Chapter 170 Change of formation! Forty-five degrees, explosive!
As the first half of the game ended, the fans in the stadium and the viewers in front of the TV either went to solve their three urgent needs, or to get a few more bottles of beer and potato chips.
However, during the short intermission, it sparked widespread heated discussion.
The score in the first half surprised many celebrities and fans who predicted before the game that Manchester United could easily win.
Sky Sports also listed the statistics of both sides in the first half:
In terms of ball possession rate, Leicester City, playing at home, is slightly ahead, reaching 60%.
The number of shots is almost the same.
The Blue Fox took nine shots and had five on target; the Red Devils took dozens of shots and had four on target.
Judging from the scene, both sides were evenly matched in the first half.
However, it is surprising in itself that a Premier League giant that was the Premier League champion two seasons ago tied with a newly promoted team that returned to the Premier League after ten years.
Almost everyone began to think about a question:
Is Manchester United getting weaker, or is Leicester City getting stronger?
Or, both? !
As for Manchester United, since Ferguson retired, the team's defensive generals have gone away, and the team's strength has dropped a lot to the naked eye.
From being the favorite for the championship two seasons ago, it has become a team competing for the fourth place today.
Leicester City, on the other hand, showed a dark horse status despite not being favored.
However, many people also believe that the reason why Leicester City performed so well at the start of the season is simply because other Premier League teams looked down upon it and were relatively unfamiliar with its lineup and tactics.
After each team is familiar with it and studies it, Leicester City will return to its original shape.
However, a small number of football experts keenly pointed out that the strength shown by Leicester City is definitely not as simple as a relegation team.
Especially the strength of the starting four in the frontcourt is completely in the middle and upper reaches of the Premier League!
You know, Leicester City has the world's most valuable U20 player in the frontcourt, the Three Lions' main midfielder genius Ling Feng, England rotation forward Vardy, and Algeria international Mahrez.
Coupled with the former Manchester United star Lingard, who has performed well this season, the average age of the four is under 23 years old.
This quartet is the youngest starting frontcourt quartet in the entire Premier League on average!
Young, full of vigor, full of physical energy, and full of enthusiasm.
Four impactful young people are fully adapted to the aggressive high-pressing tactics, often allowing opponents to There is tremendous pressure on ball control and play in the backcourt.
Manchester United's defense is no longer what it used to be.
Except for Evans, who has some ball-playing ability, the other three are defensive backs with rough foot skills.
On the other hand, Blind, the single defensive midfielder, was targeted by Ling Feng.
It was difficult to get the ball out of the midfield and backcourt, so he could only make long passes, but the success rate was not high.
Coupled with the fact that the four superstars in the frontcourt hardly press, the ball is almost always at the feet of Leicester City.
If Leicester City's offensive rhythm were not faster, they would split the ball as soon as they got the ball in the midfield, and there would not be too much ineffective ball control in the midfield, their ball possession rate could even reach over 70%!
Therefore, after the first half of the game, many football experts and commentators who thought Manchester United was more likely to win before the game changed their minds.
If we continue to follow the pace and intensity of the first half, the direction of the game will be very unfavorable to the Red Devils.
At the same time.
Back in the locker room, the coaches and players of both sides realized one fact:
That means no one can guard against anyone!
Manchester United's defense cannot guard against the Blue Fox's quartet, and the Blue Fox's defense cannot guard against Manchester United's four superstars.
Strictly speaking, both teams are offensively strong and defensively weak.
In other words, the key to the outcome of this game is which team can score one more goal than the other team!
To defeat the menacing Red Devils Manchester United at home, Leicester City must continue to attack until the last moment of the game!
If Manchester United wants to escape from the King Power Stadium, they must give full play to the offensive firepower of the four superstars in the frontcourt and completely sack the Blue Fox!
In the home locker room, Pearson looked solemn
“You did a good job in the first half!”
“Keep attacking!”
“We want to Use goals to defend your home honor! ”
"Let them know that this is not Old Trafford, but the King Power Stadium!"
On the other side of the visiting team's locker room, Van Gaal focused on criticizing the team's aggressiveness in pressing in the frontcourt. .
Although he did not criticize directly.
However, everyone knows that he is talking about the three frontcourt attackers, Robin van Persie, Falcao, and Rooney.
Compared to the Blue Fox quartet who were active in the first half, Manchester United's four superstars did not perform as expected.
After his explosive performance in the World Cup in Brazil, the "Flying Dutchman" Van Persie returned to England, as if his stimulants had expired, and his condition plummeted.
As the team's starting center, he failed to score a single goal in the first four rounds of the league!
Although this game finally seized the opportunity to break the goal drought.
However, his performance in the first half can only be said to be unsatisfactory.
In addition to Van Persie, the two superstars Falcao and Rooney also performed mediocrely.
This has led to Di Maria taking on more offensive and defensive tasks, which consumes a lot of money!
The new No. 7 of the Red Devils was breathing heavily while receiving a massage from the team doctor to relax.
Di Maria dared to swear in her heart that this was definitely the most tiring half since he landed in the Premier League!
Originally, the pace of the Premier League is relatively fast, and the physical confrontation is also fierce, which makes Di Maria, who is used to the more technical side of La Liga, a little uncomfortable.
In the last game, his opponent was too good, but he made fun of those rough guys in the Premier League
But this time, he clearly felt that his opponent was much stronger and stronger!
In the first half, he not only had to advance with the ball, but also had to defend and press. Sometimes he would catch the ball in the middle, and sometimes he would pull to the side to break through.
Although before the transfer, he expected that he would become an indispensable core for Manchester United.
However, he never thought that he would have to be both a father and a mother!
"Mader, why don't these teammates return to defense?"
"Who do they think they are? Cristiano? Or Leo?!"
When the team puts the burden of offense and defense on the shoulders of a certain player, the team as a whole There must be a problem!
Van Gaal also saw this problem.
However, in his opinion, it was the team's lack of coordination and understanding and unfamiliarity with the team's tactics that led to the disconnect between the midfield and the frontcourt.
As for the two goals conceded, strictly speaking, it was also caused by the lack of running-in of the defense line.
The central defender combination of Evans and Blackett only has a few games of experience as a partner and needs games and time to develop a tacit understanding.
The tactic of simply piling up superstars in the frontcourt has been proven by Galaxy Battleship to be a failure.
Football tactics pursue balance, both offense and defense.
Whether the offense is strong and the defense is weak, or the offense is weak and the defense is strong, the team will have flaws and be targeted by the opponent.
Thinking of this, Van Gaal suddenly discovered that Manchester United was missing a core figure like Ling Feng who could connect several superstars in the frontcourt and run them smoothly!
In Manchester United's tactical system, Rooney is actually doing the work of organizing the offense and supporting the team.
However, the difference between the two is visible to the naked eye.
Rooney, who retreated from the forward to the midfielder, is more than one level behind in terms of vision and passing ability. If Rooney and Ling Feng were used instead, it would be a sure win!
But you can’t change it!
Lu Xiaopang is the boss and captain of the team's locker room.
For the stability of the team's locker room, Van Gaal must start him, and he cannot be replaced!
The dressing room of a wealthy club is not so easy to control.
In addition, the transfer window is closed, and he can't buy anyone if he wants to. What he can do is to find the tactics that can best utilize the players' strength based on the existing lineup at hand!
As a result, he told Rooney to drop back more to provide support, and for Herrera to advance more to provide support to the forwards.
If you can't defend anymore, then continue to strengthen your offense!
He did not believe that the offensive abilities of his four superstars would not be as good as those four boys from Leicester City!
. . .
After the halftime break, the two sides returned to the court and changed sides to fight again.
The coaches and players of both sides were surprised to find that their opponents, like themselves, had given up on defense and stepped up their offense!
In the second half, the two sides entered the stage of "who defends and who is the grandson".
Once Manchester United has the ball, they will immediately hand it over to Di Maria and force it forward in the center or wing to create a threat;
As for Leicester City, Through Ling Feng's movement and side separation, he continuously launched attacks from both sides!
However, as Manchester United's right back Rafael intensified his physical confrontation, it suddenly became much more difficult for Lingard on the left to get the ball and break through.
Originally, Lingard's foot skills were not very good.
His strength is his running ability, stretching the defense and creating offensive space for his teammates.
It was only in the first half that he took advantage of the fact that the opponent was not familiar with it, which made him suffer once.
Aware that the attack on the left was blocked, Ling Feng began to cruise to the right and cooperated with Mahrez in passing.
Perhaps it’s because the weather has turned colder. Mahrez, wearing gloves, has been strengthened by the limited-time version and turned into the winter limited-edition champion "Ma Dongmei", in great condition!
In the 60th minute of the game, Mahrez, who once again received a pass from Ling Feng on the right side of the frontcourt, once again dribbled the ball along the wing and cut inside.
Although Manchester United left back Argentina international Marcos Rojo has good physical fitness, quick attack speed and strong forward awareness, he is an offensive defender.
However, the body flexibility is not very good, and the upper hand is sometimes too reckless.
After several offensive and defensive rounds, Mahrez has already understood his defensive habits.
And this time, he decided to use his superb foot skills to defeat him!
Drying the ball, he first swung left and right, easily dodging Rojo's outstretched foot to grab him, and then when he turned around to chase after him, he passed him through the crotch a second time.
This series of extraordinary performances aroused the admiration of the home fans.
“Wow!”
“Beautiful waltz!”
“The Algerian international’s superb foot skills remind me of Messi!”
Immediately afterwards, under the expectant eyes of the fans, Mahrez, who transformed into the "Algerian Messi", cut inside and entered the penalty area!
What stood in front of him was the weakest link in Manchester United's defense, young central defender Blackett!
Facing Blackett's defense, he slumped his shoulders and broke through to the left.
But at the moment when he successfully deceived Blackett to shift his body center of gravity, he buckled his left foot back and pushed forward with his right foot.
It is a fried meatball that connects very quickly!
Seeing that Mahrez was about to pass away, Blackett made a fatal mistake that any young defender would make:
He subconsciously stretched out his left foot in an attempt to intercept the ball, but instead of touching the ball, it hit Mahrez's calf!
With a scream of "Ah", Mahrez fell to the ground!
The next second, a sharp whistle sounded!
Referor Clattenburg pointed to the penalty spot without hesitation, and took out a yellow card to show it to the helpless Manchester United youngster!
The foul in the penalty area is too obvious and indisputable.
Ling Feng and Vardy came to the penalty area immediately and put their hands to Mahrez on the ground:
"Riyad, great job! Do you feel okay?"
"Very good" OK. "
Vardy came to take the penalty kick.
With the prayers of the home fans and the trust of his teammates, the demon sword was unsheathed and struck with blood!
With the penalty kick, the score on the field became three to two!
Leicester City once again took the lead over the visiting Red Devils Manchester United at the King Power Stadium!
Falling behind again, Manchester United continued to attack.
However, as Ling Feng also returned to the midfield, the space in the midfield became narrower and Di Maria's advancement became more difficult.
In the 65th minute of the game, when Manchester United's attack in the middle was blocked and Van Gaal was thinking about whether to make substitutions or adjustments, the leading Leicester City was the first to make substitutions and adjustments:
Lingard, who was quiet, was replaced and replaced by big center Ulloa.
Then the formation changed to 442, moving Ling Feng to the right and Mahrez to the left.
And Vardy and Ulloa partnered on the court for the first time, forming a double forward with one high and one fast!
Both Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal and the Manchester United players on the field were extremely shocked by this substitution and formation change!
Are they crazy? !
He actually wants to continue to strengthen his attack!
With the changes in formation, Leicester City's playing style has also undergone changes that are visible to the naked eye!
Originally, the Blue Fox's wing attack relied more on Mahrez's personal ability, as well as Ling Feng's penetration in the ribs to cooperate with him in passing.
However, after the 442 change, Ling Feng, who came to the right, and Mahrez, who came to the left, both became smooth wingers.
The team's wing play returns to the traditional British style, suddenly becoming simpler and rougher!
Just pass the ball 45 degrees into the penalty area and explode!
As for the two forwards in the middle, Ulloa has confrontation and headers, and Vardy has speed and impact. Together, they can make waves in Manchester United's penalty area.
Especially Ling Feng’s curved pass is very tricky, always flying towards the ambiguous zone between the goalkeeper and the central defender.
De Gea did not dare to attack, and the central defender did not dare to stretch his legs to make a clearance, for fear of kicking towards his own goal.
In the 72nd minute of the game, Ling Feng sent an arcing pass that bounced close to the ground. Blackett stretched his legs to try to block it, but the ball changed its line and flew towards his own goal. The near corner!
Although De Gea reacted quickly and saved the ball.
However, Vardy suddenly rushed out of the crowd, got ahead of De Gea, poked the ball into the empty goal with his toe!
Four to two!
However, this was not the last goal for Leicester City in this game.
Because, just three minutes later, Ling Feng once again made a pass from the right side of the frontcourt!
And this time, he chose the high ball!
The ball with strong rotation drew a beautiful arc in the sky above the King Power Stadium, just past Blackett who jumped up from the previous point, and landed on Ulloa's head.
The latter shook his head and smashed the ball into the goal!
De Gea on the goal line was stunned and didn't even have time to make a save.
With Ulloa's header, Leicester City has a three-goal lead over Manchester United at home.
The suspense of the game is basically over at this moment.
(End of this chapter)