Chapter 704: Another Massacre

Many people wonder: among the top four leagues, why is the Premier League the most globalized?

The advantage of the English language is one factor. The massive influx of foreign capital is another. The league's fast-paced and exciting style of play also plays a big role.

But there's one more crucial reason: the Premier League places tremendous emphasis on developing its overseas markets.

La Liga, one of the top two leagues in European football, also takes global promotion seriously. However, when they schedule their marquee event—the El Clásico—it is almost always at night local time to suit domestic fans.

As a result, fans in Asia have to watch it at three or four in the morning. Who has the time or energy?

But the Premier League is different.

Christmas break? No problem. Games continue as scheduled. Not only that, but knowing other leagues are on break, they schedule extra matches to capture the spotlight.

Want to watch major events? No worries. Kickoff times are moved to midday to synchronize global viewership.

As for how this affects the teams and players, the Premier League finds its own solutions.

Because for them, the fans are everything.

That's why the most-watched game in the Premier League this season—the Manchester Derby—was scheduled for noon.

…

Before the match, Manchester City encountered some problems.

Robben was injured. Rakitic was suspended. Lichtsteiner, a key defender, was also sidelined due to injury.

Many questioned whether this would affect the team.

Furthermore, just three days after facing Manchester United, Manchester City would travel to France to take on Lyon in the Champions League.

Ahead of the derby, several media outlets speculated that Gao Shen might adopt a more conservative approach, especially away from home.

After all, Manchester United had been in excellent form lately.

But Gao Shen made a bold tactical shift.

Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Neuer

Defence: Leighton Baines, David Luiz, Kompany, Zabaleta

Midfield: Fernandinho and Yaya Touré as holding midfielders

Attacking midfield: Sturridge, Hazard, Robinho

Forward: Robin van Persie

Before this critical derby, the team shifted from its usual 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1. It was a bold and tactically rich decision.

Even Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray noted the change.

"Over the past two seasons at Manchester City, Gao Shen has deployed a variety of tactical setups. From the 4-4-2 diamond to the commonly used 4-3-3, the 4-2-3-1, and even a double holding midfield 4-4-2. At times, he's gone with a 4-2-4."

"We've seen that Gao Shen has built a vast tactical arsenal at Manchester City. He adapts to opponents and the players at his disposal."

"Tonight, he's opted again for a 4-2-3-1. Manchester United, meanwhile, have stuck with their trusted 4-3-3, with a midfield trio of Fletcher, Sneijder, and Anderson. Carrick is on the bench."

"This is a form of rotation too. Ferguson needs to plan for the Champions League knockout stages."

"These are two world-class managers with outstanding tactical acumen. Let's see how they deploy their teams."

…

Gao Shen did not start aggressively. Manchester United, playing at home, took the initiative.

Though listed as a 4-2-3-1, Manchester City's shape on the pitch resembled a 4-4-1-1. Sturridge and Robinho on the wings dropped deeper, while Hazard and Van Persie pushed forward.

This adjustment was mainly to counter the threat of Nani and Valencia on United's flanks.

At Old Trafford, that threat was real.

From the first whistle, United launched into the game with intensity. City, meanwhile, played more cautiously.

Sturridge and Robinho tracked back actively to help the full-backs. This limited United's wing play but didn't prevent them from winning two corners in under three minutes.

This proved that Gao Shen's cautious approach was the right call.

Going toe-to-toe with United from the start might have backfired.

But after those two early corners, Manchester City struck back.

During a spell of controlled possession in midfield and defense, David Luiz saw an opening and sent a long diagonal ball behind Evra. Robinho sprinted forward but was muscled off the ball and it went out for a throw-in.

City had a throw on the right side of United's penalty area.

Without waiting for United's defense to reset, Robinho quickly tossed the ball to Hazard.

Hazard returned it immediately to Zabaleta, who was under pressure from Nani. Zabaleta passed to Yaya Touré.

Touré moved the ball to Hazard again, who touched it and then laid it off to Robinho.

But United's right side was packed. Evra, Anderson, and others had taken their positions.

Robinho, under pressure from Evra and Anderson, attempted to penetrate the box and passed back to Hazard.

Hazard received the ball, turned sharply toward the byline, triggering a panic in United's defense. Vidic, Anderson, and Evra moved in to contain him.

But Hazard showed both flair and boldness. He slipped a clever diagonal pass through the tight gap between Vidic and Anderson—right to Van Persie in the box.

At the same time, Robinho, who had been hovering outside the box, sprinted inside, slipping behind three defenders on United's left.

Brazilian players are known for their off-the-ball awareness and movement.

Ferdinand was between Van Persie and goal. Sneijder tracked back just in time and moved to block any pass from Van Persie.

But Van Persie received Hazard's pass and, without hesitation, used his left foot to thread the ball into the right corner of the six-yard box.

Robinho latched onto it, controlled with his right foot, feinted with his left to shoot across goal, then quickly pulled the ball wide and smashed it into the near post with his right.

Van der Sar was wrong-footed. Robinho's quick shift and sharp finish left the veteran keeper helpless as the ball rolled into the net.

1-0!

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"

"Just over three minutes in, Manchester City scores the opener!"

"What a beautiful team move!"

"Manchester United's defense was well-structured, but Manchester City's passing, movement, and technical quality carved through it on the right-hand side."

"A true clash of sword and shield!"

"That was pure artistry from Manchester City!"

The television replay showed the entire sequence multiple times, while on the touchline, Gao Shen leapt into the air, pumping his fist and cheering with excitement.

…

The goal lit a fire under Manchester United.

Fueled by the roar of the crowd, the Red Devils launched a fierce assault. Nani and Valencia tore up the flanks, constantly testing City's full-backs.

Between the fourth and tenth minute, United earned four corners. Their pressure was relentless, though none of the corners posed real danger.

This reflected one of United's current weaknesses—a lack of true aerial threats from set-pieces.

But constant attacking came at a cost.

In the 12th minute, Nani's long-range effort soared over the bar. Neuer quickly restarted play with a goal kick.

Vidic cleared it back to midfield, where a scramble ensued.

Fernandinho passed to Gareth Bale, who tried to charge down the left but was fouled just past midfield by Fletcher. The referee didn't whistle.

Bale got up quickly, chased the loose ball, beat O'Shea to it, and passed to Hazard.

Hazard charged forward, collected Bale's pass, and confronted Ferdinand. With a feint, he sent Ferdinand the wrong way, cut inside, and slipped a brilliant through ball behind Vidic.

Van Persie had dropped deep earlier to distract Vidic, then made a sharp turn and darted into the left side of the penalty area.

Vidic tried to recover, but he was half a step too slow.

At this level, that small gap was everything.

Van Persie reached the pass and unleashed a left-footed strike without taking a touch, aiming across goal.

Van der Sar was covering his near post, trusting Vidic to cover the far side.

But Van Persie didn't hesitate. His shot blazed past Van der Sar into the far corner.

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

2-0!

Manchester City!

"Twelve minutes in, and another Manchester City goal!"

"My god, are we about to witness another massacre?"

"Surely no one has forgotten the thrashing that took place at Old Trafford last season."

"Is Manchester City going to do it again?"

Van Persie was elated. He sprinted toward the stands, slid on his knees, and celebrated wildly.

This season, since joining Manchester City, he had hit the form of his life, posting the best numbers of his career.

More importantly, Manchester City's medical team and coaching staff had kept him injury-free all season.

As long as he stayed healthy, his level would only rise.

After the celebration, Van Persie jogged back and went straight to the coaching area to high-five and hug Gao Shen.

He was sincerely grateful.

If not for Gao Shen's persuasion, he wouldn't have joined City. If not for Gao Shen's trust, he wouldn't be playing this well.

If asked who he respected the most as a coach, Wenger would be his first answer—no doubt.

But right behind him... was Gao Shen.

(To be continued.)