New Manchester United's approach in the second half was clearly somewhat unexpected for Rochdale.
You had to know, last season in the North West Counties League Division Two, New Manchester United were famous for attacking football, setting the scoring record for the tenth tier of English football. That was no joke. Even when facing Arsenal at Highbury, New Manchester United never gave up on attacking.
And in these warm-up matches before the start of this season, New Manchester United had also played attacking football. Although it was a rugged, power-based style of attack, their playing style was still very open.
Now that they suddenly dropped back, it was indeed somewhat unexpected.
But this did not mean that New Manchester United's defensive ability was poor.
Abidal, Poulsen, Evra, and Stenson were all future Premier League-level, and even European and world-class defensive stars. Although they were still young now and their ability could not be compared to what it would be in the coming years, their opponents were not European powerhouses like Real Madrid or Barcelona either.
Once such a lineup settled into a solid defence, it would be quite difficult for Rochdale to break through New Manchester United's defensive line with their less than outstanding attacking power.
In the 55th minute of the second half, Bruce used Distin to replace Gary Turner and partner Abidal at centre-back, and he used Crouch to replace Olić. Although the latter had worked hard, he had failed to show much of his ability in this match.
Darren Lyons replaced Hleb. The Belarusian had very good movement and pace on the pitch, but he did not get many opportunities to show it. After all, his understanding with his teammates still had major issues, and he still could not speak English, which was also a big problem.
Seemingly wanting to take advantage of New Manchester United's lineup adjustments to launch a sudden attack, Rochdale's offensive became fierce from the 55th minute onward. And because New Manchester United had adopted a deep defensive shape, Rochdale's defensive line was gradually forced higher up the pitch, leaving space behind for New Manchester United's counter-attacks.
In the 73rd minute, after several failed attacks, Rochdale launched another attack on New Manchester United. The right midfielder drove at Evra. Since receiving Bruce's reminder, Evra had barely pushed forward at all throughout the second half, so he appeared early in the defensive position where he was supposed to be.
Rochdale's right midfielder was taller and stronger than the lean Evra and wanted to use his body to hold him off. However, unexpectedly, Evra relied on his greater agility to dodge the opponent, then poked the ball away and quickly dribbled along the left flank.
Approaching the halfway line, Evra played a direct pass to Krzynówek on the left flank. Krzynówek smoothly got past the opposing right-back, reached the corner of the penalty area, and passed it into the middle before the Rochdale centre-back could react.
The young Dane Poulsen arrived in a flash and unleashed a thunderous long-range shot. The dull thud of his foot striking the ball could be heard on the pitch, and then the ball, like a cannonball, flew straight into the opponent's goal.
Facing the sudden long-range shot from outside the penalty area, the Rochdale goalkeeper was stunned. He could not even make a save attempt and could only watch helplessly as the ball flew into the net.
2-1! After enduring that difficult period of defence at the start of the second half, New Manchester United scored through a quick counter-attack.
Although this goal was scored by Poulsen, who surged forward from deep, throughout the move, Žigić's movement toward the right side of the penalty area attracted Rochdale's defensive attention. This created a gap in Rochdale's defence near the edge of the penalty area, and Krzynówek's pass was also perfectly timed.
It could be said that this brilliant goal was not just down to the scorer and the assister. Žigić, Crouch, and the others also played a very important role in this attack.
After the goal, Bruce kept shouting at the players on the pitch from the sidelines and constantly gestured for them to drop back, signaling the players to stay focused and not be careless. After all, the opponent was a professional League Two team, and carelessness meant failure!
The move to replace Juninho with Poulsen in the centre of midfield had a clear effect. This was not only reflected in that goal, but also in the defensive depth of the midfield.
Poulsen had a tenacious style. His tireless running on the pitch and fierce defensive approach injected grit and toughness into New Manchester United's midfield. Karl Marginson was also a player with excellent stamina and work rate. These two built a barrier for New Manchester United in midfield, and they could be seen almost everywhere.
When Rochdale attacked New Manchester United's left flank, Poulsen would appear beside Evra to help him defend, and at that time, Marginson would definitely occupy the centre. When Rochdale attacked New Manchester United's right flank, Karl Marginson would run over to help Stenson, while Poulsen would return to the centre to hold his position.
Although this was only their first time playing together, the partnership between the two players seemed incredibly natural, not at all like two players working together for the first time.
It was precisely because of the partnership between Poulsen and Marginson that New Manchester United's spine stood firm. Rochdale's attacks were thwarted again and again, and New Manchester United's counter-attacks became increasingly threatening.
In the 81st minute, Marginson intercepted the ball in the centre and passed it to Darren Lyons on the right. The latter looked up briefly and immediately sent a long diagonal cross into the penalty area. Žigić overpowered the opposing centre-back and headed the ball toward goal.
The Rochdale goalkeeper had already positioned himself well. He stretched out both hands to meet Žigić's header and pushed the ball over the crossbar. Corner kick!
Darren Lyons went to the left corner flag. Several tall New Manchester United players, including Abidal, Distin, Marginson, Žigić, Crouch, and Stenson, all gathered inside the opponent's penalty area.
Ethan, sitting in the stands, saw the opponent's penalty area crowded with players and immediately chuckled.
You had to know, these New Manchester United players were generally over 1.85 metres tall. The shortest was Abidal at 1.86 metres, and he still looked taller than the opponent's tallest centre-back. Abidal was also stronger. So while preparing for the corner kick, the opposing centre-back kept tugging at him but could not move him at all.
I guess the Rochdale manager must be very worried now! Ethan thought happily to himself.
Darren Lyons' corner kick was taken very high, curving toward the far post.
Žigić had already occupied the position at the far post. His height of over 2 metres gave him a great advantage in the air, but since the opposing centre-back was blocking him, a direct header at goal was not very realistic, so he nodded it back toward the near post.
Abidal, who had just drawn the opposing centre-back toward the edge of the penalty area when Darren Lyons took the kick, suddenly turned around at this moment, met Žigić's header, and dived to head the ball!
Goal!
The stands immediately erupted. All the New Manchester United fans stood up, waving and cheering for Abidal, who was running across the pitch.
Last season, the defensive line led by Bruce had brought countless moments of joy to the fans. This season, Bruce had decided to leave the pitch. The newly joined Abidal had already proven his ability through just three warm-up matches, and he had even scored in this match against a League Two team.
Eric! Eric!
The fans in the stands first cheered chaotically, then began chanting Abidal's name in rhythm. Abidal also ran to the New Manchester United fans' stand and waved at the supporters.
The 20-year-old had previously only played for a semi-professional team near Lyon, but whether in terms of club facilities or ambition, Duchère could not compare with New Manchester United.
This was exactly like the promise New Manchester United made to Abidal when they first found him. New Manchester United had fanatical fans and a generous budget, but more importantly, the club had a grand plan and astonishing ambition, and these were things Duchère could never give him.
Now, although he had not been in Manchester for long, Abidal was satisfied with his transfer.
After celebrating the goal with the fans, Abidal walked back, hugging and shaking hands with his teammates along the way. In particular, he embraced Žigić, who had assisted him, for a while, causing the fans in the stands to break into enthusiastic applause and cheers once again.
Leading by two goals and then conceding two goals in a row made the Rochdale manager start to seek a draw, so he replaced a forward with a defender and also began making extensive substitutions in midfield.
Very tacitly, as soon as the opponent made substitutions, Bruce followed suit. First, he used Roy Williams to replace Evra, then Kevin Evans to replace Stenson, then Danny Collins to replace Abidal, who had scored the equaliser, while Stephen Smith came on to replace Karl Marginson.
The extensive substitutions caused the match to eventually enter garbage time. Anyone could see that it would end in a draw. Both sides had played one good half, and in this match, both sides had also exposed quite a few problems.
Especially New Manchester United. In this match, the defensive issues on the left flank were significant, but the bigger trouble was in the centre.
Poulsen performed quite well, and his partnership with Marginson was also very natural. In contrast, Juninho, the newly arrived Brazil international, performed very poorly, just like his other Brazilian predecessors who could not adapt to the style of the English leagues, making people worry that his transfer might also end in failure.
But should Bruce play the big-name Juninho, or use the more suitable Poulsen?
This was clearly a question Bruce had to consider after this match.
As for the forwards, the competition between Žigić and Jonathan Matten clearly already had a result. The former's help to the team was very obvious regardless of whether he scored or not, while Jonathan Matten, although the top scorer in last season's North West Counties League Division Two, had been playing in an amateur league. This season, New Manchester United would be competing in the National League.
Sometimes, professional football was just that cruel!
(To be continued.)