long live football

Before Carl could figure out how to speak to Ferguson, the second round of the Champions League quarter-finals came.

Mourinho takes Porto to Old Trafford as a guest.

This game has attracted great attention from the media of England and Portugal. Nearly 100 media from all over Europe gathered at the Old Trafford Stadium. When the reporters adjusted the cameras before the game, the spotlights flashed four times. The stadium is really star-studded and imposing.

Two hours before the game, Manchester United and Porto submitted their starting lists to UEFA respectively. Compared with the previous round, the starting lists of the two teams have not changed much this time, but Porto should play more. For a safe 442 formation, Manchester United is still 4231.

When the members of the two teams walked through the mixed zone, reporters flocked to surround them: "Mr. Mourinho, do you have confidence in this game?"

"Manchester United have kept 17 home games unbeaten in the Champions League. Will you continue this record?"

"When is Sir Alex Ferguson's operation scheduled?"

"Fanny, it is reported that you are planning to marry your girlfriend in July..."

Because there were too many media and too many questions, the coaches and well-known stars of the two teams had to stop and choose a few questions that were not so difficult to answer to perfuse the media.

Mourinho looked arrogant: "We had a good result in the last round. Porto can advance as long as they maintain a draw in this round, but there is no doubt that I am here for the goal of victory."

Walter Smith's heart was obviously not on the microphone, and his answer seemed very absent-minded: "Huh? Yes, yes, Manchester United will win, and Porto must lose."

In the past, when Manchester United held a press conference, eight out of ten microphones would go to Smith, but now, more and more media have begun to pay attention to Carl.

When asked "About Manchester United's tactics, when you and Mr. Smith have disagreements, what will you do?" Carl said with a smile: "Of course, you can listen to whoever is right."

So how do you decide who is more correct?The reporter suddenly realized that the person he was interviewing was a slippery man, and he immediately prepared to catch up with him to ask more questions, but Karl Alston had already disappeared into the interview area.

He is obviously not yet 30 years old, how can he answer the questions so sophisticatedly!The reporter thought angrily.

10 minutes before the start of the game, Karl was doing the final mobilization in the locker room: "The moment of your revenge has come." He said in a drawn-out tone.

Excitement immediately began to appear on the faces of the Manchester United players.

"At the Dragon Stadium, because of the ferocious fighting of the Porto people, we unfortunately lost the game. But now we don't have to be afraid! Old Trafford, our home, our turf, here, as long as you don't foul, what do you think? You can do anything!" After a pause, Carl raised his voice and asked, "What is the biggest advantage of the England team?"

"It's a physical collision!" Several local players shouted.

"That's right, it's the body!" Feeling a little ambiguous, Carl immediately continued: "We are not inferior in strength, and we are better than technology. Porto's offense is also ground tactics. How can we be afraid of them?! What's more, this is Old Trafford, our home stadium, there is no way the referee will give you a red card because you are too strong! Forget the shit that Mourinho said in the newspaper, no matter what Porto , tear them apart!"

The emotions of the Manchester United players were all incited, and they shouted excitedly with red faces: "Tear up Porto!"

……

When the Porto players stepped into the Old Trafford stadium, there was a loud noise in the air!

7 Manchester United fans raised their necks and booed wildly!

The air is trembling, and the stadium seems to be shaking!

Most of the Porto players were shocked by the shock, and even their head coach Mourinho turned his eyes to the home stands with a look of surprise.

Seeing all this, Carl smiled with satisfaction.

This is the opening ceremony of Manchester United fans to Mourinho, in order to thank the Porto fans for the performance of Manchester United at the Dragon Stadium.

But to be honest, the energy emitted by more than 4 Porto fans at that time was much worse than the current formation.

Want Manchester United to be gentle with you?Red Devils fans don't agree.

……

"This is a duel between young coaches." British Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray said into the microphone: "Mourinho is 41 years old this year, and Oston is 26 years old. Young enough in the league. Especially Auston, he is not only young, but also very handsome - ha, this reminds me of a funny thing."

"The Sun did a street poll yesterday about a football game that women had no choice but to endure in front of the television, and 350 per cent of the 34 women interviewed chose to watch Manchester United. Against Porto on the grounds that 'United assistant Karl Oston is more eye-catching than other managers' - all male fans watching live, please close your jaws, it's absolutely true A piece of data. Moreover, in the word 'beautiful', it includes handsome facial features, fashionable clothing taste..."

"It reminds me of Beckham's first appearance in the Premier League, it was the 96-97 season, he attracted countless female fans for the entire English football league, raised the image of the entire league, and brought There are countless commercial values.”

"Although Beckham's Real Madrid also has a support rate of 56% in the questionnaire, but look at the No.3 winner. Arsenal's coach Wenger only has 7% of the votes. However, Professor Wenger is undoubtedly the same. A handsome elderly gentleman... from which it's not hard to deduce what keeps the ladies glued to the TV, or even to a football game..."

Many female fans who just stayed on the TV channel on Sky Sports felt that they were lying on the ground, but when they really followed the camera lens and focused their eyes on the Manchester United coaching bench, they unconsciously put down the remote control With his right hand touching his chin, he muttered: Well, this person...

Manchester United's home game against Porto has been going on for 1 minutes now, and the score is temporarily 1:[-]. Manchester United relied on forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Porto scored a goal with center McCarthy.

The two teams have shown good fighting spirit so far. As they said before the game, Porto has an easy task in this round because of the victory in the last game. The players naturally performed well under low pressure.Manchester United had a bad start, so this time they summoned up their courage to fight.

On the coaching bench of the two teams, only Smith sat quietly, while Mourinho and Carl both stood up, staring intently at the field with their hands in their pockets.

They are not only observing the performance of their own players, but also studying the opposing team.

Porto's midfielder Deco received the key "care" of Manchester United's defenders, and Karl specially sent "Mr. 3000 million euros" Ferdinand to guard him closely.

Deco, who was born in 1977, joined small teams before. Although he played for the Portuguese Super League giants Benfica, he was loaned to Sagueiros after playing for less than half a year, until the scouts of Porto discovered him. , brought him to the Dragon Stadium, and became the main force of the team in the 99-10 season.

But it was Mourinho who really made Deco shine. After Magic Bird became the coach of Porto, the whole team quickly established a tactical system with Deco as the core.This "Brazilian magician" has excellent footwork, accurate passing, and a good overall view. Although he was transformed into a first-class attacking midfielder by Mourinho, what he does most for the team is organization In terms of offense and assists, as long as the team can win, Deco doesn't mind whether it is himself who shoots the goal.

In the 02-03 season, Porto won the UEFA Cup schedule, and Deco was one of the biggest contributors.As long as Deco can be trapped, Porto's lethality will be reduced by half immediately, and the defensive ability will plummet.

However, Deco is very difficult to deal with. He is world-class in both dribbling and passing skills. If Manchester United is not careful, he will be caught by him and take advantage of the loopholes.

"Ha, Deco's feint tricked Ferdinand! A neat long shot!"

"The football flew straight to the front of the penalty area...McCarthy! McCarthy appeared where the football landed!"

"But the pass was obviously a bit high...McCarthy jumped high...a header!"

"GOAL! McCarthy scored with a header and Porto took the lead again!"

Manchester United goalkeeper Howard wiped his face in annoyance. He originally had a height of 195. It was easy to save this not-so-high header. However, due to his limited strength, Howard still has a long way to go in the cultivation of goalkeeper skills. to go.

With a satisfied smile on his face, Mourinho turned his gaze to his opponent.

Carl's expression didn't change at all, and no trace of loss or panic could be found on that sharp-edged face.

Looking away, Mourinho's evaluation of Carl was even higher: this person is actually quite calm.

……

At the end of the first half, Porto temporarily took the lead by one goal.

From the North Stand of Old Trafford, the fans sang bursts, which was the tune of the Manchester United team song "Glory to Manchester United": "Glory to Manchester United

The Red Army marches forward

Like those 'Busby kids' once upon a time

We're going to keep the Red Devils flag flying high."

The Manchester United team song borrowed the tune from William Steve's Christian hymn "Brother, will you meet me by the sea of ​​Canaan?" ", this song is very popular in continental Europe, and it is also used in a certain team song of Tottenham Hotspur, another Premier League team.

The North Stand is a gathering place for diehard Manchester United fans. During the intermission, when other fans were busy eating and chatting in the toilet, they still did not forget to give the team the greatest support with their actions, even if it was just singing and shouting slogans— -The fans are just getting used to the fact that Manchester United players feel uncomfortable when they don't hear the anthem at half-time.

But the fans in other stands, those who are not particularly fanatical about the club, are all looking for fun at the moment, drinking coke, or chatting with the female fans around them, what's more, they are actually wooing other people to open a bet .

"Ten pounds a game, bet on whether Auston can reverse the score in the second half!" A young man in his 20s waved a handful of banknotes, squatting on his seat and yelled: "It's just a drink, maybe after the game you Just sent it!"

Many people surrounded the dealer, some were stuffing banknotes into his hands, and some just stood and asked, "What are the odds now?"

"The odds for Porto to win are 1:1.5, and the odds for a tie are 1:2."

A tall and strong man interrupted and asked: "Then the one who beat Manchester United to win?"

The dealer reluctantly said: "1:7."

"Fuck." The tall and strong man blurted out a dirty word: "Why don't you fans even support your own team!"

"Please be less angry, sir." The dealer patiently explained to him: "Mr. Oston's qualifications are too young, but Porto's Mourinho won the Triple Crown last season. Of course everyone wants to My team wins, I dare to swear, every gentleman and lady who bet on did not stop cheering for the team in the first half. But the game is not the same as gambling, of course everyone is looking for the one with a higher chance of winning Make a bet."

The tall and strong man still had an expression of disapproval.

The people around immediately started booing, urging the man to start a conflict with the dealer. Some people wanted to watch a good show, while others were envious of the dealer who gambled in the stands every time he played, but every time he could make a fortune.

"Football is football, and betting is betting." The dealer is surrounded by friends, so he is not afraid of the tall and strong man finding fault. He said impatiently: "If you want to press, hurry up, if you don't press, get out of the way. other people."

The tall and strong man gritted his teeth: "I'm pressing!"

He pressed a ten pound note heavily to Mourinho.

There was a sound of disdain in the crowd.

The banker silently counted the money in his hand, and then calculated in his heart: Alas, Porto is all bets, it seems that they won't make much money today.

At this moment, a young and immature voice suddenly rang in his ears: "I will give Carl Auston £[-]."

"Here's the money, what's your name?" The dealer was stunned after saying this: "Who are you talking about? Who are you betting on?"

"I beat Manchester United in the second half and the score will definitely be reversed, and I will definitely win this game, not a draw!" The boy said firmly: "Also, my name is Danny Brook."

The banker wrote down his name, and then confirmed again: "Manchester United wins, and fifty pounds?"

Danny Brook nodded.

The banker took his money and counted it again with a snicker.

Danny knew what the dealer was thinking, and it was nothing more than "This silly boy, Sir Alex Ferguson is not here, why is he so confident that the team will win? A draw would be good!"

Although knowing that most people may think so, Danny still decided to support Manchester United without hesitation, just because he felt that the team's assistant coach Karl Oston was not as simple as people thought.

Maybe Carl Oston does have a serious lack of coaching experience as others have said, but which coach didn't start as a rookie?Doesn't every head coach lose game after game when they start?And since he joined Manchester United, his growth is really obvious to all.What Karl Oston lacks now compared to Mourinho is only the lack of professional football experience. If he has played professional football for several years in his resume, even if he is not famous, the person who pressured him to win tonight will definitely Not a lot!After all, people still don't dare to expect miracles to really happen in real life...

But Danny, he saw the calmness in Carl Oston's expression and the firmness in his eyes. Even if the team fell behind temporarily, there was no trace of frustration on the other side's face, which made Daniel's heart rise like never before. I have a feeling: Oston is either a very mature person, or he still has some tricks left.

Which of these possibilities Danny could not guess, but he just had to know that his fifty pounds would not be lost in vain.