Chi Meiya
Chapter 282 Why Was Zhao Gang There?
While many commentators thought Chelsea's trident would create a significant impact and threat to Manchester City, Manchester City's defense exceeded their expectations.
The most important reason was Zhao Gang, Sane, and Fernandinho's interception protection in the midfield, making it difficult for Chelsea to launch a direct attack on Manchester City's defense.
Although Sane lacked chemistry with his teammates in attack, he was able to contribute excellent performances on the defensive end.
Zhao Gang's defense also improved significantly, and the combination with Fernandinho's midfield barrier worked surprisingly well.
This tactical approach, which had never been seen before, left Chelsea somewhat at a loss.
Conte had previously thought of several ways to limit Zhao Gang's attack, but he had no research on his defense at all.
Chelsea struggled, while Manchester City even had a chance to rewrite the score in the final stages.
Zhao Gang received a pass from De Bruyne outside the penalty area and kicked the ball over the crossbar.
It gave Chelsea fans a big scare.
If this ball had gone in, Chelsea's morale would probably have been gone.
Trailing by one goal, there was still a chance.
Back in the locker room, Chelsea's players were a little disappointed.
In their first encounter, their attack was like quicksilver, smashing Manchester City's defense to pieces.
If it weren't for Manchester City's good luck, they would have lost.
But this time, Manchester City, missing Aguero and Silva, was even more fierce than before.
Last time, they were able to lead by two goals, but this time they were one goal behind.
How could they play like this?
How was Manchester City getting stronger and stronger?
It seemed truly unstoppable.
Conte walked into the locker room and saw his players looking a little listless.
He clapped his hands hard and roared, "Cheer up, everyone!!
"It's just an FA Cup match, just one goal behind. If Manchester City is really that strong, how could they let us score a goal?
How could they let Monaco score three goals??
Manchester City can come back from behind, can't we?
Only they can equalize and overtake when they are behind, and no one else can? What kind of logic is that??"
Chelsea players shrugged. That's right, they were only one goal behind, and the game wasn't over yet!
Last time, Manchester City was able to chase two goals in a row. This time, why couldn't they score two goals in a row to complete the comeback?
"I see your hesitation. You are worried that your defense will have problems, so Alonso, Moses, you two have sacrificed your attacking opportunities!
You are worried that there will be problems in the middle, so you keep preparing to fill the gaps!
Now, I'm telling you, you must firmly execute my tactics, rush up to support the frontcourt!
I want you two wingers to create trouble for Manchester City at the same time!
Reduce breakthroughs from the middle, even completely abandon the middle attack, understand??"
The two wing-backs nodded.
"This is indeed a bit unexpected. The score on the field does not truly reflect the situation of the two teams in the first half.
The last time Chelsea faced Manchester City, they almost steadily suppressed Manchester City. But this time, Chelsea is not only behind, but also encountered a considerable crisis in the midfield, making it difficult to launch an effective attack.
The two wing-backs, Alonso and Moses, dare not easily press forward, which weakens Chelsea's mid-to-front court attacking ability a lot.
This is completely different from their first leg situation.
In order to slow down Manchester City's attack, Chelsea even formed a 5-4-1 formation for a period of time, and when they attacked, it was difficult for them to successfully cross the midfield.
The midfield combination of Zhao and Sane gave us a very, very pleasant surprise, especially the existence of Zhao. His previous defense was worrying, but now he can entangle any midfielder very well. He contributed four steals in the first half!
You know, in his position, once he succeeds in stealing, coupled with his passing and advancing ability, he can directly threaten Chelsea's goal.
Therefore, the two wing-back players did not dare to easily move up, which caused a very big problem for Chelsea's attack.
Conte needs to be firm with the players' tactics. They can't hesitate. The wing-back players don't know whether they should attack or defend." Henry saw Chelsea's problem at a glance. They were too worried about Manchester City's attack, which led to the two wing-backs not daring to kill easily.
"Yes, Fabregas's attacking ability is good, but his defensive interception ability is a bit poor. Someone must fill the gap. If he could be replaced by someone, such as Leicester City's Kanté, then this lineup would be much more perfect."
"Or it could be replaced by Zhao, who is more offensive..."
"Well... it's definitely possible, but Manchester City probably won't let him go, right?"
The second half started soon.
Chelsea, who had let go of their burdens and strengthened their tactics, showed a very good state at the beginning of the game.
They obviously strengthened the attack on the two wings, avoiding Manchester City's crowded middle. They were not worried that Manchester City would launch a counterattack in the middle, or rather, they didn't care anymore. Conte had already asked them to attack.
Once they strengthened their tactics, Chelsea's two wings had a very strong impact.
Manchester City's midfield defense was still stable, but the defense on the wings, especially the left wing, had very big loopholes.
Even with Fernandinho's support, the situation was still not optimistic.
Moses and Alonso even switched positions, just to crazily attack Manchester City's left wing!
In just fifteen minutes, Pedro and Moses used their individual combat capabilities to make Kolarov dizzy, sending out four crosses in a row.
Hazard and Costa both had three shots on goal, especially Costa, whose shot grazed the post, almost equalizing the score for Chelsea.
Watching Chelsea's offensive surge, Guardiola stood on the sidelines and kept shouting, "Pay attention to defense, pay attention to filling the gaps."
Not only was Kolarov's level not very good on the left wing, but there was also De Bruyne, who had almost no defense.
This required Sane to quickly support.
Zhao Gang, who was thinking of going to support together, had his own ideas when he saw the Chelsea players who were eager to attack.
Chelsea attacked fiercely, and Manchester City's left-wing defense seemed to be on the verge of collapse at any time, but this was precisely Manchester City's opportunity.
If Chelsea's wing-backs kept dragging back, it would be difficult to break through from the middle.
Now that these two are out, it's much simpler.
"Conte's coaching level is indeed very good. He has strengthened his philosophy, liberated the wing players, and Alonso and Moses have even switched positions!
This has put Manchester City's left wing under a very big test.
Chelsea's attacking ability has never been a problem, but they haven't figured out the key to the problem!
I think Chelsea is likely to equalize the score in a short period of time!"
"Look at this attack!!"
Moses dribbled the ball forward quickly, Kolarov rushed over quickly, and then Pedro made a sharp run, and Moses made a through ball!
Pedro forcibly overtook Kolarov from behind, took the ball and entered the penalty area!
Stones could only quickly fill the gap. The space in the penalty area was narrow, and Fernandinho also rushed over.
They blocked the route for crossing to find Costa, and also blocked the shooting route.
But there were too many attacking routes. Pedro directly found Hazard, who quickly moved down to the middle in a triangular pass.
This tactic is not common. Hazard's off-the-ball running to meet the shot is not common, but it doesn't mean he can't do it!
Hazard, who has a low center of gravity, fast speed, and strong explosive power, entered the penalty area and blasted a shot after receiving the ball!
Zhao Gang, who rushed back, had no chance to block it. If it was Moses, and he adjusted before shooting, Zhao Gang would have cleverly snatched it away.
But this is Hazard, and he will never make this mistake!
There was no one blocking Hazard's shooting route, and he took an angle, and the ball was very fast!
After Zhao Gang saw Hazard shoot, he did not stay in place, but rushed out of the penalty area as soon as possible.
Because once this ball is hit, if it goes in, there is no need to defend, and if it doesn't go in, it will be saved by Bravo to the other side. Being here doesn't help the defense much.
So, Zhao Gang thought about attacking.
Of course, if it goes in, it will just be a waste of energy.
The Stamford Bridge fans stood up, leaning forward, waiting to celebrate.
Bravo showed a completely different competitive state from the league, stretching out his right hand like an eagle spreading its wings, and directly pushed the ball out!
Hazard hugged his head in disbelief.
Bravo actually reacted to this perfect angle and power?
Kyle Walker on the right also had extremely strong judgment. Seeing the football being saved, he rushed over with a whoosh.
He stopped the football and turned his head.
Eh??
That's not right, Zhao Gang had just returned to the penalty area to prepare to destroy the shot, how could he run so far now?
Kyle Walker couldn't control so much. Seeing Zhao Gang moving forward along the middle, he made a long pass.
"Moses, Pedro's wonderful cooperation!
Pedro! Found Hazard!
Zhao Gang retreated very deep, but unfortunately it was too late to stop him. Hazard's shot!
Ouch! Bravo made a contribution! The angle of this ball is almost perfect, but he saved it!
Kyle Walker, found Zhao Gang in the middle... Zhao Gang... Wasn't Zhao Gang just in the penalty area?
Am I seeing things or..." He Shiren was stunned for a moment. He shouldn't be seeing things, but he couldn't control so much. He would watch the replay later.
Fabregas had long been thrown behind by Zhao Gang. Now facing Zhao Gang was Matic.
Matic's outstanding feature was his slow turning speed, similar to an aircraft carrier. It took a lot of effort to turn around.
Facing Zhao Gang, he was not ready to deal with it. With a swoosh, Zhao Gang poked the ball and accelerated, overtaking him from his left.
Matic then remembered to turn around, but Zhao Gang had already rushed out a few meters.
Matic gritted his teeth, his face was bitter, and he was almost cursing. He was desperately chasing after him.
If the two wing players had not attacked, especially Moses' speed, he could still keep up with Zhao Gang, who was dribbling the ball, but now there was no one who could keep up.
Cahill also had to keep an eye on Sterling, who was sprinting on the wing, and De Bruyne and Jesus over there were also striding forward.
In an instant, the drawbacks of Chelsea's crazy attack were revealed, and there were not enough defenders at all.
Fabregas retreated even slower than Hazard, who had not yet attacked.
Even the referee ran faster than Fabregas.
Conte's heart was in his throat.
He really had to quickly replace someone. Fabregas's defensive ability and attitude were too poor!
Fortunately, Alonso did not rush too deep, and he was able to quickly support at this time.
Chelsea's three center-backs did not dare to easily leak anyone, but they did not have enough manpower, so they could only give up defending Jesus first.
David Luiz kept facing Zhao Gang, retreating constantly, keeping a distance to prevent him from breaking through with his speed.