After finishing the spot training at the Allianz Arena, the Manchester United coaching staff and players took the bus back to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Munich. At the entrance of the hotel, the players dispersed to watch movies, play games, and have a spa... As long as they do not leave the hotel tonight, they can enjoy the hotel's various services according to their preferences.
Head coach Mourinho took all the coaching staff back to the hotel room used as a tactical room to do the final preparation research. After about half an hour of discussion, Mourinho finally confirmed the lineup against Bayern Munich.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea (captain)
Defenders: Theo Fernandez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Ashraf Hakimi
Midfielders: Marco Verratti, Rodrigo Hernandez, Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira (Pepe)
Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Romelu Lukaku, Erling Haaland
Substitutes: Christian Romero, Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, Dani Olmo, Bruno Fernandez, Nico Williams, Cody Gakpo
This starting lineup is basically open in terms of other positions. The biggest variable is that veteran Pepe appeared in the defensive midfielder position. Although he also appeared in this position in the second half of the first leg, most people thought it was a temporary measure by Mourinho at the time.
"I believe that when the lineup is announced tomorrow, it will surprise many people." Assistant coach Van Nistelrooy looked at Mourinho and said with some admiration.
"Hahahaha." Mourinho smiled and said nothing, and the other coaching staff members present could not help laughing.
After confirming the lineup, the coaching staff simply watched another Champions League semi-final in the tactical room: Porto Club VS Liverpool Club. This game was held at the Dragon Stadium, the home of Porto Club.
At this time, the Dragon Stadium was full of people. The fans wore Porto's blue and white jerseys, waved flags, and sang the team song. The whole stadium seemed like a boiling ocean. Their hearts were full of expectations, expecting the team to create miracles in this crucial battle.
With the referee's whistle, the game officially began. Liverpool took the lead in kicking off. They wore red jerseys, like a burning flame, and aggressively advanced towards Porto's half. The forward trident of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah was like three sharp knives, ready to pierce Porto's defense at any time.
Porto played steadily and put up a tight defensive formation amid the cheers of the home fans. Goalkeeper Igor Casillas, the legendary goalkeeper, had a firm look in his eyes and watched every move on the field with full concentration. In front of him, the back line composed of Maximiliano Pereira, Felipe Augusto, Eder Militao and Alex Telles was like a copper wall, ready to fight.
The opening whistle of the game sounded, and Liverpool swept towards Porto's half like a red storm. Just a few minutes after the start, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah received a pass from his teammate on the right, and with amazing speed and clever dribbling skills, he instantly passed Porto's midfielder Yassin Brahimi. Then, he cut inside without hesitation and fired a fierce shot at the front of the penalty area.
The ball flew towards Porto's goal with great power and tricky angles like a cannonball. At this critical moment, the legendary goalkeeper Igor Casillas stood firmly in front of the goal like an unshakable mountain. His eyes were fixed on the flying football, and his body was slightly squatted, ready to save the ball.
When the ball approached quickly, Igor Casillas exploded instantly, and he rushed to the right with amazing reaction speed. His body stretched out in the air, and his arms stretched straight. His fingertips seemed to have a magical power, and gently touched the football. This touch changed the flight trajectory of the ball and made the ball deviate from the goal.
The audience cheered for Igor Casillas's wonderful save, and the applause and shouts rang out like thunder in the Dragon Stadium. Igor Casillas quickly got up from the ground, patted the grass on his body, and his eyes revealed determination and confidence.
Then, Liverpool launched several attacks.
In the twelfth minute of the game, the situation on the field became more and more tense. Sadio Mane of Liverpool was like a red lightning. With amazing speed and clever dribbling skills, he quickly broke through Porto's defense on the left. His feet were like the wind, dribbling the ball, PortoThe defensive players of Porto tried their best to catch up, but they could not stop his pace.
In the stands, an old fan wearing a Porto jersey widened his eyes and was full of astonishment. He couldn't help but sigh: "This Liverpool's Sadio Mane is too fast! Like a gust of wind, our defensive players can't catch up at all!" The young fans next to him also clenched their fists nervously, "Yes, if he succeeds in breaking through, it will be dangerous."
Sadio Mane rushed all the way to the baseline, looking firmly at the penalty area. At this time, Liverpool's striker Roberto Firmino had already found an excellent position in the penalty area. He was like a hunter waiting for prey, staring at the football under Sadio Mane's feet. Sadio Mane kicked the ball without hesitation, and the football drew a beautiful arc in the air and flew accurately towards Roberto Firmino's head.
Roberto Firmino saw the right moment, jumped high, and prepared to head the ball. His eyes were full of desire for the goal, as if this goal would definitely go in. However, Porto's defender Eder Militao had been paying close attention to the situation on the field. Just when Roberto Firmino was about to head the ball, Eder Militao was like a solid wall, quickly moved to the position, decisively stretched out his foot, and blocked the ball in time.
After being blocked by Eder Militao, the football flew out of the field. Liverpool's attack was resolved. The audience was amazed by Eder Militao's wonderful defense, and Porto's players also applauded Eder Militao's outstanding performance.
In the following time, Liverpool's midfielders Jordan Henderson, Giorginio Wijnaldum and James Milner also continued to organize attacks and put pressure on Porto's defense.
However, Porto's defense was very tenacious. They fought hard in defense and did not give Liverpool any easy chance to shoot. Eder Militao performed particularly well as a central defender. He made many extreme saves and blocked Liverpool's shots with his body.
In the 25th minute, Liverpool got a corner kick opportunity under continuous offensive pressure. The corner kick was taken, and the football drew a beautiful arc in the air and flew towards Porto's goal.
Liverpool's central defender Virgil van Dijk had already found the best position in the penalty area, and his tall body was like an iron tower. When the ball flew, Virgil van Dijk used his legs to jump high, and his eyes were full of determination and desire for goals. Virgil van Dijk's header was powerful and heavy, like a cannonball directly hitting Porto's goal.
At this critical moment, Porto's defender Eder Militao was like a keen cheetah, and instantly entered a state of high alert. His eyes were fixed on the fast-moving football, and there was a resolute light in his eyes, which revealed a fearless courage and firm determination. His forehead was slightly wrinkled, his lips were tightly pursed, and every muscle on his face was tense, as if to announce to the world that he would never allow the ball to enter his own goal.
When Virgil van Dijk's header rushed towards the goal like thunder, Eder Militao had no hesitation or fear. He rushed to the goal line at an astonishing speed, his body like a fully drawn bow, ready to burst out with powerful power at any time. His legs pushed the ground vigorously, and every step was firm and decisive. His arms were slightly open, keeping his body balanced, as if preparing for the upcoming fierce confrontation.
At the moment when the ball was about to cross the goal line, Eder Militao jumped up like a bullet. He stretched his body high, and his hair fluttered in the wind like a fluttering battle flag. His eyes were fixed on the football, and his eyes were full of concentration and determination. His neck veins bulged, and he pushed his head forward with all his strength. He used his head to push the ball out fiercely, and at that moment, it seemed as if time had frozen.
After the ball was pushed out, it flew out of the field, and the Porto fans suddenly burst into warm cheers. They cheered for Eder Militao's wonderful performance. The brave defender successfully resolved an extremely dangerous attack.
As the game progressed, Liverpool's attack became more and more fierce.
In the 38th minute, Liverpool quickly launched a counterattack after intercepting the ball in the midfield. After receiving the pass, Sadio Mane ran all the way, and with his speed and explosive power, he quickly broke through to the vicinity of Porto's penalty area. He did not hesitate at all and shot directly.
The ball flew to the lower left corner of the goal at a very fast speed. Igor Casillas'sWith eyes as sharp as a hawk, he quickly determined the direction of the ball. He dove sideways and shot out like an arrow. His arms stretched straight again, and his palms tightly grasped the football. This save made Sadio Mane's shot come back in vain.
Igor Casillas's save once again ignited the enthusiasm of the audience, and the fans stood up and applauded him. He stood up and waved his fist vigorously to cheer for himself and his teammates.
As time went on, the first half of the game was coming to an end. Although Liverpool always took the initiative on the field, they could not break Porto's goal.
The game was still deadlocked in the 45th minute. At this time, Porto got a valuable opportunity to counterattack. Otavio Edmilson was like a calm commander in the midfield, observing the situation on the field keenly. His eyes were fixed on the forward Moussa Marega who was running at high speed in front of him, and then he decisively sent a precise pass.
The moment Moussa Marega received the pass from Otavio Edmilson, he seemed to be injected with infinite power. He was like a wild horse running away, with the wind under his feet, and he moved forward quickly. His eyes were burning with the desire for victory, and every step was full of strength and determination. Liverpool's defense line instantly became flustered under his high-speed impact, and the defensive players turned around to chase, but Moussa Marega's speed was too fast.
With his amazing speed, he broke through Liverpool's defense line like lightning. During the breakthrough, he cleverly shook his body and flexibly avoided the interception of the defensive players. His steps were light and powerful, like a spirit dancing on the court. When he successfully broke through the defense of Liverpool's central defender Joel Matip, there was an open space in front of him.
Moussa Marega did not hesitate at all. He quickly adjusted his pace, raised his right foot, and prepared to shoot. His eyes were fixed on the direction of the goal, and he had only one belief in his heart-to score the ball. He swung his legs vigorously, concentrating all his strength on this shot. However, perhaps because he was too eager or because of bad luck, the ball slightly deviated from the goal at the moment it flew out.
The ball brushed the goal post and flew out of the bottom line. Moussa Marega's face was full of regret and annoyance. He held his head with both hands, unable to believe that he missed such a great opportunity. The fans of the Porto team also sighed with regret. But they soon gave Moussa Marega encouraging applause, hoping that he would not be discouraged and continue to fight for the team.
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