From the man behind the football king to the football king.

Seeing Manchester City's starting lineup, Mourinho said to his assistant Faria: "Rui, we have a greater chance of winning this game."

Faria glanced at Mourinho in surprise. The game has just begun, and the opponent is the powerful Manchester City. You are so confident, are you a little bit arrogant?

Meanwhile, in the away team's dugout, Guardiola smiled confidently and said to his assistant Mikel Arteta: "Very good, everything is under my control."

In view of Manchester City's possible starting configuration, Manchester United conducted targeted tactical drills. When the players on the field saw Fernandinho starting and Manchester City playing as a defensive midfielder, they knew what they should do.

According to Mourinho's arrangement, Manchester United's response in this situation was very direct: concentrate all offensive power to attack Fernandinho.

This is not to say that Fernandinho is not strong. On the contrary, he is a very powerful player. But in this Manchester City, in this starting lineup, the Brazilian as the single defensive midfielder was selected by Mourinho. Manchester City's breakthrough point.

The game has been going on for more than ten minutes, and so far, his strategy is quite successful.

From the beginning of the game, Manchester United, playing at home, launched an offensive against Manchester City, surrounding Fernandinho in the midfield and frequently applying pressure.

Manchester City seemed to lack preparation for this. On the one hand, they did not expect that Manchester United would play so proactively and aggressively against Manchester City. On the other hand, they also lacked the necessary preparations for Manchester United to concentrate the entire team's offensive firepower on attacking Fernandinho. , so that Fernandinho was a little embarrassed by the impact, and David Silva and De Bruyne had to come over to help.

The most direct reaction to this is that Manchester City's midfielder is passive, tired of defending, and unable to support the forward line.

This is Guardiola’s second season coaching Manchester City’s first team. After experiencing all-out failures last season, Manchester City’s management chose to continue to believe in Guardiola and spared no effort to invest in signings in the summer transfer market. This Let everyone in Manchester City be full of hope for the new season.

However, in the first round of the league, Manchester City almost failed to win the newly promoted Brighton away game, almost causing a big upset, which directly caused the media and fans to question and distrust Guardiola.

Especially in the second round of the league, after Manchester City was tied 1:1 at home by Everton, the local Manchester media "Manchester Evening News" even began to discuss whether Guardiola should be fired.

However, starting from the third round of the league, Guardiola's team began to slowly get on the right track.

They defeated Bournemouth 2:1 away from home in the third round. From this game until they met Manchester United in this round, Guardiola's team had won consecutive league victories.

Among these thirteen victories, five were big-scoring victories, including a 5-0 home victory over Liverpool in the fourth round, a 6-0 away victory over Watford in the fifth round, and a 5-0 home victory over Crystal Palace in the sixth round. , a 7:2 home defeat against Stoke City in the eighth round, and a 3:0 home victory over Burnley in the ninth round.

It can be said that Guardiola's Manchester City has begun to show its strong offensive strength. Whether the opponents in the fifth round were fighting against Manchester City, such as Liverpool, or setting up a bus, such as Stoke City, they could not stop Blue Moon's progress.

These victories have greatly improved the confidence of the entire Manchester City team, especially Manchester City coach Guardiola. Guardiola has a kind of confidence: Teams that dare to attack Manchester City are brave, but they will die miserably!

Therefore, Guardiola was surprised at first when he saw Manchester United take the initiative to attack and fight Manchester City after the game started. He thought that Manchester United would be more conservative when facing the powerful Manchester City, but he did not expect that Manchester United would insist on attacking.

Then, Guardiola is happy. Since Manchester United does not know its own strength and does not know whether to live or die, he does not mind giving Mourinho and Manchester United a ride.

In this state of mind, even when Manchester City was a little passive when Manchester United besieged Fernandinho, Guardiola didn't care too much. He had confidence in his team. As long as he withstood this wave of offensive, Manchester City, which has regained its composure, will teach Manchester United a lesson.

However, Guardiola ignored one point, a very important point: he lacked the most direct knowledge of this Manchester United.

Although Manchester City was defeated three times by Manchester United last season and even lost 0:5 at home to Manchester United, as Guardiola said in an interview with the media, that is the past and Manchester City is stronger now.

Moreover, Guardiola knew that Manchester City had implemented a certain degree of rotation in that game. After all, they had fought Arsenal for 120 minutes in the FA Cup semi-finals just three days ago. The consumption was very high, and various factors caused that shame. sexual failure.

In the summer, Manchester City made a large number of signings. This season's Manchester City and last season's Manchester City can be said to be two completely different teams.

However, Guardiola forgot that Manchester United also carried out a large-scale signing, even more intensive than Manchester City. In the new season, Manchester United's main lineup has almost changed.

Guardiola obviously lacks the most direct and in-depth understanding of Mourinho's Manchester United.

Although Guardiola has also watched almost all the game videos of Manchester United and the new season, and thinks he has a good understanding of this Manchester United and Mourinho's tactical system, this is like looking at flowers in the fog, without clearing the clouds. In real life, you never know whether you are in front of a real beauty or a transsexual shemale.

What Guardiola didn't expect was that his Manchester City seemed to be unable to withstand the constant impact of Manchester United.

Fernandinho is Manchester City's lone defensive midfielder. He is besieged here and will be in great danger if he is broken through, so this forces David Silva and De Bruyne to come over to help. Facing Manchester United's high-intensity pressing tactics, Manchester City's midfield is very passive.

Mourinho watched from the sidelines. His fists were clenched, loosened, and clenched again. He was also nervous.

Now, the only thing that can relieve his tension is scoring goals.

"Steal the ball!"

Facing Bruno's pressing, Fernandinho chose to pass the football to De Bruyne, but Gundogan was already prepared for this. He suddenly stepped forward and stabbed him first, and then Kante rushed in again. Before David Silva counterattacked, he controlled the football and quickly released the ball. The football was passed to Bruno.

Well done!

Mourinho applauded from the sidelines, and several players cooperated very well with each other.

Bruno pulled the ball, made a slight adjustment, and then looked ahead.

"Bruno's through ball! Mbappe! Speed! Speed! Speed! Very fast! Split the wing, Luke Shaw crosses! Otamendi! He makes a clearance! The kick is flawed... Harry Kane - GOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLL ! !

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLL!!! Harry Kane! He scored! 1:0! Manchester United leads Manchester City 1:0, and it was Harry Kane who scored!"

Old Trafford erupted in huge cheers as the commentators roared.

Harry Kane, who scored the goal, ran towards the corner flag with open arms, followed by the excited Manchester United players behind him!

Manchester United took the lead thanks to Harry Kane's goal. Guardiola frowned slightly, feeling a little unhappy about losing the goal.

However, Guardiola also had to admit that Manchester United's goal was very beautiful. From Bruno's pressing to Gundogan's successful steal, Manchester United launched a quick counterattack. The entire counterattack process was very high-speed and Manchester City's defense was completely exhausted.

Guardiola naturally saw where the team's problems were. Manchester United's attack started when Fernandinho's pass was intercepted after being forced.

"Fernandinho is single as a defensive midfielder, which puts a lot of pressure on him," Arteta said.

"I know." Guardiola nodded.

How could he not know that, in fact, when arranging this lineup, Guardiola knew that Fernandinho might become the focus of Manchester United's attack, but he still insisted on such tactics and lineup. This is because: In this game, the important thing is not defense!

Arteta glanced at Guardiola and understood that Guardiola was going to compete with Manchester United to score goals.

Fernandinho is good at both offense and defense, and is now being besieged by Manchester United. Although the defensive end may be more difficult, on the offensive end, the Brazilian should be able to make more contributions.

"The team must press out and use offense to suppress Manchester United's offense." Guardiola made his judgment.

However, he did not expect that Manchester City's second goal would come so quickly.

In the 31st minute of the game, Bruno sent a long ball. After Rashford dribbled the ball into the penalty area, he pretended to take a long shot. He deceived Mexican veteran Otamendi into making a move, but instead passed the ball out and followed. The incoming Harry Kane held up Kompany and half-turned to volley. After the ball was blocked by Ederson with his leg, Bruno followed up and completed the supplementary shot in front of Otamendi, and the ball crashed into the net.

“GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLL!!!!!”

"Bruno! 2:0! Manchester United is leading Manchester City by two goals." Andy Gray shouted, "It's crazy. Facing Manchester United's offensive, Manchester City seems to be helpless. Their defense is torn open again, and their There is still little improvement in the offense. Sterling, Jesus, Sane, David Silva, De Bruyne, Manchester City’s big stars are like sleepwalking.”

Yes, Andy Gray is right. Manchester City stars, including Sterling, Sane and Jesus, lacked midfield support and failed to bring any success to Manchester United's goal on the offensive end. What a threat.

While Bruno, Mbappe and other Manchester United players were celebrating their goals, Sterling put his hands on his hips and looked at the turf. Beside him, Sane spat on the ground in displeasure. Not far away, Jesus also shook his head helplessly.

Manchester City's offensive trident was in a depressed mood, and it could even be said that they felt frustrated. With David Silva and De Bruyne having to frequently help Fernandinho defend, they couldn't get a goal. The Trident, who was supported by the field, had to frequently retreat to get the ball, trying to use personal skills to tear apart Manchester United's defense, but in the face of Manchester United's tight and tough defense, the effect was very average.