After beating local rivals Manchester United 6-1 in the league away game last weekend, the Blue Moon Army led by Mancini seemed to have instantly jumped into the ranks of Europe's top clubs, and Manchester City's deputy coach Platt even shouted
"Four Crowns"
Bold words, it seems that Manchester City is determined to win all the championships this season, even the useless League Cup. After defeating Wolves 5-2 in this game, Manchester City has already won all the championships.
Won 5 consecutive victories in the competition.
This is indeed the case. Although Manchester City used a substitute + youth team lineup to visit Wolves in this League Cup, the terrifying attack combination led by Dzeko still performed to its fullest, especially in the middle of the first half, which started poorly and ended with 0-0.
With 1 behind, Mancini's team exploded with suffocating attack power: they scored 3 goals in 4 minutes, completely ending the suspense of the game.
That was when the game reached the 37th minute. Zabaleta's cross from the right was barely cleared by the opponent's defender. Dzeko passed the ball back and Adam Johnson volleyed inside the penalty area and scored.
This goal brought the two sides back to the same starting line, and also kicked off a scoring frenzy for Manchester City people. In the 39th minute, Adam Johnson sent a direct pass again, and Nasri broke through to the edge of the penalty area and then scored
The ball hit the lower left corner. Manchester City overtook the score 2 minutes later, but it was not over yet: In the 40th minute, Adam Johnson hit the ball from the right
In the pass from the road, Scapucci's shot from a small angle was barely blocked by De Vries. Dzeko shot a close shot into the net, 3-1! It only took Manchester City 4 minutes to turn the score from
The score changed from 0 to 1 to 3 to 1, which completely ended the suspense of this game. Then the League Cup really entered garbage time and Manchester City's offensive drills.
The originally 90-minute game took only 4 minutes, or 123 minutes, which completely made the game lose its original meaning. Looking at today's European football, I am afraid that only the rising "Manchester City Galaxy" can do it.
Now, perhaps their city rivals Manchester United know this all too well.
In last weekend's Manchester Derby, the powerful Manchester City army also used their terrifying and suffocating goal frenzy to destroy the last fighting spirit and belief of the Manchester United people. Originally, Fletcher scored a face-saving goal in the 81st minute of the game.
After that, the Red Devils and Manchester United, playing at home, almost saw a glimmer of hope of equalizing.
It was expected that the situation had reversed again at this time. Mancini's team relied on Dzeko and Silva to expand the score to 6-1 in the 89th minute, the 91st minute and the 92nd minute. Another 4 minutes
The frenzy of scoring three goals in a row completely destroyed Ancelotti's team and gave the Red Devils and Manchester United their worst defeat in the past 50 years.
Ancelotti suffered his first crisis of confidence since taking office, and the team suffered a huge defeat to Derby rivals Manchester City.
"Everything is like a nightmare. Things have become helpless. Manchester United has become like an amateur team when there is one less player. This problem is very strange!"
Yes, the same doubt also appeared on Li Yu. Compared with Manchester City's forward players, Manchester United's No. 9 was not excited enough in this game. It must be pointed out that Li Yu did not perform to the level he should have in the game!
Only victory can be used to answer those doubting voices.
"What is a shooter? A shooter is a talent, an instinct. They will have some kind of intuitive element. They can always appear in the most suitable place, and I am such a player." Li Yuzai
In an interview, he explained his ultra-high goal rate in this way. In the game against Aldershot, Li Yu took the initiative to request to play in this game. He scored his 13th goal of the season. Now Manchester United's core finally found
Although he has regained his sense of shooting, his efficiency is still enough to put his teammates to shame. Li Yu once again proved to people with practical actions that doubts are unfounded speculations, and Manchester United's No. 9 is just adapting to the new position given to him by the new head coach.
Objectively speaking, Li Yu does not have many opportunities to appear in the whole game. Compared with the star-studded new aid Mata, Li Yu appears in the camera only a handful of times. But every time Li Yu comes into people's field of vision,
The opponent's penalty area will be shaken, and Li Yu uses his actions to interpret the true nature of a shooter: motionless like a mountain, moving like fire.
In the 41st minute, Mata sent a low pass from the right side of the penalty area. Li Yu, who was still wandering near the penalty area line before, suddenly appeared on the passing line. The defensive players were still watching the ball pass through the dangerous area.
At that time, Li Yu had already completed a fatal blow near the penalty spot. Although the angle of the shot was very positive, the hidden shooting action of Manchester United No. 9 made it impossible for the opponent's goalkeeper to predict, and he could only watch the ball flying into the net against his body.
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Just as team boss Ferdinand commented on Li Yu's running ability: "There are only a handful of players who can move like him. If I were the coach, I would ask all the young forwards to carefully observe his running method. This is absolutely
It’s a required course for a top shooter.”
This goal is the seventh goal that Li Yu has scored in 7 League Cup games on behalf of Manchester United. Manchester United's No. 9 can be called the Red Devils' chief killer in the League Cup. After joining Manchester United, Li Yu received
The first championship title was the League Cup. Before the game, Owen told Manchester United TV: "We will not give up the League Cup. In the past few years, our performance in this event has been very good, so we will
I will strive to win the championship.”
After that, Li Yu still had a chance to complete the assist. In the 70th minute, Li Yu set up a fort for Pogba at the top of the penalty area, but unfortunately the French teenager's shot missed slightly. In the 75th minute, another wonderful pass from Manchester United No. 9,
Helped Park Ji-sung get a chance to shoot from the edge of the penalty area. The Korean swerved from the angle and shot hard, and the ball slid past the goal.
As the Manchester United official website commented after the game: Li Yu showed a strong goal scoring ability as always, and his wonderful running position allowed him to easily convert Mata's pass into an assist. In addition to his scoring instinct
In terms of performance, his cooperation with his teammates outside the penalty area is also very tacit and efficient.
After experiencing a nightmare defeat, even a League Cup victory plays an extremely important role in restoring the team's morale. Li Yu said frankly in an interview with Sky TV: "The weekend's game made the team
We feel extra pressure. Although none of the players started in last weekend's game, we are all obliged to defend the dignity of the Red Devils. Sometimes, you need to go through some sudden changes so that you can concentrate better.
Focus on facing the next challenge, and last weekend's game was undoubtedly a huge setback, so we urgently needed a win to bottom out, and I'm happy that we did it."
When the team is at its lowest point, what he thinks of is to do his best to defend the dignity of Manchester United. Such Li Yu is worthy of wearing the Red Devils No. 9 jersey. With lightning speed in running and the strong body that should be possessed to act as the fulcrum of the attack, Li Yu
Jade is still the efficient killer who can give every opponent a headache.
Li Yu also said confidently in an interview with Manchester United TV: "Many of our players did not participate in the Manchester Derby. The team will make extensive rotations in this game, but even so, Manchester United can still formulate a strong starting lineup, and I
It’s one of them.”
Regarding his transformation, Li Yu said: "The new position requires adapting. There have been some ups and downs recently, but there is no problem with my state. I just need time to adapt and get familiar with it!"
After the disastrous defeat in the Manchester derby, Ferguson's tantrums in the locker room did not happen again. New coach Carlo Ancelotti did not continue the style of his predecessor's locker room. Now that the London derby has been defeated, Villas-Boas exploded at Stamford Bridge. British media
It was revealed that the Portuguese coach criticized the players for the first time since taking office, which surprised the whole team.
Villas-Boas's gentleness earned him the nickname "Bambi" in the locker room, which means he is innocent and cute, but on Sunday morning local time, when the Chelsea team reported to the training base to prepare for the usual training warm-up
, but suddenly encountered a "little deer" scraping
The storm started. The "Daily Mail" revealed that Villas-Boas gathered the entire team in the locker room and angrily criticized the players' performance in the derby for 30 minutes. The special man who has always dared to speak in front of the coach
Li and others were also shocked this time and did not dare to say anything.
"Daily Mail" stated that Villas-Boas reprimanded the players for being sorry for the club and not strictly implementing the tactical plan. At the same time, he asked the team to improve their level in the Champions League game against Genk in midweek and win Saturday's and Black's.
Ben's league.
This was the first time Villas-Boas criticized a player after taking office. However, he did not target any individual, but emphasized the responsibility of the entire team. This was later recognized by the team's pillar players. They also believed that the team needed to focus on rebounding.
Although the players were a little surprised by the coach's sudden outburst, they could understand it after the 3-5 defeat.
However, Chelsea midfielder Benayoun, who was loaned out to Arsenal from Chelsea, caused controversy due to his personal remarks. After the London Derby, Benayoun celebrated the Gunners' victory on his personal Twitter and said: "How beautiful.
A victory, well done everyone!" Although Benayoun is on loan at Arsenal
, but he is still a player affiliated with Chelsea. This statement caused anger among Blues fans. Many people denounced him as "Judas". They believed that Benayoun could remain silent, but on the one hand, he took advantage of
It is unacceptable behavior to hold on to a Chelsea contract while celebrating a derby victory over an opponent.
Chelsea's home game against Arsenal is undoubtedly the highlight of this round. Compared with several strong dialogues that have already taken place this season, the only similarity of this game is that it is another big-scoring game.
The Blues conceded 5 goals in this goal battle, which also created a disgraceful record for the team in the Premier League.
The last time Chelsea conceded 5 goals, it dates back to 1989. Last season, Chelsea lost 3-4 at home to Newcastle United in the League Cup. However, the then head coach Carlo Ancelotti did not pay attention to cup competitions, which is common knowledge.
Although this result is unexpected, it is also reasonable.
In addition, the 4-4 home goal battle with Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals of the 2008-2009 season made fans more anxious and enjoy the joy of victory. And the 2007 Boxing Day match against Aston
In Villa's game, although the Blues conceded 4 goals at home, they also scored 4.
The last time Chelsea conceded 5 goals in a single game was on January 23, 2002. In the second leg of the League Cup semi-finals that season, the Blues lost 1-5 away to Tottenham Hotspur; in addition, in April 2000
, Chelsea also lost 1-5 to Barcelona in the Champions League away game, but the two sides also experienced overtime. The last time the Blues conceded 5 goals at Stamford Bridge was on January 4, 1998, even more distantly.
On that day, Chelsea lost 3-5 at home to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
In the Premier League, fans at Stamford Bridge have never seen the Blues concede 5 goals on their doorstep. This scene only happened in the English League One in December 1989. At that time, Chelsea lost 2-5 at home in two consecutive games.
They lost to Wimbledon (now Milton Keynes) and Liverpool by the same score. Twenty-two years, eight months and 13 days later, this scene happened again at Stamford Bridge.
History can only explain the past, and Chelsea’s reality is that this season, defense has become Chelsea’s biggest obstacle. As of this game against Arsenal, Chelsea has conceded goals in 9 consecutive league games, and
The last time this scene happened was in September 2003 when Abramovich had just taken over the Blues, but the statistic of conceding goals in 9 consecutive games was across seasons. This season, Chelsea was the only one without goals.
The league goal that was conceded was the 0-0 away game against Stoke City in the first round of the season.
After the game, head coach Villas-Boas insisted that defense is not Chelsea's problem. He showed the data: "Before this game, we were one of the three best defensive teams in the Premier League, so I will
Discuss with anyone whether our defensive organization is a problem or not." Of course, he also talked about the reasons for the last two goals conceded: "One was because a player slipped and the opponent's player formed a pair with our goalkeeper.
One, it has nothing to do with the defensive organization; the other is because we were still trying to take the lead three minutes before the end of the game."
However, is the fact that there is no problem with the defense as the Portuguese said? Let’s not talk about the data of conceding goals in 9 consecutive games. In the two strong dialogues against Manchester United and Arsenal, Chelsea actually conceded 8 goals.
Sun Tzu once said: "Those who were good at fighting in the past were first invincible, waiting for the enemy to be victorious. The invincible lies in oneself, but the victorious lies in the enemy." This means that defense can make oneself invincible.
The opponent's mistakes were the reason for his victory. The problem couldn't be more obvious. The root causes of the two big losses were all on himself. And the defense that the Blues were once proud of is now really full of flaws.
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The primary problem for Chelsea's defense comes from the central defender. Captain Terry is the most stable person in Chelsea's position, but in order to prepare for this round of the derby, Villas-Boas did not take Terry to Liverpool in the League Cup in midweek.
However, jt still made a mistake, and it was just when the team had just tied the score at 3-3 and was expected to take the lead. The Brazilian Luis, who has been favored by two consecutive coaches, is a double-edged sword.
Less than a year after joining the Blues, he has already given away 3 penalty kicks, the most among all Premier League players. Moreover, two consecutive games of mistakes have made Villas-Boas decide to abandon him. However, Yi who played today
Vanovic's effect was equally average. There is a shot that illustrates the problem: In the 19th minute of the game, Arsenal's corner kick was ejected and the ball was kicked again. Ivanovic on the edge of the penalty area tried to clear the ball with a header, but the ball failed.
He was pushed near the small penalty area. Thanks to Terry's tight reliance on Mertesacker, who was 11 centimeters taller than himself, the Germans were able to deflect the ball.
Arsenal's go-ahead goal in the 55th minute was due to the brain short-circuit of Ivan and Terry at the same time. For Chelsea today, it may not be appropriate to blame any one person for conceding the goal. The problem may still be
It's in a system that Boas denies.
Secondly, the two full-backs are also a hidden danger for the Blues. Whether it is Ashley Cole or Bosingwa, both of them are offensive full-backs. Taking Cole as an example, it is undeniable that his offense or assists are both
Very positive, but the defensive pressure is too great. Left winger Mata's duty is to roam in the frontcourt, but his area of responsibility when defending is not on the left. Cole needs one person to play two roles, and it is inevitable that he will be exhausted.
Although Bosingwa on the right is useful in offense, there are too many gaps behind him in defense. The second goal Chelsea lost was because Song saw the gap on his side and passed it diagonally.
Andre Santos, the latter drove straight into the goal. At that time, following the Brazilian was winger Sturridge, but Bosingwa was missing. In addition, in stoppage time, Bosingwa faced
Van Persie looked overwhelmed, allowing the Dutch striker to calmly fire a powerful shot that Cech could do nothing about.
The third problem in Chelsea's defensive system is the midfielder. To a certain extent, the defense is under excessive pressure. The reason is actually that the midfielder's defense is unfavorable. Chelsea's three midfielders in this game
Among them, Ramirez and Lampard both focus on offense and also take into account defense. Only Mikel specializes in defense. But the Nigerian's performance is unsatisfactory.
In terms of playing style, Chelsea's pressing offensive style requires the team to form forward. At this time, as the midfielder, he must have excellent lateral movement ability, but Mikel's characteristic is that he has good frontal defense and can move
However, his ability is weak, as shown in the fact that he often cares about one thing at the expense of the other in the game. When Chelsea conceded the second goal, Song's diagonal pass was actually completely within Mikel's defensive range.
In the 76th minute, Villas-Boas replaced Mikel with Meireles. This substitution obviously paid off: Meireles stole the ball from the right frontcourt and assisted Mata to equalize the score.
Moreover, Meireles also stole the ball from the left frontcourt several times, all of which formed a second attack on the spot. Obviously, it is not a problem for Meireles to move forward, left, and right, and this is what Mikel lacks.
Obviously, when Villas-Boas was arranging his troops, he was considering arranging a full-time defensive midfielder. After all, Meireles has to take care of both offense and defense. In fact, there is such a person in Chelsea's camp, and this is
Essien, but Essien, who is recuperating from injury, is not expected to return until after the New Year, and the Blues will need to wait even longer.
Obviously, defense has become the Blues' biggest shortcoming. Villas-Boas has long said that defense will be the key to the season.
But through this London derby with Arsenal, it seems that the problem is no longer just a problem with one person, but a problem with the system.
If Chelsea does not change its defensive system, it will be inevitable to lose goals or even continue to lose by big scores in strong dialogues. Malouda said this week: "The Premier League is our first goal."
But this goal may not be achieved due to defensive problems.
Speaking of the Champions League, after entering the knockout rounds, a dialogue between the top teams is absolutely unavoidable. Even in the "fourth most important" League Cup, all five giants have entered the quarterfinals. Chelsea will face Liverpool in one month. With this
Defense, who can be optimistic about the Blues?
What about the army? In the transfer market, almost all the names that have been linked to Chelsea are attackers. At least in the next two months, Chelsea will not be able to turn to the transfer market. Villas-Boas needs to adjust.
The first thing that bears the brunt is Chelsea's defensive system.
