Chapter 425 It's about the Laureate
Belsa earned him the nickname "Madman" with his almost paranoid offensive football. Mourinho was praised as a "madman" not only because of his unruly character, but also because of the wild lineup of senior Portuguese handsome men. After the Champions League semi-final match between Manchester United and Schalke 04, no one will doubt that Ferguson is also a VIP member of this "Crazy Coach Club", and his code name is "Demon".
Compared with the last match against Arsenal, Manchester United's starting lineup in this game has as many as 8 people; compared with the first round of Schalke, the number of rotations is even more than 9.
Except for Ferguson, no one in the world dares to do this in such a Champions League semi-final, including Mourinho, who has always relied heavily on the main players.
You should know that many of these players are marginal players with poor overall performance this season, and their opponents are the German iron-blooded division of Inter Milan who won the "three championship" last season with 5-2 blood at the Me'acha Stadium not long ago. Lord's move is definitely the most "big" in the history of the Champions League.
However, even so, Schalke 04, which was still confident before the game, could not take any advantage at Old Trafford. After Valencia scored the first goal, Schalke's players have actually given up hope. Indeed, they lost the goal first in the face of the starting lineup composed of almost pure substitutes, which really makes the Germans who originally had a trace of fantasy feel frustrated.
After the game, Ferguson also said that it felt great to win in this way. This makes me very proud. You should know that this is the Champions League semi-finals. In such an important game, there is always a voice in my mind, 'Is it reliable for me to do this?'
But I'm glad that I made the right bet this time. The players finished a fantastic game, and we got the results we wanted. I have stressed many times that we are more competitive than ever in Europe, and I believe that the team can finally win the championship trophy. After this game, Ferguson has led the team to the Champions League semi-finals seven times, entered the Champions League final four times, and won the Champions League championship twice. Ferguson, who is already 70 years old, has not stopped chasing honors. The madness of this game proves that the old man's creativity and courage are far from exhausted.
In the last round of the league, the central avant-back combination composed of Carrick and Anderson was blown up by Arsenal's technical flow midfield, which also made Manchester United, who had been on the top of the league table, have to work hard for Chelsea this weekend.
But in this game, the Lord still boldly sent Anderson, who played extremely bleakly in the last game.
Although the middle defense line built by Scholes, Gibson and Anderson is still flawed, the Lord's thinking is very clear - sending you up is not for defense. As a result, Scholes, who was a single midfielder, gave full play to the scheduling advantage. In the 73 minutes of playing time, he sent the team's highest 54 passes, and the passing success rate reached a terrible 92.6%. The long-range shot Di Gibson finally came out of the shadow of being booed by home fans because of the wave shot, using a iconic foot. The strong bombardment of the goal has completed self-redemption; Brazilian young player Anderson has scored twice for the first time since joining Manchester United, and also set a new record for the number of goals scored in a single season after landing in the Premier League with three goals.
On the defensive line, Vidic and Ferdinand are all on the wall. Evans, who has made many mistakes this season, is entrusted with the heavy responsibility of defending the Champions League goal king Raul. As a result, Evans successfully limited the performance of the old Spanish golden boy. Although the Irish mistakenly assisted Hulado to score, the flaws did not hide the jade, and Evans' overall performance was remarkable. Ferguson's bold use of troops not only did not leave the opponent a chance to turn over, but also allowed many of the team's marginal players to regain their confidence in the big game, saving enough rotating chips for the future double-line battles of the league and the Champions League.
After the game, the major British media sang praises to Ferguson and even worshipped him.
The British news agency praised Ferguson's courage: "There is no second coach in the world who can trust his players as much as Ferguson. No matter what the score of the first round is, no matter how critical the weekend game is, the rotation of the main lineup of up to 9 people in such a major event, this is What an extraordinary mind." The BBC said: "The result of the game proves that Ferguson's decision is extremely wise."
The Mirror believes: "Ferguson's full trust in the team's lineup has achieved a bloody victory." The Guardian praised: "Ferguson can always make the most correct choice, including this amazing big rotation. I believe that what Guardiola can learn from this game is very limited." Barcelona coach Guardiola came to Old Trafford Stadium to explore the military situation in this game, but only saw a massacre with no reference value. The resourceful Ferguson gave the young Gua Shuai a vivid anti-reconnaissance lesson.
However, the Wembley Stadium at the end of this month will provide an opportunity for two world-class coaches to compete head-on. In 1968, Manchester United won the first European Cup trophy on this field. Manchester United goalkeeper Van der Sar said: "This is of great significance to the club, and it is the same for players, fans, coaches... It will be a great achievement to win the championship trophy again in this field after so many years. A few years ago, we lost to Barcelona in the Champions League final. I hope that this time, we can make a beautiful turnaround.
At that time, what kind of magic Ferguson will use to interpret his new nickname, I'm afraid it will become the focus of fans all over the world. Of course, the people who are most looking forward to this still have to count the drowsy Guardiola sitting in the stands of Old Trafford, but unfortunately, he can't guess the answer before the Champions League final, because his opponent is Ferguson - a demon that can never be penetrated.
At the same time, the smoke of the Premier League century war is also permeated.
Manchester United's defense pillar Leo Ferdinand revealed that he and Chelsea midfielder Lampard have stopped talking to each other for the time being, which is the "agreement" between them.
Ferdinand and Lampard formed a friendship when they played for West Ham together and are still very good friends, but Ferdinand said that they ignored each other during the critical period of the season.
"At this stage of the season, Frank and I don't talk much," Ferdinand said. "This is an agreement that we haven't written down."
"During the season, we will send each other some funny text messages, but at this time, if we both have a chance to compete for the championship, then we won't talk anymore."
Speaking of the championship competition between the Red Devils and the Blues, Ferdinand said: "At the beginning of the season, everyone thought that we and Chelsea would compete for the championship. Arsenal played well, but they couldn't keep up later."
"Even after Sunday's game, there are still two important rounds to play. I don't think this game will determine the whole season. Of course, it will have a great impact on the ownership of the championship."
"I'm not sure whether the previous results mean that we know how to beat them, and I don't know if it will affect them, but we will let Chelsea know that we have the ability to win. We played very well in the two rounds of the Champions League, and we are very confident."
If Manchester United wins this season, it will be the Red Devils' 19th top league champion. Ferdinand said: "For players, they will not be affected by the idea of winning the 19th championship. We just want to win the league championship. There are some new players who have not yet won the league trophy, while others like Giggs and Si. Coles has won a lot.
"We are in different stages of our careers, but the desire to succeed is the same. We understand what the twentieth championship means to the fans, but we don't think too much."
Before the key match with Chelsea on Sunday, Manchester United's head coach Ferguson began to play well again, putting pressure on the referee Webb. He said that the Red Devils had been worried that the key penalty would be unfavorable to him, and this time "luck" should be on Manchester United's side.
When asked if he was worried about the referee's decision affecting the game, Ferguson said, "To be honest, that's definitely our biggest worry. There is no doubt that Howard Weber is definitely the best referee in the country."
"We just hope that this time it's our turn to have a little 'luck'."
Chelsea coach Ancelotti doesn't want to quarrel with Ferguson. He said, "You need two people to fight, and I'm a pacifist, and I have absolute trust in the Premier League referee."
A good sign for Manchester United is that the Red Devils have won in nine games that Webb has been enforced in the past at Old Trafford.
In addition, Ferguson also said that if they beat Chelsea, they will ensure the Premier League championship, and Manchester United's excellent home status makes them feel confident. Our home results may be the best in Europe," Ferguson said. "That's why we can be in the current position. Some of our home performances this season are absolutely extraordinary."
"I hope this will give us the result we want on Sunday, because this is a key game. If we win, we should be able to win the league championship."
Ferguson did not forget to continue to "trouble" Chelsea. He said that the reason why the Blues were able to make a comeback in the championship battle was to beat Manchester United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, and there was something wrong with the "environment" of that game.
Ferguson said: "The result of that game is the starting point of their change. We all know the 'environment' of that game. I don't need to go into details, but the result of the game cheers them up." After that game, Ferguson was punished for criticizing the referee Atkinson. Now he mentions the ball again, I'm afraid it's still to put pressure on the referee.
"We lost to Arsenal, which opened the door for Chelsea," Ferguson continued, "but we keep saying that it's a very difficult league. It's hard to win the Premier League. We know this, because we have been competing for the championship for 19 years.
"Everyone knows the key of Sunday's game, so I made some adjustments when I arranged the lineup on Wednesday (the second round of the Champions League vs. Schalke 04). I want to give us a real chance to have a physical team. At this stage of the season, this may make a difference."
"I don't know how Chelsea will play. I watched their game last week, but I didn't get anything. Drogba played the whole field, so you would expect him to play, but he started with the right wing, and then Torres went there. It's hard to say whether both of them will start on Sunday, but no matter how they arrange it, we have players to deal with.
Rooney will be able to start in Sunday's game, but Scottish midfielder Fletcher's physical condition has not fully met the standard. Ferguson's plan is to let Fletcher gradually integrate into the game and wait until May 28 and Barcelona's UEFA Champions League final to reach the best form.
"Wednesday's game was a step forward. Fletcher played for 20 minutes, but it only gave him a psychological boost. He still has some things to do. There are still about three weeks before the Champions League final. That game is his goal. If he can meet the standard, it will be a great benefit for us, because we all know that he is a big player. He won't start on Sunday, but his training is increasing intensity, which will give him the field feeling he needs. In the Premier League, we also have to play Blackburn and Blackpool, as well as Gary Neville's commemorative match, so Fletcher can get some game time to help him meet the standard.
Ferguson is good at psychological warfare, which is well known, and this time putting pressure on the referee is one of the means. Manchester United midfielder Scholes admitted that the Lord's move has had a good effect over the years, and the most famous is that Newcastle coach Keegan completely lost his composure in front of the TV camera in 1996.
Scholes said: "Over the years, Ferguson and other head coaches have had some famous encounters. I'm not sure who he will look for this year, but he is very good at this. And for us, he is the influence that can calm us down. No head coach is better than him in the handling of the season sprint stage. For almost 20 years, he has been fighting for the championship, so he knows what he wants to do.
"We are as eager as last season. It's not good to see other teams celebrate, so we want to be sure that we will celebrate this year."
Chelsea faces a key match against Manchester United on Sunday. This game will not only determine the ownership of the Premier League championship, but may also determine the fate of head coach Ancelotti. According to the Sun, if Manchester United's victory cannot be reversed, then Ancelotti is likely to end the season, because boss Abu can't accept it. A season without a championship.
Ancelotti himself admitted this possibility. He said, "If you think that the club may change coach, it's not a crazy idea. Every club may change its coach at the end of the season, if they want to do so."
"I said I have no opinion. I have done my best, but the club must judge my work. If they think my job is good, I will stay. If they think it is not good enough, they can change coach. I want to stay, but I'm very calm.
There is news that Ancelotti may join Rome in the summer. The Italian said, "I have said many times that one day I want to coach Rome, which has always been my wish, but this does not mean that I will go tomorrow. My contract with Chelsea is still one year, and I am very happy in London."
Chelsea are still 15 points behind Manchester United in early March, but they have only lost 2 points in the past nine rounds, and now they are only 3 points away from Manchester United. If they win at Old Trafford, they will jump over Manchester United and become the favorite to win the Premier League. However, due to losing to Manchester United in the Champions League, if he is defeated by the Red Devils again this time, Abu is likely to decide to fire Ancelotti and start looking for the seventh head coach in eight years.
For this game, Ancelotti said that it was as important as the Champions League final. Due to the loss to Manchester United, the Blues missed the game after the Champions League, but An Shuai said that this game was a revenge opportunity that could be used to make up for the regret of not being able to participate in the Champions League final. We want to play the Champions League final, but we should be happy to play different types of finals. We can compare this game to a final. We must be ready, just like playing a final.
"We are under a lot of pressure to play this game, but you must keep relaxed, control your emotions, and don't worry too much, because it will consume energy. This season is not ideal, but now there is this opportunity. The team is still alive, which means that the players are very tenacious and very professional. After being eliminated by Manchester United in the Champions League, it is not easy to rebound, but they have done it.
"Manchester United is popular because they have three more points. If we can win, we won't decide anything. If they win, they will win the championship."
Speaking of Manchester United striker Rooney, Ancelotti said, "Roney's position is not easy to control. He runs a lot and often retreats, but obviously we must do something to control him. We won't find someone to keep an eye on him. It's very important to keep the formation.
As for the arrangement of Chelsea's front line, Ancelotti said: "What I want to say is that the arrangement of the front line will not be the decisive factor. The game will be determined by the courage and tenacity of the players. We don't need to worry too much.
"Pitores is not a gamble. He is an excellent striker. I hope the players can understand whether the starting line-up is not so important, and they will participate, even if they play for 20 minutes. We won the game with some substitute players. We won at Old Trafford last April. Drogba scored. To win the game, we need not only eleven players, but we need all the players to be ready.