Chapter 1,187 Retreat and Fight Fiercely

"I scored! I scored! I scored Manchester United's goal!" Cardoso raised his arms high and roared as he ran towards the stands.

Paraguay star Cardoso is 1.94 meters tall, has excellent heading skills, and is not weak in foot skills. He can play as a center forward or as an attacking midfielder. He is a versatile frontcourt player.

In 2007, Cardoso transferred to Benfica for 11 million euros. He was the second most valuable player in Benfica's history. Cardoso was completely worthy of his price. After three seasons of transfer, Cardoso scored 50 goals in 79 games and became a player. A star among Benfica fans.

Seeing Cardoso score against Manchester United for Benfica, Benfica fans were all excited, "Oscar! Oscar! Oscar! You are the pride of Benfica!"

Benfica coach Jesus was pleasantly surprised. For him, Manchester United is too strong. Even if Benfica is playing at home, Jesus would not dare to claim victory. It doesn't matter if he gets one point at home and away, or even no points at away. , the important thing is to defeat other opponents and strive to qualify in the group, rather than fight to the end with Manchester United.

Cardoso's goal gave Jesus hope of victory. He was the first to rush out of the coaching bench and applauded Cardoso's goal: Well done! Oscar! marvelous! Oscar!

The Portuguese on-site commentator exclaimed excitedly, "Goal! Goal! Benfica actually scored first! What a surprise! Facing the powerful Manchester United! Facing world-class superstars such as Gao Xiaodong and Rooney,? Cardoso scored! This is the Stadium of Light! Cardoso is the owner here today!"

Chinese commentator He Hui was also amazed by Cardoso's goal, "Cardoso's goal is beautiful! Although this is not Manchester United's strongest defense line, the two central defenders Evans and Smalling are placed in the Besides the four giants in the Premier League, they are definitely the main force. Now Manchester United is in a bit of trouble. Benfica's quick counterattack is very sharp. Once Manchester United attacks with all its strength, this defense may not be able to hold... Of course, if Xiaodong and Rooney can With outstanding performance, it is not impossible to reverse Benfica..."

Manchester United players are frustrated!

Manchester United's goal in this game is to get three points, and one point is the bottom line. Now, it is obviously more difficult to achieve this goal.

Fletcher yelled at Evans and Smalling and was very dissatisfied with their defense. He believed that Smalling was slow to assist in defense, and Evans should have fouled in time to prevent Cardoso from having a chance to kick.

Evans and Smalling were both aggrieved. Evans thought that as a central defender, how could he commit a foul in such a dangerous area first? Smalling thought that he had to defend Aimar who came in, and there was no way he could help defend, but Fletcher is the veteran of the team, and both of them dare to be angry but dare not speak out.

Carrick was dissatisfied with the performance of goalkeeper De Gea. He believed that the ball would not have been scored if it had been replaced by Edwin van der Sar.

Gao Xiaodong became captain for the first time.

Seeing the depressed expressions of Evans and Smalling, I quickly went over to comfort them, telling them not to be mentally burdened and that it was more important to play well in the following games.

With Gao Xiaodong's comfort, Evans and Smalling felt much more relaxed. They felt that Gao Xiaodong, the captain, was very sensible despite being young. He was much better as captain than Fletcher.

Ferguson was so angry that he stamped his feet on the sidelines. He hated himself for being slow to adjust, and was also annoyed that the two central defenders couldn't watch Cardoso.

There was no time to wait anymore. Ferguson quickly called Gao Xiaodong, Fletcher and Carrick over, "Gao, you retreat and protect the two center backs in the middle. Fletcher, Carrick, you protect the two sides." When Lu, Carrick and Gao attack, Fletcher, you protect the two of them behind."

Gao Xiaodong had no objection. He also saw that Smallin and Evans had too little experience and lack of ability in competitions like the Champions League. They must have sufficient protection in front of them, otherwise there will be problems later.

Fletcher and Carrick were not comfortable. Ferguson's arrangement actually slapped them in the face, thinking that they did not do a good enough job in the defensive midfielder position, otherwise they would not allow Gao Xiaodong to retreat.

Old players such as Fletcher and Carrick have always been unconvinced by Gao Xiaodong being the captain. Now Gao Xiaodong is even more unhappy.

After Benfica celebrated, Manchester United kicked off from the center circle.

Manchester United could not accept the status quo of falling behind. After the kick-off, the players moved forward bravely and launched a fierce attack on Benfica's penalty area.

Fletcher passed the ball to the left back of Benfica's half, Evra. Evra stopped the ball and wanted to go down. Benfica's defensive players stepped up very quickly. One person attacked and the other grabbed the ball, and the ball went out of the sideline.

Evra sent a sideline ball to Gao Xiaodong, and Gao Xiaodong volleyed sideways and swept the ball into the penalty area.

Goalkeeper Arthur saw that the ball was not fast and bullied Rooney because of his short height. He wanted to get the ball. Rooney saw his teammate Carrick rushing over. He ran over and blocked goalkeeper Arthur's path with his body, allowing Carrick to Go for a header.

Benfica's central defender is not a vegetarian, and Luiz quickly arrived to compete with Carrick.

Louison was a little later than Carrick, but he jumped up very experienced and squeezed Carrick, causing Carrick to lose control and knock the ball out of the baseline.

Although the referee awarded a goal kick, Benfica's head coach Jesus expressed his indignation at Rooney's blocking of goalkeeper Arthur in the penalty area. He believed that the referee should call Rooney for a foul.

Goalkeeper Arthur kicked the goal kick, and the ball was tipped in front of Carrick by Manchester United defender Smalling.

Carrick took the ball and moved forward with full-back Phil Jones.

Carrick was returning from injury and was in average condition. He and Phil Jones had little cooperation. He made a mistake just after advancing to Benfica's half, and the ball was intercepted by Garcia.

Benfica counterattacked quickly, and Garcia passed the ball to Argentine midfielder Gaitan.

Gaitan took the ball and made a crazy breakthrough into the Manchester United penalty area. He was very fast, and Carrick and Smalling were too late to cover up the defense. However, Gaitan himself did not control it well. Both the ball and the man went directly out of the bottom line...

Manchester United took a goal kick, and De Gea passed the ball to full-back Evra for insurance, advancing from the backcourt to the frontcourt.

Benfica did not want the flames of war to burn at the front of their penalty area. They launched a high press in the frontcourt to delay Manchester United's advancement and look for opportunities to counterattack after stealing.

Manchester United finally passed the ball to Benfica's half. Evra passed the ball directly to Rooney. Rooney turned around and wanted to pass to Gao Xiaodong, but was destroyed by Benfica's midfielder and the ball fell to Carrick's feet.

Facing the pressing, Carrick quickly passed to the pressing full-back Phil Jones. Phil Jones tried to pass to Rooney, but the ball hit his opponent.

Benfica player Garcia handed the ball to Gaitan. Gaitan wanted to use his speed to attack Manchester United's wing, but Phil Jones was prepared and fell to the ground to shovel the ball out of the sideline.

Gaitan took advantage of Phil Jones to fall to the ground and quickly threw the ball to Aimar, hoping that Aimar would drive the ball forward.

Gao Xiaodong plays the role of defensive midfielder, and his opponent is Aimar. He is very wary of Benfica's core Aimar. As soon as Aimar gets the ball, Gao Xiaodong pounces on him.

Aimar saw that Gao Xiaodong was rushing hard and wanted to smash the ball past Gao Xiaodong, but Gao Xiaodong looked very fierce and fast, but in fact he still retained his strength. When Aimar spiked the ball, Gao Xiaodong stretched out his foot and hooked it. Using his strength advantage, he stole the ball from Aimar's feet.

In just one minute, the ball changed hands three times in the midfield, which shows the fast pace and fierce fighting between the two sides.