Chapter 50 You Are Now the Captain of Southampton

Back in Manchester, the Premier League is back in action, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City winning again.

In midweek, the League Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea arrived. The two sides collided for the third time this season. The first time was the Community Shield Cup, which Manchester United won on penalty kicks. The second time was at Old Trafford, when Manchester United defeated Chelsea 4:2 and successfully chased three points.

This time, it is the competition for the League Cup championship.

Chelsea obviously care about this trophy. All the main players played, as did Manchester United. Both sides want to win the championship, even in one of the most tasteless events.

At Wembley Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dong Fangzhuo once again led the team.

But luck no longer belongs to Manchester United this time. Mourinho was fully prepared for this game and took advantage of Manchester United's defensive weaknesses to formulate tactics. The 433 formation was successful, and Manchester United's defense in the middle once again had problems.

Defeated Manchester United 3:2 in regular time and won the first championship of the season. During the game, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, Hazard added the icing on the cake, and for Manchester United, Dong Fangzhuo and Mbappe each scored a goal. Bape also lost two single shots.

Manchester United's seven-time crown was shattered and was ridiculed by the entire English media, saying that Dong Fangzhuo had lied before the season. When the European champion also failed again, Dong Fangzhuo's myth of being undefeated in the final was broken.

But there is one team that has no solution, and that is Barcelona. Barcelona, ​​which visited Old Trafford in the second round of the Champions League, failed to comeback. Although Neymar performed well, Barcelona also had big problems in the backcourt, and there were also huge holes in the defense. After all, Barcelona is not Chelsea, and Enrique is not Mourinho, and there is still a gap between the two sides. Barcelona won 2:3 at Old Trafford. In the end, Manchester United won the game with a total score of 7:2 and successfully advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals.

The pain of losing the League Cup passed quickly. After all, after winning so many League Cups, Manchester United fans and players no longer care about it. What they care about most is the league championship and the Champions League. Especially the Champions League, the more you win, the better. Manchester United doesn’t have as many Champions Leagues as Liverpool, so don’t you want to win more?

4 vs 5, even if you get another one, it's just a tie.

So basically no one was sad.

At 12 noon on March 18th, local time in Switzerland, the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw ceremony will begin at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

After the last four games this week, the 1/8 finals of this season’s Champions League are all over. The four games that ended last week all showed a double-play pattern. Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain at home and away, Real Madrid defeated Roma 2:0, Wolfsburg and Benfica also defeated Gent and Zenit St. Petersburg respectively. Advance to the next round. In the games this week, Manchester United doubled Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich dangerously eliminated Juventus after overtime, Manchester City successfully defeated Dynamo Kyiv, Atletico Madrid defeated PSV Eindhoven in a thrilling penalty shootout, and the Champions League The top 8 were born.

Among the top 8, Premier League teams occupy 3 seats, which still reflects their overall advantage. In addition, two teams from the Bundesliga and La Liga reached the quarter-finals, the Portuguese Super League only occupied a place, and the Serie A was completely wiped out.

According to the Champions League draw rules, there will be no avoidance principle in the quarter-final draw. Teams in the same league and teams in the same group may meet in a narrow way, which will also greatly increase the enjoyment of the game.

Because there is no avoidance principle, teams in the same league have the possibility to meet, and the Premier League teams occupying three seats are likely to meet in advance. Among them, the most anticipated one is of course the early meeting between Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City. If the three favorites really meet in advance, this season's Champions League will also usher in its first victory. In addition, if the Madrid derby is staged ahead of schedule, it will also become the most eye-catching event in the quarter-finals.

This season's Champions League quarter-finals are full of giants, and a dialogue between the top two is inevitable. In addition to the Spanish El Clasico mentioned earlier, other showdowns between powerful players are also worth looking forward to.

As the favorite to win the championship, Bayern Munich has just eliminated Juventus, the only Serie A team. This time, whether they encounter the top three in the Premier League or Real Madrid, they will attract widespread attention.

There are powerful people, and naturally there are also "weak ones". Wolfsburg has reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in its history. They are also regarded as the best opponent to deal with. In addition, Benfica is also an opponent that other giants hope to encounter. Can these two teams create a miracle and advance to the semi-finals? It will also attract attention.

According to the schedule, this season’s Champions League quarter-finals will be held on April 5th and 6th and April 12th and 13th. The draw ceremony for the semifinals will be held on April 15th. The two legs of the semifinals will be held on April 4th. It will be held on May 26th and 27th and May 3rd and 4th, and the final will be staged at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on May 28th.

Ferguson did not go to Nyon, Switzerland, only Santoku went to participate in the draw. For Ferguson, he no longer cares about which opponent he encounters. The only goal is to win the championship and to defeat all opponents.

In the end, the result of the draw was not ideal...

Wolfsburg vs Real Madrid

Bayern Munich vs Benfica

Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid

Chelsea vs Manchester City

Although not ideal, it is better than Chelsea VS Manchester City, because Messi and Ronaldo meet again.

Manchester United beat Atletico Madrid, it's not bad...

After all, it is much easier to deal with Griezmann than Messi and Ronaldo. Although not as good as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid's signings.

In terms of odds to win the Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo's Chelsea rose to first place. After all, they defeated Manchester United to win the League Cup last week, while Manchester United ranked second, Bayern third, Atletico Madrid fourth, Real Madrid fifth, and poor Manchester City. , only ranked sixth...

However, things like the Champions League are not accurate until you play the game.

In terms of odds for the top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dong Fangzhuo are neck and neck. Although Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals in the Premier League, Dong Fangzhuo has scored more goals in the Champions League, so Cristiano Ronaldo has no advantage.

They just hope that the best result is to meet again in the final...

Messi didn’t understand it very much. He said in an interview with The Times, “Everyone doesn’t think highly of us, so there is not much pressure, but why are we the weak side? I don’t understand it at all. Maybe. A lot of people will be disappointed when the results come out. Manchester City have only lost twice this season."

"But, Leo, the two games you lost were one against Manchester United and one against Chelsea. Doesn't this mean something?"

"Of course nothing can be explained. These are the past and history, and the new game is new history!"

Of course Messi will not admit defeat...

This only stimulated his fighting spirit even more. In the weekend league match, he led Chelsea to a 5-0 victory over Stoke City, and he also scored a hat-trick. However, Manchester United and Chelsea did not show such a state. They only defeated their respective opponents 2-0. However, none of the three teams encountered too many difficulties.

Although the fourth team, Liverpool, stumbled, they also defeated Tottenham. This also indirectly helped Arsenal and Southampton. Fifth-placed Arsenal and sixth-placed Southampton won victories one after another, widening the gap between them and Tottenham.

This season Arsenal no longer seems to want to compete for the top four. They have sunk to the point where they just want to live in the Europa League... But these two teams are actually not far behind fourth-placed Liverpool. The distance is only 5 points. Arsenal will face Southampton at home in the next round, and it may be a bloody storm...

Sure enough, Southampton defeated Arsenal 3:2 in an away game, overtaking their points and climbing to fifth position. But at this time, Liverpool actually lost to the last place in the league in an away game. Southampton really They caught up and were actually only 2 points away from Liverpool!

"It's incredible." After the game, Southampton captain Gerrard was quite happy. He has almost forgotten Liverpool now and is very happy playing in Southampton. "I am very happy to be able to catch up with Liverpool. Every one of us Everyone wants to play in the Champions League."

"If there is any hope of overtaking Liverpool this season, then I can only feel sad for Liverpool."

At the beginning of the season, no one was optimistic about Southampton. They all believed that Sun Jihai and Dong Fangzhuo's selling strategy was a waste of money. It was impossible for a group of veterans to lead the youth army to fight out. As a result, they have now become a strong contender for fourth place. .

Destiny is so magical. After passing Arsenal, Southampton will go to Anfield to challenge Liverpool. If they succeed in the challenge, they can overtake Liverpool and rush to the fourth position.

"They won't stand a chance."

"Gerrard knows how scary Anfield is."

"We will beat them here and tell them that only Liverpool can go to the Champions League and they can only go to the Europa League." Klopp started a psychological war.

"When Gerrard comes back here, he won't even know how to play football. He will think he is still a Liverpool player."

"But to be honest, his condition is really good. I should have let him stay at the beginning. He can still help Liverpool and he can also be the captain of Liverpool."

Klopp began to play the emotional card again, but Gerrard no longer belongs to Liverpool. Can he really make Gerrard perform abnormally?

Bookmakers have opened a tie for this game and do not think Liverpool can beat Southampton at home.

"Heart of Glory can help Southampton beat Liverpool at Anfield, come on!" Dong Fangzhuo also shouted for Southampton on Twitter.

"The Champions League is waiting for you. Everything in the future is not a dream! Defeat Liverpool! Captain Southampton!"

He also x-on:Gerrard, specifically reminding him that he is now the captain of Southampton and no longer of Liverpool!

Southampton fans also responded one after another and left messages on Dong Fangzhuo's social media.

"Yes, Steve, you're captain of Southampton now!"

"You are on to something greater!"

To be honest, Gerrard was actually feeling quite painful, but he didn't say it out loud. If he personally sent Liverpool to the Europa League, he would be Liverpool's sinner...

But there is no way, as everyone said, he is the captain of Southampton, and he is also respected and loved here.

He has to act professionally...

This week, it is these two teams that have become the focus of England.

Manchester United won the first victory, and then Dong Fangzhuo drove to Anfield to watch Southampton play here in person.

Anfield fans saw Dong Fangzhuo appearing in the stands and immediately booed loudly.

He now appears as the owner of Southampton and appears at the VIP table, accompanied by Sun Jihai, the chairman of Liverpool, etc...

No matter how loud the boos are, it won't affect his mood while watching the game.

Both teams started with all their main players and had no reservations at all.

Sure enough, Gerrard walked out of the stadium with the captain's armband. Naturally, the mood of Liverpool fans was quite contradictory. This was the first time Gerrard returned to Anfield as a player from another team. They didn't know whether to give him applause or silence. Well, booing is impossible anyway. This veteran has been fighting here for more than 20 years and is still the team's greatest captain.

"You'll Never Walk Alone" comes to an abrupt end for the first time, when Gerald appears.

There was some uproar in the stands as the fans started to get miserable.

"I don't know what to say,"

"He suddenly felt very sad,"

"He still wears the captain's armband, but he is not the captain of Liverpool. But this scene makes me think that he is."

"It feels so bad."

"I didn't even want to sing the team song because I felt lonely."

"Isn't this what he wants most in his heart?"

A Liverpool fan expresses his heart like a poem, and also speculates on Gerrard's heart.

Gerrard stood at the entrance of the players' tunnel, listening to the familiar singing. The sudden interruption of the singing also made his heart skip a beat, as if the strings of the piano were broken, and everyone's emotions were condensed together.

This is the Anfield he is familiar with, but he no longer belongs here, just like the singing will suddenly stop, without the love of the past!

well……

He deliberately tightened the captain's armband on his left arm and then stepped onto the court resolutely.

On this day, I belong to Southampton!

"Brothers, get ready to fight!"

His voice was high and loud, and with his arms raised high, he was still full of fighting spirit.

"come on!"

"come on!"

Staring at Gerrard, the mentality of Liverpool fans is also changing.

"This is the enemy."

"At least he's the enemy today!"

"We must not let Southampton take the victory here!"

Beep——

The referee's whistle sounded, and this eye-catching game finally started. The two sides entered into a crazy confrontation from the beginning. Gerrard first gave Liverpool fans a big gift with a foul.

He seemed to be really into it and had already forgotten his former self.