Chapter 298 I, Blue Fox, am fearless!
This season, Leicester City’s record against BIG6 teams can be described in two words:
Invincible!
Win Tottenham, Win Arsenal, Win Chelsea, Win Liverpool, Win Manchester United
And now the only thing standing in front of them is Manchester City!
Judging from the strength and thickness of the lineup, Manchester City can be said to be the only team in the Premier League that may prevent them from winning the championship.
As long as Manchester City is defeated and Leicester City gets a huge lead of 20 points, the Premier League championship will be basically guaranteed.
Even if we are distracted by other events in the second half of the season, there is still enough room for mistakes.
But once the game is lost, the lead will become fourteen points.
The difference between the two is six points!
Therefore, for Leicester City, this may be the most critical game of the season!
However, perhaps because they fully understand the importance of this game, the Blue Fox generals seemed a little nervous both offensively and defensively.
Under the organization of David Silva and De Bruyne, the Manchester City generals launched a fierce attack on Leicester City in an orderly manner.
De Bruyne, in particular, ran very actively in this game, frequently crossing the gaps between the central defenders and full-backs, and repeatedly fired from left and right outside the penalty area, threatening the Blue Fox's goal.
Although I didn’t tell anyone.
However, Ding Ding is still worried about losing to Ling Feng in the Europa League last year and being ranked lower than Ling Feng in the Ballon d'Or.
Although he is a little shy on the surface.
But deep down, he is a very proud person.
After the Europa League showdown, he had already regarded Ling Feng as his biggest competitor.
Just like when he transferred to Wolfsburg, he used his strength to prove that it was the wrong decision for Chelsea to give up on him.
He also hopes that in this head-on confrontation with Ling Feng, he can use his performance to prove to everyone that he is no worse than Ling Feng!
The huge transfer fee Manchester City spent on him was well worth it!
De Bruyne!
David Silva!
Sterling!
Aguero!
These four people are all world-class.
This luxurious frontcourt quartet alone is enough to suppress Leicester City in the half.
The two midfielders, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, guard the midfield, which to a certain extent avoids the problem of recklessness and impatience in the team's defense.
The frontcourt offense puts enough pressure, so the defensive pressure in the backcourt will also be reduced a lot.
The opponent's attack was so fierce that Ling Feng had to retreat to the midfield to help defend.
There is a rare opportunity to counterattack. The moment his teammates pass the ball to him, Yaya Toure or Fernandinho will double-team him immediately, or directly foul him. Counterattack choke!
In this game, Ling Feng also felt that the two wingers Mahrez and Albrighton seemed a little tired, and they were not very motivated to advance and run.
This resulted in him having to pass the ball directly to Shinji Okazaki who was penetrating forward.
However, although Shinji Okazaki is extremely motivated and flexible in his movements.
But the shortcomings are still obvious.
That small body is not enough in front of Manchester City's two central defenders.
As soon as his body gets involved, he can't control the ball.
Due to the average condition of his teammates in the frontcourt, Ling Feng could only advance with the ball during the counterattack.
But with the two defensive midfielders Yaya Toure and Fernandinho closely guarding him, he had no good solution.
After all, no matter how strong he is, he can't shoot directly from the center line
Luckily for all Blue Fox fans, although the team's offense has been repeatedly frustrated, the defense is still solid.
While Yaya Toure, the current "best midfielder in the world", is somewhat quiet, Kanter, the future "best midfielder in the world", uses his ubiquitous arrival rate and clean and neat The steal proved to everyone why he booked the Blue Fox's best signing of the season!
Why is he known as the "new Makelele"!
Coupled with Ling Feng's retreat, the Blue Fox's defense basically maintained a tight formation.
Even Manchester City can't penetrate the entire defense!
In the end, as the Blue Fox fans watched in horror, De Bruyne's direct free kick outside the penalty area was slightly wide of the goal. The whistle sounded to end the first half
. . .
The two sides returned to the locker room with a score of zero to zero and a disparity of two to ten shots.
From the first half of the game, Ranieri noticed that the players were still a little nervous and cautious,
This is caused by the team's lack of experience in competing for championships.
If it is a team that competes for the championship all year round, they will pay attention to key games, but they will not be nervous.
But the Blue Fox players who participated in the Premier League championship for the first time were different.
The more they understand the importance of this game, the more afraid they will make any mistakes on the field, causing the team to lose and miss the opportunity to expand their lead.
On the contrary, they will feel that if they can keep a tie at home, it is not unacceptable.
With this mentality, they don't dare to make moves on the field, nor do they dare to make risky passes.
Once he hesitates, whether it is passing or breaking through, he will focus on stability.
For Leicester City, which specializes in quick counterattacks, if they fail to show speed or hesitate during the transition between offense and defense, the opportunity will be missed.
So, this is fatal to the team's offensive threat!
This is also one of the reasons why we were beaten by Manchester City in the first half.
If Schmeichel hadn't been in excellent form in this game and saved Aguero's close shot, and Sterling turned into a "happy boy", several shots either missed or missed. High.
Manchester City had already knocked on the team's door in the first half
Therefore, the experienced Ranieri knew very well that if he continues to play like this, no matter how strong the defense is, There will be times when things go wrong.
Changes must be made!
As the head coach, he has the obligation to tell the players how to deal with this situation.
In order to stop the players from worrying too much and to arouse the players' desire to fight, Ranieri suddenly came to the center of the locker room with a serious look on his face, and then applauded to attract the attention of his disciples. Speaking fluent English, he said in a deep voice:
“Guys, forget about the seventeen-point lead!”
“Just treat this as a game. If you lose, you will lose the championship. The final battle for the trophy! "
"What stands in front of you is a powerful opponent that has won the Premier League championship!"
"But in my eyes, you are better than them. Even better!”
"What's more, how many Premier League champions have we defeated?! Manchester United and Chelsea were all defeated by us!"
"So, go on the field, don't be afraid of making mistakes, and play boldly! Let's play! Let everyone see our determination to compete for the championship!”
The always amiable Ranieri showed such passion and spoke such domineering words for the first time.
The players were a little surprised, but they were also affected by the coach's words, and their hearts were filled with excitement.
Ling Feng, with twinkling eyes, was the first to stand up and clapped vigorously: "Come On! Guys, let us kill them!"
The other Blue Fox soldiers also stood up and howled in unison.
“Kill them!”
“Forward! Blue Fox!”
Playing chicken blood can be said to be a basic skill that every head coach knows.
The difference between famous coaches and ordinary coaches is that famous coaches can use this skill at the right time to achieve the effect of enhancing the team's combat effectiveness!
Although the coaching style is not the passionate type.
However, at the critical moment when he was closest to the league championship for the first time in his coaching career, Ranieri, who was already in his 60s, couldn't help but go crazy!
. . .
“Welcome back to the King Power Stadium, the second half of Leicester City’s home game against Manchester City is about to begin, Sky Sports will continue to provide you with commentary”
"In the first half, the Blue Foxes, who were playing at home, seemed to have some stage fright. Especially under Manchester City's ferocious attack in the frontcourt, the defense was crumbling."
"If they cannot play more resolutely and relax in the second half, Leicester City will We may suffer our first defeat of the season.”
As the fans sat back in front of the TV with snacks such as cola, beer, and potato chips, the players from both sides also returned to the court again.
However, as soon as they stepped onto the turf, Manchester City's players immediately noticed the changes in their opponents.
The eyes of each Blue Fox player are a little more murderous!
When he looked at himself, it was as if he were looking at prey, full of aggression.
Pellegrini on the sidelines also noticed the changes in the Blue Fox players and couldn't help but frown.
This "Chilean engineer" couldn't help but feel doubts in his heart:
What exactly happened?
As his thoughts were spinning, he looked towards the field.
I saw all the Blue Fox generals forming a circle, and then captain Morgan mobilized:
"The boss is right, this may be the most important game in our career. So, Don’t let yourself regret it!”
After saying that, the team leader stretched out his hand, and the other teammates also folded their hands together.
The next second, the shouts that shocked the Manchester City players sounded from the opponent's half:
"Go forward, Blue Fox!!!"
Following the head coach's lecture in the locker room, the hearts of the Leicester City players were boiling with excitement.
This may be the only time in their career that they have been so close to the Premier League title.
In this case, they had better seize this precious opportunity!
So, instead of just being helpless, it’s better to give it a try!
At least after the game, no matter they win or lose, they will not regret their efforts and courage on the court!
Just do it and it’s done!
Except for Ling Feng, most of the players on this Blue Fox team are abandoned players.
They all have a kind of unwillingness to admit defeat that is not afraid of anything.
From the bottom of their hearts, they all hope to prove to those who gave up on them and those who looked down on them and doubted them that they can gain a foothold in the top league!
After being tempered in the first season of returning to the Premier League, coupled with this season's undefeated record, the courage to "dare to pull down the emperor even if I am willing to kill myself!" has become the most distinctive characteristic of this Blue Fox. Features!
How about the Premier League giants?
What about the defending champion? !
I am a blue fox (hands spread), fearless!
The effect of chicken blood is immediate!
In the enthusiastic cheers of the home fans, the Blue Fox soldiers suddenly relieved their inner and physical burdens, and suddenly played more relaxed and more at ease.
Under Manchester City's offensive, they gradually began to show their sharpest counterattack this season!
In the 51st minute of the game, the Blue Fox completed the steal in the midfield. Kante handed the ball to Ling Feng, who directly sent a scalpel-like through ball, penetrating the gap in the ribs. , came to the right side of the frontcourt.
Mahrez, who advanced at high speed, got the ball and cut in laterally with his left foot.
Under Kolarov's follow-up defense, he completed a good quality shot, and the shot missed the goal slightly;
In the 56th minute of the game, Ling Feng followed up with Germany Browne came to the wing, with the help of the full-back, grabbed the ball, then turned and dribbled the ball forward.
Then he hit the wall with Albrighton, who came to meet him from the left, and then moved forward at high speed.
Albrighton went down the wing and made a pass from an inverted triangle. Ling Feng, who was outflanked in the middle, pushed his shot into the far corner, but Joe Hart made a flying save!
In the 62nd minute of the game, Manchester City took a corner kick, and Otamendi's header was punched out by Schmeichel.
The ball came to Kante's feet. The new Makelele looked up and observed the movement of his teammates, but unexpectedly chose to dribble the ball forward.
With both defensive midfielders staring at Ling Feng, Kanter pushed forward unimpeded, reached the edge of the penalty area, and fired a long shot!
The ball was powerful and heavy, but at a slightly right angle, and was lifted over the crossbar by Joe Hart with one hand.
The subsequent corner kick taken by Ling Feng created chaos in the penalty area.
Okazaki Shinji took advantage of the chaos and stabbed, but Joe Hart fell to the ground and pinned him down, thus blocking the attack.
In just twenty minutes, the Blue Fox launched several extremely threatening counterattacks.
Such a huge change also surprised Manchester City coach Pellegrini.
He then turned to look at Ranieri, who was not far away and looked at him kindly.
I saw the old Italian coach with a smile on his face that showed he had a winning chance.
What did this old man say to his disciples in midfield?
Why did the Blue Fox players in the second half seem to suddenly wake up and start to know how to play football? !
No!
If this continues, all it takes is a counterattack and the team's efforts will be in vain!
You must score first before the opponent scores a counterattack!
It’s time to make a change!
As a result, Pellegrini immediately chose to replace Aguero, who was in average condition in this game, and replaced Ivory Coast striker Bony.
Replace David Silva, replace winger Navas, and then return De Bruyne to the center.
His purpose in doing this is obviously to use the speed of Sterling and Navas on the wing to create crossing opportunities, so as to create a combination of wing and center tactics.
Not only did he make substitution adjustments, Pellegrini also waved his big hand on the sidelines to signal Yaya Toure to press forward.
For Manchester City, only by winning can they close the points gap with Leicester City.
A draw is equivalent to losing!
So, even if you take the huge risk of being penetrated by the team with the sharpest counterattack in the Premier League, you must attack with all your strength!
After this substitution, Manchester City's offensive became even more fierce.
However, when the game came to the 73rd minute, the situation on the field suddenly changed!
Man City continued to attack fiercely, and even Yaya Toure stepped forward to participate in the attack, leaving only Fernandinho to mark Ling Feng.
And Ling Feng’s keen intuition told him that the opportunity was coming!
On this side, right winger Navas suddenly accelerated to make soup on the right. After passing Fuchs, he immediately chose to cross the ball with one foot on the ground.
De Bruyne, who was in the middle, ran out of space and took advantage of the situation to push the shot, but it hit Huth's chest and bounced out!
Kante reacted quickly and grabbed the first point immediately, then raised one end of his leg and sent the ball forward.
And a blue figure wearing No. 7 took the ball and moved forward with an indomitable momentum, dribbling the ball forward at high speed!
Counterattack starts now!
(End of this chapter)