After Qin Xiong took the initiative to withdraw the pressure from Guti's organization, Real Madrid's midfield organization improved. However, in a fast-paced game, the strength of Real Madrid's forward line declined.
This was the problem of selection brought about by the imbalance of the lineup structure.
The problem of Real Madrid's decline in strength in the midfield was more obvious and prominent in this game.
In the 26th minute of the game, Liverpool's midfield failed to encircle and suppress Guti because there were many players near Guti. He quickly passed the ball to Snede, who also kicked the ball out. The football moved quickly and smoothly.
Qin Xiong went to the left in front of Mascherano to receive Snede's pass. After the football rolled over, he did not control the ball but turned to face the right flank, which made Mascherano's plan to press and intercept fall through.
Then Qin Xiong quickly passed the ball diagonally to the front of the right flank. Robben cut across the front of the penalty area in front of Aurelio. He kicked the ball twice with his left foot and swung it out of the shooting angle to shoot for a long shot!
The football flew straight to the bottom right corner of the goal, but the distance was a little far, giving Reina enough time to react. Reina pounced and blocked the ball out of the end line.
"Real Madrid finally has a threatening attack from Robben's shot. Reina's save is wonderful!"
Real Madrid's corner kick was launched. Ramos suddenly rushed into the penalty area and jumped high to head the ball. Unfortunately, his header was deflected.
There were anxious sighs in the Bernabéu stands.
The Real Madrid fans did not expect to encounter such a huge difficulty in today's game against Liverpool.
In their eyes, Liverpool was a defeated team, and Liverpool did not invest as much in summer signings as Barcelona. It was as if the team had a new look.
However, Liverpool had a manager, Benítez, who was good at playing in the Cup. His technical and tactical arrangements were particularly targeted.
Liverpool's fast attacks were also not to be underestimated.
In the 29th minute of the game, Riera dribbled the ball on the left side to spur the attack. He pushed the ball to the vicinity of the end line in one breath, and then suddenly carried out a long-distance return pass. The Real Madrid players defending the retreat in the middle of the midfield looked back and only saw Alonso plugging in from the back to receive Riera's return pass and directly send a straight ball.
This kick was very beautiful. Marcelo lost his defensive position. He was still young and inexperienced, and lacked top-level competition experience. In this kind of competition where the situation was constantly changing, a moment of carelessness would be caught by the opponent.
Kuyt cut into the end line from behind him, and Liverpool's offensive transfer was quick and precise!
The Red Army's ability to sit firmly at the top of the Premier League table was by no means based on luck. If their substitutes could be as strong as Manchester United and Chelsea, perhaps people would be more confident in Liverpool's chances of winning the title.
When Kuyt cut into the end line, the Holy Boy Torres ran to position to snatch the ball in front of the goal. Pepe followed like a shadow, and Cannavaro had to block Kuyt's ball face to face.
But Kuyt passed the ball back to the inverted triangle of the penalty area, and Gerard made a long-shot pose on the penalty area line. It looked like he was going to test Casillas with the heavy artillery that he was good at.
In the nick of time, Las Diarra slid over, and Gerard violently shot a volley. The football hit Diarra's thigh and bounced into the stands.
The football that flew out high and fast gave the Real Madrid fans a lingering fear.
They were both glad that Diarra was able to disrupt Gerard's long-shot at the crucial moment, and they were also afraid that Gerard did not use the technique of a clever shot.
Real Madrid's offense was still unable to create much of a threat. Liverpool's midfield encirclement and suppression put a lot of pressure on them.
Even when Qin Xiong retreated, Liverpool would tend to shift the focus of the encirclement and suppression to Qin Xiong.
At this time, Qin Xiong had to come up with a good way to break through the cage.
In the 35th minute of the game, Qin Xiong received Ramos' direct pass in the midfield. At this time, he took the ball with his back, and he had already seen Kuyt rushing towards him. Riera withdrew to block Qin Xiong's possible passing route to Robben, and Gerard also rushed towards him in big strides. Alonso behind him was like a viper ready to strike at any time.
Qin Xiong glanced at Guti, who was not far from him. He gave Guti a look before he received him. Although Guti's physical condition was not as good as before, and his competitive state was also declining, his game experience and tacit understanding would not disappear.
He saw the look in Qin Xiong's eyes and immediately understood.
When Qin Xiong touched the ball, he made a move that surprised Liverpool's midfield encirclement and suppression.
He dribbled the ball back!
He faced Real Madrid's half of the field and dribbled two steps to the left front, just brushing past Gerard.
Kuyt's interception fell short!
Gerard rushed back and passed his head!
Alonso subconsciously stepped forward and followed two steps, intending to continue the encirclement.
Just as Alonso ran two steps forward to catch up with Qin Xiong's back, someone brushed past Alonso, and Alonso suddenly realized.
It's over!
Guti!
Qin Xiong actually switched positions with Guti at this moment, including the change of role.
After Qin Xiong poked the ball horizontally, he half-turned and sent a straight pass close to the ground without any sloppiness.
The football rolled past Alonso, and Guti ran forward along the line on the right side of the front field. The football rolling behind him was skillfully controlled at his feet.
Liverpool's frenzied midfield encirclement and suppression defensive line was broken!
After Guti had just taken possession of the ball, Mascherano rushed over, and Guti calmly observed the situation in front of the penalty area behind Mascherano.
He gently diagonally passed the ball to the left front.
Snede cut inside to the middle diagonally to the front of the penalty area, and perfectly received Guti's pass!
Real Madrid was finally able to push their offense to the front of Liverpool's penalty area in their positional play attack!
Raúl pulled to the left in front of Agger, and Agger immediately kept up with Raúl. Carragher had no choice but to go forward to intercept Snede, and Arbeloa withdrew into the penalty area to close the door and defend with Agger to block Raúl.
Raúl consciously moved to create opportunities for his teammates. After he attracted Agger, Aurelio, who was in the same defensive half as Agger, did not withdraw into the inside line in time. At this time, the gap between them became the perfect corridor for Peter Pan Robben to cut into the penalty area!
Robben was like a sharp knife piercing into the heart of Liverpool's penalty area. Snede steadily sent a straight ball close to the ground before Carragher got close.
Agger looked back at this time, but it was already too late to turn the tables.
Robben, who was as quick as lightning and nimble, had already formed a one-on-one stance in the penalty area.
Reina abandoned the goal at this time, and Robben almost did not observe the goalkeeper's position. He used his golden left foot to confidently shoot at the far corner of the goal.
Reina did not make a save. Robben's shot was too tricky, and it was completed easily.
The football went straight to the inside net in the far corner of the goal!
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