Chapter 676 Volume 5 Red Just Sticking Together

"Eastwood shot directly at the top of the penalty area! Ah, but it was blocked by Chelsea defender Carvalho and passed the baseline. This was Nottingham Forest's first shot in the second half! They were pressed by Chelsea in their own half before. Basically can't get out."

This sounds a bit miserable, but it is actually the case.

After Twain adjusted his tactics in the midfield, Nottingham Forest's offense finally improved somewhat. Eastwood's shot this time was an opportunity he found through a quick pass from the midfield.

Chelsea made very tough arrangements in the midfield, but Twain did not confront them head-on. He used faster passing and running positions to get rid of Chelsea's defense.

Next, the game was deadlocked. Both sides have some opportunities, but neither can directly threaten the opponent's goal.

In the 74th minute, Ribery once again relied on his personal skills to break through Chelsea's defensive ribs, and then shot from a small angle, but hit the side netting. This made Ribery very upset. Although a goal has been scored, the pursuit of scoring will never stop.

Then Chelsea attacked and Malouda chested the ball off Lampard's pass, but he went down in a fight with George Wood, right inside the box. The Chelsea players raised their arms and the Chelsea fans booed loudly, hoping that the referee would see this so that Nottingham Forest could be awarded a penalty.

The referee's whistle sounded, but instead of calling George Wood a foul, he called Malouda's handball foul first!

This penalty caused Malouda, who had just fallen to the ground and raised his hands to signal his innocence, to jump up, waving his arms angrily, and complaining endlessly. It is not an exaggeration to describe it as "thundering".

Seeing this scene, Grant also jumped up from his seat and complained angrily off the court. At first he was because the referee did not call a foul on George Wood, and later he was angry with Malouda-did you forget a yellow card on your body? Contradicting the referee at this time, do you want to apply for a red card to end the game? !

Lampard was still calm. He went up and pulled Malouda away, repeatedly reminding him of a yellow card.

Malouda gave up and ran back with Lampard. The referee did not intend to draw cards, which made other Chelsea players secretly relieved.

※ ※ ※

Seventy-six minutes into the game, Drogba basically didn't get any decent chances. His physical fitness is well-known in the Premier League football, but today he met a difficult opponent-Pepe and Piqué, two people who were close to each other from the beginning to the end, firmly sandwiched him, so that he had no chance to get the ball, even if he got the ball There is no way to turn around when the ball is reached, and even if you turn around, there is no chance to shoot.

As Chelsea's center forward, his performance in the Champions League final was so useless for the first time. Could he be unfired?

In addition, Grant's harsh words during the intermission made him eager to prove himself with a goal.

There must be a way to change this situation!

He withdrew outwards instead of sticking to the inside, which made it easier for him to get the ball.

Pepe and Piqué saw Drogba take the initiative to withdraw from the penalty area, but they did not follow. They don't need to worry about Drogba without the ball. Only when the football is passed to Drogba's feet will the two pounce on it.

After withdrawing, Drogba raised his arms to signal his teammates to pass the ball to him. He wanted to vent his frustration of being frozen during this period.

Joe Cole's personal skills on the left side attracted Lennon and Rafinha, and he took the opportunity to pass the football laterally to the front of the penalty area.

Drogba receives the ball.

The football didn't stop very well, it jumped up a little. But this also gave Drogba a chance to shoot. He doesn't have to think about how to get rid of the difficult defense. Now he only needs to... directly swing his legs!

"Warcraft" Drogba raised his thick thighs, spun around with his waist and abdomen, and volleyed on the spot!

No one will underestimate the strength of this center forward. He was already famous when he was still in Marseille, but it was Chelsea, it was Jose Mourinho who really made him a world-class striker. Everyone still remembers the world wave when he caught the ball outside the penalty area and turned around and volleyed directly to break through the Barcelona goal. For such a player, even if he is far away from the goal, he should not be taken lightly!

Pepe took the lead, hoping to block the football with his body. But the football whizzes past him.

The football went through the penalty area and went straight to the right of the goal.

Van der Sar struggled to save, his whole body flew out sideways, his outstretched arms wanted to save the football. He also failed to do so.

The football flitted past his fingertips.

At this moment, I believe that the hearts of all Nottingham Forest players and fans are cold. Meanwhile, the Chelsea fans eagerly raised their arms, ready to declare their lead.

"Bang!"

With a loud bang, the souls of the Nottingham Forest fans were pulled back into the body, and at the same time, the souls of the Chelsea fans were literally sent flying into the sky.

The football hit the outside of the goal post and flew directly out of the baseline!

"Ah—" the commentator yelled, as if he was more regretful than Drogba himself. "It hit the post! Chelsea's luck is too bad! Drogba's luck is too bad!"

This kick made Tang En jump up from his seat, and his movements at that moment seemed like his butt was on fire.

"FUCK!" he cursed.

In the second half, Chelsea was like taking medicine as a group. They were so excited, no matter how they shot, they were threatening, how could they play this game? If things go on like this, even if there is a counterattack, the Forest team will collapse sooner or later.

This kind of ball hitting the goal post is simply a psychological torture for the Nottingham Forest players. Will they feel a little soft in their feet after the rest of their lives?

The championship game against AC Milan has never been so tense, and the defending champion is indeed more difficult...

You're the target, you're an oversized moving target, and everyone wants to overthrow you, and step on the dead body of the defending champion to lift the crown. If you can't hold on yourself, you'll fall off your throne and be eaten by a pack of hungry wolves waiting below.

"Go and call Beckham back." Dunn said to Chris Lark behind him.

It's time to adjust.

Lennon's performance under the opponent's continuous high pressure was not as active as in the first half. In the second half, Forest's few offenses all came from the side of Ribery and Bell. Lennon could only be exhausted in defense. In addition, his offensive method is single, relying on speed to break through, and he was quickly spotted by Chelsea. Ashley Cole is not a master of slow speed. When the two match up, Lennon is basically useless.

David Beckham ran back from the warm-up area, the two looked at each other, and Twain pulled him to the sidelines. "You go up and replace Lennon. In addition to contributing defensively, I need your long pass to send the football."

Beckham nodded.

"After the team presses up, you can go up and try a long shot. Tell Bell that the corner kick is yours." Outside of routine, Dunn lowered his voice and said to Beckham, "David."

"Um?"

"I've set up a stage for you to prove yourself."

Beckham glanced at Tang En in surprise.

Tang En didn't say anything. He patted Beckham on the back and told him to follow the fourth official to the sidelines.

※ ※ ※

In the 77th minute, Nottingham Forest made the first substitution adjustment of the game. No. 24 David Beckham replaced No. 17 Alan Lennon.

After this substitution, it has not had an immediate effect. Chelsea, on the other hand, continued their strength in the second half and continued to press down on Nottingham Forest's goal siege. In the 79th minute, after Malouda made a cross from the wing, Drogba rushed in front of Pepe and Piqué, but it went high.

It looks like he didn't bring his shooting boots today.

In the 80th minute, Beckham finally passed a good ball to Eastwood. Eastwood, who was mediocre in this game, made a slight adjustment outside the penalty area and took a long shot, but this kick went directly. Hitting high, not within goal range.

In the second half, Chelsea stepped up their defense, and Eastwood, who was not physically dominant, basically disappeared. There were two shots but neither threatened the opponent's goal.

The commentator couldn't stand it anymore: "So far in the game, if you want to score points, both sides have players with the lowest points. Chelsea's winner is Drogba, and Nottingham Forest's side is undoubtedly Easter. Wood. The Welsh striker was completely at a disadvantage in the physical confrontation with the Chelsea defenders. He seemed to be afraid of this physical confrontation. Van der Vaart's performance. Coach Twain just replaced Lennon. Although Lennon did not perform well in the second half, he was still very active in the first half. And Eastwood? Maybe Twain will consider substituting again. .”

Tang En was indeed considering whether to replace Eastwood. Multiple injuries have greatly reduced his strength, and at the same time he has a psychological shadow in the physical confrontation. Chelsea changed their defensive strategy and focused on toughness. Of course, it would not be specifically aimed at Eastwood, but it caused the objective phenomenon of Eastwood disappearing.

Should he come down?

"Tony?" Tang also noticed that Eastwood's performance was getting worse and worse. Perhaps it was because his physical fitness was nearly exhausted, and his running was not as active as in the first half.

"Um?"

"Do you want to continue changing people?"

Tang En nodded. "Go and call Bendtner back."

This decision surprised Don a little. Nottingham Forest's substitute players are warming up in the warm-up area at this time, ready to play at any time. Tang did not expect that Tang En would meet Bendtner instead of Arshavin.

"Are you going to play double center?" Chris Lark next to him also asked strangely.

"No, Ruud van Nistelrooy is not strong enough to fight against Terry and Carvalho. I want to replace him." Tang En made a decision to keep Eastwood on the field. He believed in the Gypsy He is a smart player who knows how to play with his head. Not active in running? That's just continuing physical fitness, brewing a one-hit kill. Look at his running position, he can run to the key place every time, otherwise why did he complete the two shots of the Forest team in the second half?

Tang did not refute or raise any objections, and took the order to leave. And Chris Lark couldn't figure out what Tang En was thinking: "Luther has experience, and he is here. Chelsea's two central defenders are quite afraid. And Freddy, he can't run anymore..."

Dunn glanced at him: "Could it be that if we replace Bendtner, the opponent's two central defenders will be relaxed? Bendtner's body is stronger than Ruud van Nistelrooy's, and his physical fitness is even better. With him around, it will be easier for the opponent's two central defenders." Can continue to press Terry and Carvalho. Eastwood stays on the field, he is our second point when we counterattack."

Chris Lark had something to say, but Bendtner had already ran back with a look of excitement, and Tang En left him to meet him.

"Your chance has come, boy." Tang En said with a smile. This boy has placed Tang En's hopes and Nottingham Forest's tomorrow on him. Ruud van Nistelrooy will leave sooner or later. At that time, the main center here will be you, Nicky!

Bendtner nodded, this is of course his chance. Any idiot knows that the team is in some trouble and needs someone to stand up and become the hero who saves the team and wins back the championship.

And at this time, the boss chose himself!

"After you go up, go to the front, press Terry and Carvalho back to the penalty area, and create opportunities for others who come in behind." Tang En poured cold water on Bendtner with his first sentence.

Another tactical center! Bendtner hated this word to the core. As the top center forward, since he was not the first choice to attack the city, he was instead serving as a foil for other people's wedding dresses! It's just...

But he nodded anyway. In the team, the absolute authority belonged to Tony Twain, and no one dared to express dissatisfaction to him directly. No, someone dared, but that person was driven away later.

"Of course, if you have a better chance, choose to shoot yourself." Tang En laughed, "Don't keep thinking about creating opportunities for your teammates." He had no idea what kind of waves were going on in Bendtner's heart just now.

"Go!" After pushing Bendtner, Dunn continued to stand on the sidelines.

Bendtner came on to replace the exhausted Ruud van Nistelrooy. Twain never expected to defend a tie for overtime or even a penalty shootout. Although the team practiced penalty kicks before the game, it was routine, just in case. He himself doesn't want to play penalties. Perhaps when he was a fan, he especially liked to watch this cruel way of winning, but since he became the head coach, he hated this mode very much. Why? Because this way of deciding the outcome does not depend on which side is stronger, nor does it rely on which side's tactics are more reasonable, but on psychological quality and luck. The situation is taken into account, so that the development of the situation is always under their own control. But the penalty shootout is something he can't control completely, so he hates it.

※ ※ ※

After Bendtner came on, he maintained the pressure on Forest's defense against Chelsea. And Eastwood is still free near the penalty area, mainly active in the top of the arc outside the penalty area.

Nottingham Forest has finished adjusting, and Chelsea has also begun to adjust. Grant replaced Malouda, who had a yellow card and became more and more irritable, with the injured Kalu, which can be regarded as reducing a hidden danger. Grant is already preparing for overtime. What if Malouda gets a yellow card when his blood rushes to his head at the last moment of the game?

Grant was preparing for overtime and even a penalty shootout, while the players on the field lost all their strength and were ready to make a last-ditch effort. There are less than ten minutes before the end of the game, when will we wait if we don't fight? This is the common thought of the players on both sides. They are just players, no matter how many thoughts the head coaches have in their minds and what considerations they have, these players have only one thought-to defeat the opponent in front of them, win the game, end this damn final, and win the trophy!

Lost against Nottingham Forest? This is ridiculous. Just tonight, let the world see what a big joke that was. Beat the bastards of Nottingham Forest and put Chelsea on top of the world! Win the first Champions League in club history!

Stop wishful thinking, Stamford Bridge bastards. The championship trophy belongs to our Nottingham Forest, without our permission, you dare to touch it!