Chapter 157 GOAL!
Although in terms of defensive skills, Ranocchia is still young and immature, but on the one hand, compared with Thiago Silva, Ranocchia is more suitable for the current Fiorentina. Thiago Silva is among the Fiorentina fans. With a nickname like "Silent Rock", in comparison, Ranocchia is even more domineering.
Originally thought it was a loophole, but it turned out that one hit the head of an angry bull, and Ferguson's depression can be imagined.
Seeing that there was not much time left in the game, but his team was still unable to find a good opportunity, Ferguson was also a little anxious. He began to dispatch troops, replaced Carrick with South Korean player Park Ji-sung, and then Replaced Tevez with Alan Smith.
Tevez looked very dissatisfied when he left the field, but he didn't have anything to complain about. His performance in this game was simply scum. He didn't even take a single shot after playing for 80 minutes. Sir Ferguson endured this It was very humane to replace him at the right time.
Manchester United's two substitutions seem to be counterpoints, but you must know that Mr. Smith has not played the forward position for a long time after returning to Manchester United. More often, he appears in the position of the midfielder.
Speaking of Smith's change of position, it was also bitter and tearful. After he moved to Manchester United, since Manchester United had Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Saha on the striker line at the time, Alan Smith has been in Manchester United since he switched from Leeds United. Hovering between the main force and the substitute.
When the fiery English striker arrived at Old Trafford, manager Sir Alex Ferguson believed that United needed only Smith to be a complete striker.
But with the deepening of Ferguson's understanding of Smith, he gradually discovered another potential of Smith - beast waist!
At that time, Sir Alex Ferguson said in an interview with "Sky Sports" that he was sure that Alan Smith would be an excellent full-time midfielder and might even become the successor of captain Keane. This was indeed quite surprising at the time. .
Immediately afterwards, Smith, on his first appearance for United, played a very good role in protecting behind Scholes and Ryan Giggs, helping United to control the midfield well, and he frequently tackled At one point, Manchester United pressed their opponents in the half-court, and coach Ferguson's tactical intentions were well implemented. In the end, Manchester United won the game??
After the game, Ferguson told the reporter of "Sky Sports": "We have seen his unlimited potential. He is only 24 years old. He is very young. Indeed, we are considering whether he may become Keane's successor. We have been thinking about it. Talking about it, of course, you can't get another Keane, Smith is Smith and he will give us a different character than Keane."
It can be seen that Ferguson had high expectations for Smith at that time.
In fact, as early as when planning to introduce Smith, Sir Ferguson had this idea. In Ferguson's mind, there has always been the transformation of Smith from a forward to a defensive midfielder. The original inspiration came from a league game between Smith and Fulham, when Smith tackled a defender in the opponent's penalty area and then scored a goal, which also left a deep impression on Ferguson.
So when Smith switched to Manchester United, Ferguson planned to maximize Smith's enthusiasm and high fighting efficiency and transform him into a midfielder.
Now it seems that Ferguson's transformation of Smith is still very successful. At this time, when Smith is replaced, Ferguson obviously does not intend to continue to attack, but is ready to defend.
Probably Ferguson also felt that it is very difficult to solve the battle after 90 minutes of the game, but as the game is about to end, accidents are more likely to happen, so we still have to base ourselves on defense first, and then think about other things matter.
While Ferguson made substitutions, Prandelli also began to adjust his lineup, replacing forward Mutu. After 80 minutes of the game, Mutu's physical fitness was basically at its limit.
However, Prandelli then replaced Digan with Cavinaghi instead of Paccini, who had been his partner since he was in Atlanta. The impact is stronger, and the header is better. Now Fiorentina is mainly playing two wings, so it is obviously more suitable to replace Cavinaghi than to replace Paccini.
Immediately afterwards, Prandelli replaced Motta with Arteta. Motta's physical fitness has always been his shortcoming.
Now the mentality of the head coaches of the two sides has just changed. At the beginning, it was Ferguson who wanted to solve the battle in 90 minutes, but now it is Prandelli who is eager.
This is also completely understandable. Compared with Manchester United, Fiorentina lacks too much experience in European wars. Once the game enters overtime, Fiorentina will become more and more panicked, and the experienced Manchester United can be even more confident. Take it easy.
After Arteta came on the field, it immediately had an immediate effect. His long passes hit Manchester United's back one after another, and at the same time completely liberated Montolivo, allowing him to insert more and play the role of a surprise attack.
However, after Manchester United replaced Smith, they enhanced the thickness of the midfield, and the two sides were completely in a contest of spear and shield.
"It seems that it is very difficult for the two sides to end the game within 90 minutes. Manchester United has sent Alan Smith. Sir Alex Ferguson's intention is obvious, that is, to drag the game down. Fiorentina Although I want to attack, I really don't have an advantage in some positions on the field, and at the same time I have to guard against the opponent's counterattack, and I dare not invest too much force in the attack, and it is difficult to penetrate the opponent's defense."
The head coaches of the two sides have also calmed down now. Judging by their pensive looks, they are all preparing for the next overtime match. Now that the goal tiebreaker has been cancelled, the half-hour overtime match may affect the physical fitness of the players on both sides. is a tough test.
Fiorentina is young and has an advantage in physical fitness. Although Manchester United has mostly veterans, they are rich in experience. In addition, Ferguson has joined Park Ji-sung and Smith in the midfield. It is hard to say which of these two physical madmen has the upper hand.
When the time of the game reached 88 minutes, neither side seemed ready to attack. Fiorentina skillfully inverted in the midfield. This is Fiorentina's housekeeping skill. It's hard to get the ball off.
However, the regular time of the game is coming to an end. At this time, Fiorentina is probably killing time. The football reaches Degan's feet. Suddenly, Degan kicks towards the right. Go up, catch the ball and rush towards the bottom line of Manchester United.
"attack!"
Degan yelled, and rushed towards Manchester United's penalty area first. His speed was very fast. Ferdinand subconsciously wanted to hold him back, but nothing came of it.
The sudden acceleration of Fiorentina caught Manchester United by surprise. Evra was very close to the middle at this time, and it was already very difficult to defend Abate. .
"Damn it! Stop him, stop him!"
Ferguson roared anxiously on the sidelines, turned his head to look at Prandelli, and saw the excitement on the other side's face. Obviously, this attack was arranged in advance, waiting for the Manchester United players to relax, and then a fatal blow.
terrible!
Ferguson couldn't believe it. Such a young coach was so calm. At the end of the game, he even arranged such a one-hit tactic.
Digan, Cavinaghi, Montolivo, all Fiorentina's frontcourt players rushed up. It seemed that Fiorentina was going to put all their eggs in one basket for the final blow.
Abate calmly made a pass, and Digan, who was rushing to the front, suddenly realized that he seemed to have overrun and was in an offside position. He stopped quickly and let the football fly over his head. He had already seen Carvey just now. Najib is plugging in at high speed.
near! near!
Kavinaghi threw himself out desperately, his body was almost parallel to the ground, and he jumped to the top.
The football just hit Cavinaghi's forehead. Although Vidic tried his best to block it, his interception was still a little slow. Although Van der Sar made a save in time, the distance was too close, and he With a tall body, it is simply a fantasy to fall to the ground in an instant.
Under the gaze of fans all over the world, the football went directly from Van der Sar's feet to the lower left corner of the goal.
The ball went in!
The moment the football entered the net, Ferguson felt that the whole world was dark. After a season of hard work, although he won the league championship, he valued the European championship more.
Could it be that this is the way to admit defeat!
Seeing the ball scored, Cavinaghi roared excitedly and rushed to the place where Fiorentina fans gathered on the sidelines.
The Fiorentina fans in the stands have exploded at this moment, and the game is about to end. At this time, the goal scored by Cavinaghi is a lore.
Manchester United has no chance!
There is no chance at all!
The Italian commentator also roared loudly, who said that Italian football has declined, look now, in six years, the teams from Serie A have won four Champions League trophies, such results, who dare to say that the Italian league is not the world First league?
At this moment, the referee's whistle sounded!
The game is over!
Champions of Europe!