Tang En had carefully considered the issue regarding Arsenal's new tactics.
Arsenal did not play well in these three league games, but they won all of them. Tang En did not think it was a coincidence. He believed that Wenger was using the Premier League to train his players for the Champions League. It would not be easy for Arsenal to make any breakthroughs in the league tournament this season, and in the Champions League, they had set a record for the first time in the club's history to reach the semifinals. He would never give up so easily.
From the looks of it, Wenger really had to focus on defense in the Champions League. It was just that Twain really did not expect Wenger to switch to defense in this Champions League because of him.
Now, Twain had no sense of accomplishment at all. He was having a terrible headache.
If Arsenal decided to defend … Tang En did not doubt Wenger's ability to train that team at all. They would definitely be able to do it. The crux of the problem was not how the opponent was, but how he should deal with it. What about Nottingham Forest?
If Arsenal defended and Nottingham Forest also defended … the game would not be able to be played. Is everyone hiding in their own penalty area waiting for the 90-minute match to end?
Tang En carefully recalled the two rounds of matches between Real Madrid and Arsenal. He could no longer remember the specifics, but he remembered Henry's goal at Real Madrid's home ground. It was a typical quick counterattack. Arsenal did not seem to invest a lot of manpower in the attack, but they were very efficient. Their tight defense also left Real Madrid at a loss.
If this was the method that Arsenal would use to deal with the Forest team in the future, how would the Forest team respond?
Arsenal had a group of superstars who could single-handedly decide the outcome of a match. Tang En believed that they would be very adept at playing defensive counterattacks. Henry must be someone who must be closely watched, as well as Fàbregas, Van Persie … and so on.
Like Mourinho, Tang En also had a knot in his heart.
Ever since Mourinho stepped into the English Premier League, he had never beaten Tang En's team. Ever since Tang En led the team into the English Premier League, he had yet to defeat Wenger.
Was this a coincidence, or was it fate?
The first match between the two sides will take place on April 19th, and the second match will take place a week later. Twain did not have much time to prepare. If Arsenal wanted to defend, then he would attack.
※ ※ ※
It was different from going to Inter Milan. Twain led the team by bus to the hotel in London the day before the game.
"This doesn't look like participating in the Champions League at all." Ribéry mentioned this when he was chatting with everyone in the car, and he didn't expect most people to agree.
Everyone felt the same. At such a close distance, taking the bus to participate in the competition was no different from the usual league matches. Shouldn't the Champions League be of a higher standard and be more different?
No.
When everyone flew to Spain or Italy and saw the Bernabéu Stadium and the Giuseppe Meazza on the bus, they would be a little excited. The desire to play and the pursuit of victory filled their hearts.
Now, when the red bus full of Forest players drove past the corner of the street and saw the roof of Highbury Stadium from afar, everyone was exceptionally calm and did not feel anything.
They had to come to this stadium once every season. If they met Arsenal in the EFL Cup or the FA Cup, they would come here more often. They could not even pretend to be excited.
Tang En felt that the mood was not bad. It meant that everyone had a normal heart. With the right mentality, the game would not be difficult to play.
He was no longer worried.
※ ※ ※
Other than being England's civil war, this match also attracted attention because it was the last European match in the history of Arsenal's home stadium, Highbury Stadium.
On the day of the match, countless people came. The outside of Highbury Stadium was crowded and brightly lit. Other than the fact that both teams were in the same country, which made it more convenient for the away team fans to come and watch the match, more people came to send off Highbury's European match. Countless fans wearing the nostalgic maroon Arsenal jerseys poured out from the exit of the "Arsenal subway station." The crowd snaked forward, and several streams of people pointed to one point — the Highbury Stadium hidden in a small European-style villa in the residential area.
The Highbury Stadium, which could hold 38,500 people, was filled to the brim today.
When the fans entered the stadium one after another, both teams were sitting in the changing rooms, preparing for their respective matches.
"We don't need to get used to the venue. We're no stranger to this stadium. We've been practicing our offense for more than a week. We've been attacking in various ways and in various situations. Do you know why? "Tang En stood in front of the players." Because I plan to attack in an away game. Arteta, you're in the starting lineup for this match. "
His teammates looked at the Spaniard, who nodded.
Tang En drew out the midfield position on the tactical board. It was a very standard flat diamond.
"Your position has to be a little more forward. Be more proactive."
Arteta continued to nod. "I understand, Boss."
"Also … George." Tang En tapped on the circle at the back.
"Protect him?" Wood asked.
Tang En looked at him and nodded. "Yes, protect Arteta. It's no different from before. Be careful of Fàbregas." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Oh, if there's a chance, you can also plug in and participate in the offense."
Everyone in the changing room was stunned when they heard Tang En say that. Tang En almost never called Wood to participate in the offense. He gave Wood various tasks, but they could only be summed up in one word: defense.
Wood did not expect Tang En to say that. A shocked expression appeared on his face.
"Well, I mean if there's a chance … under the premise of doing a good job in defense. Do you understand, George?"
Wood nodded. "Understood."
"That's good. You must know that offense is built on the foundation of defense. George, as well as all the guys in the rear defensive line, you're all the foundation. "
"Boss, do you mean to say that they're all being stepped on underfoot?" Eastwood shouted.
"Huh?" Tang En did not expect Eastwood to tear down his stage. Unprepared, he was stunned. His expression was hilarious.
The changing room burst into laughter.
※ ※ ※
Compared to the slightly relaxed atmosphere in Forest's changing room, the expressions on everyone's faces in Arsenal's changing room were very serious, even a little solemn.
Wenger stood in the middle of the players, who had already changed into their jerseys.
"Everyone knows that Highbury Stadium is going to be demolished next season. It's been our home ground for 93 years. This match will be her last European competition. You know what I'm going to say, right? "
Some of the players nodded.
"How many trophies have we lifted in this stadium? So many that I can't even count. She's witnessed Arsenal's glory and victory. Today, she's hosting the Champions League semifinals for the first time. Her legend is not over yet. Lads, don't let her have any regrets! "Wenger's pre-match lecture ended there. It was not long; he was done in five minutes. But the effect was immediate. The Arsenal players' eyes were filled with the desire for victory. The fire of passion was burning fiercely.
※ ※ ※
"All right, lads." Tang En looked down at his watch. It was almost time. "Let's go out."
The players stood up one by one and walked towards the door.
When Anelka walked past Tang En, Tang En nodded at him. "How's your form?"
Anelka stopped and turned to look at Tang En. "Not bad, I guess."
"You don't sound too excited …"
"I'll be excited after scoring a few goals."
Tang En chuckled. "Go on."
Anelka walked out with his head down. He knew what his manager wanted to say, or rather, what he was worried about. This was the day he returned to Highbury. He knew very well what he would be greeted with when the stadium broadcast called out his name. It would definitely not be cheers and applause.
But he was long used to it, so his manager did not need to worry about it. If the fans did not boo him, Anelka probably would not have any motivation.
He was long used to the days of playing football amidst boos and curses.
While Tang En's gaze was still following Anelka, Albertini stood in front of him.
"Thank you, Boss."
"Thank me for what?" Tang En found it strange.
"You gave George a chance …"
"Ha …" Tang En laughed. "It's still early. He's still far from it. "
"But at least you gave him a direction, or rather, a hint. This is very important, Boss. "
Tang En tacitly agreed, then changed the topic. "Hey, Demetrio. You might as well stay in England after you retire. I think the members of the coaching staff will be happy to see you join. "
Albertini shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Boss. I like Italy. I'm Italian, and I hope my managerial career can start in Italy. "
"What a pity …" Tang En frowned. He thought of this summer's "Calciopoli." He really did not want Albertini to get involved in that mess in the future.
"Don't worry, Boss. I think maybe we'll meet again on the sidelines of a match one day? That's something I'm looking forward to. "
Tang En thought of Keane and sighed. "Why do you guys like to be my opponents so much?"
"Because defeating you and seeing your flustered and exasperated expression gives me a sense of accomplishment." Albertini laughed. "I should go out."
Tang En waved his hand.
There was no one left in the locker room, except for himself. He looked at the empty locker room and followed him out.
※ ※ ※
The players from both sides ran out of the players' tunnel, setting off the first wave of excitement in the stands. And when the Arsenal fans saw the French striker, Anelka, appear in Nottingham Forest's starting lineup, they collectively booed in unison.
"This is really unfair," the television commentator teased. "Arsenal, who profited from the sale of Anelka, used half of the transfer income to buy Henry, and the other half to build the most modern training base in Arsenal's history — Colney Training Base. If not for this money, Wenger's team might still need to go to the hotel to change and shower every day after training."
As they spoke, the stadium broadcast shouted Henry's name. Suddenly, the boos were replaced by loud cheers and applause.
"Welcome, Thierry Henry, the king of Highbury, Arsenal's captain!"
Wearing the captain's armband, Henry, who walked at the front of the team, raised his arm high. His leadership qualities were on full display. He had initially come to Arsenal as Anelka's successor, but he did not expect to do so much better than Anelka now. In the club, he was the king, the standard-bearer. In the French national team, he was a core figure second only to Zidane.
Anelka, on the other hand, became the spurned Judas.
The affairs of the world were impermanent, and fate made fools of people.
Amidst the ear-piercing cheers, Nicolas Anelka raised his head high and stepped into the stadium that had once brought him countless glories, but now only had merciless boos and vulgarities. It had become someone else's palace.
※ ※ ※
"This is Highbury's last UEFA Champions League match. It's also the first time Arsenal has reached the Champions League semifinals since the establishment of the team! On such a special day with commemorative significance, Wenger's team will never allow themselves to lose to Nottingham Forest at home. Similarly, this is also the first Champions League that the genius manager, Tony Twain, has led his team into. They have already reached the semifinals in one fell swoop. They can still look forward to more, and they will definitely not be willing to stop here. This is the civil war of English football. Two teams with historical ties have come together. Welcome to the first leg of the 05-06 UEFA Champions League semifinals broadcast live by the eSPN! "
Twain walked out of the tunnel and found Wenger standing in front of the home team's technical area. He took the initiative to walk up and extend his hand.
"Mr. Wenger, I won't wish your team good results."
Wenger smiled in response. "Likewise, Mr. Twain."
"Then, I'll see you after the match."
"See you after the match."
The two managers simply said their goodbyes and parted ways. Even though the two of them had a good personal relationship, they were still enemies before the match. They could not appear too close, or it would negatively affect the players.
The hardcore fans in Highbury's North Grandstand shouted "Arsenal" and "Highbury" non-stop. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest faced off against them in the South Grandstand. They shouted Nottingham Forest's name loudly, trying to make this match Nottingham Forest's home ground as much as possible.
Twain returned to his seat. Beside him, the members of the coaching staff and the substitutes took their seats one after another. Everyone was looking forward to the match that was about to take place.
The Champions League … semifinals. Twain took a deep breath.
The referee's whistle rang.
(To be continued, if you wish to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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