Coaching legend

The group stage is like this.

The outcome of a game may have a big impact on the situation of the group stage.

After Blackburn finished the first two games, it didn't feel like the seeded team in this group. Everyone was laughing at George and Blackburn.

But just one game, one victory, all the doubts disappeared.

Although Blackburn is currently ranked only third in the group stage. But it is true that the 3-1 victory over Monaco made all the previous doubts disappear. This is the characteristic of the group stage.

After the victory, George accepted an interview after a long absence.

"Many media questioned whether we can appear in the group stage. I think this question is ridiculous. Appearing in the group stage is not a problem for me at all."

Reporters are already familiar with George's style.

And reporters also know what questions to ask, and George's big mouth can say what they want.

"Coach Levy, it seems that Blackburn is now ranked third in the group stage. Monaco and PSV Eindhoven have accumulated six points."

George smiled slightly, looked at the reporter and asked: "Is the group stage over?"

Seeing the reporter was stunned, George continued.

"There are only three games in the group stage. Aren't there three more games? I'm just warming up in the first two games, and I will take the rest of the games seriously."

Hearing George's words, the reporters present were very excited.

Sure enough, there is no shortage of news following George.

The first two games are warm-ups, such arrogant words can be said. This is completely not taking other clubs into consideration. Only George is so arrogant.

Some reporters wanted to ask George, but George waved his hand and left the spot. He didn't give the reporter a chance to continue asking questions.

But the previous words alone are enough for reporters to use their imagination.

"Monaco? PSV? I'm just warming up!"

"Group stage, not in the eyes of coach Levy!"

"Confidence or arrogance!"

All these headlines that can be thought of are already in the minds of those reporters.

…………

George's arrogance is definitely not aimless.

Just two weeks later, Blackburn played against PSV at home.

PSV, famous.

However, PSV, a downtrodden giant that George never took seriously, made George taste an unforgettable defeat. George attaches great importance to this game, not only because he lost to PSV in the last game.

More importantly, the situation in the group stage is confusing now.

Blackburn, Monaco, and PSV all have the opportunity to appear. Therefore, this direct dialogue is extremely important.

Blackburn fans know the current situation. Therefore, they showed a hundred times the energy in this game to cheer for the team.

Hiddink's lineup in this game was standard. There was no difference from the first game. However, George changed a lot in this game. Miku and Kaka both sat on the bench.

George used a very traditional 4-4-2 formation in this game.

The midfield used a combination of Pires, Alonso, Essien, and Arshavin, while the forward line used a high-altitude combination of Drogba and Klose.

George's style of play is very simple.

Alonso and Essien are both behind, and the two wingers are in front. Because there is no point to insert from the middle, they rarely kick directly. The ball basically goes to the two wingers, and then the two wingers cross the ball to Klose and Drogba.

Hiddink frowned at Blackburn's style of play.

Because of the ground cooperation of defending Blackburn, Hiddink still has a way. Because PSV, under Hiddink's training, has excellent physical strength. It can completely compete with Premier League teams. Running all over the field is no problem for PSV.

But it is difficult to defend against high balls.

Of course, if it were any other team, the problem wouldn't be that big. But Blackburn's forwards are completely abnormal in controlling the high ball.

Klose and Drogba's headers are both world-famous.

Thinking of this, Hiddink looked at George standing on the sidelines.

Looking at this young man, Hiddink couldn't help but smile. Hiddink is a famous coach who has achieved success and is not young anymore. He won't be as competitive as a young coach.

Hiddink has also heard George's words "I was just warming up in the first two games." The moment he heard this, Hiddink laughed. Young people are so strong.

Of course, these thoughts only flashed through Hiddink's mind.

Now it's a game, and it's a life-and-death game.

At the beginning of the game, Blackburn took the initiative with the home advantage.

Especially the two wingers. Alonso was in the midfield, constantly dispatching. As long as there was a ball, the ball would be given to the two wingers. Pires and Arshavin, if there is a chance on the wing, they will break through, if there is no chance, they will pass directly.

George completely gave the task of scoring to Klose and Drogba.

Let them compete for the header. With the cooperation between the two of them, they scored the goal. Therefore, it can be said that Blackburn's style of play is very simple, but it is indeed quite effective against Eindhoven.

If it was Milan, if they were facing a central defender combination like Nesta and Maldini, then this simple style of play might not work well. But PSV Eindhoven doesn't have such an outstanding defender combination.

Bouma? Oye?

Are they good at heading? Or are they good at positioning?

Maybe they are good central defenders in the Eredivisie. They can compete with many forwards, but it is quite difficult for them to face forwards like Drogba and Klose.

Therefore, facing this very simple style of play, PSV Eindhoven's defenders were caught off guard. The two central defenders were completely embarrassed under the impact of Klose and Drogba.

Blackburn played a balanced 4-4-2, and George attached great importance to the two wingers of Robben and Park Ji-sung this time. In addition, PSV Eindhoven still lacked a commander in the middle at this time. Van Bommel was unable to start due to injury, so he only relied on the impact of the two wingers, and the threat was reduced a lot.

Without Van Bommel, PSV Eindhoven's middle was completely behind.

Therefore, Alonso could have kicked the ball frequently.

In the 19th minute of the game, Blackburn's striker played a header relay.

Alonso's pass found Pires, and Pires passed the ball to Riise. Riise's cross accurately found Drogba. Drogba ran to the front point, but did not shoot directly. Instead, he headed the ball back and the ball reached the back point.

At this time, Klose, who had been ambushing behind, jumped forward and headed the ball into the goal.

"Klose! Klose! George's double center forward tactic is quite effective. Riise's cross ball, Drogba and Klose had an aerial relay, and Klose finally scored the goal."

"One to zero. Blackburn leads PSV Eindhoven one to zero. After the last Champions League group match, George told the media that he was just warming up in the first two games. At that time, many people thought George was too arrogant and too arrogant."

"But looking at this game, who can say that George is arrogant, not confident? Yes, it is confident."

Motson is right. This is confidence.

George has absolute confidence in the game. After scoring the goal, Blackburn played more steadily and better.

Ten minutes after Klose scored, Blackburn scored another goal.

It was also a cross from the wing, or from Pires' side. After Pires shook out an angle in the front court, he made a cross at a 45-degree angle. Drogba went up to face the football and volleyed fiercely.

Unlike Klose, Drogba's shots are always very powerful.

This time is no exception.

In such a short distance, Drogba's shot was too late for the goalkeeper to save. The ball went into the net.

After 2-0, George could no longer suppress his excitement and waved his arms vigorously. In the first two games, there was a draw and a loss. In fact, George was not as relaxed as he appeared. Now that he has won two games in a row, all the disadvantages will be reversed.

Yes, after 2-0, George has already determined the victory of the game.

Hiddink is of course a coach who never gives up. But Eindhoven is limited in strength after all, and its strength is not as good as Blackburn. Now it is away again. Let alone Hiddink is just a magical coach, even if Hiddink is really a god, the current situation cannot be reversed.

After holding a two-goal advantage, Blackburn played more and more freely.

In the 23rd minute of the second half, Kaka, who came on as a substitute, received a pass from Klose and scored the third goal with a long shot near the penalty area.

At home, Blackburn defeated PSV Eindhoven with almost no suspense.

"Blackburn won again with a score of 3-0. With the victory of this game, Blackburn's situation in the group stage became clearer. In four games, Blackburn won two, drew one and lost one, accumulating seven points."

"In another venue, Monaco defeated AEK Athens 4-0. Monaco's points reached nine points, Blackburn's seven points, PSV Eindhoven's six points, and AEK Athens' one point."

In fact, the qualifying situation of this group is still confusing. In addition to AEK Athens, Blackburn, Monaco, and PSV Eindhoven are all possible. But now Blackburn is the strongest, and it has already accumulated seven points, so it is not a problem to get a qualifying spot.

That's why Mortensen said that the situation in the group is becoming clearer.

George also thinks so.

Therefore, after the game, he smiled at the reporter and said, "Didn't I say that I only treated the previous games as warm-ups? This kind of thing is not what I thought about when the group stage appeared. What I am thinking about most now is who will be our opponent after entering the knockout stage?"