Chapter 1153
Words:1683Update:22/10/16 01:16:40
Barcelona's adjustment caught Liverpool a little off guard.
Guardiola was a little relieved on the sidelines. Their confidence in the team was rekindled.
After constantly trying to limit Liverpool's counterattack and using various methods, they finally seemed to have found the right password.
Liverpool's defense was tight. Their formation was at the back. The players in the middle and the backfield were dense and the space was narrow. When Barcelona pressed more and adopted targeted counterattacks, it was difficult for Gerard and Alonso to accurately pass the ball to Qin Xiong or Torres.
A slight deviation in the pass would lead to the result of the pass.
Qin Xiong and Torres stayed in the middle and front field for a long time but could not wait for their teammates to pass the ball. They ran frequently without the ball, but Barcelona's defensive system in the middle and back field was also adjusted to the team's positioning to form a joint defense. Qin Xiong and Torres seemed to be running in a cage, but it was difficult to find free space.
Barcelona began to threaten Liverpool's goal with shots.
In the 23rd minute of the game, Messi ran horizontally in front of the penalty area to receive Yaya Toure's pass. He did not stop the ball and directly volleyed the ball, but the ball deviated from the goal.
Three minutes later, Ibrahimovic and Iniesta collided into the wall in front of the penalty area and rushed forward to shoot. The shot at the near corner was saved by Reina, who was standing in a position to block the near post.
When the 32nd minute of the game arrived, Yaya Toure suddenly rushed forward to the front of the penalty area. He was like a tank driving in front of Liverpool's defensive fortress. He then used his big body to squeeze Lucas out of the way and Xavi sent the ball to his feet.
Yaya Toure resisted Alonso and stuffed the ball diagonally into the left side of the penalty area.
Iniesta rushed forward behind Johnson and cut into the penalty area near the end line. He received Yaya Toure's diagonal pass and directly swept the ball to the back of the goal.
When the football rolled in front of the goal, Carragher blocked Ibrahimovic and did not let Ibrahimovic form a counterattack in front of the goal.
But at the back of the goal, Skrtel's sliding tackle attempt to shovel the ball out of the end line was a step too late. He watched the football slip in front of his eyes and his toes were only a little bit away from the football.
Aurelio lost to Messi in speed. After all, he had to turn around, while Messi's direct sprint inside was unmatched.
Messi faced Liverpool's half-empty goal and neatly pushed the ball with his left foot into the goal!
Camp Nou was finally filled with passionate shouts for the first time in a long time.
Barcelona's hope after they saw Messi's goal!
Guardiola also nodded vigorously on the sidelines. Then, he clapped and asked the players to return to their half of the field to prepare for the kickoff.
Messi rushed into the goal after the goal. His expression remained unperturbed. It seemed that the goal did not bring him joy because Barcelona was now racing against time!
"Messi! Messi's goal for Barcelona's goal! Iniesta's assist.
Barcelona seems to have found a way to overcome Liverpool's defensive fortress, and that is Yaya Toure. He is the Barcelona midfielder with the strongest physical ability. He can get the ball in the front field and not be at a disadvantage in the physical confrontation with Liverpool's players. Then he can pass a good ball and let Barcelona's attack continue!
Yaya Toure's pass to Iniesta was very beautiful. With Iniesta's assist, Messi scored easily! "
Guardiola did have some ideas about the tactical arrangement for the game. Yaya Toure was indeed a key part.
After Barcelona's defense was solved, their offense could play the expected effect!
Liverpool's players were troubled, and so was Comain.
After Gerard and Alonso were restricted, Torres and Qin Xiong could not get support in the front field. Liverpool's offense was as good as useless!
Before kick-off, Liverpool's players communicated.
Qin Xiong, Alonso, and Gerard stood together. Gerard suggested, "How about I stand closer to the front? There'll be more space in the midfield. "
Alonso shook his head and said, "If that's the case, the midfield may be completely lost. Today's confrontation in the midfield is very different from the last game."
Qin Xiong nodded in agreement with what he said.
Barcelona's midfield was definitely tougher today compared to the last game.
And once Gerard could not provide the toughness in the midfield, it was likely that Barcelona would have the overall advantage. At that time, they might not even have the chance to fight back, let alone counterattack. They would be completely suppressed by Barcelona!
Qin Xiong thought about it and said, "Let's try another way. Don't deliberately pursue the ground pass. Let's try the air."
Usually, Qin Xiong's proposal would not be adopted by everyone because the ground pass was more accurate and it would also make it easier for the attacking players to handle the ball.
But in today's game environment, perhaps a high ball pass and a high shot would have a better effect.
Because even if Barcelona's defenders in the midfield and backfield were blocking Qin Xiong and Torres, Barcelona still had to attack. There were fewer defenders in the backfield and there was more space. Torres and Qin Xiong both had speed. If a high ball came over, there would be an uncertain probability of success in fighting for the landing spot.
Gerard and Alonso nodded in agreement.
Liverpool adjusted themselves and then kicked off again.
After the kickoff, Qin Xiong tried to advance the offense, but he was submerged under the defensive pincer attack of Yaya Touré, Bouzquez, and Alves.
He tried to pass the ball but was blocked by Alves. The referee determined that Qin Xiong lost control of the ball and Puyol took the initiative to run to control the ball. Alves' block of Qin Xiong did not constitute a foul. This made Qin Xiong feel a little helpless, but he did not protest.
In a positional game, it was simply wishful thinking for him to overturn Barcelona's defensive line head-on.
Barcelona became braver as the game went on. They continued their oppressive offense.
In the 39th minute of the game, Yaya Touré rushed to the front of the penalty area again.
This time, Lucas decisively tackled the ball.
Since he could not beat Yaya Touré in a physical confrontation, he had to be more ruthless!
Lucas' tackle forced Yaya Touré to change the direction of the ball. As soon as he changed the direction of the ball, he was successfully intercepted by Alonso.
Yaya Touré immediately counterattacked after losing the ball. Alonso had just gained control of the ball when he felt the pressure from Yaya Touré's collision with his body. While trying to maintain his balance, Alonso saw where Gerard was and immediately passed the ball to Gerard.
Gerard's back was facing Barcelona's half of the field. He had already thought about it. After stopping the ball, he turned around and immediately drove the ball to the front of the field. His strategy was the same as when Reina's big kick created a chance for Qin Xiong to break the siege.
But just as he stopped the ball, someone poked the ball from behind him!
Gerrard turned pale with fright!
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