Chapter 196: The Second Championship of the Season (Part II)
The fifteen-minute break passed quickly, and the players of both teams returned to the field, exchanged venues, and the second half of the game officially began.
In the second half, Manchester City had a clear change, perhaps in the midfield dressing room, manager Mancini made adjustments, so the Manchester City players were very restrained emotionally, not as in the second half of the first half, deliberately to physically collide with the opponent, but focused more energy on the game itself.
They also know very well that if the scuffle continues, then it will only be Manchester United who will benefit, after all, Manchester United is the leading side, even if the remaining 45 minutes are consumed in the melee, then with a score of 1:0, Manchester United will finally lift the championship trophy.
There is only one way to turn things around, and that is to focus on the game itself and try to score early!
In terms of formation, Manchester City has also made a lot of changes. Although there are no changes in personnel, their three lines are much earlier, especially the back Yaya. Toure, his premise is very obvious, and even plays the role of a central midfielder, more into attack.
Such a change has caused a lot of problems for Manchester United.
Yaya. Toure is a well-rounded player who was an absolute mainstay during his time at Barcelona and settled into the team at a rapid pace after moving to Premier League upstart Manchester City this season, becoming the hub of the team's midfield, with excellent ball protection, good passing skills and a dangerous long-range shot.
With players in the front line struggling to penetrate United's dangerous zone, Manchester City are more likely to try long-range shots from the perimeter. Toure saw the running and rushed forward to shoot vigorously from distance, completing two dangerous long-range shots in the space of a few minutes, which made the United defence somewhat disorganized.
'After the break, City's performance really improved and they played smarter.
'It's not wise to go head-on with Manchester United now. It's a good idea to break the defense by taking advantage of long shots! ”
"Yaya. Toure's performances are starting to come alive, and the former Barcelona star is frequently threatening! ”
The Manchester City fans in the stands also started to clamour, and the team's performance improved and gave them hope of scoring, so they also cheered for the team with the loudest shouts at this time.
Roberto Mancini stood on the sidelines, looking excited, and his team's offensive momentum picked up, which gave him hope of scoring, and he had to instruct his team to keep up the momentum and try to equalise the score early.
On the contrary, Ferguson looked indifferent, he didn't even get up from his seat, but put his hands on his chest, quietly watching the situation on the field, and did not say a word.
"Do you want to make some changes, sir?"
Assistant coach Muhrensteen seemed a little anxious, and he also saw that after a series of threatening shots, Manchester City's momentum seemed to rise, and he naturally did not want the opponent to develop like this.
"No, I don't. Let's take a look first. ”
Ferguson replied lightly, waved his hand, and continued to look at the pitch.
He is really not worried, from the strength of Manchester City and Manchester United, there is no doubt that his team is more dominant, although football games often have the influence of many external factors, but he knows his players very well, and is very confident, Manchester City's changes in the second half did create a lot of trouble for Manchester United to a certain extent, but such "trouble" is not necessarily a good thing, Manchester City wants to score, it must be attacked.
The opponent tightens the defense in an all-round way, and it is very difficult for Manchester United to score again, but if the opponent attacks, it will naturally reveal flaws, don't look at Manchester City's current jumping joy, but who will score first, it is not certain!
Anyway, Ferguson is confident.
Sure enough, after Manchester City gradually gained the upper hand in attack, Manchester United wisely chose to avoid its edge and began to tighten the defensive line, while using Van Bizhuang and Berbatov at the front to play a defensive counterattack.
Both sides created good chances to attack, but it was Manchester United who seized the chances.
In the fifty-seventh minute, Yaya. Toure stepped in again and received the ball to shoot, but Hargreaves stabbed in and slid the ball away.
The referee raised his hands flat, signaling that the tackle was not a foul, Hargreaves lay on the ground and swept the ball, and the ball flew diagonally to the feet of Kaka, who was close to the center circle, and the Brazilian did not stop, looked up and swept slightly, and kicked the ball forward.
From defense to attack, Manchester United's quick counter-attack!
The transition was only between lightning and flint, Toure's pressure caused City's midfield interception to be insufficient, and Kaka's pass was fast and accurate, and when the City players reacted, Van Bizhuang had already unloaded the ball on the left side of the box.
"Fight back! It was a quick comeback from Manchester United! It's so fast! Breaking, passing, catching, almost in the blink of an eye! Manchester City's penalty area is in danger! ”
"Fan! What will Fan do? Will he cut inside and hit the door? ”
Fan lifted his foot! …… Oooo Van passed the ball directly! The ball flew into the penalty area at a fast pace...... Berbatov! The Bulgarian striker quickly flanked into place, jumped up, beat Kompany, and hit the ...... with a powerful header"
The moment Van Bizhuang stopped the ball, he saw Berbatov rushing into the penalty area quickly, because the speed of the counterattack was too fast, and Manchester City's defense was not fully organized, which looked quite messy.
Golden opportunity!
Fan Bizhuang secretly said in his heart, and crossed without hesitation.
The soccer ball flies straight into the penalty area fast and flat.
Fan Bizhuang's passing is as accurate as ever, and the line of the football flight is between the goal line and the small penalty area, which is the most uncomfortable position for the goalkeeper.
In the end, Given's choice to hold on was not forthcoming, and Berbatov and Kompany jumped up almost at the same time, but the Bulgarians, who were obviously rushing forward, had the upper hand, like a tiger descending from a mountain, and pressed Kompany head, flicked his head, and smashed into the oncoming black and white elves!
The ball is here, the head is here!
"Bang~"
After a dull sound, the ball instantly changed direction and flew straight into the top left corner of the goal at a faster speed!
Jiwen only had time to wave his hand when he felt a gust of wind pass through his cheeks, and when he turned back, the football had already held up the snow-white net tightly!
2:0!
Manchester United scored another goal and Berbatov helped United extend their advantage to two goals!
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Powerful header! Dimitar Berbatov helps Manchester United score another goal! 2:0! Manchester United are just a stone's throw away from victory! ”
"This is the biggest blow to Manchester City! As soon as their offensive momentum picked up, United immediately returned the scoring! With two goals down, is there any hope of a comeback for Roberto Mancini's side? ”
"Never this season have Manchester United gone on to lose a game with a two-goal lead! If there are no accidents, this year's FA Cup title is likely to belong to the Red Devils Manchester United! ”
The commentators were screaming with excitement, the United fans were cheering wildly, and the Manchester City fans were clutching their cheeks in pain. For them, such a blow is indeed too difficult to accept, full of confidence before the game, and the game has just started again, but everything has not even started, it has been ended, Manchester United is strong, they are desperate!
On the field, the Manchester City players were all helpless and dazed, just stunned to watch the sworn enemy players run crazy to celebrate.
Mancini shook his head helplessly and sighed, he and his players had done well enough, but against Manchester United...... It's still a chess game!
"Sir! Mr! We're scoring again! 2:0! It's 2:0! Victory is getting closer and closer! ”
Assistant coach Muhrensteen jumped up from his seat excitedly, waving his fists and shouting, looking at Ferguson with a hint of adoration in his eyes.
His top boss is really like a god, saying don't worry, don't worry, the team immediately responded to Manchester City's offensive with a goal!
Ferguson also showed a bright smile on his face, got up and walked to the sidelines, clapped his hands on the field, encouraged him, and walked back to the coach's seat with a calm demeanor. With a two-goal lead, he is extremely sure that the FA Cup trophy is no longer available, and Manchester United is about to usher in his second championship trophy of the season!
……
After conceding the second goal, Manchester City's spirit seemed to be smashed, while Manchester United was even more demoralized, and did not seem to show mercy to their sworn rivals in the city.
Today was destined to be the day when the substitutes shone brightly, as in the 71st minute, Manchester United scored again against Manchester City.
In front of the big penalty area, Fan Bizhuang's inevitable shot was blocked by Given, and Hargreaves, the defender who assisted forward, suddenly appeared at the landing point of the football like a ghost, and stabbed the football into the empty goal effortlessly!
3:0!
Manchester United scored another goal to seal the win!
There was no suspense and almost twenty minutes to go, but Wembley Stadium was already filled with cheers from Manchester United fans, who sang and danced from their seats, chanting "Champions!" "We are champions!" , waiting for the end of the game, waiting for the championship moment to come!
City pulled one back in the final moments through Balotelli with a long-range shot, but it didn't matter what the outcome was.
Ninety minutes later, almost without any stoppage time, the referee blew the whistle for the end of the game.
When the whistle blew, Fan Bizhuang kicked the football into the sky, raised his arms and shouted.
Teammates jumped, ran, or knelt down, all screaming, and the substitutes and staff on the field also waved their arms and rushed onto the pitch with shouts.
All the United fans let out a scream like a storm again.
"Champion!"
"We are champions!"
"The second trophy of the season, it belongs to us!"