Chapter 1002 4 Battle with Chelsea

Before losing to Arsenal, Manchester United was undefeated in 34 games. The players were a little tired after a double match in a row. Manchester United fans can accept it. It is impossible for any team to never lose, but the fans cannot accept it. Lost to Chelsea at home.

Firstly, this is a home game, and the fans also want to save face. Maybe they have boasted in front of relatives and friends, but ended up losing. Secondly, after losing, the points advantage is only two points, which is very dangerous. Thirdly, Ferguson’s discharge The consequence of using an all-substitute lineup can be said to be that the home team has admitted defeat, and how could the fans not be annoyed.

After the game, there were a lot of accusations, complaints and complaints on the Internet, and the finger was directed at Ferguson.

There are two main points of complaint from Manchester United fans. One is that Manchester United was almost guaranteed to win the league title if it drew with Chelsea, but Ferguson chose to come on as a substitute to create suspense. Second, Manchester United's advantage in the Champions League semi-finals is actually not small, and there is absolutely no need to use all substitutes in the league.

The European media also had mixed reviews of Ferguson's choice. The praising media believed that Ferguson's choice was very smart. Although the advantage in the league has become smaller, in the last two rounds against two relegation teams, there is a high degree of certainty of victory, and consumption After joining Chelsea, the chances of qualifying for the Champions League are even greater.

The accusing media believed that Ferguson was being clever. Both the league and the Champions League were originally very stable, but a loss at home would increase the chances of winning in the Champions League. However, the league championship is now unstable. This is almost like committing suicide.

Ferguson is a coach with rich coaching experience. He thinks carefully before making any decision. External comments have no impact on him. He is now focusing all his energy on the Champions League semi-finals in midweek.

In his 33 years of coaching, Ferguson won 14 league championships, but only two Champions League titles. For a coach of Ferguson’s level, winning a few more league championships would not improve his historical status. He wanted to improve his own The only way to gain a place is through the Champions League, so Ferguson is now prioritizing the Champions League, followed by the League and FA Cup.

Although the advantage of the Champions League is not small, the score of 2:1 in the away game is very ideal. If Chelsea wants to advance, they need to score two goals at Old Trafford without allowing Manchester United to score.

But Chelsea and Manchester United are on the same level. Their desire for the Champions League title is stronger than Manchester United's. A strong enemy will fight to the death. A one-hemisphere advantage is not impossible to catch up. Therefore, Ferguson would rather trade the advantage of the league for the advantage of the Champions League. .

Of course, Ferguson is also under a lot of pressure. If an extreme situation occurs and both the league and the Champions League are reversed, he will become a big joke.

After the 36th round of the league, the attention of fans around the world returned to the Champions League again.

Champions League semi-final second leg,

The first game to start is the match between Manchester United and Chelsea. Manchester United is sitting at Old Trafford waiting for Chelsea's challenge.

After defeating Manchester United in the league at the weekend, Chelsea's morale has been boosted. They are determined to reverse Manchester United away from home and reach the Champions League final.

According to media rumors, Chelsea boss Abramovich issued an ultimatum to head coach Ancelotti before the game. He must win this semi-final, otherwise Ancelotti will have to leave.

Although this is just a rumor, fans believe that it is probably true. With Abramovich's character, he will definitely be able to do it. Judging from Chelsea's performance this season, after losing this game, Ancelotti did It's time to get out of class.

Ancelotti obviously understood his situation. After the league ended, he didn't rest at all and immediately started preparing for the Champions League.

Ancelotti also rarely called on the players to launch a final charge to the final at the pre-match press conference and called on the fans to go to Old Trafford to support Chelsea.

Three days later, Old Trafford finally welcomed Manchester United's old rival Chelsea again.

Different from the last league game, this time Ferguson has lined up the entire main lineup. Rooney and Hernandez will start together in the forward line, Gao Xiaodong, Fletcher, Carrick and Valencia in the midfield, and the back line Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand and O'Shea, goalkeeper Dutch Giraffe veteran Edwin van der Sar

Most of Chelsea's main lineup played in the 36th round of the weekend against Manchester United, but this time Ancelotti had no other choice and still fought the entire main lineup against Manchester United to the end.

In the stands, the team flags were flying and the fans were full. Among them, Manchester United fans accounted for the majority, and there was only one Chelsea fan in the stand.

Joel, Avram and Edward, the three sons of the Manchester United owner, all came to the scene. They wanted to experience firsthand that their team reached the Champions League final for the second time after the acquisition.

However, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was not confident in advancing and was worried about being humiliated by his opponents after being eliminated. Therefore, he did not come to the scene and chose to watch the live broadcast on TV at home.

After the game started, Manchester United, which led the total score, did not hold on to counterattack, but instead took the lead in attacking Chelsea.

The Chelsea people were not surprised by this. When they saw Manchester United fielding a full substitute lineup at the weekend, they knew that Manchester United was staying in the Champions League. Now Manchester United is waiting for work, and of course they will use pressing and offense to wear down their physical fitness.

Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti is certainly no ordinary person. He guessed Manchester United's intentions and was ready to challenge.

Faced with Manchester United's onslaught and full-court press, Chelsea did not adopt an offensive tactic. They adopted a defensive and counterattack tactic to reduce their own consumption and strive to break Manchester United's goal through counterattacks.

Manchester United did not play Scholes or Giggs in the midfield today. Carrick and Valencia were used in the midfield. Ferguson's purpose is very simple, which is to play fast and concisely, and at the same time increase the speed of returning to defense. Prevent Chelsea from hitting their counterattack.

Although Manchester United does not have a high center forward, Gao Xiaodong and Rooney are as strong as small tanks, and their impact is very terrifying. Although Hernandez does not have the strength of Rooney and Gao Xiaodong, his movement is very flexible and fast. , with Rooney and Gao Xiaodong in check, Hernandez can always find a better shooting position.

In the 3rd minute of the first half, Manchester United got a chance by pressing.

Under the pressure of Manchester United, Chelsea center back Alex stopped the ball a little too much. Rooney came in from behind at high speed, knocked down Alex and stole the ball.

Chelsea's players raised their hands to signal Rooney for a foul, but the referee ignored the Chelsea players' cries and allowed the game to continue.

Rooney, who stole the ball, could only think about the goal. Under Terry's pressure, Rooney quickly entered the penalty area along the ribs.

At this time, Gao Xiaodong had already arrived at the first opportunity. Rooney only needed to pass back or cross the ball, and Gao Xiaodong could shoot directly.

However, Rooney did not pass the ball. He changed his rhythm with the ball and suddenly took a shot.

Rooney's change of pace deceived the center back Terry who was following him. When Rooney started to shoot again, Terry did not have time to block it.

Chelsea goalkeeper Cech was well prepared. He blocked the angle of Rooney's shot. The ball hit his side and was knocked out by Cech with one hand.