Football: I am only 16 years old, and you want me to retire and make a comeback?

Chapter 766 The Conflict Between High-Pressure Tactical Concepts and the Finisher in the Paint
Dongqiudi Match Report: Manchester United decisively defeated Liverpool 5-3 at home. Tang Ye scored twice and assisted Ronaldo, while Salah's hat-trick failed to save the day. (367242 comments)

Cristiano Ronaldo's post-match interview immediately became the focus of attention for fans.

Some fans pointed out that although Ronaldo scored a goal in this match, he was not the best player, so he is not 100% sure he will give an interview. If we wait any longer, we may not get any results.

However, the fans were relatively lucky because Ronaldo did not decline the reporters' interview requests.

Click, click, click!

"Ronaldo, you scored again today."

The reporter immediately congratulated Ronaldo, but the latter did not seem very happy.

"We saw you were substituted by Eric after scoring in the second half, and your expression wasn't very good at the time. Did you disagree with Eric's substitution?"

The reporter asked a rather direct question.

Cristiano Ronaldo certainly cannot answer this kind of question casually.

It's often said that Portuguese people have low emotional intelligence, but nearly 20 years of professional football experience has taught him a lot.

"Being substituted after scoring a goal is definitely upsetting. But if it's the coach's decision, then there's nothing I can do."

Click, click, click!

"Cristiano, this doesn't seem to be the first time you've been substituted early. Is it because your stamina isn't enough to last the entire match?"

"No, impossible. My physical strength is not a problem. Many people will talk about my age, but I don't think 36 years old can defeat me, and 37 years old is the same. There is no difference."

"Even if there are only 4 days between two games, I can still play two 90-minute games."

Cristiano Ronaldo scoffed: "That's my job."

"But you always get substituted by Eric early. What do you have to say about that?"

"Was this part of your plan in advance?"

"no."

Cristiano Ronaldo was quite candid, telling reporters that he was quite surprised when he learned he had been substituted: "It was the coach's decision, I couldn't do anything about it. Of course, the coach's decisions aren't always correct, so I can't say anything more about it."

!

Reporters captured key information from Ronaldo's words.

"Currently, Manchester United's main tactic is still high pressing, but you don't seem to be able to meet the coach's tactical requirements? Considering this factor, do you regret returning to Manchester United?"

"No, I won't regret it."

That statement is absolutely true.

From Ronaldo's perspective, he has no chance of achieving any more honors at Juventus, and he has even been owed wages.

However, Manchester United pays wages very quickly, and the team's overall strength is far superior to Juventus'.

Just ...

Cristiano Ronaldo clicked his tongue: "I don't know how to say it, but the current Manchester United feels unfamiliar to me. Although many things here haven't changed, I just have this feeling."

"Do you feel that your technical skills conflict with Eric's requirements?"

"..."

"Undeniably, there might be a little bit."

He smirked: "But... a lot of coaches, well, not just him (referring to Ten Hag), you know, there are a lot of coaches in the world who think they know everything, but the evolution of football shows that a lot of things are new."

Click!

Click, click, click, click!

The press conference room was filled with the continuous sound of camera shutters clicking.

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he could hold back, but the truth is that his patience was far less than he imagined.

"Perhaps we should find a middle ground."

Cristiano Ronaldo added.

……

Cristiano Ronaldo, in an interview, said: "There are many coaches in the world who think they know everything."

[Holy crap, war has broken out?]

[Awesome! I've been wanting to get rid of Ten Hach for ages, let's get him!]

[What the hell? Ronaldo has hardly any supporters now, and he still wants to mess with Ten Hag?]

[Brother Luo acted impulsively! He just arrived and immediately went against Ten Hah. What if he gets sidelined?]

[The problem is that Cristiano Ronaldo is currently relegated to the bench; Ten Hag isn't giving him any opportunities.]

The biggest problem is systemic conflict. I said this two years ago: Manchester United needs strikers who can run, like Dembele. Ronaldo could do that five years ago, but definitely not now. Who the hell can still run around at 36?

Cristiano Ronaldo's post-match interview unsurprisingly went viral.

The entire interview video is just over four minutes long, and Ronaldo initially appeared relatively calm.

But his tone became increasingly forceful, and his expression grew more and more serious.

They were practically just going to call out Ten Hach's name!

Judging from the actual situation of the match, Ronaldo not only had a conflict with Ten Hag, but also had an unclear relationship with Tang Ye.

Tang Ye gave up a direct free kick opportunity in the first half to Ronaldo.

Were Manchester United's midfielders truly happy when they made concessions?
Fans want to see Ten Hag and Tang Ye's reactions.

However, Ten Hag and Tang Ye's post-match interviews were conducted before Ronaldo's, meaning they didn't know what Ronaldo was going to say when they were interviewed.

That's a real shame.

……

2021-2022 Premier League Standings (as of Round 9):

1. Manchester United, 27 points.

2. Manchester City, 23 points.

3. Liverpool, 21 points.

4. Chelsea, 19 points.

5. Tottenham Hotspur, 19 points.

Sky Sports commentator Jansen: TY agrees that Ronaldo's performance after his return objectively helped him suppress Ronaldo, but this is a two-sided matter. TY and other Manchester United players need to bear some of the negative impact Ronaldo has on the team atmosphere.

The match is over, but the discussion about this Manchester derby is far from over.

The point is not the 5-3 score, nor how well the two sides played in this match.

The key point is what Ronaldo said in the post-match interview, those words specifically targeting Ten Hag.

Ten Hag's supporters were outraged.

Cristiano Ronaldo's fans are worried about their idol, fearing that his remarks will have a negative impact on him.

Another point of focus is whether Tang Ye will play in the 10th round match against Tottenham.

If we study Tang Ye's usual habits, then he will most likely make an appearance.

But just last month, Escriva made it clear that the Chinese national team had disciplinary requirements.

If this disciplinary requirement is strictly enforced, Tang Ye will definitely miss the 10th round of the competition.

The Sun's front-page headline: Escriva issues ultimatum! TY may miss the away game against Tottenham in Round 10.

"Judging from the current standings, the 10th round could be Tottenham's chance to turn things around. If they can beat Manchester United, it will completely change the current situation in the Premier League standings."

"..."

Eskeriva's ultimatum.

Tang Ye looked at his phone.

Only he knew that Eskeriva's ultimatum was actually a ruse. Whether or not to return early was ultimately Tang Ye's decision.

Do you think I should go back?

Tang Ye looked at Rodri beside him.

"You're asking me? If you're asking me, then of course I suggest you don't leave yet."

Rodri said, "Your first game in November should be the 8th, or maybe the 7th? I feel that playing Tottenham on the 31st shouldn't have much of an impact."

"Of course, it mainly depends on you. From the club's perspective, I suggest you stay put for now."

Rodri's analysis was very logical and well-reasoned.

First of all, he knew Eskeriva very well.

When Rodri saw Escobar's interview in the news, he knew his fellow Spaniard was lying, because Escobar's personality was such that he was not the kind of coach who would make strict demands on Tang Ye.

"Actually... you can leave too."

Rodri said softly, "We're on a nine-game winning streak right now, so we're pretty much set. You can just secure your World Cup spot first."

After he finished speaking, Rodri looked up and observed.

"Hmm, nobody heard it."

"I heard."

Dembele leaned back in his chair, looking at Rodri behind him.

"Get lost."

Rodri pushed Dembele away.

“It’s okay to be a little selfish, Tom.”

Dembele raised an eyebrow at Tang Ye: "Not everyone can be as selfless as I am."

"..."

"I feel that my national team is doing alright, we've only drawn one game so far."

"Then stay."

Rodri continued, following Tang Ye's words: "Because Tottenham is indeed not an easy opponent, but if you stay, we are basically unlikely to lose."

"..."

"Let me think about it some more."

Tang Ye really doesn't like making these kinds of multiple-choice questions.

He needs to give face to Eskeriva, but at the same time he also needs to give face to Ten Hach.

The pressure from both the club and the national team is coming from two completely different directions, leaving Tang Ye feeling like a hamburger stuck in the middle, unsure of what to do.

Another issue is Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Okay, Tom."

Dembele glanced at Ronaldo sitting with Dalot: "I'll arrange a fight between you two."

"I probably can't beat him, right?"

"Ew, fuck!"

Tang Ye pushed Dembele away, saying, "Don't lead me astray."

"Ha ha!"

Cristiano Ronaldo's problem is indeed one that urgently needs to be addressed.

If Ronaldo isn't Manchester United's starting center forward, then it doesn't matter what he does.

However, judging from the current situation, Ronaldo is the team's starting center forward.

Considering the team's overall strength, it is indeed very necessary to fully integrate Ronaldo into the team.

Tang Ye put on his headphones and held his head in his hands.

During the transfer window, I did make some assumptions, thinking that a person's personality can change quickly, even for a player with such an extremely distinct personality like Cristiano Ronaldo.

But now it seems that Tang Ye was wrong, and he needs to pay some price for his choice.

It's a bit messy. Let's put everything together and sort things out one by one.

This leads to a goal: to fully integrate Ronaldo into the team without changing his personality.

How do I do this?
……

It was the third day after the end of the Double Eleven meeting.

For the past 36 hours, a team of reporters from The Sun has been searching everywhere for Tang Ye's private jet, but to no avail.

The plane was last spotted at Hong Kong International Airport, more than 1 kilometers away from Manchester.

The Sun speculated that Tang Ye was unlikely to return to China before the match against Tottenham, so he had chartered out his private jet.

Whether Tang Ye will participate in the 10th round of the competition is still uncertain.

A significant number of fans firmly believe that Tang Ye will not return to China ahead of schedule, and they have three reasons for this.

1. Tottenham Hotspur are currently fifth in the Premier League and are very strong. Manchester United need their leader to lead the team.

2. The relationship between Chinese team head coach Eskrima and Tang Ye is very special, so he may not necessarily make the same demands of Tang Ye as he told reporters.

3. Tang Ye just bought a private jet, and it's one of the faster ones, precisely because he wants it to allow for quick transfers between two locations. If he leaves now, then the tens of millions of euros he spent on the private jet will be wasted.

There are many reasons, but there is still no definite answer as to whether Tang Ye will return to China.

At this point, news from the Daily Star caught the attention of the fans.

This is a local English football newspaper, whose main focus, like The Sun, is gossip and tabloid news.

However, the latest issue of the Daily Star has a very serious theme. The newspaper's editor and several experts have carefully analyzed some of the problems Ronaldo is currently facing at Manchester United.

The front-page headline reads: "The contradiction between the high-pressure tactical concept and the penalty area terminator."

"Manchester United's core tactic is high pressing, but the term 'high pressing' alone cannot fully encompass Manchester United's core philosophy. This is because Manchester United not only presses when they are in a high position, but their midfielders and even full-backs also have a certain tendency to press, with the aim of putting pressure on the opponent."

"If you watch Manchester United games regularly, you will know that playing against Manchester United is a very stressful thing. Some teams that are good at possession of the ball will even make frequent passing mistakes (Sevilla, Ajax) because their players in all positions are under pressure from Manchester United's pressing."

"Therefore, Manchester United's tactical philosophy should be summarized as 'high-pressure pressing,' the core of which is to use the absolute superiority of the players' abilities and teamwork to put pressure on the opponent and establish their league dominance from the very beginning of the game."

Judging from these words, the Daily Star seems to think that Manchester United has a "fierce" playing style.

However, the newspaper's editor-in-chief was very meticulous, and they believed that describing Manchester United's playing style as "fierce" was not appropriate.

To be precise, Manchester United's style is rather rough, and it also carries a sense of superiority: Manchester United doesn't need possession, but they absolutely must put pressure on their opponents.

This tactical atmosphere began to emerge slowly in 2017, after Tang Ye joined the team, and has now been in place for more than four years, so it has been etched into the minds of many Manchester United players.

The main reason why Cristiano Ronaldo is incompatible with Manchester United is that he cannot adapt to this "high-pressure pressing" tactic.

The other players on the team are using a pressure cooker to cook their opponents like rice. It doesn't matter if it tastes good or not, you just have to cook them thoroughly.

But Ronaldo used an induction cooker, which involved meticulous craftsmanship.

After his transformation, Cristiano Ronaldo became a true penalty area finisher, with maximum ability in front of goal.

However, he couldn't press and put pressure on the opponents like his teammates, which affected not only the attacking coordination but also Manchester United's overall performance on the field.

Just like in a group jump rope session, if your rhythm is different from the other 10 people, or even different from the people swinging the rope at both ends, it will naturally cause a lot of trouble.

In response, the editor of the Daily Star noted a solution to the problem at the end of the article.

"I haven't figured it out yet," the editor-in-chief said.

"..."

……

(End of this chapter)