pdf-ebookys Chapter 192
Chapter 192
Li Shiguang was quite satisfied with everyone's performance today.
Except for the lack of tacit understanding between the new players and the old players, all other aspects met Li Shiguang's requirements.
In the end, there was no reversal in this game.
Near the end of the first half, Torres was violated in front of the penalty area, and Leeds United got a direct free kick in a good position.
Rivaldo scored a goal in an absolute dead corner, helping Leeds United to take a three-goal lead in the first half.
After a 15-minute break.
At Li Shiguang's request, in order to save energy, the players also took the initiative to slow down the pace on the field, which also allowed Portsmouth to score a face-saving goal in the 87th minute.
In the end, Leeds United defeated Portsmouth 3:1 and advanced to the next round of the FA Cup.
However, there was one thing that made Li Shiguang speechless, because their opponent in the next round was Manchester United, which had defeated Aston Villa...
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There was not much time for Li Shiguang to lament that Leeds United had bad luck.
In order to cope with the must-win game next weekend, Li Shiguang did not even give the players a holiday this week. On Monday afternoon, the players resumed training at Thorp Arch.
On Saturday night, less than 20 days after the last match, Leeds United and Chelsea faced each other again, but this time, the venue was changed to Stamford Bridge!
As the focus of the 23rd round of the Premier League, and without exception, almost all TV stations in England chose this game for broadcast today, and Sky Sports was no exception!
"Jon, what do you think of the game tonight? How many do you think Chelsea will lose at home?" While the game had not started yet, Lineker quickly grabbed Jon to chat, and at the same time did not forget to set a trap for his partner.
"Get lost!" Jon looked at Lineker with a smirk on his face, and was not fooled. "You should be worried about how many Leeds United will lose. Leeds United's small win in the last game was really luck. Without Cannavaro's unique clearance, Chelsea could at least take one point from Elland Road." Lineker actually agreed with Jon's statement. The last time Leeds United won, it was indeed a bit of luck. In the second half, Chelsea almost took the initiative in the game. But today's Leeds United is different from last month! So Lineker nodded in agreement with what Jon had said, but at the same time raised a new question: "But Jon, I remember watching the game between Leeds United and Portsmouth last week, you said that Leeds United had made up for their last shortcoming."
"Indeed, it is undeniable that Alves' joining can make Leeds United fans forget about Maicon. But this is Chelsea's home court after all, and..." Jon did not comment on this question, but after a pause, he picked up Chelsea's starting lineup on the table, "And judging from the starting lineup, Mourinho has made a lot of preparations today..."
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"Xavi, don't worry about the No. 5 for now, get closer and give Luca a route to pass the ball!"
But as soon as Li Shiguang finished speaking, he watched Ballack take the ball away from Modric's feet.
Then Ballack took a few steps and just approached the top of the Leeds United penalty area and took a long shot directly, but the shot was too straight and was steadily collected by Schmeichel.
"That's it, Michael! Keep up the intensity of the fight!"
Seeing Ballack complete another shot, Mourinho next to him did not shy away from Li Shiguang who was not far away. He clapped his hands vigorously to applaud Ballack and shouted to encourage his disciple.
Frowning at Schmeichel lying on the ground, Li Shiguang's brain was working fast, he wanted to find a way to break the deadlock!
The first half had been going on for almost half an hour, and this scene had appeared many times just now. Lampard, Ballack, and even Drogba had completed shots near this position, and all of them were opportunities found after intercepting the ball from the two Leeds United midfielders.
Mourinho did not use his 4-3-3 formation that was so popular in the Premier League today, but instead used a 4-4-2 formation that was rarely used.
Li Shiguang guessed before the game that Mourinho might kill Shevchenko, who did not perform well last time, but what surprised him was that in addition to Shevchenko not playing today, Robben was also pressed on the bench. The Ivorian compatriots Drogba and Kalou appeared on Chelsea's front line, but it didn't matter. For Cannavaro and Kompany, Robben, who was more agile than Kalou, could be used.It can be even more difficult to deal with.
But after playing for a while, Li Shiguang found something wrong. Mourinho, the old Biden, focused his tactics on dealing with his two defensive midfielders today. He didn't let Modric or Alonso turn around and pass the ball comfortably!
Modric always has a Lampard next to him, Alonso always has a Ballack next to him, and Essien is always hanging around them as a mobile.
As long as Modric or Alonso receives the pass, two people will immediately surround them for close-up pressing. In terms of physical fitness, they are indeed no match for these big men in Chelsea's midfield.
Alonso is a little better, and he can carry one person to pass the ball back to the back line. The worst is Modric. As long as he reacts a little slower, the ball will be intercepted.
Moreover, Lampard and Ballack played very smartly. After stealing the ball, they did not rush into the Leeds United penalty area at all. Instead, they seized the gap between the Leeds United defense line and the defensive midfielder. As long as the two forwards helped them to open up a shooting angle, they would immediately shoot!
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"The situation of Leeds United does not look good!" Lineker's tone seemed a little worried, and his face was not very good. "It has been 5 minutes since they last used a short pass through the midfield. During this time, they were pressed by Chelsea in their own half."
"Hahahaha, Gary, I bet Chelsea is very close to scoring a goal." Jon did not care about his partner's concerns at all, but instead gave Lineker a knife.
"Not necessarily!" Lineker frowned and looked at Jon, who looked relaxed. "I admit that Chelsea is in good shape today, but Leeds United's defense is still very solid. Especially Schmeichel. From the previous saves, we can see that he is very focused on the field! I think Chelsea should be careful of Leeds United's counterattack!"
But Jon immediately denied Lineker's statement and expressed his opinion firmly.
"Gary, haven't you noticed yet? Mourinho has found Leeds United's weakness! Think carefully about the competition between the two teams in the midfield after the opening! Leeds United's two midfielders have been taken care of! To be honest, without the ball point, according to the current situation, it is difficult for Leeds United to play the perfect counterattack as usual today..."