Chapter 721 Same location, same result
In the past, when Carragher looked down on Manchester United, Alan Shearer often retorted.
But today, he didn't say anything.
Because he deeply agrees with Carragher's statements.
Indeed, after Xia Xing came off the field in this game, Manchester United's offense was completely useless.
Manchester United with Xia Xing and without Xia Xing are completely two teams.
The scene is completely different, and the technical and tactical levels are also completely different.
In almost all games this season, Xia Xing played the full 90 minutes.
No, it should be said that almost all the games after joining Manchester United were played for 90 minutes.
Only when the team leads by a big score, or wins the championship early, will Xia Xing take a break and give young players more opportunities and space.
Xia Xing will definitely not miss this kind of crucial game.
But now, he is injured.
Manchester United without Xia Xing would be like playing without one or even two players on the field.
Although someone replaced him, it still felt too different.
This only shows Xia Xing's physical and running advantages.
Looking at the defense, it is even worse.
Xia Xing's large-area running and full-coverage defensive methods are very rare in international football.
Even the very good Kanter is not as good as Xia Xing.
The running may be similar, but Kanter's physical fitness and speed and explosiveness are simply not as good as Xia Xing's.
That's why there is that statement.
"Whether Kanter is the strongest defensive midfielder at the moment depends on his position on the field."
There's nothing wrong with that.
Just ten minutes after Xia Xing came off the field, the team conceded two goals.
It can be seen what kind of defensive loss this is.
In terms of offense, Xia Xing's usefulness has been a qualitative change for Manchester United.
Some football experts even once asserted: "Manchester United without Xia is just a second-rate team!"
This makes sense.
Looking at Manchester United's poor offensive quality now confirms this statement.
Now Manchester United's frontcourt doesn't even have a super attacker who can change the game and decide the victory.
In this game, the decline was on full display.
In the final stage of the first half, Manchester United held on and did not concede any more goals for the time being.
With a 1-2 deficit, the two sides entered the second half.
Valverde adjusted quickly. He directly replaced Coutinho, who had an average performance in the first half, and replaced him with the French fast horse Dembele.
As a result, Manchester United's defensive pressure is even greater.
After Dembele joined Barcelona, he definitely spent more time lying in the hospital bed than on the football field.
But it is undeniable that this guy's talent is absolutely top-notch.
Top-notch speed and top-notch shooting skills, if he can truly realize his talent, he will definitely be worth more than 100 million.
But unfortunately, he has not been able to reach the good state he had during the Dortmund period.
But even so, occasionally coming off the bench can still bring a lot of offensive help to the team.
Facing Manchester United at this moment, he launched a fierce attack on the left wing.
Valencia, the captain on the field, was under great pressure.
In the first half, he faced Coutinho and did not dare to relax his guard at all times, especially paying attention to the opponent's shots.
But now, facing the faster Dembele, he feels even more pressure.
Especially the decline in physical fitness makes him unable to defend such a fast forward.
In the 55th minute of the game, ten minutes after Dembele came on as a substitute, he created a great opportunity.
Suddenly dribbling the ball on the left wing and accelerating, directly throwing away the defense of midfielder Fred!
In front of the French fast horse, Fred's speed is obviously at a disadvantage!
Valencia stepped forward, and Dembele's speed had already increased. He cut inside lightly and accelerated!
Valencia was passed!
Rush into the penalty area and shoot low!
The ball hit the outside of the goal post and flew out of the sideline!
Just one step away!
Dembele kicked the turf hard and was very annoyed.
If he scores a goal, he is a hero!
Manchester United fans are still worried. It's so dangerous.
If we lose the ball again, it will be completely hopeless.
Now fans have given up hope on Pogba's leading attacking line.
As long as the defense can hold up, we can still advance to the semifinals!
The defensive line is much more reliable than the forward line!
Next, Barcelona's new trident continued to attack, De Gea received high and low blocks, and repeatedly made superb saves.
Until the 78th minute of the game.
Manchester United made another substitution adjustment, Martial came off the field and Herrera came on as a substitute.
Ashley Young was replaced by Luke Shaw.
These two adjustments are in the midfield and backcourt.
It can be seen that Solskjaer is ready to defend to the death.
After all, they still have a goal difference advantage. As long as they can withstand the last ten minutes, Manchester United will still have a place in the Champions League semi-finals.
But just after the substitution adjustment, Barcelona suddenly attacked!
Continuous passes from multiple players in the frontcourt, the ball came into the penalty area!
Suarez headers the goal!
De Gea punches the ball out again!
In the midfield position, Busquets moved forward to receive the ball. Pogba retreated to defend and pulled Busquets down!
The referee's whistle sounds!
Pogba fouls!
Barcelona free kick!
Pogba was very unhappy: "Where did I foul? It was obviously a normal body collision!"
But the referee had no intention of changing the decision and gave Pogba a yellow card.
If Valencia hadn't stopped Pogba, Manchester United might have had one less player to play.
This position is not far from the goal, nor is it close.
Around 32 meters.
And the location is great.
A little to the right of the center.
Messi stands in front of the ball.
Looking in the direction of the goal, Messi narrowed his eyes.
There is not much time left until the end of the game.
This opportunity must be seized!
In the live broadcast room at this moment, Carragher suddenly said: "This scene looks a bit familiar."
Alan Shearer suddenly understood: "Are you talking about the World Cup game?"
"Yes! We are indeed the best partners!"
He was talking about the match between Portugal and Spain in the 2018 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in that game, truly relying on his own strength to beat a powerful opponent.
And Ronaldo's final key goal in that game was a free kick.
It's very similar to this position and angle.
Now the same scene is on the Champions League stage, and it's De Gea in front of the goal.
It's just that the penalty taker has become Ronaldo's old rival.
Messi took a deep breath and watched the Manchester United players line up against the wall.
He's not in a hurry.
He stood there wiping the ball and kicking the turf.
Waiting for Manchester United's wall to fall into place.
Finally, he waited for the referee's whistle.
The whistle sounded and Messi slowly retreated.
He didn't run for too long, accelerated quickly, and shot!
The ball pocket shot to the near corner!
Straight into the upper right corner of the goal!
"The ball went in!
"3-1!
"Barcelona extends its lead!
“And they’ve got enough away goals!
"Even if Manchester United scores another goal later, they will have no advantage!
"Now the situation is completely back to Barcelona's side!
"Manchester United's Champions League campaign is coming to an end this season!" (End of chapter)
