

"As long as you can do it, we can be invincible!"

"..."

...

At the same time, Wansheng was also in the locker room, publishing the last mobilization before the game, but what he said was different from Mourinho.

"You should all know how to play the game, so I won't say more." Wan Sheng jumped straight to the way of play, because he has said it many times, the team is well prepared, and there is no need to repeat it." What I'm going to discuss with you is what kind of team we are!"

"...?"

Everyone focused their attention, and they were a little unclear about Wansheng's statement.

Wan Sheng glanced around, looked at everyone seriously, and said like a lot, "It's the end of December, we are ranked first in the league, this is not the Championship or League One, but the Premier League! 18 rounds of the league, we played Winning 16 rounds and drawing 2 rounds, this result was shocking enough in previous years, let’s put it aside for the time being, the first place in the league after 18 rounds, what this means, each of you should be very clear.”

"We are eligible to compete for the league title! No, it should be said that we have a good chance of becoming the league champion! The only one who can compete with us is Chelsea!"

"Do you know what this means?" Wansheng continued without waiting for anyone to answer, "It means that we are one of the best teams in the league. We don't have European competitions this season, so we can focus all our energy on the league. , In this case, as one of the top teams in the league, if we still can't win the league championship, what will others say about us?"

"Look! Manchester City, the dark horse of the season..."

"Yes, dark horse! At that time, we will not be a strong team, but a dark horse, because we did not win the league championship, and the honor will always belong to the champion!"

"So, I'm going to ask you now, what's the most important thing for us to win the championship?"

Everyone look at each other. Nobody spoke.

Wan Sheng looked at Morris, hoping that the disciple could say something. Morris raised his head and looked at him, and after thinking about it, he stood up and asked, "Is it a mentality?"

Wan Sheng smiled with satisfaction.

"That's right. It's the mentality!" he said seriously. "To be in the top three in the league will be a strong team, just like us, like Chelsea, like Manchester United, but I have to admit that although we are the first in the league. But we are inferior to them in one point. ...that's the mentality."

"They are giants, of course title contenders, and strong teams. We are different. At the beginning of the league, when we performed well, everyone would only say that we were dark horses, and now there are many people saying that, and some of you may also Look at it that way. Right?"

Several players bowed their heads unconsciously, and they really thought so.

"But I want to tell you now. We are not a dark horse! The dark horse is only good for a while, but we will persevere to the end, so we are also a strong team with the strength to compete for the championship!"

"I want to repeat it again, we are a strong team that has the strength to compete for the championship!" Wan Sheng almost shouted this sentence, "You must remember it carefully and keep it in your heart! Now, please repeat, what are we? ?"

"It's a strong team that has the strength to compete for the championship..."

Several voices followed.

Wan Sheng frowned in dissatisfaction and shouted loudly, "I didn't hear it, louder!"

"We are also a strong team that has the strength to compete for the championship!!!" The voice became much louder.

Wan Sheng nodded with satisfaction, "Very good, you must always remember this sentence..."

Everyone's spirits are lifted a lot.

Everyone knows that Wansheng is inspiring everyone, but Wansheng's words are still very encouraging. As he said, many people thought that the team was a dark horse before. Last season, they were still working hard to avoid relegation. Yue has become a strong contender for the championship, and naturally there are many people who can't adjust their mentality.

But what Wansheng said told them that the situation had changed.

The team is no longer a team that works hard to avoid relegation, nor is it a dark horse with a good performance, but a strong team that has the strength to compete for the championship!

It makes them feel refreshed!

Some people are thinking that they have finally become a 'member of a giant'. With this mentality, they naturally feel very excited and look forward to the next game.

...

Before the game, the two sides announced the roster and starting lineup.

There is nothing special about Chelsea, it is basically their main lineup, the goalkeeper is Cech, the defender Ferreira, William Gallas, Terry and Del Horno, midfielders Makelele, Essien And Lampard, up front Joe Cole, Didier Drogba and Damien Duff.

Their formation is still 442, and Mourinho wants to use the team's best lineup and formation to win this away game.

In contrast, Manchester City's starting lineup is a bit of a draw.

What matters is the edge.

Musampa and David Silva, this is the first time the pairing of the two has appeared. After Musampa recovered from injury, he only made one substitute appearance on behalf of Manchester City. He started in his original position. David Silva Elva replaced Sinclair as a full-back, which was equivalent to changing the way.

This is a little strange.

Few wingers can adapt to the two-way position, because the left and right play is basically the same, but switching from left to right will be very uncomfortable, but David Silva is equivalent to switching sides completely. The question is, can he adapt? ?

This is very surprising.

Even Sky TV commentator George Woodgate wondered, "How did David Silva change his way? Can he adapt?"

But no one knew what Wan Sheng was thinking.

...

The game is about to start.

David Silva was standing on the court, he was getting a lot of attention, and several cameras kept pointing at him.

When he first came to England, he must have been nervous in such a situation, but not anymore.

He has adapted to the environment here.

Looking back, it still feels a little strange. Half a year ago, he was still worried about which small club he was loaned to by Valencia, but now he has stood on the world's top stage, participating in a game that is popular with the world. An eye-catching game.

Now he is the center of attention.

David Silva kind of knows how he is the focus because he replaced Sinclair in the starting lineup, but he doesn't care too much. In fact, he plays this position a lot in training on weekdays, which even makes him feel, The coach bought himself into Manchester City just to make himself an all-around full-back.

Of course, that's not bad either.

Compared to spending a season in the lower leagues, it is not bad to play the 'first substitute full-back' for the top team in the Premier League, but the whole team knows that the coach Wan Sheng is interested in him - he is Manchester City Focus on training players.

He can be sure of this because he can feel the importance the coach places on him.

It is difficult for other players to get individual guidance from Wansheng. Even most of the time, Wansheng will not appear on the training ground, but he is different. Wansheng told him that if you have any questions, you can come to him at any time.

On the training ground, other coaches will also attach great importance to him. In the first few games, Wansheng also let him appear in the starting position in the middle, and even started to replace Morris once.

By this time, David Silva already knew that the coach wanted to cultivate himself into the core of the team... the core of the top team in the Premier League? It seems very good!

But at this stage, he has not been able to do well, so he can only continue to work hard.

He remembered what the coach had said to himself before the game.

"What you need to do is stability, stability, stability. Understand? No matter where you are, stability is always the most important thing, just like Lee, why can he be the core? Because whether offensive or defensive, he is always the most important Believable, you don't have to worry about him being out of position or doing something impulsive. So I have to rely on him, the team has to rely on him."

"You have more talent than Li, you are younger, and your future is bright. I hope you can do your best as soon as possible..."

Thinking back to Wansheng's words, David Silva always felt his blood boil.

He has always admired Wansheng very much, because Wansheng is a champion coach, and he has a good way of training players. He is very satisfied with coming to Manchester City, but he did not expect Wansheng to take him so seriously.

He is more talented than Lee!

He is younger!

His future looks bright!

Thinking of this, David Silva is very fortunate that he chose to join Manchester City at the beginning, and he is also lucky that Manchester City can find himself. Otherwise, he is still in a certain Spanish lower league team now, right? How can I have the opportunity to stand on the world's top stage!

Now he has to work hard to repay Wansheng's trust.

He wants to prove that Wansheng is not wrong to value himself! (To be continued ~^~)