Chapter 343 The unfortunate Everton

After advancing to the semi-finals of the Champions League, the overwhelming media reports made Manchester City players feel excited but also nervous.

They have high expectations, so there is a lot of pressure.

After the video that praised Zhao Yi to the sky came out, the Manchester City players said nothing on the surface, but they felt bad in their hearts.

Manchester City advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and all the credit was taken away by Zhao Yi alone.

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

He was dismissed as useless by some media people.

De Bruyne is under unprecedented pressure.

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

He felt as if he was being isolated.

Sterling is also facing the same situation.

Several of his shots were criticized by the media.

Under Zhao Yi's brilliance, these two new stars who came to Manchester City with Zhao Yi have become existences like ugly ducklings.

Everyone has their own pride, especially for a proud man like this.

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

All the praise was given to Zhao Yi, and all the criticism and even abuse was 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 have no idea about this situation.

It was Guardiola who noticed that the two of them were very out of shape during training.

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

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

As a coach and someone who has experienced it, Guardiola is keenly aware of the strange state of the two.

He had communicated with the two at the beginning of the season, and the results were good.

But like a recurring condition, eradication isn’t something that can be solved with just one conversation.

It requires step-by-step and constant psychological counseling.

Guardiola found De Bruyne and Sterling respectively.

After learning that De Bruyne became particularly sensitive because of the video, he insisted that someone from Real Madrid had made the video.

The purpose is to hold Zhao Yi high and make Zhao Yi swell.

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

It would be even better if Zhao Yi could be made arrogant and become a trigger in the locker room through these means.

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

Guardiola's portrayal is vivid and colorful.

He told De Bruyne that he had learned Real Madrid's methods as a player.

Off and on the court, they will use various means to disrupt and defeat their opponents.

And, every time it was successful.

De Bruyne was stunned for a moment.

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

I need to know what your goals are?

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

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

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

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

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

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

He shook his head vigorously.

He is sensitive and he is proud.

He knows even more that he cannot be the person who can carry the team forward.

He believed he had that kind of strength, but he didn't have that kind of courage and character.

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

"Some people are destined to be kings, and some people are destined to be the king's right-hand men. The right-hand man is not a slave, nor is he inferior to others.

Instead, together with the king, he stands above millions of people.

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

You have proven yourself long ago, 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 on the top of Europe and the top of the world.

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

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

Guardiola knows that these words will affect De Bruyne, but in the days to come, De Bruyne will also be affected by others.

But that's all for the future, at least now De Bruyne has put down some of his prejudices.

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 with Sterling, he first praised him and described Sterling as a future star, the future core and leader of England.

I feel embarrassed to praise Sterling.

But then there was a big stick service.

“With your shooting level, if you don’t grow, you will be a second-rate star for the rest of your life.

Do you want to be a leader?

Then I tell you, study hard with Zhao. Only by surpassing him can you become a true leader that attracts everyone's attention!

Honor, praise, and status are earned through one's own efforts.

You still have a lot of time to grow, don’t let yourself down, let alone me and the people who follow you! "

Sterling half-listened.

I listened to the matter about future stars.

This is a matter of concentration.

This is why Guardiola always reminds Sterling.

This child's brain circuit is different from 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 game in between.

Consecutive away games against Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Because of the league championship, Guardiola sent out most of his substitute players against Newcastle United.

The main players need to take a good rest and adjust, otherwise it may lead to fatigue and injury problems.

Newcastle United is still at risk of being relegated, and they are very much hoping to score points at home.

Manchester City played all substitutes, giving them hope.

"As I expected, Guardiola never cares about useless records like unbeaten seasons." Gary Neville did not forget to praise himself before starting to explain.

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

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

In the second half, there was no further achievement from either side.

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

In the next FA Cup match where Manchester City challenged Everton away from home, Guardiola sent out all the main players.

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

This time, they must try their best to advance.

Manchester City and Everton have met four times in the League and League Cup this season.

Three wins and one draw, a total of fifteen goals scored and only one conceded.

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

At the beginning of the season, they had won two consecutive games and had good momentum. However, they were beaten five times by Manchester City in the away game, and the team's temperament suddenly disappeared.

After finally reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup, they were beaten by Manchester City and couldn't take care of themselves, losing their best opportunity for the championship.

This time, the FA Cup has passed all the way, and there are only two more rounds to play in the finals.

Yes, we met Manchester City again.

Lukaku kept crossing himself and praying before the game. He felt that God had abandoned him.

Otherwise, why would we be so unlucky this season? Become the only team to encounter Manchester City in the third tier of the league, English League Cup and FA Cup?