host must win

Chapter 478

The commentator is also broadcasting the starting rosters of both sides.

Manchester United's lineup: goalkeeper Carroll, defense line O'Shea, Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Heinze; midfielder, Fletcher and Phil Neville appeared in the midfielder position, Yin Jun continued to serve as the midfielder ; On the front line, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has returned from injury, started the game, partnering with Ronaldo and Alan Smith.

Compared with the midweek game, Manchester United performed a large-scale rotation, which was beyond many people's expectations.

Liverpool's match list: goalkeeper Dudek; the back line is a combination of Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia and Traore; Benitez sent 5 midfielders, namely Luis Garcia, Gera Germany, Harman, Riise and Kewell; on the front line, Morientes shot forward with a single arrow.

Compared with Manchester United's large-scale rotation, Liverpool obviously paid more attention to this game, and Benitez basically sent the strongest lineup.

Previously, Ferguson used Gerrard to display psychological warfare, but this old man's inertial operation does not mean that Manchester United is determined to fight Liverpool in the League Cup final.

For Manchester United, which is at its peak and has continued to win championships, the League Cup trophy is not that attractive, at least not as great as Liverpool's desire for this championship.

And considering that Manchester United double-killed Liverpool in the league before, it is obvious that Ferguson also realized that if he wants to fight with Liverpool who is aiming for revenge, not to mention the unpredictable result, I am afraid that Manchester United will also be quite exhausted.

Especially now that Manchester United is inextricably tied to Chelsea in the Premier League standings, and at the same time the Champions League knockout rounds have also begun.

Therefore, Ferguson simply dispatched such a lineup that rotated most of the main players, but still retained the core players in key positions.

This is to play by ear. If Liverpool is not in good shape and the situation is favorable to Manchester United, Ferguson doesn't mind stealing a chicken.

If Liverpool had established the initiative early, Ferguson would obviously not continue to fight.

Therefore, in the first half of the game, to be precise, the start is critical.If Liverpool can establish the initiative as soon as they come up, or to put it further, if they take the lead early, Manchester United's fighting spirit will obviously be affected.

………………

Benitez also stared at the field.

As Benitez guessed, the Champions League Cup, for Manchester United, is a blessing, and it is not a big deal if it is not.

Don't look at Ferguson's imposing manner when facing the media, and the posture that he is sure to win the championship, it is more of a smoke bomb.

Compared with desperately fighting Liverpool in the League Cup, Manchester United pays more attention to the league and the Champions League, and even the FA Cup is ahead of the FA Cup.

At present, in the Premier League standings, Manchester United is only 2 points ahead of Chelsea. The advantage is very weak. If you are not careful, you may be in danger of being overtaken by Chelsea.Although the away victory in the first leg of the Champions League knockout round does not mean that Manchester United will sit back and relax.What's more, Manchester United also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

For Manchester United, which is fighting on four fronts, the pressure is very high and some trade-offs must be made.

Liverpool want the League Cup, okay, let's grab it.

Look at Manchester United's midfielders, Phil Neville, Fletcher and Yin Jun, and even Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Smith, who play wingers, are all good at fighting and running.

Ferguson's calculation is very clear, use the League Cup championship to consume Liverpool's energy, the championship can be given to you, but you have to work hard.

………………

As a special guest, FIFA President Sepp Blatter received the starting players of both sides before the match.Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins sang the national anthem before the game.

At the start of the game, Manchester United attacked first.

When Ruud van Nistelrooy kicked the football out, the whole stadium cheered loudly, and the flashlights were also turned on, making the stands of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff look like a bright galaxy.

The camera gave a close-up of the coach seat on the sidelines.

Ferguson sat firmly on the Diaoyutai, chewing gum in his mouth.And Liverpool coach Benitez stood on the sidelines watching the game intently, with a grim face.

United used the kick-off to launch their first attack, and their attack was quickly over without any threat to Liverpool's goal.However, judging from the expressions on the faces of Manchester United players and coaches, they obviously don't have too many expressions of regret.

Of course, it is impossible for Ferguson to say to them, "It doesn't matter whether we win this game or win the championship. The important thing is to consume Liverpool's energy." However, these Manchester United players are experienced. From Ferguson's formation , they could more or less guess Ferguson's intentions.

This is not to say that the players of Manchester United are willing to give up the championship, of course they will work hard, who would not desire the championship?It's just that their mentality will be more relaxed.

………………

After some conversion of the ball, it was Manchester United's turn to have the ball.

Phil Neville passed the football to Yin Jun, who pulled the ball with his left foot and tricked Kewell who was on the wall.

At the same time, O'Shea suddenly advanced at high speed on the wing.It's just that he was running falsely. His function is not to respond to the pass, but to create a false appearance of response.Its purpose is only one, to attract the attention of the opponent's defense.

When the full-backs come up to assist, someone from the opponent must go up to defend. Even though you know this may be false, you still have to defend.Because in this case, the opposing midfielder only needs one pass to penetrate the entire defense.

Traore ran after O'Shea.

Seeing that the opponent's left back was taken away, Yin Jun swung his foot and made a cross.The football draws an arc and flies straight forward.

Ruud van Nistelrooy appeared on the football's flight line and Carragher followed him.

The football fell, and Ruud van Nistelrooy stopped the ball beautifully, and he was about to speed up.

Seeing Ruud van Nistelrooy was about to enter the penalty area, Carragher stretched out his hand and pushed.The strength he used was relatively low, and his movements were relatively concealed. After all, if the referee didn't see it, he wouldn't call the foul, and he made a profit.

But what surprised Carragher was that he didn't push it!
Van Nistelrooy pushed with his right foot and made a pass!

Ronaldo's figure appeared in the camera, and beside him was a panicked Hyypia.

Hyypia stretched out his foot to steal the ball.

"No!" Carragher shouted hastily.

It was too late, and in the next second, Ronaldo fell in the penalty area.

At this moment, everything was developing so fast that many fans didn't see it clearly.But it is true that Ronaldo fell in the penalty area after contact with Hyypia.

Diving - shouted by the Liverpool fans.

Penalty - Manchester United fans roar.

Referee Bennett's whistle sounded.It is up to his decision whether to judge a dive or a penalty kick.

Then, everyone saw Bennett pointing to the penalty spot!

John Mortensen shouted excitedly: "Penalty! Penalty!!! Penalty!!! The game only started for 1 minute! This is really a major blow to Liverpool!"

(End of this chapter)