Today, the Elland Road stadium is a sea of white. All fans who come to watch the game, whether they are home fans or Newcastle fans, are given a baseball cap with the Leeds United logo printed on it.
It's just that Leeds United fans all wore them, while Newcastle fans chose not to wear them.
If you look carefully, you can actually spot a few Manchester United fans in the stadium.
Of course, these fans are all strong men who are not afraid of death. They really cannot buy tickets for Manchester United games, or they are sent by fan groups to find out first-hand information about Leeds United games.
In short, it really takes courage to wear a Manchester United jersey to watch the game at the archrival's Elland Road stadium at this time.
In the last league game, in order to ensure the fairness of the game, the Football Association requested that the two games between Leeds United and Manchester United be played at the same time.
Therefore, when Leeds United stepped onto the court in the afternoon, the final contest began. The opponent was not only Newcastle United, not just Manchester United, but also a challenge for Leeds United.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Brian Kidd was concerned about George Li.
After experiencing the own-goal incident three days ago, Li George was asked by everyone on the coaching staff to take a good rest.
George Lee did not attend the training that afternoon. Kidd and the others led the training.
Yesterday morning, the team had its last training, and at that time George Lee appeared in front of the team full of energy.
The team had a day off in the afternoon and rested at Thorpe Arch. Everyone was ordered to rest in the dormitories at the training ground.
In the last game, George Li believed that there was no room for error. He could not guarantee that everyone in the team would be at home honestly at night. In that case, let's just live in the dormitory together.
On the morning of the game, the team gathered in the conference room after a simple training and listened to George Li's game tactics.
In the afternoon, the team took the bus to Elland Road Stadium for the game.
"I said I had a good rest last night, do you believe me?"
While watching the team warming up, George Lee returned to Kidd's question, but he did not turn around.
"Neither did I. I woke up at 3 o'clock today. After all, this is the closest I have been to the league championship since I came to Leeds United."
"You are too old and have little sleep."
"Can you please respect me?"
"Okay, you have a good rest tonight and we won't disturb you."
"You're celebrating and want to leave me?"
"Let's win first and then talk about it... Brian, you just keep watching while I go to the toilet."
With that said, George Li handed the remaining mineral water bottle to Kidd and ran into the player tunnel.
"It's still like this, haha..."
Kidd couldn't help but think of George Lee being like this during the League Cup final last season.
^^^
After the game started, Leeds United played a bit conservatively.
Because the game had just started, they almost lost the ball.
Woodgate continues to miss the game due to injury, while Matthiasen is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Every previous game was very important. George Li completely forgot to give Matheson a card. In this way, Matheson received the last yellow card in the last game and was suspended.
Today Leeds United's center back can only choose the combination of Albchesson and Granqvist.
Although he is tall, he lacks a little flexibility.
This gave Newcastle's forward combination an opportunity today.
In the first 2 minutes of the game, Newcastle launched an attack from the left, and Dell crossed to Sibylski in the middle.
The Frenchman found Granqvist with a through ball, and Owen entered the penalty area with a diagonal pass.
Fortunately, Van der Sar struck out in time and was able to securely hold the ball.
In the 8th minute of the game, Newcastle attacked again.
Only this time it was from the right. Chilean Solano made a pass from the right. Albucheson jumped the ball and leaked the ball to the feet of Martins behind him.
Once again, it was Van der Sar who made the ultimate save when Martins shot from close range.
In the 12th minute of the game, Leeds United got a good offensive opportunity.
Graveson, who returned from injury, suddenly dribbled the ball forward and got rid of the defensive Nicky Butt. After a hit-the-wall match with Kuyt who was retreating, he took a long shot and the ball went over the crossbar.
George Li could see clearly off the court that the team as a whole was a bit tight and in a completely tense state.
This is understandable. After all, the final game of the league is still the game that determines the league championship. It must be nervous.
Let's just say that he, the coach, was so nervous that he couldn't sleep all night, let alone the players.
"Take your time, don't rush."
George Li shouted to the players on the field, hoping that they could regain a little bit of their previous state.
As for Newcastle's two forwards, Lee George could only ask Parker to retreat a little to help defend.
After all, Irving and Martins are both fast forwards, and Albchesson and Granqvist are at a bit of a disadvantage when dealing with them.
However, the progress of the game is still not improving here for Leeds United.
Because more attention needs to be paid to the opponent's two forwards in defense, Leeds United's control of the midfield is a bit poor.
Butt and Sibylski can actually hit the ball calmly.
Parker wanted to go up and cooperate with his teammates to press Newcastle's midfielder, but Newcastle immediately divided the ball and then passed it directly behind the Leeds United central defender.
After two passes, Parker returned to the back position obediently and did not dare to go out.
When the game reached 29 minutes, Casper came to George Li's side and gently leaned into his ear.
"Manchester United scored."
George Li turned his head and looked at Casper with a serious expression.
Casper quickly sat back down after finishing speaking.
Then, George Lee felt the commotion from the Leeds United fans in the stands behind him.
After turning his head, he saw several Leeds United fans holding mobile phones talking quietly to the surrounding fans.
It seems that fans also know the news.
George Li looked at the court again, staring at the players running and fighting on the court.
"It's time to make some changes." George Li thought silently in his heart.
While George Li was still thinking about a solution, changes occurred on the court.
In the 33rd minute of the game, Newcastle forward Owen suddenly twisted his foot after passing the ball without any confrontation and fell to the ground.
After being examined by the team doctor, Newcastle coach Rodl decided to make a substitution.
Replace Owen with Ameobi.
After Li saw this substitution, he finally dared to deploy tactics boldly.
"Martin! Martin!"
Lee George called out to Albucherson, and then made a "9" gesture to him, indicating that he should defend Martins.
In this way, the new Ameobi was handed over to Granqvist.
"Thomas, Alan~"
George Li then called out the core midfielders of the two teams.
"Pace faster, faster!"
Since I can't control the rhythm, I will speed up.
Taking advantage of the dead ball, George Lee also hit Milner who was passing by.
"Let me break through their left wing, understand!"
After letting go of Mir, George Lee found that all the Leeds United players on the field were looking at him.
Put your hands on your chest and push forward gently.
Put pressure on!
