Chapter 99: Old Gua, just go and fight for the Champions League title honestly
Kante, holding Newcastle’s first Premier League title commemorative jersey, smiled happily in front of the camera, showing his big white teeth.

At the official press conference, Newcastle CEO Darren Eales welcomed Kante’s joining on behalf of the club and all the players.

Just when the reporters at the scene thought that the press conference would only contain some routine and boring content, Darren Eales announced that the club now has a new plan to expand the stadium.

As soon as these words were spoken, the reporters at the scene immediately became interested.

When they learned that Newcastle’s first-phase funding for maintaining and expanding the stadium was as high as 1 million euros, even though the reporters were already accustomed to the wealth of the Middle Eastern tycoons, they could not help but be amazed by the amount of expansion funds.

You know, many teams in major European leagues are now expanding their stadiums.

Most clubs are unable to build new stadiums due to lack of funds, so they choose to settle for the second best option and expand their old home stadium.

The purpose is to achieve great things with little money and to increase the club’s ticket revenue as much as possible.

Therefore, generally the expansion funds will not be too large. The wealthy clubs will only invest about 18 million at a time. It is rare to see news of a one-time investment of tens of millions to expand the home stadium.

So Newcastle has made another news history in the football circle.

The reporters at the scene simply could not imagine what Newcastle was going to do with the 100 million they invested at one time to expand St. James’ Park.

However, there are also some well-informed senior journalists who know some inside information.

That is, Newcastle United Club, the local city government and the residents living near the home stadium have not yet agreed on the demolition price.

Otherwise, Newcastle would not have gone to so much trouble to expand the stadium, but would have directly started the plan to build a new stadium.

By then, let alone a one-time investment of 10 million, the group of financiers behind Newcastle would spend billion to build a new stadium without blinking an eye…

Seeing that the news quickly aroused enthusiastic discussion and questions from reporters on the scene, Darren Eales was satisfied to leave the scene to the press officer, and left after exchanging a few words with Kante.

Li Chen, who was still busy preparing for the game at the training base, also took the time to take a look at the press conference in which Kante officially announced his joining the team.

Most of the Newcastle players who have learned that Kante will join the club next season are very excited.

Especially the main players in the front and back fields. After all, no forward or defender would dislike a teammate like Kante who can protect the midfield and do the dirty work.

But for Sean Longstaff and Palinha, the team’s current defensive midfielders, Kante’s joining may not be good news.

As long as Kante can stay healthy and perform normally, their playing opportunities and time will inevitably be affected.

No player wants to be suddenly deprived of playing time by the coaching staff after a transfer window.

Especially after a successful season, Longstaff and Palinha have now become star players in the football world, and both of them have secured their starting positions in the national team.

If they were put back into the situation they were in before last season, both of them would definitely be dissatisfied.

Li Chen noticed the subtle changes in the two people’s emotions.

In order not to affect the preparations for training, he promptly had one-on-one conversations with Palinha and Sean Longstamp.

Of course, the other Newcastle players were unaware of the content of the conversation.

After Palinha and Longstaff finished communicating with Li Chen, their performances varied.

Palinha seemed to be a lot more relaxed than before, but he was also a little hesitant, as if he was making some inner decision.

Longstaff didn’t have so many emotional changes. After finishing his communication with Li Chen, he returned to normal and seemed to be in a very good mood.

However, both of them could not let go of the unnecessary speculations in their hearts and devoted themselves to preparation for training.

Under the watchful eyes of the outside media and fans, time quickly arrived on June 6rd.

After a week of rest, the main players of Newcastle and Manchester City set out on the journey again on this day.

Li Chen and Guardiola also tacitly rejected all interview requests from reporters before the game.

That afternoon, there were huge crowds of people outside Wembley Stadium.

Supporters of Newcastle and Manchester City, local fans in London and a large number of foreign tourists all chose to arrive outside the stadium in advance to check their tickets and enter.

Around the stadium, promotional posters of the two teams arranged by the English Football Association can be seen everywhere.

For the English Football Association, the fact that Newcastle and Manchester City, the two rivals, have both reached the FA Cup final this season is really good news that is beneficial to the promotion of the Premier League.

Therefore, their publicity efforts are particularly strong and their investment is particularly great.

Many tourists who choose to travel to London at this time also want to witness this battle between world-class football stars.

They are very willing to spend a lot of money to watch games of this level.

The combined cost of tickets, food and accommodation is quite expensive, and many hotels and restaurants around Wembley Stadium make a lot of money from this.

This year’s FA Cup final has attracted maximum popularity and traffic.

As the protagonists in the final, the players of both teams are now mentally prepared for the decisive victory.

In comparison, the entire Manchester City team has an even greater desire for revenge.

They have yet to gain an advantage against Newcastle once this season.

The defeat in the league competition made all Manchester City’s main players full of anger.

They had nothing to say about losing the league title, but they were really upset that they didn’t fight Newcastle until the last minute in a real final.

The FA Cup final provided them with a perfect stage for revenge.

Even if they win the FA Cup final, Newcastle will still be the Premier League champion this year, and they will still be the biggest loser in the Premier League.

But at least public opinion will no longer be overwhelmingly in favor of Newcastle, and fans will not keep mocking them as experts in league failure for two consecutive seasons.

They have a strong desire to clear a name for themselves and their team!
So they welcomed the final very enthusiastically, and after coming on the court they were full of fighting spirit to greet the applause and cheers from the fans on the scene!
As their opponents today, Newcastle’s players seemed calmer.

As soon as Guardiola saw the calm temperament displayed by the Newcastle team, he felt something was wrong.

Li Chen did not play any tactical tricks today, and did not make any temporary changes to the 352 or 343 formation.

Newcastle lined up the 433 formation, which is the most common and best variant they have played this season.

There were no major changes in the starting lineup either.

But the more this happened, the more Guardiola felt that Li Chen would never have a heart-to-heart game with him in this final.

Thinking of the many encounters between the two in the past two seasons, Guardiola couldn’t help but feel a little “resentful”.

In the past, Mourinho’s teams were the most frustrating for him to play for. Now that Mourinho has gone to Italy, his beloved disciple has inherited his mantle.

Exactly the same pragmatic tactics, without any of the romantic temperament of an idealist!

It’s come to this point, a final will decide the outcome, can’t you just play against me? Is it so important to win the FA Cup and become the first domestic treble winner in English football history?

Li Chen certainly couldn’t hear Guardiola’s inner dissatisfaction and questioning.

He just felt that there was something wrong with the way Lao Gua looked at him during the handshake just now.

Of course, if he could hear Guardiola’s inner monologue, he would definitely roll his eyes at him.

Of course, winning the championship is the most important thing for him.

If he doesn’t pursue championship or first place, then why would he choose to be a professional coach?

Wouldn’t it be better to return to your hometown and start a football school and carry out campus youth training?
Li Chen, who is determined to win the FA Cup, doesn’t care what Guardiola and more media reporters think of his tactical arrangements.

After looking at the time at his watch, he sat in the coaching seat while drinking mineral water.

Carrick, who has worked with him for more than a year, is now deeply affected.

Carrick, who used to be extremely serious at crucial moments in finals, has now learned to relax.

The tactical board was thrown on the grass in front of them, all the buttons of the suit jacket were unbuttoned, and Li Chen and Carrick even chewed gum in tacit understanding.

Well, there is indeed some of the calmness that Sir Alex Ferguson had back then.

The referee on duty looked at the time and blew the whistle to start the game on time.

Manchester City, which got the right to kick off today, was very active and immediately launched a full-scale offensive against Newcastle as if they didn’t want to waste any game time!
Without any injury problems, Manchester City almost returned to its peak form today.

Playing mainly 3241, they did take the initiative in attack in the midfield by relying on their numerical and technical advantages.

However, with Li Chen’s constant review and emphasis this season, Newcastle is already very familiar with the technical characteristics of the entire Manchester City team.

Before Manchester City fully launched their high pressure and penetration attack, Newcastle’s frontcourt players took the initiative to retreat and shrink their formation in order to assist their teammates in the midfield and backcourt to defend.

C Ronaldo also no longer enjoys the privilege of not returning to defense. As soon as the game starts, he retreats to participate in the defense.

Putting aside the effectiveness of his defense, the role model he set was very good.

Newcastle’s players on the field quickly engaged in half-court pressing according to the tactics arranged by the coaching staff before the game.

They rarely use high-pressure pressing when playing against Manchester City, as that would easily give Manchester City opportunities for quick penetration.

By placing the game between the two sides in a small half-court area and using frequent double-teaming to disrupt Manchester City’s organizational rhythm, the technical advantages of Manchester City as a whole can be offset as much as possible.

Newcastle has used this tactic against Manchester City this season and it has been very effective.

The entire Manchester City team also knew how Newcastle would play against them, but they just couldn’t break this tactic.

When playing against other teams, with Haaland disrupting the game and seizing opportunities in the frontcourt, their offensive capabilities are always significantly improved.

But Haaland was completely defeated as soon as he met the central defender combination of Ramos and Pepe this season.

After all, Newcastle’s defensive tactics are destined to give Haaland almost no space to receive the ball and speed up.

After losing his speed and impact, Haaland, who was not very good at utilizing his static physical advantage, became a toy for Newcastle’s two old hooligans in the backcourt.

Once he failed to perform, Manchester City naturally had to return to the offensive mode of previous seasons.

Although that style of play gave Newcastle a high possession rate against the team, the success rate of vertical passes was quite average.

It’s simple, Newcastle’s three-man midfield is so tough that it’s unreasonable.

At this time, Manchester City’s biggest offensive threat is when they take free kicks in the frontcourt.

De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva still have the ability to create miracles.

Unfortunately, Newcastle’s Sommer also played very well today.

The Swiss goalkeeper’s accurate save prediction and good jumping ability are enough to make up for his height and wingspan deficiencies.

The game had been going on for nearly twenty minutes in the first half, and Manchester City had seven shots, but none of them could be said to be an absolute chance.

On the other hand, Newcastle made two shots that hit the Manchester City goal frame in three threatening counterattacks.

Among them, Ronaldo’s shot in the 18th minute of the first half even caused Ederson to miss the ball, which scared countless Manchester City fans!

When Guardiola saw that the pace of the game was being controlled by Newcastle again, he had no choice but to make adjustments first and tactically sacrifice Haaland.

He did the right thing, and Haaland actually did the right thing too.

The main reason is that the youth training model in modern football has undergone great changes, and many young players have been arranged to embark on the path of “all-round development”.

But in many cases, versatility also means a lack of ability in a specific area.

Haaland meets the requirements of modern football for a new generation of center forward.

Can run, shoot, receive and pass.

This characteristic allows him to achieve very good statistics in the open and aggressive league environment.

But in the crucial battle between two top teams competing for error tolerance, he seemed a little invisible as it was difficult for him to get space to play.

But it’s not his fault. Many of the traditional center’s skill sets need him to slowly learn and use them through future game experience.

One day Haaland will understand why Ibrahimovic’s tactical impact on a team in the twilight of his career is several times greater than when he was young.

He will understand why Drogba, who has a low goal-scoring efficiency, has become the blue nightmare of Premier League teams.

But now he is too young and still needs to grow up.

In order to win the team, Guardiola had to use him as a tactical bait and put his hopes of scoring goals on other Manchester City players.

There is nothing wrong on either side, perhaps it is just that some minor errors have occurred in the process of this era of football moving forward.

At this moment, seeing Foden taking over more and more rights to take the ball and shoot, Li Chen felt relieved. He knew that Guardiola was getting stuck in a dead end again.

This is quite unfavorable for Manchester City’s performance in this game.

Many Manchester City fans may feel that Foden enjoys too many tactical privileges and are dissatisfied with him.

But if you look at the long term, and look at next week’s Champions League final, that could be a good thing for City.

Because they can turn the lessons learned from Newcastle into experience to use against Inter Milan.

“Pep, maybe you will have to thank me someday… Just go and win the Champions League trophy. I won’t let you win the FA Cup!”

(End of this chapter)