Lineker was absolutely right.
Li Shiguang indeed failed to take Grant's seemingly targeted change against Leeds United seriously.
Grant is doing the same thing as his predecessor Mourinho: parking the bus!
But Mourinho's bus is meant to move forward!
People criticize Mourinho's tactics as ugly and simplistic, but it must be said that he has indeed won a Champions League title and two Premier League titles.
In his bus.
At the back, there's Terry as a stabilizing force, and in the middle, there are two midfield pillars: Lampard and Essien.
Most importantly...
The guy up front, Drogba, can shoot, run, dribble, and act as a pivot to create chances.
What's on Grant's bus today?
There's nothing there!
After winning the ball, Chelsea tried to launch a quick counter-attack, but Wright-Phillips and Malouda, two fast players, dropped deep and positioned themselves close to the midfield, making it difficult for Chelsea's backline to find good passing options.
Anelka, positioned at the forefront, seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the burly Kompany and the precise tackles of Thiago Silva. Several times, the ball was successfully passed to Chelsea via long balls, but the Frenchman simply couldn't regain possession. It was as if Chelsea, after finally winning the ball, would turn around and hand it back to Leeds United.
In this back-and-forth futile struggle, Grant's hastily altered defenses still developed weaknesses.
In the 36th minute, Chelsea were still implementing Grant's tactic of surrounding Kaká.
Modric had just passed the ball to Kaká, who had dropped back into the center circle, when Ballack and Joe Cole rushed over from one side to the other. To avoid losing possession, Kaká didn't try to force it and passed the ball back to Alonso, who was coming from the other side to receive it.
Since the start of the match, Kaká has faced Chelsea's double-team defense many times.
Joe Cole is a persistent, disruptive type of defender who doesn't have much practical effect, but his little tricks that don't warrant Clattenburg's calls annoyed Kaka.
As for the main defenders against Kaká, it has always been Ballack or Makelele.
Especially in the last ten minutes or so, after Chelsea found themselves unable to hold onto the ball in the attacking third, it was basically Ballack who came up to defend Kaká. Compared to Makelele, the German midfielder has a stronger attacking attribute. If he can dispossess Kaká, Ballack can immediately organize a counter-attack!
But this time...
Kaka noticed something different; Barak's breathing had become much heavier than before!
That makes sense.
The match has been going on for nearly forty minutes.
For a 32-year-old veteran, the high-intensity running back and forth between the front and back courts has gradually pushed his physical fitness to its limit.
The ball was passed around in Leeds United's own half, and if nothing unexpected happened, after a few passes, the ball would return to midfield, just like before, and the two teams would start a new round of battle in midfield.
····
In the Sky Sports studio.
The two commentators, who had a God's-eye view, saw it most clearly.
"Gary, I have to say, although the game wasn't very aesthetically pleasing, at least Grant kept Chelsea on the back foot." Jon remarked, watching the Leeds United players passing the ball around on the pitch. "If they can maintain this level of defense and drag the game to a draw, then in the replay at Stamford Bridge next round, it's hard to say who will be the ultimate winner!"
A draw!?
A rematch!?
Lineker looked at the top right corner of the TV screen incredulously: "Dude, you're going too far ahead. The game is less than forty minutes in! And knowing Lee as I do, if this kind of play doesn't work, he'll definitely make adjustments at halftime. If he brings on Bale or Ribery to play on the wings, Chelsea might not be able to defend against it!"
"Just watch... While Chelsea's attack hasn't really improved, they still have a knack for defense!"
····
Perhaps Jon has a point.
Many fans watching the game on TV agreed with Jon's analysis.
Li Shiguang, standing on the sidelines, was unable to hear what Qiao En was saying; otherwise, given his personality, he would have at least given a disdainful smile.
Just now, Li Shiguang, who had been watching the situation on the field, noticed a small detail.
After passing the ball back to Alonso, Kaka immediately turned around and subtly beckoned to Adriano in front and Reus on the left. Both of them noticed this and then intentionally or unintentionally retreated a little.
Upon witnessing this scene.
Li Shiguang knew that he didn't need to say much; it seemed that Kaka had already found a way to break through Chelsea's defensive strategy.
After several passes.
soon.
The ball has once again come to Alonso's feet.
After receiving the ball, the Spanish midfielder deftly dribbled past Malouda, who rushed to tackle him. Looking up, he saw Kaká waving for the ball. Without hesitation, he pushed the ball towards Kaká in the center circle.
Alonso passes the ball.
Just like before, Joe Cole and Ballack immediately moved closer, trying to prevent Kaká from comfortably receiving the ball and turning around.
Almost all the players on the field had their eyes on the midfield, and Makelele, who was crouching behind Ballack, was no exception. So much so that he didn't even notice the footsteps coming from behind him when Adriano had run from the edge of the penalty area to behind him.
It wasn't until Adriano ran past him that Makelele suddenly realized, "Isn't that Leeds United striker who's always been positioned at the edge of the penalty area? What's he doing here?!"
soon.
Adriano demonstrated to Makelele through his actions why he had retreated to that position.
Because Kaka didn't receive the ball!
Just as Alonso's pass rolled to Kaká, Kaká retracted his outstretched right foot, which he had been using to stop the ball, and then slightly spread his legs, letting the ball slip between them!
Joe Cole, whose attention was always on Kaká and not on the football, didn't notice this at all.
Ballack, who was running from behind Kaká, only saw the ball after it had sped past Kaká's legs, thanks to Kaká's deliberate obstruction of his view!
What's terrifying is that it's already too late!
Adriano, behind Kaká, has already received the ball.
But he didn't turn around immediately; Makelele's footsteps were already coming from behind him.
Adriano passed the ball to his right.
Then he turned around.
He perfectly avoided being hit by Makelele, who was charging forward.
"Reus!" Lineker's shout filled the studio. "Here he comes! Kaká has found a gap in Chelsea's defense, Leeds United's attack is on!"
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