Chapter 33: The Brains of the Team

“Guys, we’re afraid we’ll need to step up in the second half”

When Ferguson said this, no one reacted.

Although United led 1-0, the aggregate score over the two legs was 2-2.

Ajax have two away goals, while United now have only one.

So if Manchester United want to knock out Ajax to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, they must score at least one goal.

It was not surprising that the second half of the game intensified the attack.

What stunned the Manchester United players was Alex Ferguson’s next words.

“Lee, the second half of the game….. You don’t need to be fixed in a defensive position anymore. You can run the position as you want. ”

Ferguson’s voice fell.

The Manchester United players in the dressing room stared at each other, their mouths wide open and incredulous, as if they were statues.

They looked at Ferguson and then at Li Ao.

Alex. Sir Alex Ferguson.

Did he say this just now?

To know.

Ferguson’s main emphasis is on tactical discipline.

Back then, Beckham and others were a little lax and served directly with hair dryers.

Li Ao paused.

Ferguson stared at him and continued: “I only have one request, I want to see your contribution to the attack on top of maintaining the defensive contribution of the first half!” ”

Ferguson is gambling.

Bet on winning or losing a Europa League.

It’s just a Europa League.

He can afford to gamble.

Ferguson wants to see.

It is Li Ao’s real strength!!

And the way to stimulate Li Ao’s strength.

It’s about giving him more responsibilities on the field!

It’s like it is now.

“You can run as you want on the pitch and pass the ball.”

Then.

He turned to look at the other players.

“You guys in the second half…. Run with him at the core! When he beckoned for the ball…. Boldly pass on to him! ”

Ferguson’s words made the players present can’t help but look at each other.

Core treatment.

The first debut at the age of seventeen directly gave the core treatment.

That’s an exaggeration, isn’t it?

But Alex Ferguson has always said the same thing in the Manchester United dressing room.

Not to mention the current group of Manchester United players who are usually substitutes.

Even big guys like Scholes and Giggs.

Nor did he dare to question Ferguson’s decision.

Since Ferguson wants them to kick like that.

Then they can only kick like this.

Although everyone muttered in their hearts.

The eyes that looked at Li Ao also carried a little doubt.

This kid .

.

Where did you get the manager’s favor?

……..

The fifteen minutes of the break passed quickly.

Li Ao returned to the court with his teammates.

The Cruyff Stadium is still full of people.

Cheers, boos.

Various sounds are intertwined.

Arranged into the most passionate symphony.

Li Ao was excited in his heart.

He knows.

Ferguson must have seen something.

It is worthy of being the top coach who has cultivated two generations of Red Devils.

He can see his defensive dexterity and his potential in attack.

This is for Li Ao.

But it’s an absolute opportunity.

He wants to use this game to completely conquer Ferguson.

Tell him.

He definitely has the strength to play in the first team!!

Victory over Ajax.

As the core of the midfield, he led Manchester United to the last sixteen of the Europa League.

It’s Li Ao’s stepping stone!!

……

Second half of the game.

Ajax continue their all-attacking and all-defensive football tactics.

They maintain a tight distance between the three lines.

Use team pressing to oppress Manchester United’s players.

This collective oppression gets older and more accepted by coaches, and many teams are starting to move in this direction.

Manchester United also began to press more on the attack after the start of the second half.

In the process.

Li Ao’s role has changed.

He kept running in midfield.

Catch.

Pass.

Facing Ajax’s collective pressing.

Li Ao is like a cattle in Li Ding, always finding an empty place to catch the ball.

Martinyol stood on the sidelines with a frown.

A few minutes later, he suddenly turned to the assistant next to him and said.

“Do you see that?”

“What?”

The assistant frowned slightly.

“Their No. 39, the guy named Li Ao, he touched the ball a lot in the second half… Moreover, he almost never wore and lost the ball! ”

“What does that mean?”

“This shows… This kid isn’t just great on the defensive end! ”

Martinyol frowned.

In the second half, United came up with possession at once.

And that’s the key.

It’s that little guy named Li Ao!

…..

Ferguson was very satisfied with Li Ao’s performance in these few minutes.

He can find gaps, catch, pass.

Although Li Ao’s handling is very unpretentious.

He basically doesn’t dribble the ball himself, he doesn’t let the ball stay at his feet.

Every time, the ball is passed very quickly.

However.

This kind of quick ball seems simple, but it is actually very easy to make mistakes.

But Li Ao has not made a mistake in the second half of the game so far.

What does this indicate?

This shows that he is fully prepared before every run, catch, and pass.

He had already figured out how he was going to catch the ball and in which direction he was going to pass it before he received it.

After a few minutes of familiarization.

Li Ao’s passing even began to guide his teammates’ movements.

He sometimes gives some advance for his teammates to run up.

And he doesn’t stop where he is after passing the ball, but runs to the next gap.

This makes it difficult for Ajax’s players to defend him as well.

Ten minutes into the second half.

Ajax failed after a period of frontcourt pressing.

They simply retreated.

Build up defense in the home half.

Aren’t you a steady pass?

You pass it

Spread to the wasteland old.

If you don’t attack, you will still be eliminated!!

Ferguson stood on the sidelines and never took his eyes off Li Ao.

He didn’t have any instructions.

He just wanted to see it.

Face the current situation.

Li Ao.

What choice will he make?

“Do you need a replacement?”

McPhalan asked.

The team needs to score.

Offensive is needed.

Ferguson shook his head and said, “I want to see how far this brain on the court can go!” ”

The brain of the pitch….

McPhalan looked at Li Ao, who was wearing the number 39 shirt.

His face also became solemn.

To say that Ferguson had such patience and attention to a player last time.

That was seven or eight years ago….

The boy who brought England from Portugal.

Cristiano. Ronaldo.

Ferguson seemed to know what McPhalan was thinking.

‘It’s a test for him, and if he can finish this exam perfectly, he’ll be the next player at Chris’ level.’

Ferguson said.

“Even he can become more than Crisdiano. Ronaldo is a more important player. ”

“If Chris is the team’s tough fist. So…. Li Ao, has the potential to become the brain of a team! ”

Fist.

It’s not as important as the brain anyway.

………….

The second is to ask for flowers

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