In Ethan's previous life, his strongest impression of Mourinho was counterattacks. He was a counterattacking expert!
As far as Ethan could remember, Mourinho's teams almost always used counterattacks as their primary tactic. Even when he coached Real Madrid, his team still played on the counter. It was just that Real Madrid's players had such outstanding individual ability that Mourinho had no choice but to attack. So the "Special One" ingeniously integrated counterattacks into Real Madrid's attacking system.
Attacking football with counterattacks as the main weapon might seem contradictory, but in Ethan's view, Real Madrid under Mourinho were precisely such a team: solid in defence, sharp on the counter, seemingly strong in attack, yet still unable to shake off the concept of counterattacking.
However, to be able to use counterattacks like attacking football meant Mourinho's ability needed no questioning.
Of course, every supporter had their own opinion on Real Madrid's tactics under Mourinho. Ethan felt this way, but that did not mean others did too. Yet one undeniable point was that Mourinho was absolutely a very, very, very excellent counterattacking expert.
Would such a counterattacking expert be hit by a counterattack?
Apparently, not very likely!
Just as Brighton's number eleven striker was about to break through the opponent's defence, someone suddenly burst out from the side, intercepting the through ball midway, then immediately passing it to Terry nearby.
The number eleven striker had run quite a distance before realizing the ball had not come. Looking back, he found that the opponent's number twenty-five center-back had actually dribbled the ball into Brighton's half, leaving him all alone in the backfield, while his teammates were all retreating to defend.
Curtis dribbled forward, and De Rossi and Essien immediately and tacitly made space. Crouch, who was ahead, suddenly dropped back, and Curtis immediately passed the ball to Crouch's feet.
Crouch was a bit thin, but his tall stature meant he had long legs. He used his body to lean against the opposing center-back, while his long legs skillfully controlled the ball. Then, seeing Palacio's run, he gently passed it to him.
Palacio met the ball with a quick flick, and the ball barely slipped through the gap between the opposing center-back and full-back, but the force was a little too strong.
However, a lightning-fast figure rapidly darted past the opponent's defence, barely reaching the ball before it went out of play, and sent in a quick, low cross, with the ball aimed toward the far post.
At this time, the opponent's defensive forces had all been drawn toward the area near the penalty spot by Crouch, and coupled with New Manchester United's quick counterattack, Brighton's defence had not yet reorganized, leaving large open spaces near the far post.
Hleb was clearly prepared. When Wright-Phillips's pass arrived, he charged forward, and without even stopping the ball, unleashed a volley.
Brighton's goalkeeper rushed out in time, firmly cradling the ball in his arms, even falling to the ground while holding it tightly against his body.
...
"What a pity! Hleb wasted a golden opportunity. If he had chosen his angle on that shot, it might have gone in!" Scarlett sighed loudly.
Martin Tyler chuckled. "At that speed, it isn't easy to even control the ball, let alone choose an angle."
Scarlett herself felt embarrassed and laughed.
"But New Manchester United's counterattack this time was very sudden. From Curtis intercepting the ball and passing it to Terry, Terry knocking it back, Curtis dribbling forward, Crouch dropping back to receive, and Wright-Phillips making the forward run, everything happened in the blink of an eye."
"This was a planned counterattack, wasn't it?" Scarlett asked excitedly.
Martin Tyler nodded. "Of course, and it must have been practised. I found it strange at first why Mourinho would choose Crouch to start instead of Kitson. Now I understand, because Crouch's ability to link play is better. He can create attacking opportunities in the final third, while Kitson is a pure center-forward. He is not strong at holding the ball and can easily be dispossessed by the opponent."
"Moreover, in my opinion, Crouch's cooperation with his teammates is more harmonious. His technique is excellent, and his team awareness is better. After dropping back, he can create large open spaces behind him."
While Martin Tyler was analyzing, New Manchester United launched several more attacks, mostly through Crouch, who would set up plays for the wings or Palacio, and then they would make the final attempt.
"But it currently seems that Brighton have also figured out New Manchester United's strategy, narrowing their defence and not leaving space for Wright-Phillips and Hleb to operate in the half-spaces," Scarlett also noticed the clue.
Unexpectedly, Martin Tyler chuckled. "That's right, but in doing so, Brighton's counterattack becomes less threatening. And don't forget that Palacio is also a hidden danger. This player has excellent technique in tight spaces, and Mourinho has clearly given him enough freedom to roam freely in the final third."
"In this match, rather than saying New Manchester United are playing a 4-4-2, it is more accurate to say they are playing a 4-2-3-1, with Crouch leading the line, and Hleb, Wright-Phillips, and Palacio forming the second wave of attack. But because Crouch drops back, the second wave of attack from deep appears more hidden and, at the same time, more threatening!"
"However, Brighton are no pushovers. Their defence this season has been very solid, with only New Manchester United conceding fewer goals, and they are best at defensive counterattacks. So, it won't be easy for New Manchester United to break through their goal."
...
In fact, the match unfolded exactly as Martin Tyler had predicted. New Manchester United held the advantage, while Brighton defended and counterattacked. The two teams fought brilliantly, but because New Manchester United's attack was too strong, Brighton had to drop deeper, which meant their counterattacks never achieved the desired effect.
However, New Manchester United also could not break through Brighton's goal. The opponent's defence was indeed very tenacious, and coupled with the goalkeeper's excellent performance, several close-range opportunities were missed, making New Manchester United's players on the pitch appear a little anxious.
"Mr. Mourinho said that the first half will decide the outcome of the match. If we can't break through Brighton's goal in the first half, then the second half will be even harder to play. What should we do?"
Curtis was a little anxious at the back. Although New Manchester United dominated the match, they created very few real scoring chances, and they failed to convert any of them. The first half was almost over.
Although the match was deadlocked, the supporters in the stands continued to cheer for their team. Even though New Manchester United's supporters were outnumbered, their voices were concentrated and carried onto the pitch.
"Michael!" Taking advantage of a chance to retreat, Curtis called Essien, making a crossing gesture with his hands in front of his chest.
These two had known each other for a long time and were quite familiar with each other, so they naturally understood the meaning of Curtis's gesture. After speaking with Essien, Curtis looked at Terry, who nodded knowingly. Essien also gave a quick word to De Rossi.
A few more minutes passed, and the match remained deadlocked.
Brighton made a long pass to switch play. Terry overpowered the opposing tall center-forward and headed the ball to Abidal beside him. The latter immediately passed it to De Rossi in front, who quickly passed it to Palacio not far away.
The Argentinian's technique was very refined. His dribbling steps were small but very fast, making it difficult for opponents to dispossess him, but he also could not break through the opponent's defence and had no choice but to pass back to Essien. Essien seized an opportunity and passed to Hleb, who had moved to the right wing.
Hleb, facing the opposing full-back's defence, immediately accelerated, dribbling along the byline, but the opposing full-back was also fast and turned to keep up.
Hleb stopped abruptly at high speed, feinted, turned, accelerated back, and crossed. The whole sequence of movements was very fast!
New Manchester United had also crossed before, but Crouch, who was in the middle to receive, had almost never managed to get to the ball. This time, Brighton's center-back also firmly marked Crouch, holding his position to prevent him from reaching it.
But just then, a powerful figure suddenly sprinted from the backfield like lightning, leaping high to meet Hleb's cross, and before the opposing center-back could clear the ball, he powerfully headed it toward the opponent's goal.
The goalkeeper, seeing the danger, reacted and made a save, but because the ball was too fast, he could only watch as it rolled into the goal.
0-1!
New Manchester United scored in the forty-second minute of the first half, with Curtis making a late run into the box and heading the ball in!
...
"It was too sudden, it really was too sudden! Curtis, his speed is incredible. Just now, when Terry headed the ball clear, he was still behind Terry helping defend, but in the blink of an eye, he appeared in the opponent's penalty area. It was too sudden, this attack... wait, what's going on?"
Martin Tyler's commentary was halfway through when he noticed the referee stopping the match and calling for the team doctor and a stretcher from the sidelines.
"It's Curtis! Curtis accidentally got caught by an opponent's studs when challenging for the ball. We can see he's bleeding a lot. The referee is signaling for him to leave the pitch to stop the bleeding. We don't know how serious his injury is, but I really hope it doesn't affect the match!" Scarlett said with concern.
"Yes, Curtis has been outstanding in this match. His organization in defence has repeatedly thwarted Brighton's counterattacks, and his attacking play helped New Manchester United open the door to victory. If he gets injured because of this, it would undoubtedly be a blow to New Manchester United supporters!"
"The match continues. We can see that New Manchester United, temporarily playing with one fewer man, have reined in their attack. Trailing, Brighton are seizing the opportunity to launch a full-scale attack. They clearly want to capitalize on their temporary numerical advantage to level the score."
"Hey, we can see Curtis standing on the sidelines. The team doctor and assistant coach next to him are pulling at him, seemingly wanting him to get bandaged before going back on. But Curtis can't sit still. He's standing on the touchline, waiting for a dead-ball situation while letting the team doctor bandage him, clearly eager to get back onto the pitch to help the team!"
Martin Tyler, watching from the side, could not help praising him. "He truly is an iron-willed tough guy. He reminds me of Steve Bruce in his prime. I heard Curtis grew up under Bruce's guidance, and now I can see the shadow of an iron defender in him. He will surely become a rising star in England's defence!"
And the moment Curtis stepped back onto the pitch, the supporters in the stadium applauded. Among them, New Manchester United supporters stood up in unison, singing the Curtis song together!
(To be continued.)