Football feast, starting from the acquisition of European clubs

Chapter 180 Mourinho's genetic mutation has accelerated
It was Chelsea's CEO Peter Kenyon who spoke.

According to the usual practice, training and competition are the purview of the head coach, and Peter Kenyon, the CEO, should not interfere.

But this game against Crystal Palace is related to the ownership of the Premier League champion this season, so Peter Kenyon still couldn't help but came to care about Mourinho's preparations.

There is no way, if you have invested hundreds of millions of euros for three consecutive seasons, if you still can't get a decent championship back.

Not only is the position of the head coach Mourinho in danger, but even whether he can continue to be the CEO is a big question mark.

After all, although the Russian boss is rich, he is not a philanthropist, and all investments must be rewarded.

"Peter, don't worry, we will definitely win the Crystal Palace this time."

Mourinho looked at Peter Kenyon with piercing eyes, and said firmly.

It's just the dark circles on his face, showing that he hasn't slept well lately.

Mourinho has been studying ways to deal with Crystal Palace during this time. He has repeatedly watched all the videos of Chelsea's games against Crystal Palace in the past several times.

To sum up, Chelsea's central axis strength is not far behind Crystal Palace.

Whether it is the midfield combination of Lampard, Makelele and Essien, or the central defender combination of Terry and Carvalho, compared with the players in the corresponding positions of Crystal Palace, they are not inferior at all.

That is to say, the center forward Drogba is still a bit rough. Compared with Tony of Crystal Palace, his scoring ability is still lacking, but he is still qualified as a fulcrum.

Although the goalkeeper Cudicini's stability is not as good as Petr Cech's, he also has brave performances from time to time, and overall it is still good.

The key problem lies on the wing, especially the two full backs.

Neither Del Horno on the left nor Paulo Ferreira on the right could stop Cristiano Ronaldo and Ribery from Crystal Palace.

And because Chelsea adopts a 433 formation, the two wingers Robben and Duff are in the front position, and their defensive ability is also average, which does not help the defense of the two full-backs much.

So almost every time Crystal Palace can open a gap from the wing, and then threaten Chelsea's goal.

After learning from the pain, Mourinho decided to abandon his usual 433 formation when playing against Crystal Palace this time.

Change to 532, strengthen the defense, and plug the loopholes in the defense first.

For this reason, Mourinho put Robben and Duff, who had always been the main players of the team, on the bench.

Then he didn't like Crespo, who has been on loan all year round, and put him in the starting lineup.

In addition, Mourinho also took down Del Horno, who was not very suitable for the Premier League, and replaced him with William Gallas to play left back.

At the same time, beside Terry and Carvalho, Mourinho added another Huth, which is specially used to deal with Crystal Palace's twin tower tactics.

Therefore, after some major adjustments by Mourinho, Chelsea's starting lineup for this game has completely changed.

Forward Drogba, forward Crespo
Central midfielders Makelele, Central midfielders Lampard, Central midfielders Essien
Left-back William Gallas, Center-back Terry, Center-back Huth, Center-back Carvalho, Right-back Paolo Ferreira

Cudicini
It can be said that in order to strengthen the defense, Mourinho racked his brains.

As for the offense, he has now put it on the back burner and just made a statement to his players.

"After you get the ball, you just make a long pass to Drogba and Crespo in front. As for whether you can score or not, that's their business. You all stay in the backcourt to defend. There is no order from me. , not allowed to participate in the attack. Understand?"

Chen Ran didn't know that Mourinho had undergone major surgery on Chelsea's tactics in order to defeat Crystal Palace.

Because the team got enough rest time before, and this game was the home court of Crystal Palace, Chen Ran still adopted Guardiola's tactics habitually.

center tony
Left midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielder Modric, right midfielder Ribery

Vieira, Simeone

Left back Chiellini, centre-back Southgate, centre-back Vidic, right-back Maicon
goalkeeper cech
When Chen Ran saw Chelsea's starting lineup, he was also taken aback.

"Josep, is this Chelsea's starting XI for today?"

Chen Ran turned to look at Guardiola, wanting to confirm again.

"Yes, boss. I was a little surprised when I first saw it, and I have repeatedly confirmed that this is indeed Chelsea's starting list for today."

Guardiola nodded with a serious expression.

He also understands the truth that there must be a demon when things go wrong.

"It seems that our old opponent Mourinho has made a big move this time!"

"Boss, Mourinho has put Robben and Duff, the two main wingers he has been using, on the bench. What is he trying to do?"

"Let me see, there is an extra central defender Huth, and the left back has also been replaced by William Gallas from Del Horno. Mourinho wants to show the bus."

Seeing the names of two more defenders in Chelsea's starting list, Chen Ran immediately realized what Mourinho wanted to do.

Because in the previous life, the tactic of placing the bus even became Mourinho's signature style of play for a time, and he was criticized by many people for this.

It stands to reason that now is the time for Mourinho to emerge and be in high spirits.During this time period in his previous life, Mourinho had never done this.

Could it be that it was because of his own appearance that Mourinho inspired his talent for driving the bus in advance?

Thinking of this, Chen Ran touched his nose, probably because the butterfly's wings flapped a little violently, which accelerated Mourinho's genetic mutation.

In today's game, it seems that Crystal Palace is in trouble.

Sure enough, as Chen Ran expected, from the time the referee blew the whistle to start the game, Chelsea, except for the two strikers Drogba and Crespo, were all shrunk in their own half, not even reaching the center line.

Even if Chelsea got the ball, they would go directly to the two forwards in front, and the others had no intention of going up to participate in the attack.

"This Mourinho, the bus is quite thorough."

Seeing this situation on the field, Chen Ran also scratched his head a little.

Because Crystal Palace has always been the sharpest wing attack, which is now greatly restricted by Chelsea.

Take Ronaldo as an example. Once the ball reaches Ronaldo's feet, Chelsea's right back Paulo Ferreira immediately stepped forward to press.

At the same time, behind him is Chelsea's right center back Carvalho who is responsible for protection.

Among Chelsea's three midfielders, Essien, who is on the right, also immediately leaned to the right to help defend.

At this moment, what Ronaldo has to face is no longer just one Paul Ferreira, but three Chelsea defensive players.

Even if he gets past Paulo Ferreira, he will soon be double-teamed by Carvalho and Essien.This caused Ronaldo's breakthrough success rate to drop sharply immediately.

On the other side, Ribery also encountered the same problem.

Even the situation that Ribery encountered was worse than that of Ronaldo.

Because in terms of individual defensive ability, William Gallas is obviously stronger than Paul Ferreira.

Coupled with Terry who followed behind William Gallas to protect, Ribery faced much higher defensive intensity than Ronaldo.

Even if Ribery wants to attack Chelsea's defense with his flexible and fast characteristics, Mourinho also prepared Makelele, whose midfielder is on the left, to help him at any time.

Once the two sides of Crystal Palace were restricted, the entire offensive seemed to have stepped into a swamp.It is difficult to move forward.

"Boss, both Ronaldo and Ribery are restricted by the opponent. If it doesn't work, let's try attacking from the center instead?"

Guardiola also discovered the problem on the field at this time, and approached Chen Ran to come up with an idea.

Middle?

Chen Ran looked up at Modric, who was sandwiched by the three midfielders of Lampard, Makelele and Essien.

Since Mourinho shrank behind the bus and couldn't get out, it seemed a bit wasteful to put two more midfielders.

Thinking of this, Chen Ran immediately walked to the sidelines and took advantage of the dead ball to call Vieira to his side.

"Patrick, move your position forward in a while and play as a midfielder with Modric. If there is no chance for Ronaldo and Ribery, you two will play more long-range shots."

"Okay, boss."

After explaining to Vieira, Chen Ran turned to look at Guardiola again.

"Josep, you will keep an eye on Chelsea's bench next. Once there is any movement from Mourinho, you must inform me immediately, understand?"

"Understood, boss. However, let Patrick also play the attacking midfielder, then only Diego is left in front of the defense line. If Chelsea presses forward to attack at this time, isn't it a bit too dangerous?"

Guardiola was a little worried when he saw Chen Ran's radical adjustment and deployment.

"So I asked you to watch Chelsea's bench. As long as there is any movement on Mourinho's side, you must notify me immediately."

"Okay, boss."

Although Mourinho is now shrunk back to set the bus, but this does not mean that he has always set the bus throughout the game, unless Mourinho did not want to win the game at all.

However, based on Chen Ran's understanding of Mourinho's character, this is obviously impossible.

This guy probably dreams of winning against himself and the Crystal Palace.

Then, as long as this guy wants to win, he will definitely change his formation and press out to attack.

It's just that it's hard to judge the time, but Chen Ran estimated that Mourinho would put the counterattack time in the second half.Don't ask him how he knows, it's a coach's intuition.

Therefore, Chen Ran assigned Guardiola to watch Chelsea's bench. As long as there was any movement from Mourinho, Chen Ran could also take countermeasures in advance.

After all, Chen Ran has pushed Vieira to the front now, leaving only Simeone as a midfielder in the midfield, and the defense is a bit weak.

Of course, this was Chen Ran's intentional flaw, and it was his bait for Mourinho.

As long as Mourinho wants to seize the loopholes in Crystal Palace's defense and launch a counterattack, then he will inevitably replace Robben, Duff or Joe Cole with offensive players.

Once Mourinho replaces these offensive players, then Chelsea's current rock-solid defensive system will collapse on its own.

At that time, it will be the best time for Crystal Palace to launch a general attack.

And this was exactly what Chen Ran hoped to see.

Now that the pit has been dug and the bait has been set, Chen Ran just needs to wait patiently.

Everything is ready, only Mourinho is owed the bait.

Mourinho naturally noticed Chen Ran's adjustments.

Seeing Vieira also rushing to the front of Chelsea's penalty area and participating in the attack with Modric, Mourinho was a little moved.

The figure of Simeone standing alone at the back waist came into his eyes very strikingly.

Mourinho couldn't help swallowing, and forcibly suppressed his desire to launch a counterattack.

No, now is not the time.

The players of Crystal Palace are still physically fit and focused, so wait, wait, wait.

Mourinho is waiting, and so is Chen Ran.

The two guys just let the players on the field play according to their previous arrangements.

Modric and Vieira's feet felt average today. Chen Ran asked them to take more long shots, but they didn't hit a world wave after a few kicks, and all of them were confiscated by Cudicini, who performed well.

Crystal Palace couldn't get in, and Chelsea couldn't get out either.

Grinding to and fro, just like that until the end of the first half.

The score on the field is still 0:0.

"Boss, are you still playing like this in the second half? Chelsea's defense is very solid today. If we continue to play like this, it may be difficult for us to break through their goal."

Guardiola took two quick steps to catch up with Chen Ran, and they walked to the locker room together.

"Just play like this. As long as Mourinho dares to press out and attack, we have a chance to win Chelsea. If he doesn't come out, the draw is not unacceptable. After all, we still have a four-point lead, and the worry is definitely not us."

"Indeed, if Chelsea can't win this game, it will be difficult to catch up with our Crystal Palace later. Boss, do you expect Mourinho to attack?"

"Basically. From what I know of Mourinho, he can't help it. So, Josep, you have to keep an eye on Chelsea's bench, understand?"

"Understood, I must stare Mourinho to death."

During the intermission, Chen Ran didn't make any adjustments except to give the players some blood as usual.

On Chelsea's side, Mourinho also stood still.

The two guys seem to be competing for concentration now to see who can lose their composure first.

After the start of the second half, the situation on the court was the same as that of the first half.

Still one can't get in, and the other can't come out.

Calm, very boring.

Not only the fans, but even the reporters in the stands couldn't help complaining.

"What's wrong with Chelsea today? Are they planning to stay behind all the time? Is this still the performance that a strong team should have?"

(End of this chapter)