Volume 1: Playing football with me will break your legs Chapter 62 We Want to Pick on the Weakest Person
On December 13, Li Polo arrived in North Yorkshire with the team.
He was deeply impressed by this city.
The last time I came here was one month and three days ago.
In that 6-0 victory, Li Polo, who switched to play as a forward in the second half, completed a hat trick for the first time in his career!
However, in that game, York City, which was deeply mired in the relegation quagmire, did not send out its main lineup, but instead used a group of youth training players to accept the beatings of society.
This time it was the official competition of the league, so they certainly didn't dare to neglect it. The strongest eleven players came out in full force, ready to avenge their younger junior brothers!
Compared to those young boys, York City's main players are indeed much stronger. At least... under Wimbledon's attack, they still have the ability to fight back and scored a goal in the second half!
But the overall strength of the two sides was too different, and York City, ranked 21st, finally suffered the bitter fruit of defeat!
1:3!
Rotational center back Goodman scored in the penalty area from a corner kick in the 24th minute. After the opponent equalized the score, "Beckham" used a long shot to help the team take the lead again. Just 2 minutes later, Dubis received a wonderful long pass from Boorman, successfully countered the offside and shot alone to secure the victory!
Li Polo, who had sat on the bench for 90 minutes, leisurely applauded and congratulated his teammates, then wrapped his down jacket tightly and left the stadium that was destined to become a memory of his.
After all, this is where the first hat trick happened!
[However, this should also be the last time I step into this stadium! ]
…
December 16, fifth round of the League Cup.
The fifth round, which is the quarterfinals.
When a cup competition reaches this point, even the giants that looked down on it before will most likely force themselves to cheer up and take it seriously.
Southampton is no exception. After all, they are not a super club like Manchester City or Chelsea that has too many championship trophies to put away. It has been a long time since the Saints have added a decent trophy to their Hall of Fame...
Although the League Cup championship is not as good as the League championship and the FA Cup championship, it is at least more valuable than the Community Shield, Audi Cup, Bernabeu Cup, Deutsche Telekom Cup and the like, right?
What's more... Southampton has suffered four consecutive defeats in the Premier League, which has not been seen in many years. The team's morale and morale have fallen to the bottom. At this moment, they need to find confidence again in the "soft persimmon"!
What opponent could be more suitable than a fourth-tier team?
"They beat Manchester United 4-0 in the second round? Of course I know that."
At the pre-match press conference held the day before, Southampton coach and Dutch football star Ronald Koeman said confidently:
"Manchester United lost because they underestimated their opponents. They obviously did not take this event seriously enough, but we are different. My coaching team has watched the video of the 0:4 match twice. I understand their tactical style and the technical characteristics of each player, so we will never make the same mistake as Manchester United."
In front of the camera, he appeared very confident and graceful, and even praised tomorrow's opponent:
"Wimbledon is a club with a long history. They represent the love of football for fans in the grassroots communities. There are many such respectable small teams in the Netherlands. Our two clubs have had friendly communications. The ticket revenue and TV broadcast fees from tomorrow's game will all be used to support the development of Wimbledon, but..."
He changed the subject:
"On the pitch, we only speak with our feet. After all, English League Two and the Premier League are two different worlds. We will prove this with actual performance in tomorrow's game."
…
Despite the powerful words spoken at the press conference, once both sides announced their starting 11, everyone realized that Southampton still had some reservations.
Top scorer Pelle, midfield core Davis, Tadic, iron waist Wanyama, defensive backbone Alderweireld and other absolute main players did not make the starting roster. Among these people, only Alderweireld was on standby on the bench.
Everyone can understand Koeman's thoughts:
Now is the devilish schedule before Christmas. The Saints, who do not have a strong lineup, are exhausted. Let the main players recover their strength and save the Premier League's decline at the weekend... It is indeed much more important than advancing to the semi-finals of the League Cup!
It was just the League Cup. Even if they could win the championship, they would only get a bonus of around 1 million pounds, which was not enough to pay the first-team players for three days...
As long as they can ensure they can stay in the Premier League next season, the guaranteed income will be more than 100 million!
What's more, the Saints are in a very strong momentum this season. Coupled with the collective performance of traditional strong teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham, they once firmly occupied the top two positions in the standings before the four consecutive defeats. As long as they can keep a Champions League qualification, they can almost earn 200 million next season!
Isn’t it obvious who is lighter and who is heavier?
…
Striker: Akinfenwa
Midfield: Rigg, Porter, Reeves
Defensive midfielder: Boorman, Francon
Guards: Smith, Phillips, Lee Polo, Fuller
Goalkeeper: Shea
4231, Adrey has put on paper the strongest 11 players he can arrange.
Compared to Koeman, he has no worries!
For every League Cup win, Wimbledon can get at least 200,000 in broadcasting revenue, which is enough to cover the club's expenses for two months!
"drop!"
After the start of the game, Southampton unexpectedly took the initiative and quickly controlled the situation and rhythm.
Although several core players did not play, and even one of the midfielders was still a full-back at that time, it did not affect their possession of the ball for 72% at one point. Wimbledon could only rely on a tight overall defense and tough defensive actions to curb the opponent's advancement.
The tactics of weak teams are all like this:
They need to consume the opponent's physical strength and fighting spirit, and then look for opportunities to win with one strike in repeated tugs of war!
The first to attack was Mane. The Senegalese winger who transferred to the Saints for 13 million pounds this summer was the most expensive player among the 22 players on the field, but he played for the Saints for half a season and only scored 3 goals, which failed to fully prove his worth. In this game, he obviously took on the responsibility of the main attacker. After the opening, he frequently dribbled the ball to the left, which made Smith flustered for a while.
"Sean! Sean!"
Adre noticed the weakness on the left wing immediately and rushed to the sidelines, shouting loudly to left midfielder Rigg, signaling him to retreat appropriately to help Smith limit Mane.
Rig, however, felt miserable but couldn't express it.
I am not a player who excels in speed. A top track and field athlete like Mane can get rid of me with just one acceleration. If I want to restrict my opponent, I can only commit a foul !
As it turned out, he was still too naive.
In the 11th minute of the game, Southampton midfielder Ward Prowse made a diagonal pass and Mane got the ball again.
Rigg immediately followed up, using his hands and feet to slow down his opponent's speed, even aiming at Mane's ankle, and was mentally prepared to get a card...
But when his left foot had just stepped halfway, Mane turned into a black whirlwind and passed by him!
[Too, too fast! ]
Left back Smith couldn't help but want to curse!
[Riger, you are a scumbag! Not only can you not block the position, you can't even commit a foul? 】
[In your position, what are you afraid of even if you get a yellow card? 】
Smith gritted his teeth and rushed forward, trying to stop the opponent with his body, but Mane passed the ball past him so easily!
Exactly the same as getting past Rigg!
Adley's heart suddenly hung in the air!
He watched the Senegalese winger break into the penalty area without any interference!
Left center back Phillips had to give up his defensive area and move quickly towards Mane.
His teammate Smith has lost his position and he can only fill it up by himself!
But Mane had no intention of continuing to break through. He directly sent a low cross pass, catching Phillips off guard, and his target was directly at Shane Long at the front of the penalty area!
Shane Long couldn't help but give a thumbs up to this teammate!
Mane destroyed the opponent's entire wing defense by himself and even took away the central defender who was guarding him, but in the end he still selflessly chose to pass the ball. With such a good teammate, what else can I complain about?
But before he could finish being moved, he saw a blue figure coming from the side and back out of the corner of his eye!
"1?!"
Not a goalkeeper!
Goalkeeper Xie A was clearly still blocking the near post.
Before Shane Long could react, Lee Polo had already used a sliding tackle to kick Mane's quick pass out of the sideline!
[I don’t even want to give a corner kick! ]
[Negative emotions from Sean Long, +4! ]
[Negative emotions from Sha Diao Mane, +8! ]
