Monaco's Stade Louis II.
While the BBC commentary was still introducing the starting lineups of both sides, Leeds United launched an attack.
Just after the opening, Leeds United launched an attack. Mills took the ball from the right to the Barcelona half and handed the ball to Kuyt in front of the penalty area.
After taking the ball, Kuyt pulled out a gap laterally and shot directly from a long distance. The ball was confiscated by Valdez.
Just three minutes later, Leeds United launched another attack from the left.
After Smith got the ball from the wing, he faced Belletti's defense. He used his body to forcefully squeeze Belletti away, then broke through from the right, and was then pulled to the ground by Belletti.
Baynes took the set kick and drove the ball into the penalty area. Mathisen, who was in the back, made a diving header.
But there was no power, and the ball was confiscated by Valdez again.
"Is this the strength of the Champions League champion?"
It's not that the coaching staff here at Leeds United underestimated the enemy, but that the entire Barcelona was out of shape after the start, so that's what John Sheridan said just now.
"Maybe Barcelona thinks that the Premier League teams are similar to Arsenal." This is what Li George said.
"Last season's Champions League runner-up didn't even make it to the Champions League this year. It's a pity." Chris Kasper began to mock Arsenal.
"Barcelona's starting lineup today doesn't look like a tough-fighting lineup." Li George directly pointed out Barcelona's destiny.
Today, Barcelona's midfielder is Motta playing as a defensive midfielder, partnering with Xavi and Deco.
The configuration is all about rhythm control and passing control. There is no way to form a good barrier in the midfield and completely expose the back line of defense.
Just when the coaching staff of Leeds United was bragging and bragging off the field, Leeds United scored.
In the 7th minute of the game, Graveson passed a good ball to Smith who was moving laterally and was about to run from the left to the center.
After Smith stopped the ball, he pretended to break through, but actually pushed the ball horizontally in front of De Jong in the middle.
De Jong, who had just come from behind, took a long shot.
The ball passed between Max and Puyol and flew towards the Barcelona goal.
Valdez has appeared in the camera many times today. In the camera, Valdez quickly moved to his left hand side to reach the ball.
Finally, he blocked the ball before it was about to fly into the goal.
However, after the ball was blocked, it was blocked in front of Kuyt in the penalty area.
Kuyt started to follow up in front of the goal when De Jong took off.
The ball saved by Valdes just came in front of him. Kuyt chose to remove the ball from his chest, and before other Barcelona defenders could catch up, he poked the ball that did not land to the near corner of the right post.
Valdez, who had just pounced on the first one, wanted to get up from the ground and pounce on the second one. It was already too late.
The ball was easily scored by Kuyt.
1 to 0.
The linesman lowered the flag firmly and did not raise it no matter how much the Barcelona players protested.
The referee also indicated that the goal was valid.
Leeds United got off to a fantastic start.
After the goal, Barcelona woke up from a dream and began to control the game.
The game then turned to Barcelona's rhythm, constantly using the three midfielders to pass the ball, coupled with the running of Messi, Ronaldinho and Eto'o, always trying to find holes in Leeds United's defense.
It's just that Leeds United has been prepared for this. The double defensive midfielder is paired with two wingers who can retreat. Kuyt does not stay in the frontcourt, but keeps coming back to help defend.
Barcelona didn't have a good chance for a while, but Leeds United found an opportunity to counterattack.
In the 11th minute of the game, Barcelona made a pass error in the frontcourt, and Mills, who took a step forward, intercepted the ball passed by Deco to Ronaldinho.
This pass was mainly because Deco's intention to pass the ball was too obvious, and he took the shot completely regardless of the Leeds United players that might be present on the route.
After Mills intercepted the ball, he advanced a few steps and handed the ball to Milner on the right.
For safety reasons today, George Lee did not arrange for Van Persie to start, but chose to let Milner play on the right.
After Glenchard and Romedal left, Milner's opportunities to play on the wing have greatly increased, and Lennon and Pedersen will also have most opportunities.
Milner was very excited today. Facing the defensive Sylvinho, he just took the lead and accelerated past his opponent.
He brought it from near the midline to the corner of the penalty area, and then chose to cross.
Kuyt's header near the 12-yard penalty spot was not directed correctly due to Puyol's interference, and the ball went wide of the goal.
Then after Valdes kicked off, Barcelona started to control the ball again.
In the 16th minute of the game, Barcelona got the first shot of the game.
Ronaldinho's free kick hit the goal directly, and the 30-yard set kick was directly hit by the Brazilian.
Then the live broadcast showed the ball possession rate of both sides. Leeds United only had more than 30%, while Barcelona was close to 70%.
Barcelona's constant passing also made the director start to show the camera to the audience.
Many head coaches of strong Champions League teams chose to stay and watch this European Super Cup showdown after the Champions League draw.
The camera showed the scene one by one to Inter Milan coach Mancini and Bayern coach Magath. Then the grouping situation of Champions League Group B appears below. The two teams and Leeds United are placed in the same group.
Then it was given to Chelsea coach Mourinho, who was assigned to Group A of Barcelona.
Manchester United's head coach Ferguson and Real Madrid's head coach Capello were both caught on camera.
When the camera returned to the field again, Leeds United launched another counterattack, but the ball had already crossed the baseline.
Barcelona didn't completely regain control of the game until the 30th minute of the game.
Ronaldinho broke through Milner on the left and then made a precise through ball and found Eto'o.
The Cameroon forward hit the goal from 11 yards on the left side of the penalty area, but the ball was confiscated by Edwin van der Sar due to lack of power.
"Tighten it up, don't leave such a big gap for them."
George Li is constantly directing the team from the sidelines. Although the team does not have an advantage in possession of the ball, it is still in the lead. He is very knowledgeable about his team's defense and has no worries about his opponent's possession.
For a time, Barcelona had no choice when facing Leeds United's iron barrel formation. They could only use long-range shots to threaten the goal. However, their long-range shots were blocked by Leeds United defenders, and few of them reached the goal. before.
Whether there were any shots within the goal frame, they were all resolved by Van der Sar.
Leeds United could only respond with a quick counterattack after the defense, but because Kuyt at the front kept returning to defense, there was no contact point in the frontcourt, so the counterattack could not be launched.
Just when both sides thought the first half was about to end 1-0, another goal occurred.
The goal scorer was Leeds United.
In the 45th minute of the game, Leeds United got a corner kick through a counterattack.
After Baynes's corner kick flew into the penalty area, Valdes hit it with one hand.
Valdes jumped too high and fell to the ground when he landed.
It's just that the ball didn't fly far, and Parker from outside the penalty area directly hit the defense line behind him.
Woodgate was just about to walk back to his own half when he saw a ball flying over.
He quickly pushed Max next to him, then jumped up and raised his head and hit the ball into the empty goal.
2 to 0.
Everything is going in the right direction for Leeds United.
