The outside world has some doubts about Manchester City's season strategy, and it is not completely unreasonable.
The Premier League must not give up. The FA Cup is a traditional competition in England. It is normal if you want to persist. However, in the eyes of the teams in the four major leagues, the Europa League is really worthless.
In previous media surveys, European football's impression of the Europa League was even lower than South America's Copa Libertadores.
You know, this is the continental competition second only to the Champions League in continental Europe, and the participating teams are all teams in the middle and upper reaches of the major leagues and cup champions. No matter how you look at it, it shouldn't be reduced to such a second-rate league.
situation.
This season's Europa League quarterfinals, except for Manchester City and Villarreal, are all from teams outside the five major leagues, which is even more surprising.
Since its restructuring two thousand years ago, the UEFA Cup has always been a traditional competition second only to the Champions League. The power of the five major leagues has never been as bad as it is now.
In nine of the past twelve seasons, teams from the five major leagues have won six seats in the quarterfinals six times and four seats three times, accounting for at least half of the country.
But this season there are only two seats, including an upstart like Manchester City, which is definitely unusual.
The media has also analyzed the decline of the Europa League and believes that the main reason is that there is no money to be made from playing this game.
For example Atletico Madrid.
Last season, the Shenzhen Legion participated in the group stage of the Champions League, but in the group stage, they did not win a game and were eliminated in despair. But even so, they still won the Champions League with more than 15 million euros.
bonus.
Going forward, they participated in the Europa League and finally won the championship. After counting the three million euro bonus after winning the championship, they only received a total of more than six million euros in income. In other words, it was not even the Champions League group stage.
half of.
You know, in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid failed to win a game in the group stage, but in the Europa League, they finally won the championship.
Even so, the income after winning the Europa League is less than half of what it would be if they didn't win a game in the Champions League group stage.
This is simply unbelievable.
So this season, Atletico Madrid showed a very lack of fighting spirit in the Europa League and was directly eliminated in the group stage. From six group stage games, they earned more than 3 million euros.
Spanish media believe that the reason why Atletico Madrid is unwilling to play in the Europa League is that they want to concentrate all their energy and try their best to play in the league and strive to return to the Champions League next season, which is the league with the most lucrative income for the club.
As for the Europa League?
Whoever likes to kick will be kicked!
It is precisely because of the huge income gap that has caused the current predicament of the Europa League. The teams in the five major leagues are simply unwilling to play such a useless competition. They have no money, waste time and energy, and consume a lot of players.
For example, Manchester City played away games twice in the knockout rounds, once to Greece and once to Kiev, Ukraine, all of which were exhausting expeditions.
This is simply not cost-effective.
Even if they reach the quarterfinals of the Europa League, Spanish media speculate that Villarreal may give up at any time because their current fourth place in La Liga is already under threat.
Under the current circumstances, they will also consider the Europa League and La Liga's top four. However, once the top four are threatened, Villarreal will not hesitate to give up the Europa League and do its best to ensure the league.
It is precisely based on this that the British media finds it strange that Manchester City insists on a three-front strategy.
Manchester City is not short of money, so why should they play in a game that has little meaning at all, and even the gold content is far less than that of the Europa League?
What if this affects Manchester City's performance in the Premier League?
Su Dong stood up to explain, and he revealed a layer of meaning. The reason why the team insists on fighting on the third line is not only for money and honor, but also a test and challenge to themselves.
A strong team must grow by constantly accepting challenges and enduring pressure.
If you shrink back when encountering difficulties and avoid them when encountering difficulties, how can you become stronger?
Even if it is a really strong team, it must be a fake strong team!
Su Dong's remarks not only received support from the locker room, but also aroused widespread recognition among Manchester City fans.
Everyone also feels that the team should not give up but continue to persevere.
In the history of Manchester City, they are too hungry for championship honors, especially European level championship honors.
How could you give up the opportunity to compete for the Europa League?
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In the 31st round of the Premier League, Manchester City faced Sunderland at home.
In the ninth minute of the game, Su Dong passed back in front of the baseline on the right side of the penalty area. Sanchez broke into the right rib of the penalty area and scored with a low shot, opening the scoring for Manchester City.
In the 15th minute, Su Dong caused a foul by his opponent in the frontcourt, calmly took the free kick, directly rubbed the inside of the right post, and penetrated into Sunderland's goal, giving Manchester City another victory.
Just three minutes later, there was another pass from Leighton Baines on the left. The unguarded Su Dong stopped the ball near the penalty spot and volleyed directly, once again scoring for Manchester City, 3-0.
!
After scoring consecutive goals, Manchester City was in full swing.
After changing sides in the second half, David Silva scored a single goal in the 63rd minute, further expanding Manchester City's lead to 4-0!
In just four minutes, Marcelo made another cross from the left. Su Dong made a false shot from the front, attracting the attention of the defense. Sanchez shot from the back and broke through Sunderland's goal, 5-0!
In the 73rd minute, Sunderland's defense made a mistake. After Di Maria stole the ball in the frontcourt, he launched a counterattack and broke into the penalty area with the ball to score a single goal, 6-0!
Then in the 93rd minute of the game, Dzeko, who came on as a substitute for Su Dong, also scored against Sunderland, sealing the victory for Manchester City.
In the end, Manchester City beat Sunderland 7-0 at home.
…
Defeating Black Cats Sunderland at home, this battle not only boosted Manchester City's morale, but also calmed down the doubts from the outside world.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Head coach Guardiola said that Manchester City is strong enough to cope with any challenge.
Ferguson's Manchester United also made no concessions, beating West Ham United 4-0 away from home and continuing to maintain pressure on Manchester City.
The Red Devils coach has also repeatedly emphasized that Manchester United will fight Manchester City until the end and will never give up!
The battle between the Manchester duo has gradually heated up.
Everyone knows that Manchester City has the advantage and the possibility of Manchester United reversing is becoming increasingly slim.
But no matter how slim it is, there is still a chance, right?
Even if it only exists in so-called theory.
…………
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In mid-week, the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals knockout round will be played.
Manchester City travels south to Portugal to challenge Braga away from home.
This Portuguese Super League team performed well this season and was able to reach the quarterfinals of the Europa League. It is not difficult to see their strength.
But facing the powerful Manchester City, Braga did not persist for long.
Guardiola has put together a lineup that is more familiar with the Portuguese Super League this time, including players such as Sudong, Moutinho, David Silva, Pepe and David Luiz.
Only six minutes into the game, Su Dong scored a header from Marcelo's cross from close range, opening the scoring for Manchester City.
Then there was a long shot from Moutinho, which caused a mistake by the opponent's defender and led to an own goal.
In just thirteen minutes, Manchester City scored two goals in a row.
From then on, in the 61st minute of the second half, Su Dong succeeded in countering offside and gave Manchester City another victory, 3-0!
In the end, Manchester City defeated Braga 3-0 away from home.
…
After Su Dong returned to the Portuguese Super League, he once again performed well.
Including Pepe, David Luiz, Moutinho and other former Portuguese Super League players, they also performed well in this game and won unanimous recognition.
Being able to defeat Braga 3-0 in an away game shows Manchester City's strength. Their promotion to the semi-finals is basically certain and there is no suspense.
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After bringing home a victory in the away game, Manchester City returned to the Premier League and ushered in the 32nd round of the game.
This time Manchester City faces Liverpool away from home.
The Red Army's performance this season was poor, but during the winter break, the Red Army's senior management made a decisive change in coaching and brought back their former hero, King Dalglish.
After taking charge of Liverpool again, Dalglish quickly played a key role, leading Liverpool to rebound against the trend and rise in the rankings. He even recently threatened to re-enter the top four in the league and compete for Champions League qualification.
This is undoubtedly unrealistic, but we can also feel the strong morale of Liverpool.
After sending away Torres, who was in poor form, and welcoming local rookie Andy Carroll, as well as Uruguayan striker Suarez, Liverpool's offensive power has not decreased but increased, especially Suarez, who performed well after joining Liverpool and won the
Unanimously affirmative.
Facing Manchester City in this game, Liverpool is waiting to work.
The Red Army currently only has one front in the Premier League, so they have had a week to fully rest.
Manchester City was distracted by the Europa League in midweek, and many of their main players, including Sudong and Pepe, were on rotation.
Guardiola's original plan to challenge Liverpool away was to maintain a draw and win.
Unexpectedly, Manchester City encountered Liverpool's powerful attack in the away game.
First, Carroll scored with a volley, and then Kuyt and Carroll scored successively, helping Liverpool take a three-goal lead in the first half.
This can be said to have completely pushed Manchester City to a dead end.
Guardiola decisively replaced Su Dong and David Silva at halftime, but it was difficult to change the overall situation, especially when the team's defeat was already determined.
It is difficult for the ball to help the team turn the situation around.
Liverpool used their offensive attack in the first half and strict defense in the second half, especially their close marking against Su Dong, to successfully defeat Manchester City three to one at their home court, bringing another defeat to Blue Moon this season.
After the game, the media all blamed Manchester City.
The first thing to bear the brunt is the team's multi-line combat and rotation mechanism.
Guardiola received a lot of criticism, thinking that he should not let Su Dong play in the Europa League. For a worthless event, he lost to Liverpool, which was not worth the gain.
But this defeat did not affect Manchester City's top position. Although Manchester United defeated Fulham 2-0 at home, they still lagged behind Manchester City.
Guardiola still believes that there is nothing wrong with Manchester City's strategy and the team will definitely be able to survive this difficult schedule.
"We have only one goal, and that is the Triple Crown!" Guardiola shouted loudly.
This once again demonstrates the determination of Manchester City.
