The media from all over the country flocked to Nottingham. For them, there were too many things to watch in this game. If they did not go to the scene, they would miss a lot of very exciting stories.
The highlight of the first day of the league tournament was Everton's home game against Liverpool in the "Liverpool Derby." Liverpool eventually won the derby with two goals from Torres.
Nottingham Forest and Manchester City did not have a derby relationship, and there was no deep hatred between the two teams in history. The reason this game was so closely watched was entirely because of this summer. Twain might have also created a kind of history — a new history of Nottingham Forest and Manchester City henceforth disliking each other.
"I don't feel like I'm introducing what these two teams have experienced this summer at all. You just have to look at what the players from both teams are saying in interviews to know how hot this game is." In the television station, the host was introducing the game to the audience.
The screen switched to the scene of the players from both teams being interviewed.
"I'll definitely score in this game!" Bendtner said very seriously to the camera.
"Can you comment on your manager?"
"Coach Hughes is an excellent head coach. I believe Manchester City will usher in glory under his leadership. "
"Talk about Tony Twain …"
"I don't want to talk about him."
Bendtner turned and walked away. Ashley Young appeared on the screen right after.
"Just now, your teammate said he's going to score in the game against Forest …"
Ashley Young nodded with a grin and put up two fingers. "We made a bet with him. Not only will he score, he will score at least two. If he can't do it, he'll treat us to a meal! But I'm happy to help him win this bet. "
"Do you think he can do it?"
"I believe in his ability. We were together at Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. I believe in him." Ashley Young raised his fist and waved it in front of the camera.
Next was the interview with the Nottingham Forest players.
Van Nistelrooy was grabbed by the reporters and insisted on saying a few words about Bendtner's departure. "Why did he leave? I don't know. I think you should ask the boss. I wish him the best of luck. "
With that, he was about to leave when the reporter grabbed him again. "Bendtner said he will score at least two goals in the game against Forest …"
"I've never heard of this." Fanny found an excuse to dodge the question. Ignoring the reporter's question, she turned around and walked away.
The cameras swayed, and the reporters found George Wood walking towards them.
"Wood, can you talk about what Bendtner said about scoring at least two goals against Forest?"
Wood said with a cold face, "I welcome him to try."
Then, he walked straight through the crowd of reporters and left without looking back.
The scene cut back to the studio. The host spread his hands and said, "Look, that's what happened."
※ ※ ※
Tang En did not know what Bendtner was thinking when he suddenly announced that he wanted to score at least two goals in the match against Forest.
Revenge?
Or was he trying to show off his abilities?
Or was he being goaded into action by someone else?
Because in his four years at Nottingham Forest, the side he displayed did not give Tang En the impression that his character was very arrogant.
During the interview, when he was asked about this matter, he behaved very magnanimously.
"I believe that with his strength, it's possible. He's someone I have high hopes for. He's very talented. Scoring goals is not difficult for him … "
These words shocked the media. They had expected Tang En to respond with a torrent of abuse.
Tang En was naturally very angry, but he could not show it. He could not give the media a chance to hype things up. At the same time, he had to consider the feelings of the Forest players.
They were not computer generated data. They did not have thoughts or tempers. If he were to criticize a player who had just left the team, how would the players who remained in Forest view him? They would definitely not have stars in their eyes and collectively worship him. "Wow, the boss is so handsome!"
The matter with Bendtner made him see the group of players clearly. No matter how obedient they appeared to be in front of the manager, they would have their own little calculations and carefully hide them from you. If any of them were unhappy with Bendtner's words, that was their own business. They had the right to do so. But it was another matter for the manager to use his own actions to force the players to accept this kind of dissatisfaction.
For a former teammate who had just left the team, the influence he had left on the team had not dissipated. There were people here who were close to him. If he were to publicly scold Bendtner, it would only make these people feel bitterly disappointed.
At this critical moment, Tang En had to be careful in all aspects. The team could not afford any more turbulence within the team.
Of course, if anyone in the team misunderstood his words and felt hurt, Tang En could immediately use the most sincere tone to apologize to the other party.
For example, during the tactical meeting on the last day before the match, Pepe was somewhat dissatisfied and raised his own protest.
"Boss, I think the words you said to the reporters yesterday made me and the other defenders feel hurt."
Tang En knew that there would be people who were dissatisfied because he could not satisfy the values of everyone in the world. But there was no greater virtue than to admit one's mistakes and correct them. He immediately apologized.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Pepe. You know, sometimes when we face the media, we have to say things that may not be in line with our own will … What I said does not mean that I despise you. In fact, there is one more thing I did not say — I believe he has that ability, but not when facing Nottingham Forest! "Tang En chuckled.
The defenders all laughed. They were very satisfied.
"All right, guys." Tang En waved his hand to signal for them to stop laughing. "I'm being humble, but it doesn't mean we're going to admit defeat. In fact, for this match, I ask — not hope, but demand — that you must win. I don't need to say the reason, you should all be clear. In fact, if I had to say it, I can also come up with a lot of different reasons. But I don't think that's useful. A reason is just a reason, and I can find as many as I want. But we can't lose the match, absolutely, absolutely not! If we still want to win the league title, then a team like Manchester City must not lose! Not only Manchester City, but the other opponents too! "
Next, Tang En waved for Dunn to go up and explain the specific tactics.
"The formation for this match is 4-5-1, with Wood and Tiago starting. You need to assist the side defense when you defend in the middle. Manchester City has Ashley Young and Robinho, so their side needs to be particularly careful. With Wood and Tiago in charge of assisting the side, Ribéry and Lennon have to withdraw to the middle when necessary, to give Bale and Rafinha space to plug in from the back … Simply put, it's the attack and defense battle on the side. "
※ ※ ※
At the same time, in the hotel where Manchester City was staying, they were also holding a tactical meeting. Unlike Tang En, who left everything to his men to do, Mark Hughes did it himself. He wanted to take advantage of the momentum from the wild victory over Portsmouth to take down Nottingham Forest.
He spoke in front, and some of the players sitting around the conference table were listening carefully, while others were absent-minded. Bendtner was chatting with Ashley Young in a low voice.
"Nicklas, have you thought about how to deal with their defenders? You know Pepe, he's very good in a one-on-one … "Ashley Young asked in a low voice.
"It's not like I haven't scored a goal against him. I also often score goals in the team's matches. "What Bendtner said was not wrong at all. During the team's matches, Pepe always represented the main force, while Bendtner often represented the substitutes. Although they had not played against each other in an official match, they were not unfamiliar with such a contest.
Ashley Young knew what he said was the truth, so he did not ask about it anymore. Instead, he changed the topic, "Have you thought about the celebratory action after the goal?"
Bendtner smiled, "I haven't thought about it yet. We'll talk about it when the time comes. I'm thinking too much now. It would be too stupid if I couldn't do anything when the time comes. "
"… Nottingham Forest's specialty is to attack from the sides. From the full backs to the side midfielders, they all have the ability to plug in and attack. You need to be especially careful about this. "Mark Hughes continued to speak. "I want you to not retreat in the confrontation with them. Strengthen the offense on the sides. Especially seize the gap behind the two full backs after they plug in and assist! No matter how good George Wood is, he can't take care of the left and the right. There will always be a gap. Seize them! We won't play in the middle for tomorrow's game. We'll go to the sides. Use the sides to break down their defensive line! "
"The boss has put in a lot of effort …" Ashley Young murmured. He liked this arrangement very much because he would be one of the main characters on the field. He wanted to use his speed and passing to help Manchester City tear apart Nottingham Forest's defensive line and take away the victory in front of Twain's eyes.
"Nicklas." Hughes called out the Danish striker's name.
Bendtner looked up at his manager.
"Your task is very simple." Hughes smiled, "It's to score goals."
※ ※ ※
The Forest bar was bustling the night before the game. The people gathered here were the most hardcore Forest fans. They were discussing how to maximize their support for the team in tomorrow's game, as well as create pressure for the away team.
The owner of the bar, Kenny Burns, leaned against the few tables where the fans gathered with a glass of beer in his hand, listening to their heated discussion.
Their leader, Fat John, was lying on his stomach on a cleared space, writing something with a brush on a huge piece of white cloth.
"We have to teach that Danish bastard a lesson!" One of the fans loudly announced his opinion. "As soon as he gets the ball, we'll boo him! Unless he passes the ball out, we'll never give him any breathing space! "
"Yes! Boo him! "
"Scold him! Give him the middle finger! "
"Let him go home crying after the game, and never dare to step foot in the City Ground stadium again!"
"Mom, I want to drink milk, I'm so scared … Wahahahaha — —"
The discussion became more and more heated, and the words became more and more irrational …
Finally, someone expressed an objection, "You don't have to be so mean, right? He left because he had no choice. To be honest, I think Tony really didn't give him enough playing time and attention … Why can't we give him a round of applause, just like we gave to Pearce who also came back to play for Manchester City … "
Before he finished speaking, he heard a crashing sound. Skinny Bill stood up abruptly and knocked over a pile of wine glasses in front of him. The golden wine flowed down the table and wet the hem of his T-shirt and trousers, but he did not care. He just stared straight at the man who said this, his eyes red.
"Boy, I'll give you another chance. Take back your last sentence! Otherwise, I don't care where you come from, I'll beat you back into your mother's womb right now! "Skinny Bill looked as if he was full of power and pressure. "I want you to understand one thing — — The Danish boy is never qualified to be compared to 'Mad' Pearce! He'll never get the treatment that Pearce gets! Never! "
At the same time, someone stood up and shouted at the man who said the wrong thing, "Do you f * * king know what Pearce means here? How dare you compare that little bastard who hasn't even grown his hair to the greatest captain in Nottingham Forest's history?! Man, are you drunk, or are you here to deliberately cause trouble? "
"If you still don't understand how high Stuart Pearce's status is, I don't mind using my fist to let you know." A burly man raised his hairy arm.
Seeing that it was about to turn into a bloodbath, Burns, who had not spoken, coughed at the side. Everyone turned to look at him.
"I don't allow fighting here." Burns raised his glass and motioned for everyone to drink.
Everyone was well-behaved. Skinny Bill and the others sat down to continue drinking. The man who said the wrong thing was so frightened that he stood rooted to the ground, not knowing whether to leave or stay.
At this time, Fat John, who had turned a deaf ear to the conflict and continued to do his own thing, finally stood up. He smiled apologetically at the man who was frightened, "Sorry, did I scare you? I haven't seen you here before. First time here? They're like this, don't mind them. To think that Tony was also teased by us when he first came … Ha. "
The others laughed along. Someone shouted, "That's not the same, John! Tony is not the same as this coward! "
Yes, it was different, because he actually poured wine on Michael, who was a football hooligan, and mocked John, who was also a football hooligan, as a fat pig. He scuffled with Michael and even gained the upper hand …
Because he was different, he was now the manager of Nottingham Forest, and this poor guy was just a poor guy who was frightened to the point of weakness.
That was a nostalgic time. Thinking about it, it seemed like it was just yesterday.
That poor, unlucky guy saw that it was a fat man with a very kind smile on his face. He then felt at ease and was sure that he would not be beaten up.
After apologizing to him, the fat man shook out what he had written and showed it to everyone, "Guys, it's done! Let's see how it turns out! "
"The words are so big …" The surrounding fans made all sorts of comments.
"When the time comes, this will be hung behind our goal. If the words are small, the Manchester City bastards won't be able to see it! They're all nearsighted — "John squinted his eyes to mimic a nearsighted person without glasses.
"Hahahahaha —" His look amused the others, and they all laughed in unison.
Although he was frightened just now, as a fellow Forest fan, the friend who was ignored still leaned over to see what was written on the white cloth. There were many people like him. Everyone was squeezing, trying to see what was written on it.
John saw that everyone was squeezing forward, and the order was a little chaotic. So, he simply said "sorry" to Burns, and then gave Bill a look. Bill was the first to jump onto the bar counter, and Bill climbed up. The two men stood on the left and right sides of the bar counter. John threw one end of the white cloth in his hand to the thin man, and then the two men loosened their grip and unfolded the thing again.
With a whoosh, the white cloth was shaken off, like a flag in the hands of a flagbearer.
There was nothing extra on it, only two sentences. A confident and arrogant provocation was written with red paint:
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