When Gao Shen walked into the press conference hall of Intihad Stadium, there were still traces of unwiped white cake cream on the collar and hem of his suit, which made the media reporters at the scene wonder.
They couldn't help but smile knowingly, because they all knew that today was Gao Shen's birthday.
On my birthday, beating Arsenal 4-1 at home was the most wonderful thing.
You can completely imagine how crazy Gao Shen was playing with his players in the locker room just now.
Whether it is European football or fans around the world, it is very clear that the relationship between Gao Shen and the players has always been very good. Now he appears at the press conference with cake stains all over his body. This is understandable.
"Sorry, it's too late to change clothes." Gao Shen explained with a smile.
Walking to his exclusive seat in the middle of the main podium, after Gao Shen sat down, the press officer announced the start of the post-match press conference, and everyone could ask Gao Shen about the game.
In fact, such press conferences have some fixed procedures.
For example, they usually ask some game-related questions first, how the team performed, how certain players performed, how to evaluate a certain player, or how to evaluate the opponent's players, and the opponent's head coach.
Anyway, these problems are bound to arise.
Gao Shen has long been familiar with such problems and can deal with them easily.
The media will also gradually extend the issue to other aspects based on the situation of the game.
For example, many people will be very concerned about the relationship between Gao Shen and Robben.
In response, Gao Shen once again reiterated that he had no conflicts with Robben.
"I brought him in personally, do you think there can be any conflict between me and him?" Gao Shen asked with a smile.
Before the game, his clarification actually didn't carry much weight, but now, basically no one has any doubts.
Especially during the game, after Robben scored the first goal, he took the initiative to run to the sidelines and hugged Gao Shen. This was more meaningful than any explanation.
Gao Shen also clarified his use of Robben.
He explained that the reason why he arranged for Robben to take a vacation was because Robben was under great pressure during the game during that period.
"All of us know that he is a very good world-class star, but in the final analysis, he is also an ordinary person, and he will also have the emotional fluctuations and pressure of ordinary people. My assistant and I judged based on his situation at the time
Considering his mental state, we all feel that he should have a good rest."
This is the reason why Robben left the team and went on vacation.
As for arranging Robben as a substitute, Gao Shen said that this was due to the team's tactical needs.
"In fact, I had already raised this issue with Robben before the squad was announced. He was very supportive and trusted my decision, which allowed me to put him on the bench without any burden."
Gao Shen's words revealed his trust in Robben and once again clarified the relationship between him and Robben.
"Everyone has seen that after coming off the bench in the second half, Robben scored three goals in just over 20 minutes and became the most outstanding and dazzling player on the court."
"Through this game, I think our decision was correct." Gao Shen said with pride.
Through this game, his status and prestige in the team locker room, in the minds of the coaching staff and players will also rise to a higher level.
The prestige of a head coach is never achieved overnight, but like Gao Shen, it is slowly accumulated through game after game and victory after victory.
Especially in today's game, Gao Shen had completely grasped his opponent's mentality and strategy before the game, and gave targeted counterattacks, eventually winning a 4-1 home victory.
This will make the players more convinced of the head coach.
Gao Shen also spoke highly of Wenger and the Gunners, believing that the score could not fully reflect the process.
"During the game, Wenger and his team caused us a lot of trouble. Neuer was one of the best players in our team. This is enough to prove Arsenal's performance and threat in the game."
Gao Shen revealed that he had always told the players before the game to pay attention to Adebayor and Robin van Persie, especially Van Persie.
"My players have shown enough concentration and hard work in the game, but unfortunately, Arsenal still scored a goal. The game even became very, very difficult because of this conceded goal."
Gao Shen revealed that this game can further build the confidence and fighting spirit of Manchester City players.
"Guillem Balague said in his column that the fifth and sixth rounds are the judgment day of the Premier League. I don't know if he is right, but I think these two rounds are very important to us.
It’s really different.”
Gao Shen talked about the importance and significance of these two games for the first time.
"In the past period, many fans have misunderstood us, and many media have been biased against us. This has made us feel embattled on all sides, but I have always told my players not to care about what others say, as long as we focus on what we do.
Do your own thing well and speak with facts."
"I'm so happy that my players did it!"
When Gao Shen said this, his expression and tone were full of pride.
"I want to say that through such a strong dialogue, it can be proved that we are not a disorganized group, nor are we mercenaries who only play for money. We are a group of professional football players with persistent pursuit, clear goals, and full of unity and cohesion.
Team!"
"We have the strength to compete with all Premier League teams, including the giant teams that force G4, and even win in the confrontation."
Regarding the significance of this game, Gao Shen said that it will give Manchester City more confidence to defeat their local rivals Manchester United and win the derby when they visit Old Trafford in the next round.
"In terms of the schedule, it is beneficial to us." Gao Shen replied with a smile.
On the one hand, Manchester City does not have the burden of multi-line operations and only needs to focus on the league. Gao Shen can have plenty of time to prepare for this game, and can even arrange one or even two days of luxurious rest time within a week.
This is definitely something that no team fighting on two fronts dares to hope for.
On the other hand, Manchester United will usher in the first round of the Champions League group stage in midweek. Their opponent is Turkey's Besiktas.
This Turkish team is not weak, but it is enough to cause trouble for Manchester United.
More importantly, the Red Devils have to travel to Türkiye in the first round, which is the biggest trouble.
They will travel to Turkey in the middle of the week and have a local derby at the weekend. From a schedule perspective, Manchester City really has an advantage.
Although Ferguson's team is superior in strength, having to travel such a long distance and deal with two crucial games in succession will be a huge pressure on the Red Devils.
Rotation?
Gao Shen still wishes Ferguson could make more rotations.
Until then, Manchester City will recharge their batteries and be in their best condition to attack Manchester United.
"I definitely can't say now whether we can beat our opponents at Old Trafford, because the game is not over yet and everything is still full of unknowns, but I can say with certainty that we have gradually adjusted to the state.
Next, we will go one step further and challenge Manchester United with the strongest lineup at Old Trafford."
Gao Shen once again reiterated, "Our goal has never changed, and that is to win the championship!"
"When I came to the Premier League, what I wanted to do most was to lead Manchester City and knock Manchester United off the throne!"
"I know that Ferguson's Manchester United are challenging for an unprecedented four consecutive Premier League titles, but I want to say that they have no chance!"
"Because, I'm here!"
…
Gao Shen's provocation against Manchester United at the end of the press conference aroused huge repercussions throughout the Premier League and even the world.
He does have the qualifications to challenge Manchester United, because now after five rounds of games, Manchester City's ranking is even higher than Manchester United.
Manchester City, which has won five consecutive games, has scored 22 goals and conceded only two goals, ranking first in the Premier League standings.
Chelsea fell behind again in this round. Stoke City took the lead in the first half, but Ancelotti's team used two stoppage time goals in the first and second half to reverse Stoke City 2-1.
.
Is this already Chelsea's first reversal this season?
The Blues' performance can be described as tenacious and iron-blooded, and after winning this game, they also ranked second in the Premier League standings with five consecutive wins.
Ranked third is Benitez’s Red Army Liverpool.
In the fifth round, this team sat at Anfield. With Benayoun's hat-trick and Kuyint's goal, they beat Burnley 4-0 and won a surprising victory.
Especially Benayoun's hat trick shocked everyone.
Obviously, after stabilizing the double midfielder in the midfield, Benitez's team began to exert strength.
The Red Army also won five consecutive victories and ranked third in the Premier League standings.
These are also the three teams in the Premier League that have maintained a winning record so far.
Another team, Tottenham Hotspur, which has started with four consecutive wins, will face the Red Devils Manchester United at White Hart Lane this round.
Less than a minute into the game, Defoe scored the first goal for Tottenham and took the lead.
But then, Giggs, Anderson and Rooney scored successively, helping Manchester United reverse Tottenham Hotspur 3-1.
As a result, with this victory, Manchester United reversed Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the standings and entered the top four in the league. Tottenham Hotspur ranked fifth, and Arsenal still ranked fourth.
six.
After that, there are teams such as Sunderland, Aston Villa, Fulham and West Ham United, and the points are also very tight.
After all, we have only played five rounds now, and everything is still full of unknowns.
In a long season, no one knows when an injury or slump will suddenly occur and directly bring down a team.
But judging from the first five rounds, especially the fifth round, when Manchester City defeated Arsenal 4-1 at home, Blue Moon, trained by Gao Shen, has shown excellent overall strength and state from the beginning of the season, and as the game progresses
With the deepening of the game, the team gradually became stronger and stronger, and the stars also performed at a high level one after another.
This also makes everyone look forward to the Manchester derby in the sixth round.
In Guillem Balague's words, this is the second trial of the Premier League this season!
