Actually, aside from the regular training this week...
Li Shiguang anticipated that Leeds United might score first, so he specifically trained the players in a 5-defender formation and emphasized the theory of a 13-second counter-attack. He required the players to pass the ball quickly to the feet of several forwards as soon as they found a chance for a quick counter-attack, and then launch an attack.
So, more than 20 minutes into the second half, Chelsea's attack had been completely thwarted by Leeds United's impenetrable defense.
Facing Leeds United, who had concentrated most of their players in their own half, Chelsea were unable to create any effective passing on the ground. Often, as soon as the ball reached the edge of the penalty area, Yaya Toure and Milner would drop back and, together with Modric, cut off Chelsea's passing lanes.
After playing like this for a while, an angry Mourinho signaled to Chelsea's players to try to launch attacks from the flanks, lobbing the ball into the penalty area so that Drogba could use his body to contest for the first ball.
But Leeds United did practice this specifically.
Whenever Duff or Robben gets the ball, in addition to Maicon and Bale, the two center-backs on the left and right, Silva and Chiellini, quickly move over. They don't rush in, but simply block your position so you can dribble the ball towards the byline. With the physical attributes of these two center-backs, Duff and Robben can't push them even a little bit.
They also tried to compete in speed, but when it comes to speed, Maicon and Bell have never been afraid of anyone!
So Mourinho's wishful thinking of having his players cross from the edge of the penalty area was nipped in the bud by Li Shiguang. Occasionally, a pass would come in, but before Drogba could even jump, Yaya Toure and Kompany, the two bald men, would squeeze in, one to face the player and the other to charge the ball, directly clearing it out of the penalty area.
The plot is exactly the same as the first half.
In the 74th minute, Leeds United capitalized on a passing lapse by Chelsea. Lampard's pass to Joe Cole was intercepted by Modric, who then launched a long pass to Falcao, who controlled the ball while holding off Terry and Carvalho before passing it to Deisler, who was making a run into the box.
Facing Cech, Deisler calmly fired a low shot that grazed Cech's fingers and went into the net, making it 2-0 for Leeds United!
Then, amidst cheers from the fans, Li Shiguang substituted Ribery for Deisler, who had contributed a goal and an assist that day.
Leeds United changed their formation again, with the four midfielders lined up in a row, Modric and Yaya Toure in the center, Milner and Ribery on the left and right respectively, completely entering a defensive posture.
However, in stoppage time, Chelsea's eternal fighter Didier Drogba single-handedly wreaked havoc in the Leeds United penalty area, ultimately winning a penalty, which he then converted himself, allowing the defending champions Chelsea to salvage some pride.
In the end, amid cheers from the entire stadium, Leeds United successfully defeated Chelsea 2-1.
After the referee blew the final whistle, Mourinho, with a grim face, turned and walked straight into the players' tunnel, leaving Li Shiguang, who had straightened his clothes and was about to come over to shake his hand, completely disappointed.
After resting in the locker room for a while, Li Shiguang received a notification from the staff that he had brought Deisler, the Man of the Match, to the post-match press conference.
As soon as the two sat down, a reporter couldn't wait to ask: "Mr. Li, congratulations on your victory today. But in Mr. Mourinho's interview just now, he seemed to have some reservations about the conservative tactics you adopted today, saying that Leeds United's victory today was mainly due to luck. What do you have to say about this?"
Mourinho arrived at the press conference first. He's not exactly known for his good temper, and with today's loss, coupled with the reporters sitting below stirring things up, his outspoken nature came out again. He seized on Leeds United's tactics today and launched a tirade, saying that Leeds United stole two goals purely by luck and then retreated to defend as soon as they took the lead.
Li Shiguang wasn't exactly known for his good temper either. Hearing Mourinho's words, he rolled his eyes and retorted, "Heh heh, if two goals from open play can be considered luck, then what was Chelsea's penalty? A gift from God?"
Hahahahahahahahaha.
Li Shiguang's words caused the reporters below to burst into laughter.
After the laughter subsided, Li Shiguang's old acquaintance, Lin De, stood up and asked, "Li, congratulations again on leading Leeds United to victory over Chelsea. I'd like to ask you a question I didn't ask you in the last interview: what is Leeds United's ultimate goal for this season?"
The last interview allowed Lin De to see a completely different Li Shiguang than before.
He still remembered his surprised reaction when he heard that Leeds United would beat Chelsea. Even after he returned to the newspaper and wrote the news article, deep down, Lind still didn't quite believe that Li Shiguang could beat Chelsea.
So after witnessing Leeds United's victory today, he hesitated for a long time before raising this question, because he felt that Li Shiguang might give an answer that would surprise everyone.
Upon hearing Lind's question, Li Shiguang first frowned and thought for a moment, then regained his previous confident demeanor and said, "As a newcomer to the Premier League this season, we don't actually have very high goals. I've set a small goal for the team: to qualify for the Champions League next season."
As soon as Li Shiguang finished speaking, the reporters who had been smiling at him fell silent. Except for Lin De, who had asked the question, they all stared wide-eyed at the smiling Li Shiguang on the stage, their faces filled with disbelief.
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