Football: The king of midfield, Guardiola is crying with envy

Chapter 157

Manchester City's opponent in this Champions League match is the Belgian team Bruges.

So on the third day after Chen Chen accepted the Sky Sports short filming, all the Blue Moon Army flew to Belgium!

Ferran Torres stayed at the base because the Spanish striker was injured in training and could not go with the team.

As one of the most successful international teams in the Premier League, as soon as Manchester City landed in Belgium, the airport exit was surrounded by fanatical Manchester City fans inside and outside!

And it is worth noting that as a Belgian, De Bruyne received the most cheers and screams!

Because there were too many people at the airport, the Blue Moon did not stay for long, but left directly.

After all, it would be bad if there was a stampede.

The next day, on the evening of October 20, Brugge Jan Bremer Stadium!

Brugge drew with Paris Saint-Germain at home in the first round, and won RB Leipzig away in the second round. In the standings, the Belgian team is ahead of Manchester City!

Now Brugge has 4 points, while Manchester City only has 3 points.

Judging from the points, Manchester City is the challenger.

Of course, no one would think that Manchester City is really a "challenger". The strength gap between the two teams is here. Today, the Blue Moon comes to Belgium to get all three points!

Although De Bruyne is a youth training player of Genk, and Genk and Bruges are considered to be the championship rivals in the league, but the hero, captain, and big brother of the national team De Bruyne returned to Belgium to play, so everyone still respects him.

So at Bruges' home court, the fans gave De Bruyne a long applause!

This applause lasted even longer than some of Bruges' players!

De Bruyne also returned the favor, raising his hands to applaud and thank all sides to show respect.

In fact, Belgian teams have always been very competitive in European wars. Even if they can't compete with the five major leagues, they can still compete with the Portuguese Super League, Turkish Super League, and Eredivisie.

In addition to Bruges and Genk, the Belgian First Division also has well-known strong teams such as Antwerp, Gent, Anderlecht, Union Saint-Giroux and Standard Liege.

This league is not weak. For example, many players in Xiaori used Belgium as a springboard at the beginning of their European journey.

After getting familiar with the European league and playing well, they will go to the top five leagues.

Among these players, the more famous ones are Junya Ito of Genk, Kaoru Mitoma and Hiroki Machida of Union Saint-Giroux, and Wataru Endo of Saint-Truiden.

In fact, the Chinese Football Association can learn from this model. Although the Belgian First Division is far behind the top five leagues, the strength of their league cannot be matched by the Chinese Super League.

Facing Bruges, Guardiola continued to arrange a 433 formation.

Wasn't Ferran Torres injured? So Guardiola decided to let Foden go as the center forward.

So Manchester City's three forwards are Grealish, Foden and Mahrez.

The midfield remains the same, with Chen Chen partnering with De Bruyne and defensive midfielder Rodri.

The back line from left to right is Cancelo, Laporte, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker!

The goalkeeper is naturally Ederson.

Foden, who is 171cm tall, said he was under a lot of pressure.

The opponent's two central defenders are 195cm tall and 184cm tall, how can they withstand this?

But they have to withstand it even if they can't, after all, the starting lineup has been determined.

Actually, although Guardiola is often nicknamed "Pep Guardiola", Guardiola will not mess around in the real key battle.

Foden appeared in the starting center position today, but Guardiola asked him to appear more often in the wing area, leaving the center area to Mahrez and midfielders Chen Chen and De Bruyne.

In addition, Rodri in the defensive midfielder position and the back line players can also move forward to this position to participate in the attack.

Manchester United can let Maguire temporarily play as a center forward in some games, so can Laporte and Ruben Dias.

Of course, Foden can also use his small and agile characteristics to do something in the center position.

Bruges' formation is 4411.

This formation is what fans often call the iron bucket formation.

Two central defenders, two full-backs, two central midfielders, two full-backs on both sides, and then a big center forward at the front, and another center forward plays a false 9.

In the first round against Paris, Bruges used this formation to tie with Paris Saint-Germain 1-1.

They think so today.

This 4411 formation is more famous for Atletico Madrid under Simeone.

Atletico Madrid is a team that often curls up to defend after a goal. "Iron-blooded Atletico Madrid" is a nickname and derogatory name given to them by fans of other teams.

Because of the need for defense, Atletico Madrid often commits fouls.

In the first round of the 19/20 Champions League knockout round, Atletico Madrid played at home 4411-1The game against Liverpool was a classic iron bucket game.

Of course, the premise of 4411 is that this team that advocates defense must have the strength to defend, otherwise it will be difficult to hold on if it is penetrated.

There are not many familiar players in Bruges, except for De Katelare and Mignolet.

The former will transfer to AC Milan in the summer window of this season, and the latter is a former Liverpool goalkeeper.

In this game, the Blue Moon Army continued the good form and good rhythm of recent games.

Cancelo came up with a long shot to open the record!

Then Kyle Walker made a supplementary shot!

Bruges was directly stunned!

The two defenders drew their bows and arrows?!

The second half changed sides and continued the game.

In the 55th minute.

Chen Chen shot from close range and Mahrez scored a penalty kick!

The result of the game was determined 3-0, and Guardiola made substitutions.

Laporte, who felt a little unwell, came off the field and Ake came on.

In addition, Foden's performance was average. Whether it was the center position or the right winger position, Foden could not hold up, so Guardiola simply replaced him.

Sterling came on as a substitute.

68th minute.

Sterling passed the ball back, and Chen Chen followed up with a long shot and scored!

4-0!

Bruges fans were simply dumbfounded!

The game against Paris was 1-1, and Paris beat Manchester City 2-0, but they were beaten 4-0 right at the start today?

In fact, this was the false confidence that the game against Paris gave Bruges.

In the game against Paris, Bruges fought hard, and Messi, Mbappe, Neymar and others did not work well together, so the 1-1 was a fluke.

When Manchester City played against Paris, Chen Chen did not go to Paris with the team due to injury because of the foul of Angelino in Leipzig, and De Bruyne was in average condition that day.

If both teams really play with all their players healthy, it is not certain who will win or lose.

Time quickly came to the 80th minute.

Vanaken, who came on as a substitute for Bruges, scored a goal for the team.

The score came to 1-4!

However, the Bruges fans did not feel relieved for too long. Two minutes later, Fernandinho, who came on as a substitute, received a pass from Chen Chen, and then the Brazilian midfielder passed the ball to Mahrez on the right.

The Algerian international cut inside and shot a one-stop goal!

1-5!

Bruges fans were extremely disappointed. The team's performance was really bad!

However, they were not at their most desperate moment.

88th minute.

A frontcourt set-piece opportunity, Chen Chen seized the opportunity!

He lifted the ball into the penalty area, and Ruben Dias overpowered the opponent's central defender and scored the team's sixth goal with a header!

1-6!

Another big score slaughter!