After missing that one-on-one opportunity, neither side had any other good chances.
The game proceeded smoothly with few fouls, so the first half stoppage time was not very long.
After two minutes of added time, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.
The two sides went into halftime with a score of 0-0.
"Alright, the first half is over..." Lineker's tense body relaxed, and he slumped into his chair. "I bet this was the most intense first half I've seen this season so far, not a single dull moment! From the very first minute, neither team held back or probing; they went all out from the start! To be honest, it was really exciting to watch! But it was tough on fans like us with a particular bias. When we saw Manchester United's two one-on-one chances, my heart was in my throat..."
"That's normal! These two teams are very familiar with each other, and Lee and Ferguson are also quite good friends! They both understand each other's tactical systems quite well, which allows both teams to skip the probing process and go all out from the start, going straight into attack! To be honest, I think today's game isn't about the two head coaches' pre-game tactical arrangements, but rather their on-the-spot command. Whoever can seize the opponent's weaknesses first will take the three points!" Jon also shared his thoughts on the first half of the game.
"Uh... what if we don't find any weaknesses in the other side?"
"Then let's each take one point, and Arsenal can reap the benefits..."
····
In the locker rooms of both teams.
Both Li Shiguang and Ferguson expressed their approval of their team's performance in the first half.
In the home team's locker room, Ferguson walked in and immediately focused his attention on Schmeichel, who had performed brilliantly that day: "Kasper, well done! If it weren't for you, we would be at a significant disadvantage now."
Faced with the rare praise from the old lord.
Schmeichel scratched the back of his head shyly and smiled modestly, "Boss, I was just lucky. After all, most of the opponents were my former teammates. We trained together for so long, so I know their shooting habits to some extent."
“No need to be so modest, Kasper,” Ferguson chuckled. “Learn from your father; be assertive on the field when necessary! Sometimes, our defense needs that kind of toughness!”
"Yes!" Schmeichel nodded. "I understand, boss!"
After Schmeichel finished his performance, Ferguson looked at Ronaldo, who was looking down and seemingly lost in thought.
"Cristiano, you did a great job!"
"ah?"
Upon hearing his name called, Cristiano Ronaldo looked up blankly at his mentor.
He was frustrated by the three excellent chances he had missed in the first half, and at the same time, he was a little uneasy.
Just like what Rheinkel said in the studio before.
Young Cristiano Ronaldo was worried about being scolded by Ferguson when he returned to the locker room, but to his surprise, Ferguson not only didn't reprimand him for wasting opportunities, but also said he did a great job! This puzzled Ronaldo.
He noticed the doubt in his beloved student's heart.
Ferguson smiled and said calmly, "Cristiano, don't think too much about it. When we were at a disadvantage, Kasper stabilized the defense, and you created the crisis in the attacking third. These are all ways to boost the team's morale!"
"I told you before the game, Cristiano, that you are the most important part of our attack! You didn't disappoint me in the first half, and you adjusted quickly after encountering problems! I want you to maintain this kind of attacking power in the second half. Believe me, you can cause them a lot of trouble!"
Ferguson's words warmed Ronaldo's heart.
During training and matches, Ferguson, who was both a mentor and a father figure to him, was strict.
Although Ferguson often expresses his admiration for Ronaldo in front of the media, Ronaldo rarely hears Ferguson praise him like he did today in private.
At that moment, in front of all his teammates in the locker room, Ferguson said that he was the most important part of the team's offense!
These words lifted Ronaldo's spirits, and the bitterness of missing a one-on-one opportunity vanished.
The young Portuguese player felt a surge of adrenaline rush from his feet to his head, eager to immediately go on the field and score three goals against Leeds United to repay Ferguson's kindness in recognizing his talent!
Meanwhile, in the away team's locker room.
Li Shiguang is doing something similar to what Ferguson did.
The difference was that after praising everyone's performance in the first half, he also criticized the team for wasting too many opportunities: "Overall, everyone played according to my instructions in the first half, but up front, Zlatan and Frank, you wasted quite a few chances!"
"Boss, this isn't our fault!" Seeing that Li Shiguang was smiling and didn't seem to be blaming them too much, Ibrahimovic immediately protested, "It's all Caspar's fault for being too cunning! He's too familiar with our shooting habits!"
Seeing Ibrahimovic protest his innocence, Li Shiguang immediately rolled his eyes and stared at the Swede, saying, "Zlatan, are you stupid? Kasper knows you, but don't you know him? What are his save habits? What kind of shots is he strongest and weakest at? Don't you know these things?"
“Uh…” Upon hearing Li Shiguang’s words, Ibu’s face froze for a moment, then he smiled sheepishly, “That’s true! Boss, I hadn’t even thought of that before you mentioned it.”
"Don't give me that nonsense." Li Shiguang glared at Ibrahimovic and continued, "We need to maintain this pressure in the second half! At the same time, we must keep an eye on Cristiano in defense. I told you before the game that he's been in great form this season and has gradually become the most important part of Manchester United's attacking system! If you can't stop him in a head-on confrontation, I allow you to use fouling tactics from a safe distance!"
····
Fifteen minutes passed amidst the enthusiastic discussions of the commentators and the affirmations of both head coaches towards their players.
When the television screen switched back to Old Trafford, Lineker and Jon immediately stopped their chat and took to the microphone to commentate: "Alright, viewers, welcome back! The fifteen-minute break is over, and both teams have returned to the pitch. We can see that neither team made any adjustments during halftime; they have the same personnel as in the first half. Neither Lee nor Ferguson made any substitutions!"
"Yes! If nothing unexpected happens, both teams will continue to attack in the second half. Let's look forward to seeing what kind of exciting game they will bring us in the next 45 minutes!"
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