host must win

Chapter 282 Dragon
On the evening of February 2th, Porto, Portugal, Dragon Stadium.

The Dragon Stadium, which can accommodate [-] fans, was almost full this night, because it was the first round of the UEFA Champions League round of [-] knockout match between Porto and Manchester United.

For Porto, gaining an advantage at home is the only chance to defeat the mighty Red Devils and reach the quarter-finals.Because it is almost hopeless to go to the Theater of Dreams to beat Manchester United.

Porto ushered in the first Champions League game at their new home, and they are determined to repay the fans with victory. The team remains unbeaten in the league this season, and the defending champion is just around the corner.

However, during the winter break, Porto was hit hard. Coach Mourinho switched to Chelsea. Although the new coach, the Dutchman Adrianse, has gradually become familiar with the team, he lacks a few important players in this game. Players, midfielder Costinha is suspended, striker Delle has been injured for a long time, and Conceicao is not eligible to play because he represented Lazio in this season's European competition before his transfer.

For Manchester United, Ferguson also attached great importance to this game.In fact, after the team broke into the knockout stage of the Champions League, no head coach would not pay attention to any game.

The current Manchester United is facing a very serious defense problem. After Ferdinand was suspended and Sylvester was seriously injured, Manchester United only had Van Buyten and Wes Brown in the central defender position.And both of them still have their own problems. After joining the team for more than a month, Van Buyten finally integrated into the team slowly, but the problem of Wes Brown's poor state has not been resolved.

But in the case of the team's lack of defense, Ferguson had no choice but to trust Wes Brown and let him start, forming a defense line with Van Buyten, Gary Neville and Phil Neville.

In front of them is the defensive midfielder composed of captain Keane and Scholes. Yin Jun is arranged in the attacking midfielder position in this game, and the striker is a combination of Ronaldo and Ruud van Nijggs.

………………

This is the 103rd Champions League game in Ferguson's career, and he continues to expand his lead in this data.At present, the German coach Hitzfeld who has coached the second most in the Champions League, the latter has coached 90 games.

However, even if they are facing the powerful Manchester United and the world-renowned coach Ferguson, Porto has no intention of cowardly at all. From the beginning of the game, they used their skillful possession of the ball to put pressure on Manchester United and occupied the field. initiative.

However, Manchester United was also not to be outdone, and the three players in the frontcourt quickly pressed towards Porto's defense. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs were the fastest, and the two quickly rushed to the home team's defensive wings, while Ruud van Nistelrooy rushed to the center.

Not only the trident in the frontcourt, but also the three players in the midfield, and the entire defense line are quickly pressing on.

"Manchester United's opening was very positive. From the beginning of the game, they pressed towards Porto's defense. This was obviously an attempt to grab the start. But Porto was obviously prepared for this and used possession to deal with Manchester United's press."

After some fighting, Manchester United still grabbed the ball.

After successfully grabbing the ball, Manchester United didn't mean to be obsessed with possession of the ball. Phil Neville, who played as a guest left back in this game, quickly moved forward along the left wing, ready to launch an attack.However, Porto quickly returned to defense after losing the ball and set up a tight defense line.

Manchester United also deployed heavy troops, and Yin Jun in the middle also ran over to respond.

After Giggs pulled away Lauren, he gave way to the left. Phil Neville stepped forward to receive the ball from Yin Jun, and directly passed a curved ball into the penalty area, but Carvalho quickly headed The ball is cleared.

………………

Although Manchester United's first attack reached the penalty area, it failed to create a threat.

The ball didn't fly very far, and it was still in Porto's half.

The visiting team aggressively pushed up and attacked Porto, which to some extent disrupted Porto's plan. However, Porto, as a century-old giant in Europe, has experienced many battles. Very compact and orderly, did not give Manchester United too many opportunities.

However, Porto also tried a counterattack, but unfortunately the pass was too strong and was attacked by goalkeeper Howard.

After a back-and-forth contest, the starting tactics of both sides have become clear.

Manchester United in the away game wanted to fight to eat Porto in one bite. Even Porto, who was playing at home, had to retreat and take a defensive position.

But everyone knows that this momentum of Manchester United is not sustainable.As long as the opening three tricks do not work, the initiative of the audience will soon be handed over to Porto.

………………

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was born in the youth training camp of Sporting Lisbon, is also regarded as a deadly enemy with Porto, so he was particularly active in this game. He has been running in the frontcourt, pressing and pressing, and receiving the ball to support his teammates, but Porto's defense is very meticulous. Valente didn't give him too many opportunities, and with Deco and Pedro Mendes sitting in the middle, he didn't have much space to run out, mainly concentrated near the sideline, but as long as he received the ball, There are always defenders around.

Facing Porto, the former rival, Ronaldo didn't dare to make mistakes. He passed as much as possible, ran as much as possible, and patiently waited for the opportunity. He didn't give Valente a chance to grab the ball from his feet.

Time just passed bit by bit.

Manchester United's offense is mainly concentrated on the left. Phil Neville, Giggs and Yin Jun have frequently tested this side, but it is difficult to pass the ball to the frontcourt.Van Nistelrooy was double-teamed by Carvalho and Deco on the Porto road, and he also failed to receive a pass from the midfield.

On the contrary, Giggs, who constantly pulls out, retreats, and cuts in, has a wide range of activities and is very active, but it is difficult to get opportunities.

Just like this time, just as Giggs pulled to the left to catch the ball, Paulo Ferreira was already standing in front of him, and Maniche also leaned over to double-team, forcing Giggs to choose the ball at the first time. Passing back to Yin Jun, he cut the penalty area obliquely, but Paul Ferreira followed closely like a brown sugar, which made Giggs very helpless.

Yin Jun was followed by Maniche, Scholes stepped forward and raised his hand to ask for the ball, but when he caught the ball, Deco had already reached the vicinity of Scholes, forcing him to turn around to protect the ball. For this reason, Deco pushed him from behind and almost fell down, so he immediately passed the ball back to Yin Jun.

Maniche rushed over aggressively, forcing Yin Jun to quickly pass back to Keane, who immediately gave the ball to Ronaldo on the right, and was almost cut off by Alenichev in the middle.

(End of this chapter)