On September 27, evening, Amsterdam Athletic Stadium.

In the second round of the Champions League group stage group b, Ajax faced Arsenal at home.

This is a showdown between the two strongest teams in Group B.

Since the next game between the two sides will be the last round of the group stage, and it is difficult for both Sparta and Thun to shake the top two in the group, everyone has no doubt that this will be the key game that determines the top spot in the group.

Ajax drew 1-1 with Sparta Prague in the first round away, and Arsenal narrowly defeated Thun 2-1 at home. If he loses this game, it will be difficult for Ajax to shake the top spot in the group.

In addition, it was a home game, and everyone believed that Ajax's opening tactics were more proactive.

But in fact, Arsenal was prepared.

In the quarterfinals two years ago, Arsenal was hit by Ajax at the Amsterdam Athletic Stadium.

More importantly, Arsenal has lost all three away games so far this season, including two games to Chelsea and Liverpool, with the scores being zero to one.

All wins at home and all losses away, such a record is indeed a bit unbelievable.

But it really happened to Arsenal.

Vieira's departure has caused problems in Arsenal's midfield. Whether it is Fabregas or Flamini, it is still difficult for Vieira to fill the gap left by Vieira after leaving the team, which makes the Gunners always play particularly difficult away.

In this game, Wenger's team took the lead from the game to take the lead and actively took the initiative from the start.

In the first ten minutes, Arsenal's possession rate was as high as 63%.

Three minutes into the game, Fabregas made a wonderful pass to the right, Heleb passed directly to the penalty area, and Reyes tried to pass the ball to Henry, but was suddenly robbed by Fermuren, destroying Arsenal's first attack.

But one minute later, another straight pass from Fabregas, Henry shot with his left foot in the middle of the penalty area, but failed to get the strength.

Two minutes later, Reyes passed the ball, and right back Lauren followed up and directly shot a long shot from 25 meters away.

In the seventh minute, after Heleb intercepted the ball in the midfield, Reyes tried to dribble into the penalty area, but was successfully intercepted by Maxwell.

In the ninth minute, Henry drifted past the defender's long shot from outside the penalty area, and was confiscated by goalkeeper Sterkrenberg again.

A minute later, Gilberto Silva wanted to follow his previous performance against Thun and made a long shot more than 30 meters away, but it was a bit too outrageous.

In the first ten minutes, the game was completely controlled by Arsenal.

Ajax was forced to defend himself.

After the twists and turns in September, Ronald Koeman gradually realized the team's problems.

In this game, Yaya Toure's mission was more about midfield defense, especially with De Jong, to protect the defense line.

It is difficult for Arsenal to break through Ajax's defense in the middle, so they can only be forced to frequently use long shots.

The opponent was at the first place at home, and Ajax gradually recovered his form until the fifteenth minute.

The right side led by Yang Yang has become the active area for the team to attack, but Ashley Cole also attaches great importance to the defense of the left side, while Yang Yang frequently changes his position and often appears on the left side.

In the following time, the two teams had offensive and defensive attacks and defenses.

Among them, Ajax's most threatening attack occurred in the 33rd minute.

Maikon quickly inserted from the right, cooperated with Yang Yang, and crossed to the penalty area, and Charles Tyrantus headed the ball.

Yang Yang, who quickly penetrated the penalty area from the right rib, rushed to the front of the small penalty area and headed at the close range.

But such a header that was close to the goal was hugged by Arsenal goalkeeper Amunia.

Charles Tias raised his hand apologetically. He failed to top the ball with Campbell's interference, which made it a little high.

If he could press the ball down, Yang Yang could directly hit the ball without using his head.

Everyone in the team knows that Yang Yang's header is quite average.

Yang Yang himself felt a little depressed. He subconsciously used his head to push the ball from the Greek center, but it was not good. In addition, Amunia stood very well, so he couldn't score the goal.

After learning from the pain, Yang Yang continued to look for opportunities patiently.

In the 43rd minute, Charlesteyas retreated to get the ball and passed it straight behind him. Yang Yang quickly threw away Ashley Cole and inserted it. He successfully counterattacked and drove the ball into the penalty area. After drifting past goalkeeper Amunia and preparing to shoot, Arsenal central defender Colo Toure quickly blocked it with his body.

At this time, there was a clear opening of his hand, which caused Yang Yang to shoot in his hand and pop out of the bottom line.

Yang Yang quickly appealed to the referee, believing that it was a deliberate handball, and Krolo Toure's hand was obviously opened.

"If his hand is not opened, my shot will enter!" Yang Yang said with great certainty.

But the referee from Spain, Luis Medina Cantaroyo, rejected Yang Yang's appeal, believing that his penalty was not wrong, which made Yang Yang very depressed and turned around and walked back.

When Kholo Toure passed by him, he gently patted his shoulder. Obviously, the Ivorians themselves felt guilty. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, his arms were indeed opened.

…………

…………

"That was an unquestionable handball!"

During the halftime, in the home team's locker room, Ronald Koeman replayed the slow-motion replay to all the players.

Handball, there is absolutely no problem.

Although it is impossible to tell whether it is intentional or unintentional, it is indeed a handball.

"But there is no way, we need to forget this misjudgment and focus on the second half of the game."

After fighting for forty-five minutes, the players were obviously tired, and their opponent Arsenal's strength was not weak at all.

Although Vieira left, the team's offensive firepower was still very strong, especially Henry.

"As I told you before the game, Arsenal's defensive problems are mainly focused on the midfield drag and back position."

Ronald Koeman drew a large long strip on the front of Arsenal's penalty area on the tactical board.

Goalkeeper Amunia, with the defense line Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Kloe Toure and Lauren, the midfielder is Pire, Fabregas, Gilberto Silva and Heleb, and Henry partner Reyes in the front court.

Spanish teenager Fabregas replaced Vieira, and Saul Campbell became the captain of the team.

Whether it was his pre-season performance or since the start of the league, Arsenal's performance has clearly proved that Vieira's departure has caused an extremely painful blow to the Gunners' midfield and weakened its strength a lot.

Of course, despite the weakening, Arsenal's overall strength is still slightly better than Ajax.

"To be honest, I was not satisfied with my performance in the first half. We didn't start well. We should have taken the initiative, but Arsenal took the lead. We did not complete the pre-match deployment well afterwards."

Ronald Koeman pushes the pawns representing the Ajax players on the tactical board.

"As we said before the game, from both wings and ribs to pull Arsenal's midfielder, they often have only one Gilberto Silva in this area. Just pull him apart and we have a chance to plug in the back."

What Ronald Koeman said about the back insertion is not only the two ribs of Yang Yang and Pinal, but also the team's middle lane.

Sneider and Yaya Toure are both good at shooting from behind, and they are both good at shooting from a long distance.

Yang Yang played with Fabregas and knew the passing ability of the Spanish midfielder, but for his defense, Yang Yang believed that both Sneider and Yaya Toure had the ability to make gaps from him.

The only trouble is Brazil's iron waist Gilberto Silva, who is like a god standing at the front of Arsenal's penalty area. It is difficult to break through him.

But one person cannot cover everything. After Vieira left the team, it was difficult for Gilberto Silva to stabilize the midfield alone. This is also the key factor in Arsenal's losses away from home this season and losing to Chelsea and Liverpool in succession.

"Let me do it!" Yang Yang stood up and said.

Everyone immediately looked at him one after another, and their eyes showed a look of admiration.

Facing an opponent like Arsenal, being able to stand up at this time shows Yang Yang's courage and responsibility.

Who wouldn't be convinced if there is such a captain?

"I'm responsible for dribbling and assaulting to attract defensive attention, and others are responsible for running in the gaps." Yang Yang said.

Many times, the core players of the team are not just scoring goals, but also have to bear more.

In particular, core players are often the targets of opponents' focus.

Looking at the current Ajax team, players who can have the ability of Yang Yang can be said to be unique.

Pinal on the left has good support and passing skills, but his ability to dribble and assault is not strong.

As for Sneider and Yaya Toure, they are in the back position and are not as easy to attract defensive attention as Yang Yang.

There are many players who can dribble the ball on the bench, but there is really no one who can dribble the ball and attract the attention of the defensive, and then pass the ball. Even Ryan Babel, a genius who is favored by everyone, cannot do this.

But Yang Yang was able to do it.

"Then I'll pull it in front." Charles Tiaz also took the initiative to take on the task.

"Campbell's condition is not very good in this game, pay attention to his point." Yang Yang reminded the Greek center.

I noticed Campbell's state just now when I was on the offside.

After transferring from his arch-rival Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal, Saul Campbell was once hailed as the world's top central defender, but since last season, as he ages and injuries, his physical fitness has declined rapidly.

He is only 31 years old now, but he feels that his condition has declined rapidly. There are reports that Arsenal no longer intends to renew his contract with him and let him transfer freely after the end of this season.

After confirming the information with his teammates, Yang Yang turned to look at Sneider and Yaya Toure.
Chapter completed!