Starting from playing as a defensive midfielder for Real Madrid

Li Ang didn't know that Mourinho would have such high expectations for their newly "born" midfield trio.

His goals remain pragmatic.

That is to be able to have a stable performance in his first Champions League game.

Real Madrid winning is the best result for him. He wants to get the first-win Champions League gift pack as soon as possible, and also wants to see how many points the system can give him by winning a Champions League game.

Therefore, he would be satisfied if he could achieve a "win" result. As for whether it is a small victory or a big victory, it depends on whether the forwards in the frontcourt are wearing shooting boots today.

As for not being able to win.

Well, Li Ang didn't dare to think about such a scene.

After all, the current Ajax team has been languishing in the Eredivisie for a long time, and is no longer the gorgeous team that swept Europe back then.

Compared with previous years, although they were ridiculed as "Sixteen Lang" by major giants, Real Madrid still can play in the Champions League every year.

Ajax has not played in the Champions League for four full seasons!

The last time they played in the Champions League was in the 2005-06 season.

At that time, Ajax successfully reached the last sixteen of the Champions League, but lost to Inter Milan led by Mancini in the quarter-finals.

The main players of the Jia family at that time have basically switched to other teams.

In other words, Real Madrid, which is now experienced in the Champions League, is facing only a new team in the Champions League.

If this is not a good start, let alone the fans rioting, it is estimated that none of Real Madrid's stars will be able to forgive themselves.

Therefore, Li Ang really has no psychological burden. There is a tall man holding up the sky when it falls, and he has no reason to be nervous about the upcoming battle with a group of Eredivisie players.

However, he himself was not nervous, but his partner Alonso still took care of him at the beginning of the game.

Pass the ball to Li Ang as little as possible, stay in the backcourt to assist Li Ang in defense, and call Khedira back to help him increase the ball route to get rid of the opponent's press.

Alonso's job as a master is very conscientious, and Mourinho didn't think there was anything wrong with playing it safe at the beginning.

After seeing that Li Ang's performance was still stable and there were no unforced errors caused by nervousness, Mourinho nodded more assuredly.

His trust in Li Ang is not blind. The media said that he might have made a nervous mistake in his Champions League debut.

The backup plan is actually very simple, that is, if Li Ang is stretched, he will withdraw Khedira's position and play three midfielders first to stabilize the midfield defense.

If Li Ang's performance continues to be sluggish, then Gago or a certain attacking midfielder on the bench can start to warm up.

But now it seems that this alternative is completely useless.

Li Ang's stable performance not only reassured Mourinho and Karanka, but the other Real Madrid players also subconsciously added confidence in their hearts.

Alonso gradually handed over the responsibility of deep-laying defense to Li Ang, and began to devote more energy to sorting out the transfer of ball rights in the midfield and backfield, while looking for opportunities to send long passes forward.

Marcelo was more assured when he pushed forward, and Carvalho also felt more secure and organized the defense more calmly. Pepe, who had only just returned from injury, was amazed.

Originally, Ramos should have started today and partnered with Carvalho.

But after the last practice this morning, Ramos felt some discomfort in his calf muscles, so Pepe came back and started.

He had never cooperated with Li Ang in a formal game before, but now that the teammates around him seemed to trust Li Ang, Master Pei also subconsciously felt at ease.

And the one who was in the happiest mood on the court at this time was naturally Khedira.

Brother Face's life this week has been full of ups and downs.

He was replaced in the first half of the league. Not to mention screwing up his debut, Li Ang, who was still his competitor at the time, performed very well.

During training, Li Ang also received praise from most of his teammates and coaches. Khedira felt at that time that he might seriously consider a style transformation.

But after a training session with a strong experimental nature inspired by Mourinho's whim, Khedira quickly ushered in his spring.

You no longer need to pay attention to your defensive position at all times, you can take on your favorite forward task, and you don't have to worry about no one behind you while you are in the limelight.

This feeling is simply.

So cool!

Khedira, who ran forward with the ball in the midfield, instantly regained the feeling of playing in Stuttgart!

Mourinho asked him to increase his coverage of the midfield and frontcourt, and asked him to control the number of shots he takes in each game?

That's nothing!

After being beaten and being replaced in a panic at half-time, Khedira was not dissatisfied at all with the tactical requirements Mourinho now asked of him.

In the new tactical system, Khedira, who was relieved of his defensive burden and worked hard to prove himself, quickly performed a performance that surprised Real Madrid fans.

Khedira's ability to advance is not top-notch, but it is adequate. His passing ability is not top-notch, but it is adequate. He is not very good at shooting, but now he doesn't fire very randomly.

More importantly, this body is very versatile!

He has truly been able to be found everywhere, and he can do things wherever he goes, cooperating with his teammates and setting the pace.

Maybe his skills are a little rough, but it doesn't matter. Real Madrid's offensive players in the frontcourt have excellent and delicate skills. There is no need for him to dribble and tear up the defense.

He has successfully completed his series attack and has played a very prominent role in supporting the forwards.

On the defensive end, his wide-area sweep can effectively slow down the opponent's counterattack.

He is not an efficient tackling machine, nor is he quick to recover, which would have been his fatal flaw on the defensive end a week ago.

But now, it doesn't matter.

Because after he completes the sweeping task, the enemy offensive players who have been screened out will be "taken away" by the two midfielders Li Ang and Xavi Alonso.

Khedira is equivalent to the first layer of "filter" in Real Madrid's midfield defense.

It's great to be lucky enough to stop the opponent's echelon attack at the beginning, but it's not fatal to not be able to stop it.

Li Ang behind provides frontal interception and sweeping pursuit.

Alonso "checked for leaks and filled them up".

The three of them combine to form a "midfield meat grinder" with a clear division of labor and high efficiency.

This is why Li Ang would joke before that the three of them together could be called a "hard-core trio".

Is it hard?

Looking at the top clubs in Europe, after they have mastered this game, they are indeed tough on the defensive end!

The level of defense layout, confrontation capabilities, mobility, ground interception, and high-altitude interception are all there.

The offense is a bit rough, but with Alonso, a master of organization who can accurately guide long passes, it will not delay Real Madrid's efficient counterattack at all.

Let’s talk about the performance of Barcelona’s midfielder later on. Anyway, Ajax couldn’t hold it back for less than half an hour!

Damn it!

Real Madrid's new midfield combination relies on Khedira on the offensive end and Alonso's long pass.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria on both wings are top stars with extremely fast speed and comprehensive skills.

As soon as he started running, it was easy to bring down the Ajax backcourt.

And when Ajax finally made a counterattack, they just got rid of Khedira's crazy running flow and pushed through the midfield. When they met the two Real Madrid midfielders, they were turned upside down again!

Especially Li Ang, all the Ajax players were so jealous!

The nineteen-year-old midfielder relied on his body to be bold enough to strike without any hesitation.

You bounce well and your feet are strong. You are amazing. After winning the battle for the top, you still want to play a head-to-head "football game" with me?

Go to hell, I don’t want to play anymore!

Li Ang used four successful one-on-one frontal interceptions in the first thirty minutes of the first half to allow Ajax's midfielders to directly break the defense.

Li Ang is not afraid of pain or injury. He is tough enough, but they are afraid!

Instinctively flinching, Ajax's already sporadic counterattacks were directly muted.

Real Madrid naturally took advantage of the situation and increased their offensive intensity.

However, it was not Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria who had performed well before, but it was not Ronaldo and Di Maria who finally succeeded in breaking through the gate of Jia's house in the first half.

Instead, it was Higuain who struggled to develop for thirty-six minutes, and finally succeeded in defeating the egg with a single shot due to his spiritual counter-offside!

"Cristiano Ronaldo's through ball! A beautiful counter-offside drive! Higuain, a shot! The ball goes in -!!! In the 36th minute of the first half, Real Madrid finally broke through the door of Ajax! This new Real Madrid is eye-catching!”

Zhan Jun was a little excited. He saw a Real Madrid that was more balanced offensively and defensively than last season and more "reassuring".

I also saw Li Ang’s important role in Mourinho’s tactical changes!

At this moment, Li Ang, who was smiling and high-fiving Khedira and Alonso, once again attracted the attention of the live broadcast camera.

In other words, it was the three of them who attracted the camera's attention.

Xavi Alonso, the playmaking master who is at his peak, Khedira, the B2B midfield template who is gradually reaching his peak, and Li Ang, a newborn but calm-minded tackling machine.

This is the first time Real Madrid has used this midfield combination this season, but its defensive efficiency and lethality are significantly outstanding.

Perhaps it is the final version of the "Key to Victory" that Mourinho worked hard on.

Seeing the scene of Mourinho and Karanka hugging each other excitedly, all the Real Madrid fans almost had a thought in their hearts.

"Mu's Real Madrid has truly set sail."