Super Prophecy Master

Chapter 329 One Chance Is Enough!

The FA Cup final is played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The Millennium Stadium is the National Stadium of Wales, which can accommodate [-] spectators. It is a five-star UEFA football stadium and has been used for rugby matches. During the renovation of Wembley Stadium, the FA Cup and League Cup finals , was scheduled to be held at this stadium.

After Millwall and Liverpool arrived at the Millennium Stadium, they were arranged to enter the field to warm up.

There are still four hours before the game.

That was not a pre-match warm-up, but a training session for the two teams in the afternoon. Both teams entered the playing field and trained separately with the center line as the dividing line.

This is an on-the-spot arrangement, because the game is played at night, and the two sides only play one game, so there is no need to arrange training in a small stadium.

Perhaps, it is also to reduce funds.

If the two teams are provided with additional venues, it will involve the issue of venue rental, and the game funds will be spent more, but in any case, it is still very difficult for the two teams that are about to compete to use one stadium for training. Interesting, rivalry between players is inevitable.

Although they are not on the same field, the competition has already begun during free training.

Liverpool's captain, Gerrard, showed an amazing free kick opportunity. He used the way of constantly bombarding the goal to deter Millwall.

This trick doesn't seem to work very well.

Millwall quickly retaliated. Livermore bombarded one by one 30 meters away from the goal. The muffled sound of the football could be heard even in Liverpool's field.

Many Liverpool players also began to talk about Livermore --
"That's David? You should pay attention to him."

"Don't let him kick easily, it's too threatening!"

"His strength is great!"

"The news report is indeed correct, this guy is a long-range shooting machine!"

"He's no worse than Steven..."

After the vigorous shooting competition, the two sides began to compete in other events. For example, players and players passed the ball to each other. Everyone cheered up, and the speed of passing the ball to each other became faster and faster. made some jokes.

Zhang Yang stood on the sidelines.

Next to him is Benitez. Both of them are watching the training. It is also very interesting to stand side by side.

Benitez had a serious expression, while Zhang Yang was full of smiles. When he saw Simpson kicking the ball away, which caused the stadium to laugh, he also said, "Everyone is very energetic. The game will be great!"

Benitez nodded and replied, "That's right. So Zhang, can I take the liberty to ask, how would you use a player like Livermore? I think he is more effective as a forward than as a defensive midfielder."

"...?"

The topic changed a bit quickly, Zhang Yang didn't react for a while, so he could only mutter, "Maybe, yes, maybe you can try." He found that he couldn't talk to Benitez more, otherwise he would find out that his own brain circuit Really not enough.

The atmosphere between the two head coaches was a bit awkward, but the arrival of the FA officials eased the embarrassment. Geoff Thompson took the initiative to come over and congratulated Millwall on winning the league championship. , you should understand that it was a bit of a surprise, I originally wanted to present the award in person."

"Of course. Thank you."

"Today I will present an award to the champion." Geoff Thompson said together with Zhang Yang and Benitez. "I am looking forward to it. It will be very lively and I believe the game will be very exciting!"

Then it becomes small talk.

Geoff Thompson asked Zhang Yang about Millwall's transfer. He was mainly concerned about how much money Millwall has prepared and how much it will supplement its strength.

This seems to have nothing to do with the FA, but in fact, the FA is responsible for the commercialization of the English league. They need to understand each team, and it is best to be able to judge a team's possible future results.

For example, make a schedule for the new season.

If you know the possible results of each team, you can use this to formulate a schedule and put key games at key points in time, thereby attracting more fans.

There's nothing secret about it.

Zhang Yang whispered a few words to Geoff Thompson.There are not many such opportunities. It is very beneficial to let the FA know that Millwall is highly competitive. The schedule may be more humane. For example, it will not encounter strong teams in consecutive rounds like this season. For many consecutive rounds, he only played against weak teams.

That's not a good schedule.

Continuously playing easy games will make the team forget the feeling of playing against strong teams; continuous playing against strong teams will make the team too nervous and exhausted.

After Geoff Thompson left, Zhang Yang saw that it was almost time, so he went back to the locker room first. About half an hour later, the players also returned one by one. They wanted to have dinner together, and then rested for a while. Get your body in top shape and you're ready for the game.

At [-]:[-] in the evening, the two teams officially began to warm up.

At this time, less than half an hour before the game, Zhang Yang and Wilkinson went to the mixed area for an interview, and then Zhang Yang and the press officer went to the press conference together.

Press conference interviews are more formal.

The media got the starting lists of the two teams early, and they can also ask questions about it.

Liverpool's starting lineup is a regular lineup, which is almost in line with media speculation.

Millwall is a little different.

In the middle of Millwall's midfield, there are three players starting, namely Jody Morris, Elliott and Livermore. The media focus is on Elliott. Elliott was still a semi-main player before. But in the later stages of the league, with Smiccher's outstanding performance, Millwall's lineup tactics have been slightly adjusted, and Elliott's chances to play have decreased, and he has gradually become a substitute player.

The media was concerned that Smicer did not start. Zhang Yang replied, "There is nothing wrong with Vladimir's body. This is just a normal adjustment. I think there is no reason for me to answer questions about the starting lineup."

What Zhang Yang meant was, "I don't need you to dictate who I send to start."

Journalists, too, found themselves overreaching.

Elliott is also a good player with a strong defensive ability. There is no problem with Millwall arranging the starting lineup, but they care too much about Smicer.

In fact, Smicer is the focus of this game.

Smicer is a former Liverpool player. When Millwall played against Liverpool for the first time, Smicer performed very well and became the best player in the game. Many people want to come and play against Liverpool. Smicer will definitely appear.

The coaching staff also considered this issue, but in the end Zhang Yang decided to let Elliott start to strengthen the midfielder's fighting ability and the defense of the backcourt.

Smicer is good, but he and Jody Morris are the same type of player. The two play together, and it is not a problem to cooperate. The lineup of the key team is too offensive.

The tactical point of this game is to open up the situation from the side. It is enough to be organized in the center. It does not need to be too strong. Therefore, Zhang Yang chose to let Jody Morris play, and Smicer could only sit on the bench. .

After the press conference, Zhang Yang went back to the locker room to make the final mobilization for the team.

After that, the time is almost the same, and the players are ready to go out.

----

Millennium Stadium.

At [-]:[-] p.m. local time, the FA Cup final between Millwall and Liverpool officially kicked off. The number of fans on the scene exceeded [-]. According to statistics, nearly [-] million English fans watched the live broadcast of the game. Overseas data is more than three times more , That may depend on the contribution of Chinese fans. Even if it is affected by the time difference, the number of Chinese fans also determines that the number of viewers will not be small. Many fans stay up late to watch the game.

At the beginning of the game, the commentator compared the starting lineup.

At the beginning of the season, Millwall's lineup was regarded as 'dismal', and it was not comparable to newly promoted Wigan Athletic and Sunderland.

It is different now.

After a season, the Millwall players have become famous, especially Darren Bent on the striker alone, who is considered to be the best combination of Liverpool Cisse and Morientes, and the combined efficiency of the latter two , Not as good as Darren Bent.

In the middle of the midfield, Millwall is worse. Gerard and Alonso are considered to be very good partners. Livermore, Morris and Elliott are also good, but their technical skills are relatively poor. Only the defense stands out.

Liverpool's back line is stronger. Carragher, Hyypia, Riise and Finnan are more famous than Millwall's back line, and their performance is more stable.

Millwall still has the advantage on the two wings. Braniff and Josh Simpson are both considered to be quite offensive players. Both of them can play forwards, and their offensive ability is stronger than their defensive ability. Luis Garcia, who is not liked by the British media, and Zenden, who is not well-known no matter how he plays, the only thing that can be talked about is his rich experience.

Many fans are still discussing that Smicer did not play. It is a pity for Liverpool fans. Millwall fans don't think much of it. Smicer is not special in Millwall.

After the game officially started, what the fans obviously noticed was that both teams were very concerned about defense.

Liverpool are very defensive.

Zhang Yang has been thinking about how to break through Liverpool's defense, but Millwall also pays attention to defense. In a game that decides the outcome, the defense won the victory. He just hopes to decide the winner within 10 minutes. If the time is delayed until overtime, it will make the players physically and mentally exhausted, and maybe something unexpected will happen.

In the first 10 minutes of the game, both sides played very conservatively. The commentator made statistics, "So far, the possession data of the two sides are very close. De's long-range shot failed to threaten the goal, Millwall has not shot yet..."

"Judging from the situation of the game, the two sides seem to have not yet entered the state, but it can be clearly noticed that both sides are playing more targeted offensively."

The commentator said 'both sides', and only Millwall actually showed an offensive threat.

Millwall hasn't shot yet, but the attack has been targeted. The previous two consecutive offensives were launched from the wing, and the football was passed to the center, but Liverpool successfully cleared the siege.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez took notice, knowing that Millwall was trying to find chances from wide.

This is not unexpected.

Many teams that played against Liverpool, in order to break through Liverpool's defense, will look for opportunities on the wing, the representative of which is Chelsea.

Chelsea's wings are very strong, Robben, Duff, Joe Cole, each player is quite good, with strong breakthrough ability, fast speed, and good technique. The technical characteristics of such wide players can be pressed on their heads .

so what?
It is also very difficult for Chelsea to play a targeted attack and break through Liverpool's defense. Just like in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Chelsea attacked the entire game but failed to score.

It is not easy for Millwall to score goals!
Benitez is still very confident in the team's defense. What he considers is how the team can counterattack and actively seek opportunities to score goals.

In terms of game preparation, Liverpool is not as good as Millwall, but Benitez knows how to play against Millwall. Millwall's shortcomings are obvious-the lack of ability of the back line players.

This shortcoming will make it easier for opposing players to rely on their personal abilities to find opportunities.

So Benitez told the frontcourt players that if they have the opportunity to take the ball by themselves, they can take it forward. "Single" is occasionally a good choice, especially Gerrard, Alonso, and striker Morientes. Players with excellent skills, if they can play out, it is not difficult to score goals.

The next game between the two sides was a bit stalemate.

Liverpool and Millwall's performances are both tough, and the main place to play is still in the midfield. The two sides launched a fierce fight to compete for control of the midfield.

When Millwall launched an offensive, Josh Simpson's performance on the wing was also quite outstanding. From No. 15 minutes to No. 205 minutes, in 10 minutes, he sent a three-foot pass near the penalty area line.

Although all three balls were destroyed, it cannot be denied that Simpson played well.

Liverpool didn't care.

Millwall's continuous crosses are almost tantamount to wasting opportunities, because their defense against the front of the penalty area is very tight, and it is difficult for the opponent to rely on crosses from the side to find opportunities.

Benitez also saw it this way, and he even started to consider asking the team to strengthen their offense, because the opposing head coach, that is, Zhang Yang, seemed to have made a mistake in formulating tactics.

Most of Millwall's attacks were launched from wide only.

Liverpool are too good to limit.

With such a continuous offensive, it is a little more difficult to threaten Liverpool's goal. Liverpool can take advantage of the time to strengthen their offense and actively seek opportunities to score.

Zhang Yang was also watching the game.

Millwall's offensives from the wing every time seemed to be a waste of time, but Zhang Yang did not stop him, because like a player, he was also looking for 'opportunities'.

Benitez believed that Millwall made a mistake in formulating tactics, but he never imagined that Zhang Yang's tactics were based on "supernatural powers".

As long as there is an opportunity, use the 'Speaking Method' or 'Lucky Bonus', maybe you can directly bring a goal.

"It's okay to waste countless opportunities, as long as one is enough."

This is Zhang Yang's idea.

(End of this chapter)