Chapter 221 Nagelsmann's differentiation tactics, Mourinho is furious!

In a remote village on the map of Germany, there is a place where a football miracle was born.

Its name is Sinsheim, with a permanent population of only 3,300, but it has a top league team in Germany.

After arriving at Frankfurt Airport, the Manchester United players still have to take a bus for more than an hour.

Chu Feng looked out the car window at the beautiful and picturesque countryside outside.

There are many football elements on both sides of the street. Most shops closed early, and local residents went to the Rhein-Neckar Stadium in the suburbs of Sinsheim, which can accommodate 30,000 fans.

In the 16-17 season, Hoffenheim finished 4th in the Bundesliga, creating the best record in team history and qualified for the Champions League play-offs.

Unfortunately, they lost to Liverpool in the play-offs and missed out on the Champions League, but qualified for the Europa League. This was Hoffenheim's first appearance in European competitions, and they were eliminated in the group stage.

In the 17-18 season, Hoffenheim finished third in the Bundesliga and directly advanced to the Champions League.

Every Hoffenheim fan has a look of happiness on his face, just like the original meaning of the name Hoffenheim.

Suddenly Chu Feng heard the cheers of Hoffenheim fans. He shifted his gaze and saw a man skateboarding, who looked like a cute groundhog.

He is the young head coach of Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann, who is only 31 years old.

Nagelsmann seemed very excited at the pre-match press conference.

"About four years ago, goalkeeper Wiese started calling me 'mini Mourinho'. I was an assistant coach and was involved with the U19 team. I was a new guy who was eager to learn everything.

"Mourinho and I certainly have different philosophies of football, but having a nickname associated with him is certainly not a bad thing."

"He has won 25 trophies and is one of the biggest names in world football and I am delighted to have the opportunity to challenge the team he coaches."

"Mourinho is very experienced in all kinds of situations. He has been through so many knockout games, whether he is leading, falling behind, conceding early or needing a goal at the last minute."

"I've never met Mourinho, so I'm looking forward to finally meeting him in person."

"Oh, and I love his press conferences, especially in the Champions League final last season. The reporter asked, 'Are you confident you can win the Champions League?' He replied, 'I don't know, because I have never lost a Champions League final'. His press conferences are always interesting."

Nagelsmann behaved like a little fanboy. The biggest reason was Mourinho's Porto miracle. As a young coach, he also wanted to become a legendary figure.

In fact, his style is more like Guardiola. He also pays attention to strategy and integrity, and often has many wild ideas.

Mourinho also showed kindness to the younger generation.

"He's doing great for Hoffenheim and if he can keep it up, he'll be taking the next step in his coaching career soon!"

He rarely praises his opponents before a game.

It’s just that Nagelsmann is indeed a genius, especially his extremely sophisticated tactics, which perfectly combines dismantling, pressure, spear and shield.

After the game started.

Hoffenheim played with all their main players, while Manchester United used a semi-rotated lineup because the players were already very tired after three games in a week and forcing them to use them would likely cause problems.

Nagelsmann's tactics are indeed very targeted.

They did not give up the attack just because of their weak strength on paper. Instead, they took the initiative to attack by taking advantage of their home field.

Hoffenheim set up a standard 3-4-3 formation and quickly launched a classic "trap-style" press.

Sending out three forwards to cut off the passing route and space between Manchester United's central defenders and defensive midfielders, and then intentionally leaving the opponent's full-backs empty, forcing Manchester United to pass the ball to the left and right flanks.

When the ball was transferred to the wing, Hoffenheim's forwards, wingbacks and midfielders on the same side continued to press the opponent's player with the ball.

The other two forwards retreated appropriately and cut off the passing line leading to the middle in time.

Instantly form a local numerical advantage, seize the ball and control the situation.

Even if mistakes occur, the number of players will cause Manchester United to shift or even re-dispatch their attack, ultimately alleviating the crisis.

What is a sophisticated German mechanic? Especially the tactical design to restrict Chu Feng is amazing.

Keep the overall formation compact and close down the center area to eliminate any potential threats.

On the surface, it seemed to be a forced suppression through numerical advantage, but in fact it was a clever way of dividing the connection between Chu Feng and his teammates by occupying space.

In fact, this was a secret gift that Guardiola prepared for Mourinho, but it was thought of and implemented by Nagelsmann.

So the situation on the field has been lukewarm.

However, due to the long journey and three games in a week, the overall condition of Manchester United players is not very good.

Since Pogba did not start the game, Kovacic seemed to be sleepwalking, and the forward ability of Matic and McTominay needs to be improved.

Therefore, Chu Feng was isolated and helpless and could only keep retreating to support his teammates.

But this will cause him to be further away from the goal, reducing the threat he can pose, and will also give Hoffenheim more time to adjust.

The first half of the game ended quickly with the score between the two sides remaining at 0-0.

After returning to the locker room, Mourinho quickly made adjustments, moving the ball over a large area on both wings, thereby stretching Hoffenheim's formation.

But when the second half of the game resumed, Mourinho frowned again.

Because Nagelsmann seemed to have anticipated this in advance, he defended through a chain-like pendulum movement, with the full-backs joining in the pressure by running vertically, which could reduce the amplitude of lateral movement and consolidate the team's defensive formation and stability in the midfield.

The problem of insufficient width is solved very cleverly.

Chu Feng's condition in this game was not very good. Although both of his shots hit the goal frame, they were either interfered by the opponent or too far away from the goal, and failed to pose much threat to the Hoffenheim goalkeeper.

After all, the injury immunity module cannot eliminate the fatigue of long-distance travel and multiple games in a week.

As the Hoffenheim fans' cheers became louder and louder, the morale of Hoffenheim players continued to grow, and they finally withstood Manchester United's crazy attack.

When two short and one long whistles sounded.

The Rhein-Neckar Stadium erupted in deafening cheers. They have created the only rural myth in the history of the top five leagues and even tied last season's Champions League champions!

There will definitely be greater miracles in the future!

As for Manchester United fans, they really didn't expect that Manchester United would end up with a draw in the second round of the Champions League.

Mourinho returned to the locker room with a gloomy face. Even if Manchester United rotated the lineup, they should not play like this! He thought that there was something wrong with the mentality of the Manchester United players.

People always become lazy after achieving great success. No one can avoid it. How to deal with this mentality divides people into different types.

Some people will indulge in the past and continue to degenerate, while others can regain their desire for victory.

Mourinho was so angry that he didn't even bother to consider the feelings of the Manchester United players.

"Hoffenheim was more hungry to win. When the better team wins, the losing side has no reason to make excuses."

"Kovacic, do you want to stay here and continue playing, or go back to Real Madrid and continue to sit on the bench?"

"Rashford, you have to show me what you can do!"

“.”

Everyone was severely criticized, including Chu Feng.

After Mourinho's anger subsided, he conducted a detailed analysis of the players' performance and told them where they did not do well enough.

When Mourinho left the locker room for the press conference, the locker room suddenly fell into silence.

Chu Feng didn't have too many feelings because he wasn't the arrogant type and couldn't accept even the slightest criticism.

It's normal to be reprimanded for not doing well enough. Keep working hard to improve next time and conquer Mourinho again with your performance.

Besides, he has received positive feedback from Mourinho before.

But the problem is that not everyone can take harsh criticism.

Chu Feng, as the hub of communication between players and coaches, must step forward to ease the relationship between the two sides, so he looked at Kovacic and said, "Mateo, you have been in Manchester United for more than half a year, you should understand the boss's character."

"He pursues victory through issues rather than individuals, and even when there is friction at work, he remains a friendly friend when the goals are aligned."

"You can ask Mata and Mkhitaryan about this."

"I'm just telling you this because the boss wants you to stay awake and become a better person."

Chu Feng paused for a moment and asked a question instead: "When I was chatting with the boss some time ago, guess what question he asked me?"

Kovacic looked up with a confused look.

"He asked me what kind of boots I liked and he wanted to give them to me as a gift after I scored my first goal of the season."

Chu Feng gave the answer on his own.

Kovacic's expression became less stiff after hearing this. He really thought that the coach was targeting him, otherwise how could he say such harsh words.

"Of course, don't think too much about it. Everyone gets the same treatment, including being scolded by the boss."

Chu Feng made a joke.

Finally he turned serious again and looked around the locker room.

Perhaps it is because he is older mentally and has experienced countless hardships, he does not feel like a 19-year-old young man at all.

The Manchester United players straightened their backs subconsciously.

Chu Feng made outstanding contributions to Manchester United last season, giving him a significant voice in the locker room.

Every Manchester United player will respect Chu Feng, because that is also respecting themselves.

“If you don’t meet the chief’s standards, he’ll give you one chance, and then another.”

“But at that point you keep making mistakes, your minutes end and you get put on the bench.”

"Whether in football or in life, courage, honesty, positivity and friendship are very important."

“Failure is inevitable, but the process of failure can be controlled. We must show our desire for victory!”

In fact, it is not like giving a stick and then giving a candy. Every word Chu Feng said came from the heart.

There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!

He hopes that everyone can play every game together with fighting spirit and courage, just like friends and family.

Having said this, Chu Feng did not continue speaking. Whether one can understand and accept it depends entirely on the individual. As adults, they need to be responsible for themselves.

The Manchester United players nodded one after another, and then began to review their own shortcomings, and the locker room soon became lively again.

In fact, 90% of the world's problems can be solved through communication.

When Mourinho opened the door, his cold expression gradually melted. When he noticed Chu Feng's gaze, he said with a straight face: "Let's go, hurry back to Manchester, there are still many games waiting for us."

Although Manchester United's locker room problems have been resolved, external doubts are still pouring in like a tide.

Especially fans of other clubs.

No one wants Manchester United to defend the title, except Manchester United's own fans. - [It should be said that Nagelsmann's tactics are really good. ] - [Mourinho has run out of ideas. This was the case with Chelsea before. He won the Premier League and then stopped. 16 points in 15 rounds is incredible! ] - [I remember that they also lost in the round of 16 in the Champions League. ] - [Manchester United will beat me in the next round. I hope Manchester United can maintain today's state, and then we can avenge the double defeat in the league last season! ] - [It's just a draw. It's too early for you to sing bad words, right? ] - [After the next round of the league, it will be an international match day. I hope I can beat Chelsea after a full rest and turn Stamford Bridge into a library again! ] - [Xiao Chu's performance is not very good either. ] - [Brother, the league lasts for more than half a year. It's normal for the state to fluctuate. You can't score twice or a hat trick in every game, right? That's not an athlete, that's a god! ] - [Besides, Xiao Chu's attendance rate is indeed high recently. He played more than 70 minutes in the League Cup. 】 - 【.】

Manchester United players ignored the outside public opinion and focused all their attention on training. Everyone was trying hard to break the doubts.

The four-day adjustment period passed quickly.

Manchester United faced Newcastle United at home to start the 8th round of the Premier League this season.

When the first half ended, the LED board next to the field showed the score was 1-1, and the two sides were temporarily tied.

Manchester United scored a goal through Chu Feng's header, while Newcastle United's goal came near the end of the first half when Ritchie made a cross from the bottom and Muto Yoshinori followed up with a shot and scored.

The player from a humble background moved to Newcastle United from Mainz this season.

After scoring the goal, he looked at Chu Feng provocatively. He believed that if Chu Feng could gain a foothold in the Premier League, he could naturally do it too.

Besides, Mainz defeated Hoffenheim last season.

During the half-time break, Mourinho praised the Manchester United players, saying that their attack in the first half was very effective, but Benítez's defensive tactics were very tough.

But high-intensity running cannot sustain the entire game.

Around the 65th minute of the second half, Manchester United began to strengthen their attack in all directions, including Maguire, who crossed the half court.

Mourinho even replaced David Luiz with Herrera. Kovacic was originally full of bitterness when he found out that it was not him who was replaced.

His eyes suddenly changed, from dull to powerful! Mourinho dared to replace the central defender in the late stage of the game. This also made Kovacic feel unprecedented trust, and his emotions also reached a peak at this moment!

The contagious emotion made Manchester United's attack more active.

All defensive counterattacks were thrown out of the window, and Chu Feng took the lead in madly attacking Newcastle United's defense line.

The football was quickly moved to the right side of the field.

Pogba and Rashford played a wonderful combination, and the former passed the ball to the front of the penalty area.

Chu Feng lightly kicked the ball with his heel, and the ball slipped out from under Federico's crotch. Newcastle captain Russells made a timely substitution.

But Chu Feng turned around and immediately connected with a spike.

He walked away from Russells with the ball, and before the Newcastle goalkeeper could react, he calmly pushed the ball into the far corner and scored! 2-1!!!

Amid the cheers of Manchester United fans at Old Trafford, Chu Feng fished the football out of the goal and waved to his teammates to hurry back to their positions.

Two goals are not enough! He wants to use a complete victory to dispel the haze of being tied by Hoffenheim and inform the top scorer of his return!

Last season he broke the Premier League single-season goal record, this season he can break his own record!

Chu Feng has plenty of confidence in himself.

That is the precious wealth that comes from having experienced countless setbacks and standing up again!

The emotions of Manchester United players were also extremely excited, and everyone tried their best to fight for the ball and participate in every attack.

Soon Newcastle United's gate was lost again.

In the 87th minute of the game, Kovacic attracted the defense and passed the ball. Chu Feng stopped and dribbled to accelerate in an instant and squeezed through Federico and Russells.

The former was even knocked to the ground.

Single blade!

The huge swing that made one's knees ache made it impossible for the Newcastle United goalkeeper to predict the outcome, and he could only dive to the right with a lottery mentality.

at the same time.

Chu Feng flicked the ball to the right, caught up with the ball with his left foot, and shot it with his right foot facing the empty goal! The ball slammed into the goal.

After scoring the goal, Chu Feng ran for dozens of meters, then jumped high and punched the air!

"Chu, if you score one more goal, you will be in the top three of the scorer list. You have to play two fewer games!"

Matic said, pointing to the goal.

"What did I say before? As long as we are eager to win, we will definitely gain something!"

"As the saying goes in my hometown, God helps those who help themselves!"

Chu Feng clenched his fists tightly.

Although Newcastle United is only the bottom team in the league, he can feel that his teammates have regained their fighting spirit.

Especially Kovacic! Manchester United fans were leaning on the railings, waving their arms and making deafening crazy roars.

"This is Old Trafford! We are the undefeated Red Devils!"

"Manchester United will start to cheer up from today!"

"Manchester United! Come on!!!"

Even though the game had entered its final stages, Manchester United still had no intention of giving up the attack, and Newcastle United could only hope that the game would end quickly.

Even Muto Yoshinori retreated to his own half to participate in the defense.

With Newcastle United's desperate defense, they finally wore away the remaining few minutes.

In the end, Manchester United beat Newcastle United 3-1 and won a big victory at home! However, it was still not enough in the eyes of the outside world, because Manchester United's opponent was not too strong, and Mourinho did not object to this.

He just said this in the post-match interview.

"We have a trip to Stamford Bridge next time and hopefully you can say the same thing after we beat Chelsea!"

When another international match period begins, the Carrington training base becomes deserted.

Chu Feng was used to seizing this opportunity to improve his strength, but after the training that day, he received a call from Maria.

"Chu, do you have any plans for the holiday?"

Chu Feng asked tentatively: "How about we go to Brighton?"

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone, and then Maria's faint voice came: "Do you want to go to LT Beach?"

Chu Feng almost spit out the water in his mouth.

He really didn't have such dirty thoughts, he just went to Brighton to play football before and thought it was a great place for a summer vacation.

"Okay, but we can't go to LT Beach. There are a lot of perverts and voyeurs there."

Maria's voice was full of joy.

(End of this chapter)