When the referee blew the final whistle, Burnley players felt like they had received amnesty.
This disaster-like game was finally over.
Although the final score was fixed at 4-0, the process was even more unacceptable than the result.
After the start of the second half, Drinkwater, Vardy and Mahrez were substituted one after another, and Leicester City's overall strength dropped a lot.
Moreover, the team did not play as fiercely as in the first half, and the physical confrontation was more conservative in order to ensure health and physical fitness.
But even so, Burnley was still powerless.
The attacks they occasionally made were easily resolved by Leicester City.
After Drinkwater came off the field, Xia Xing moved closer to the center.
And assumed the responsibility of the defensive midfielder.
His excellent defensive ability and strong body made it impossible for Burnley's offensive players to advance forward.
In the end, in the second half alone, they lost 0-1.
And this is also the case when Xia Xing reduced the number of attacks.
If Xia Xing hadn't tried his best to create opportunities for his teammates, he would have been able to attack on his own several times.
Maybe the score would not just end at 4-0.
The whistle sounded, the game was over, and Burnley's FA Cup journey came to an end.
On the sidelines of the court, Trippier found Xia Xing and exchanged jerseys with him.
This is the second time the two have exchanged jerseys.
"Xia, you have changed."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I haven't seen you for a few months, and you have changed a lot from the inside out."
"What change?"
"The last time we fought, you still looked like a new star, but now you are much more mature, and your skills have also improved a lot, and your leadership is also great. When you were defending in the midfield and backfield just now, you were very captain-like in directing the movements of your teammates."
"Stop it, I'm just a newcomer, just communicating with my teammates on the court."
"No, you have changed a lot. Although the game has just ended, I am already looking forward to the next time we meet in the Premier League. "
The two exchanged jerseys, and Xia Xing looked at Trippier's back and nodded secretly.
Compared with the last time they played against each other, in this exchange, trippier has improved a lot.
Especially in terms of assists, even if he switches positions and plays as a winger, it will be no problem.
Maybe this guy can really enter the England national team, maybe.
On the other side, Schmeichel is exchanging gloves with the opponent's goalkeeper Heaton.
"Man, although we are rivals, I have a crush on you."
"Why?"
"Because your father is my idol."
"Haha, this reason is too..."
"And your style is very similar to his. , so I'm glad to meet you."
"If you have the opportunity to come to my house, I will introduce you to him."
"Wow, that's great, thank you!"
"Maybe one day, you can join Manchester United and follow his path. "
"This is not very realistic, although I will keep trying..."
A few years later, when Heaton recalled this conversation again, he was filled with emotion.
What an interesting fate...
After winning against Burnley, Leicester City's FA Cup journey continues.
But that was a month later, and now they still need to fight in the league.
A week later, they ushered in the 34th round of the British Championship, against Wigan Athletic.
On the sidelines of the court, Xia Xing met his old acquaintance Powell again.
A few months have passed since their first meeting in the English Championship. The two met again in completely different circumstances.
From a team perspective, Leicester City is far ahead and the Premier League is just around the corner.
However, Wigan Athletic has been oscillating between 6th and 8th in the league. The possibility of direct promotion is almost non-existent, and qualifying for the play-offs is also very difficult.
As the offensive core of both teams, Xia Xing and Powell are both on loan from Manchester United.
Although they are mercenaries, both of them are eager to help the team get promoted to the Premier League.
When the two were loaned, their natures were completely different.
Powell was highly anticipated, while Xia Xing is only personally regarded optimistically about by the retired Ferguson.
But more than half a season has passed, and Xia Xing can almost be said to have become one of the best players in the British Championship, while Powell's status has been somewhat up and down, and he has not achieved the ideal performance.
When they met again, Powell even had some envy in his eyes.
"Xia, when you return to Manchester United at the end of the season, you will get more attention than me, for sure."
"Man, your skills are also very good, but you are just not used to the roughness of the British Championship. I have been paying attention to you, you are doing well. "
"Haha, don't comfort me like that."
"I'm very happy that we can play against each other again in this game."
"Let's work together, brother!"
The game started and the two sides started to compete.
In this game, Leicester City once again made extensive rotations, especially on the front line, replacing the normal combination with Knockaert and Nugent.
The best strike partnership in Leicester City's team last season can only be substitute players this season.
It's not that their performance is poor, but that Vardy and Chris Wood are in too good a shape.
This season, Vardy has improved a lot in all aspects, with obvious advantages in speed and shooting.
Chris Wood has also changed from his aloof character last season. Not only has his shooting ability improved, but he is also better able to assume the role of a tactical center forward.
This pair, one Tall and one fast, is already Leicester City's trump card.
But despite this, Knockaert and Nugent are still important rotation players in the team.
In multi-front battles, every time the two of them appear, they can bring some surprises.
In this game, both of them performed equally well.
In the 33rd minute of the game, it was a collaboration between the two, and Knockaert finally scored from the far corner in the penalty area.
1 to 0!
Leicester City breaks the deadlock!
In the absence of Mahrez, Vardy and many other main players, Leicester City is still full of offensive power!
But Wigan Athletic is not without a chance.
Especially Powell's midfield passing control, often passing accurate passes to teammates.
Several shots also created some threats.
However, substitute goalkeeper Logan performed well. His high and low blocks made the opponent unsuccessful.
In the 81st minute of the game, Leicester City got a corner kick opportunity.
Xia Xing's corner kick accurately hit the center of the penalty area!
Drinkwater jumped high and headed the ball into the goal!
The ball entered the net!
But when he landed, he lost his balance and was about to fall to the ground with his head towards the floor...
A player suddenly pulled Drinkwater, preventing Drinkwater from falling.
But the man slipped to the ground and sprained his wrist.
Drinkwater quickly signaled the referee to stop the game because a player was injured.
The person who had just protected Drinkwater from injury but twisted himself was none other than Powell.
"Powell! Are you okay?"
"I think you sprained your wrist..."
"Thank you for protecting me just now!"
"You were once a Manchester United player and we are one of our own. I can't just watch you get hurt..."
(End of chapter)