The players' tunnel was quiet.
Today's referee, Lubos Mikhail, swears that this is absolutely the first time he hasn't heard a single word of conversation from the players behind him while waiting for the game to start in the team tunnel.
Both teams' players stood solemnly and silently in their respective teams, without even a sound of conversation between teammates.
The players' tunnel was eerily quiet.
But outside.
The Luzhniki Stadium, which can seat more than 80,000 fans, was packed to capacity.
The fans of the two teams were clearly separated, each occupying half of the stands.
At this moment, everyone was singing their respective team's anthem.
A group of burly men shouted themselves hoarse in the drizzling rain, each trying to overpower the other with their voices!
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And in Sky Sports' studio.
The three commentators didn't sit idle either; after introducing themselves, they went straight to the topic.
"Alright, friends, we've got the starting lineups for both sides. Now let's see what lineups the two coaches have fielded today!"
"First, let's talk about Manchester United!"
"Ferguson fielded a different 4-4-2 formation today than he did at Elland Road a couple of weeks ago! The starting goalkeeper was still Schmeichel, and the four defenders remained unchanged: Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, and Wes Brown. In midfield, Manchester United made some changes; Ferguson used a trapezoidal formation today, with Scholes and Carrick occupying the center, now appearing to be a double pivot. On either side of them were Cristiano Ronaldo on the left and Hargreaves on the right. Leading the attack were Rooney and Berbatov!"
After reading out Manchester United's starting lineup in one breath, Lineker took a short break, and Jon continued reading.
"Next, let's look at Leeds United. Lee didn't make any changes to the formation today, still using the 4-3-2-1 formation. He only made a slight adjustment to the starting lineup!"
"The starting goalkeeper is still Neuer. The four defenders, from left to right, are Kolarov, Kompany, Thiago Silva, and Sun Jihai. The three defensive midfielders are Lahm, Modric, and Alonso. Kaká, who was forced off early due to injury in the last match, returns to the starting lineup as the two attacking midfielders, partnered with the young German Reus. And leading the attack is still Leeds United's sharpest weapon, the Brazilian, Adriano!"
"Ah ha, it seems both managers had a brainstorming session before the match!" Zola, today's guest, couldn't help but exclaim as soon as Jon finished reading Leeds United's roster.
Upon hearing Zola's words, Jon smiled and nodded in agreement.
Reinkel, however, seemed somewhat bewildered: "What brainstorming? I don't see much change."
Jon rolled his eyes at Reinkel and gestured for Zola to speak first.
Zola immediately said, "Gary, it seems like there haven't been many changes, but both coaches have learned a lot from the last game and applied it to today's game."
“Look at Manchester United, Cristiano played as a winger in the last game, but today he's dropped back, more like a left winger, right?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong with that? Cristiano was originally a left winger!” Lineker said, somewhat puzzled.
"Hehe, that's where Ferguson's brilliance lies. He guessed that Li would still start Sun Jihai today, so he moved Cristiano to a deeper position." Zola smiled mysteriously and began to explain.
"In the last game, after Li substituted Sun Jihai on in the second half, Cristiano was noticeably less active than in the first half. The reason is simple: Sun Jihai doesn't have the same attacking desire as Alves, and he spends more time in his own half!"
"In addition, with Scholes behind Cristiano in the previous 4-3-3 formation, his space to move around was greatly reduced, so he was not as active in the second half as he was in the first half."
Zola explained it this way.
Both the fans watching on TV and Lineker understood.
Ferguson guessed that Li Shiguang would still start Sun Jihai, so he deliberately moved Ronaldo back. This way, the entire left flank would become Ronaldo's stage, and he could use his individual ability to break through Sun Jihai's defense and help the team score!
"And what about Leeds United? Didn't you just say that both managers have put a lot of thought into it?!" After listening to the analysis of Manchester United, Lineker couldn't wait to ask Zola for his opinion on Leeds United.
“Of course, Lee’s idea is also very good!” Zola couldn’t help but give a thumbs up. “First of all, I absolutely support the decision to continue using the Christmas tree formation!”
"Li anticipated Ferguson's prediction. He knew very well that Ferguson would target the left flank, so he not only sent out Sun Jihai, who was more stable defensively, but also used a three-man midfield, allowing Alonso to help Sun Jihai with defensive support!"
"At the same time, on the attacking end, he also guessed that Ferguson would probably not believe the smokescreen he had put out, so he arranged Reus, who is more capable of breaking through than Rodriguez, next to Kaka. With Kaka and Reus, these two fast horses, in midfield, do you think Ferguson's defensive midfield pairing would dare to push forward casually?"
It must be said that Zola truly lives up to his reputation as a Chelsea legend; his analysis is indeed spot on.
Just a few simple words.
It clearly explains the pre-match confrontation between Li Shiguang and Ferguson.
After Zola finished speaking.
Jon seemed to feel that he hadn't said enough, and continued to add.
"I also thought of something. Manchester United's midfield trapezoidal formation will likely change during attacks. Scholes will probably move to the attacking midfield position and become the hub connecting Manchester United's two flanks."
"But now that Kaká and Reus are on the field, Ferguson's thinking will definitely change. Scholes is getting old after all. If Leeds United seize the opportunity of him going forward and launch a quick counter-attack, I bet that Carrick alone will turn Manchester United's midfield into a sieve!"
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While various commentators were analyzing Li Shiguang and Ferguson's lineup based on their own understanding...
The players from both sides also entered the Luzhniki Stadium to the tune of the Champions League theme song, led by referee Michael.
As they appeared, the cheers from the crowd grew even louder than before, even drowning out the sound from the loudspeakers.
After shaking hands, exchanging team flags, taking photos, guessing sides... and completing a series of pre-match activities, the players from both sides walked to their respective halves of the field and began their final warm-up.
Rooney and Berbatov jogged all the way to the center circle.
Standing on either side of the football.
Turning his gaze to Mikhail beside him.
At this time.
The world's attention is focused on this Slovakian referee.
Waiting for him to blow the whistle to start the game...
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