Chapter 1020: Those Who Are Close to Zhu Are Red

April 24, Old Trafford.

The score displayed on the large display screen was still 0-0, and the time was exactly 30 minutes.

The Double Red Club has been fighting for half an hour. Because they are so familiar, the two sides did not test anything after the start and went straight to the fight with real swords and guns. However, both sides were very cautious and could not produce anything within half an hour. Quality offense.

As Sun Wu expected, Klopp did not deploy high-position pressing tactics.

Like Klopp's considerations, Sun Wu did not deploy high-position pressing tactics, and did not use the 343 formation that has shined this season, but used the regular 4231.

Both sides focused on the midfield fight and backcourt defense. Neither attackers performed convincingly, but the defenders of both sides performed well.

Coutinho tried to shoot a cloud-piercing arrow several times, but the defensive midfielders Fabinho and Kante were very wary of this. It was difficult for Gotze and Depay on the wings to get the ball calmly, even if they had good players. When it came to passing the ball, the returning Van Dijk and Phil Jones made it impossible for Firmino, the fake center, to grab the landing spot.

In the other half, although Salah and Mane have excellent personal abilities, it is difficult to enter the penalty area to find direct shooting opportunities. Lucas and Coleman on both wings have also made high-quality crosses, but Matip and Bailly gave Griezmann no chance.

Sun Wu's advance was stifled by Liverpool's midfielder. Henderson and Nzongzi surrounded and strangled Sun Wu several times. Even Coutinho often defended deeply to interfere with Sun Wu's passing and receiving.

Klopp glanced at the Manchester United bench next door. Falcao was still not in the squad, and Harry Kane was still sitting on the bench.

This question has always been lingering in Uncle Zha's mind... Why was Griezmann allowed to start as a center forward? In this half hour, Griezmann, let alone creating a threat, even touched the ball very limited times.

At this time, there were boos in the stands. Klopp turned his head to look. Depera made a cross from behind. The left back Robertson suddenly went inside and shot a long shot from 30 meters away from the goal.

The ball was slightly nudged by Fabinho who rushed forward, causing the ball to change direction. When there was no time to shoot, De Gea rose into the air, fished it with his left hand, and the ball hit the far post and bounced out.

"Almost!" Zhan Jun said regretfully: "Robertson has performed very well this season. He has contributed 3 goals and 6 assists so far."

"In the first double red meeting this season, Robertson once scored a world-famous long-range shot." Zhang Lu frowned and shook his head, "No one at Manchester United was wary of his long-range shot."

The live broadcaster gave Robertson a close-up, and suddenly the camera turned.

"Manchester United's counterattack... Mane!"

After the ball popped out of the center post, Van Dijk did not use his big foot to make a clearance. Instead, he turned around to protect the ball and allowed Kante to walk the ball away. The latter did not go to Sun Wu, who had been stuck by Henderson this time, but sent a pick pass. Mane on the left.

Sun Wu accelerated laterally and tried to respond, but Mane made a cross pass and suddenly spiked the ball to accelerate a straight breakthrough. After getting rid of Piszczek, he changed to the inside.

Klopp watched this scene with his hands behind his back. Mane's breakthrough ability is indeed very strong. He has broken through Piszczek several times in half an hour, but in this game Liverpool deployed enough defensive power in the backcourt.

Sure enough, Mane, who was cutting inside, encountered Nzonzi, another Liverpool midfielder.

Coutinho, who returned to defense at high speed, poked the ball away from behind, but unfortunately, the poked ball was taken away by Lucas who was inserted.

Lucas couldn't get rid of Piszczek who was returning to defense, and Gotze had also come back to help defend. The French defender immediately chose a 45-degree cross.

"Lucas passed the ball... Matip headed the ball to clear the ball, but Griezmann couldn't get the ball back at all."

"Wait a moment!"

"Best!"

Mortensen shouted: "Best...oh oh, direct long shot!"

It is said that "if there is love in the sky, the sky will also grow old, and it will give a kick to Hartmon", but there is no doubt about Joe Hart's personal ability.

When Matip made a header and accidentally tipped the ball to Sun Wu who was advancing at high speed, Joe Hart was ready.

Knowing that Henderson was following him closely behind him and that he had no chance to adjust, Sun Wu chose to volley directly.

But Joe Hart rose into the air, touched his right fingertip slightly, and the ball slightly changed its line and hit the crossbar and popped out of the baseline.

There was a heavy sigh of regret in the stands.

On the sidelines, Klopp leaned back slightly and curled his lips, one goal post each, and they were all opportunities due to the opponent's mistakes. Could it be that the outcome today depends on luck or whether the opponent made a mistake?

However, Klopp did not dare to be careless. He was very aware of Sun Wu's ability to adjust on the spot, and the fact that the opponent was on the field allowed him to feel more about the situation.

What Klopp is considering is, should he take the initiative to change his tactics or strike later?

Liverpool still has cards in hand. Shinji Kagawa has better vertical ability than Coutinho, and Sturridge can often perform amazingly.

But Klopp considers the two red matches in the next two games. If he has a choice, he would rather give up this FA Cup semi-final. He hopes to reach the Champions League final.

The first half ended 0-0. The two sides contributed a total of 7 shots, Manchester United 3 times and Liverpool 4 times. Each of them had one shot on target but there was no threat. Each one hit the goal post or crossbar.

But there is one surprising thing in the statistics. There are four defensive midfielders on both sides, and they have contributed a total of 17 steals, more than 4 steals per player. It seems inconspicuous, but you must know that this is only half a game.

Zhan Jun commented during the halftime break: "In general, it is quite satisfactory, but it is worth noting that Harry Kane did not start today, Griezmann served as center, and the French forward's performance today was surprising."

"There were only 13 touches of the ball in the 45 minutes of the first half, 4 interceptions, 2 pass errors, no threats to the ball, no passing, and no touches in the penalty area."

Thanks to the development of modern technology, relevant statistical data are basically synchronized. Sun Wu in the locker room also got a copy. After taking a few glances, he stuffed it back to Rolf. This situation was because he had been mentally prepared before the game. of.

Griezmann came to Manchester United from La Liga and performed phenomenally in his first season. He often played as a center forward that season, but he was not a typical center. His playing style was somewhat similar to Messi at the time and now. Firmino.

Therefore, Sun Wu believes that if Salah, Mane and Firmino can be called the magical three, then they can also perfectly cooperate with Griezmann.

However, tacit understanding is a big problem. Griezmann has always played as the second forward in the past two years, Mane is actually his substitute, and Salah has only been here for a few months.

How to move at critical moments, and how to choose positions when teammates break through, all require long-term training.

Therefore, Sun Wu chose to play a little trick.

In the entire Manchester United team, the person who can form a tacit understanding with Griezmann the best is of course Sun Wu himself.

Throughout the first half, Griezmann did not go to the wing to get the ball and cut inside, nor did he drop back to get the ball. He only took on the most common over-passing task.

In a word, Griezmann in the first half was a typical center, and a typical center who seemed to be of a very low level.

Sun Wu patted the tactical board and looked at Griezmann, "Anthony, there is a saying in China...the one who is close to the red will be red."

Griezmann blinked in confusion.

Well, in fact, what Sun Wu said is not quite accurate. It should be that the person who is close to the ink is the black. Griezmann's performance in the first half was quite successful.

"I mean, the second half will continue." Sun Wu said with a smile: "I will give you the signal, just one goal is enough."