With the players of Porto and Manchester United following behind the referee team and officially stepping on the turf of the Schalke Stadium, the 03-04 Champions League final is also entering the final countdown. Looking at the bright and vast stadium exposed in front of him, and listening to the tsunami-like cheers in his ears, Lao Lei couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "Yes! This is the big scene for me. ”

After a series of pre-match ceremonies, the players of both teams stood in their respective halves and waited for their respective captains to make a final coin guess. Taking advantage of this time, the players on the field were beating a little uneasily, soothing their nervous feelings. Lao Lei, on the other hand, was observing the Manchester United players opposite, and at the same time thinking about the tactics that Mourinho had laid out before the game, as well as some people who needed special attention.

Ferguson made a 4-3-3 starting lineup in the Champions League final this time. From right to left in the back line, it was Gary Neville, the elder brother of the Neville brothers in the Class of 92, with Sylvester and Brown partnering at centre-back, with Fortune starting at left wing-back. In fact, this back line is not the best choice for Manchester United. The reason is that Rio Ferdinand, who is the world's highest defender in the world with 30 million pounds in Manchester United's team, was banned for 8 months in October 03 for missing a drug test. In addition to this Champions League final, he will also miss the European Championship in Portugal, which will start shortly after.

In midfield, Bout and Keane will be the backbone of United's midfield defence. Keane's return from the ban in this game is undoubtedly excellent news for Manchester United. Keane's form in recent years, albeit slightly, has declined. But his role at Manchester United remains irreplaceable. One of United's most successful captains in history, as long as he is on the pitch. Manchester United is not short of fighting power and fighting spirit. Keane's brutal style of play has often caused him and Manchester United a lot of problems. But he's the only spiritual leader on the pitch and it's only with him that United players can play normally, at least for now.

The other member of the midfield trio is Paul Scholes, an attacking striker nicknamed "Ginger Head", who is also a member of Manchester United's Class of 92. With his skill, nimble movement, precise passing ability and world-class attacking ability from behind, there is no doubt that he will be a key figure in Porto's defence today. In today's game, he will be taken care of by Lao Lei and Kostiani.

And on the forward line. On the left and right are French striker Saha and another member of Manchester United's Class of 92, Wales' left-sided king Ryan Giggs. Such a combination was undoubtedly a disappointment for Portuguese journalists, and it was clear that between Ronaldo and Saha, he chose the more stable Frenchman. Perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo, who is only 19 years old, is not ready to start on such an important occasion as the Champions League final in Ferguson's opinion. This makes the scene that the Portuguese media want to see Lao Lei and Ronaldo competing on the same field will undoubtedly have to wait for a while to see.

Finally, in the selection of Manchester United's center forward, there is no doubt that the Dutch goalscorer known as the "king of the small penalty area" and the Dutch goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy. As a late bloomer, Ruud van Nistelrooy has some efficiency values that make all defenders in the world fearful. Since joining United in '01, he has scored more than 20 league goals every season. With such a stable and efficient table. He also completely crushed Kluivert, who became famous before himself. Height, strength, awareness. technique, he has all the ingredients to become a good shooter. Although he can't compare to the alien Ronaldo in terms of fame, he will be the player who is more liked by the team's manager. And the way he plays. It also allowed him to avoid an alien-like career full of injuries and pain.

Such a squad is undoubtedly full of fighting power, but there is an unavoidable weakness in United's squad. That was their starting American goalkeeper Howard. This is a goalkeeper with the temperament of a nerve knife, when he is in good form. There are often god-level saves, and there is a high success rate of rescue. However, as a goalkeeper, being called a nerve knife is a huge weakness in itself. Howard has an Achilles heel that is an Achilles heel for him as a goalkeeper, and that is his butter hand. For the goalkeeper, getting out of the way at a critical moment will be a fatal shortcoming, and no matter how good the other primes are, it will not be enough to cover up this shortcoming.

Mourinho and Porto are clearly not going to let this go, and the elder Lei remembers that in the dressing room, Mourinho often stressed that this game should consciously increase the number of long-range shots from outside the box. The arrangement of this point is to go to Howard. Looking at the bald Howard, a sinister smile appeared on the corner of Lao Lei's mouth. Howard didn't shiver or sweat, he didn't know that he had been targeted by Porto.

At this time, the pre-match ceremony was finally over, and Porto won the first kick-off. After taking a family photo of the starters, the players on both sides returned to their positions one after another, ready for the game to begin. McCarthy and Maniche stood in the centre circle ready to kick off, waiting for the referee's whistle. At this time, Lao Lei's ears were filled with his own heartbeat, "Knock, knock..."

"Toot!" With a long whistle, the Champions League final of the 03-04 season officially began. After receiving the football from Maniche, Lao Lei faced Ruud van Nistelrooy who came forward to force up, and he directly gave the football to Costa. He could see that his team-mates had not yet shaken off their nervousness, and if they stepped forward at this time, they were likely to be seized by Manchester United, so it was better to stabilize first.

And Manchester United didn't seem to take into account that this was the Champions League final, so it was necessary to be cautious. Seeing such a situation, Lao Lei felt a sigh in his heart, Manchester United is about to grab the start. Although Mourinho had asked for this situation, Lao Lei thought that his teammates couldn't let go, and he had some ominous premonitions in his heart.

And this hunch came true, just two minutes after the start of the game. In the face of the frantic forward pressure of Manchester United's players, Porto's back line was clearly a little ill-prepared, not physical. It's psychological. Carvalho looked a little stiff in the face of the ball passed by Baia. As soon as the football stopped, a big mistake was made, and the ball was stopped directly. At this time, Vanney suddenly stabbed diagonally. The first to grab this football. Then he faced Baia directly in the box and immediately had a shot on goal. Fortunately, it was captain Costa who reacted in time, and his downed block touched the ball, which slowed down the speed of the ball and allowed Baia to easily hold the ball and hold it firmly under him.

Vanney's shot shocked the Porto fans into a cold sweat, and the exclamations of the rest of the life in the stands came and went. Manchester United fans were also holding their heads in regret, but they quickly came to their senses. He expressed his praise for the players with applause. Mourinho, who was on the sidelines, also glanced at Ferguson on the side, a trace of jealousy flashed in his eyes, and he cursed in his heart: "Old fox!" ”

On the pitch, Carvalho also raised his hand to express his apologies to his teammates. But no one blamed him, and they could understand his situation. After Carvalho's mistake, the rest of Porto's players found themselves regaining their flexibility and the tension began to slowly ease. However, after Baia drove the football out, Lao Lei stayed at the front of the big penalty area, not daring to go too far ahead. I want to wait for the situation to stabilize dìng down. Let's take a look at the next step.

With Lao Lei nearby, Porto's inverted ball at the back was re-unfolded. And Manchester United's players saw that they couldn't do anything, and they also resolutely retreated. Seeing such a situation, a trace of jealousy flashed in my heart at the same time. Lao Lei also slowly moved his position forward. Although Manchester United's prestige has long been familiar, only after experiencing it first-hand can you truly experience the power of the other party. The absolute tactical discipline that United showed just now. Uniform action, in the eyes of Lao Lei, this is the most terrifying thing about Manchester United. Look at Manchester United's solid defensive formation. Lao Lei did not act rashly, after all, on an important occasion in the Champions League final. The most important thing is not to make mistakes and not to give your opponent a chance.

Lao Lei organized the inverted foot, and at the same time carefully watched any possible gaps and opportunities for Manchester United. It wasn't until the 8th minute of the first half that Lao Lei launched Porto's first attack. After receiving a pass from Kostiani with his back in the front court, Lao Ray did not touch the football, and directly turned on the spot and passed Scholes, who was stuck behind him. Lao Lei's dashing forward escape this time was a signal for the rest of Porto's players, and at the same time began to run according to Porto's tactics.

When he took the ball to the center circle, Manchester United captain Keane met Lao Lei. Although Keane's figure is not strong, his appearance is similar to his style of play, and he has a fierce face. Looking at Kean's cold eyes, Lao Lei was not stunned, but a little excited. Keane's notoriety, Lao Lei has long been like thunder. In the pre-match tactical explanation class, the name Keane, Lao Lei didn't know how many times he had heard it from Mourinho's mouth.

But this time, Old Ray didn't have the heart to fight Keane. After Deco, who came over to cooperate, hit the wall and cooperated, Lao Lei accelerated and dodged Keane's entanglement and continued to move forward with the ball. However, Keane didn't let go of Old Ray's thoughts, and he quickly forced him up from the sidelines. Keane is very experienced, and he didn't rush to get off his feet, but kept interfering with Lao Lei's dribbling forward with small movements. After advancing 10 meters, Lao Lei suddenly knocked the ball with a heel and knocked the football behind him.

Keane was also a little caught off guard this time, although he also saw Lao Lei's passing without looking at people on the video, but when he really touched it, he was also caught off guard. After Deco, who was inserted forward, received Lao Lei's football, he went directly, and after reaching the front of the big penalty area, he flicked horizontally, and directly hit the goal with a strong kick.

However, the threat was not great, the angle was too positive, and Howard pressed the football under him without pressure. Seeing that Howard did not make a mistake, Manchester United fans were also relieved. To be honest, when they saw Lao Lei's series of getting rid and passing, they really broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing that the ball was not scored, Lao Lei did not regret it. In such a game, it is impossible to score goals very easily, let alone face the Red Devils Manchester United led by Alex Ferguson.

What he didn't notice, though, was Keane's gaze looking at his back.

It's dangerous, just like his gaze.

It's a wolf's gaze! (To be continued......)