Four Hundred and Ninetieth Three Extreme Challenges

Every match day, the brightly lit Old Trafford by the Manchester Canal will become the brightest area in Manchester under the dark night sky.

Crowds of fans gathered in the direction of the stadium from every corner of the city.

Vehicles from the Manchester metropolitan area, or even from other places, came out of the nearby highway intersection and quickly filled up the surrounding areas of the Old Trafford Stadium, the few parking lots that were usually empty on weekdays.

The Old Trafford Stadium, which can accommodate more than 76,000 people, was quickly filled to the brim with fans.

As more and more fans walked into the stadium, it seemed like a pot of boiling water. Everyone was like a small drop of water. As soon as they were put in, they immediately reached the boiling point, and the adrenaline immediately soared. It was as if they were ignited, and they were quickly melted. No matter how gentle and refined a gentleman is on weekdays, he would become fanatical in this atmosphere, as if possessed by a demon.

The feeling is addictive and mesmerizing.

...

When Manchester United's players entered the field to warm up, the stands were already full of people.

There are countless fans queuing up in various aisles, constantly coming out, filling every corner of the stands.

When Manchester United fans saw Manchester United players, they encountered a fire like dry wood, and it ignited in an instant.

Crazy Manchester United fans are chanting the name of Manchester United, shouting the names of the players, cheering for them.

When the live TV camera swept over, you could see the faces that were flushed with excitement. Everyone was excited and excited for the upcoming game.

This is the third consecutive season for Manchester United to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League. After winning the championship last season, everyone expects Manchester United to reach the final again and become the first team to successfully defend the title since the restructuring of the Champions League.

Especially after the 1-1 away draw with Naples in the first leg, everyone in Manchester United was full of confidence in advancing to the final, because they have the best superstar in the world, the best coach, and the best team. fans.

Every Manchester United fan in the stands seems to be transformed into a wave of energy, injected into the body of every Manchester United player in the stadium, making them more motivated and more powerful.

...

"Friends in the audience, we are now at Old Trafford at Manchester United."

"Through the live camera,

We can see that although there is still some time before the start of the game, Manchester United fans have already entered the stadium, and at this moment, the Manchester United players in the stadium are warming up and familiarizing themselves with the field training. "

"Napoli players are also entering the field one after another, but what awaits them is a flood of boos from the Red Devils fans."

"After the first-leg draw at home to Manchester United, Napoli are cornered as they must score at least one goal at Old Trafford and remain unbeaten."

"This is an extreme challenge for any team."

"Since the 2000-2001 season, Manchester United have participated in a total of 53 official Champions League games at Old Trafford. Tonight is the 54th game. In the past 53 games, Manchester United Only lost two games!"

"On October 17, 2001, in the fourth round of the Champions League first-leg group stage, they lost 2-3 to Super Deportivo of Irueta; on February 23, 2005, the Champions League 16 In the first round of the strong knockout round, they lost 0-1 at home to AC Milan."

"It can be said that at Old Trafford, Manchester United is almost synonymous with unbeaten."

"Napoli are at Old Trafford, and the possibility of reversing Manchester United is slim."

"However, Naples coach Gao Shen said at the pre-match press conference that no matter how small the hope is, he always believes that his team can complete the reversal at Old Trafford."

"Gao Shen also gave a strong proof, that is the 1999-2000 season."

"In the UEFA Champions League that season, after two rounds of group matches, Manchester United met Real Madrid in the quarterfinals. In the first round, the two sides played at the Bernabéu Stadium. They shook hands and made a draw, but returned to Old Trafford. At the stadium, Del Bosque's Real Madrid beat Manchester United 3-2, advanced to the semi-finals and won the championship."

"It was also after that battle that Del Bosque became the most successful firefighting head coach in Real Madrid's history. Until 2006, Gao Shen turned out to lead Real Madrid again, and miraculously won the double crown with a half-time counterattack. Wang, replacing Bosque."

"Gao Shen is encouraging himself with the game nine years ago. At that time, Bosque's team played five defenders and counterattacked. I wonder if Gao Shen plans to be like Bosque back then?"

"This game has attracted the attention of fans all over the world."

"Is Ferguson's Manchester United reaching the final of the Champions League again? Or is Gao Shen, the youngest champion coach in the history of the Champions League, leading his team, Naples, the youngest semi-finalist team in the history of the Champions League, to the final?"

...

Manchester United's starting lineup was somewhat unexpected.

Goalkeeper: Van der Sar.

Defense: Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic and O'Shea.

Midfield: Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher.

Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-sung.

Yes, Ferguson's starting lineup was exactly the same as in the first leg.

"Could it be adjusted somewhere?" Carlo said with some anxiety.

Logically speaking, Ferguson should not have done this.

"Is it a psychological tactic?" Zidane was also worried.

In the case of a 1-1 draw in the first round and an away goal advantage, Ferguson returned to the home court and played exactly the same tactics as in the first round, which is a bit strange.

You know, in the first round, Manchester United did not have much advantage except for that goal.

On the contrary, Rooney was imprisoned by Naples' defense and hardly showed his usual threat. After Carrick was contained, Manchester United's midfield operation and organization were greatly affected.

In this case, wouldn't Ferguson want to adjust?

The depth is also a bit unpredictable, but the battle is imminent, if you can't guess it, then don't guess it.

"Perhaps Ferguson felt that he was lucky in the first round and wanted to continue at home." Gao Shen said with a slight smile.

"Besides, haven't we changed?"

Naples still has a four-three-three formation.

Goalkeeper: Handanovic.

Defense: Vargas, David Luiz, Bonucci and Lichtsteiner.

Midfield: Thiago Motta drags deep, Biglia and Rakitic center.

Forwards: Di Maria, Cavani and Sanchez.

People are still those people, but Gao Shen has made adjustments.

First of all, Rakitic changed positions with Biglia, because Biglia said that the first round was too early and he was a little uncomfortable, while Rakitic thought that he could go more forward. Before participating in the offensive task.

Another is that Di Maria and Sanchez also exchanged positions.

The Argentine winger said that he is confident to beat O'Shea.

In contrast, Rooney and Evra's left side is more difficult to defend, because it is difficult for Lichtsteiner to press up and give him enough support.

There is actually another purpose behind Gao Shen's arrangement.

That is to make the left side where Vargas, Rakitic and Di Maria are located, a key area for Naples' offense.

He wants to be on this side and blow up Manchester United's right!

...

When Gao Shen got Manchester United's starting list, in the home team's locker room, Ferguson also got the visiting team's starting list.

He was also surprised because Naples hadn't changed.

"It's normal. This is Naples' regular starting lineup. The advanced 4231 is more used in the league or during rotation. In key games, he must trust 433 more." Mike Phelan guessed .

"But before, in Naples, his four-two-three-one worked well." René Meulensteen frowned.

The interesting thing about the knockout game is that both sides are guessing at each other's targeted tactics.

But obviously, Ferguson didn't guess right this time either.

"Don't guess!" Ferguson said decisively.

The two assistants, Mike Phelan and Mullenstein, immediately looked at Ferguson in unison, waiting for his further instructions.

"Anyway, Napoli will definitely try to score goals tonight, so I'm sure he will start the attack at the beginning, which is what they do best."

Both Ferran and Mullenstein nodded in unison, which is also understandable.

"So, after the opening game, we have to make good use of our home court advantage, seize the opportunity, suppress Naples, and break their goal before they score, severely dampening their spirit and fighting spirit."

Manchester United also intends to grab a wave at the beginning. Ferguson has been in charge for so many years, and he also doesn't like the initiative of the game to be held in the hands of others.

Especially at the end of the first round, Naples' attack was indeed very threatening. That wave of crazy offensive made Ferguson very clear in his heart that if Naples really wanted to attack, Ferguson had no idea.

Manchester United has swept Europa in recent years, and the confidence is the team's defense like a copper wall.

But judging from the final stage of the first round, Naples' offensive ability is still very strong.

If Naples is really to let go and attack, Manchester United's defensive pressure will be very high.

...

When the players returned to the locker room one after another, Gao Shen did not set up the formations of the two sides on the tactical board as usual.

He just read the list of Manchester United's starting lineup and mentioned a few points that need attention, such as paying attention to the restrictions on Rooney and Carrick, and also paying attention to following up on Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Gao Shen played the most offense and suppression.

Di Maria is in charge of the left, suppressing O'Shea on the right of Manchester United, while Sanchez is on the right, suppressing Evra on the left of Manchester United.

"I believe that as long as we can gain an advantage in one-on-one on the wing, then Manchester United must invest more resources in defense, such as Park Ji-sung and Rooney, they will definitely retreat."

On the counter-attack end, Manchester United did not look for Cristiano Ronaldo first, because the Portuguese is not suitable for playing in the middle, especially the forward forward position. Under strict marking, his ability to stop and hold the ball is limited. questionable.

"The focus of our defense should be on the pass to Cristiano Ronaldo, not the players themselves, such as Rooney, such as Anderson."

In recent years, Manchester United have taken the approach of forwards retreating to get the ball and organizing attacks in the frontcourt. As long as Rooney is strangled, Manchester United's tactics will be greatly reduced.

"But after the first round of the match, Ferguson will definitely make some adjustments, so we also need to adjust our targeted tactics according to the opponent's changes during the game, and adapt to the situation."

Finally, Gao Shen looked directly at his players with a very serious expression.

"Guys, I believe you have all seen it. Now everyone outside thinks that we are doomed to lose. Some even give statistics that the probability of us beating Manchester United is less than 4%."

"I don't know how their data is calculated, and I don't know what it is useful for. I only know that we are only one step away from the Champions League final!"

Gao Shen pointed to the door of the locker room behind him.

"Get out of this door, beat Manchester United and we'll make history again!"