Star Coach

Within 20 minutes of the game, West Ham took the lead and scored a goal, changing the balance of the game.

Ancelotti stood quietly on the sidelines, feeling distressed. During the summer transfer window, he had asked the team to keep Ballack, but the team's top management disagreed.

Chelsea's top management did not want the team to keep too many veterans. In the summer, they had let go of seven players, including Joe Cole, Ballack, and Deco, and had added less than five players. Abramovich's interest in Chelsea seemed to be declining.

"Balak still has a huge role to play. His organizational skills cannot be replaced by any player in the team at present." Ancelotti muttered, "I didn't expect Ballack to turn his head directly to West Ham. Jiangshan's move to buy players is really accurate and ruthless. From now on, West Ham is no longer easy to deal with."

Jiangshan was slightly proud. Buying Ballack was really the right move. Ballack can provide the team with experience and championship temperament, and his organizational skills are also great. Although his physical fitness and movement frequency are gradually slowing down, it is no problem to stick to a high-intensity half-time game.

At this moment, Ballack also scored a goal.

If this game is won, Ballack has earned back the ticket price for West Ham. Defeating the defending champion is enough for West Ham to stay on the standings for a while.

Ballack finished celebrating and the game continued.

Chelsea's hard-line style of play made West Ham a little uncomfortable. They were a little unprepared to face the aggressive opponent, and both sides had the opportunity to score.

Jiangshan waved his hand, and the players retreated slightly, strengthened the midfield control, and used the fast flow of the ball to entangle Chelsea. Modric was originally behind the striker, but now he retreated and became one of the midfielders.

However, the team's control in the midfield and backcourt was greatly strengthened. Bale, who stayed in front, frequently went to the forward line and threatened the opponent with his speed.

Lewandowski also retreated, easily became a bridgehead, made the ball and controlled the rhythm, and had the style of a general.

Chelsea's style is very tough. If this group of people were still in their prime, it would be absolutely difficult to deal with. In the 2009 Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona beat Chelsea with the help of the referee. But after a few years, these players are getting old, some are leaving, and their toughness is gradually decreasing.

Ancelotti quickly changed his tactics, and Lampard also stepped up, lurking behind Drogba to strengthen long-range shots.

Both sides entered a tense tug-of-war, and both could find opportunities, but it was difficult for them to score. Essien and Mikel formed a strong defensive midfielder to strangle the combination of Modric and Kroos. Parker's skills were still a bit rough and he could not get enough opportunities to perform.

Facing the two iron bulls, West Ham found it difficult to tear the opponent's defense.

Jiangshan's tactical arrangement today was obviously to use Bale's speed and unexpectedly hit the middle road, which was successful. Now Chelsea has reacted, Bale's performance has been curbed, and after the middle defense has been upgraded, it will be difficult to work immediately.

"Damn, Jiangshan stole one. I actually lost a bit in today's tactical arrangement." Ancelotti saw the team stabilize, and his depressed mood finally eased a little.

Even if he had a hundred hearts, he would never have thought that Jiangshan would focus on the middle, which caused him to arrange heavy troops on the wing defense, and now he suffered a loss.

Ancelotti was smart. Seeing that he couldn't penetrate the middle, he changed his strategy and strengthened the wing attack. Malouda and Anelka frequently attacked West Ham's two flanks.

Baines faced speed players. As long as he made a wrong choice of position, he would not be able to catch up. He was very careful and passed the opponent's half less often. But he still couldn't withstand Malouda's impact. There was no one in front to stop him, and he was under too much pressure.

Malouda broke into the edge of the penalty area, cut inside, faced Kroos, and used his body to force it. What a crazy guy.

Chelsea's frontcourt cooperation was simple, clean and neat, with bold moves. West Ham's players couldn't compete with them physically, and there were not many ways.

Drogba gritted his teeth, "I want to prove myself in front of Jiangshan, I can't let the teacher look down on me."

Take a step back, stop the ball with your chest, the ball falls to the ground, before you kick it, Cahill knocks you to the ground, giving the opponent a set piece.

Jiangshan is speechless, this Cahill, his style is still the simple violence of Bolton? Jiangshan has been knocking on the defense line a lot. During this period, the defense line has made great progress, but compared with mature teams, it is still not enough.

In training, he has a new arrangement for all players' on-field tasks. The training ground is divided into many areas. Everyone has to deal with the situation in the area. Even the technical movements of each player have clear requirements.

It's just too difficult. It takes them a long time to adapt. Hummels was better after contacting it before. His confidence grew quickly. Now he is already a competitor for the main position.

The two England internationals, whose football IQ is not high enough, can't adapt so quickly. Upton is the slowest to accept it. He is not fast enough and often uses his body to force forwards. If he meets flexible players, he will definitely die. Cahill has made progress, but he still has a short circuit in his brain occasionally.

Look, facing Drogba, his brain went crazy and he knocked him down in this position.

The first half of the game is almost over, and the opponent is still given such a good opportunity. Cahill, what can I say? Jiangshan complained in his heart. There was Hummels' interception behind him. Cahill's action was a little too fierce.

Standing in the human wall, Drogba appeared in front of the ball, and he had to take the penalty kick he created himself.

Malouda and Anelka on the forward line were lurking in the human wall, with many contact points, and Chelsea's two central defenders had the ability to head the ball, so West Ham's defense was under great pressure.

In the West Ham team, the two central defenders are of good height, but the midfielders are of average height. In the Premier League, where there are many tall players, it is very stressful to defend set pieces.

As expected, Drogba seized the opportunity and the ball passed over Parker's head, making a whirring sound.

"Bang..."

Green judged the direction correctly and flew sideways. Unfortunately, his fingers were much shorter and he could not touch the ball. The ball hit the post and hit the post into the net.

Before the end of the first half, Chelsea equalized the score, 1:1, and the two sides returned to the same starting line.

Drogba roared and hit his chest. He began to suffer from hernia at the end of last season, his state declined, and his position in the team was questioned. Now that he has recovered a little, he naturally has to show crazy enthusiasm.

Jiangshan was a little helpless. This monster was cultivated by him with great efforts back then, and Essien in the midfield, who moved around and returned to where they should be.

Ancelotti was very satisfied with the team's performance during this period. After the momentum came up, it would be easy to beat West Ham.

Jiang Shan did not ask for an attack. He just needed to spend the last few minutes calmly. He would make adjustments during the halftime break.

"Control the rhythm." Jiang Shan shouted to Ballack. Ballack was already a little tired. The intensity of the game was too great. In his current state, he was still a little overwhelmed.