Chapter 968: Pogba’s Opportunity

Manchester City failed to attack wildly, but Manchester United took advantage of a counterattack opportunity to score the goal.

Now the score has become 3:1, and Manchester United is leading by two goals. This is a very bad situation for Manchester City, because as time goes by, Manchester City's numerical advantage becomes smaller and smaller.

Therefore, after Valencia scored, Mancini replaced midfielder De Jong in a desperate move, sent forward Dzeko who was suffering from the flu, and launched a more fierce attack on Manchester United.

Due to time constraints, Manchester City did not have time to do slow work. After several cooperations, they were unable to penetrate Manchester United's defense and immediately passed the ball to the goal.

Dzeko, Balotelli, and Yaya Toure all have a height advantage, but Manchester City's midfielders Carrick, Park Ji-sung, and Gao Xiaodong do not have a height advantage and cannot intercept Manchester City's high-altitude balls. The two central defenders Vidic and Ferdinand can't all go up to grab the landing spots. Almost all of Manchester City's long passes are taken by Dzeko and Balotelli.

With Dzeko's header flying, Manchester City's offense has a fulcrum, and the impact on Manchester United's penalty area is easier and more frequent.

Manchester United's defense is certainly not bad, but they have one less player, can't control the ball in the frontcourt, and the backline is constantly being hit by opponents. No matter how good the defense is, there will be problems.

After Dzeko came on the field, Manchester City got multiple shooting opportunities, and Manchester United's penalty area was full of dangers. Even if everyone returned to their own 30-meter area, they could not completely limit Manchester City's attempts.

Ferguson looked at the bench for a while and then at the stadium, full of anxiety. Although the time had reached the 80th minute and Manchester United still led by two goals, as long as Manchester City scored another goal, the final result would have to be left to fate. Judging from the situation, it is too difficult for Manchester United to hold on. For two strong teams, one less player is almost equivalent to a downgrade.

There is nothing subtle about Manchester City's offense now, because Manchester United is forced to shrink its defense, and Manchester City cannot penetrate or break through. They don't have the patience and ability to play. They just pass the ball a few times and immediately pass the ball to the front of the penalty area. Let Dzeko, Balotelli and Yaya Toure fight for the top pass, and then launch an attack.

This kind of offensive tactics is very English and very extensive. It has almost been eliminated by the Premier League giants now, but it is very effective when the personnel characteristics are suitable. Manchester United cannot defend it well.

It is not that Manchester United does not have "masters", such as Smallin, but Smallin is a central defender, not a midfielder. His passing ability is very poor and he is very irritable. If something goes wrong at this time, it will be troublesome.

Manchester United's situation was in crisis. Ferguson did not make adjustments for a while. Gao Xiaodong was anxious. He said to Ferdinand: "Brother Leo, why don't we change positions? You step up and I will make up for your position. The opponent's long pass is so disgusting. "

Ferdinand knows that Gao Xiaodong is very comprehensive and can also play as a central defender, but Gao Xiaodong is still short after all, and he is more likely to be bullied with headers when he switches positions with him.

Just when Ferdinand was hesitant, Ferguson made a shocking substitution adjustment. 18-year-old Pogba came on and replaced the winger Nani.

This is a shocking substitution. This is an FA Cup semi-final. The opponent is the local rival Manchester City. The key is that Manchester United has not yet secured the victory and the situation is in danger. At this time, an 18-year-old kid is substituted, even if he is An authentic defensive midfielder, even though he is taller than almost everyone at Manchester United.

"God! Is Ferguson crazy?"

"How can you play Pogba at this time? Even if you want to compete for air superiority, you should play Smallin?"

"Smalin is a big colander, what are you doing with him?"

"Who is this Pogba?"

"A newcomer to the second team and a hero of the FA Cup."

…

The fans were talking a lot, and the Manchester United players were all staring. They knew that Ferguson would definitely adjust, but an 18-year-old kid came up, which was a bit too unexpected. Some fans even doubted whether Ferguson wanted to give up football. Total cup.

The on-site commentator He Hui said in surprise: "This is really unexpected. Sir Alex is Sir Alex.

No one knows what he will do next. Now the only ones who can break away from opponents in the air are Smallin and Pogba. Smallin is not a defensive midfielder, and he cannot play as a three-centre defender. Maybe this is why Sir Alex Ferguson chose Pogba. The reason is, but for Pogba, this is also an opportunity. If he can perform well in such a duel, there will be greater hope of getting promoted later. "

As the focus of everyone's attention, Pogba's excited mind went blank when he came on the field. This is Wembley Stadium, this is a local derby. Even if it is an FA Cup game, reaching the semi-finals is better than a game. An ordinary league.

Gao Xiaodong saw Pogba's nervousness and excitement. He took the lead and patted the little guy on the shoulder. He said in the tone of a veteran and a big brother: "Don't be nervous, relax and play. You go to Dzeko, grab the header, and throw it away." It doesn’t matter, there’s still me.”

Pogba stammered: "I know, Brother Gao, the coach also asked me to tell you that at this last moment, not only do you have to waste time, but you also have to fight back boldly."

The instructions brought by Pogba surprised and admired Gao Xiaodong. At this time, he even considered counterattack. Except for Ferguson, few coaches had the courage.

After Pogba came on the field, he brought vitality and height to Manchester United's defense.

Although Pogba has the least experience compared to everyone on the field, he has plenty of physical strength and can keep up with his height. He is not good at marking Dzeko, but Dzeko can easily grab the high-altitude ball and pass it to his teammates. It's very difficult.

Gao Xiaodong knows what this game means to Pogba. He is worried that Pogba will make a mistake and be scored by his opponent. This will definitely be criticized by reporters and fans after the game, which will affect the confidence of the players behind him.

Therefore, Gao Xiaodong tried to get as close to Pogba as possible. Once Pogba made a mistake, he could immediately help Pogba solve it.

Gao Xiaodong's preparation was not wrong. Pogba grabbed two headers in a row after coming on and felt a little relaxed, but then Manchester City passed a half-high ball. Pogba made a mistake. Turley gets the ball.

But just when Balotelli dunked Vidic and was about to shoot, Gao Xiaodong caught up from behind and kicked the ball out of the baseline.

Manchester City took a corner kick, but the ball was ejected. The landing point was still controlled by the Manchester City players. When it was passed into the penalty area, Pogba grabbed the landing point and gave the header to Gao Xiaodong. He also ran over to meet Gao Xiaodong. .

When Manchester City took a corner kick, they paid great attention to defending players like Gao Xiaodong who could hold the ball. When the ball was passed to Gao Xiaodong, three players immediately pressed forward and two others tried to block Gao Xiaodong's passing line.

Gao Xiaodong saw the tall Pogba under the siege of his opponent. He picked up the ball with his instep and passed the ball to Pogba. He ran forward quickly, trying to break out of the siege set by his opponent.

But how could Manchester City give him a chance to connect with Pogba? Barry reached out and grabbed Gao Xiaodong who was running without the ball. Silva stretched out his foot and tripped again, knocking Gao Xiaodong to the ground.

However, the referee did not see Gao Xiaodong without the ball at this time. His eyes were all on Pogba.

Pogba passed the header to Gao Xiaodong and moved forward. He was an unknown player and no one was guarding him. It was not until Gao Xiaodong passed the ball to Pogba that Zabaleta pounced to steal it.

Zabaleta didn't take Pogba seriously and pounced too hard. Pogba easily tipped the ball over his head. Then Pogba stopped the ball steadily, dunked again, and shook it again. Past Little Wright.

Pogba's two moves to get rid of the ball were very eye-catching, and the Manchester United fans in the stands applauded.

"Okay!" Ferguson was almost wet on the sidelines. He's so beautiful. This is the midfielder I want. After two years of training, he will definitely become a great player.

Pogba protected the ball and was not intercepted by his opponent. At this time, Gao Xiaodong had already gotten up and ran over.

"Paul, give me the ball."

Gao Xiaodong shouted to Pogba.

When Pogba heard Gao Xiaodong calling him, he didn't stick to the ball, so he quickly gave the ball to Gao Xiaodong, and continued to move forward to meet Gao Xiaodong.