The Godfather of Football

"Friends of the audience, friends of the audience, welcome to the Cardiff Millennium Stadium!!"

"What we are broadcasting for you now is the 2004/2005 Premier League Cup final. The two teams are Chelsea from London and Liverpool from the north. Both teams are well-known in the Premier League and European competitions this season. Send teams, and the showdown between them attracts countless fans to Cardiff!”

"In the past seven days, they have played a round of the Premier League and a first-leg match of the Champions League round of 16, so for them, this game is not only a test of the strength of the main lineup, but also a test of the strength of the main lineup. It’s a test of the depth of the team’s bench, and from the intelligence we’ve received, Chelsea has the advantage in this aspect.”

"However, some media had no hope for Chelsea before the game, because according to the tradition of Cardiff Stadium, southern teams use the south locker room, while northern teams use the north locker room. Chelsea was arranged to the magical south locker room. room."

"But at the pre-match press conference, we interviewed Chelsea head coach Ye Qiu. He dismissed the so-called locker room curse. He said that Chelsea has broken many records and traditions this season, and for In the next League Cup final, he and his team will break the so-called locker room curse!"

When talking about this, Andy Gray, the commentator of Sky TV who was responsible for introducing the live broadcast, obviously got the starting lineup list of both sides. "We saw that Liverpool did not make many changes to their starting lineup. Bailey Niites doesn’t have many cards that can be changed, so he still plays with the main lineup.”

At this time, Liverpool's starting lineup was displayed on the screen. The goalkeeper was Dudek, the defense was Traore, Hyypia, Carragher and Finnan, and the midfielders were Xavi Alonso and Hamann. The frontcourt is composed of Riise, Luis Garcia and Gerrard, and the lone forward is Pangler.

"Pangler performed well against Chelsea in the league before. This French youngster is fast and has good skills. He is trusted by Benitez this season, so he is allowed to start in such a crucial game. Obviously I hope he can make a difference on the front line.”

Chelsea's starting lineup has undergone some changes. The goalkeeper is Edwin van der Sar, the defense is Heinze, Gallas, Terry and Maicon. The double midfielders are Deco and Makelele, and the frontcourt is Ronaldo. Ordinho, Lampard and Ribery, the lone forward is Drogba.

"Chelsea's bench is very thick, so Ye Qiu has enough conditions to rotate some of his players, but obviously, key core players such as Terry, Lampard, Makelele and Ronaldinho They all started, so it’s not difficult to see how much Ye Qiu attaches importance to this game.”

"But we all know that Liverpool, under the guidance of Benitez, has become the most difficult team in the Premier League this season. They have caused a lot of trouble to the Blues in past games against Chelsea. Ye Qiu also spoke highly of Liverpool more than once and believed that this team has a strong fighting capacity.”

"The team led by Benitez and Ye Qiu is also regarded as the most tactical team in the Premier League this season. Compared with Manchester United, which is in transformation and adjustment, Arsenal is in trouble, and Liverpool and Chelsea are in trouble. The tactical styles are very obvious, and many people even regard this game as a contest between two tactician masters.”

"Ye Qiu is undoubtedly the most successful and popular head coach in the Premier League in the past two years. In his first year in the Premier League, he led the team to win the double crown of the Premier League and the Champions League, which amazed the whole world. He has made an ambitious comeback this season and has lost just one game in the current Premier League, leading second-placed Arsenal and Manchester United by as many as 14 points.”

"Compared to Ye Qiu's amazing debut season in the Premier League, Benitez obviously had an adaptation period in his first season in the Premier League. In addition, Liverpool was unable to provide Benitez with the same quality that Chelsea provided to Ye Qiu. This kind of financial support makes Benitez’s team perform less impressively than Chelsea.”

"But Benitez also confidently called on the fans and players before the game to defeat Chelsea in this final to prove Liverpool's strength!"

"And we also have reason to believe that two teams with rich tactical styles will bring us a top-notch feast of football tactics. Is Ye Qiu's Chelsea better, or Benitez's Liverpool?" , I believe we will have an answer during the game!”

"They say there's a spell in this locker room!"

In the south locker room, Ye Qiu greeted his players with a relaxed smile, not at all nervous before the competition.

"I have never believed in these superstitious things. I think if there is really a so-called curse, it must be a pitiful excuse used by the weak to cover up their failures. And I have always believed that we don't need Such a lame excuse because I have no doubt we will beat Liverpool in the match!"

The starting 11 players in the locker room all looked at Ye Qiu seriously and listened to his words.

"Our success has always been accompanied by controversy and doubt. In the summer of 2003, everyone said that we were an upstart and thought that we could not succeed. But a year later, we won the Premier League championship and completely broke the Manchester United and Arsenal have a monopoly on the Premier League title, and we also won the Champions League, becoming the first team in the history of London football to win the Champions League.”

"Our success is not a fluke, it is not an accident, it is not something that just casually walks on the court and falls from the sky. It is due to all our players, with our sweat, with our efforts, with our running, bit by bit. It’s accumulated drop by drop.”

"It is accumulated and gathered by every pass, every breakthrough, every steal, every shot, every run you make on the football field. Whoever doubts us or challenges us, that is against you." If they are humiliated, we will give them the strongest and most powerful resistance and destroy them completely!”

"No one can question all the results we have achieved today, and we will use our better performance on the court to defend this. Can it be done?"

"Yes!!!" The players all stood up one by one, gathered around Ye Qiu, and answered in unison.

Ye Qiu glanced at the players and kept nodding, "Very good, your shouts let me hear your fighting spirit. I hope you won't just talk about it, I hope your performance on the court will... It can prove your commitment to me now!”

"When you get on the court, you don't need to doubt or think too much, just attack me!"

Ye Qiu has been rehearsing targeted tactics against Liverpool in the past three days. Now Chelsea's defensive lineup is very neat, especially midfielder Makelele, who is injury-free, allowing Ye Qiu to dare to give it a try.

"Frank!" Ye Qiu turned to Ribery, "Do you know why you are allowed to play in this game?"

Ribery nodded, "Blow their left wing!"

"We have always said that you are the best 12th man on our team, but I have never felt that you should be just that. I have always had high hopes for you and I firmly believe that you can become the best professional player. , like your teammates, become the best professional players at your position in the world! "

"Now, you go on the court and prove to me that everyone on our team will do our best to support and cooperate with you. Kill Traore for me. I want him... to disappear!"

"Understood!" Ribery nodded heavily in agreement.

"The key to this game is who scores first!" After Ye Qiu finished explaining Ribery, he turned to the other players, "Just like I said when we played Liverpool before, they will definitely arrange the best in the middle. With a tight defense, we must take the initiative and resolutely go wide. Traore has been in poor form recently, so we will launch waves of attacks from the right to directly suppress Liverpool. Remember, what we are best at is attacking. Give your opponent any chance to breathe!"

"Lampard wants to suppress Xabi Alonso. I don't want you to be invisible around the Spaniard when he receives the ball!" Ye Qiu looked at Lampard again and explained.

The Chelsea vice-captain also nodded solemnly, saying nothing but looking serious.

"Guys, believe me, when you play against Liverpool, the start is very important!"

After a pause, Ye Qiu smiled, "When I first came to the Premier League, someone told me that the Premier League is very special. The fans here like to take the initiative to attack. They will not allow you to play poker for 30 minutes first. , drink a few cups of coffee, and grind with each other slowly, just like Benitez’s Liverpool!”

Ye Qiu's teasing made the players present burst into laughter, greatly relaxing the atmosphere.

"I am not Benitez, and we are not Liverpool. I think we should tell our opponents well, and at least teach them how to adapt to the traditions of the Premier League. The best way is to kill them from the beginning!"

"Drogba broke through with the ball, Hyypia intercepted, the ball went to the right, and Traore fouled!"

"Chelsea's free kick opportunity on the right, this is an indirect free kick!"

"Deco stepped up and took the free kick, drove into the penalty area, and Terry headed the ball into the goal!"

"Oops, Terry's header went just over the crossbar, what a pity!"

"After the game started, Chelsea played very actively, especially on the right. Franck Ribery started in place of Rooney this time and was very active, frequently creating opportunities on the right. The scarred French star has a very strong desire to play."

When Andy Gray was explaining, he saw Dudek receiving the goal kick. After setting the ball, he took a few steps back and prepared to serve. However, Chelsea still had no idea of ​​retreating and the defense pressed 30 meter area, ready to compete for Liverpool's goal kick, and this also shows Chelsea's offensive determination.

"Ye Qiu's team always likes to have control, but we must also note that Liverpool's defense is very good, especially when facing strong teams. When they played Chelsea before, they almost turned into a counterattack. ”

"Dudek took a goal kick, Terry quickly stepped in, headed the ball back, Drogba stopped the ball and passed it to Ronaldinho."

Ronaldinho quickly cut from the left to the left rib. After getting the ball, he directly passed the ball diagonally. The ball quickly crossed Liverpool's entire defense line and landed on the right side of the Liverpool penalty area.

"Ribery is very fast. The French player is explosive and surprising. Traore was left behind by him. He got the ball on the right side of the penalty area. Hyypia immediately came over to defend."

Emergency stop, pause, fake move, change of direction, sudden start, bottom pass.

I saw Ribery make a series of moves in one breath on the right, successfully broke through Hyypia, and passed a low pass before the ball went out of the baseline, and the ball quickly fell to the In front of Liverpool's goal.

"Drogba followed up and hit the goal directly!"

"Oh my god, Drogba, Drogba, you hit the goal from such a close range and you actually knocked him sideways!"

Andy Gray exclaimed for a while, but it was not because of Ribery's breakthrough and cross, but because of Drogba's shot in front of the goal. The shot that was close at hand was deflected!

The live TV camera also showed Drogba. He saw that the Ivorian lost his balance after reluctantly taking off his feet, causing him to fall to the ground after completing the shot. He was now hammering away with an annoyed look on his face. On the turf of the Millennium Stadium, I vented my depression and anger. Why didn't the ball go in?

Ye Qiu also spread his arms on the sidelines to show his frustration and confusion about not scoring the goal.

"We all know that professional players have very strong body flexibility and usually do not fall to the ground. Generally, falling to the ground is basically related to their rhythm and pace being disrupted. Obviously, De "Roba's handling of Ribery's cross was more due to his own pace."

"Because there was a problem with his pace, when he caught up with the goal and took off his foot, his movements looked awkward, he couldn't hit the power, he couldn't grasp the angle, and he also lost his balance because he reluctantly took off his foot. This is indeed Drogba has a very serious problem. As a main center who is highly trusted by Ye Qiu, his scoring ability has always been criticized. "

The TV cameras were also showing the outstanding performance of Ribery breaking through Hyypia just now after getting rid of Traore.

"Ribery is only 1.7 meters tall, and the Traore and Hyypia he faced were 1.91 meters and 1.96 meters tall. Compared to Ribery's height, both of them are dinosaurs. But height can also bring disadvantages, that is, turning and speed. Ye Qiu obviously wants to use this to attack Liverpool at the beginning of this game."

"This is also in line with Ye Qiu's consistent approach. He seizes the opponent's weakness and beats him to death at all costs. He uses this almost brutal and unreasonable crazy attack to suppress the opponent, forcing the opponent to only parry, but not Fight back and struggle, and then Chelsea can effectively control the rhythm and situation, and even have a chance to score! "

"Benitez seems to have reached this point. He made adjustments on the sidelines. It seemed that he wanted Riise to actively participate in the defense on the left, and at the same time, Gerrard also retreated appropriately to support the midfield. After all, he could no longer let it go. Chelsea press the left wing like this, otherwise Traore and Hyypia will have problems sooner or later.”

Ye Qiu stood on the sidelines. He also noticed Benitez's adjustment. He quickly responded and asked Maicon to press forward. Drogba also began to lean more to the right to meet Li. Berry, coupled with the support of Deco and Lampard in the midfield, Chelsea made it clear that they wanted to seize this side and fight to death.

In fact, even if Liverpool strengthened its defense on the left, Chelsea still launched a storm of offensive attacks on the right in the first 10 minutes, especially Ribery and Maicon. Both players were almost overwhelming Liverpool. Playing on the left, Traore also received a yellow card for a subconscious foul when defending Ribery.

"Traore received the first yellow card of the game. This is definitely not a good thing for this Liverpool left-back who was under huge offensive pressure in this game, because after he received the yellow card, it was foreseeable that Chelsea will continue to strengthen their attack on his side, and he will face greater offensive pressure than after the opening game."

This is also the strategy that Ye Qiu has always used from Ajax to Chelsea, to seize the weak side and pursue it fiercely. After getting the card, you will shrink your hands. Even if you can't score, you still have an overwhelming advantage on this side.

Of course, a very important reason why Ye Qiu dares to be so big is that he is confident enough in his midfield and defense.

The role of Xabi Alonso and Gerrard in the counterattack is not just exaggerated. Coupled with the fast Pangler in front, Liverpool's counterattack cannot be underestimated, but the reason why Ye Qiu dared to be so overwhelming The key to attack is to have confidence in your midfield and backfield. The combination of Makelele, Terry, Gallas and Heinze has enough strength to freeze Liverpool's counterattack.

Especially Makelele.

The French midfielder's role in defense is definitely greater than what the outside world thinks. At least for now, Chelsea cannot leave him.

With such confidence, the investment in offense will naturally increase. In the first 10 minutes, Chelsea almost suppressed Liverpool in the half court and created many scoring opportunities. However, it always led to the follow-up due to one or other reasons. Scoring a goal depends on one side.

Ye Qiu looked calm on the sidelines, but in fact he was a little unsettled because Benitez put a lot of pressure on him. To a certain extent, he would rather meet Ferguson and Wen He is not willing to touch Benitez, because at least Manchester United and Arsenal have obvious weaknesses that can be exploited.

But when playing against Liverpool, when the opponent shrinks their defense, you don't know where to start.

However, Ye Qiu soon discovered a problem, walked to the sidelines, shouted to Lampard and Ronaldinho, and made a series of gestures to them.

After the team's attack shifted to the right, Lampard and Ronaldinho also moved more to the right and the center, which resulted in a large gap on the left side of the team, so Ye Qiu asked Lampard and Ronaldinho to make proper use of this gap.

At the same time, he also asked Ribery not to always pass the ball to Drogba, who had no shooting accuracy today, and to pass the ball to the back point appropriately.

But at this moment, Liverpool suddenly launched a quick counterattack!