our champion dream

Chapter 104 Counterattack
After Manchester City equalized the score, their morale was boosted and they began to continue to siege Manchester United's penalty area in turn.Vieira showed his strong strength and sufficient dominance in the midfield. He scored the ball after taking the ball in the middle, which put great pressure on Manchester United's defense in the middle.

In the away game, Manchester United could only be forced to shrink their defense.

In this way, there was a dangerous situation in front of their door.

Even Martin Taylor called Vieira directly. This game let us see the demeanor of the long-lost world No. [-] midfielder.

But Manchester United is not an easy team to beat. Even in adversity, they still did not give up looking for opportunities.

No. In the 203rd minute, Manchester United won the ball and the football was passed to Li Xiaoming's feet.

This time, Li Xiaoming did not stop the ball, but directly passed the football long to avoid being surrounded by Vieira to defend and destroy him personally.He has suffered a lot of such losses in previous games.

Although his long pass was a bit hasty, but the general direction is still accurate, and he found Berbatov

Berbatov stretched his ankles and feet chicly to stop the football, and dribbled forward with the ball.

Manchester City's defenders terribly pushed him up and squeezed him outside.

Berbatov naturally had to respond. He made an emergency stop and kicked the football back, intending to change direction and get rid of those defending him.
His dunk helped him to shake off Kompany, and then he kicked hard, caught up with the football, swung his right leg and shot hard!
"Berbatov——!"

The football went over the bar amid Martin Taylor's shouts...

"Oh, what a pity! This may be an opportunity that Manchester United has been looking for for a long time! If this goal does not go into Manchester City, it will also prevent Manchester United's quick counterattack."

"Berbatov... Oh!" Zhan Jun and He Ping looked at each other, and said with a wry smile, "How great is Li Xiaoming's long pass! Berbatov's stop and dribble are world-class, but The quality of this shot is very low, and I have to say that after wasting this opportunity, Manchester City may not give Manchester United several times like this."

Regarding this shot, the commentators from both China and the UK expressed the same opinion at the same time.

And the Manchester City fans in the stands let out a sigh of relief, feeling like they had escaped from death.

After finishing the shot, Berbatov didn't show any regrets. He turned around and gave Li Xiaoming a thumbs up when he passed the ball to him, and then ran back to his position.

This ball also reminded the city's head coach Mark Hughes.

Manchester City was not limited to bombing around Manchester United's penalty area, but also pressed all Manchester United players with the ball in the midfield.Minimized the power of Manchester City's quick counter attack.

Li Xiaoming is the top priority of their defense.Barry was always close to Li Xiaoming.

Because Li Xiaoming is the core of Manchester United's offense, his choice when he holds the ball determines the direction and quality of Manchester United's offense.

As long as Li Xiaoming can be contained, Manchester United's offense can be paralyzed in half.At this time, Scholes was tired of assisting Carrick to defend Vieira, so it was difficult to provide offensive support.So as long as Li Xiaoming's performance is restrained, Manchester United can't play the offensive method they are most proud of this season.

Li Xiaoming was also suppressed by the intensive offensive on the other side, and it was difficult to move forward.More often he can only rely on long passes to deliver the football to the frontcourt.But the long pass is not a conventional way to organize an attack after all, and the success rate is not as high as the short pass.He is well aware that he needs to be closer to the box.

But in the face of such a situation, Li Xiaoming knew very well that what he had to do was to stabilize the situation on the court, and try to stabilize possession of the ball as much as possible when he was in possession.

Therefore, Li Xiaoming can only pass back or cross most of the time. In addition to controlling the ball and trying not to let Manchester City catch the loopholes in Manchester United's defense, this is also partly because of helplessness-if the success rate is too low , It is nothing more than handing over the football to the opponent.Li Xiaoming knew very well that what they need to do now is to wait, one will ebb and flow, and it is impossible for Manchester City to maintain such a high-intensity attack for such a long time.There will always be a time when their physical fitness declines, and that is their own opportunity.

Game No. 209 minutes, when Manchester City's offense ended, the football went to the feet of Manchester United players.

As the steering wheel of the team's offense, Li Xiaoming will still receive the ball.

When he received the ball, Berbatov ran back again.

But this time, there was no one around him anymore, there was a Manchester City player staring at him, and he didn't let him go completely.

But this time, Li Xiaoming did not choose to pass the football directly to Berbatov, but quickly gave it to Rooney who was on the wing.Then he ran around Vieira who was looking at him.

After receiving the ball, Rooney passed it laterally to Berbatov.

Berbatov gently slid the football behind him. Li Xiaoming, who had been running forward after passing the ball before, arrived just in time and swept the football away.

But just took a step, Manchester City's midfielder Barry blocked in front of him.

Li Xiaoming poked the football forward with his toe, avoiding Barry's tackle.

The ball fell to the feet of Rooney, who cut in from the wing to the center.

Suddenly, Manchester United's offense advanced to Manchester City's 30-meter line in this continuous pass and run!This is a very dangerous position for Manchester City.

"Beautiful consecutive passes! Li, Berbatov and Rooney made consecutive passes, and their tacit understanding allowed them to bypass the defense."

By the time Rooney received the ball, he was stuck on City's 30-metre line.

However, he did not face the attacking direction, but faced the goal sideways in the process of cutting inside.

Kompanica was on his inside, preventing him from turning easily.This is the core player that Mark Hughes specifically explained to focus on defense.Kompany dare not have the slightest carelessness.

But Rooney didn't even intend to turn around, he didn't even look at it, he just passed the football again.

He kicked back and passed the football to Li Xiaoming who came up.

At the same time, after passing the ball, Rooney speeded up and went diagonally into Manchester City's penalty area.

This action attracted everyone's attention. Obviously, it meant to hit the wall with Li Xiaoming and enter the penalty area. Kompany took a few steps back to follow closely and posted it.

Li Xiaoming swung his right foot in the face of the football passed by Rooney, and seemed to want to pass the football back to Rooney who was running towards the middle.

But when Li Xiaoming kicked the football with his right foot, it was indeed a pass!
But the football didn't roll to Rooney. Li Xiaoming twisted his waist to the left while passing the ball with his right foot, so he passed the football to the other side!
There is an unobtrusive space there, which happens to be in the ribs of Manchester City's four-back defense.

The two defenders who were originally here were pulled into the middle by Rooney's lateral running, so the place was relatively empty.

When Li Xiaoming passed the football, someone came in diagonally from the side. It was Manchester United's No. [-] Berbatov. When everyone's attention was attracted by Li Xiaoming and Rooney's passing performance, Li Xiaoming Passed the football to the gap that no one expected.

"Li Xiaoming's Zhisai is beautiful!" He Ping shouted.

Manchester City central defender Kompany, who was originally following Rooney to move to the center, looked back and saw Berbatov appearing in this position. He raised his arm reflexively, signaling Mark to be offside.

But neither the referee nor the linesman made any indication, and the game continued!

Martin Taylor saw clearly from the commentary: "No offside! No offside! This is a beautiful anti-offside through ball! This pass penetrated the Manchester City defense."

While speaking, Berbatov had already received Li Xiaoming's ball in the penalty area, and at an angle that was not directly facing the goal, he swung his thigh!
Bang!
His straight right foot hit the ball right in front of the instep.

The football sprinted toward the goal against the turf.

Shay's attention was always on Rooney, until Li Xiaoming's pass brought him over. Just as he turned around, he saw Berbatov swung his foot, so he made a save.

Fly to the upper left corner.

He touched the football with his fingertips, but the football moved forward too fast, he just touched the football and it didn't do anything...

The football broke away from his fingers, continued to run forward, and finally rolled into the goal!

When Li Xiaoming suddenly passed the football to the other side, and then everyone saw Berbatov appearing behind the football, it was only a moment.

Berbatov stopped the football for a moment, and immediately raised his foot to shoot.

During the whole process, many people didn't even react.

Ji Wen was able to turn over and pounce back, which is already very remarkable.

But unfortunately, he still failed to prevent the goal.

Although his fingertips touched the football.

As the football rolls across the goal line, into the goal, and finally caught in the net, there seems to be a sudden silence in the Etihad Stadium. There is no sound at all, like a mourning funeral.

Afterwards, Martin Taylor stood up on the commentary booth, pressed the headset with one hand, and waved his hand to the sky with force: "GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"

The ball is in!
All kinds of sounds in the stands erupted suddenly, as if a volcano had erupted.

Berbatov watched the football roll into the goal, he did not turn and run to celebrate the goal.

He looks at the football in the goal.After staying for a while, he turned around and ran to where Li Xiaoming was, trying to push him to the ground.

The sensitive Li Xiaoming naturally knew what Berbatov was thinking, he flashed in another direction and jumped onto Berbatov's back.

Loudly shouted: "Big man, good shot!!!!!!"

Berbatov dragged Li Xiaoming with one hand, raised his arm with his right hand and shouted to celebrate the goal.

Then they were surrounded by teammates.

Everyone hugged and celebrated this hard-won goal.

Ferguson was also very happy, cheering towards the few fans in the stands, like an old urchin.This is a rare thing for Ferguson, who has always been calm.

After Manchester United celebrated the goal, the game continued.

Manchester City, which fell behind at home, once again launched a fierce offensive, even more violent than before.How could they accept losing the derby at home?
They don't want to always lose to their rivals in the same city, not to mention they have lost for many years. With a large amount of investment, Manchester City gradually has the strength to compete with Manchester United. They are not willing to lose the game, let alone they are here There is still hope in this game.

For Li Xiaoming, this is his favorite instead.

Because Manchester City has a lot of space in the backcourt, as long as he can pass the football and someone can run over, it is an opportunity.

Therefore, Li Xiaoming's head turns very frequently. He is constantly observing the changes in the situation on the court, especially the loopholes on the opposite side, and then keeps it in mind. Once there is a chance, he can send the ball to those threatening positions as quickly as possible. go.Like a dagger, it is difficult for players to parry.

Manchester City's offense is still very threatening, after all, this is their home court.So the Manchester City fans in the stands were very excited. Every time Manchester City attacked, they would think it was an attack to score.

From Li Xiaoming's point of view, nothing can be perfect, and it's the same on the court. There is no perfect team. The field is so big, and there are loopholes. Time to fill in the loopholes.

Although Manchester City's offensive is very fierce now, it is also very threatening.But on the other hand, it is also an opportunity for Manchester United.The higher City pressed, the more space there was behind their defense.

As long as he can seize the opportunity, the threat he poses may be greater than the threat of Manchester City besieging Manchester United.

This is a better way to win.

And the opportunity lies in Manchester City's increasingly crazy and impatient offense!

After all, this is Manchester City's home court. Now that they are behind here, how could the players be indifferent?
As time goes by, the score is still 1:2. Manchester City, who are playing at home, is behind, and they will inevitably further increase their offensive efforts.

Li Xiaoming is observing and waiting for the best time.The same is true of his teammates, who are also waiting for this opportunity.

At No. 309 minutes, Manchester City's offense once again hit Manchester United's frontcourt and formed a shot.

However, Tevez's shot was saved by Edwin van der Sar and was then cleared by Rio Ferdinand.It's just that the ball didn't clear too far, and fell to Manchester City's feet again.

Vieira reorganized the attack after receiving the ball.Manchester City launched a second attack.

"Manchester City's offensive during this period is like a rising tide in the sea. Wave after wave, such continuous pressure on Manchester United's defense is a severe test for Manchester United's defense...The personal abilities of Manchester City's frontcourt players are quite good. "

Martin Taylor's analysis sounds plausible.

Manchester City's offense is indeed like the tide breaking the river bank, and the river bank will always be washed away one day.

If Manchester City can continue to put pressure on Manchester United like this, it is really only a matter of time before the goal is scored.

But players are not perpetual motion machines. It is impossible for them to maintain high-intensity exercise, nor can they maintain a strong fighting spirit.Even every move of the players on the field will affect the progress of the game.

Vieira quickly organized the attack. He chose to hang the football directly into the penalty area, not giving Manchester United's defenders a chance to breathe, making them flustered and making mistakes.

But United centre-back Nemanja Vidic was very focused as he leaped high and headed the ball over.

This time, the second point of the football was controlled by Carrick.

He passed the ball sideways, to Scholes.

(End of this chapter)