Chapter 372: The Power of the Championship Trophy
During the half-time break, Mourinho did not criticize the players' performance in the second half of the game, but instead gave them encouragement, which was unusual.
The Portuguese also knew that it was normal for the team to have such a performance in such a passive away game, but this did not mean that he was willing to draw or lose. Encouragement is more practical than criticism now. In this environment, the players already have little morale. If they are criticized and hit, the second half will be even more difficult.
Fortunately, it is just a draw now, and Manchester United has not been able to take the lead when they have an advantage. In this way, Chelsea still has a great chance of winning.
“The championship is waiting for us”
In the locker room, Mourinho acted calmly, but his words were not dull: "Today, many officials from the English Football Association came, holding the championship trophy in their hands. Yes, they are ready."
"And what we have to do is to strive to take it. It is the most valuable honor in the Premier League. We have worked hard to win the honor throughout the season. If they have to go back to London after this game and then go to Hampden to present us with the award, I think everyone will be unhappy..."
Mourinho's humorous words made the players laugh instantly, but he did not laugh. Instead, he changed his expression and continued, "If we want to win, we must first do a good job of defense. Manchester United will definitely attack heavily at the beginning of the second half, so what we have to do is to hold on for the first 15 minutes. Then, in the rest of the game, it will be our turn to counterattack..."
"Joe, you will replace Wayne in the second half and pay special attention to the defense on the wing."
"Alan, you should pay more attention to finding opportunities for counterattacks and don't stand too far back. You should know that offense is the best defense."
“…”
After arranging the tasks for the players, Mourinho recovered and concluded encouragingly: "Many people in the team have persisted for several seasons. You all want to win the championship, and now it is within your sight."
"This is Chelsea's first league title in 50 years. All Chelsea fans want it to be perfect. I hope to see it won with a victory, and defeating Manchester United will make the title perfect. If we lose, not only will the title be imperfect, but the fans will also be dissatisfied. Do you want this?"
…
"Guys, defend well and leave the offense to me," Wang Li said jokingly to his teammates after Mourinho finished his speech.
"That's right, teach them a lesson, Alan, you haven't scored a goal yet." Joe Cole was also very happy to be able to play.
"Don't worry, they won't be able to score a goal."
“…”
While the visiting team's locker room was full of enthusiasm and cheering each other on, in the home team's locker room, Manchester United coach Ferguson was also arranging tasks for the second half. For this game, Manchester United was under even greater pressure, and the Scottish old man would never allow the team's dignity to be trampled on.
"At the beginning of the attack, we must launch a massive attack while their formation is unstable."
"The Portuguese guy must have been prepared for this, but the first few minutes of the second half are the best time to score. Remember, this is Old Trafford, tens of thousands of Manchester United players are watching you. As long as we can get a goal ahead, then victory will be ours."
"They still have the Champions League, they don't dare to fight, but we don't have any pressure"
"You don't want to see a 'pound team' riding on our heads, right? As long as we can score a goal, we will defend with all our strength. Remember, they don't dare to fight, because they will face AC Milan in a few days."
Ferguson was obviously very excited. As the iconic head coach of Manchester United, the old man has devoted almost the rest of his life to Manchester United. When it comes to his feelings for Manchester United, he is higher than any other player.
However, these words were very useful. After the last stage of the first half, these Manchester United players found that Chelsea was not so scary. They would also be suppressed. In Manchester United's home court, the opponent could not exert its full strength. Victory was at hand. As long as they beat Chelsea, they would have no pressure this season.
This thought boosted the confidence of Manchester United players, and they couldn't wait to start the game.
………….
In this round of games, not only the match between Chelsea and Manchester United attracted attention, but another match also attracted attention, that is, the match between Arsenal and Middlesbrough.
If Chelsea didn't play, then this match between Arsenal and Middlesbrough would have been the focus of this round, but now it can only be a foil. The media pays more attention to it because as long as Arsenal loses, Chelsea will be able to get the league championship trophy as they wish, regardless of the results of the Chelsea and Manchester United games.
However, whether Manchester United can maintain its dignity is of little concern to the two teams, but they do not have the awareness to be the focus of attention.
At this time, the game was at halftime, and the score board hanging on the field showed 0:1. The home team was in front and the away team was behind, and Middlesbrough was leading Arsenal 1:0.
"As long as we win this game, we still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League next season..." This is exactly why Middlesbrough, led by McClaren, played so hard.
On the other hand, this game is not important to Arsenal. Now Arsenal is firmly in second place in the league. Even if they lose a game, their position will not be shaken.
So Wenger felt that there was no need for the team to fight to the death with Middlesbrough.
As a result, the two teams, which had a certain difference in strength, did not show this at all in the score.
This made Sir Alex Ferguson, who knew the current score of the two teams, look even gloomier. As long as Middlesbrough won, everything Manchester United did would be in vain.
…………
The halftime break passed quickly, and both teams walked onto the field with great momentum. From this point of view, both coaches did a very good job in their political and ideological work.
In a VIP box at the stadium, Chelsea chairman Mr. Abramovich was also watching the game. Next to him stood a middle-aged man with a full beard, a bald head and wearing glasses. When they saw the players walking into the stadium, the two began chatting again.
"Congratulations, you will win the league championship soon." said the middle-aged man with a 'strange' appearance.
Hearing this, Abramovich grinned. He recently liked people talking about Chelsea because it was his pride. However, out of politeness, he still said: "That's not necessarily the case. The game is not over yet."
"You know, the game in London, Arsenal were behind."
"Oh?" Mr. Abramovich turned his head and looked at the person next to him strangely, and said, "Why do you seem to want Chelsea to win?"
A smile flashed across the middle-aged man's face. He did not give a direct answer, but talked about Manchester United's recent form. "In the past two seasons, the team's performance has not been very good. It has not won any valuable championships. This is not in line with the performance of a top club. Now the Manchester United board is considering a reorganization, and I am also planning to acquire other shares."
"Haha..." Mr. Abramovich laughed and said bluntly, "Are you trying to use Chelsea to damage the reputation of Manchester United's top management?"
The middle-aged man did not answer directly, but smiled and stretched out his right hand, saying: "Manchester United's stock is too expensive. If Chelsea wins the league championship here, I can save a lot of money. By the way, happy cooperation."
Abramovich glanced at him and said at the same time: "Happy cooperation"
The two hands intertwined, which seemed to directly announce the collapse of the Manchester United dynasty...
This middle-aged man is the American Glazer who has been causing a stir in Manchester recently.
………….
During the half-time break, Chelsea's players decided to defend first and then attack in the second half. As soon as the game started, the team's formation retreated a lot, and even Wang Li's position moved back a little, shrinking to defend with all their strength.
As a result, the team's offense was not smooth. Wang Li and Joe Cole took on the main responsibility of the offense, but the two of them were unable to break through Manchester United's blockade in the midfield. Joe Cole made a mistake in stopping the ball, and soon the ball was transferred to the feet of Manchester United players.
Just as Mourinho expected, Manchester United launched a massive attack as soon as they got the ball.
On both flanks, Giggs and Fletcher's dribbling was extremely sharp, and the two full-backs also came up. The pressure at this moment and a few precise collaborations made Chelsea's blockade in the midfield collapse in an instant. The old but strong Giggs received the ball, ran past two people on the left, and kicked a precise cross.
In the penalty area, Van Nistelrooy once again beat Terry to get the header. After returning from injury, he seemed to be even sharper. In just a few games, he re-established his position as Manchester United's first center forward. However, his position was not good this time and Van Nistelrooy was also decisive. He headed the ball back and passed it to Scholes who was coming behind him.
Scholes did not continue to pass the ball inside, because Chelsea's defense was very solid, he could not find the angle to pass the ball at all, so he chose to shoot from a distance.
The long shot was very powerful and hit the goal frame, but was still saved by Thomas.
Manchester United players played in complete compliance with the head coach's instructions. They hoped to score a goal within the first 10 minutes of the second half. According to statistics, goals are most likely to be scored in the first 5 minutes and last 5 minutes of the game, because at this time, most players have not yet entered the game state, or are not focused enough and are just waiting for the game to end.
However, Mourinho had given special instructions to Chelsea players during the half-time break, so the players were extremely serious and it was not easy for Manchester United to score a goal.
And now, as Manchester United pressed forward in large numbers at Old Trafford, they might really be trying their best to score a goal. Although the back was empty, Chelsea's counterattack could not be launched because it was difficult for the ball to pass through Manchester United's blockade in the middle. Several consecutive passes by Chelsea were directly intercepted by Manchester United.
At the beginning of the second half, Manchester United gained a great advantage.
"Rooney's shot was beautiful again from Thomas"
"Giggs made a follow-up shot, the ball hit the goal frame and went out of the bottom line, what a pity..."
"The header was caught in Thomas' arms. Chelsea looked really embarrassed in the last few minutes of the game, but fortunately they have an excellent goalkeeper. Now I dare say that the best performer of the game is goalkeeper Thomas Clarke. He is really outstanding. In the past few minutes, he has saved several dangerous balls. It seems that if Manchester United wants to keep their dignity, they must defeat this 19-year-old goalkeeper."
The game on the field was extremely exciting, and although the BBC anchor praised Chelsea's goalkeeper, he also expressed dissatisfaction with Chelsea's conservative style of play.
In the impression of many English fans, Chelsea is a team that relies purely on offense to win. But now this tortoise-shell-like team on the field is really not like Chelsea's style. Football matches are all about offense. Now many people hope that Chelsea can win the championship at Old Trafford. Of course, they are not satisfied with the conservative style of play under 1:1.
At this time, Wang Li was standing a little further back in the center circle, constantly observing the situations of the two teams and trying to find opportunities for counterattack.
Now Manchester United is pressing forward as a whole. Although it is difficult for Chelsea to break through the blockade of the midfield, if they do, then for Wang Li, Manchester United's backcourt will be smooth sailing and the chance to score a goal will come.
Wang Li now has great faith in head coach Mourinho. He thinks that as long as they can score one more goal, the team will definitely win the championship. Most Chelsea players also think so. It is this trust that allows the team's defense to continue to persist. Everyone on the court is giving 100% effort to try to keep the goal.
…………
In this type of game, time quickly passed 5 minutes, and at this time, Manchester United's offensive intensity eased.
Although the formation was still very forward, Chelsea players were able to feel when defending, 'the first push is strong, the second is weak, and the third is exhausted'. The long period of not scoring goals has caused Manchester United's overall momentum to decline.
In the 53rd minute, goalkeeper Thomas Clark held Rooney's header tightly in his arms. After it was safe, he quickly stood up from the grass. When he looked up, he saw Wang Li looking at him near the center line, running backwards.
The long-term tacit understanding made Thomas immediately understand what Wang Li meant. Without hesitation, he kicked the ball towards Manchester United's half.
At this time, Manchester United's half could be said to be extremely empty. Even Ferdinand, who was standing at the back, was alone on the penalty area line, while the other defenders were almost near the center line.
The moment Wang Li saw Thomas kick the ball, he ran towards the Manchester United penalty area, occasionally turning his head to see where the ball landed in order to adjust his direction. However, Thomas was only a goalkeeper after all, and his pass was a little crooked, and the ball landed right at Ferdinand's feet, which made Wang Li grin while running.
Ferdinand's strength is unquestionable. It is not easy for him to run over and catch the ball in such a direct direction. However, Wang Li still rushed over with a lucky mentality.
"Alas, there is no chance this time, the ball is in the hands of Manchester United again..."
Before the BBC commentator finished speaking, the ball had already fallen to Ferdinand's feet. He stretched out his right foot and lightly kicked it -
"Stop it..."
Ferdinand made a mistake and his foot was too far. The ball hit his right foot and rolled to the feet of Wang Li who was running forward.
Chance
“Ah~~~~~~~~”
The whole stadium was in an uproar. Most of the Manchester United fans stood up nervously, while the Chelsea fans were all cheering, because behind Ferdinand was only Manchester United's goalkeeper Howard. In the eyes of all the fans, if Wang Li kicked this kind of ball, it would definitely go in.
"Opportunity!" At the same time, the commentator of the imperial court station immediately shouted.
Faced with this unexpected opportunity, Wang Li did not hesitate to meet the ball and changed direction, and in a flash he was about to shake off Ferdinand.
However, when Ferdinand realized his mistake, he did not let Wang Li pass. He knew that would almost mean that Manchester United would fall behind, which was definitely not what he wanted to see. In an instant, Ferdinand stretched his foot in front of Wang Li and reached out to grab the black jersey.
Wang Li had been prepared for this kind of sudden attack. In fact, he had to be careful under his feet in almost every game this season.
However, Wang Li still failed to react to Ferdinand's attacks from both sides. Although he was not tripped, he was still pulled. However, at the same time, he looked at the white line behind him, curled his lips, and decisively gave up dribbling the ball.
“Beep…”
If Riley didn't make a decisive call for such an obvious foul, he wouldn't have to officiate in the Premier League.
Yellow Card
Penalty
"Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea Allen, Allen, Allen"
Although no goal was scored, all Chelsea fans cheered. In the public's impression, a penalty is almost equivalent to a goal.
The other 1,000 or so Manchester City fans also gloated over the misfortune. Their purpose in watching this game was to see Manchester United defeat Chelsea in their home stadium. Now that Chelsea is ahead again, they are so happy.
However, the Chelsea players on the field were not very satisfied with the yellow card. In the first half, Makelele's foul was given a red card, but this time Ferdinand only got a yellow card, which was really annoying.
They stood beside the referee and protested a few times, but Riley ignored them and just signaled Chelsea to take the penalty kick quickly.
This time, Wang Li stood in front of the ball.
This game is very important, and Chelsea players still believe in Wang Li.
Wang Li did not disappoint. Facing the nervous American goalkeeper, he volleyed the ball hard and sent it into the goal in an instant. The ball had no angle at all, but Howard still had no reaction.
The ball is too fast
"The ball went in goooal"