Chapter 48: Red flowers and green leaves, green leaves and red flowers! (1)

Barcelona, ​​which appeared at Camp Nou, was beyond recognition compared to last season. Even the team's tactical formation was different. Simon Grayson couldn't help but sigh that the power of time is really unparalleled.

Originally, Barcelona played 4-1-2-3, which was very similar to their traditional 433 formation last season. There were Messi, Sanchez, Villa, and Boyan on the forward line, and there were also stars such as Fabregas, Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, etc.

But immediately in today's game, Barcelona is about to start playing 4-1-3-2. The back line is still the four-back led by Puyol. Mascherano, who is already 30 years old in the midfield, still has to intercept the opponent's attack. In addition to Iniesta and Busquets appeared in the lineup last season, there is also a Diago, and there is only Messi and Sanchez on the forward line.

The reason why Barcelona's lineup has changed so much is actually Simon Grayson knows the reason. As Xavi gets older, Barcelona's midfield control has dropped significantly. It is said that "those who win the midfielder win the world". Without the control of the midfield, even teams like Barcelona have to increase their defensive power in the midfield. In the past, they controlled the ball and waited for an opportunity to find the opponent's defensive flaws to attack.

Moreover, Barcelona is a bit stretched on the forward line. Messi's condition began to decline. After Neymar was injured, only Sanchez could partner with him. Others such as the elderly Villa and Boyan, who were in a state ups and downs, were unable to play with Messi.

Looking at his team's lineup, Simon Grayson was almost smirking, Shaq, Ganso, Rooney, Di Maria, Nani, Franny, Jose Angel, Papadopoulos, Subotic, Van der Welter, and De Gea. They are all stars in their years of playing, and the oldest "Little Fatty" is only 29 years old. Now the "Red Devils" are really at a time when they should achieve results.

Whenever he thinks of his team's current lineup, Simon Grayson is very grateful to the retired "Sir" Ferguson and David Moyes. These two have saved a lot of money for Manchester United, such as Rooney, Ganso, Nani, Franny, Subotic, Di Maria and other main players. In addition, there are also powerful substitutes such as Smalling, Valencia, Cleville, and Evans.

Without these people, Simon Grayson believes that even if he spent a lot of money to replenish the lineup this season, Manchester United's combat effectiveness would never have improved so quickly. If he wants to make an excellent product with a sum of money in a factory that has nothing to do, and if he has accumulated some good materials and then paid for the product, the difficulty is not a small difference.

Of course, what can best bring Simon Grayson's confidence is that Shaq has recovered almost recently, a violent midfielder who scored 15 goals in six games in the group stage. I believe no one dares to ignore his existence.

Moreover, Rooney has been in a very hot state recently, and has scored goals in three consecutive games. In addition, "Little Fat" has also scored 8 goals in the Champions League group stage this season, ranking second in the scorer list, so it can naturally provide protection for Manchester United's offense.

Coupled with the grudges and hatred between Manchester United and Barcelona, ​​Manchester United was defeated 3-1 by Barcelona at Wembley Stadium in 2010-2011 and snatched the Champions League trophy. Therefore, when playing against Barcelona, ​​there was no need for Simon Grayson to mobilize before the battle, everyone was full of morale.

But even Simon Grayson is full of confidence. He didn't expect that Manchester United would play like this in this away game against Barcelona...

The game started at 19:45 on February 12th local time. Barcelona, ​​who played at home, took the lead in kicking off. The ball was transferred back to their defense line by them, and then hit Messi who was pulling to the right. The whole process was completed from the ground, smooth and rhythmic.

When Messi dribbled the ball inward on the right, he attracted the attention of as many as three players including Manchester United, including Di Maria, Jose Angel, Franny, etc., and the three men doubled in a triangle. Faced with the once undisputed "world's number one star", Manchester United players did not dare to be careless at all.

Under the double-team of the opponent's three opponents, Messi still passed the ball, and he passed the ball to the dangerous position on the right side of the top of the penalty area, but his pass and Diego who followed in the middle could not form a tacit understanding. His junior brother Lamacia was slowing down when following up, but was stuck in the position by Manchester United's Greek central defender Papadopolos, and passed the ball back to De Gea.

Although Barcelona's offense failed to achieve results, Barcelona, ​​who played at home, seemed to be performing normally. Without Xavi's organization and dispatch in the midfield, the "Little Flea" can no longer score his own goals at will. He has to take on more tasks of providing assistance to the team's offense. If Neymar is on the court, the two of them can share the burden together, but now... they can only be done by Messi alone.

When it was Manchester United's turn to attack, Manchester United first dribbled the ball from the left side and then teleported it to Rooney in the middle of the front.

Although "Little Fat" has no advantage over his opponent's height, his strong body allows him to perform the role of a tactical center well. In addition, after Shaq and him have reached 100% intimacy, he will be added to full value in almost every game, so Rooney's condition is also extremely hot this season.

"Dong!"

Rooney carried Barcelona's Brazilian central defender Henrik and pushed the ball back. Shaq, who ran up, was in a tangle with Iniesta, directly used his body to squeeze the "Xiaobai" who was at a disadvantage, and then easily controlled the ball. At this time, he could completely choose to pass the ball to Ganso on the left or Nani on the right.

But at this moment...

"Ding--"

The referee's whistle sounded, and the referee Cyril from Switzerland actually awarded Barcelona a free kick. Just when Shaq felt innocent, the referee pointed to Rooney in front and signaled that the elbow was moving when the "little fat" was fighting for the top.

Damn it!

Rooney immediately widened his little eyes. He didn't do anything at all. The referee... Damn it's too dark!

If it were the past, "Little Pang" might have gotten angry at this time, but now he is wearing the captain's armband, and his temper is suppressed by the sense of responsibility, but the anger he was holding in his heart has not dissipated.

After Barcelona took a free kick in the backcourt, the ball was led by their players, worn, led and passed again. It advanced all the way to the left of the frontcourt. When Italian left-back Criscito made a cross, the ball was pushed out by Papadopolos.

Playing with a team like Barcelona, ​​Papadopolos, who has a more flexible figure, can play more roles than his partner Subotic. Barcelona's two consecutive attacks were blocked by him.

When Manchester United entered the offense again, this time it started a charge from the middle. Flani gave Shaq a straight pass. At this time, Shaq faced Mascherano's defense and had a very fast "oxtail" with his left foot. He dribbled the ball and rushed over from the right.

When Shaq drew the ball to the frontcourt to face the Barcelona back line, Shaq did not get too entangled with his opponent. With a pass from his right foot, the ball flew directly into the penalty area on the right side of Barcelona.

After Rooney, who followed up in time, faced the defense of Italian defender Cricito, made a fake shot with his right foot, and then quickly pulled the side to the front of the right, and a difficult time flashing out a gap. But the gap left by Cricito and goalkeeper Valdes for "Little Fatty" is too small, and the defensive ability of the Italian defender is really amazing, even the full-back.

"Bang!"

Rooney still made some kicks. He aimed at Barcelona's left goal. As a result, the ball passed through the diagonal line in the small penalty area. The more he turned, the further he was away from the goal, and eventually missed the left post.

Rooney, who failed to cause a threat, roared to the sky so much that he turned around and ran back. Shaq grinned and patted his back: "Wayne, what are you anxious about? The game has just begun, and there are opportunities to avenge you!"

After Rooney nodded slightly, he turned around and stopped before the Barcelona defender, while Shaq continued to retreat a little.

"Bang!"

Valdes scored a big foot and drove the ball to the frontcourt, and then everyone saw that the "little flea" Messi... was bullied by Franny!

"Dong!"

Flani forced Messi to the point of the ball landing and pushed the ball far ahead...

Rooney, who was still retreating with the Barcelona back line, responded immediately. He turned around and ran to the ball landing point. Under the action of Shaq's teammate's bonus skill, his judgment on the air ball landing point is now abnormal.

Just in front of Barcelona captain Puyol who was chasing back, Rooney hooked his left foot with a "splash" on his left foot, and brought the ball to him, and then dribbled the ball twice in a long distance, forcing him to throw away Puyol and Henrik with speed and break into Barcelona's penalty area...

Valdes didn't expect that the ball was kicked out by himself and was brought back by Rooney so quickly, and he abandoned the goal and ran into the penalty area.

With Shaq's help, Rooney's condition this season is really good. It's not just the role of teammates' bonus skills. He also plays more confidently and becomes more and more confident. Faced with such a good opportunity, his mood was not fluctuating and was very calm. He dribbled the ball into the Barcelona penalty area. After seeing Valdes' position, Rooney suddenly stopped urgently, and at the same time, his right foot rubbed at the bottom of the ball...

"Swoosh!"

The ball jumped up all of a sudden!

But it was not flying above Valdes' head, but more than a meter away to his right!

Valdes quickly jumped to the left, but his right hand raised could not even touch the edge of the ball...
Chapter completed!