I'm 198cm tall. Are you giving me a Maradona template?

Chapter 142 Monaco's Attack [55]

Playing at home first and away later is not a good schedule.

Guardiola knows this too.

So in the tactical meeting before the game.

He told his players: "We have to go for a win at home, and it would be best if it was a big win!"

His words shocked the Manchester City players present.

They all held their heads high.

"That's right, sir. We are going to attack and destroy them with attack!"

Aguero said loudly, clenching his fists.

"You said so, Kevin."

He looked at De Bruyne and said.

De Bruyne smiled and nodded.

Guardiola reminded: "Pay special attention to their Chinese striker. So, our strategy remains the same, control the ball and keep it firmly under our feet!"

"understand!"

"learn!"

"We will do it."

Manchester City players have expressed their opinions.

Guardiola has his own tactical ideas and philosophy.

The football philosophy based on ball possession allows him to make "specialized" modifications in many areas.

For example, in the goalkeeper position, he reused Bravo.

On firefighting ability.

Bravo is probably not as good as Joe Hart.

But Guardiola's reason for reusing Bravo is very simple.

Because Bravo has nimble feet and can pass the ball, he can even be used as a passing central defender!
This is the hallmark of Guardiola's football.

The pursuit of "control" has reached a level that is almost paranoid.

Other teams may adopt methods such as focused defense, cutting and isolation when defending Monaco.

But the approach taken by Manchester City is more like Guardiola's: possession of the ball.

Contrary to many people's stereotypes.

Control the ball.

It's actually a defensive strategy.

Keep the ball under your feet.

The purpose is to defend.

And attack.
In fact, it is the same as the offense of most teams.

Be patient and wait for your opportunity.

Then, launch a sudden, quick pass forward.

The key to scoring a goal actually lies in that one move.

Hesitation in the front will not increase the probability of scoring a goal.

For example, a popular idea in German football is to press, set the pace, seize the transition, and shoot within seven passes!

Do you understand the value of German football godfather Rangnick [tactical retreat].

"Look, guys."

The day before the game, in the hotel's conference room.

Monaco held their final tactical meeting.

Head coach Jardim raised the newspaper in his hand.

"England's newspapers are all emphasizing one thing: Manchester City must win at home to have a chance of advancing to the quarterfinals!"

Jardim slammed the newspaper on the table.

"This will put pressure on the opponents, and they will be under more pressure than us."

"This will give us a chance. This team is not yet fully formed. But their head coach is Guardiola, so they will definitely pursue ball possession and keep passing the ball in the midfield and backcourt. We can't be led by them. We need to have our own strategies and methods. When do we press, when do we retreat, when do we speed up the game, when do we give up space in the frontcourt, all these are decided by us!"

"Our goal for this game is to score an away goal!"

Yalding stressed.

Game day.

The Etihad Stadium was packed.

The familiar UEFA Champions League theme song resounded throughout the stadium.

Players from both teams are entering the court!

“The game is about to begin!!”

Following the excited voice of the commentator He Wei.

The Chinese fans in front of the TV were shocked.

The Champions League knockout match that everyone is looking forward to is about to begin!
The TV broadcasters certainly know that this game is the focus of people's attention.

When players from both sides come on the field.

The sun undoubtedly got the most shots.

This season, he has scored 10 goals in the Champions League.

10 Champions League goals, ranking first in the Champions League scorer list.

And now.

He still has a chance.

Continue to score goals and continue to expand his goal tally in the Champions League.

Of course, what Chinese fans are most looking forward to is Monaco eliminating Manchester City, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League and making history.

"Players from both teams have entered the field! The first leg of the Champions League knockout round of 16, Manchester City vs. Monaco at home is about to begin!!"

In the commentary box.

Kolo, the commentator for England's Sky Sports, exclaimed.

By his side.

They are two well-known English football stars.

One is the Manchester United legend, member of Ferguson's Class of 92, Gary Neville.

The other is Manchester City legend and former Irish goalkeeper, Shai Given.

The former Newcastle United and Manchester City stopper is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history, and despite spending the majority of his career in smaller teams, he still managed to keep 451 clean sheets in 113 appearances.

He was also an important member of Manchester City before it received support from the oil consortium, and he holds a very important position in the hearts of Manchester City fans.

The two are stars of almost the same era.

They also faced each other many times when they were players.

The English media often like to invite some famous players who had conflicts with them during their playing days, or even who were sworn enemies, as commentators.

The clash of different viewpoints.

To attract fans.

"Can Sunshine cause trouble? Maybe. But this is Manchester City's home ground, I think Manchester City will control the ball and use the advantage of ball possession to offset Sunshine's threat."

Given said.

He is a Manchester City legend.

Naturally, I have to speak to Manchester City...

However, Neville shook his head repeatedly when he heard this.

"Do you think Manchester City will have 100 per cent possession?"

Given immediately said: "Of course not, but Manchester City has the overall strength advantage. I admit that Yang is very strong, but with limited opportunities, can he break through the central defense line formed by Kompany and Stones? I doubt it. What Manchester City has to do is to prevent Monaco from having any offensive opportunities as much as possible. This is a matter of probability."

The two were at loggerheads.

Sky Sports' ratings are rising rapidly.

Sunshine is no nobody now.

He is a very well-known star.

Even some English people are his fans.

Outside the Etihad Stadium.

There are many English fans of Sunshine who wear his jersey to support him.

This is the era of the Internet.

The influence of top football stars is no less than that of top clubs. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo has more fans on social media than Real Madrid.

Real Madrid fans definitely supported Ronaldo when he played for Real Madrid.

However, there are also many fans.

They may not support Real Madrid.

But I became a fan of Ronaldo.

in this era.

Fans can also be divided into two categories: "team fans" and "person fans".

Yang Guang has a large number of fans in China, and even abroad, the number of his fans is increasing.

Players from both teams stepped onto the court.

The fans at the Etihad Stadium welcomed their team with huge cheers.

When the anchor announced Monaco's starting lineup, they were greeted with huge and sharp boos.
"Players from both teams have entered the field, and the game is about to begin!"

Inside the CCTV studio.

He Wei picked up the starting lineups of both sides.

"Manchester City should use a 4141 formation in this game."

"Goalkeeper Bravo, center back Kompany and Stones, right back Zabaleta, left back Kolarov, single defensive midfielder Fernandinho, two attacking midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, Sterling and German international Sane on the left and right, and single striker Aguero!"

"And in Monaco, all the main players started as well."

"Goalkeeper Subasic, center back Germerson and Glick, left back Mendy, right back Sidibe, midfielders Fabinho, Bakayoko, Lemar, forwards Mbappe, Sunshine, Bernardo Silva!"

"Now the players from both teams have taken their respective positions, and it looks like Monaco will take the lead."

"Okay, with the referee's whistle, the game begins!!"

Accompanied by the whistle that marked the start of the game.

On the live webcast screen.

The expectations of Chinese fans floated across the barrage.

"Come on! Sunshine!"

"Eliminate Manchester City and advance to the quarterfinals!"

"come on!!"

in front of the TV.

Many Chinese fans couldn't help but clench their fists and whisper.

"Come on!"

Yangguang kicked the ball to B席.

B席 was not in a hurry to pass the ball forward.

Instead, he passed the ball backwards to center back Glick.

Monaco was in no hurry to launch an attack.

Instead, he appeared very cautious.

The ball was passed back to goalkeeper Subasic.

Until Manchester City players came up to grab them.

Monaco will then launch an attack forward.

But the offensive opportunities are not good.

They will continue to pass the ball back.

Or make a sideways pass.

Before the game, it was widely speculated that Monaco would give up possession of the ball and focus on counterattacks when playing away.

But in fact Monaco has no such plan.

When they have the ball, they will not waste it easily.

After two minutes of dealing with Manchester City.

Monaco launched a tentative attack.

The third minute of the game.

After receiving the ball, Yangguang did not pass it directly as he did before, but suddenly turned around and dribbled forward.

The sudden change in rhythm caused a brief moment of confusion in Manchester City's defense.

And just take advantage of this opportunity.

Yang Guang suddenly passed the ball directly to Mbappe on the flank, and then moved forward!
Mbappe saw the sunlight and made a forward run.

Just do a reverse triangle kick.

Make a gun mount for the sun.

Sunshine also ran to the open spot after passing the ball.

Facing Mbappe's return pass.

Sunshine shot directly!
The football flew towards the goal like a cannonball.

Bravo made the save.

But he didn't touch the ball.

boom!
The football hit the crossbar violently.

Pop the bottom line.

The Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium were so scared that their faces turned pale.

There was a collective gasp from the stands.

See this scene.

Guardiola's face also turned pale.

After seeing the ball hit the crossbar and went out of the bottom line.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

He then came to the sidelines and pressed down with both hands.

Monaco's offensive is over.

The ball returned to Manchester City.

After all the anxiety I had before, I can finally feel at ease.

The Manchester City players on the field breathed a sigh of relief.

Possession finally returned to Manchester City.

They can attack.

Instead of being led by the nose by Monaco's players like before.

"What a great shot!"
In the commentary box.

Neville exclaimed.

Even Manchester City star Given was shocked.

Monaco's attack was too skillful.

This is a very mature team.

They kept passing the ball, using changes in rhythm to mobilize Manchester City's defense. Yang Guang suddenly changed the rhythm, passed the ball, pressed forward, and shot, immediately creating a threat.

These are all proven.

Monaco's strength should not be underestimated.

Their offensive tactics are very well-coordinated.

On the other hand, Manchester City.

The team has a new coach and the tactics have not yet been fully polished.

A mature Monaco team against an immature Manchester City team.

"Manchester City are in trouble."

Neville said.

Ji Wen nodded with a serious expression.

"Guardiola needs to find a solution!"

Ji Wen said with some headache.

He put himself in Guardiola's position.