When the players from both sides lined up in the players' tunnel.

The staff nearby could feel the low pressure in the players' tunnel at that moment.

The usual scene of familiar players from both teams whispering to each other was gone; all 22 players stood solemnly and silently in their respective lines.

On one hand, they were striving to win the championship.

On one hand, they are trying to avoid relegation.

They all have reasons why they can't afford to lose.

While the players stood in the tunnel preparing to enter the field, the Leeds United fans in the stands outside were also busy.

Besides loudly singing the team song to cheer on Leeds United.

Starting from the south grandstand, two huge TIFOs are moving across the grandstand in a left-right direction.

This is a TIFO specially made by the most die-hard Leeds United fans in the South Stand for today's match.

One is a huge Leeds United crest with "roses and a shield".

The other image is a portrait of Li Shiguang holding up the Premier League championship trophy and grinning widely!

····

Finally, at 3:55 p.m., led by today's referee Atkinson, the players from both sides followed the referee team onto the pitch. Instantly, the atmosphere at Elland Road reached its first climax of the day, with the cheers of the fans even drowning out the voices of Eddie Gray, the commentator, introducing the players!

"Ladies and gentlemen! We can see that the players from both sides have now entered the field!" Lineker shouted excitedly.

The director also consciously panned the camera across the faces of both teams, finally settling on the two head coaches, Li Shiguang and Warnock.

“Jon, I don’t think I saw Lee and Warnock shake hands just now,” Reinkel noticed this detail.

Jon rolled his eyes at Lineker and said speechlessly, "Watching your game, today's match is a life-or-death battle for both sides. It's normal for the two coaches to forget these formalities."

····

Kompany quickly completed the guessing game.

Sheffield United won the right to kick off.

After both teams' players had taken their positions, Atkinson glanced at his watch and finally blew his whistle.

The match has officially begun!

Stead passed the ball to Nader in front of him, who then turned and passed it to Gillespie, who was standing outside the center circle. Sheffield United launched their first attack of the game, moving from right to left in the first half!

Perhaps it's because neither side has any way out.

Therefore, after the match started, Sheffield United's tactical intentions were not to retreat and defend as most people predicted; instead, they directly engaged in an attacking battle with Leeds United.

Sheffield United, who kicked off first, quickly advanced the ball into Leeds United's half, but Nader's long-range shot from just outside the penalty area went over the crossbar.

Then Schmeichel took the goal kick, Yaya Toure won the first header in midfield, and with his back to Sheffield United, Toure headed the ball to Modric who was approaching him, before turning and running towards Sheffield United's penalty area.

But when Modric saw that Toure had drawn the attention of the opposing midfielder, he immediately dribbled forward and then made a brilliant pass to Ribery, who was making a high-speed run down the right flank.

Ribery relied on his strong individual dribbling ability to cut inside, but unfortunately, his final cross was firmly held down by Sheffield United goalkeeper Kenny, and failed to reach Ibrahimovic, who had already made a run into position!

"Good shot!"

"What a pity, Ribery's pass was intercepted by Kenny!"

"If this ball is passed over there, it's 100% guaranteed to go in!"

"It seems my prediction was correct. Leeds United maintained a very good competitive state today. Less than three minutes into the game, they created a dangerous situation in Sheffield United's penalty area."

The two commentators in the studio were praising Leeds United's attack!

Seeing Kenny block his cross, Ribery knelt on the grass with a look of regret, holding his head in his hands. Just a moment before, he thought he was about to get an assist!

Regardless of whether Ribery could hear him or not, Li Shiguang stood in the coaching area and applauded Ribery's breakthrough, praising him loudly: "Well done, Frank, keep up the momentum!"

Although they didn't score, they managed to penetrate the opponent's penalty area right from the start with a simple passing combination.

This at least proves that his pre-competition speech had an effect.

Li Shiguang was quite pleased with this!

····

Just as Jon analyzed before the match, although today's game is equally important for Sheffield United.

But the difference in strength between the two sides is undeniable.

As the game progressed, Leeds United gradually took control of the game, pinning Sheffield United back in their own half and making them unable to move.

16th minute.

Bale delivered a through ball down the wing to Ibrahimovic, who then ran along the byline into the penalty area. Bale's cut inside drew the attention of two Sheffield United defenders.

Seeing this situation.

Without hesitation, Ibrahimovic dribbled straight ahead for a moment, created space, and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot. However, Kenny, who was already prepared, caught the shot firmly at the near post.

····

Unfortunately, it happened shortly after Ibrahimovic took that shot.

Simeone suddenly moved closer to Li Shiguang and said with a serious expression, "Boss, Manchester United are in the lead."

Upon hearing the news, Li Shiguang first turned to look at Simone, then nodded, his face showing no change in emotion.

Soon, news of Manchester United's lead began to spread.

Many fans in the stands also received the message. Although the game had not been going on for long, a slight sense of anxiety gradually began to spread in the stands.

····

"Gary, I have some news that isn't so good for you." Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, Jon pulled it out, glanced at it, and quickly said to Reinkel.

"I know, Manchester United are in the lead." Lineker was still staring intently at the television screen.

"Huh? How did you know?" Jon was surprised; he hadn't seen Reinkel touch his phone!

Jon's reaction left Reinkel speechless. He pointed to the headphones Jon was holding in front of him and said with a sigh, "If you put your headphones back on, you'll hear the message the director just delivered."

Reinkel's answer made Jon a little embarrassed.

He quickly picked up his headphones and put them back on, then continued to focus on the TV screen, calmly providing commentary as if nothing had happened.

"Fans, we've just received news that Manchester United have taken the lead at home! This is not good news for Leeds United. Now that they have control of the game, the most important thing for them is to convert their advantage into goals!"