After Baker's goal, York City played more patiently.
Although the intensity of frontcourt pressure has not decreased, under the ball control tactics with De Jong, Tonali and Rice as the core, York City plays more freely both offensively and defensively, and is not in a hurry for success. .
This is also due to Scaloni's judgment of the situation. After all, York City is leading in an away game, and the opponent must be more anxious than himself.
That's obviously the case.
Amid Ten Hag's shouts, the Ajax players were also eager to equalize the score, and their movements became larger, but they still failed to threaten York City's goal.
Although De Jong did not have much physical confrontation on the court, he made several beautiful interceptions of the opponent's passing routes, which also attracted bursts of cheers from the fans in the stands.
These cheers came not only from York City fans who came to watch the game in the Netherlands, but also from Ajax fans.
This is partly because De Jong left Ajax and contributed a transfer fee to the team;
On the other hand, even if De Jong transfers away, he is still Dutch and a Dutch international.
When the Dutch national team is far away from this year's World Cup in Russia, fans certainly hope that this new generation of players can rise quickly to revive the glory of Dutch football!
At halftime, when the players from the two teams walked off the court and walked towards the tunnel, York City's two Dutch internationals De Ligt and De Jong received the warmest cheers from the fans in the stands. Let’s find out who is the home team player...
In the locker room, Scaloni was not stingy with his praise:
"Good job, Mark! Good job, Frankie!"
It was Mark Baker who scored the goal, but Frenkie de Jong's performance can be said to be remarkable in making the situation in the first half tilt towards York City.
"It would be even better if Frankie could score a goal." Pan Yi, who was watching from the locker room door, suddenly said with a smile.
Of course he will also come for the away game, but he will not interfere with Scaloni's formation. Basically, he will be the atmosphere team.
The staff and players in the club also have a very good relationship with him. It doesn't feel like a boss is acting as a "supervisor" on the side, but more like having an extra friend in the locker room - a bit like another world line. Aguero's role will be the same in the 2022 World Cup.
"Yes, how can you not score against your old club?" Leo grinned, "Isn't this the objective law of football?"
De Ligt shook his head: "Then why not me?"
Onana shook her head: "Then why not me?"
Everyone: "..."
"Anyway, I support Frankie to score goals." Leo curled his lips, "You can even change positions with him. Just because the Ajax fans in the stands support him so much..."
"So you want to stab them instead, right?"
I don’t know who said this out of the blue, and everyone laughed.
Scaloni also smiled. He was happy to see this atmosphere within the team, but he still said to De Jong as a coach:
"Although in my arrangement, scoring goals is not your main responsibility, but if you can score goals, that's good. However, first of all, I still hope that we can continue to control the game in the second half!"
De Jong nodded.
He also knew exactly how to do it.
——
When the second half of the game reached the 20th minute, York City scored again and the score became 0:2!
But it was not De Jong who scored the goal, but Leo himself...
The latter received a pass from the winger Kulusevski after a breakthrough and scored the goal.
Of course, it was not Leo who "grabbed" the goal. After all, De Jong was still behind at this time.
The ball that Kulusevski got before breaking through was transferred to him by De Jong's big foot. It can be said that it was this transfer that found the gap in Ajax's defense and allowed this goal. It becomes natural.
After all, De Jong plays in the midfield, and is further away from the goal than the forwards. Naturally, it is not that easy to score goals.
After the second goal, Ajax players were beaten by York City and lost their energy. The number of mistakes on the field began to increase and the number of fouls also increased.
In the 70th minute of the game, Ajax's captain and No. 9 forward Huntelaar was sent off for receiving a second yellow card!
This also allowed York City to take better control of the game and start launching more intense attacks again and again.
However, York City, who had an absolute advantage in the back, forced Ajax to play in the half-court. However, after the ball reached the frontcourt, especially when it reached Leo's feet, he often did not cut into the penalty area, but went back. knock.
The line he hit happened to be where De Jong stepped forward, allowing him to hit the goal comfortably.
However, De Jong's luck was indeed not very good today. Several consecutive long-range shots either missed a little or were saved by the opponent's goalkeeper, but they were unable to score.
Ajax also noticed the changes in York City's frontcourt offensive tactics. Ten Hag also stood up and reminded the players to pay attention to protecting the top area of the penalty area and not to let the opponent's midfielder easily insert a shot!
After all, the knockout round of the Europa League is a two-leg match. Although we are now two goals behind, we have not completely lost yet.
Now that Ajax is missing another player, we can't afford to concede any more goals!
As a result, it is difficult for Leo to pass the ball to the center, which is often crowded with people. It is actually difficult for either De Jong or Tonali to have a chance to kick.
At this time, on the bench on the sidelines, Barrera had already stood up. Scaloni asked him to prepare for the substitution.
Judging from the substitution card numbers played by the fourth official, it is De Jong who Varela is replacing!
This is mainly because De Jong played very actively today. Whether it was offense or defense, he was everywhere. This also caused his physical performance to drop a bit when he played for more than 70 minutes.
Scaloni understood that many players on the field hoped that De Jong could score, but in order to maintain the vitality and interception strength of the midfield, he still made the decision to make substitutions.
As a result, Leo was a little anxious.
It happened that he got a ball from Tonali, so he started to break through from the wing!
After he passed Ajax's right back Nissen Christensen, he moved horizontally into the penalty area and seemed to be preparing to shoot, but he still took one step forward.
At this time, the opponent's central defender Walpole subconsciously stretched his legs to block Leo, directly tripping Leo!
The whole stadium was in an uproar immediately, and the whole stadium was boiling.
Ajax fans had their hearts in their throats, while York City fans excitedly shouted: "Penalty! Penalty!"
"The slow motion shows that Leo was indeed tripped in the penalty area just now. This is an indisputable penalty kick." Alan Shearer said, "This goal is actually a bit different from the one in Italy that we broadcast before. Similarly, Leo was a little hesitant about the shot and was fouled. However, Balotelli was knocked down from behind by Loftus-Cheek, and this time Leo was directly hooked into the leg."
Lineker also nodded and said: "It seems that Leo, like Balotelli, is sometimes not decisive when faced with shooting opportunities. However, why is he smiling so happily now? It's as if he has already scored a goal. "
"After all, he got a penalty kick..." Alan Shearer said suddenly, "No way... He couldn't have deliberately stumbled the ball, right? Did he just want to create a penalty kick? Watch this slow motion again... It seems to be true, this is not a shooting action at all, but extending your legs to touch the opponent!"
Lineker was stunned: "What is this? Obviously it is better to shoot directly, but Leo has moved away from the angle, and there is only Cillessen in front of him."
"Looking at Leo just passing the ball to De Jong for a shot, is this penalty also created for him?"
Just when the two commentators were puzzled, the referee had already arrived in the penalty area and pointed to the penalty spot without any doubt.
The York City fans at the scene immediately became excited.
They all stood up and looked expectantly into the stadium, into the Ajax penalty area.
At this time, Leo had quickly picked up the ball, placed it on the penalty spot, and then pushed De Jong over: "Quick, you are the one to take the penalty, don't refuse!"
Taking the 11 starting players currently on the field, the first penalty kicker is the top scorer Baker. After all, he is going to compete for the title of top scorer in the British Championship.
But at this time, he just stood on the edge of the penalty area and looked at De Jong with a smile.
Obviously, he also hopes that De Jong can finish the game with a goal after today's excellent performance!
On the sidelines, Scaloni also asked Barrera not to play for the time being until the penalty kick was finished.
Obviously, Scaloni also acquiesced in this behavior of the players on the field.
De Jong was very grateful for the scoring opportunity created for him by the team, and he no longer refused. He stood at the penalty spot and looked at the opponent's goal.
At this time, York City goalkeeper Onana rushed from his own half "not far away" and got close to De Jong's ear: "Cillessen can only attack the right side, you just kick his backhand side!" "
De Jong and Cillessen have been teammates for one year, so they probably know his habits.
But Onana, as a goalkeeper who often trains with Cilesen, will certainly know him better.
In fact, Cillessen has never been good at saving penalty kicks, otherwise Van Gaal would not have temporarily replaced Krul during the penalty shootout in the 2014 World Cup.
When everyone left the penalty area, De Jong took a few steps back.
He stared at Cillessen for two seconds, then took a few steps and sent the ball towards the lower left corner.
As expected, Ajax goalkeeper Cillessen habitually pounced to the right and misjudged the direction.
The ball went in!
The York City fans at the scene were excited!
However, De Jong just put his hands together and did not celebrate. Instead, he apologized to the Ajax fans at the scene.
Such an action also made Ajax fans temporarily forget the sadness of being scored, but instead stood up and applauded collectively, once again sending their blessings to the former Ajax player.
The York City players also came to De Jong's side. They surrounded him, and the 11 players hugged each other tightly, looking extremely united!
There was even warmer applause and cheers in the stands, not only for De Jong, but also for this team!
At this time, the referee on the sidelines finally raised the substitution sign, and De Jong was replaced by Barrera.
After De Jong came off the field, he once again received warm cheers from the fans in the stands, and York City fans even sang De Jong's song!
"This is a game that belongs to De Jong, a perfect game. He scored a goal and planned two attacks at the same time. It can be said that he dominated this game!"
"Now I am also convinced that Leo's penalty kick was deliberately created for De Jong to take. It seems that the whole team hoped that De Jong could score, and in the end they got their wish."
"What's more important is that this penalty now makes the score 0:3, and Ajax still has one less person to fight. There is no suspense in this game, and even the next game is no suspense, because by then York City were playing at home."
After saying that, Alan Shearer laughed, "York City is indeed an impressive team. Now I understand why you insist on commentating on York City's games, haha..."
As the commentator said, after 0:3, there was no suspense in this game.
After the referee blew the whistle to end the game, the atmosphere once again became extremely warm.
When York City players came off the field, they were not only cheered by York City fans, but also applauded by Ajax fans.
De Ligt, Onana, as well as De Jong and Westerman on the bench, all walked to the stands of the home team fans and waved, and they also received responses from more fans from the Cruyff Arena.
"Welcome home!"
In front of such slogans, the outcome of this game does not seem to be that important anymore.
——
At the same time that York City defeated Ajax, Arsenal was tied 2:2 away from Sporting CP.
This contrast also made the English media praise York City's victory, believing that they are now the second representative team in English football!
They are said to be "second" because Liverpool also performed very well in the Champions League this season.
Under the leadership of uncle Klopp, they swept Porto with a total score of 5:0 to enter the quarterfinals, and then just defeated Guardiola's Manchester City 3:0 in the first round of the English Civil War. They have already moved into the fourth place. powerful.
As for Chelsea, they were eliminated by their old rival Barcelona in the top 16 with a total score of 1:4 and missed the Champions League quarterfinals.
According to the British media, the only teams that can make it to the semi-finals in the European war are basically Liverpool and York City. Isn't York City, which plays in the Europa League, the second representative team in England now?
After playing the first round of the Europa League, York City once again defeated their opponent Bristol City 2:0 in the league three days later, continuing their winning streak.
In the strong dialogue between the Wolves and Cardiff City at the same time, the Wolves lost to their opponents 0:1.
As a result, York City won this season's English Championship five rounds ahead of schedule!
The next day, the news of York City winning the English Championship was listed on the front page of newspapers in England.
Everyone knows that York City has outstanding strength, and everyone knows that York City is the favorite to win the championship. But when this day comes, everyone will still sigh that this team is extraordinary.
Leo, Kvaratschelia, Scamaka, De Jong, Barrera, Tonali, Bastoni, DiMarco...
This long list of names that were not well known before the season has now become well-known after their performances in the English Championship, FA Cup, and Europa League, allowing everyone to recognize them clearly. strength and potential.
You know, they are all still so young, there are not even many over 20 years old!
And all of these people were "searched" by Pan Yi from all over the world this season, and they didn't spend much transfer fee in total.
But look at the recent offers made by some clubs for York City players.
Bayern Munich took a fancy to Dutch central defender De Ligt and directly offered a high price of 60 million euros, but Pan Yi remained unmoved.
AC Milan is said to have taken a fancy to Leo and wanted to use him to make up for their left attack line, but they gave up early in the face of a transfer fee of at least 50 million euros.
In addition, Kulusevski is being targeted by Juventus, Inter Milan wants to repurchase DiMarco, and Naples is interested in the young Kvalac Helia...these people are also worth 3,000 It ranges from 10,000 to 50 million.
Another thing that has to be mentioned is Frenkie de Jong. This Dutch international is now the core organizer of York City. His strength has been confirmed in the Europa League and the British Championship. It is said that many big-name teams have Among those who have expressed interest in him are giants such as Barcelona and Manchester United.
His potential transfer fee is currently the highest, possibly as high as 70 to 80 million euros!
It can be said that Pan Yi's transfer operations for York City in these windows have brought hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to this club!
This is only the financial gain. If you look at the competitive level, York City is making a lot of money.
"This is a victory for York City, and even more so a victory for Pan Yi!" The title of the "Guardian" was so simple and straightforward.
The Guardian pointed out that among all English teams, except for a few that pay more attention to youth training, other teams are keen to buy famous or semi-famous stars.
But York City relied on Pan Yi's outstanding vision to recruit batch after batch of young talents, and then gradually grew up in the club.
Before the season, York City's average first-team starter was under 20 years old, an age considered dangerous.
However, as the schedule progressed, York City proved with ironclad facts that in front of a group of talented stars, youth is not a problem. They can still play beautiful games and get good results, as long as they have one of the best players in the world. The top leader-Pan Yi!
Next season, when they enter the Premier League and when these young players are gradually maturing, I believe they will bring a breath of fresh air to the Premier League and have a strong impact on the top players in the Premier League!
The Guardian also pointed out that not only that, York City’s youth training system is getting better and better, and it is foreseeable that more young stars will emerge in the near future.
In this season's FA Youth Cup in England, York City's youth team also made it all the way to the semi-finals. Musiala, Kamavinga, Vashi and others in the team also showed great potential.
When they reach the first team, a new force will be injected into them, making York City even more dynamic!
And when the time comes, their worth will increase several times or ten times...
This is a benign situation.
"The Guardian" finally said in the report that York City was still struggling to avoid relegation in English League Two a few years ago, and it was difficult for the club to come up with hundreds of thousands of operating funds every year;
But after Pan Yi took over the club, the team achieved a one-year jump in just two or three years and was about to enter the Premier League.
Not only that, the current total value of York City's players has even exceeded that of many Premier League teams and has reached the BIG6 level.
"This is a miracle. Before Pan Yi took over a club, we thought that such a miracle would be impossible in the current football world."
"You may be able to explode in one or two seasons and achieve an upset championship like the Miracle of Kaiserslautern, but it is difficult to maintain a club in a state of economic and competitive development at the same time. It’s lasted so long.”
"In fact, saying 'maintain' is too conservative. With their promotion to the Premier League and the completion of the new stadium, their revenue will skyrocket again. It's hard to imagine where York City will end up. …”
"The Times" also analyzed York City's revenue situation, and then refuted some media speculation that York City will fall apart in the next transfer window because big teams spend money to buy people.
"York City's current performance is very stable, the atmosphere in the locker room is also very harmonious, and its revenue is about to reach a new explosive point. It can be said that York City is now the foundation of a Premier League giant."
"As the boss, Pan Yi has also started working on a new round of salary increases and contract renewals. In this case, who can poach people from the wealthy Pan Yi?"
"Not to mention there is no sign that these young players in the team will be willing to leave York City and Pan Yi..."
"Who doesn't want to be able to improve themselves, win honors, and earn a high salary in such a positive team?..."
Amid the praise from the major media, York City had no time to celebrate the British Championship, because they immediately ushered in the second round of the contest with Ajax and defeated them 2:0 at home again. opponent.
This time De Jong did not score, but he assisted Lin Liangming and Aman to score respectively. He was still selected as the best player of the game.
Having successfully entered the semi-finals of the Europa League, York City has undoubtedly become the biggest dark horse this season. The other three teams that have entered the semi-finals are Arsenal, Lazio and Atletico Madrid.
Although Arsenal was tied with Sporting CP in the first round, they still defeated their opponents in the second round and successfully entered the semi-finals.
This also made the English media begin to look forward to the English Civil War in the semi-finals, but this scene did not happen.
On the second day after the four quarter-final knockouts, UEFA conducted a draw. York City drew Lazio from Italy, while Arsenal met Atletico Madrid!
(End of chapter)
