The match was about to start, and both teams were already lined up on the pitch.
The seats in the stands around the MK Stadium were all painted black, while the walkways and chairs next to the seats were grey.
The black and grey color scheme, combined with the white jerseys worn by the home fans, gave the not-so-large stadium a very modern aesthetic.
"They have quite a lot of fans too..."
Gao Bo looked around, and the stands of the MK Stadium, which could hold over 20,000 people, were packed.
"Hmph... There are always Milton Keynes people who like big teams." John didn't have much good to say about Milton Keynes.
This was actually normal. Before this team moved to Milton Keynes, this high-tech city didn't have any professional league teams. And it was precisely because of this that the team's owner moved the team here.
Just then, Lin Sen ran over.
"Charlton lost!!"
Charlton's match was more than an hour earlier than Luton's, so by the time this match was about to start, Charlton's match had already finished.
Gao Bo and John were both delighted, because a Charlton loss meant that as long as their team won this match, they would top the league table after this round!
...
The players on the field didn't know the news, but they still played very actively from the start of the match.
The opening stages of the match looked quite normal.
Ince wasn't the type of manager who liked to take risks; his personality was steady, and his team reflected this trait.
Facing Luton, who were high up in the league table, Milton Keynes adopted a very humble stance. Playing at home, Milton Keynes proactively chose a defensive counter-attacking strategy. Ince left only one fast striker, Wright, in the front, while all other players retreated to defend.
However, although it seemed Milton Keynes only had one striker up front, Ince still had a trick up his sleeve. On both flanks, he had two quick players, Balzarek and Wes Brown, two typical English wingers who dropped back into midfield. Their task was to cover the flanks, and if there was an opportunity for a counter-attack, their speed was sufficient to support striker Wright.
Gao Bo, of course, knew the characteristics of the opposing players, so he emphasized the threat of their counter-attacks before the match, telling the defenders to stay focused and prevent their quick counter-attacks.
The pace of the match was very fast. Luton initiated attacks first, while Milton Keynes defended actively, and as soon as they had a chance, they immediately organized a counter-attack to threaten Luton's goal.
In the eighteenth minute of the match, Griezmann tried to pass the ball into the penalty area again, to Vardy's feet.
However, the penalty area was crowded, and Griezmann's pass went astray.
Then came Milton Keynes' counter-attack!!
However, Milton Keynes' counter-attack quickly came to a sudden halt.
Before Wright could even control the ball, Kante had already rushed up. He slid in directly, tackling the ball away, and at the same time, Wright flew up into the air and then rolled on the ground.
The boos from the stands were piercing, and the home team's coach Ince on the sidelines was furious.
Milton Keynes' counter-attack was stifled in the cradle like this, and... the referee didn't even award a foul.
Gao Bo, however, looked calm. In his opinion, wasn't it natural for Kante to do something like this?
After more than a season of professional league experience, Kante was becoming more experienced in judging the timing and force of his tackles. He knew what kind of tackles the referee generally wouldn't call a foul on, and what kind of tackles wouldn't earn a yellow card in this league.
Beneath his honest-looking face was hidden a clever mind.
On the football field, there's a place for reckless players, but those true stars, every single one of them, are intellectually superior – fools don't succeed on the football field.
Wright was still lying on the ground, while Kante had already passed the ball forward.
Griezmann passed the ball to the left, Adam tried to dribble past, but his ball was also tackled away.
This time, it was Gao Bo who was furious, because the referee showed no reaction at all; he ignored Adam who was rolling on the ground.
"That's a bad foul!!!"
Gao Bo shouted at the referee. However, the referee didn't pay any attention.
But as soon as Milton Keynes won the ball back and were preparing to launch an attack, Luton's attacking players immediately swarmed the player with the ball, won it back again, and launched another attack.
The ball possession changed hands quickly, but the ball could never get past the halfway line. Both sides were locked in a struggle in front of Milton Keynes' goal, fighting for every inch.
This was the norm since the beginning of the match, but football matches are often full of surprises.
The first surprise was Sol Campbell's injury.
In a high ball challenge, the veteran headed the ball away and then landed, twisting his ankle as a result.
The information from Haruko was not good. The specific injury still needed to be examined at the hospital, but Sol definitely couldn't play in this match.
Gao Bo had no choice but to reluctantly substitute George Parker.
George didn't even have time to warm up. After Sol Campbell limped off the field, he rushed onto the pitch.
And Ince on the sidelines' eyes lit up when he saw this situation, especially when a cross from Milton Keynes' flank saw George Parker, who hadn't had time to warm up, miss the header, giving the striker Wright behind him a chance to shoot.
A sigh of regret echoed in the stands.
If Wright had been a little more prepared, perhaps that goal would have gone in!
This is an opportunity!! Ince immediately made a decision! He waved his arms on the sidelines, signaling Milton Keynes' players to push forward and attack.
Gao Bo was also startled by George's mistake, but he didn't roar from the sidelines. Instead, he was preparing to let the other players control the ball first to give George more time to warm up on the field.
However, when he saw Ince's actions, Gao Bo's eyes also lit up.
The other side is getting ideas!!!
I'm only afraid you don't have any ideas!!
Gao Bo folded his arms across his chest, a smile appearing on his face. Previously, Milton Keynes' defensive wall had made it difficult for Luton's attack to get going, so the match was very tense.
Now that the other side was showing signs of actively pushing forward... then perhaps his side should cooperate a little.
"George!!!!"
Gao Bo's voice rang out. When George Parker turned his head to look at the sidelines, Gao Bo made a downward gesture with both hands, indicating that George should not rush, and then Gao Bo waved both hands back.
"Pull back!! Pull back a little!!"
Kevin Keen saw Gao Bo's actions, and he quickly communicated with a few players in the front.
And as Milton Keynes' players started to push up, they were pleasantly surprised to find that Luton had also retreated slightly.
In the eyes of the Milton Keynes players, this meant that their attacking push had forced Luton to choose to drop back and defend. This discovery boosted the confidence of the Milton Keynes players.
As long as they pushed forward, Luton still wouldn't be able to suppress them!
Especially after Milton Keynes' striker Wright completed a header in the penalty area, the Milton Keynes players became even more excited.
Unconsciously, their overall formation began to push up, and their defensive line also advanced.
Gao Bo's eyes watched the space behind Milton Keynes' defense, then looked at the opposing manager Ince, who was completely unaware.
Almost there...
Gao Bo looked towards the field.
At this moment, Milton Keynes' midfield passing was not being significantly disrupted; they easily passed the ball over the halfway line.
Just as they were preparing to organize their attack, the midfielder Steve Hooi, who was holding the ball, was suddenly surrounded by several Luton midfielders.
Drinkwater dispossessed him, and then, almost without looking up, he passed the ball to the flank!
At this moment... there was a huge gap behind Milton Keynes' defensive line!!
Ince's eyes were about to pop out.
The match situation instantly underwent a huge change. Originally, Milton Keynes was calmly preparing to organize their attack, but a second later, their defense was breached by Luton!!
Adam sprinted down the flank, Drinkwater's pass fully utilizing his speed!!
And the space in Milton Keynes' backfield at this moment made him feel like a wild horse galloping across the prairie!!
Vardy and Griezmann were also running forward.
Luton's three attackers charged forward!!!
Gao Bo's fists were slightly clenched. He stared at the field through his glasses, gritting his teeth in surprise!!
This is the goal!!!
This is the goal!!!!!!!!!!!
Just as Gao Bo's teeth were about to shatter, Adam passed the ball from the left side of the penalty area towards the center!!!
Vardy at the near post leaped high, heading the ball forcefully towards the goal!!!
Everyone's eyes were wide, watching the football. Milton Keynes' goalkeeper looked back at the goal, and all he could see was... the football hitting the net and then falling to the ground, bouncing slightly on the grass!
Gao Bo raised his arms high. Before joining the celebration, he looked at Ince not far away.
Having too many ideas will be punished!
Mr. Ince!...