Chapter 343

After reaching the Champions League semi-finals, the media reported extensively, making Manchester City players excited but also nervous.

They were placed with high hopes, so the pressure was not small.

After the video that praised Zhao Yi to the sky came out, Manchester City players did not say anything on the surface, but they felt bad.

All the credit for Manchester City's advancement to the Champions League semi-finals was taken by Zhao Yi alone.

Especially De Bruyne, because of his lack of confidence in shooting in the second round and several obvious mistakes, he not only did not get the recognition of the media and fans, but became the target of verbal criticism.

Some media people criticized him for being useless.

De Bruyne faced unprecedented pressure.

Sensitive, he felt a little uncomfortable when he saw Zhao Yi and Kompany talking and laughing during training.

He felt like he was isolated.

Sterling was facing the same situation.

His shots were criticized by the media.

Under Zhao Yi's brilliant light, these two rising stars who came to Manchester City with Zhao Yi became ugly ducklings.

Everyone has their own pride, especially for such a proud child.

Their status in the team may not be as good as Zhao Yi, but they think they should not be criticized for being useless.

All the praises were given to Zhao Yi, and all the criticisms and even abuses were given to the two of them. Is this fair?

And these two people are unwilling to express their feelings, so Zhao Yi and other teammates don't know about this situation at all.

It was Guardiola who saw that the two were very out of shape in training.

He has always been disgusted with the criticisms of the outside media, but there is no way to stop it.

These views have a huge psychological impact on the players, especially on young players.

As a coach and a person who has experienced it, Guardiola was very keen to perceive the strange state of the two.

At the beginning of the season, he had communicated with the two, and the effect was good.

But just like a recurring illness, if you want to completely eradicate it, it is not a one-time conversation.

It needs to be done step by step, with constant psychological counseling.

Guardiola found De Bruyne and Sterling separately.

After learning that De Bruyne became particularly sensitive because of the video, he insisted that it was Real Madrid who made the video.

The purpose was to praise Zhao Yi highly and make him swell up.

At the same time, it messed up the mentality of other Manchester City players.

It would be even better if these means could make Zhao Yi arrogant and become the fuse of the locker room.

Real Madrid could take advantage of the situation and bring Zhao Yi to the Bernabeu.

Guardiola described it vividly.

He told De Bruyne that he had experienced Real Madrid's means when he was a player.

On and off the field, they would use various means to interfere with and defeat their opponents.

Moreover, they were successful every time.

De Bruyne was stunned.

"The problem is not what others say. A player with a strong heart can keep his sights fixed, and the goal will get closer and closer.

I need to know what your goal is?

Is it the championship, the honor, the praise of others, or the boss of the team?

If you tell me that you want to be the absolute core of this team, the absolute boss.

I can tell all the players now, I can even tell all the media that I will take you as the absolute core, let you become the boss of the team, and give you the captain's armband.

Don't worry that this will cause the team locker room to get out of control. All the pressure is on me, not on you.

Tell me, do you want to be the captain of the team, take responsibility, and lead the team?"

De Bruyne looked at Guardiola's firm eyes and listened to his affirmative tone. Most of the dissatisfaction and pressure in his heart disappeared.

He shook his head vigorously.

He is sensitive and proud.

He knows that he can't be the one who can carry the team forward.

He believes that he has that kind of strength, but not that kind of courage and character.

"I want to play well, I want to prove myself, I think... I am more used to helping my teammates, assisting my teammates... I don't know..."

"Some people are destined to be kings, and some are destined to be the king's left and right arms. The left and right arms are not slaves, nor are they inferior to others.

But together with the king, they stand above millions of people.

You are one of the smartest players I have ever seen. You know very well what you want to be and what you will become. You are just too easily influenced by others.

You have already proved yourself. Now all you have to do is play well and enjoy the joy of assisting your teammates.

Zhao has never been your enemy. The two of you will lead Manchester City to complete the greatest rise and stand at the top of Europe and the top of the world.

If you doubt what I say, you should firstYou should first doubt what the media said.

I am always closer than those people and more worthy of your trust. "

Guardiola knew that these words would affect De Bruyne, but in the future, De Bruyne would be affected by others.

But that is all in the future. At least now De Bruyne has let go of some prejudices in his heart.

It takes a very long process to establish absolute trust.

Fortunately, Zhao Yi will not be affected by others.

Otherwise, it would really give him a headache.

When Guardiola talked to Sterling, he first praised Sterling and said that Sterling was a future star, the core and leader of England in the future.

Sterling was embarrassed to praise him.

But then he was beaten with a stick.

"If you don't improve your shooting level, you will be a second-rate star for life.

Do you want to be a leader?

Then I tell you, follow Zhao and study hard. Only by surpassing him can you become a real leader that everyone pays attention to!

Honor, praise, and status are earned through your own efforts.

You still have plenty of time to grow, don't let yourself down, and don't let me down, let the people who care about you down!"

Sterling listened halfway.

He listened to the future star.

This is a matter of concentration.

This is also the reason why Guardiola always reminds Sterling.

This kid's brain circuit is different from that of normal people.

After temporarily solving the problems of De Bruyne and Sterling, Guardiola still has to make personnel arrangements for the next game.

Two league games, with an FA Cup in between.

Consecutive away games against Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Because of the league championship, Guardiola sent most of the substitutes against Newcastle United.

The main players need to rest and adjust, otherwise they may cause fatigue and injury problems.

Newcastle United is still at risk of relegation, and they hope to get points at home.

Manchester City played with all substitutes, which gave them hope.

"As I expected, Guardiola never cares about useless records such as unbeaten seasons. "Gary Neville did not forget to praise himself before he started commentating.

However, this game did not end Manchester City's unbeaten streak.

Newcastle United scored a goal first, and Otamendi equalized the score for Manchester City in the first half stoppage time.

The two sides made no progress in the second half.

Newcastle United tied Manchester City 1:1 at home, gaining a valuable point on the road to relegation.

And in the next FA Cup match where Manchester City challenged Everton away, Guardiola sent all the main players to play.

Because without any league pressure, Manchester City's current two goals are to enter the Champions League final and win the FA Cup.

In this game, they must do their best to advance.

This season, Manchester City and Everton have played against each other four times in the league and the League Cup.

Three wins and one draw, a total of 15 goals, Only one goal was lost.

Lukaku's kick-off from the center circle can be made into a highlight reel, so for Everton players, they already have a psychological shadow when facing Manchester City this season.

At the beginning of the season, they won two consecutive games and were in good momentum, but they were scored five goals by Manchester City away from home, and the team's temperament was gone.

After finally reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup, they were beaten by Manchester City and could not take care of themselves, losing the best chance of the championship.

This time, they have won the FA Cup all the way and will play the final in two rounds.

Well, they met Manchester City again.

Lukaku kept making the sign of the cross and praying before the game. He felt that God had abandoned him.

Otherwise, how could they be so unlucky this season? Became the only team to meet Manchester City in the league, the League Cup, and the FA Cup?