blogombal Chapter 471
Chapter 471
In the first round of the Champions League quarter-finals, Leeds United was the last team to appear, but in the second round, they became the first team to appear.
After the match with Birmingham, Elland Road was quiet for only one day before it became noisy again.
April 9.
The second round of the Champions League quarter-finals kicked off, with three Premier League teams joining hands on the stage, Chelsea at home against Fenerbahce, and Leeds United at home against Arsenal.
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Li Shiguang and Wenger met on the court again, and this was the third time they had played against each other in a month.
As the host, Li Shiguang took the initiative to greet him: "Arsene, you look in a good mood."
"Ah, Li." Hearing the voice, Wenger turned around, "It's okay. The Champions League games are played in China. At least I could sleep well in London last night without being harassed by away fans."
Indeed.
Li Shiguang also deeply agreed with Wenger's words.
Whenever Leeds United plays in the Champions League, what annoys him most is that when playing away games, there are always passionate home fans who stay up late at night and sing loudly outside the hotel where Leeds United is staying, affecting his rest.
"Li, I won't lose this time at Elland Road." Wenger's face was friendly and he took the initiative to extend his hand, "Arsenal has lost too much this season, I am determined to win the Champions League!"
Li Shiguang smiled and also extended his hand to shake hands with Wenger: "Arsene, it's useless to just talk. Who wouldn't be determined to win the Champions League if they can get here? Right?"
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"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sky Sports. Hello, I'm your old friend Gary Lineker!"
"Hello, I'm Jon!"
"Hello, I'm Martin Keown!"
Martin Keown is a famous player of Arsenal. Today, he was invited to Sky Sports as a special guest to participate in the commentary of this game.
After the familiar opening remarks
Lineker excitedly opened the conversation: "Next, Sky Sports will bring you the second round of the 2007-2008 Champions League quarter-finals, Leeds United vs. Arsenal at home. Last week, the two teams shook hands and made peace at 1:1 at the Emirates Stadium. According to the Champions League rules, Leeds United, who has an away goal, has a little advantage!"
"Well... the players of both sides are ready in the player channel. Let's take a look at the starting lineups of the two head coaches today!"
After the voice fell, Jon immediately clicked on the picture on the computer, and then a trace of surprise flashed across his face.
"Arsenal has changed its formation! Unlike the 5-3-2 used in the home draw with Leeds United last week, Wenger changed to a more defensive 5-4-1 on the road today!"
"The starting goalkeeper is still Almunia, and the five defenders, Clichy and Eboue are on the left and right, and the three in the middle are Kolo Toure, Gallas, and Senderos who was hit hard by Adriano last month. The four midfielders, Flamini and Vasiliki Diaby partnered as double defensive midfielders, Fabregas and Hleb were in front of them, and the single arrow on the front line is Leeds United's old player Adebayor!"
After talking about Arsenal's starting lineup.
Jon took a breath and read the lineup of Leeds United again: "Then it's Leeds United. Li still used the 4-3-3 formation used in the away game last week, but he made some adjustments to the starting lineup! The goalkeeper is still Neuer, and the four defenders from right to left are Alves, Thiago Silva, Kompany and Lahm. In the midfield, Modric sat on the bench today, Mascherano and Alonso formed a double defensive midfielder, and Kaka was in front of them. Three forwards, Adriano in the middle, Torres and Bale on the left and right!"
Wait for Jon to finish reading.
Lineker couldn't wait to speak: "Jon, seeing Arsenal's lineup, I'm a little surprised. Doesn't Wenger want to advance? It seems that Leeds United has the away goal."
Jon was also surprised when he saw Wenger put up this formation at first.
But after seeing the lineup of Leeds United, he realized it.
"There's nothing strange about it. The importance of this game is self-evident. Facing a strong attacking line like Leeds United away from home, it's understandable that Wenger is conservative."
"Conservative!?" Lineker shook his head with some disdain on his face, "Is being conservative useful at Elland Road?"
As an Arsenal fan, Keown naturally won't indulge Lineker: "Gary, you may be overthinking it. I know Arsene. Offensive football is his football philosophy. Conservative... doesn't exist!"
"Then how do you explain this five-back defense?" Due to different positions, Lineker couldn't stand Keown from the beginning.So it was not until now that he said the first sentence to Keown, "Even if Clichy and Eboue are very strong in attacking attributes and can press forward to play as wingbacks, do they have a chance to press forward against the three forwards of Leeds United!?"
"Maybe!" Facing the aggressive Lineker, Keown was not angry, but replied in a calm tone, "Just wait and see... Arsene's arrangement is definitely not as simple as shrinking in the back to defend..."
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But the facts proved that Lineker and Jon were both wrong.
Wenger's formation was indeed conservative.
But Arsenal's play today was not conservative at all, and it could even be said to be extremely fierce!
All the pre-match procedures were completed, and the players of the two teams stood in position.
With the whistle of the referee Boileau, the full game officially began.
From the first second of the kick-off.
Arsenal, who got the kick-off right, launched a fierce attack on Leeds United's penalty area.
In the third minute, Fabregas made a cross pass from the middle, and Flamini, who came in from behind, fired a high-quality shot 30 meters away from the Leeds United goal. The power was so great that Neuer, who wanted to keep the ball in his arms, had to swing his arms up and lift the ball over the crossbar.
Then.
Fabregas took a corner kick.
Kolo Toure jumped high in the penalty area, headed the ball before Kompany, and changed direction to the upper left corner of the Leeds United goal. Because of the speed, Neuer did not react at all.
Fortunately, the home goalpost saved Leeds United.
Kolo Toure's header hit the outside of the left goalpost and bounced out of the bottom line.
If Flamini's shot just startled the Leeds United fans who came to the scene, then Toure's powerful header immediately caused the fans sitting behind the Leeds United goal to gasp.
"I'm sorry, I apologize to Wenger! Now it seems that Arsenal's players are getting into the game faster, Leeds United should be careful!"
Then.
The ball came to Leeds United.
But since Alonso received Neuer's pass in the backcourt, Arsenal's players rushed up like mad dogs and started to rob Leeds United in the backcourt.
To be honest, this crazy high-pressure pressing did cause a lot of trouble for Leeds United.
This scene made Wenger, who was watching the game on the bench, very happy. Just now in the locker room, he repeatedly emphasized to his disciples that his formation of five defenders was not to shrink defense from the beginning, but to let the players score in the shortest time, gain an advantage, and then retreat to stabilize the defense.
Now it is Arsenal who is at a disadvantage. It is of no benefit for them to shrink defense away from home.
What Wenger wants.
is to score!
As long as the goal is scored first, the initiative of the game will be transferred to Arsenal.
At that time, it's up to Arsenal to decide whether to attack or defend.