Chapter 137 Head-on-head (Part 1)

When players from both sides stood in the players' corridor at Old Trafford waiting to enter the court, huge singing voices from the stands outside rushed in, allowing the boys of the Forest team to feel the momentum of the English Football Dream Theater.

The young players of the Forest team seemed a little excited about this game. It was not because of the boring reason that playing football in the Dream Theater was their wish, but because of their head coach, they were eager to play against the strong.

Young people all have this idea: our opponents are very powerful, so if we defeat him, it means we are stronger than them!

Although Manchester United's ranking is two lower than Forest, their reputation is far superior to Nottingham Forest, and they also pull Forest far away on the overall honor list. People will easily believe that Manchester United is a strong team, but they cannot accept the saying that Nottingham Forest is a strong team. There is no way, this is the habit of thinking. Now Nottingham Forest is ranked fifth and is still called a dark horse - this is a very polite statement - so far, people believe that Forest can stay in this ranking because of good luck. Those who say this obviously ignore how Don't have tied Arsenal, how to defeat Chelsea and Newcastle, and how they were unbeaten in ten consecutive rounds after the first round of the league. They only saw that Forest failed consecutively (actually, it was a draw), and saw that Forest lost to Blackburn and Liverpool...

As the captain of Manchester United, Keane stood at the front of the team wearing the captain's armband.

More than one person has told Wood that Roy Keane, who plays at Manchester United now, is his future appearance and his goal. It was not until today's game that Wood had the opportunity to observe his "who will be" up close:

The Irishman occasionally looked back at the team behind him. Wood could see the serious expression on his face. His eyes swept over the people behind him one by one, and then fell on George Wood who had been staring at him.

Wood also found that the other party was looking at him. But he did not pretend to be nothing. Keane looked at Wood and turned his head back. No one ever told him that this inappropriate boy in front of him would be like him in the future. He was not interested in George Wood. Maybe he was just a newcomer boy who was curious and couldn't help but fall into a blank mind when he saw the star.

George Wood stared at Roy Keane's back for a while, then turned his eyes back. He stood behind goalkeeper Darren Ward, very close to Manchester United captain. He suddenly remembered that Keane was the opponent in this game. Is he a little bit of an intention to show his gratitude when he looked at him like this?

This is not possible, it is not George Wood's style. He also turned his eyes back and happened to see Albertini, who was standing in the front of the team, smiling at him.

"George." Albertini turned around and walked around goalkeeper Ward and walked to Wood. "I think if you have a chance during the game, you can get in the moment. Although the boss has arranged a heavy defensive task for you, it doesn't make much sense to drag you behind when we attack. A good midfielder is not enough to just be able to defend. Do you understand what I mean?"

Wood shook his head: "He said I just need to focus on defense..."

Albertini smiled: "If you want to achieve higher achievements than Roy Keane in the future, you can't just focus on defense. Your defense is already very powerful, you are the most powerful defensive player I have ever seen!" This sentence is a bit exaggerated, but it is very effective in encouraging people.

"What should I do, Demi?"

"Put more effort on offense. Nowadays, the back midfielder cannot only be able to defend. Sometimes you need to rush to the front of the opponent's penalty area to shoot strongly!" Albertini clenched his fists and pounded it.

"But my shot is bad..."

"If you never try it. How do you know if your shot is really bad? When was the last time you took the initiative to shoot in a game?"

Wood thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "I don't remember..."

Albertini spread his hands and smiled, "Look. Let's start with this game. I will create opportunities for you. When we attack, you can decide whether to come up according to the situation. Don't always say what the boss says. What you do, just use your brain." He pointed to his head. "Football, it's not enough to just rely on your body to play well, you also need to use your brain."

Wood nodded: "I get it, Demi."

Albertini patted his shoulder and turned around and walked back.

The referee was telling Keane something, and when he saw Albertini coming, he called him over. At this time, Keane turned his head and shouted to the Manchester United players behind him: "It's ready. Guys! It's time for us to play!"

Although Albertini faced the referee, he also raised his right arm at the same time. The Forest players behind him calmed down when they saw the captain's movement and stopped talking and laughing. Everyone's expressions became serious and serious.

The competition is about to begin.

Old Trafford is the largest football stadium in England. Although Wembley can accommodate more people, it has a track and is not considered a professional football stadium.

This 96-year-old football stadium can accommodate more than 67,000 people after its expansion and renovation. The red Old Trafford was once called the "Dream Theater" by Manchester United's famous star Bobby Charlton, and this metaphor is very appropriate. Whether in terms of scale or past glory, Old Trafford has been awarded this title.

Now, on November 28, 2004. The performance of Nottingham Forest in this "Dream Theater" has kicked off.

Albertini seemed calm in defense against Roy Keane. Compared with other children of the Forest team, he is a veteran with rich experience. The only one who can compare with Manchester United stars here is Dmitrio Albertini. Spanish old central defender Jero did not enter the roster of the team's expedition.

Keane obviously knew what kind of person the guy he was facing was. He did not rush to pounce on it, but stuck his position.

Albertini looked up at the surroundings. Ribery was being guarded by Gary Neville on the left, and there was no one around Ashley Young on the right, but Ronaldo was cruising not far away, as if it was a trap that was deliberately left out?

What's ahead...

Not to mention, Eastwood and Viduka were both strictly guarded. Even if they received it, they could not turn around and could only fall into the siege of each other.

Keane's position was very good, much better than that boy from Wood, which made Albertini unable to break through and pass the ball rashly. In the end, he had to choose to pass the ball back to George Wood.

Although Wood is still far from Roy Keane's strength, he is no longer a novice who is at a loss after getting the ball.

After looking at Albertini's situation, he turned around and passed the ball to Zimbonda, the right back in the back.

Cristiano Ronaldo was not active in pressing the ball when the full-back took the ball. He stepped forward and made a steal. Zimbonda easily bypassed him. When Ashley Young saw the Frenchman coming up, he hurriedly leaned towards the middle and gave way to him.

Compared with Gary Neville on the right, Manchester United's left back has always been a problem. Ferguson has allowed many people to play in this position and is not satisfied. This summer, he bought Argentine Gabriel_ivan_heinze for 7 million from Paris Saint-Germain. Judging from his performance in the past few months, he has completely secured the position of Manchester United's main left-back.

Zimbonda tried to break through when facing Heinze and was cut off, but the Argentinian did not completely control the ball. The ball he poked was cut off by the agile Ashley Young in front of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Then, while Heinze lost his position, Ashley Young dribbled the ball and killed him from the wing.

"They are in good momentum in the offense of Nottingham Forest!"

Because Heinze was beaten, Manchester United's central defender must make up for one person. West Brom assumed this responsibility, but in this way, Manchester United's penalty area is empty, and Roy Keane can only make up for the space left by Brom. Defence is a systematic project. As long as there is a problem in a place, it will cause a chain reaction.

Viduca, Eastwood, and Ribery all inserted into Manchester United's penalty area. Albertini ran halfway but stopped outside the penalty area. At the same time, Ashley Young made a cross. He did not send the ball to the penalty area, but passed it to Albertini who was parked outside the penalty area!

When Roykeen pulled back and filled up, he also paid attention to Albertini's movements. He knew the ability of this Italian. Age is not a factor affecting Albertini. They are both thirty-two years old, and they are not old yet!

"Damn!" After cursing, Keane turned around and rushed out, rushing towards Albertini.

Albertini made a move, and this was a direct shot! His long-range shot of the fallen leaf ball is well-known all over the world, and only a fool would let him shoot without interference!

Keane flew out, hoping to use his body to block Albertini's shot.

"The Italian is going to shoot!"

Ferguson stood up from his seat, clenched his fists and prepared to curse.

But the swear words he had prepared were blocked as soon as they reached his throat - Albertini did not shoot, he just made a leg swaying position, and then watched the football slide past him!

When the football flew over and landed at the feet of another Forest player, everyone was stunned. Not only Manchester United players, but also Forest players did not expect that it would appear at the ball landing point, and the person who received the ball was George Wood!
Chapter completed!