Something happened to Manchester City again! Before Manchester City's away game against West Ham United last weekend, midfielder Milner's name appeared in the starting lineup. However, after the game started, Milner's position was replaced by Barry, and Milner also
Suddenly disappeared from the 18-man roster!
"Daily Star" revealed this mystery for us after the game. It turned out that Milner was suddenly informed by Mancini at the last moment before he was ready to warm up that he was withdrawn from the starting lineup, and was even kicked out by Mancini!
It is reported that before the incident, Milner was doing routine warm-up activities on the court with other starting players, but Mancini suddenly appeared and informed Milner that he was not in the starting lineup. The Italian's back-tracking behavior obviously angered Milner
Na, the England midfielder slammed his training vest to the ground! Mancini certainly did not allow his authority to be challenged in any way, and he immediately expelled Milner from the tunnel.
Mancini later removed Milner from the 18-man roster, and the Englishman didn't even get a chance to be a substitute!
Manchester City has been in turmoil recently. After losing to Ajax in the Champions League, Mancini blamed the loss on the players' lack of fighting spirit. This caused many senior players in the Manchester City team to resist Mancini.
Mancini gradually lost popularity, and some players even questioned Mancini's tactics. For example, defender Richards publicly criticized Mancini's tactics for being wrong.
Now that Mancini has another conflict with Milner, the honest guy in the team, it seems that the Italian is really going to lose control of the locker room.
Perhaps the trigger for all this comes from the unfavorable situation in the Champions League. Manchester United will certainly not replicate the situation of its rivals in the same city in the Champions League.
Last season's biggest rival had constant troubles between its head coach and players, which is definitely good news for Manchester United.
Defeating Braga in an away game, Manchester United finally broke the nightmare of being eliminated from the Champions League group last season, qualifying from Group H two rounds in advance and advancing to the top 16.
However, in addition to qualifying for the group, this game also has a very special significance for Giggs, who started for Manchester United - after taking the field today, Giggs has played 135 games in the Champions League, surpassing
He tied the appearance record of former AC Milan legend Maldini and became the player with the second most appearances in the history of the Champions League.
In this landmark game, when Manchester United lost a penalty kick in the second half and fell behind 0-1, Giggs first assisted Robin van Persie to equalize the score, and then planned a penalty kick for Manchester United to take the lead.
The whole process - "Wang Lo Kat" proved with practical actions that as a nearly 39-year-old veteran, he still has the ability to change the game.
Just like the last round of competition at Old Trafford, Braga continued to cause trouble for Manchester United from beginning to end and scored the first goal. However, at the last moment of the second half, Giggs suddenly exerted his strength.
Created two goals for Manchester United, completely tilting the balance of victory to the Red Devils: In the 80th minute, Manchester United
The team launched a counterattack. Giggs saw the advancing Robin van Persie and immediately sent a pass to Van Persie that passed through the entire Braga defense line. After General Fan got the ball, he formed a single shot and easily lobbed the ball past the attack error.
Braga goalkeeper Beto, Manchester United seized this fleeting opportunity and successfully equalized the score!
And just 4 minutes later, Giggs used a more exciting performance to expand the output of Manchester United's offense-after receiving a cross pass from Rafael, Giggs used rhythm at the moment of stopping the ball.
The change beautifully passed a Braga defender who was attacking, and then
He immediately sent a well-placed pass to Hernandez; Xiao Wandou's single shot in the penalty area was barely saved by Beto. Then Li Yu was helplessly knocked down by the Braga defender when he tried to make a follow-up shot.
After being reminded by the bottom line referee, the referee took a penalty kick, and Li Yu made the penalty kick.
Manchester United took the lead to 2-1!
With their last-minute effort, Manchester United won without any danger. As an important contributor to Manchester United's victory today, Giggs' wonderful performance continued throughout the entire game.
According to opta data, Giggs made 77 of 82 passes in this game, with a passing success rate of 93.9%. The 35 forward passes he made in the game also achieved a success rate of 87.5%.
While contributing a direct assist, Giggs sent a total of 3 threatening passes in this game, which was also the highest in the game.
As mentioned before, with today's appearance, Giggs has become the player with the second most appearances in the history of the Champions League, and the only one he needs to look up to for the time being is Raul, who has played a total of 142 Champions League games.
Considering that Raul has gone to the Middle East to seek gold, and Maldini, who is tied with Giggs, has also retired, it seems that Giggs is still very hopeful to completely surpass these two and take the lead in the ranking of appearances in the history of the Champions League.
However, no one can say whether this mere 7-game gap will become a huge chasm. After all, last month Giggs revealed to the media his thoughts of retiring after the season: "This may be my last season. If
If I can't contribute to the team like I did in previous years, then I will retire."
However, after watching today's game, who would doubt that Giggs is not capable of contributing to Manchester United? I believe that all Manchester United fans will hope that Giggs can change his mind and enjoy his career on the pitch until he is 90 years old.
——Applying the "90-year-old body" that has been extremely popular recently, it is not difficult to imagine that when the 90-year-old Giggs is lying on the bed, someone comes and asks him: "Do you want to play in the Champions League?" "Hurry me up!"
3 to 1, another reversal! Manchester United defeated Braga in an away game and won 4 consecutive group matches. With 12 points, they secured the top spot in the group 2 rounds ahead of schedule!
Compared with last season's tragic elimination, Manchester United's performance in the Champions League this season can be said to be very strong. Although the game process is not convincing, the 3 points are real. This game is the 300th European game in the history of Manchester United.
There is nothing more memorable than a victory.
On December 8 last year, at the Jakob Park Stadium in Basel, Manchester United lost 1-2 to their opponents when a draw would have qualified them. In the final group stage, they had 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss and were eliminated with 9 points. The weak team
The home record was an important factor in their final elimination.
You must know that Manchester United was eliminated from the group last season as the defending champion of the Champions League, and it was still recognized as the least competitive group. The dignified Champions League runner-up had to stay in the Europa League, and was later eliminated.
Atletico Albao suffered a bloodbath and humiliation, which is unacceptable for a team of Manchester United's level.
Fortunately, Manchester United has learned their lesson. In the 4 games this season, Manchester United first defeated Galatasaray 1-0 at home, then reversed Cluj 2-1 away from home, and then beat Braga home and away in 4 games.
The 12 points in the game have already locked the group leader in advance.
name. In the next two games, Manchester United can make bold rotations with a training mentality. The Red Devils can also temporarily withdraw their attention from the European competition and concentrate on preparing for the league. Compared with last season's dismal exit, Manchester United's performance in the Champions League this season
The rebound is gratifying.
After four rounds of the Champions League group stage, Manchester United is the only team among the top 32 that has won all four games. Although Porto and Malaga have also qualified in advance, Manchester United is the only team that has secured the top spot in the group in advance.
In addition, compared to the other three Premier League teams, Manchester United's performance can be said to be the best. Although Chelsea is tied for first place with Shakhtar Donetsk with 7 points, they still have to play away to Juventus, who are only 1 point behind them, to qualify for the group.
It’s still not clear; Arsenal is in a similar situation, with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, second place in the group, so they don’t dare to lose.
Take it lightly; as for Manchester City, they only accumulated 2 points in the 4 rounds of the group stage. In the 57-year history of the Champions League, only two teams can still qualify under such circumstances. If Manchester City wants to qualify, they can only hope for a miracle. However, just
Even their coach Mancini has admitted and released a series of pessimistic remarks that "Man City will qualify unless the gods come to save it"...
On December 8 last year, Manchester United was eliminated from the Champions League group. It was exactly 11 months and 336 days ago. You must know that that night, although Manchester City defeated Bayern, Manchester City ended up in third place because Naples defeated Villarreal.
3 were eliminated from the group.
However, 336 days later, the former brothers went in the opposite direction. The emergence of Manchester City was only theoretically possible. Even Mancini said that not even God could save Manchester City. Manchester United had won all 4 games and ranked first among the top 32.
.The performance of Red Devil and Blue Moon is truly as good as heaven and earth.
Ancelotti has already begun to long for the Champions League title: "I think in terms of Manchester United's history, we should win a few more Champions League titles. I want to win a few more Champions League titles to catch up with our biggest rival Liverpool, and
Bayern, Ajax.
AC Milan and Real Madrid have a certain gap between the number of championships and other teams. It is indeed difficult to catch up with them. When I recall the opportunities we had that might have won the championship, I am very frustrated, but you can't be too greedy.
.Look at my coaching career, 2 Champions League titles and 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup title, I’m proud of that!”
Back in the league, Manchester City's internal strife intensified, and they reversed course and defeated the powerful Tottenham team 2-1. After experiencing the pain and humiliation in the Champions League group stage, Manchester City rebounded strongly at the Etihad Stadium in this round of the Premier League.
Relying on a thrilling reversal of 3 points to temporarily escape
Despite the predicament, Mancini was able to shake hands with Villas-Boas in a cheerful manner after the game. It must be said that this must rely on one person - or the emergence of a hero. Bosnia and Herzegovina killer Dzeko scored in the 88th minute.
, finally allowed Manchester City to turn the corner, and also fulfilled Mancini's dream.
However, the controversy may have started from that moment. Dzeko, who contributed the winning goal after the game, was not as happy as he imagined. Instead, he pointed the finger at coach Mancini.
"What do you want to say to the coach and the boss? I think scoring goals is my best response!" Dzeko's true expression was obviously filled with resentment. If nothing else, the Bosnian was dissatisfied with his substitute.
I’ve been positioning myself for a long time! “Don’t ever ask me to accept the position of super substitute! I’m 26 years old this year.
Before joining Manchester City, I played many games in the Bundesliga, scored many goals, and won the league championship and top scorer honors. I have never been a substitute, and I don’t want to be a substitute in the future. With my scoring goals for the team
Having won so many goals, I feel like I should get more opportunities to play.”
Although he won the game, Dzeko's words could be understood as "forcing the palace", but they were like a slap in the face, hitting Mancini hard in the face.
In fact, it is not just Dzeko. News from the "Daily Mail" revealed that the relationship between Mancini and the Manchester City generals has reached the critical point of a complete break!
The newspaper stated that Manchester City soldiers have had enough of Mancini's indifference, arrogance and inhumanity, as well as some words that shirk responsibility in public.
However, the "Daily Mail" said that so far, the Manchester City generals have not completely broken up with Mancini. Considering that Mancini has brought a significant improvement in strength to the Manchester City club, the two sides have not reached that point yet.
A tense situation.
According to reports, Mancini once yelled at everyone in the Manchester City dressing room and claimed to take all responsibilities on his own shoulders to protect his players in front of the media and the public. However, as the Manchester City team lost in the Champions League
Step by step, he created a humiliating and painful record, but Mancini completely forgot his promise and treated his players with a disdainful attitude, which made Manchester City's players very dissatisfied.
Another flash point in the conflict between Mancini and the players occurred with Milner. On the eve of Manchester City's league match against West Ham a week ago, the team's general Milner was dissatisfied with Mancini's inclusion in the starting lineup and suddenly
Mancini was furious over the move to withdraw, and then Mancini got angry with him
The conflict broke out against Maimang, and the furious Italian coach expelled the disciple directly from the player tunnel. Since then, in the two games (UEFA Champions League against Ajax, and the league against Tottenham), we can no longer get rid of Manchester City's big coach.
Milner's name was found on the list, not even on the bench!
The England international is feared to have offended Mancini and has been frozen indefinitely.
On the other hand, Manchester United seems to be addicted to comebacks recently. If their opponents don't score first, they won't play well.
Playing 5 games in a row in 14 days, and three of them were strong dialogues with heavyweight opponents such as Chelsea and Arsenal. The recent schedule can be regarded as a moderate "devil's schedule" for the Red Devils Manchester United.
Today's away game against Villa is the end of this devilish schedule, and the Red Devils also used a sudden effort in the second half to reverse Villa with three goals in a row and win three consecutive league games. At the same time, for the eighth time this season,
After winning the first reversal, the Red Devils have become the well-deserved "King of Reversals" in the mainstream European leagues.
In the first half of today's game, the young Villa really made the tired Red Devils miserable. Not only did Manchester United fail to create any threat on the offensive end, but the defense also kept making mistakes in Villa's counterattacks.
In the 50th minute, when Villa's Weimann scored twice from close range, Manchester United was already trailing 0-2.
However, from then on, the sudden burst of fighting power from the Red Devils became unstoppable for Villa: Valencia, whose crosses were repeatedly blocked in the first half, staged several good plays on the right in the second half, completely revitalizing themselves.
In the second half, Van Persie, who had almost no presence in the first half, not only hit the crossbar with two wonderful shots, but also gave a winning assist with a free kick before the end.
Of course, the most amazing thing is Li Yu, who replaced Mata after the halftime break. Manchester United's No. 9 scored twice and created an own goal in just 45 minutes, using a "quasi hat trick" for
Manchester United completed the reversal of this game.
After winning this game, Manchester United is temporarily 4 points ahead of second-placed Chelsea and 5-points ahead of third-placed Manchester City in the standings. Considering that Chelsea and Manchester City will face strong rivals like Liverpool and Tottenham tomorrow, this time
Manchester United's lead is likely to be further expanded after this round of games.
This victory is also the 14th victory that Manchester United has achieved in all competitions this season. As mentioned before, 8 of these 14 victories were obtained by Manchester United through reversal. In fact, Manchester United lost first this season.
There are a total of 10 ball games, which means that if the opponent scores first, Manchester United has an 80% probability of being able to reverse and win, regaining a total of 24 points!
Looking at all five major leagues in Europe, in addition to Manchester United, among the six teams: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona came back to win 4 times, Chelsea came back and won 3 times, and Real Madrid came back to win 3 times.
They have come back to win once, Juventus have come back to win once, and Paris Saint-Germain has never come back to win.
In other words, Manchester United's ability to come back and win this season is enough to top the five major European leagues. It is really "no reversal, no Manchester United"!
Reversal means scoring more goals than the opponent, and Manchester United's strong reversal ability is based on the offensive power they have strengthened this season.
As we all know, since last season when Manchester City almost lost the championship trophy due to poor goal difference, Ancelotti has attached great importance to the improvement of Manchester United's offensive power this season. For this reason, he already has Li Yu and Hernan in the team.
In addition to high-level offensive players such as Des and Valencia, they still spent huge sums of money to introduce outstanding attackers such as Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa. Before this game, Ancelotti also expressed to the "Guardian" that he hoped that he
of disciples have scored at least 100 goals in the league this season.
At present, Manchester United has scored 29 goals in 11 rounds of the Premier League, averaging 2.64 goals per game. If they maintain this efficiency, then they have just a chance to score 100.18 goals in a total of 38 league games. It can be seen that, although
In the 20-year history of the Premier League, only Chelsea in the 2009-10 season has scored 103 goals in a single season. This order given by Ancelotti to his disciples is still not a fantasy.
Even looking at the whole of Europe, Manchester United's offensive power is enough to rank among the top three. After all, they have scored as many as 44 goals in 17 games in all competitions, averaging about 2.6 goals per game.
Among the five major leagues, only Barcelona, which scored 47 goals in 17 games, and Bayern, which scored 52 goals in 17 games, performed better than them, but they can surpass Real Madrid, who scored 43 goals in 17 games. This is Manchester United this season.
They are so good at scoring goals, and their strong reversal ability makes them fearless of their opponents' goals.
The Red Devils are so difficult to conquer now, so are the teams that will face them on the field already complaining too much?
