"In the first round of the league, Sheffield United unexpectedly defeated Wigan Athletic 2-0. They are currently ranked third in the standings, second only to Bolton and Manchester City, who won the first game with four goals. Of course, such points

The rankings may only appear at the beginning of the season, but at least for now, Sheffield United fans are happy."

As soon as Sky Sports' commentary finished, Sheffield United fans at Bramall Lane Stadium were seen making waves. The game had just started, but the home fans seemed very happy.

In the first home game of the league, all the fans have to do is enjoy it. Of course, it would be better if the team can win in the end.

The Sheffield United players on the field are naturally working hard towards this goal. However, it has been almost five minutes since kick-off, and they and the Stoke City players are still testing each other.

There was no forward pressing attack.

Both teams basically attacked and defended near the center circle. Stoke City waited for Sheffield United to press early, and then they played a familiar defensive counterattack. However, Sheffield United changed from the positive high-pressing posture of the previous game.

, and then controlled the ball near the center circle to test.

Stoke City coach Pulis looked at Speed, who was also standing on the sidelines next door, thoughtfully, and thought to himself: "What a little fox!"

Speed ​​looked at the situation on the court and cursed in his heart calmly: "The old fox who only knows how to kick!"

After watching it for a few minutes, Pulis saw Sheffield United's tactics. Sheffield United's Gary Medel, who played in the right midfield, was too strong in coverage and defense and did not give Stoke City any speed on the wing.

Opportunity.

When Matt Ritchie on the other side tried to get the ball on the wing and cooperate with his teammates, Bertrand behind him did not press forward easily. He always stood two steps behind the midfield line to prevent Stoke City from attacking.

Side counterattack.

However, at the same time, Sheffield United's wingers put more energy into defense and supporting the midfield, and their help to the frontcourt was greatly reduced. Li Mo has not yet won the ball.

"Are they here for a draw?"

Pulis thought with uncertainty, mainly because Sheffield United's opening was too "honest", neither giving Stoke City a chance, nor giving them a chance to attack themselves. Such a conservative posture was not like their last league game.

style.

However, Stoke City can completely accept playing like this. After all, for them, as long as they can score points.

Judging from these few minutes, Sheffield United's wing defense and midfield control capabilities are very good. It is no problem to fight hard, but Pulis does not want to lose points.

"If you don't move, we won't move. It's best if you can score goals. If you can't score, then we will cut off the connection between your midfield and frontcourt."

Pulis made up his mind, of course it would be best if he could steal a goal. If he couldn't steal it, the tie would be maintained. He could try harder with Sheffield United in the midfield, but if they were to take the initiative to press forward and attack, then forget it.

Stoke City's forward-pressing offensive routine is reserved for dealing with the other two newly promoted teams, as well as relegation favorites such as Villa, Blackburn, and Wigan Athletic, or it is used to attack and strive for an equalizer when falling behind.

When playing against tough opponents like Sheffield United, it's better to be cautious.

Speed ​​didn't give any instructions. He just stood quietly on the sidelines and watched the situation on the court.

He trusts his players to know what to do.

At this moment in the stadium, Drinkwater got the ball again. He tried to take the ball a few steps to the right, and then passed it to Medel.

Medel did not advance immediately. He waited a moment, dribbled the ball laterally and attracted a Stoke City midfielder, and then pushed the ball towards Trippier, who was crossing the ball for the first time.

Stoke City's winger Pennant hurried back to defend, equally fast. Seeing this, Trippier stopped directly, and then knocked the ball into the left half of Stoke City's rib area.

However, Li Mo retreated to receive the ball, but the moment Trippier passed the ball, Stoke City midfielder Delap went behind Li Mo.

Although it may not be possible to steal the ball, it only needs to interfere with Li Mo's holding of the ball and delay his movements.

As if Li Mo didn't see Delap behind him, he continued to trot towards the ball, and then the moment he touched the ball, he led the ball and quickly turned to the right!

Delap saw Li Mo in front of him with his back turned to him. Suddenly his figure flashed, he turned around and moved the ball laterally to throw him away. Then he quickly turned around and Li Mo was directly facing their penalty area.

, and quickly advance with the ball!

"Beautiful turn and escape! God, a big player of nearly 1.9 meters can be so flexible, and Li's escape is so consistent! It seems that this kind of technical action is very simple and easy for him. Could it be that today it was Dimi

Is Ta playing in Sheffield United's No. 17 shirt?"

The Dimita mentioned by the commentator is the handsome Berbatov. In the current Premier League, the only high center forwards with such skills may be Manchester United's Berbatov and Balotelli who plays in Manchester City.

.

However, Balotelli's performance on the field was unstable, and the commentators simply ignored him and directly compared Li Mo and Berbatov together.

After passing Delap, Li Mo strode forward with the ball. Facing another Stoke City midfielder Whelan's interception, Li Mo slumped his shoulders, leaned to the left, and raised his left foot slightly, as if to change.

towards a breakthrough.

Naturally, Huilan didn't dare to be careless. He didn't take a step and sank his body downwards, staring at Li Mo's movements, ready to destroy Li Mo's dribbling at any time.

But what Li Mo was waiting for was the moment when his body sank. When Whelan's feet were slightly apart, Li Mo raised his left foot and then landed, and quickly knocked the ball between Whelan's legs.

, at the same time, others continued to run forward to the right, bypassing Whelan!

Crotch-wearing is awesome!

"I'm being crotched!"

Glenn Whelan's brain was roaring. He had already thought about how many media outlets would repeatedly mention Li Mo's move of crossing his crotch in the post-match news reports.

However, in line with the ethics of a professional player, he still endured his emotions and chased back with all his strength at the first opportunity.

But when he turned around, what he saw was a timely tackle and interception by Shawcross.

Li Mo knocked the ball a little harder, and Shawcross, who was focused, naturally stepped forward to tackle the ball in time, destroying Li Mo's personal attack.

"I'm sorry!"

Li Mo jumped up in time, otherwise his foot would have stepped on Shawcross's body.

After scooping the ball out, Shawcross was very dissatisfied. After getting up from the ground, he yelled at his teammates to focus. Then he looked at Li Mo and repeated with a firm expression what he said to Li Mo at the beginning: "

Don’t even think about getting a chance in this game, I’m keeping an eye on you!”

Li Mo patted Shawcross' arm helplessly: "Yes, you can continue to stare at me, but shouldn't you thank me? If I hadn't jumped up just now, you might have to go down and accept it now.

Treated."

Li Mo was originally joking, but he didn't expect that when he turned around and walked back, a "thank you" that was not much louder than the sound of a mosquito came from behind.

Li Mo turned around to look again, but Shawcross also turned around and walked towards his seat. Li Mo scratched his head and said, "This guy is a bit interesting."

Sheffield United, or Li Mo's sudden attack, still shocked the Stoke City players into a cold sweat. Although the attack was ruined by Shawcross, Li Mo's first ball after the kick-off

Even two people were surprised by this ability.

Although in the last round of the game, Li Mo got the ball away from Wigan Athletic's penalty area and attracted the defense and then passed the ball with his heel, which was amazing, but after all, he had never faced each other before, and many Stoke City players did not know Li Mo's game.

What if Li Mo's performance in the last game had a lot of luck?

But now they don't dare to be careless, especially Delap and Glenn Whelan. The former was beaten cleanly by Li Mo before he could touch the ball. The latter was even worse and was directly pierced through the crotch.

.

However, the Sheffield United fans at the scene enjoyed watching it. Li Mo had wonderful extraordinary performances from time to time last season. It seems that Li Mo's dribbling skills have improved again this season.

If scoring a goal is the most exciting moment on the football field, then apart from scoring a goal, wonderful dribbling is the most exciting technical move that can arouse the enthusiasm of fans.

Listening to the enthusiastic cheers and whistles of the fans, Li Mo waved his arms towards the stands, which immediately aroused even greater cheers.

After dribbling this time, Li Mo began to gradually increase the frequency of retreating to get the ball.

Speed ​​gave him a lot of tactical weight. If he feels that he is in good condition, he can drop back and ask for the ball. Now his teammates also trust him, especially after watching his performance just now, no one will have any objections.

Li Mo began to frequently hold the ball in the space on both sides of Stoke City's half.

There is too little space when walking on the wing, and there are too many defenders when walking in the middle. The situation in the ribs is completely different. The space is enough for Li Mo, and the opponent's defensive strength is still relatively weak in this position.

After all, you have to have at least one defensive midfielder in the middle, right?

If you pull both defensive midfielders over, and there is Vardy running in the middle next to him, Stoke City dares to double-team Li Mo in the ribs, and Li Mo dares to pass the ball to the forward.

Vardy.

As for Stoke City's wingers, they still have to watch Matt Ritchie and Medel who are watching eagerly from the side, but they don't dare to give up their position to help double-team Li Mo. Do you really think that Sheffield United will stick to two wings?

When there is a real opportunity, he will still step in, but now Stoke City's wings are not moving, and Sheffield United's two sides are not moving.

So Li Mo started a one-on-one breakthrough performance against Glenn Whelan and Delap. This move made Stoke City miserable.

They are not afraid of the opponent's strong attack, nor are they afraid of set pieces, but they are afraid that the opponent has technical players in the team who will constantly tear the defense line in the ribs and wings. It's okay to commit one or two fouls. If there are too many fouls, the midfielder will be kicked out prematurely.

, then how can we continue to defend strongly from behind?

And Li Mo is not as simple as tearing apart the defense, he can beat Delap or Whelan in one-on-one situations!

This simply tore a big hole in Stoke City's defense.

Pulis never expected that Speed's "backhand" would actually be a basketball star.

Even though Li Mo is only 18 years old, Speed ​​and Sheffield United dare to trust him. Li Mo is really capable of disrupting Stoke City's midfield!

Pulis finally panicked because they didn't have such a star in the team. How could they counter this tactic now?

Their Stoke City coaching staff studied Li Mo meticulously before the game. They even watched a lot of last season's English Championship games.

Li Mo's personal ability is very strong, especially in the penalty area. Whether he is shooting or passing, he is very threatening. Facing ordinary central defenders, Li Mo can easily defeat them.

That's why Pulis finally decided to directly send three big central defenders, plus a tall enough Wilson, to stifle Li Mo's threat on their defense line. They are not afraid of head-on confrontation.

But now that Li Mo has gone out, this kid has been pulled into the midfield to play with skills!

There are so many centers in the Premier League, but Pulis has never seen this type of center. It is no problem to drop back to receive the ball, but what is going on when you drop directly to the half-court to get the ball, and then play through in the middle!

They can't pull out their defense, right?

Moreover, if Li Mo is to be double-teamed in the midfield, the tactics formulated before the game will almost be overturned. If you can't guard the wing, who will mark Vardy in the middle? How to intercept Li Mo's pass?

These can only be readjusted during the halftime break. Now that the game is still in progress, it is too late to adjust!

Speed ​​was beside him with a smile on his face.

A powerful center plays with skill. Among the twenty teams in the Premier League, Sheffield United is the only one who can do this. Speed ​​is going to show his opponents today what "star tactics" are!
Chapter completed!