green showman

Chapter 1022
April 4, Old Trafford.

The score displayed on the big screen was still 0 to 0, and the time was exactly 30 minutes.

The Shuanghong Club has been playing for half an hour, because they are too familiar, so after the opening, the two sides did not have any temptations, and they went straight to the fight, but both sides were very cautious, and they couldn't play anything within half an hour. High-quality offense.

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

Like Klopp's consideration, Sun Wu did not arrange high-position pressing tactics, and did not adopt the 343 formation that shined this season, but used the conventional 4231 formation.

Both sides focused on the fight in the midfield and the defense in the backcourt. The attackers of both sides did not show any convincing performances. On the contrary, the defenders of both sides performed well.

Coutinho tried to shoot the cloud arrow several times, but Fabinho and Kanter's midfielders were very wary of this. It was difficult for Gotze and Depay on the wings to take the ball calmly, even if there was a good one. The chance of crossing, the comeback of Van Dijk and Phil Jones made it impossible for Firmino, a fake center, to grab the spot.

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

Sun Wu's forward drive was strangled by Liverpool's midfielder. Henderson and Nzongzi surrounded and strangled Sun Wu several times. Even Coutinho often returned to the defense and interfered with Sun Wu's passing and receiving.

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

This question has always been circling in Uncle Zha's mind... Why did Griezmann start as a guest center forward? In the past half an hour, Griezmann didn't even create a threat, even the number of touches was limited.

At this time, there was booing in the stands, Klopp turned his head and looked, Depera made a cross from the side, and the left back Robertson suddenly went inside and shot a long shot 30 meters away from the goal.

The ball was thrown by Fabinho slightly and changed its line. When there was no time to send, De Gea soared into the air, scooped the ball with his left hand, and the ball hit the far post and popped out.

"A little bit!" Zhan Jun said regretfully: "Robertson has played very well this season. So far he has contributed 3 goals and 6 assists."

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

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

"United's counterattack... Mane!"

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

Sun Wu accelerated and ran laterally to try to catch up, but after Mane made a cross pass, he suddenly spiked the ball and accelerated to break through in a straight line.

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

Sure enough, Mane, who cut inside, encountered Nzonzi, another midfielder of Liverpool. Coutinho, who returned to the defense at high speed, poked the ball from behind, but unfortunately, the poked ball happened to be inserted by Lu Cass took it away.

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

"Lucas crossed... Matip headed the ball to clear, Griezmann couldn't earn the ball at all."

"Wait a moment!"

"Best!"

Mortensen roared: "Best... oh, just shoot from a long distance!"

It is said that "if there is love in the sky, the sky will be old, and I will kick Hartmond", but Joe Hart's personal ability is beyond doubt.

When Matip accidentally headed the ball to Sun Wu, who advanced at high speed, Joe Hart was ready.

Because he knew that Henderson was following him like a shadow, and he had no chance to adjust, Sun Wu chose to volley directly.

But Joe Hart soared into the air, rubbed his right fingertip slightly, and the ball changed slightly and hit the crossbar and popped out of the bottom line.

There was a heavy sigh of regret in the stands.

On the sidelines, Klopp leaned back slightly and curled his lips, each with a goalpost, and they were all opportunities due to the opponent's mistakes. Does today's victory depend on luck or whether the opponent will make mistakes?
But Klopp dare not be careless, he is too aware of Sun Wu's on-the-spot adjustment ability, and the special point of the opponent's presence on the field makes him have more feelings about the situation.

What Klopp considers is whether to take the initiative to change his tactics or to strike later?

Liverpool still has cards in their hands. Shinji Kagawa's vertical ability is stronger than Coutinho, and Sturridge can often show amazing performances.

But considering the next two double-red games, Klopp would rather give up this FA Cup semi-final if he had a choice, and 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, Liverpool 4 times, each of which had a goal shot but was not threatening, and each hit the post or crossbar.

But one of the statistics is surprising. There are a total of four defensive midfielders on both sides who contributed 17 steals in total, with an average of more than 4 steals. It seems inconspicuous, but you must know that this is only half of the game.

Zhan Jun's comments during the intermission: "Generally speaking, it is quite satisfactory, but it is worth noting that Harry Kane did not start today, and Griezmann served as the center forward. The performance of the French striker today is surprising."

"Only 45 touches in 13 minutes in the first half, 4 interceptions, 2 bad passes, no threats, no dribbles, no touches in the penalty area."

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

Griezmann came to Manchester United in the Premier League from La Liga. He played a phenomenal performance in the first season. He often played as a center forward that season, but he is not a typical center forward. His style of play is somewhat similar to that of Messi at the time and the current Firmino.

So Sun Wu believes that if Salah, Mane and Firmino can be called the Fantastic Three, then they can also perfectly cooperate with Griezmann.

However, tacit understanding is a big problem. Griezmann has always played as a second striker for 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 adaptation.

Therefore, what Sun Wu chose was to play a little trick.

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

Throughout the first half, Griezmann did not cross the side to take the ball and cut inside, did not retreat to take the ball, and the side was only responsible for the most common overpassing tasks.

In a word, Griezmann in the first half was a typical center forward, and he was a typical center forward who looked very substandard.

Sun Wu patted the tactical board and looked at Griezmann, "Anthony, there is a saying in China that... close to Zhu Zhechi."

Griezmann blinked in confusion.

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

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

(End of this chapter)