pdf-ebookys Chapter 486
Chapter 486
On January 7, the third round of the FA Cup arrived, and Manchester City visited Sunderland in northeast England.
On the banks of Wales, the Stadium of Light, which can accommodate 42,000 spectators, looks like a giant white bowl when viewed from the sky.
Manchester City has played against three newly promoted teams from the Championship to the Premier League in the league this season.
This is the first time they have played against a team that has fallen to the Championship.
Last season, the Black Cats Sunderland won only three games in 38 Premier League games. This summer, a series of operations such as changing the lineup and changing the head coach are inevitable.
It is worth mentioning that Sunderland's current head coach is former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
Roy Keane chose to leave the Red Devils during the winter break at the end of December last year and joined the Scottish Premier League Celtics as a veteran, playing until the end of the season.
It can be regarded as fulfilling his dream of retiring in the Scottish League.
This season.
Under the leadership of Roy Keane, Sunderland has swept away the slump of last season's Premier League, which was hard to win, and is now temporarily ranked first in the Championship.
If nothing unexpected happens.
Sunderland will return to the Premier League next season.
This is also a true portrayal of many weak Premier League teams and strong Championship teams, ups and downs, over and over again.
In early January in England, there was no snow, but the wind was raging and the temperature was freezing.
However, such bad weather did not affect the passion of more than 40,000 Black Cats fans.
The game started with the thunderous cheers of the home fans.
"Sunderland A.F.C.!"
"Sunderland A.F.C.!"
"Sunderland A.F.C.!"
As a Red Devils legend, Roy Keane's coaching style and tactical characteristics are deeply influenced by Ferguson.
The main focus is offensive football.
The defensive end is high pressure, and the offensive end focuses on both wings and counterattacks after rapid conversion.
Manchester City, which has played against Manchester United several times, is used to dealing with such fast-paced opponents.
Play fast? Then we'll be faster than you!
......
9th minute of the game.
Modric and Cassano's frontcourt double-team successfully intercepted the ball from Sunderland midfielder Alka's feet.
The two then had a tacit two-pass pass and successfully sent Cassano to the baseline.
Cassano raised his legs and dribbled the ball, decisively sent it out of the penalty area, and Su Fei violently headed it and easily scored.
1:0!
......
21st minute of the game.
Sunderland striker Gray tried a long shot and was held in James' arms.
James kicked the ball with a big foot, instigated a quick counterattack, and Su Fei headed the ball in the middle circle. Knight accelerated on the right side and passed the ball to Podolski who followed up.
The German teenager sent out his signature heavy artillery outside the penalty area, and the football exploded into the net.
2:0!
......
The 41st minute of the game.
Manchester City attacked again, and the midfield successfully blocked Sunderland's short pass. Su Fei made a long diagonal pass and found Cassano who was advancing on the left.
Barry Boy dribbled the ball from the baseline, turned around to get rid of the defense of Sunderland defender Hoyte, cut into the penalty area, and pushed the ball into the far corner goal line.
3:0!
......
In half time, Manchester City established an advantage enough to win the first FA Cup of the new season.
In the 45 minutes of the second half, Roy Keane used three substitutions and constantly adjusted the offensive tactics.
But he still couldn't get rid of the fate of being shut out by Manchester City.
Beep!
When the referee's whistle sounded.
The game ended with the disappointed sighs of more than 40,000 Sunderland fans at the Stadium of Light.
......
In the handshake session after the game, Stewart did not forget to comfort Roy Keane with a smile.
"You have done a great job!"
"Remember last year's FA Cup, our first opponent was also the top team in the English Championship, Watford."
"We scored 8 goals against them in that game."
Roy Keane's mouth twitched, how could he comfort others like this.
But he knew that Stewart was deliberately provoking him. After all, the two had played against each other several times when they represented Manchester United and Manchester City respectively as players, and they were old rivals.
Things are different now.
When he was a player, he was the captain of the Red Devils, while Stewart was just the starter of a Premier League relegation team.
Today.
Stewart is the head of Manchester City, a new powerhouse in the Premier League, and he is just the temporary head coach of a Championship team.
Before the two separated, Stewart pretended to show goodwill to Roy Keane.
"Come on! I'll wait for you in the Premier League!"
"..."
Roy Keane forced himself toHe swallowed the word Fxxxk in his throat and smiled falsely.
......
The news of Manchester City's first victory in the FA Cup in the new season did not cause much splash, after all, their opponent was just a Championship team.
It was still Sunderland, the black cat that everyone rode last season.
Manchester City now.
Only losing to Sunderland would be enough to make the Premier League media excited.
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After the FA Cup, Manchester City played 3 rounds of Premier League games in January.
On January 13, in the 23rd round of the Premier League, Manchester City visited the Macron Stadium to play against Bolton, known as the "fast horse".
Originally, Stewart thought that with all the main players, the team could easily complete the season double kill against Bolton.
As a result, Bolton's tough defense exceeded the old man's imagination, and the two teams finally shook hands and made peace 0:0.
Manchester City's record this season has also reached 18 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss in 23 games.
......
On January 20, in the 24th round of the Premier League, Manchester City faced the tough Blackburn again.
In the last match, Stewart vowed to win 2 goals against Blackburn before the game, and he fulfilled it successfully.
In this game, Blackburn fought with shame, with high morale, fierce confrontation, and constant fouls.
With the constant whistle of the head coach, the rhythm of the game was blown into pieces, and the state of Manchester City players was also affected.
Finally, in the 84th minute of the game, with Su Fei's 25-meter-away free kick, Stewart's face was saved without any danger.
......
Next, Manchester City made great progress in the league and won two consecutive victories.
On January 31, in the 25th round of the Premier League, Manchester City 2:0 promoted Reading, Su Fei contributed 1 assist.
On February 10, in the 26th round of the Premier League, Manchester City 2:1 Portsmouth, Su Fei contributed 1 goal and 1 assist.
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As the league progresses, Manchester City has always maintained a 6-7 point lead over Manchester United.
But the whole team did not relax because of this.
Because before the next round of Premier League matches, Manchester City's most important and possibly the most difficult game of the season is coming.
On February 22, the entire Manchester City team needs to fly to the devil's home stadium in Spain, Camp Nou, to officially start the knockout round of the Champions League round of 16.
Against the invincible Dream II Barcelona!
February 11, that is, the day after Manchester City finished the game with Portsmouth.
Early in the morning.
Stuart did not give himself a holiday, but came to the office early.
And on his desk.
The information about Barcelona this season prepared by the assistant Oliver and the entire Manchester City coaching staff has been laid out.
A cup of coffee.
A pack of cigarettes.
Another day in the office.
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