I am the king of football

Chapter 243 Ordinary Starlight

When the two teams reappeared on the field, people could clearly see that the state of Manchester United players had changed.

There is no doubt that this was the result of Ferguson's impassioned speech in the locker room to stimulate the players. Facing an ordinary opponent like Norwich, he believed that his team must win.

"Attack until you score! Don't slack off, go after them!"

"When necessary, we can press forward, put pressure on them, and force them to make mistakes."

"Reduce unnecessary shots, seize the best opportunities, and don't let the opponent's goalkeeper continue to be in good form~"

During the entire half-time break, Ferguson did not make many changes to the formation and tactics. He mainly pointed out the key points of the team's offensive problems in the first half.

When the entire Manchester United team stood back on the field, not only Qin Hu and Van Persie, but also the four midfielders behind them all had their eyes fixed on the opponent's goal.

In contrast, even Norwich's lone striker Holt did not pay too much attention to the direction of Manchester United's goal. They were more focused on the team's defense.

As the referee blew the whistle to start the game again, Holt, standing at the serving point, served the ball.

"They passed the ball to their own midfield and used their numerical advantage to control the ball. Norwich still dealt with Manchester United like a bus."

The home team's decision was absolutely correct. I don't know how many teams changed their tactics because they didn't feel the threat from Manchester United in the first half, but unfortunately they were all overturned by this team that was not happy until it reversed the situation.

Now, facing this kind of defensive retreat that doesn't even allow for a counterattack, the Red Devils don't have many good ideas. They can only keep pressing and trying to seize the ball, and think about other things later.

People didn't expect that it would take the Red Devils nearly eight minutes just to regain the ball and keep it firmly under their feet.

And when Carrick and Giggs continued to pass the ball and cooperate with each other to seek opportunities to attack forward, they had to face the opponent's 46 tactics that were ready for battle.

They were constantly violated, harassed, and blocked. In short, the two people's feelings can be summed up in one word - tired.

Norwich continued to trouble Manchester United with endless defense and tough cooperation. Every time the ball finally came to Qin Hu and Van Persie after untold hardships, the two forwards were under considerable pressure.

Norwich's four defenders knew that they could not steal the ball from the two stars in front of them, and their goalkeeper was in a hot state, so their main focus was on interference.

You want to shoot?

Okay, I'll give you space, but just a little bit. I'll use my body, the number of people, and even pulling to prevent you from getting even a little bit.

In this situation, the striker has only one option - shoot.

It just so happens that the ball shot out in this situation is not that threatening and it is difficult to have any effect against a top goalkeeper.

This became a vicious cycle. When the game reached the 65th minute, Manchester United still had not scored a goal, and their players in the midfield and frontcourt were already showing obvious signs of fatigue.

Ferguson on the sidelines made a substitution, he replaced Van Persie with Rooney. Although the team's two forwards had limited performance in this game, he still chose to keep the younger Qin Hu.

In addition, Scholes also came on as a substitute to replace Carrick. Almost all the focus of Norwich's midfield defense revolved around him. As the core of the team's midfield offense, the midfielder's consumption was quite high.

After two substitutions, things still didn't go as Manchester United fans expected. Although Scholes received a triangle pass from Qin Hu and shot a long shot soon after he came on the pitch, he was still saved by Rudy and Manchester United got another corner kick. Unfortunately, even for the corner kick opportunity, Norwich relied on the advantage of numbers to strictly block Qin Hu, an offensive player who is good at heading.

Even with Qin Hu's strength, when the number of people surrounding him reached four, it was difficult for him to hit the ball accurately.

As a result, the ball was finally confiscated by Rudy. Manchester United's attack, which almost put all its strength in the midfield and frontcourt plus Evans' corner kick, ended in vain again.

"Alas, Rudy has confiscated the ball again. He has stood between the goal and the goal countless times."

Zhan Jun was as frustrated as the other Red Devils players on the field, but the game on the field never stopped for a moment.

Rudy, holding the ball, ran out of the small penalty area and rushed to the left. When he came close to the penalty area line, he threw the ball out hard.

"Fight back!!!"

A roar at the top of one's lungs woke up the Norwich players who had been obsessed with defense. When there were only three defensive players and the goalkeeper left in the opponent's half, wasn't that the best time for a counterattack?

"Oh!"

Norwich's full-back Whittaker received the pass from the goalkeeper and without any hesitation he kicked the ball forward, and the ball flew directly near the midfield line.

"Norwich City launched a counterattack! Holt, the center forward standing at the midline, got the ball with his back to the goal. He blocked Smalling who rushed over from behind to steal the ball, and passed the ball directly to the front left. Pilkington!!! He rushed forward quickly and got the ball!"

This is a name that is very unfamiliar to Manchester United fans, and even the players who came from Manchester United's youth training system have already forgotten its existence.

Because he was just an ordinary passer-by who had a little talent in football and had the honor of training in Manchester United's youth training. Even Ferguson next to him had forgotten his name.

But, at this moment, on this day, Pilkington's name is destined to be deeply remembered by the entire Manchester United team.

"Flying! Flying! Flying all the way! Evra kept retreating, Valencia was chasing him all the way behind him, Pilkington's speed was too fast, he burst out with unprecedented power, and went straight to the penalty area diagonally!"

"Oh!"

When Evra realized something was wrong and wanted to attack, Pilkington had already hit the ball hard in front of the penalty area. As the team's winger, he made a wonderful world-class shot.

"Shu~"

Lindegaard, who didn't make many saves throughout the game, was not in good shape. When the opponent did not counterattack and break into the penalty area to shoot like a regular striker but chose to shoot from a long distance, Lindegaard did not react in time.

So when the ball went over the goalkeeper and hit the net behind him, Lindegaard didn't even make a save.

"Ball, it's in! It's in!!! A perfect counterattack, Pilkington! This Manchester United youth player scored the first goal of the game! Beautiful! 1-0, the home team is leading!"

The next moment, Norwich fans went crazy. This was their team's first shot of the game. Pilkington used his lonesome to break the goal of the arrogant Red Devils.

At this moment, the ordinary him is no longer ordinary. At least today, he is the most shining one in the audience!
The second chapter is here! Thank you all for your support!!! New Year's Day is coming, I wish you all the best in 2024!!
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(End of this chapter)