Nine Hundred and Ninety First Marshal Duel

On the evening of February 13, at the Bernabéu in Madrid.

In the first round of the knockout round of the Champions League round of 16, Real Madrid host Manchester United at home.

This is a game that subverted everyone's impression from the whistle.

Before this game, everyone felt that Real Madrid should adopt a relatively cautious tactical play at home to avoid being scored by Manchester United.

And when Manchester United is a guest at the Bernabéu, there is no reason to adopt too aggressive tactics, because the Red Devils' lineup is not as good as Real Madrid.

Before the game, the remarks of the coaches of the two teams, Gao Shen and Ferguson, seemed to confirm all of this.

In Valdebebas, Gao Shen praised Ferguson fiercely, not only saying that his relationship with Ferguson has always been very good, but even proud of being able to play against Ferguson.

Among them, Gao Shen's sentence was interpreted by the media as that he wanted to adopt cautious tactics at home.

"This is a game that the whole world is looking forward to. Everyone thinks we will be under pressure, but that is normal."

"Real Madrid and Manchester United are big teams, but there must be a team that will be eliminated. This is a very cruel reality."

"But that's the game we want and it's the game all the fans look forward to."

Ferguson was interviewed at the Carrington base, saying that Real Madrid is still 2 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, but the devil's schedule will be ushered in next. This is a very, very difficult schedule for Real Madrid. Every game is very difficult to play. .

"Barca are in unbelievable form, they are sticking to something different, so for Real Madrid, the Champions League should be the most likely competition for them to make a breakthrough this season."

Ferguson concluded that the main battlefield of Gao Shen will be in the Champions League.

"There is no doubt about it, it will make our game more difficult, but it will also put pressure on Real Madrid."

"We are different from Real Madrid. We are currently leading the Premier League table and fighting for three trophies at the same time. It will be more difficult for them."

Ferguson also said that Gao Shen is a very smart and cunning opponent. He always likes to play psychological warfare before the game, but he will not be fooled.

"My advice to myself is, don't be dragged into the quagmire by Gao Shen,

It is possible that he deliberately played weak before the game, but that is just to play psychological warfare, let him play well, I will not participate in it. "

"Yes, he just gave birth to a son. I called him to congratulate him, and then told him, bring me a case of good wine during the game, and I will spare him."

Finally, Ferguson said that in this Bernabeu game, Manchester United will play more carefully.

"It is inevitable, it is always difficult to play at the Bernabeu, so we need to be more careful."

It is agreed not to engage in psychological warfare...

The head coaches of the two teams had a round of commercial bragging before the game, and both were playing cards of weakness.

But actually?

...

After the whistle sounded for the start of the game, the two teams pressed forward to attack with almost no reservations.

Gao Shen and Ferguson spoke so politely before the game, but in the game, they both started to put their lives to the test.

The two sides turned out to start with a confrontation.

This is completely unexpected.

But what was really surprising was how fast the pace of the game went and both sides played aggressively, but just couldn't score.

Everyone can clearly feel that the tactical restraint of the head coaches of the two teams against each other has contained the opponent's attack.

It goes without saying that Real Madrid has the advantage on the scene.

The La Liga giants' passing and possession skills are stronger than Manchester United's. Therefore, Real Madrid has an advantage in terms of ball possession rate and pass success rate, which makes Manchester United involuntarily inclined to defend and counterattack.

On the defensive end, Manchester United specially arranged for two defensive players to freeze Ronaldo on the left side of Real Madrid.

As long as Ronaldo gets the ball, Schneiderlin and Rafael are always around him, which makes it difficult for the Portuguese to have a chance to create a threat.

On the right side of Real Madrid, Manchester United's left side is a combination of Evra and Welbeck, suppressing Di Maria and Carvajal. This defensive intention was exposed from the first minute of the game .

But Real Madrid is not a fuel-efficient lamp.

The opening shot came just over a minute into the game, a long-range shot from Toni Kroos.

Then Di Maria also got rid of Evra, cut in with his left foot, and curved the ball to the goal.

But the real threat was in the fifth minute. Ronaldo dribbled the ball from the left, broke through Rafael, and crossed before Ferdinand, but Benzema's shot was blocked by De Gea like a god. come out.

The Spanish goalkeeper performed exceptionally bravely after returning to his homeland.

Ferguson also clearly realized that Ronaldo was still unstoppable.

As a result, Valencia followed suit.

Real Madrid almost pressed Manchester United to launch wave after wave of attacks. After more than ten minutes of attacking, they shot eight shots, but they just couldn't score a goal.

And Manchester United's first shot happened in the 20th minute.

On the Red Devils side, the defense against Real Madrid is well done, and Real Madrid's defense against Manchester United also does not include lakes.

The key to making the Red Devils not even have a shot in 20 minutes is that Real Madrid's defensive formation can effectively cut Manchester United's frontcourt. After the Red Devils players get the ball in the frontcourt, it is difficult to get support from teammates. Forced to fight alone.

The result of fighting alone is that there is no threat.

Even Rooney's shot was a long shot.

...

After more than ten minutes of probing, the two sides also realized the difficulty of the opponent.

Gao Shen made adjustments. On the one hand, he signaled to Modric, Toni Kroos and Harvey Alonso not to press the defense so far back to give Manchester United breathing space.

This is by no means Gao Shen underestimating the enemy, but because the defense line was pressed too far forward, causing Manchester United's entire midfield to become a monolith, and Real Madrid's offense simply lacked space.

Manchester United's defense is by no means given casually. Ferguson won the Champions League by relying on defensive counterattacks.

Now, the players are older, but also more experienced.

Pressing too far forward, not to mention creating more counterattack space for the opponent, also pressed Manchester United's defense line very flat, which is not good for Real Madrid's offense.

In addition, Gao Shen also made adjustments to allow Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria to switch positions.

Soon, Real Madrid created the most threatening attack in the first half.

After Di Maria got the ball from the left, without waiting for Schneiderlin to approach, he forcibly singled out Rafael one-on-one. Evra headed the goal.

As a result, this great opportunity hit the crossbar.

Not only was the Portuguese regretful, but even the Real Madrid fans at the scene were also depressed.

What a great opportunity!

Ferguson's reaction was also quick and he made adjustments quickly.

Manchester United had already made a plan for Real Madrid's strategy. After adjustments, they once again stabilized their defense.

The double defensive midfielders of Schneiderlin and Carrick are particularly difficult when facing Real Madrid's midfield pressure.

Gao Shen's continuous adjustments, using his own midfield advantage, pulled Manchester United's entire midfield to pieces, but they insisted on guarding the big penalty area.

Especially Ferguson also reacted quickly, making adjustments immediately, retracting the team, and keeping the three lines compact.

In this way, Manchester United lost the threat of a counterattack, but the defense stabilized.

Obviously, Ferguson's strategy is to defend the goal first, and then wait for an opportunity to counterattack.

...

After the intermission, the two teams still continued the situation in the first half, but Gao Shen encouraged the midfielder Modric to participate more actively in the frontcourt offense, especially his dribbling ability, and Di Maria cooperation.

After the start of the second half, Real Madrid began to attack the right, trying to open a breakthrough from the right.

But Manchester United is also well prepared.

Ferguson took the lead in making a substitution, but the Manchester United coach has always been unconventional. He replaced Sneijder with Ryan Giggs.

This looks like a matchup, right?

Actually?

Schneiderlin was moved to the left, Giggs withdrew from the front, and together with Raphael, froze Ronaldo.

Needless to say, the effect is really good.

Gao Shen is really convinced!

Ferguson has his own unique understanding of tactics, the key is that the players under him can execute them well.

The game was deadlocked again.

Time passed bit by bit like this.

The trend of the game gives people the feeling that no one can do anything against the other.

Real Madrid's offense was contained by Manchester United, but Manchester United's counterattack could not play a threat.

The commentator of Sky Sports thought, "This is a match between Gao Shen and Ferguson!"

"It looks more like a tit-for-tat tactical showdown between two top coaches."

But often in such tactical duels, the game lacks goals.

Just like the Champions League final in 2002/03.

What a clever tactical duel that was, but the score was 0:0.

...

Gao Shen stood on the sidelines, silently watching the trend of the game.

He has not changed, has been waiting.

Some people say that football is like a war.

But the most real war is not like in the movies, where the attack is like the wind, the attack is like fire, and once the fight is fought, it will be swept away.

Real wars, especially wars where the difference in strength is not very large, are often in a stalemate, waiting for the opponent to make mistakes.

Some people may wonder, what if they don't make mistakes?

This is impossible.

Because wars are always about consumption, and with the continuous consumption of wars, all aspects of strategic factors will continue to change, one will ebb and flow, and when a certain critical point is reached, the opportunity for combat will appear!

It's like the current matchup between Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Neither side made a mistake, and both sides restrained their opponents, which brought the game to a stalemate.

But it doesn't matter, continue to fight for consumption, continue to persevere, and see who can't persist first, and see who can't afford it.

Of course, unlike wars, football matches are strictly timed.

After ninety minutes, if both sides hold out, it's a draw.

But Gao Shen doesn't think so.

With the strength of Real Madrid, they put such a lot of pressure on Manchester United, the Red Devils will definitely not be able to bear it, and Ferguson's team will definitely expose problems.

As soon as the fighter plane appears, it is Real Madrid's opportunity!