On the afternoon of August 30th, Fratton Park Stadium, Portsmouth.
In the fourth round of the Premier League, Manchester City challenged Portsmouth away from home.
The game entered the second half, and the score between the two sides was still one to one.
The entire game was basically under the control of Manchester City, but the Pompeii Legion also performed extremely tenaciously at their home court. The midfield and frontcourt players such as Kranjca and Boateng introduced from Tottenham Hotspur all performed well.
Very hard work, coupled with the strict defensive tactics adopted by head coach Paul Hart, made Manchester City's offense somewhat difficult.
After all, Manchester City scored 15 goals in the first three rounds, shocking the entire Premier League and even the entire European football world.
Portsmouth also didn't dare to be too big.
But even so, in the 31st minute, Manchester City still relied on Robinho to get the ball on the left, faced the double-teaming of two defensive players, forced the ball to the baseline, and passed it across
When he reached the goal, he assisted Suarez and scored the goal, opening the scoring for Manchester City.
But in the 38th minute of the game, Portsmouth got a free kick from the outside of the frontcourt and hoisted it into Manchester City's penalty area. Neuer abandoned the goal and hit the ball with both hands, but he was completely different from Portsmouth.
Portsmouth's French high center forward Picquioni collided with each other, and the referee awarded a penalty kick to Portsmouth.
The reason was that Neuer hit Picquione before hitting the ball. It was considered a foul and a penalty kick was awarded.
Although the penalty this time was justified, it was very far-fetched. Neuer and the Manchester City players were very dissatisfied. Captain Kompany even questioned the referee. Although he was appeased, a penalty kick was inevitable.
Portsmouth's midfielder Boateng hit a penalty kick to equalize the score for the Pompeii Legion.
After that, the two sides entered into a stalemate again.
Manchester City kept pushing and penetrating, while Portsmouth defended tightly.
In the second half, the side changed sides and the battle resumed, even if Manchester City continued to launch a fierce attack on Portsmouth.
In fact, Manchester City can create some threats in almost every attack, but they are just a little short of scoring.
The entire game, whether it was possession of the ball or rhythm, was under Manchester City's control, but there was only a slight difference in following up on the ball.
It is worth mentioning that the man in charge of Portsmouth's defense tonight is former Manchester City captain Distin.
Although it was extremely difficult for Distin to defend Suarez one-on-one, he still went all out to stop Suarez. This made the Uruguayan center unable to score again even though he could create some threats every time.
This seems to have become a true portrayal of Manchester City in this game.
…
"Judging from the trend of the game, Manchester City has some advantages but cannot score."
"Manchester City's offense tonight was still very fierce and they continued to create threats, but Portsmouth also performed extremely tenaciously. The three lines did not leave many gaps for Manchester City. This allowed Manchester City to pass the ball that they are best at.
Cooperation has encountered obstacles.”
"This is actually the tactic used by all weak teams to defeat strong teams."
"Either we simply defend to the death, or we go all out to fight each other, worry about gains and losses, and may lose even more miserably."
"Tonight, Portsmouth's thinking is very unified. I will strictly guard and defend. If you have the ability, you can attack. Besides attacking, you have to be careful behind you. My counterattack is not without threats."
"In terms of defense, Portsmouth deployed five players in the midfield, which can be said to be a heavy investment."
"To a certain extent, Manchester City can push Portsmouth to this level in the away game, which in itself is also a reflection of the team's strength. But if Gao Shen wants to take away three points from the away game today, then he
I definitely have to show more skills.”
"Perhaps, replacing Sturridge and changing the formation to 442 would be a good choice."
Following Andy Gray's commentary, the live TV camera also showed a solemn look on Gao Shen's face in front of the visiting team's coaching bench.
Three consecutive wins in the first three rounds allowed Manchester City to occupy the leader's position in the standings, but now, Blue Moon is in trouble.
This is how difficult the Premier League is!
A tactic that shines in one round may be immediately suppressed by your opponent in the next round.
If it doesn't work, I'll just huddle up and play defensive counterattack.
"Now is the time to really test Manchester City's offensive ability, especially its ability to break through intensive tactics."
…
Gao Shen didn't know whether the live TV camera was pointed at him, he was focused on the game.
Between the third and fourth rounds, there was a week's rest, and each team was more fully prepared. Portsmouth carefully created such a set of defensive tactics for Manchester City.
Gao Shen guessed it, but he didn't expect to concede such a penalty kick.
But this is the Premier League.
In the past week, Manchester City continued to polish the team's offense and further refined Robben. However, judging from tonight's performance, Robinho performed better, but he also received greater defensive pressure.
Robben's performance is still a bit sluggish, and he may still be restrained by the opponent.
The Dutch still need space. Under the tight defense of the Pompeii Legion, David Silva, not to mention Robben, has trouble playing, and is frequently violated and even fouled.
Thinking of this, Gao Shen let out a heavy breath, looked at the time again, turned and walked towards the bench.
"Olivier, go warm up!" Gao Shen shouted toward the bench.
Giroud looked around in surprise, obviously confused.
"Hurry up, why are you dazed?" Gao Shen urged.
The Frenchman finally woke up and ran out quickly.
After seeing Giroud go to warm up, Gao Shen looked at Borrell and said, "Rudolph, he goes up and plays center. He is responsible for getting the ball and making plays. Please give him some instructions."
Borrell understood and left the coaching bench and caught up with Giroud who was warming up.
"Olivier, do you still remember the issue we had about center selection?" Borrell asked.
"Remember." Giroud nodded as he warmed up, "You must always stay focused and calm, always pay attention to the position of the opponent's defender, always know your position and the distance to the penalty area, so that you can judge where you are most suitable to receive the ball.
, and whether to shoot the ball with one kick or touch the ball with multiple feet."
The further away from the penalty area, the less defensive pressure you will receive and the more space you will gain. However, the closer you are to the penalty area, the greater the marking pressure you will receive, the narrower the space, and the opponent's defense will be more aggressive. When necessary,
The center even has to create some space himself.
Borrell repeatedly emphasized during training that he should use his body to protect the ball.
This is because Giroud's advantage is his body.
For example, when holding the ball with your back, the best position is not to catch the ball in the most suitable position, but to leave a little advance before reaching the best position, block the opponent's defender, and let the ball come.
Find yourself, so that you can get more space to handle the ball, but the premise is that you must have excellent physical confrontation ability.
"Very good, you also need to remember to communicate more with your teammates, shout more and talk more, do you understand?"
"Understood." Giroud replied solemnly.
"Also, if you often make mistakes in training, such as heading the ball, remember that before taking off to compete for the top, you must first observe the position of the defender and master the best take-off point and timing. Otherwise, you will not be able to jump when you take off.
Interference from opponents."
"Use your hands and your back to control your opponent so they can't affect you."
"Don't worry about the referee's enforcement. Premier League referees are very lenient in this regard. All you have to do is use your physical advantage as much as possible to suppress your opponent, just like you did in training, understand?"
Giroud nodded heavily, "I understand."
When Borrell said this, he looked deeply at Giroud.
From joining the team to now, the French center has been practicing hard every day and never stops for a day.
But it wasn't until now that he really got his own chance to play in the Premier League.
In comparison, he is actually very, very lucky.
Because, he met a Bole, Gao Shen.
"Come on, Olivier!" Borrell encouraged.
Giroud grinned, quickly ran back to the visiting team's coaching bench, and stood next to Gao Shen.
"You go and replace Robben. After you come in, you play the center position and stick to Portsmouth's penalty area. Use your strong body and skills to create opportunities for your teammates. Do you understand?" Gao Shen said solemnly.
warned.
"clear!"
"Go!" Gao Shen nodded.
When Jirou walked out, Gao Shen suddenly remembered something, "Wait."
Giroud turned his head in front and looked at the head coach confused. Is there anything else that has not been explained?
"If there is a chance, I mean, if you think the opportunity is good, you can try it." Gao Shen encouraged.
Giroud immediately nodded excitedly, "I understand, thank you, boss."
Seeing him happily walking over to replace someone, Gao Shen smiled bitterly and shook his head.
It is estimated that it is rare for a center to give such instructions to a center like him.
But there is no way, who makes Giroud's shot stretch like this?
This kid is fine just torturing his opponents in the French second league, but in the four major leagues, he will probably stop playing.
Whether it is the rhythm of the game, the strength of the opponents, or the defensive pressure faced by the four major leagues, it is obviously greater.
What Giroud is best at is his body.
In front of Portsmouth, Gao Shen's theory that a retracted fist will be more powerful when punched out has obviously failed, so he needs a troublemaker and tactical fulcrum like Giroud.
Go up and disrupt the defense of the Pompeii Legion, and then Manchester City will have a chance.
As for Robben, frankly speaking, the current situation is somewhat different from Gao Shen's impression in his previous life.
He still clearly remembers that Robben scored twice in his first game after joining Bayern and performed very well and eye-catchingly.
Of course, it was already the last day of August.
But now, when he comes to the Premier League, his opponents are stronger and faster than in the Bundesliga. Moreover, Gao Shen and the coaching staff have been strengthening his muscle training, which has obviously affected his condition and integration level, so much so that he still can't
Didn't show up.
However, Gao Shen still had full confidence in him.
"It's okay, Aryan, you take a rest and leave the rest to them." Gao Shen hugged Robben, who was substituted, and gave him encouragement and comfort.
But the Dutchman still had an obvious look of disinterest.
On the court, Giroud, the catfish, quickly brought about changes.
