All-around center

"They were so anxious to play!"

I don't know if it was Modric's illusion, but I felt that many teams in this World Cup showed a sense of impatience in the game.

High-pressure pressing is indeed the most popular tactic today, and it is also very suitable for breaking passing and controlling football.

But high-pressure pressing emphasizes joint operations, not a tactic that relies on impatience and recklessness.

Greece's own strength should not be so bad, but after the group stage, it was time to face Brazil in the knockout stage, and the overall mentality had changed.

There is nothing wrong with trying your best, but this kind of fighting method requires a more stable mentality.

But Greece obviously did not do this, so it is not surprising that they lost the game.

The opening game of the round of 16 ended in a relatively dull way.

In 90 minutes, Brazil defeated Greece 3:1.

Although Greece scored a goal in the end, it was also a face-saving goal, more like Brazil letting a goal go.

Throughout the game, Greece's performance was not very good, and it did not pose much threat to Brazil.

Of course, there are also reasons why Brazil played well.

At least, compared with the original time and space, Brazil's performance in this World Cup is much better.

Two games a day, the second game is between Colombia and Mexico.

The game between these two teams is more intense.

Both teams showed their desire to win, and the game was extremely intense, with a particularly fast transition between offense and defense.

But Colombia was superior in skills after all, with Rodriguez's goal in the 78th minute laying the foundation for victory.

And Rodriguez also scored the fourth goal of this World Cup!

This goal also made James Rodriguez the focus again. A young player's first World Cup performance was amazing.

It can be said that many teams have been tempted and started to talk to Rodriguez about the transfer.

There are also European agent crocodiles who have started to take action and want to win Rodriguez's European agent contract, but they are still a bit slow, and Rodriguez has already been signed by Zoranqi.

The first day of the knockout stage showed a more rigorous tactical system compared to the group stage.

There are fewer outrageous mistakes like those in the group stage, and the game has become more rigorous and the rhythm is very tight.

The group stage is a filtering period. Teams with bad form and poor strength will be filtered out.

And being able to enter the knockout stage means that they are either strong or in excellent form.

It can be said that there are no so-called weak teams in the knockout stage.

Of course, even in the confrontation between strong teams, there are strong and weak teams.

No words were spoken overnight. The next day, Rio de Janeiro was still very hot.

The red and green colors of the Brazilian flag can be seen everywhere on the streets. Walking in this country, it seems that you can always feel that kind of passion. People are singing and dancing, drinking and having fun.

Croatian fans can be seen everywhere on the streets. Based on the three excellent group matches, more and more Croatian fans have come here from all over the world.

With the performance of this World Cup, they also have a hunch that the Croatian national team can do something big.

If this is true, it will definitely create history, and it is the kind of history with the highest honor.

How could they miss this opportunity? They must catch up.

Although it was daytime and there were still several hours before the start of the evening game, they were still discussing the game happily.

Chile, as a South American team, is definitely not a weak team.

But Croatia is no longer the second-rate European team it used to be. They are still at the world's top level, so they are confident that they can beat their opponents.

What's more, Croatian players are in hot form now, and Suker has shown excellent performance in the group stage.

All of this tells them how good Croatia's form is.

There is a circle of guardrails around the hotel where Croatia is staying, and the security level here is also increasing as the game approaches.

As the host, they can't have any accidents during the preparation for the game.

This is a big deal that will embarrass the world!

The entire Croatian team did not leave the hotel, but prepared for the game in the hotel.

It's called preparation, but it's more of a tactical explanation. After all, what should be prepared has been prepared. Now it's more of a state of maintenance and understanding of tactics.

"Let's go, have lunch!"

After Suker got up, Srna and other teammates followed.

Because of the evening game, dinner cannot be eaten. They must have a full lunch to ensure their energy intake.

Of course, lunch is also very particular.

During the game, you must not let your stomach be full, which will only reduce your athletic performance.

70% full is the best state, and by the evening, it is likely that it has been digested.

"Chile should not be underestimated. Players like Sanchez and Vidal are very strong."

Modric said while eating.

Sanchez, who plays for Barcelona, ​​will transfer to Arsenal this year. In the three years that Sanchez played for Barcelona, ​​he played a total of 88 games, scored 47 goals, and completed 34 assists.

He created 81 goals for Barcelona, ​​which is quite good.

However, his tactical position in Barcelona is very vague, and he has been unable to become a main player for a long time, which is why he left.

In terms of strength, this guy is still very good.

Vidal plays for Juventus and is a contributing midfielder. His active running and calm handling can always create opportunities for his teammates.

It can be said that these two players are very capable guys and can also enhance the Chilean lineup.

"As long as our midfield suppresses them!"

Srna said.

Rakitic; "Suppressed, what if the situation cannot be opened?"

Srna did not speak, and Mandzukic on the side laughed and scolded; "Are you hitting me in the face? If the situation cannot be opened, what is the use of a striker?"

Suk also glanced at Rakitic.

The latter waved his hand and said, "That's not what I meant. I think it would be better to change the tactics appropriately. We have been playing around the midfield, but what we are really good at is defensive counterattack. I am afraid that we are used to it and suddenly change the tactics. It will be difficult to accept it!"

Hearing this, everyone was also silent.

Rakitic's statement is not unreasonable.

Passing and controlling is an active way of playing, while counterattack is a passive way of playing.

In terms of the degree of refreshing, it is indeed very comfortable to suppress from beginning to end in passing and controlling. It may be really uncomfortable to suddenly switch to counterattack mode.

"Leave it to the coaching staff, they know what to do!" Suk didn't say much. He still trusted Besic and Van Styak.

They should have their own ideas.

As night fell, the lights of the whole city flashed, and a large number of people took to the streets, which was extremely lively.

World Cup elements were everywhere, and various stalls and football-related peripherals were selling hot.

People were enjoying this month's football carnival.

The lobby of the Croatian Hotel was surrounded by all kinds of people.

There were reporters, officials, organizers, and football association personnel.

When they were chatting, their eyes would drift towards the elevator as if they were waiting for something.

After a while, the light of the elevator arrival came on, and when Besic led the Croatian players out of the elevator in batches, the whole lobby was boiling.

Wow! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ——

Everyone cheered loudly, and the journalists and media from Croatia were even more excited.

"Come on! The first knockout game!"

"Luka! It's up to you!"

"Rakitic, show them some power!"

"Super Mario!"

They excitedly cheered for the players, wishing they would shout until their voices were hoarse.

When Suker came out, the whole lobby was even crazier.

Even the hotel waiters around couldn't help but join the cheering team.

The Croatian players also walked out of the hotel one by one in this passionate cheering and took the bus at the door.

After all the players were seated, the bus drove towards the stadium in the night.

Rio de Janeiro was very quiet at night.

Or rather, the road the bus was driving on was very quiet, with police cars escorting it, and there was no traffic around, obviously traffic control was in place.

The Croatian bus was moving in silence.

Along the way, almost no one was talking, and even if they were communicating, they only said two or three sentences.

Perhaps it was because they were in the knockout stage, the overall atmosphere was much more tense than the group stage.

They knew very well that if they lost a game in the group stage, there might be room for recovery, but in the knockout stage, any loss would require them to pay a heavy price.

For this World Cup, they have waited for four years and prepared for four years.

They will not let four years of hard work go to waste.

Wow! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ——

The moment we arrived at the Maracana Stadium, cheers came like a tsunami. The Croatian fans gathered around also found the bus and immediately burst into loud cheers.

Although the bus did not stop but drove straight into the stadium, they still cheered and shouted happily.

At the same time as the Croatian bus arrived, Chile, the opponent, also arrived at the stadium at the entrance on the other side.

The arrival of both teams represented a further step in the game.

"This is the 2014 Brazil World Cup. We are broadcasting this World Cup quarter-finals for everyone in Rio de Janeiro. Today's first round match is between Croatia and Chile!"

The correct version is being read! 6=9+Shu_Bar is the first to publish this novel.

"The two teams have not met many times in history. The last time was in the 1998 World Cup, when Croatia, led by Davor Suker, beat Chile 1-0."

"The two teams are meeting again after nearly 16 years. What kind of game will they play for us? Let's wait and see!"

At this time, the players from both sides have begun to warm up.

The camera switches back and forth between multiple players.

"Sanchez, Chile's No. 7 player, Chile successfully broke through in the group stage, and Sanchez's dribbling breakthrough was crucial!"

"Rakitic, also a technical midfielder, always played a role of vertical breakthrough in Modric's coordinated midfield organization. His excellent footwork allows him to easily face the opponent's pressing!"

"Vidal, Chile's No. 8 player."

"Mandzukic. Croatian center forward"

He introduced the players in close-up one by one, and finally the camera locked on Suker.

The Brazilian commentator's expression was brightened, and his tone of voice could not help but rise a little.

"Suker!"

"The most watched and best performing player in this World Cup!"

"In four rounds, Suker scored four goals, and he is only one goal away from tying Ronaldo's goal."

"But similarly, Germany's Klose is only one goal away. Which of these two players can break this record first?"

"At the same time, Suker is also the player with the most goals in this World Cup. He and Colombia's young player James Rodriguez are at the top of the scorer list!"

"After three group matches, Suker's performance is obvious to all, and we even have reason to believe that Suker has not yet fully exerted his strength!"

"Fans who know Suker know that the later the game, the better Suker's performance, and the more critical the moment, the more he can show excellent performance."

"And whether this state can be fulfilled in this game is what we expect."

In the commentator's introduction, the warm-up session of the players on both sides ended.

The camera swept across the faces of the Chilean players and found that most of them were solemn and serious.

Obviously, they knew how difficult this game would be.

Among the eight group leaders, if you choose an opponent that you least want to meet, it is undoubtedly Croatia.

After all, their performance in the group stage really gave people a feeling of despair.

Turning him into an opponent is a very challenging thing for the lineup.

But who told Chile not to play well and fail to qualify as the first in the group, so they could only bite the bullet and fight Croatia to the death.

Now the pressure is really great. Chile also knows that the chance of winning this game is very small, but it still tries its best to move forward.

Croatia should be relatively relaxed, and Besic still puts forward the same tactics.

Still focusing on midfield control!

Croatia is indeed a team that is good at playing defensive counterattacks, but the problem is that so far, no team can threaten Croatia's midfield, forcing them to give up the midfield and turn to defensive counterattacks.

If it was Spain in 2010, Croatia would definitely play defensive counterattacks without hesitation.

But in the three group matches and this knockout match, the composition of these midfields is not enough for them to give up the initiative.

It's not that Besic doesn't want to play defense and counterattack, but the opponent is really not strong enough for them to give up the initiative, which is also quite helpless.

"Play on the left wing in the first half"

After Besic simply arranged the tactics, he turned to Suk and said, "You should be more serious."

Suk; "I'm very serious!"

"I mean, you should show more performance." Besic; "The adjustment time has passed, and the next game will accelerate in both rhythm and other aspects!"

Suk nodded to show that he understood.

Besic's statement is not unreasonable. Entering the knockout stage, with the improvement of the quality of the game, Suk also needs to exert his strength.

Moreover, Suk also needs to find the feeling of explosion, which is more conducive to the next game.

After all, if they win this game, they will play against the host Brazil team.

This is a real strong dialogue!

In the player channel, the players of both sides have been divided on both sides, ready to play at any time.

The camera swept from front to back, and it is not difficult to see the tense atmosphere of the game through facial expressions.

The Maracana Stadium can accommodate 200,000 people, and it was packed. The atmosphere of the entire stadium made people's heartbeats accelerate.

Any team that plays in the Maracana Stadium for the first time will show discomfort.

But obviously, Croatia and Chile are experienced, so they will not be disturbed by this atmosphere.

Suker stood at the end and kept jumping to warm up.

The Chilean players on the side looked at Suker from time to time. They knew that Suker would be the super problem left for them in this game.

"Get ready to play!"

The referee in front turned around and shouted.

The players on both sides were also refreshed.

Soon, the players on both sides entered the field to the intense cheers.

The starting lineup is as follows:

Croatia (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Subasic.

Defenders: Srna, Vida, Lovren, Planic.

Midfielders: Perisic, Brozovic, Rakitic, Modric, Suker.

Forward: Mandzukic.

Chile (3-4-3):

Goalkeeper: Bravo.

Defenders: Medel, Silva, Jara.

Midfielders: Isla, Aranguiz, Diaz, Mena.

Forwards: Sanchez, Vidal, Vargas.

"Again, 3-4-3 formation?"

Suker raised his eyebrows slightly.

Chile played this tactic throughout the group stage. Even though they were continuously attacked by the Netherlands in the group stage and conceded four goals, they still did not change their ways.

The most important thing is that when they faced Croatia, they still dared to use this formation and wanted to compete with Croatia for midfield control.

Suker didn't know how to evaluate it. Should he say he was brave? Or was he foolish and bold?

But in any case, the tactics have been decided, and the next step is to see how the players perform in the game.

"Chile still took out the 3-4-3 formation. I don't know what they are thinking. Shouldn't they add some defense at this time?"

The Brazilian commentator felt that Chile was a bit stubborn and didn't know how to adapt.

If you want to be successful with one trick, you have to be strong enough!

The three-center-back formation is to leave space for Suker to perform.

Once Suker is in good form, Chile won't even have a chance to make up for it.

On the sidelines, Besic looked at the court with some surprise.

He really didn't expect Chile to still use this formation.

According to Van Styak's words,

"Looking for death!"

Van Styak shook his head directly. He wanted to compete with Croatia for the midfield rhythm. This idea was fine.

But this three-back formation was a bit too arrogant.

Do you really think Croatia doesn't have a top striker?

In terms of striker penetration and offensive ability, Croatia is absolutely second to none.

So in his opinion, Chile's formation is really looking for death!