Chapter 598： They are not qualified yet!

The latest website: As the derby draws closer, the situation is getting more and more tense, and even the air above Manchester is filled with gunpowder.

In the past, the Manchester derby was dominated by Manchester United. No matter what the final result was, whether Manchester City won or lost, it was a foil for Manchester United, the rival of the same city, and no one cared at all.

But now, the situation is completely different.

With Manchester City's generous investment for two consecutive seasons, and with Gao Shen's coaching, Manchester City has transformed itself into an upstart in the Premier League, and even the entire European football world, and has become a confidant of the traditional semi-finals.

Five-game winning streak, leading the standings, this is the first time in the history of the Manchester derby.

With the major media coming out one after another, fans all over the world are eagerly looking forward to it, and the Manchester derby, the most watched in history, is about to kick off.

The day before the game, Manchester United coach Ferguson publicly stated at the pre-match press conference that during his coaching period, Manchester United had a crushing advantage in all competitions against Manchester City.

Ferguson said that although Manchester City received huge funds from the Middle East consortium, it was still very small and could not be on the table, and the players introduced by Gao Shen did not really shine.

"Suarez? Yes, he is currently No. 1 in the scorer list, but it is only temporary, believe me, Rooney is much better than him, and soon Rooney will take his place!"

As for Robben and Robinho, Ferguson said both players are no longer in their prime.

"Look at Valencia in Turkey in the middle of the week. Manchester City lacks such a sharp attacker, and Robben can no longer run with such speed and threat." Ferguson made it clear that he would carry out the psychological warfare to the end.

Regarding the start of the league, Ferguson said that Manchester City's start is really good, "but we also have to be clear that in the past few years, we have always not done a good enough start, we always have to catch up, but we have won three consecutive championships. already."

"So, the league started behind, which is nothing to us at all, we are very good at attacking."

Not only that, Ferguson even refused to call the Manchester duo a derby.

"In my mind, the derby against Liverpool is forever because we both have history."

Between words, they are still digging at Manchester City's lack of heritage.

Ferguson revealed that at the beginning of his management of Manchester United, Liverpool was the real champion team, winning four Champions League titles and several league titles, and was a veritable No. 1 giant in England.

"It was very difficult to make history with Liverpool so strong, but looking back, we did it!"

Ferguson somewhat belittled Manchester City in his words. He obviously felt that the Manchester duo match was called a derby, and Manchester City was not qualified.

"There is no doubt that this will be a really intense game, but I am very much looking forward to his arrival!" Ferguson gave his positioning.

He is still reluctant to admit that Manchester City are their derby opponents.

"I can be very clear and confident that our opponents are not terrible, they have not qualified to surpass Manchester United in the league, and as long as I am alive, this can never happen!"

…

The training bases of the two clubs are separated only by a wall.

As soon as Ferguson finished speaking at the press conference, Gao Shen's back foot had already received the news.

At the pre-match press conference, Gao Shen said with a smile that he could understand Ferguson's mood at this moment.

"I don't know if everyone noticed it or not. In fact, what Sir Alex Ferguson said before the game, there are rules to follow."

Gao Shen's words immediately attracted the attention of the audience.

Everyone only knows that Ferguson likes to play war of words and psychological warfare before games, but they don't know that he has a regular pattern.

"Everything he praises is basically in his heart, and it is considered a team that does not pose a threat. The more he praises it, the less the threat. The teams he scolds are often the ones he really regards as opponents, and the more fierce he scolds, the more uneasy he is in his heart.”

Having said this, Gao Shen concluded: "Actually, I don't have the habit of being scolded and still feel very happy, but I want to say that our opponents are afraid, which is a good thing for us."

Gao Shen believes that Manchester United's vitality has been seriously damaged after losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez this season.

"With the loss of two world-class scorers, I don't know how Manchester United will make up for the loss of these two big players, so we can see that Manchester United this season has shown a lot less form than last season."

Finally, Gao Shen also issued a challenge to Manchester United.

"I would say that the era of Manchester United is over and the era of Manchester City is coming!"

…

The pre-match war of words between the two world-renowned coaches aroused reports from the British and European media, and even the media around the world.

The Daily Mail specifically collected the history of Manchester City and Manchester United's derby matches in the past 128 years.

Interestingly, on almost the same day twenty years ago, that is, on September 23, 1989, there was also a Manchester derby. At that time, Manchester City played against Manchester United at home, and the final score was Manchester City five games. A bloodbath of Manchester United.

It was Manchester United's most tragic defeat against Manchester City during Ferguson's tenure, and it was also the most significant defeat for Manchester United in the past five decades.

The man who scored the consolation goal for Manchester United at the time happened to be former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes.

But fifteen years ago in November, Manchester United beat Manchester City 5-0 at their home ground, with Russian winger Kanchelski scoring a hat-trick and Mark Hughes and Cantona scoring goals each.

Also in that season, Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-0 away to complete the season double play.

Judging from the past history, Manchester City really has no advantage in front of Manchester United.

But judging from the performance of this season and the recent period of time, the advanced team is obviously better than Manchester United, which makes Manchester City fans full of expectations.

On the morning of the game, when Gao Shen set off for the Carrington training base, he picked up his mobile phone, took a photo, posted it on Twitter, and left a message.

"Look, what color is the sky in Manchester?"

It is indeed a rare good weather, suitable for competition.

And this high-level tweet quickly fermented on the Internet, triggering discussions and reposts from many netizens and the media.

…

13:00 on September 20, Old Trafford, Manchester.

There's still half an hour before the game.

Both players returned to the locker room for the final preparations before the game.

Gao Shen also got Manchester United's starting lineup.

Goalkeeper: Foster.

Defence: Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand and O'Shea.

Midfield: Sneijder, Carrick and Fletcher.

Forwards: Ryan Giggs, Berbatov and Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United's lineup is somewhat unclear whether it is four-three-three, four-four-two, or four-two-three-one.

It depends on the position of the players on the field after the game starts.

But one thing is certain, this is already the strongest lineup that Ferguson can put out.

The only thing that is controversial is the position of Ryan Giggs. Is it Nani, Valencia, or Giggs and Park Ji-sung?

In contrast, Gao Shen's lineup for Manchester City is relatively clear.

Goalkeeper: Neuer.

Defence: Gareth Bale, David Luiz, Kompany and Zabaleta.

Midfield: Harvey Martinez trails behind, David Silva and Rakitic in the middle.

Forwards: Robinho, Suarez and Robben.

What Gao Shen formulated for Manchester City was four, three and three.

The only surprise is that on the left back, Gao Shen replaced Felipe with Gareth Bale, and the Brazilian sat on the bench.

This can easily lead to controversy.

Because so far this season, Felipe has been significantly better than Gareth Bale.

Everyone knows that this Welsh full-back is the most famous disaster star in the Premier League. He once made Tottenham Hotspur winless for 24 games. Although he broke it when he came to Manchester City, his performance was not the same. Not so good.

Gao Shen laid out the starting lineups for both sides on the tactical board and began to emphasize the points that players need to pay attention to.

For example, the suppression of Carrick, pay attention to Sneijder's passing, and Evra's post on the left, as well as Ryan Giggs' assists, these are all areas that need to be paid attention to.

How to deal with it, Manchester City has repeatedly emphasized and rehearsed in the previous week's training.

There's really no need to mention it now.

"I want to say that the meaning of this game is very clear to everyone."

"This is not just a derby in the same city, but also a key battle related to the trend of the Premier League. I can tell you very clearly that only by defeating Manchester United can we truly say that we have the strength to hit the Premier League championship. !"

"He's like a whetstone, and I'm sure we're all set!"

"Go to the court, from the first minute, let me crush the opponent, don't keep your hands, output your attacking power and game passion to your heart's content, let our opponents, let the once high Premier League king see our strength, Also tell them that their Manchester United era is over!"

…

When Gao Shen was in the dressing room, excitedly boosting the morale of the team, Ferguson also got Manchester City's starting lineup.

His first reaction was, is Felipe injured?

But in the last three days, Manchester City has always adopted a closed training camp. Even if Manchester United are next door, they can't catch any news about Manchester City, and they don't even know what they are practicing.

In terms of confidentiality work, Gao Shen has done a good job.

Now, to take down Gao Shen's confidant Felipe and start with Gareth Bell, there is only one explanation, that is Felipe is injured, and Gao Shen dare not risk letting him go up.

"Manchester City's left wing is likely to be our breakthrough, everyone must pay attention!"

Having said that, Ferguson looked at Rooney, who nodded heavily.

"Don't worry, I'll get him!"

If Felipe is the case, it may take a little more work, but Gareth Bale, a teenager, has encountered it before, and the speed is OK, but it does not leave a deep impression.

Rooney believes that it should not be difficult to get Gareth Bale.