Lineker's question made Blackwell a little embarrassed. He was tempted to refuse to answer the question and was mentally cursing Lineker: "Why the hell did you have to bring up the former Leeds United coach when you could just ask a question!"
But having finally found a job, he still understands the principle of getting paid to do things.
After adjusting his mindset slightly, Blackwell began to explain: "Uh... first, I have to correct you on one point. I don't know this Leeds United team very well. After all, I've been away from Leeds United for a long time, and although I played against Lee last season, this Leeds United team is quite different from that one. At least, I've never seen Torres and Podolski, those two strikers, at Leeds United before."
Lineker nodded in understanding, but his expression was somewhat puzzled. He didn't understand why Blackwell would specifically explain that he had left Leeds United a long time ago; everyone knew that.
So he continued, "Well, we all know you left Leeds United a long time ago, and last season you led West Bromwich Albion to a 6-goal home defeat to Leeds United. But my question is, what do you think of Lee's lineup and tactics today? You didn't say that."
"What the hell?! You idiot, can't you understand human language? You're just fixated on this, aren't you?! How am I supposed to see it?! I see it with my own eyes! We lost by six goals! If you can't speak properly, then don't say anything!"
If it were a handheld microphone in front of him, Blackwell would probably have already smashed it in Reinkel's face. After cursing Reinkel in his mind, he knew he couldn't dwell on this issue any longer. So, gathering the last bit of rationality in his mind, and with a tone that seemed to say he had given up on life, he began to answer Reinkel's question.
"I think Li's decision to field this lineup today was somewhat of a sign of weakness; he wanted to win the game through counter-attacking."
“We can compare Leeds United’s tactical system since the start of this season. Modric and Alonso, as long as they are healthy, are almost always Leeds United’s starting lineup. But today, Lee chose Mascherano and Toure, who have a larger defensive area and better physical condition, to form a double pivot in midfield. This is very obvious. He wants to compress Manchester United’s space in midfield and prevent Scholes from having easy opportunities to shoot. Moreover, in the front line, he chose to start the faster Podolski, which is definitely to speed up Leeds United’s counter-attacks! It has to be admitted that Lee does have some ideas.”
"Oh?" Lineker didn't expect Blackwell to have such a positive opinion of Li Shiguang. "From what you're saying, you're more optimistic about Leeds United in today's match?"
Blackwell, caught up in his conversation, didn't realize Lineker was setting a trap for him. He shook his head and continued, "On the contrary, I'm more optimistic about Manchester United!"
"How so?" Reinkel's eyes lit up!
Hearing Lineker's inquisitive tone, Blackwell seemed to regain his confidence. "I just said that Lee has some ideas, but as a coach, you have to use those ideas correctly to win the game. If Lee has studied Manchester United's games this season, he will find that Ferguson is increasingly relying on attacks down the flanks. Ronaldo has matured a lot this season and is not as selfish as before. Most of Manchester United's attacks originate from his side. It's not very useful for Lee to focus the defense on the midfield!"
“Hmm, you seem to have a point.” Lineker nodded. “Alright! Ladies and gentlemen, the players have entered the field. Now let’s watch this highly anticipated match together on the television broadcast.”
····
But Blackwell was immediately proven wrong as soon as the game started.
After Poldoski and Torres kicked off, both teams quickly took their positions.
Seeing the game from God's perspective, Lineker immediately noticed the problem, looked at Blackwell next to him, and spoke up.
"Kevin, Leeds United's positioning seems completely different from your analysis! They're not playing with two holding midfielders; Toure is positioned as a central midfielder. Like Manchester United, they also have a diamond midfield formation!"
"Does Leeds United still think they can go toe-to-toe with Manchester United?"
After Lineker said that, Blackwell realized that Leeds United's positioning was different from his analysis, so his tone was a little doubtful.
If Li Shiguang could hear Blackwell's question, he would definitely reply to him immediately.
That's right! I want to go toe-to-toe with Manchester United, is there a problem with that?
In fact, Blackwell only got one thing right in his statement in the studio: Manchester United have indeed become increasingly reliant on Ronaldo's breakthroughs on the wings this season.
But if even a temporarily retired coach like him, who was thrashed 6 times by Li Shiguang, knows this, how could Li Shiguang, who possesses the skills of a master coach, not know it?
So he wasn't even thinking about defense today.
Ten minutes earlier, in the home team's locker room, Li Shiguang was giving tactical instructions point-to-point.
Meanwhile, since he had run out of morale cards, he planned to personally boost the team's morale before the game today.
"Frank, your main task today is to help Michael limit that Portuguese player as much as possible. You can push him to the baseline, but you must not give him an easy opportunity to cut inside, understand?"
"Garras, you have a big task today! The left flank will be responsible for 50% of our attack. If you get the ball, feel free to break through, whether it's going down the wing or cutting inside. Try to use your speed to keep your Welsh compatriots pinned in their own half and don't give him any easy opportunities to cross! OK?"
"Then it's Yaya's turn. The other 50% of the attacking responsibility is on you. Don't look at me so surprised. I want you to completely dominate Carrick. Whether it's physique, technique, or speed, in my eyes he's no match for you. I want you to completely overwhelm him. Then, whether you pass or shoot, the choice is yours."
After assigning the three most important tasks, Li Shiguang clapped his hands loudly, making the players look at him.
"Alright, young guards, listen to the cheers of more than 50,000 fans outside! Can you feel the blood in your veins being ignited? We lost to them on this field last time, so today, we're going to get our revenge and keep these 3 points on Elland Road!"
"I only have three requirements for today's game: win, win, and fucking win!"
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