i want to be king

Chapter 929 What the hell is Guardiola doing?

The Manchester derby at the weekend attracted the attention of fans from all over the world.

This can be seen from the number of media reporters who came to Carrington and attended the pre-match press conference.

It was more than half more than usual.

Obviously, after attending Manchester United's press conference, they will be able to walk to Manchester City's training base opposite to attend their press conference. This is also Ferguson's intentional arrangement.

He just wanted to get ahead of Manchester City on purpose, and he wanted to put some pressure on Manchester City.

There are not many surprises in the team's 18-man roster.

Even, if you take into account the consumption caused by the long journey to Romania in the UEFA Champions League group stage in the middle of the week, Ferguson's starting lineup is not particularly difficult to guess. There may be some discrepancies, but the problem is basically not too big.

Of course, it is impossible for Ferguson to directly tell others what his starting lineup and tactics are.

Before entering the free question, Ferguson took the initiative to talk about the team's big rout at Old Trafford last season.

That game was hailed as the worst loss in his coaching career.

Ferguson understood the nature of the media very well. He knew that this was an unavoidable topic. Since he couldn't avoid it, he simply brought it up on his own initiative, trying to downplay the media's hype about last season's game as much as possible.

During the discussion, Ferguson adopted a certain style of writing, and did not mention too much about Manchester City's strengths and advantages. More importantly, he mentioned Manchester United's own mistakes. He even believed that it was Manchester United's own mistakes that caused the big defeat, not because Manchester City was too strong.

What scene has the media reporter not seen?

Such a statement like Ferguson’s is a technique they are familiar with, so they unceremoniously asked Ferguson in the subsequent free questioning session. The outside world said that Manchester City is the number one favorite to win the Premier League this season. After the draw with Liverpool, Manchester United is also four points behind Manchester City in the standings. What does he think?
Ferguson said it's too early to tell.

"I have coached Manchester United in the Premier League for decades. We have experienced many teams, from Liverpool to Arsenal to Chelsea. We will face challenges from different teams every time period. Now there is another Manchester City."

Ferguson smiled, "You know, even two or three years ago, no one would have noticed Manchester City. We all called this team a noisy neighbor. The Manchester City derby every year has no suspense except for being lively and creating some topics."

"Yes, in the past two or three years, Manchester City's strength has risen sharply. The petro-pounds from the Arab sheikhs have turned them into another team, a reborn team, with a very strong lineup, and even looks very strong, but I want to say that it is not enough to challenge Manchester United alone."

"We have encountered many opponents and there will always be various challenges. We have even lost many championships, but the past few decades have repeatedly proved one thing. Manchester United must have the last laugh!"

"From Liverpool, to Arsenal, to Chelsea, and now to Manchester City, I believe that Manchester United will still have the last laugh."

Ferguson has enough qualifications and confidence to say this. Looking at the entire world of football, he is the only one who has experienced so many dynasty changes, and only Manchester United has always stood at the top of the Premier League.

Therefore, he looked down on this "noisy neighbor" he called.

Specific to this game, Ferguson believes that it is nothing to be behind by four points.

"For now, we can't see the significance of this game in a short period of time. It may be very important, but it may not be. This needs to wait until the end of the season to resume, but one thing is very clear. Losing and winning this game is actually worth six points. No matter which team wins, it will be of great significance."

But Ferguson also said that although this game is important, it is not that important to Manchester United.

In the history of the Manchester United club, there have been many, many, even more important and more difficult games than this game. Manchester United can go to today because they won these games, and they are calculated to lose, and they can quickly recover from it.

"We are not a team that is used to following other people's ass, like we used to be behind Arsenal and Chelsea, but we have achieved big comebacks in the end, this is our style and tradition.

Finally, Ferguson repeatedly emphasized that Manchester United players should show a stronger desire to win in the game and insist on maintaining Manchester United's tradition and style.

"I can't guess how exciting the game will be, there might be some goals but it might be disappointing."

"It's a crucial game and it's rare to see a lot of goals in a game like this."

"The game last season?"

"Believe me, that was just a once-in-a-century accident, and we will never let the same accident happen a second time!"

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Compared with the movement on Ferguson's side, the movement on Manchester City's side is much smaller.

Guardiola has always had that kind of gentle image, rarely bombarding others at press conferences, he is more about announcing his 18-man roster and his expectations for the next game.

He wants to get the three points.

The only thing that is special is that Guardiola said that Manchester City will still adopt a large rotation.

"In fact, since the second half of last season, we have been insisting on rotation. We can completely form two high-level lineups, which can help us cope with different competitions, and at the same time give our players enough rest time."

Guardiola's words are somewhat Versailles.

But one thing is recognized by everyone, that is, Manchester City really has the most luxurious lineup in the Premier League and even European football.

Not to mention anything else, Gareth Barry, Dzeko, Aguero, Milner, David Luiz, Harvey Martinez... Which of these Manchester City players is not a star that other European teams are coveting?
But they can only play as substitutes in Manchester City.

Some media even believe that Manchester City and the youth team can form three lineups to cope with the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.

This is definitely an exaggeration, but it can also reflect the thickness of Manchester City's bench.

The Abu Dhabi consortium has invested so much money, and it has basically been transformed into the overall strength of Manchester City.

However, Manchester City also has some hidden dangers.

For example, the right back Zabaleta has played two consecutive games, and Leighton Bynes was also injured in training. Should Marcelo continue to play in the Manchester City derby?
Guardiola did not give a clear answer, but he said that Manchester City hopes to play a wonderful Manchester derby.

The implication is actually stimulating Manchester United and Ferguson.

Nima, if you have the ability, let's not defend, just press it out and attack!

The media reporters below all smiled heartily. Will Ferguson play against Manchester City?

MMP, he's just a little older and not stupid!
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The battle between the two coaches before the game did not cause too much controversy.

In terms of war of words, Guardiola couldn't catch up with Ferguson after shooting four horses to death. Naturally, he would not compete with the opponent in the field he is not good at, but chose to keep a low profile.

The media is analyzing and hyping this key Premier League battle.

Needless to say, there are many problems with Manchester United. Many people even think that in front of Manchester City, the Red Devils' three lines plus the goalkeeper are all at risk, because they are not as good as Manchester City.

But Manchester United is not without chance.

"The biggest bargaining chip for the Red Devils is that they have Ferguson!"

"Ferguson is always able to create surprising enough surprises and perform miracles when others do not expect them."

Manchester City's overall strength is stronger and the lineup is stronger, but it is not without weaknesses.

First of all, there are two full-backs. Zabaleta has always been the main force, but Trippier has not yet met the requirements of the main force level, especially for him to appear in such a game, which can easily cause him problems.

After all, what he has to face this time is the powerful wingers in the European front line like Valencia and Nani.

If Trippier is not on, Zabaleta will continue to start. Can the Argentine be able to bear it?

There is also the left back, the rotation between Leighton Baines and Marcelo has been going well, and even the cooperation between Marcelo and Hazard has appeared, which shows that Manchester City's running-in is getting better.

But now that Leighton Bynes is injured, can he make it to this game?
According to the rotation system, Hazard should be allowed to play in the Manchester derby. If Baines can't play, will there be problems with the cooperation between Marcelo and Hazard?
Another problem is the central defender. Since Harvey Martinez played as a central defender, most of his performances have been unsatisfactory, with occasional flashes, but now facing Manchester United, Rooney, Berbatov and other top attackers, can Harvey Martinez carry it?
The most amazing thing about Ferguson is that his keen tactical sense can always catch the fighters that others can't catch, and then by hitting the opponent at a point, he can disintegrate the opponent's entire offensive and defensive system, creating classic victories repeatedly.

Now, Manchester City has the advantage and Manchester United is at a disadvantage. Is it possible for Ferguson to lead Manchester United to counterattack and win?

The odds offered by the three major bookmakers are also very interesting. Manchester City let Manchester United have half a goal.

Obviously, they all think that Manchester City is the favorite and has a chance to win, but a more reasonable score is to win by one goal.

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At noon on October 23, Old Trafford, Manchester.

In the ninth round of the Premier League, the Manchester derby, Manchester City challenged Manchester United away.

Before the game, both sides got each other's starting lineup list.

Manchester United, who played at home, still adopted rotation tactics. After all, the expedition to Romania was a staggering consumption for Manchester United. Without rotation, Ferguson could not guarantee the tactical execution of the players.

He adopts a four-four-two tactic that is balanced and stable. The goalkeeper is De Gea, the defense is Evra, Evans, Ferdinand and Smalling, the midfielder is Ashley Young, Anderson, Fletcher and Nani, and the double striker is Welbeck and Rooney.

Compared with the Champions League in the middle of the week, Ferguson's rotation is not small, which shows the impact of that game on Manchester United.

But when Ferguson got Manchester City's starting lineup, he lost his voice in surprise.

"What the hell is Guardiola doing?"

(End of this chapter)