From coaching Real Madrid

Football is a bit like a turn-based game.

The two sides set up their positions on the court, and you went back and forth to stage an offensive and defensive battle.

A strong team will attack more often; a weak team will attack less often.

But it basically doesn’t deviate from this pattern.

You advance and I retreat; after grabbing the ball, I advance and you retreat; after losing the ball, you advance again and I retreat...

These are some very conventional offensive and defensive rhythms.

The rhythm changes that people often talk about are usually adjustments in the speed of advance and retreat.

Everyone is used to this rhythm.

But Gao Shen wanted to change his mind this time.

"I'm thinking that we have a possibility. When Atletico Madrid presses out, we not only don't retreat, but press forward and push them back. Once Atletico Madrid retreats, we also retreat and use the ball control.

The advantage of power.”

This advanced idea is really interesting.

In local locations, it is actually quite easy to do.

For example, in the Spanish Super Cup, when Real Madrid faced Barcelona, ​​Gao Shen's request for Modric was to suppress Iniesta. In fact, when Iniesta tried to advance forward, he pushed him back.

Iniesta played very awkwardly in that game and was seriously out of shape.

Because he is too far away from the frontcourt.

But now, what Gao Shen wants is for the entire team to do this uniformly.

Xavi Alonso, Modric and Toni Kroos are all very smart players and very good at thinking, which is why Gao Shen called them over for discussion.

After listening to Gao Shen's words, the three of them suddenly fell into deep thought.

"I think this is theoretically feasible, but to do it, a lot of problems must be solved."

Xavi Alonso was the first to express his thoughts.

"For example, when Atletico Madrid pressed forward, was there the ball?"

"If there is the ball, then Atletico Madrid will advance very quickly at this time and actively play on both wings. At this time, if we also choose to press up, the targeted arrangement of the defense will be very important.

The cooperation of the players and the protection of the defense must be taken into consideration."

"If there is no ball, Atletico Madrid usually presses and presses from a high position. If we press forward at this time, passing the ball and supporting are also key, because once the ball is intercepted, the defense behind them will immediately face the risk of being counterattacked.

"

Xavi Alonso was quick to dissect it.

He is a very thoughtful and thoughtful player, calm and wise.

After his analysis, many situations became clearer.

"Of course, the benefits are also obvious. If we don't play according to the regular rhythm, Atletico Madrid will definitely be uncomfortable. This will definitely have an impact on them and even create a scene advantage."

"No matter what happens, after disrupting Atletico Madrid's game rhythm and tactical deployment, we will continue to consume it. When Atletico Madrid players are almost exhausted, we will be able to get more opportunities."

Modric and Toni Kroos also nodded repeatedly.

Both are midfielders capable of both offense and defense, and both are highly used by Gao Shen. They also developed a tacit understanding last season and are well aware of Gao Shen's tactical requirements, so they know the coach's intentions very well.

To put it bluntly, I just want to carve a gap in Atletico Madrid's iron wall.

Facing a team like the Sheets, we can only fight head-to-head, and don't try to take advantage of the situation.

"I think it should be possible." Modric also expressed his opinion.

"Atletico Madrid plays 442, with two forwards, two wide midfielders, and two people in the middle of the midfield. If our defense can catch up with people in time, then our three midfielders will press forward as a whole to contain Atletico Madrid's two sides.

As a central midfielder, I think he can cut off their connection with the wide midfielders and double forwards."

Toni Kroos also added: "At that time, Luka and I can stay on the outside appropriately. Even if we can't completely contain it, we can force them to pass back. There is no way to pass forward."

The three midfielders just started discussing it on the spot.

They are all top players with outstanding strength. Even the youngest Toni Kroos has rich game experience and competition experience. They all know clearly what may happen in the face of such a high-intensity game.

Through this discussion, a rough prototype framework emerged.

The more in-depth they discussed, the more they felt it was feasible.

Not only that, it even takes the initiative on how to continue to control the rhythm of the game after retiring.

Real Madrid must control the rhythm, and then use this tactic of retreating when the enemy retreats, advancing when the enemy advances, to contain Atletico Madrid and constantly consume the physical energy of Atletico Madrid players.

In this kind of powerful dialogue, both sides consume a lot of money, but the party with the initiative will often have the advantage.

After physical energy is exhausted to a certain level, many loopholes and hidden dangers will naturally be exposed.

Even if it is not exposed, Real Madrid players have advantages in personal abilities and can form a local breakthrough.

But a problem soon arose.

If you want to achieve this, how to ensure the ball control advantage?

The three midfielders immediately looked at Gao Shen.

Gao Shen looked at the three world-class midfielders in front of him, then turned to look at Zidane, Hierro and others, and couldn't help laughing.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. If Atletico Madrid want to have the ball, then give it to them. We don't care!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then they all figured it out and started laughing.

is not that right?

Is there anything more disgusting than asking Atletico Madrid, who are good at defensive counterattacks, to pass and control the ball?

I guess Simeone will really go crazy by then.

tnnd, Real Madrid, what do you do for food? Come and grab the ball!

It seems that everyone can already imagine what Simeone's expression will be.

…

After Gao Shen chatted with the three midfielders, he quickly organized another discussion, but this time there were more people.

Including Casemiro, Pogba, Isco, Verratti and Illarramendi, they were all called over.

The coaching staff also brought out Gao Shen's previous thoughts and the discussions between the three midfielders again, allowing everyone to express their opinions.

Although Gao Shen has not yet announced it to the public, everyone can guess that if there are no accidents in this game, Casemiro should start in place of Xavi Alonso.

In fact, Casemiro was not prepared to play in the sixth round match against Elche, but Illarramendi did not perform well, so Gao Shen had to replace Casemiro.

But in this game against Atletico Madrid, Xabi Alonso will not be able to play, and Casemiro will start.

Therefore, among the many midfielders, Gao Shen values ​​the opinion of the Brazilian midfielder the most.

Casemiro barely stood firm, but didn't think much about it. He said that he was resolute in carrying out the task, and at the same time promised that he would cooperate with Toni Kroos and Modric.

After the midfield chat, Gao Shen started a team-wide discussion.

Many people were surprised when they first heard this proposal, but after in-depth discussion, they all felt it was feasible.

They even came up with another idea and tried it in Real Madrid's previous pre-season warm-up match.

That is, if Real Madrid's two full-backs rush forward and suppress Atletico Madrid's full-backs, they can form a four-man defense line with Toni Kroos and Modric.

At this time, Casemiro needs to check for gaps behind him, while also being responsible for protecting the two central defenders. If necessary, he may even return to the central defender position to form a back three.

The players on the back line also put forward a lot of opinions, some of which are indeed feasible. As well as the frontcourt, they also actively offered suggestions.

In the end, many players became more and more enthusiastic as they discussed, and even felt that they were out of control.

Instead, Gao Shen and the coaching staff became onlookers, only responsible for leading the conversation.

Those who can play in a club like Real Madrid are all top players in today's world football. Their playing intelligence, some instincts and thinking on the court, and their understanding of football and the game are absolutely extraordinary.

Even famous legendary players like Zidane and Hierro may not have as deep an understanding as this group of players now because the era is too long.

Therefore, the suggestions and ideas they give are also quite valuable.

During this discussion, Gao Shen also gradually gave them the impression that facing a team like Atletico Madrid, the game will undoubtedly be very difficult, but whoever can persist to the end will be the winner.

The more this kind of strong dialogue occurs, the more Real Madrid must remain patient and rational.

…

"After I retired from Real Madrid, I went to many teams."

After the meeting, the players' interest in discussion remained unabated, and many of them even talked with their teammates before leaving.

Of course, some are fanciful, but many are practical.

Regardless of whether it is feasible or not, this kind of discussion among the players will be beneficial to the team in the next game.

Hierro watched the players leave, feeling very emotional in his heart.

"I've never seen a team like us, you know? For a moment just now, I felt like we didn't look like a football team."

"It doesn't look like a football team? What does it look like?" Gao Shen thought it was quite funny.

Hierro thought for a while and replied: "University."

Gao Shen's first reaction was to deny it, but after thinking about it carefully, it seemed that it was true.

"Maybe it's because I have never played football, so I have always felt that the feelings and understanding of those players who are playing on the front line are also very important. Their discussion just now strengthened my idea." Gao Shen.

smiled.

Gao Shen has always liked to chat with players, which is known to the world.

But behind the scenes, Gao Shen always puts players first.

In the past, Zidane and others did not feel this way, but now that I think about it, it may really be related to their advanced resume.

Not having played football has made him pay more attention to players.

"Go back and have a good rest and recharge your batteries. Next, we have to compete against Atletico Madrid. This damn game will make people vomit blood!"

Gao Shen waved his hand, and he was ready to go home and hold the child.

"And Manchester United. I gave Ferguson tickets. If he dares to come to the Bernabeu, I will let this old man see with his own eyes how I ravaged his team!"

(End of chapter)