On January 10th, Cambridge United traveled to Turf Moor for their first EFL Championship match of January.
In a cold winter rain, Cambridge United's forwards seemed to have lost their scoring touch once again. Despite facing Burnley, who were higher in the standings, Cambridge United held a slight advantage on the field but were unable to convert it into a victory.
In the 65th minute, Cambridge United finally capitalized on a corner kick, with midfielder Adam May heading in a rebound, bringing hope for a full 3 points for Cambridge United.
In the 85th minute, Cambridge United executed a fluid play in front of Burnley's goal, and Lewandowski scored with a sweeping shot, adding another goal for Cambridge United.
Ultimately, Cambridge United defeated Burnley away from home, securing 3 points.
Two weeks later, Cambridge United returned to their Abe Stadium to welcome Preston.
Longolo was also surprised to see the schedule, not expecting to meet his familiar teammates again just over a week after leaving Cambridge United.
In the Preston club office, Head Coach Ervine and Assistant Coach Andy Warford were finalizing the starting lineup.
The rest of the positions were quickly decided, but Ervine was hesitant about the center-back position.
In Longolo's first game after joining the team, he scored a goal for Preston in the 61st minute, helping the team defeat Burnley, who were 7th in the League, 2:1. After some thought, Ervine finally made up his mind.
"Andy, arrange for Longolo and Jones to partner up."
Preston's other main center-back, Huntington, was already 34 years old, which was the main reason Preston did not wait for Longolo's contract to expire.
The Welshman had rich coaching experience, and he knew that Longolo was a complete double-edged sword in this match.
He was completely familiar with Cambridge United's forwards' characteristics, but Huang Hao was equally familiar with everything about Longolo.
However, he still chose to trust Longolo, after all, facing his former club that abandoned him, players must be able to unleash unimaginable energy!
Huang Hao showed a meaningful smile after receiving Preston's starting lineup.
Longolo is 192cm tall and weighs 92kg, with excellent heading and jumping abilities.
However, his slow acceleration and turning speed, making him susceptible to being played behind, were the main reasons he became a water boy.
These are all Cambridge United's signature skills!
So Ervine, if familiarity and understanding could change it, would it still be called a weakness?
At 3 PM, 6800 fans poured into Abe Stadium.
Longolo stood on the field, momentarily in a daze.
Every player standing opposite him looked familiar, while his teammates beside him seemed like strangers.
This feeling was so strange.
Today, Huang Hao arranged Vardy and Jordan Ayew on the front line, both of whom are typical speed-type forwards.
After the kick-off, Huang Hao's words were quickly confirmed.
In the 6th minute, Mahrez received the ball in midfield, passed it back to defender Suxi, who then launched a long pass directly over the midfield!
Ayew had already started from beside Jones the moment Suxi passed the ball!
By the time Jones reacted, Ayew had already received the ball a meter away!
Longolo quickly moved from the center to defend, but with Vardy still holding him back, he could only stay between the two, retreating and watching.
Ayew quickly broke into the penalty area and took a low shot facing the goalkeeper!
Goalkeeper Roonagan quickly dived and successfully secured the ball under him!
Ervine, sitting in the dugout, saw this and somewhat regretted his decision. Longolo didn't quickly alert his teammates as he had imagined, and if this continued, it wouldn't be good!
In the 27th minute of the first half, Cambridge United pressed heavily into Preston's penalty area, and possession changed hands several times in a chaotic scramble inside the box!
May intercepted the ball outside the box and immediately passed it to Sun Jihai, who had surged up the left flank. Sun Jihai quickly dribbled the ball back into the penalty area!
O'Reilly and Thompson quickly rushed over to prevent Sun Jihai from crossing!
Sun Jihai glanced at his teammates in the box. At this moment, Preston's six-yard box was crowded with players, including Longolo and Jones, clearly indicating that aerial superiority was not with Cambridge United.
Looking at the two players rushing towards him, Sun Jihai suddenly had an idea!
Sun Jihai feigned a breakthrough, and as the two players closed in, he suddenly pushed the ball towards the byline, while intentionally hooking his right foot on O'Reilly's leg, falling to the ground in the penalty area with a thud!
Referee Tim immediately blew his shrill whistle!
O'Reilly immediately raised both hands, indicating he had not fouled!
Seeing Tim's hand pointing to the penalty spot, O'Reilly immediately rushed over, trying to prove he had been framed!
However, Tim's stern expression already told O'Reilly that the outcome was irreversible.
Sun Jihai grinned, tossed the ball to Vardy, and didn't forget to make a funny face!
Huang Hao smiled and shook his head. Although he didn't advocate winning games this way, football, after all, is full of unpredictability.
Vardy calmly placed the ball on the penalty spot, then used a feint to deceive Roonagan, directly pushing the ball into the center of the goal!
1:0! Cambridge United successfully took the lead!
Looking at the Cambridge United players celebrating together in front of the penalty area, Longolo felt a bit uneasy, lowering his head and walking towards his position.
Had he really made a wrong move?
Longolo shook his head. What's done is done. Now was clearly not the time to consider this question.
In the 34th minute, Mahrez prepared to take a throw-in on the left side of midfield.
Mahrez held the ball over his head, took two steps back, and forcefully threw the ball to Ayew in front of him.
Ayew received the ball with his back to goal, held off Putz's defense behind him, and smoothly passed the ball to the surging Jordan Ayew.
Jordan Ayew dribbled with continuous changes of direction, evading two defenders! In front of Preston's penalty area, he was like entering an unguarded territory!
Soon, Jordan Ayew broke into the penalty area, right in front of Longolo!
Longolo immediately felt like he was facing a formidable enemy; he knew Ayew's breakthrough and scoring ability well!
Just then, Ayew suddenly curved his lips upwards, revealing a subtle smile. Although he was looking at Longolo, his foot suddenly passed the ball to Sun Jihai outside the penalty area!
Sun Jihai adjusted his steps and fired a sudden shot from outside the penalty area!
Roonagan, whose vision was obscured by Longolo and Ayew, was clearly unprepared for this cold shot. The ball went straight into the right side of the net!!!
2:0!!! Sun Jihai, like an iron tree blooming, scored a goal!
The successive goals conceded by the team made Ervine's face turn ashen. Longolo had practically become an undercover agent!
And he had spent 350,000 pounds on this undercover agent!
In the 36th minute, Preston attacked Cambridge United's half.
Putz broke through to Cambridge United's right byline and then crossed the ball!
Budimir, in the center of the penalty area, was suddenly tripped by Warren from the side before he could even touch the ball!
Unlike O'Reilly's foul, Warren had already tackled the ball ahead of Budimir!
Longolo kicked Sun Jihai's clearance back into Cambridge United's half, passing it to Daniel Johnson in front.
Johnson chose to distribute the ball to the left, passing it to Thompson.
Thompson attempted a cross, but the ball was directly blocked by Vida and kicked to Mahrez in front of him!
Mahrez carried the ball with big strides towards Preston's half. Facing Brown's pressure, he executed a beautiful nutmeg, directly bypassing his opponent! Longolo once again became Preston's last line of defense!
He took a deep breath and rushed towards Mahrez without hesitation!
Before Longolo could get close, Mahrez directly passed the ball behind him, and Andre Ayew was already ready to shoot!
Longolo's heart sank! Just as he turned his body, Andre Ayew had already shot the ball towards the near post!
Roonagan dived and desperately scooped the ball out with his right hand!
Before Longolo could clear the ball, O'Connor, like a ghost, passed in front of him and directly kicked the ball to Mahrez behind him!
Mahrez's golden left foot struck again!
The ball quickly threaded through the Preston players and once again pierced Preston's goal from the far end!!!
3:0!!! Cambridge United ended the game!
Ervine slumped powerlessly on the bench. Compared to Longolo, it seemed Cambridge United's players understood their defender better!
When Tim blew the whistle for the end of the 90-minute match, Longolo let out a long sigh of relief. The nightmare of a match was finally over.
As he walked towards the locker room with his head down, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder from behind.
Longolo looked back dejectedly, and Huang Hao was standing in front of him, smiling.
"Forget this game as soon as possible, believe in yourself, keep going! You are an excellent center-back!"
Looking at his former Head Coach, Longolo nodded blankly, said nothing, and continued to turn and walk towards the players' tunnel.
Looking at Longolo's back, Huang Hao even felt a little heartache, hoping that Ervine wouldn't negate Longolo because of this game.
After all, they once loved.
It's just a pity that they have now become the most familiar strangers.
Although they easily defeated Preston, Cambridge United once again canceled their traditional post-match holiday. The players familiar with Huang Hao knew that Cambridge United was about to face another tough battle.
Four days later, Cambridge United would travel to Fratton Park to challenge Premier League team Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round. Advancing seemed to become an impossible task again.
At Westley Park training ground, Portsmouth's players were in good spirits.
Today, the team focused on recovery training, and the players seemed very relaxed. In yesterday's Premier League match, Portsmouth drew 1:1 away at Tottenham, stopping their recent slump.
The team's star player Crouch was currently lying on a bed with another forward, Kanu, receiving massages from the team doctor.
"Hey brother, do you know? Next round of the FA Cup, we're playing Cambridge United."
"Cambridge United? Never heard of them. Amateur team?"
Kanu, being new, clearly didn't know about small clubs like Cambridge United.
"They're that good, they actually made it to the fifth round?"
Crouch burst out laughing when he heard Kanu's question.
"No, no, no, if an amateur team could make it to the FA Cup fourth round, that would be big news, brother."
"They're an EFL Championship team, but they did seem to come up from an amateur League before."
"Oh, being able to reach the fourth round, it seems they're not bad either."
Kanu didn't think there was anything special about this team. In his opinion, Cambridge United couldn't be compared to Portsmouth.
"They almost eliminated Tottenham in the League Cup a while ago."
Upon hearing this, Kanu finally opened his eyes and glanced at Crouch.
"Tottenham's brothers are too weak!"
"This kind of thing won't happen to us, brother. Let Cambridge United see what Premier League power truly is."
After mocking Tottenham, Kanu thought for a moment and then confidently added.
"Exactly, it's up to you, brother, hahaha."