Chapter 493： extreme challenge

Every match day, the brightly lit Old Trafford along the Manchester Canal will become the brightest area in Manchester under the dark night sky.

Crowds of fans gathered from every corner of the city to the direction of the stadium.

Vehicles from the Manchester metropolitan area, or even from out of town, came out of the nearby highway intersection and quickly filled the parking lot around Old Trafford, which were usually empty on weekdays.

Old Trafford, which can accommodate more than 76,000 people, was quickly filled with fans.

As more and more fans enter the stadium, it seems to be a pot of boiling water. Everyone is like a small drop of water. Once put in, it immediately reaches the boiling point, and the adrenaline immediately soars. It was as if it was lit, and it was quickly melted. The gentleman who was usually gentle and elegant would become fanatical in this atmosphere, as if he was possessed.

This feeling can be addictive and addicting.

…

When United's players entered the field to warm up, the stands were already full of people.

There are countless fans lining up in various channels, constantly coming out and filling every corner of the stands.

When Manchester United fans saw the Manchester United players, they met the fire with dry wood, and it ignited in an instant.

Crazy Manchester United fans are madly shouting the name of Manchester United, shouting the name of the players, cheering for them.

When the live TV footage swept over, you could see the faces that were flushed with excitement. Everyone was excited and excited for the upcoming game.

This is the third consecutive season that Manchester United has reached the Champions League semi-finals. After winning the championship last season, everyone expects Manchester United to reach the final again and become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League since the reform of the Champions League.

Especially after the 1-1 draw away from Naples in the first leg, it made everyone at Manchester United full of confidence in advancing to the final, because they have the best superstar in the world, the best manager, and the best fans.

Every Manchester United fan in the stands seemed to be transformed into an energy that injected into the body of every Manchester United player in the stadium, making them more fighting spirit and more powerful.

…

"Followers, we are at Old Trafford at Manchester United right now."

"Through the live footage, we can see that although there is still some time before the start of the game, Manchester United fans have entered the stadium, and at this moment, the Manchester United players in the stadium are warming up and familiarizing themselves with the ground training."

"Napoli's players are also coming in, but what awaits them is a flood of boos from the Red Devils fans."

"Following the first-leg home draw against Manchester United, Napoli have been cornered because they have to score at least one goal at Old Trafford and remain unbeaten."

"It's an extreme challenge for any team."

"Manchester United have played a total of 53 official Champions League games at Old Trafford since the 2000-01 season, tonight is the 54th, and in the last 53 games Manchester United have played Only lost two games!"

"On October 17, 2001, in the fourth round of the Champions League first-round group stage, they lost 2-3 to Irueta's Super Deportivo; on February 23, 2005, the Champions League 16 In the first leg of the knockout round, they lost 0-1 at home to AC Milan."

"It can be said that at Old Trafford, United are almost synonymous with unbeatenness."

"The chances of Napoli being at Old Trafford against Manchester United are slim."

"However, Napoli coach Gao Shen said at the pre-match press conference that no matter how small the hope is, he always believes that his team can complete the reversal at Old Trafford."

"Gao Shen also gave a strong proof, that is the 1999-00 season."

"In the Champions League that season, after two rounds of group matches, Manchester United faced Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. In the first leg, the two sides played 0-0 at the Bernabeu Stadium and shook hands, but returned to Old Trafford. On the pitch, Bosque's Real Madrid beat Manchester United 3-2 to advance to the semi-finals and win the title."

"It was also after that battle that Bosque became the most successful firefighting coach in Real Madrid's history. Until 2006, when Gao Shen was born, he led Real Madrid again, miraculously counterattacked halfway and won the double crown. Wang, replaced Bosque."

"Gao Shen was using the game nine years ago to encourage himself. At that time, Bosque's team played five backs and defended counterattacks. I wonder if Gao Shen plans to be like Bosque tonight?"

"This game has captured the eyes of fans all over the world."

"Is Ferguson's Manchester United reaching the Champions League final again? Or is it the youngest champion coach Gao Shen in the history of the Champions League, leading his Napoli, the youngest semi-final team in the history of the Champions League, to the final?"

…

United's starting line-up was somewhat unexpected.

Goalkeeper: Van der Sar.

Defensive line: Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic and O'Shea.

Midfield: Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher.

Forwards: Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-sung.

Yes, Ferguson's starting lineup turned out to be exactly the same as in the first leg.

"Is there any adjustment made?" Carlo said uneasily.

It stands to reason that Ferguson should not have done this.

"Is it psychological tactics?" Zidane was also worried.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg and an away-goal advantage, Ferguson returned home and played out exactly the same tactics as the first leg, which is a bit strange.

You know, in the first round, Manchester United did not have much advantage except for that goal.

On the contrary, Rooney was imprisoned by Napoli's defense and barely exerted his usual threat. After Carrick was contained, Manchester United's midfield operation and organization were greatly affected.

In this case, wouldn't Ferguson want to adjust?

Gao Shen is also a little unsure, but the war is imminent, if you can't guess, then don't guess.

"Maybe Ferguson felt that he was lucky in the first round and wanted to continue at home." Gao Shen said with a slight smile.

"Besides, haven't we changed?"

Naples still has a four-three-three formation.

Goalkeeper: Handanovic.

Defence: Vargas, David Luiz, Bonucci and Lichtsteiner.

Midfield: Thiago Motta behind, Biglia and Rakitic in the middle.

Forwards: Di Maria, Cavani and Sanchez.

People are still those people, but Gao Shen has made adjustments.

First of all, Rakitic changed positions with Biglia, because Biglia said that the first round was too advanced, and he was a little uncomfortable, while Rakitic thought that he could go more Before participating in the offensive task.

Another is that Di Maria and Sanchez also switched places.

The Argentine winger said that he is confident to beat O'Shea.

In contrast, the left flank where Rooney and Evra are located is more difficult to defend, because it is difficult for Lichtsteiner to press up to give him enough support.

In fact, there is another purpose for Gao Shen to arrange this way.

That is to make the left side where Vargas, Rakitic and Di Maria are located, a key area for Napoli's attack.

He is going to be on this side and blow Manchester United's right side!

…

When Gao Shen got Manchester United's starting list, in the home team's locker room, Ferguson also got the visiting team's starting list.

He was also surprised, because Naples had not changed.

"It's normal. This is Naples' regular starting lineup. The high-level four-two-three-one are more used in the league or during rotation. In key games, he must trust four-three-three more." Mike Phelan speculated. .

"But before, when he was in Naples, his four-two-three-one worked well." Rene Murensteen frowned.

What's interesting about knockouts is that both sides are guessing at each other's targeted tactics.

But apparently, Ferguson didn't guess right this time.

"Stop guessing!" Ferguson decided immediately.

Mike Phelan and Mullensteen's two assistants all immediately looked at Ferguson, waiting for his further instructions.

"Anyway, Napoli must try to score goals tonight, so I'm sure he will attack right at the start, which is what they do best."

Both Phelan and Mullensteen nodded in unison, which is understandable.

"So, after the opening, we have to give full play to our home field advantage, seize the opportunity, press Naples, and break their goal before they score, and severely dampen their spirit and fighting spirit."

Manchester United also intends to grab a wave at the beginning. Ferguson has been coaching for so many years, and he does not like the initiative of the game in the hands of others.

Especially in the closing stage of the first round, Naples' offensive attack was indeed very threatening. That wave of crazy offensive made Ferguson very clear in his heart. If he really wanted to let Naples attack, Ferguson had no idea.

Manchester United have swept the Europa in recent years, and the confidence is the team's defense like an impregnable wall.

But judging from the final stage of the first round, Napoli's offensive ability is still very strong.

If you really want to let Naples go and attack, Manchester United's defense will be under great pressure.

…

When the players returned to the locker room one after another, Gao Shen did not set up the formations against both sides on the tactical board as usual.

He just read the Manchester United starting line-up and mentioned a few points to pay attention to, such as paying attention to the restrictions on Rooney and Carrick, and also paying attention to the follow-up of Cristiano Ronaldo.

But the most high-level kicks are attacking and pressing.

Di Maria was in charge of the left, suppressing O'Shea on the right of Manchester United, while Sanchez was on the right, suppressing Evra on the left of Manchester United.

"I believe that as long as we can get an advantage in the one-on-one on the wing, Manchester United must put more resources into defense, such as Park Ji-sung and Wayne Rooney, they will definitely drop back."

On the counter-attack side, Manchester United did not look for Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time, because the Portuguese is not suitable for playing in the middle, especially in the forward forward position. Under strict marking, his ability to stop and hold the ball is very good. questionable.

"Our defense should focus on passing the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, not the players themselves, such as Rooney, such as Anderson."

In recent years, Manchester United has always used the way of attacking in the frontcourt after the striker has retreated to get the ball. As long as Rooney is strangled, this tactic of Manchester United will be greatly reduced.

"But after the first round, Ferguson will definitely make adjustments, so in the game, we must also adjust our targeted tactics according to the changes of the opponent and adapt to the situation."

In the end, Gao Shen looked directly at his player with a very serious expression.

"Guys, I'm sure you've all seen it, and now everyone out there thinks we're going to lose, and some people even give statistics that the probability of us beating Manchester United is less than four per cent."

"I don't know how they calculated this data, and I don't know what it's used for. All I know is that we are the last step away from the Champions League final!"

Gao Shen reached out and pointed to the door of the locker room behind him.

"Get out of this door, beat Manchester United and we'll make history again!"