Chapter 871 Hard Bones

Manchester United defeated Monaco calmly 3-0 in an away game and advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League with an exaggerated total score of 10-0. This is the first time they have entered the semi-finals of the Champions League after 2011.

Another game was played with passion. Bayern Munich led by Heynckes fought back. Javi Martinez scored with a header in the 3rd minute, and then Franck Ribery's wonderful shot in the 11th minute made the total score. equalize.

In the second half, Lewandowski counterattacked and scored to exceed the total score, but Aubameyang scored the key goal from outside.

After two games of 3-1, the game was dragged into overtime. Former Bayern defender Hummels scored with a header in the 118th minute. In the end, Dortmund successfully advanced to the semi-finals, and Bayern Munich had no choice but to swallow the consequences.

However, these have nothing to do with Manchester United for the time being. Pochettino and Sun Wu have focused their attention on the league. The Champions League semi-finals will not start until May 6.

Manchester United currently ranks first with 84 points from 33 games, Manchester City ranks second with 78 points with two games less, Liverpool also ranks third with 74 points with two games less, and Chelsea... I won't talk about it.

Judging from the schedule, there are only two teams behind Manchester United that are slightly troublesome, one is the tough Everton and the other is Arsenal.

Manchester City has a game to play against Tottenham, and Liverpool has to play against Chelsea. Of course, there is also a direct showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool.

Both Sun Wu and Pochettino hope to resolve the league before the Champions League semi-finals, but this is an almost impossible task. Although they are 6 points ahead, Manchester City has two games in hand.

Sure enough, on April 24, although Manchester City encountered difficulties for a while, they finally defeated Aston Villa 1-0 with Kompany's header.

On April 25, Manchester United came to Goodison Park to challenge the Toffees Everton.

This was destined to be a tough battle. Sun Wu solemnly reminded his teammates in the locker room, but it seemed that his reminder had no effect.

"Goooooooooooooooooooooooal!"

"What are the Manchester United defenders doing? No one is watching Barkley!"

"Schneiderlin's suspension puts Manchester United in big trouble!"

Pochettino shrugged on the sidelines and expressed his helplessness. Fletcher and Schneiderlin have not yet returned from suspension. Although Herrera can play, Pochettino still chose Lingard, who has been in excellent form recently.

It was Lingard who did not protect outside the penalty area promptly enough.

As a result, Barkley had time to adjust the ball, aimed at the goal, and then shot hard to score.

"Manchester United was in a lot of trouble today. The high-position pressing for more than 20 minutes was ineffective. The opponent scored on the first shot on target." Zhan Jun shook his head and said: "It seems that the Manchester United players are a little excited."

"And how to use Lingard is also a problem." Zhang Lu also shook his head. "Although Lingard can run, the key in many cases is whether he can run to the most critical point... Carrick has already moved in. It's a restricted area, Sun Wu is on the outside, and Lingard should stay in position at this time."

The Toffees fans are well-known in the Premier League, and their craziness is no less than that of the fans of the wealthy clubs. The stands have become a blue ocean, and the loud chorus has put a lot of psychological pressure on the Manchester United players.

"Anthony, change the target." Sun Wu pulled Griezmann and whispered: "Always attack that point, maybe it can stimulate his state."

Griezmann nodded silently. In the past year and a half, he has scored goals from Smalling countless times on the training ground. But today, facing his old owner, Smalling showed off his power and his defense was flawless. Three times in a row. Successfully stole the ball from Griezmann.

Smalling is a defender who often makes mistakes, and the Manchester United coaching staff is very aware of this, so they regard it as a breakthrough, but they didn't expect that they would be beaten today...

Sun Wu didn't want to continue the experiment. If he continued to stare at Smalling, it would not only be a waste of time, but it might also make Smalling's confidence burst and his condition get better and better.

Martinez's formation was quite cautious. Attackers such as Miralas, Naismith, Pienaar and Deulofeu were not used. The midfielder arranged a three-midfield combination of Barry, Osman and McCarthy. The central midfielder Barkley and forward Cone in front of him were also very active in returning to defense.

This lineup is really difficult to deal with, and the teammates are not in good condition. Griezmann, Shaqiri, and Lukaku failed to form a tacit understanding in passing and running several times. It is rare that the shot is either deflected or weak.

Sun Wu ran to the center circle, stretched out his hand and pressed down on the teammates behind him, indicating that everyone should not be anxious, there was still time.

After the game restarted, Sun Wu directed the team's formation to retreat and give up the high-post press, and kept passing the ball in the midfield to try to find loopholes in Everton's defense.

However, the Everton players were well positioned and the formation was compact, and they never showed any flaws. On the contrary, Ashley Young pressed forward and the ball was intercepted. Everton organized a very threatening offensive, and McCarthy's long shot from the outside was missed by Germany. Heia lifted the crossbar.

"Hey, Osman is so good at running!" Zhan Jun couldn't help but praise: "Already 34 years old, this is his 12th season at Everton, but Osman still has no limits in physical fitness!"

Osman is not well-known and his worth is not high, but in the Premier League, he is one of the few strong defensive midfielders who can compete with Kante and Matic in terms of defensive coverage. He has a very strong ability to sweep horizontally, a strong style, and ruthless kicks. He is often Running from one wing to the other, then back and forth again…

Just now, it was Osman who ran all the way from the right to the left, stole the ball from Ashley Young, and launched this counterattack.

Osman is paired with Barry, who can hold his position, plus McCarthy and Barkley, who keeps harassing Sun Wu. Everton's midfield set is very effective. The key is that they are focused, efficient, and do not hesitate to use physical strength.

Sun Wu also found the key. Not only was the front trident in poor condition, but also because he lacked a partner with organizational skills. Lingard, who was running through the crowd, did not have this ability... Although He played the No. 10 position back then.

Martinez is also unique in tactics. Everton did not keep a close eye on Sun Wu, but tried to separate himself from his teammates.

Therefore, although Sun Wu had many opportunities to get the ball, it was difficult to move the ball forward smoothly. Since Everton's position in the midfield and backcourt was airtight, Sun Wu's several risky direct passes were intercepted.

Looking back at Carrick, this veteran has organizational skills, but his positional conditions are likely to lead to a void in the defensive midfielder position.

Both Herrera and Fletcher can help, but Lingard is by his side today... Sun Wu came to the conclusion in his heart that this is someone who can disrupt the war. The two armies fought in an upright manner. It is difficult for him to show value, but he may find opportunities if he appears on the wing.

In the end, the first half ended with Everton leading 1-0.

After entering the locker room, Sun Wu immediately discussed the substitution issue with Pochettino.

Now that both parties have talked openly, there is no need for any taboos.

"Herrera replaced Lingard." Pochettino said first. "In addition, Lukaku is in poor condition, and the support from the two wingers is too little."

"Smolin and Jagielka are both very capable in air defense, and Lukaku can't take much advantage." Sun Wu said in a low voice: "Let Griezmann go up, his movement will be much more flexible, and he will be on the wing in the second half." I will try my best to pass the ground ball in the cross, and I will strengthen the long-range shot at the right time.”

"Then your position must be prerequisite, Herrera will be the bodyguard, Mane will replace Shaqiri... Januzaj is also in average condition."

Sun Wu smiled and nodded, with a twinkle in his eye... I don't know if Pochettino did it deliberately, but this may become a key change.

He was about to return to his seat, but Sun Wu hesitated and looked back at his teammates, "Luke Xiao performed well in the last game... Ashley Young on the wing spiked the ball back and passed with his right foot, which was basically a high ball."

Pochettino thought for a moment and nodded, "Herrera replaces Lingard, Mane replaces Shaqiri, we will see later whether Luke Shaw wants to play."

Satisfied, Sun Wu returned to his seat... Wouldn't it be over if he had known this? If he had known, he would have spoken to Pochettino!

I don’t even think about it, which head coach can stand such Sun Wu, so Pochettino wants to win two championships to add some weight to his resume before leaving.