Chapter 803
The defensive method that Van Dijk and Konate were prepared to defend was to double-team at the same time.
Van Dijk stood behind Rashford on the left side, and Konate stood behind Rashford on the right side. The two of them could work together to hold Rashford back at any time and prevent him from accelerating.
Rodri defended Bruno Fernandes, while McAllister did not defend anyone but was only responsible for passing the ball.
Liverpool left a Manchester United player open, young player Elanga!
Elanga performed well at the beginning, but Liverpool believed that Elanga could not play as a core player.
Therefore, Liverpool did this in order to let Manchester United pass the ball more to Elanga, who would lead the attack, so that Manchester United's offensive threat would be smaller.
Because compared to Bruno Fernandes, Elanga's ability is definitely not enough to compare with him at the moment!
As Rodri defended better and better, Bruno Fernandes really couldn't find any chances, and Manchester United began to pass the ball to Elanga through Matic.
But before passing the ball forward, Matic needs to defeat a player first, that person's name is Lin Chen.
"Matic, why don't you talk to me? Don't you remember me? Every season in the past, the two of us would meet in midfield."
"Matic, every time I see you, I can remember the competition between me and you on the field in the first season. That feeling was really great. At that time, you were the only one who treated me as a top player."
"Matic, I still miss you who loved to foul me and bump into me. Why don't you bump into me now? Maybe we should have another bumping match!"
He kept talking to Matic since the start of the game, but Matic didn't say a word in response.
It’s not that Matic doesn’t want to say it, but that he can’t say it.
It is difficult to defend Lin Chen just by not talking. Once you chat with Lin Chen for a few more sentences, you may not even be able to imagine where Lin Chen will appear in the next second, let alone help the team complete the midfield defense.
Matic can only try his best to stay focused and eliminate all distractions!
Manchester United players all thought that Lin Chen’s defensive target was Matic, but in fact Lingard was Lin Chen’s defensive target.
Lingard is very good at running, and Lin Chen likes players who can run very well.
Remember Gallagher?
Lingard could soon become the next Gallagher.
Elanga needed teammates to help him attack, so Lingard began to do his best to interfere with Rodri and create offensive opportunities for Elanga. Liverpool actually allowed Manchester United to get a lot of opportunities at the beginning!
The 18th minute of the game!
“Manchester United can only attack from Elanga’s side. Elanga dribbles the ball and adjusts to the left.”
"Rodri seemed to not see Elanga and let him run past him with the ball."
Lingard started to move, and just like before, he looked for opportunities beside Rodri.
Elanga and Lingard attacked Rodri together, and with the addition of Matic and Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's midfield seemed to be surrounding Rodri.
However, when Lingard was running, he had clearly created an opportunity for Elanga, and Elanga's pass was about to reach Lingard's feet.
But then, before Lingard had time to stop the ball, Lin Chen suddenly appeared and intercepted the ball. Lingard didn't even notice when Lin Chen was targeting him!
When Lin Chen intercepted the ball, he already had a smile on his face. Okay. It's always fun to play with Lingard!
Manchester United was used by Lin Chen. Liverpool seemed to want to let Elanga receive the ball, but in fact it was to use Elanga to lure out Lingard.
Because Lingard needs to create opportunities for Elanga, and eventually Elanga will pass the ball back to Lingard.
The cooperation between the two did not involve Bruno Fernandes because Bruno Fernandes was always marked by Rodri.
Therefore, although Liverpool seemed to have left Elanga open, they actually placed their defensive focus on Lingard rather than Bruno Fernandes.
Lin Chen seems to be running casually in the midfield, but in fact, as long as Lingard is about to receive the ball, Lin Chen will quickly approach and use his ability to intercept the ball!
What made Manchester United most desperate was that when Lin Chen intercepted the ball, only Matic was defending in Manchester United's midfield.
Bruno Fernandes wanted to attack, so he got entangled with Rodri, which caused him to stand too forward. Lingard and Elanga had already moved up in order to attack!
Wan Bissaka and Dalot could only help defend in the midfield, but Salah and Soboslai began to press forward on the wing, which forced the two to retreat. Matic once again faced Lin Chen alone!
This is the situation that Matic least wants to encounter, and it is also the opportunity that Lin Chen most wants to get.
Facing Matic, Lin Chen chose to use a bicycle breakthrough, successfully passed Matic, and then continued to move forward!
The rapid pressure forced Manchester United's defense line to face Lin Chen alone soon. Lindelof and Maguire were both ready to defend Lin Chen at the same time!
Immediately adjusting his pace with the ball, Lin Chen cut in from Lindelof, then pretended to pass Maguire, but actually kicked the ball directly!
Maguire didn't react in time and barely stretched out his calf, but failed to block the ball!
At the critical moment, De Gea made a save and blocked the ball off the post with his toes!
"De Gea saved the ball!"
"He actually touched the ball. He is worthy of being the Spanish goalkeeper. Although De Gea's recent form is not as good as before, Manchester City's goalkeeper is still at the top level!"
Lin Chen smiled and reached out to De Gea, pulling him up. De Gea also smiled and hugged Lin Chen, and then immediately engaged in defense.
The relationship between the two has always been good. Although they have always been rivals in the club, De Gea has also helped Lin Chen win many championships in the Spanish national team!
