After the pre-match press conference concluded, both teams completed their warm-ups on the hallowed Wembley turf and returned to the dressing rooms for final preparations.
"Given Tottenham's 4-3-1-2 formation, which relies heavily on full-backs pushing incredibly high forward to assist, Ling, Riyad, you need to frequently shift to the wide wings to pin down their full-backs!" Mourinho tirelessly reiterated the tactical instructions to his forwards.
Soon, both teams made their way to the tunnel.
Kieran Trippier subconsciously rubbed the back of his head.
Last season, Jeremy Ling's elbow was truly vicious, nearly giving him a concussion during the 7-0 rout.
After the match, Tottenham had angrily appealed to the English Football Association.
However, upon reviewing the match footage, it was discovered that Tottenham players had committed even more serious fouls, such as pinching, stomping, and pulling hair.
Harry Kane also took a deep look at Jeremy Ling standing across the tunnel.
Last season, Kane and Mo Salah became the only two players in Europe's top five leagues to score over thirty goals yet miraculously fail to win their league's Golden Boot, entirely because of Ling.
It would be impossible for Kane not to harbor some competitive resentment, but it hadn't escalated to the toxic level of jealousy.
After all, Kane had spent so many years at Tottenham, and his reputation had never been tarnished by poor attitude.
He had always played diligently and earnestly.
Well, except for his unfortunate knack for not winning any trophies.
But to be honest, that couldn't really be blamed on Kane, as football isn't a one-man game.
Kane suddenly noticed Ling looking back at him and instinctively nodded in professional greeting.
'Fate' Ling sighed inwardly as he followed the referee team out of the tunnel.
The clamorous noise instantly flooded his ears, making his heart beat faster.
The massive stadium stands on all sides were filled with pure white, resembling a beautiful field of white lilies.
However, a small, defiant patch of vibrant red in the away end somewhat disrupted that aesthetic.
Peter Drury: "Good evening, and welcome to the grandeur of Wembley! It is the 22nd round of the Premier League season! Tottenham Hotspur versus Manchester United! The Lilywhites against the Red Devils in the capital!"
Jim Beglin: "Let's look at the lineups. Wearing the white jerseys are Tottenham, who have lined up in a fluid 4-4-2 diamond formation. This season, Pochettino has masterfully employed this diamond midfield combined with a high-pressing tactical strategy. By compressing their central positioning, they choke the opponent's defensive formation. This opens up space on the flanks, creating perfect opportunities for the full-backs to push forward."
Peter Drury: "And wearing the red jerseys are Manchester United. Mourinho has deployed his recently favored 4-3-1-2 formation! Currently, the winter transfer window is only halfway through, yet Manchester United has already spent heavily to sign N'Golo Kante from Chelsea. However, today Kante is sitting on the bench. I believe it's likely because the Frenchman hasn't fully integrated with the team's tactical system yet after only two days."
Jim Beglin: "Manchester United's starting strike partnership consists of Riyad Mahrez and Jeremy Ling. These two can be considered a classic duo in football—one tall and strong, and one fast and tricky!"
As the camera returned to the green pitch, the referee blew the whistle, and the match officially began!
Before the match, Harry Kane had won the coin toss and decisively chose to take the kickoff.
This was because Tottenham aimed to seize the initiative early, leveraging their home advantage to control the tempo of the game and look for early scoring opportunities.
The ball was passed continuously backward, eventually finding Moussa Sissoko.
Back when he led a relegated Newcastle United to ironically thrash Tottenham 5-1, Tottenham spent thirty million pounds to bring him to London.
However, Sissoko's performances in his first two seasons were nothing short of disastrous.
Who would have thought he would shine so brightly this season?
Capable of driving forward, sweeping up play, strong physically, and incredibly fast—he was practically a weaker version of Yaya Touré.
Sissoko had played a significant role in Tottenham's current achievements.
He surged forward from deep like a black lightning bolt!
Simultaneously, the attacking players were making rapid runs into position.
In the central area, Kane and Son Heung-min surged forward, creating multiple passing options near the edge of the penalty area.
Attacking midfielder Dele Alli made a run to the right flank, while left-back Ben Davies overlapped heavily on the left, stretching the width of the attack to its absolute maximum.
However, Manchester United's response was well-organized.
The 4-3-1-2 formation, due to its weaker high defensive line, typically focuses on limiting the opponent's attacking direction through the center.
The two forwards and the attacking midfielder coordinated their movements, effectively neutralizing the passing lanes for Sissoko and Christian Eriksen.
Sissoko had no choice but to pass the ball out wide to the left wing, which was Tottenham's stronger attacking side!
But Manchester United quickly switched to a mid-to-low defensive block, actively compressing their formation to reduce Tottenham's space on the ball, leaving Ben Davies completely isolated on the flank.
Peter Drury: "Tottenham's reaction isn't slow either! They immediately play a sweeping long pass to switch the play to the other side! Kieran Trippier takes it down beautifully and drives toward the byline! Is he going to cross it to Harry Kane?!"
No!
Tottenham's wing play is varied and sophisticated, unlike other teams that mindlessly pump crosses into the box.
Suddenly, Son Heung-min halted his forward run, shaking off McTominay near the edge of the penalty area.
Trippier spotted the subtle movement and slid a smart cut-back pass across to him!
Even though McTominay rushed back desperately to defend, Son had already set his feet and taken the shot.
The ball rocketed toward the right side of the goal!
At the critical moment, it was Harry Maguire who stepped up, bravely using his big head to deflect the ball and send Son's fierce shot out for a corner.
It has to be said, having a massive head does have its advantages on a football pitch—others might not have reached it.
"Well done, Harry!" Ling praised him, giving a thumbs-up from up the pitch.
For a moment, he was reminded of Ryo Ishizaki from Captain Tsubasa, the bald-headed defender who could block Roberto Carlos's thunderous shots with his face!
His personality really did seem quite similar to Maguire's.
Both were a bit reckless but undeniably brave.
"No big deal," Maguire rubbed his stinging cheek and chuckled twice.
"Stop laughing and go mark someone!" De Gea snapped at him angrily from the goal line.
Tottenham's corner was about to be taken, and Maguire was still standing there grinning.
Maguire's smile vanished instantly as he stuck close to Son Heung-min.
Thump!
The ball flew into the near post area with a heavy thud, and players from both sides immediately jostled fiercely for position and jumped!
Son Heung-min was heavily double-teamed by Maguire and Nemanja Matic, completely unable to even get a touch on the ball.
Peter Drury: "Manchester United's control of the second ball is solid, clearly part of a well-drilled tactical plan! The loose ball falls to Paul Pogba!"
The French genius who's still quietly fuming after missing out on the Ballon d'Or, faced an aggressive challenge from Sissoko.
A quick step-over and a drag-back! He elegantly dribbled past his compatriot, then used his massive physical frame to hold off the challenge and create the perfect passing angle!
In his vision, two red figures were sprinting forward.
Pogba drove his right foot through the center of the ball, delivering a precise, raking through pass!
Peter Drury: "What a ball from Pogba! The pass carves out a massive, exaggerated curve, slipping beautifully through a tiny gap in Tottenham's defensive line and landing perfectly in the open space on the right side of the pitch! A figure in red quickly chases it down!"
Jim Beglin: "Manchester United's counterattack remains so sharp, moving from defense to attack in just a few devastating seconds! But Manchester United have limited numbers in attack—this is the main weakness of the 4-3-1-2 formation in transition!"
Harry Winks quickly closed down Mahrez on the wing to block his shooting angle, while Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen stuck incredibly tight to Jeremy Ling, neutralizing Manchester United's two most dangerous attacking threats.
Ling, heavily flanked by the two Belgian defenders, glanced back toward the left side of the penalty area.
Due to Trippier's high forward run earlier, a massive gap had opened up there!
So Ling immediately accelerated and sprinted forward diagonally into the space!
"Toby, go with him!" Vertonghen shouted, still holding the central position to prevent Winks from being beaten and leaving the middle open.
Alderweireld immediately followed Ling's run to defend!
But who knew Ling would suddenly circle around to the edge of the penalty area, receive a pass from Mahrez, and gently lift the ball with his right foot back into the box!
Peter Drury: "The two show excellent understanding! A brilliant, improvised one-two combination! Mahrez has continued his run! A direct right-footed volley from the Algerian!"
Jim Beglin: "Ah, what a shame—the shot lacked absolute quality on his weaker foot. He aimed for the near post but it veered left, easily saved by Hugo Lloris."
Peter Drury: "Right from the start, both teams have showcased thrilling attacking and defensive exchanges! I think today's match at Wembley will be far more exciting than expected!"
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