Football giants

Chapter 1076 Reluctant to let the child catch the wolf

"This is Southampton's Glory Stadium. Welcome to the [-]-[-] UEFA Champions League Final that we are broadcasting live for you."

"The home team from the Premier League, Saints Southampton, and the visiting team from La Liga, Atletico Madrid, are the best teams in European football this season."

"Before the game, the organizer held a brief opening ceremony at the Glory Stadium. We can see that the much-anticipated St. Blair Cup has been placed at the exit of the player tunnel, and players from both teams are also lined up in the tunnel, ready to play at any time."

"There are also celebrities gathered in the stands of the Glory Stadium. FIFA President Infantino, UEFA President Michel Platini, as well as representatives of the FA, Premier League and Spanish Football Association, they are all sitting in the chairman's stand."

"Equally striking are representatives of the British royal family, Prince William and Princess Kate, British Prime Minister Cameron, Spanish King Felipe, Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy..."

"We can see that the players of the two teams have walked out of the player channel under the leadership of the referee."

"We've got the starting lineups for both teams."

"Southampton's starting lineup is goalkeeper Neuer, the defense, David Alaba, Nastasic, Varane and Danilo, the three players in the midfield are Di Maria, Toni Cross and Pogba, and the front trident is Hazard, Suarez and Messi."

"The Saints' game is full of stars, all the main players are on the field, and more importantly, Southampton won the Premier League championship early, and won the FA Cup a few days ago. The state is very good."

"Atletico Madrid's starting lineup for this game is also the main force. The goalkeeper is Courtois, the defense is Jose Gaya, Jimenez, Otamendi and Montoya, and the midfielder is Illia Lamendi.

"This is also Atlético Madrid's strongest lineup this season, but Simeone's team has changed their style of play this season. Although it looks like [-] from the formation diagram, in fact, they will transform into [-] or even [-] at any time according to the situation on the field. The style of play is very unpredictable."

"However, judging from the starting lineup for this game, Atletico Madrid should still decide to focus on defense at the Glory Stadium."

"After all, this is Southampton's home court, and the Saints are the strongest offensive team in Europe. Atletico Madrid is still at a disadvantage. It is a good choice to take a defensive position and then try to counterattack."

……

When everyone got the starting lineup list of both sides, the first reaction was that Atletico Madrid had to defend and counterattack.

As a result, the strength of the Sheets is indeed at a disadvantage. Playing against Southampton is definitely courting death.

The second thing is that Atletico Madrid's defense is quite good. It can even be said that Simeone's team itself is known for its defense. The style of play in the early two years was relatively rough. Playing defensive counterattacks just showed their strengths.

And it is not difficult to see from the fact that Simeone has discharged Griezmann's single striker, it is indeed to fight against counterattacks.

But to everyone's surprise, when the referee blew the whistle to start the game, and when the fans cheered deafeningly, which kicked off the prelude to the Champions League final, Atletico Madrid chose to press on.

"one two Three……"

"My God, Atlético Madrid adopted a forward-pressing tactic from the very beginning. There were six players pressing forward to press and press. A considerable amount of troops were invested. It seems that they are not conservative at all!"

Judging from the game footage, Southampton passed the ball back all the way, but Atletico Madrid pressed all the way.

When Nastasic got the ball at the front of the penalty area, Griezmann had even pressed to this area, and Atletico Madrid's entire midfield followed suit.

Nastasic had no choice but to pass the ball to goalkeeper Neuer.

After the German goalkeeper got the ball, he took it outside the penalty area, and then passed it to Varane who was pulled to the right.

But at this time, Atletico Madrid's oppressive situation had formed, forcing Varane to pass back again.

In this kind of continuous pass from the backcourt, after Atletico Madrid's overall formation pressed up, it was difficult for Southampton to get the ball out, so they had to try to find Hazard on the left side of the frontcourt.

It is said to be the frontcourt, but in fact, Hazard has retreated to the front of the 30-meter area in his own half.

Montoya seemed to have been prepared for a long time, and suddenly rushed up, header the ball passed to Hazard to the right, Willian retreated to receive the ball, and Atletico Madrid got the ball.

At this time, the game has just started less than 1 minute!

…………

…………

Seeing that the team successfully snatched the ball from Southampton in less than a minute, Simeone, who stood on the sidelines, couldn't help showing a slight smile.

He is still very satisfied with the performance of Atletico Madrid players on the court.

At least, in terms of tactical execution, the players did a good job and snatched the ball in one go.

But this is only the first step in his opening tactics.

Simeone has high hopes for this game. He wants to get rid of the humiliation of losing to Southampton in the Champions League final two years ago. He wants to lead Atletico Madrid to win the Champions League and create a treble.

Therefore, for this battle, he was well prepared. Even at the beginning of the game, he had clearly arranged how the team would play and how to deal with Southampton.

This group of Atletico Madrid players is definitely not as good as Southampton in terms of personal ability, but Simeone has absolute confidence in tactical execution.

On the court, after the Atletico Madrid players grabbed the ball, they still did not retreat, but continued to press Southampton's half, pressing the Saints in the half, which surprised everyone.

It doesn't make sense, does it?
You know, with Southampton's offensive ability, as long as they catch a chance, Atletico Madrid will be over.

But in Simeone's view, this is not a problem.

The reason is simple, as long as the team's frontcourt pressing and pressing can work, the players' execution is in place, and Southampton's passing and receiving lines are cut off, then the Saints' offensive can be contained.

In Southampton's entire tactic, the role of the two full-backs is very important. By actively pressing up, they help the three midfielders and form a five-person pass control phalanx, thereby creating an advantage on the scene.

However, Atletico Madrid has now invested six players in the frontcourt. Through uniform pressing and oppression, and through tacit running, they have formed a local numerical advantage, which in turn suppressed Southampton's pass control.

This is why Atletico Madrid was able to snatch the ball back from Southampton's feet in less than 1 minute of the opening.

Simeone Zhuo stood on the sidelines, his eyes slightly squinted, staring at the situation on the court, not without complacency.

It has been two years, and in order to restrain Southampton, he has prepared for two full years!
Although, the head coach of the Saints has changed from the original Bielsa to Ancelotti, although in the past two years, the Saints have also made progress and improved their tactics, but they remain the same.

Although Ancelotti's team is more balanced, more reasonable, and more controlled, in the final analysis, the underlying things are still inherited from the Bielsa era.

This is not surprising, because in just one year, how could Ancelotti overturn the rigorous tactical system that Bielsa spent five years building?

Grab the ball and frustrate the Saints first, this is the first step.

Pressing and pressing through the frontcourt, cutting off the Saints' pass control line, and containing the Saints' offense, this is the second step.

Then the third step is easy.

Because your two full-backs actively participate in the attack of the midfield, it is logical that your full-backs will naturally leave a space behind you.

As long as you give me a chance, after stealing the ball in the front court, if you can pass the ball, I will hit behind your two fullbacks!
But tactics are tactics, they only exist on paper, but to be reflected on the football field, it takes time and a bit of luck.

There is a saying that is good, wealth and wealth are sought in danger, and you are reluctant to let your children not be caught by wolves.

Simeone is confident that his own tactics have been rehearsed many times. As long as the opportunity arises, the players will definitely seize it!

With Atletico Madrid investing heavily and the players running and oppressing without hesitation, Southampton's midfield play was curbed, and Messi and Hazard in the frontcourt also had to actively retreat to the midfield.

But Atlético Madrid had been prepared for a long time. As long as Messi and Hazard retreated, the two full-backs Jose Gaya and Montoya would also press forward and follow these two players closely.

In addition, Atlético Madrid knows very well that they are not as good as the Saints when they really play skills, so they actively use fouls when defending, but aggressive tactics that do not allow cards, which makes it difficult for the Saints to run smoothly with the ball at their feet.

The possession of the ball just changed hands back and forth between the Saints and Atletico Madrid, and neither one was able to create a chance.

Until the 4th minute, Atletico Madrid seized a chance.

After Krychowiak steals the ball, it is quickly handed over to Isco.

After Isco dribbled the ball past the defender, he made a diagonal pass to the right corner of the penalty area.

Although David Alaba had already returned to the defense in time when William received the ball, William crossed to Cork, and Cork shot a very high-quality long shot directly at the front of the penalty area.

Neuer flew the ball out of the crossbar, and this was the only way to keep the goal!
But Atletico Madrid's shot and this attack made people break out in a cold sweat.

With the stimulation of this wave of attack, Simeone and his sheet army suddenly felt like sharks smelling blood, red-eyed, and began to frequently launch counterattacks towards Southampton.

The Saints have been under considerable pressure in the backcourt, but they have not been able to find an effective way to transfer the ball to the frontcourt.

It can only be said that Atletico Madrid's starting tactics are too targeted, and the players' execution is too high.

There is a saying that goes well, a wise man will make a mistake if he thinks about it.

The Saints were restrained by Atletico Madrid and let the game unfold in their own half. Atletico Madrid's sharp counterattack is always a serious problem, and sooner or later there will be problems.

And this problem lies in No.11 minutes.

Southampton wanted to pass the ball to Hazard who dropped back to respond, but after Montoya successfully intercepted the ball, he quickly passed the ball to Illarramendi.

As soon as the Spanish midfielder got the ball, without the slightest hesitation, he directly transferred the ball with a long pass and passed the ball to the direction of the flagpole in the right corner.

After Montoya steals the ball, William immediately chooses to rush forward. As soon as Iliaramendi's ball is passed, he throws off the defender and goes straight behind him.

Between the back line and the baseline, the distance was short, but Illararamendi's pass was right in front of Willian, and the Brazilian stopped the ball directly.

Nastasic returned to the right side of the penalty area in time, and in the penalty area, Varane followed Griezmann to the front point.

But as soon as William received the ball, facing Nastasic, he made a simple and practical emergency stop and accelerated. After throwing Nastasic a position away, he suddenly kicked a pass.

But this pass did not go to Griezmann in front of the goal, but fell to the penalty spot.

Immediately afterwards, Isco was seen rushing up from behind, and before the ball landed, he volleyed directly.

Neuer stood on the right side, facing the shot aimed at the lower left corner of the goal, there was nothing he could do.

The ball is in!
(End of this chapter)