For Premier League teams, the Carling Cup is like a "chicken rib", which is tasteless to eat and a pity to abandon. It is common that "the strong team falls, and the weak team is upset", so the League Cup is called "an unpopular hotbed". According to past experience, considering the schedule, physical reserve, injury and other factors, most Premier League teams will "selectively" give up before the semi-finals, and only send a mixed preparation of "second-team+youth training", one is the training team and the other is to handle errands.
But once it reaches the semi-final stage, most music will attach great importance to it. After all, it is also a trophy. The champions of the League Cup are mostly Premier League teams, especially the strong teams.
Rumor has it that most teams in the Premier League have put forward to the FA more than once: I hope that the Premier League teams (especially the big6 teams) will not participate in the Carling Cup in order to concentrate more on the European arena. However, the FA ignored it and thought that the tournament represented tradition and honor, and all teams in the fourth division of the League must participate.
This season's Carling Cup, it seems that the enthusiasm of Premier League teams for the Carling Cup has rebounded. In the fourth round, as many as 1 1 teams! Perhaps the FA is also trying to further enhance the excitement and influence of the Carling Cup, and even arranged a number of direct dialogues between Premier League teams in this round, including heavyweight matches such as Chelsea versus Manchester United and Liverpool versus Arsenal!
But will Chelsea, Liverpool, leicester city and Wolves voluntarily give up the Carling Cup in the fourth round of the Premier League and at the crucial moment of the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers?
In the first round of the Premier League, Chelsea lost 4-0 to Manchester United.
After the game, public opinion and the media pushed Lampard and his "youth storm" to the forefront, and the building almost collapsed. Then, the ashamed and brave Blue Army won seven games in a row, not only returning to the top four of the league, but also defeating Ajax away from home in the unfavorable Champions League group stage and regaining the initiative.
However, Manchester United, the winner, fell into the relegation zone. Even when leicester city made history 9-0 in the last league, Manchester United put down their guns innocently (9 games this season 10 goal! ), we can see how bad its attack power is.
According to common sense, this Carling Cup match is the best time for Chelsea to take revenge. Eight-game winning streak can not only further boost morale, but also avenge the first round fiasco. But for Chelsea, the fourth place in the league is only two points higher than Arsenal, and the qualification of the Champions League group is not clear. For Lampard, it is more important to give priority and concentrate on this moment to avoid complications and losses.
It may be shameful to give up voluntarily, but more should be understanding and support!
In the third round of the Premier League, Arsenal challenged Liverpool away and lost 1-3.
After the away draw with Manchester United, Liverpool's lead is only 6 points, which will be surpassed by a little carelessness (I still remember losing 8 points last season). In the Champions League, due to the loss to Naples, the group qualifying situation is not very optimistic. I believe that Uncle Cha and his Red Army should be rational at this critical moment, not arrogant.
On the other hand, Arsenal, the Europa League group has no worries about qualifying, and the league is unhappy. As for the Carling Cup, I believe Amy and Arsenal will still have expectations (the trophy is more important).
Giving up voluntarily is not uncle Zha's character, but strategic retreat is feasible.
At present, leicester city ranks third in the league. According to the current state and situation, it is very promising to hit the top four this season and get the Champions League seat next season. Although winning this Carling Cup has great advantages for lower-level teams, Rogers should not make the mistake of "picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelon".
Last season, the Wolves "robbed the rich and helped the poor" and killed the quartet. At present, the league ranks in the middle reaches, and the Europa League qualifying is also in an anxious moment. This League Cup is an away game, so there shouldn't be any big thoughts.
Waterford League still can't win, 10, 5 draws, 5 losses and 5 points. They are now in the position of "vice monitor" Their only goal this season is to avoid relegation! This League Cup is a visit to Everton (the League is also in the relegation zone, but there are still three wins). Give up and concentrate on relegation is the best choice!
The league is closely following Liverpool and the Champions League group, and Guardiola and Manchester City, who aim to win the championship on multiple fronts, will not miss any chance. This home game against Southampton (currently trapped in the relegation zone, the last round of the league 0-9 hit too hard, it is estimated that this game is also unwilling to fight), and it should also be determined to win.