In the first leg of the Champions League knockout round of 16, Real Madrid faced Manchester United at home.
This was a game that subverted everyone's impression from the moment the whistle sounded.
Before this game, everyone felt that Real Madrid should adopt a relatively cautious tactical approach at home to avoid away goals from Manchester United.
When Manchester United visits the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, there is no reason to adopt an overly aggressive tactical approach because the Red Devils' lineup is not as good as Real Madrid's.
Before the game, the remarks of Gao Shen and Ferguson, the head coaches of the two teams, seemed to confirm all this.
In Valdebebas, Gao Shen praised Ferguson profusely. Not only did he say that his relationship with Ferguson had always been very good, he was even proud of being able to play against him.
Among them, Gao Shen's words were interpreted by the media as that he wanted to adopt cautious tactics at home.
"This is a game that the whole world is looking forward to. Everyone thinks we will be under pressure, but this is normal."
"Real Madrid and Manchester United are both wealthy teams, but one team will definitely be eliminated. This is a very cruel reality."
"But this is the game we want and the game all the fans are looking forward to."
Ferguson was interviewed at the Carrington base, saying that Real Madrid is still 2 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, but there will be a devilish schedule next. This is a very, very difficult schedule for Real Madrid, and every game is very difficult to play.
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"Barcelona are in unbelievable form and they are holding on to something different, so for Real Madrid, the Champions League should be their most likely breakthrough event this season."
Ferguson concluded that Gao Shen's main battlefield will be in the Champions League.
"There is no doubt that it will make our game more difficult, but it will also put pressure on Real Madrid."
"We are different from Real Madrid. We currently lead the Premier League standings and are competing for three championship trophies at the same time. It will be more difficult for them."
Ferguson also said that Gao Shen is a very smart and cunning opponent who always likes to play psychological warfare before games, but he will not be fooled.
"My advice to myself is, don't be dragged into the quagmire by Gao Shen. He may deliberately show weakness before the game, but that is just to play psychological warfare and let him fight it out on his own. I will not participate in it."
"Yes, he just gave birth to a son. I called him to congratulate him, and then told him that if he brings me a box of good wine during the game, I will spare him."
Finally, Ferguson said that Manchester United will play more carefully in this game at the Bernabeu.
"It's inevitable. Playing at the Bernabeu is always very difficult, so we need to be more careful."
I promised not to engage in psychological warfare...
The head coaches of the two teams had a round of commercial exchanges before the game, both showing weakness.
But what about actually?
…
From the moment the whistle sounded at the start of the game, both teams pressed forward and attacked without any reservations.
Gao Shen and Ferguson talked politely before the game, but when it came to the game, they both started to risk their lives.
The two sides actually started with an attack.
This was completely unexpected by everyone.
But what is really surprising is that the game was played very fast and both sides played very actively, but they just couldn't score.
Everyone can clearly feel that the head coaches of the two teams used tactical restraint against each other to contain the opponent's offense.
It goes without saying that Real Madrid has the advantage on the scene.
The La Liga giants have better passing and controlling skills than Manchester United. Therefore, whether it is ball possession rate or passing success rate, Real Madrid has an advantage, which makes Manchester United involuntarily tend to defend and counterattack.
On the defensive end, Manchester United specially arranged two defensive players to freeze Ronaldo on the left side of Real Madrid.
As soon as Ronaldo gets the ball, Schneiderlin and Rafael are always around him, which makes it difficult for the Portuguese to have a chance to create a threat.
On Real Madrid's right wing, Manchester United's left wing lined up the combination of Evra and Welbeck, suppressing Di Maria and Carvajal. This defensive intention was exposed from the first minute of the game.
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But Real Madrid is not a fuel-efficient lamp either.
The first shot of the opening game took place just over a minute ago and was a long shot from Toni Kroos.
Then Di Maria also got rid of Evra, cut inside with the ball with his left foot, and hit the goal with a curved ball.
But the real threat came in the fifth minute. Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled the ball from the left, broke through Rafael, and crossed before Ferdinand. However, Benzema's shot was blocked by De Gea like a god.
come out.
The Spanish goalkeeper performed extremely bravely after returning to his homeland.
Ferguson also clearly realized that Ronaldo still couldn't stop him.
As a result, Valencia also retreated.
Real Madrid almost suppressed Manchester United and launched wave after wave of attacks. They attacked for more than ten minutes and shot eight shots, but failed to score a goal.
Manchester United's first shot took place in the 20th minute.
The Red Devils' defense against Real Madrid was very good, and Real Madrid's defense against Manchester United also did not include Lake.
The key to allowing the Red Devils not to have a single shot within twenty minutes was that Real Madrid's defensive formation effectively cut through Manchester United's midfield and frontcourt, making it difficult for the Red Devils' players to get support from their teammates after getting the ball in the frontcourt.
Forced to fight alone.
The result of fighting alone is that there is no threat.
Even Rooney's shot was a long shot.
…
After more than ten minutes of testing, both sides realized how difficult their opponent was.
Gao Shen made adjustments. On the one hand, he signaled Modric, Toni Kroos and Xavi Alonso not to push the defense so far back to give Manchester United breathing space.
This is by no means Gao Shen underestimated the enemy, but because the defense was pushed too far forward, causing Manchester United's entire midfield and backfield to become monolithic, and Real Madrid's offense simply lacked space.
Manchester United's defense is by no means given casually. Ferguson relied on defensive counterattacks to win the Champions League back then.
Now, the players are older and more experienced.
Pressing too far forward not only creates more space for the opponent to counterattack, but also flattens Manchester United's defense, which is detrimental to Real Madrid's offense.
In addition, Gao Shen also made adjustments, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria to switch positions.
Soon, Real Madrid created the most threatening attack in the first half.
After Di Maria got the ball on the left wing, he did not wait for Schneiderlin to approach, and forced a one-on-one challenge on Rafael. He passed the ball to the back point. Ronaldo quickly intervened, leaped high, and pressed
Evra headers the goal.
As a result, this perfect opportunity hit the crossbar.
Not only did the Portuguese feel regretful, but even the Real Madrid fans at the scene were also depressed.
What a great opportunity!
Ferguson also reacted quickly and made adjustments quickly.
Manchester United had already made preparations for Real Madrid's strategy, and after adjusting, they stabilized their defense again.
The dual defensive midfielders of Schneiderlin and Carrick found it particularly difficult to face Real Madrid's midfield pressure.
Gao Shen made continuous adjustments and used his midfield advantage to tear Manchester United's entire midfield to pieces, but they insisted on holding on to the penalty area.
In particular, Ferguson also reacted quickly and immediately made adjustments to pull the team back and keep the three lines compact.
As a result, Manchester United lost the threat of counterattack, but the defense was stable.
It's obvious that Ferguson's strategy is to hold on to the goal first and then wait for an opportunity to counterattack.
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After the halftime break, the two teams still continued the situation in the first half, but Gao Shen encouraged the midfielder Modric to participate more actively in the frontcourt offense, especially his dribbling ability and his ability to play with Di Maria.
cooperation.
After the start of the second half, Real Madrid began to attack the right wing, trying to open a breakthrough from the right wing.
But Manchester United was also well prepared.
Ferguson took the lead in making a substitution, but the Manchester United coach has always been unconventional. He replaced Sneijder with Ryan Giggs.
This looks like a matchup substitution, right?
In reality?
Schneiderlin was moved to the left, and Giggs withdrew from the front and, together with Rafael, froze Ronaldo.
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Needless to say, the effect is really good.
Gao Shen is really convinced!
Ferguson has his own unique understanding of tactics. The key is that his players can execute them well.
The game was deadlocked again.
Time passed like this bit by bit.
The trend of the game gave people the feeling that no one could do anything to defeat the other.
Real Madrid's attack was contained by Manchester United, but Manchester United's counterattack was unable to threaten.
The Sky Sports commentator believed, "This is a game that belongs entirely to Gao Shen and Ferguson!"
"It looks more like a tit-for-tat tactical showdown between two top coaches."
But often in such tactical duels, the game lacks goals.
Just like the Champions League final in the 2002/03 season.
It was a brilliant tactical duel, but the score was 0:0.
…
Gao Shen stood on the sidelines, silently watching the progress of the game.
He never made a substitution and kept waiting.
Some people say that football is like a war.
The most real war is not like what is filmed in the movies, where the attack is like wind, the attack is like fire, and once the fight breaks out, it will turn into a storm.
Real wars, especially wars where the gap in strength is not very large, are often stalemates and waiting for the opponent to make mistakes.
Some people may wonder, what if no mistakes are made?
This is impossible.
Because wars are always about attrition, and with the continuous attrition of wars, strategic factors in all aspects will continue to change, one will wax and wane, and when a certain critical point is reached, fighter jets will appear!
Just like the current showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Neither side made any mistakes, and both sides were restraining their opponents, which brought the game to a stalemate.
But it doesn’t matter, continue to work hard, continue to persist, and see who can’t persist first, and see who can’t afford it.
Of course, unlike war, football matches have strict time limits.
After ninety minutes, if both sides hold on, it's a draw.
But Gao Shen doesn't think so.
With Real Madrid's strength and exerting such great pressure on Manchester United, the Red Devils will definitely not be able to withstand it, and Ferguson's team will definitely expose problems.
As soon as the fighter plane appears, it's Real Madrid's chance!
