"Manchester City has invested an average of more than 100 million pounds a year in the past three or four years to build a luxurious lineup that has finally begun to show its power to the world this season. But this team still lacks elements. I think the first is experience, and that is the experience of playing in the Champions League. The Champions League is often played between teams with different styles.
Manchester City's overall performance in the Champions League is not good. Why do I say this?
Because their opponent today, Liverpool, is a team with a variety of styles in the Champions League and the Premier League.
They are not only challenging the defending champions of the Premier League, but also the defending champions of the Champions League!
You can imagine the difficulty.
So I'm looking forward to what kind of tactics Mancini will use to play against Liverpool in Anfield today. "
"Oh, Gary, I'm curious too. Let's take a look at the starting lineup for both sides.
Liverpool starting lineup: 433.
Goalkeeper: Reina.
Defenders: Johnson, Skrtel, Thiago Silva, Baines.
Midfielders: Kuyt, Gerard, Mascherano.
Forwards: Raúl, Suárez, Qin Xiong.
Liverpool today put on their mature 433 offensive system that has been in operation for the past two years at home. The more surprising thing is that Kuyt appeared in the center midfielder position today. It is unknown what effect Comain's approach will bring. We will have to observe carefully in the game.
Manchester City starting lineup: 4231.
Goalkeeper: Hart.
Defenders: Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy.
Midfielders: Milner, Barry, Silva, Yaya, Toure, Nasri.
Forward: Agüero.
Mancini did not send out a 433 formation today, but a slightly more balanced 4231 formation. Today's starting lineup should be Manchester City's strongest lineup. Let's wait and see what happens in the game. "
The game kicked off with a deafening roar from the Anfield crowd.
Manchester City kicked off first.
Even though Manchester City's ability to control the game was not outstanding, their ability to slow down the pace and get into the game state was still very strong.
In the first half of the season, they had built a strong self-confidence and would not be timid in the face of Liverpool.
In the second minute of the game, Manchester City's left flank played a smooth and quick teamwork.
Nasri relied on his footwork on the left flank to break through when Kuyt came to defend, causing Kuyt to retreat. Then he dribbled and cut to the middle, and then knocked the ball horizontally when Gerard came to press.
Yaya Toure plugged in from the back and dribbled towards the right side of the midfield.
At this time, Mascherano moved towards Yaya Toure's path. Yaya Toure then passed the ball diagonally to David Silva in the middle of the penalty area.
Mascherano immediately went to intercept, and David Silva slotted the ball diagonally into the left side of the penalty area.
Nasri, who instigated this attack, cut inside strongly.
He rushed through the gap between Johnson and Skrtel and received David Silva's pass in the penalty area. Then, he immediately swept the ball across the middle of the goal.
Agüero rushed past Skrtel and snatched the shot!
This was a great opportunity to attack!
After Manchester City established David Silva as the playmaker in the front field, they were able to play exquisite coordination in positional play.
But at the moment when Agüero lifted his leg to shoot, a figure crossed in front of him!
Tiago Silva shoveled to block!
Agüero's shot hit Tiago Silva's thigh and rebounded!
"Manchester City played a threatening offensive at the beginning of the game. Fortunately, Tiago Silva fell to the ground in time to block Agüero's snatching shot! Hahaha, this game is bound to be exciting. Manchester City's performance is indeed better than before in the Community Shield before the season. It can be said that they have taken on a new look! "
The blocked ball was released from the sidelines by Mascherano's foot.
Liverpool's defense did not seem to be too reassuring today.
In the fourth minute of the game, Yaya Toure passed the ball diagonally to Milner on the right flank in the midfield. This was a timely offensive transfer.
Manchester City could now be said to have a double core in the front and back field!
Yaya Toure could organize in the middle and back field, while Silva could organize and instigate a threatening offensive in the front field. This kind of configuration was once or still is possessed by many powerhouse clubs.
Milner pushed the offensive on the right flank and crossed at a 45-degree angle.
The football did not get past Tiago Silva this time. He cleared the ball with a header!
"Tiago Silva has played the role of a stabilizing force in the rear defensive line after joining Liverpool this season! If it weren't for his presence, Liverpool might not have won so easily in many of the games between the strong teams. He has made Liverpool's defensive line more reassuring. "
Liverpool did not have a decent attack until the seventh minute of the game.
Gerard quickly passed the ball to the left flank after he and Kuyt hit the wall in the midfield.
Qin Xiong, who retreated to receive, controlled the ball in place. He did not immediately pursue the speed of the attack because he wanted to see what Manchester City's defensive strategy was like today.
Yaya Toure and Barry would not firmly assist in defending the flank. When Qin Xiong controlled the ball, only Milner would come to harass him.
When Milner intercepted, Qin Xiong suddenly started to dribble along the flank.
Just as he dribbled forward, Yaya Toure returned to his position on the left flank in front of the penalty area and seemed to be waiting for Qin Xiong to change direction and cut across.
Obviously, Manchester City had become more cautious and rational after suffering too much from Qin Xiong.
They would not rush up to intercept him. Seizing the key position in the defensive zone had become the primary defensive point.
Qin Xiong dribbled the ball in front of Richards. Without waiting for Richards to react, Qin Xiong stopped dribbling and passed the ball to the middle. Richards thought he would dribble to challenge Yaya Toure, and Yaya Toure probably thought the same.
The two men took advantage of the situation to double-team, but they did not expect Qin Xiong to pull the ball to the sideline. At the same time, his body completed a reverse turn and changed his foot to pull the ball again!
A Marseille Spin appeared under the gaze of all the spectators.
When Qin Xiong brushed past Richards, he was so elegant that it was intoxicating.
The Red Army fans at the scene immediately applauded and cheered for Qin Xiong.
But they did not know what Qin Xiong was thinking when he passed by Richards.
"Today, I'll beat you!"
After completing the Marseille Spin, Qin Xiong took a step diagonally to the inside line.
At this time, Yaya Toure rushed into the penalty area to defend. Suarez was caught in a double team in the penalty area.
Qin Xiong passed the ball diagonally back to the position outside the top of the penalty area arc in between the gaps.
Gerard, who rushed up from behind, did not hesitate. With a murderous look, he received the ball with a powerful kick and blasted it out!
The football flew straight to the left half of the goal. Joe Hart immediately pounced and hit the ball out of the end line.
It was a world-class save!
After the successful save, Hart stood up and clenched his fists and roared at the field!
It was as if he was declaring that the goal he was defending would not let Liverpool score today!
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