AFAS Stadium, Alkmaar, Netherlands.
"Thank you for the guidance." George Lee shook hands with Alkmaar's head coach Louis van Gaal.
"Young man, come on." Van Gaal patted George Li on the shoulder.
Above, is the scoreboard with the game over.
0 to 0.
In the third round of the Europa League group stage, Alkmaar drew with Leeds United at home and the two sides ended in a goalless draw.
After the game, both George Lee and Van Gaal spoke highly of the other team's head coach.
"Coach Van Gaal is an excellent head coach. I can learn a lot from this senior. When I went to Ajax, Coach Van Gaal had already left for Barcelona and I could not play under him. It’s my regret.”
In this game, George Lee played very depressed. When he played against Van Gaal, he felt like his pants were exposed.
After all, Van Gaal is also a master of high-position pressing and full-court press. He is even more proficient in Holland's total attack and defense.
Many of the high-position pressures used by George Lee now have shadows of Van Gaal's previous tactics.
Today's Leeds United were severely restricted by Alkmaar.
However, in turn, Alkmaar has nothing to do with Leeds United.
Van Gaal changed his tradition this season and really "presses the whole court when he is rich, and defends and counterattacks when he is poor". Lead Alkmaar to defend and counterattack.
But there was nothing that Van Gaal could do. In the past, even the center backs under Van Gaal were all midfielders. They were De Boer, Blind, and Rijkaard. At that time, the defenders could play the ball at will.
Now, it’s Kyoto Arians, Ryan Donk, and Greta Stenson. It would be great if these people can defend Leeds United’s offense. I didn’t see that today’s shooting ratio was 16 to 3. Leeds Linked in front.
George Li has also been educated continuously recently and met Ferguson in the previous game. This time he met Van Gaal again, which made him feel that there was still a gap between himself and these famous coaches.
However, there is good news here for Leeds United, that is, Robin van Persie, who suffered a foot injury before, will return from injury and will be able to play in the next game.
^^^
Sure enough, Leeds United, who returned to England, vented their frustration from the 1 draw and 1 loss in the first two games on the next opponent.
On December 6, in the 15th round of the league, they challenged Birmingham away from home, splicing Romedal's long shot and Albuchesson's header in the penalty area, and defeated Birmingham 2-1. In the 80th minute of the game, Van Persie came on as a substitute. , announcing his return from injury.
On December 9th, in the 16th round of the league, they faced Blackburn again. Leeds United defeated the opponent cleanly with a 3-1. This means that Leeds United has defeated Blackburn three times this season. If there is still another match in the FA Cup If so, there may be a chance to beat Blackburn four times. Now Blackburn's head coach Mark Hughes nods his head when he hears the name of Leeds United.
On December 12, Leeds United's third consecutive Premier League away trip was the third round of the league's make-up match. However, Leeds United still relied on excellent performance and effective rotation to defeat Everton 2-0.
After Mark Hughes, David Moyes has become George Lee's new enemy.
Last season, it was because under the leadership of Lee George, Leeds United successfully avoided relegation at the last minute, causing Everton to be relegated. At the same time, he also bought Everton's tactical core, Graveson.
Everton was successfully promoted from the English Championship last season, and they thought they could avenge their disgrace and seek revenge on Leeds United this season. However, as soon as they played against each other, they discovered that the gap between the two teams is now too big, and they are not at the same level at all.
Two headers from Alan Smith and Kevin Davis allowed Leeds United to retreat at Goodison Park and take away 3 points.
On December 16, Leeds United faced their fourth opponent in the UEFA Cup group stage at home, Bulgaria's Lettex.
Another 2-0 ended Leeds United's entire Europa League group stage schedule this season.
With 3 wins and 1 draw, with a goal difference of 2, Alkmaar, who had the same points, qualified first in the group.
Looking at Alkmaar with the same points, Lee George had to admire Van Gaal. It is not easy to achieve such results in the Europa League with such a team. And I heard that AZ Alkmaar has also performed well in the Eredivisie this season, and is expected to break the dominance of Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.
A famous coach is a famous coach, no matter what cards he plays or where he is, he can achieve success.
Back to Premier League action again.
On December 20, in the 17th round of the league, Leeds United ended their league away trip and returned to Elland Road to face Newcastle United.
At the 88th minute of the game, all Leeds United fans stood up and applauded vigorously.
Substitutions are taking place on the sidelines, Leeds United's No. 9 comes off and No. 22 comes on.
Van Persie ran to the sidelines, high-fived Derwig and then thanked the crowd.
Leeds United now leads 3-1 in this game. Van Persie scored all three goals with his head and kick.
The audience's applause did not stop until Van Persie sat down, because Derwig was injured in the game against Manchester City on December 26 last year and did not return from injury until today.
For nearly a year, Derwig has been recuperating from injuries and doing recovery training.
The fans have not forgotten this Norwegian youngster who used to be so powerful on the wing. Now that he has come back, they are naturally overjoyed.
Derwig stepped onto the court again, and that familiar feeling seemed to be back.
Just after coming on the field, Derwig's first touch with the ball was not a good experience. As soon as he received a pass from Smith, he was bumped by Newcastle's Nell behind him. Then the ball rolled out of his control and was hit by Newcastle. robbed by other players.
Dervish glanced back at Nell.
Nell stared back at Dervish.
Immediately, Dervish's second chance to touch the ball came.
The ball that was snatched away by Newcastle just now was snatched back by Parker as soon as half-time passed.
After Parker came to Leeds United, he had a good life. Although he was not the main player, his playing time was fully guaranteed. In addition, Leeds United's performance this season was excellent, second only to Chelsea. Parker felt that he should be able to play for Leeds United. He won a spot for the 2006 World Cup.
Logically speaking, after Parker grabs the ball, he should protect the football immediately, and then pass the ball forward or pass it back to the defender or goalkeeper when someone comes up.
But today, out of the corner of his eye, Parker saw a teammate on the right reaching for the ball, and then passed the ball.
The person who wanted the ball was Derwig, and he was working hard to perform today.
After getting the ball, facing Nel who came to defend again, Derwig directly moved the ball to the left with his right foot, and then moved the ball with his left foot to the right rear of Nel. He passed the ball from Nel's left Wiped it sideways.
The ball passed!
Although Derwig's speed has slowed down after the injury, he is still fast after all.
In addition, Nel has already run a whole game and can no longer keep up.
After Dervish passed Nel, he fought in front of Bramble.
By this time, Derwig was already killing him, and no one could stop him.
Another change of direction, another acceleration, passing Bramble.
Derwig just relied on his speed to create a single sword for himself.
Just when everyone thought Dervish was going to do it himself, he passed the ball to Kevin Davis who came in from the left.
Davis easily accepted the pass and pushed the ball into the empty goal that was no longer guarded by Given.
Because Given has already arrived at Derwig's side.
4 to 1.
Newcastle United's two forwards stood near the center circle and watched the goal throughout.
After seeing Davis succeed in the empty goal, Shearer looked at Irving next to him.
Owen, who scored a goal for Newcastle in this game, looked at the 20-year-old Derwig in the distance with affectionate eyes.
It's as if there are shadows of my 20-year-old self there.
