Super Marshal

Psychological quality is not only an important factor in measuring a player's strength level, but also an important basis for evaluating a head coach's coaching ability.

The football field is changing rapidly, and unexpected changes may occur at any time; the careful preparation and strategizing before the game are also a test of the head coach's decision-making and choice-making ability; the victory or defeat after the game is a test of a head coach. Coach’s determination.

These are all important manifestations of psychological quality.

As a legendary superstar in the past, there is no need to say much about Zidane's psychological quality, but facing the two finals of the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, he could not help but feel a little uneasy, especially since he had just suffered a setback in the league, which naturally affected him.

Last season's Copa del Rey final was in early April. After Chinatown lost to Atletico Madrid, the league was affected, but there was still enough time to adjust. But this season is different. The Copa del Rey final and the Champions League final are only one week apart. time, and there are no other events in between. If the Copa del Rey final is lost first, it will inevitably have an impact on the Champions League final a week later.

Therefore, Zidane's hesitation and lack of confidence are understandable.

"Let me tell you what I think." Gao Han smiled softly.

Including Zidane and Makelele, everyone immediately looked at Gao Han.

Since he retired from the professional league, he has been less and less involved in the team's technical and tactical aspects and game preparations. Even if he sometimes communicates with Zidane privately, he is still more instructive. It is rarely like now, when Speaking in front of so many people.

But since he wants to express his thoughts, everyone else can only listen.

This is Gao Han's current status in Chinatown and even in European football.

There was a gentle smile on Gao Han's face, as if what he was facing was not two finals at all, but an insignificant friendly match, giving people the feeling of being a worldly expert.

"One hundred and twenty-three goals have given our frontcourt offensive players great praise this season. Needless to say, Hazard is expected to be at least in the top three of the Ballon d'Or this year, and even beyond. There is hope every step of the way, Firmino and Griezmann are now Europe's top attackers and superstar players."

Everyone nodded unanimously. The team's style of play has indeed contributed to the rise of these offensive players.

"But I may have a different idea than everyone else. I think the biggest change in the team this season is in the midfield, especially the two further forward in the three-midfield configuration. Within the team's entire tactical framework, they There’s a very high degree of freedom.”

Many people looked thoughtful when they heard this, only Zidane nodded silently.

He is the creator of the team's tactics, and he certainly knows what Gao Han means.

"The birth of this style of play should have originated from the 3-1 home game against Barcelona. Not only did we completely defeat our opponents in terms of results, but we also completely suppressed Barcelona on the field. I believe it was that game that gave us Confidence, so the coaching staff decided to continue digging in this direction.”

When Zidane heard this, he smiled bitterly and nodded: "You are right, it is true."

He really felt like he had been seen through by Gao Han.

"Isco and De Bruyne are positioned further forward than the deep-lying midfielder. The two players' active areas are more aimed at the opponent's two rib areas. Barcelona is a single defensive midfielder, with Isco and De Bruyne. Their ability to attack with the ball is very strong. They dribble the ball and then take the initiative to find the three offensive players in the frontcourt to cooperate. This is the main reason why we completely suppressed Barcelona."

Zidane and Makelele looked at each other, and both pairs of eyes flashed with admiration.

Although Gao Han has left the first-line coaching bench, his eyesight is even better than before.

Perhaps this had a lot to do with his clear-mindedness as a spectator, but no matter what, he revealed the key to victory in Chinatown.

"After that, you started to try this style of play, using the two central midfielders to dribble and pass in the rib area to create threats and disrupt the opponent's defense. But soon you found that when the opponent defends intensively, , this style of play is ineffective, so you continue to dig deeper and further liberate the two central midfielders."

"When the team advances to the opponent's 30-meter area, when the opponent adopts intensive defense and our rib attack is blocked, the two central midfielders will have more freedom in their positions, and even more often, they will pull to the side, just like It seems like the combination of Isco and Hazard on the left, they even took on the role of wingers."

"The two central midfielders suddenly pull to the outside, and the two wingers slant inside. This can effectively stretch the opponent's defense. Whether it is Isco and De Bruyne, or Pogba and Koke, they are on the wing. They can avoid the opponent's heavy guard, and then use the numerical advantage on both sides to attack the opponent's flanks and ribs."

"This situation became more apparent in the second half of the season. The two central midfielders often even crossed each other, not only crossing themselves, but also frequently switching positions with Hazard and Griezmann. This led to our smooth attack in the frontcourt. The level has been greatly improved, and it will be difficult for our opponents to completely contain our offensive."

"Of course, the players who were originally in the center are moved to the wings. The offensive benefits are obvious, but the disadvantages also exist, that is, our center defense will become very empty, especially at the moment of transition between offense and defense."

Gao Han's words were eloquent, simple and clear, but they made everyone clearly notice why the team's final trend this season was like this, and why the team's offense was so good, but there were constant problems on the defensive end. .

There is absolutely no problem with the combination of Varane and De Vrij. The two central defenders have even touched the threshold of Europe's top central defenders. Together with Marquinhos and Umtiti, the level of central defenders in Chinatown is definitely not bad.

But they have conceded so many goals this season, which has always made people feel puzzled. But now when Gao Han said this, everyone immediately understood that this was what happened.

"Actually, I think there are ways to make up for this defensive problem. For example, when the two central midfielders are pulling wide, the full-back on the corresponding side will move inward, close to the deep-lying midfielder, to protect the flanks." Gao Han said.

Zidane nodded, "I thought so too, but I never had the chance to try it."

In his tone, the French coach's admiration for Gao Han was obviously even greater.

“What I want to say is that so far this season, the team has a mature operation mechanism in terms of passing and controlling, which makes me very satisfied, and I believe that no matter who the opponent we face, in terms of passing and controlling, , we all definitely have the ability to fight, even if we face Barcelona."

Under Zidane's guidance, the team's young players have made great progress.

The improvement of the four midfielders Isco, De Bruyne, Pogba and Koke is particularly obvious, which has greatly improved Chinatown's entire midfield ball control ability.

"We have finished second in La Liga for two consecutive seasons, reached the Copa del Rey finals for two consecutive seasons, and reached the Champions League finals for two consecutive seasons. Looking at the entire European football, there is no other team like us. To achieve results like ours, we have to have enough confidence in ourselves.”

When Gao Han said this, he looked deeply at Zidane again.

"The pass-and-control style is a proactive style of play. The initiative lies with me. All we need to do is improve our own style of play and fill in our weaknesses and deficiencies. As for how the opponent will play and what tactics they will adopt, it will not affect it at all. to us.”

Gao Han has always believed that Zidane is a very pragmatic head coach. He will choose different tactics according to different opponents, but it is precisely because of this that he hesitates and hesitates before the competition.

But sometimes, what a head coach needs is persistence and perseverance.

"I believe that regardless of whether Enrique plays Xavi or not, we must do our best to seize the initiative in passing and controlling the ball. Only in this way can we hope to win."

The reason why Barcelona lost in the away game in the league was precisely because they lost possession of the ball.

Gao Han's words did not touch on the details, but they brought Zidane an enlightenment-like stimulation, allowing him to clear the clouds and see the blue sky, and completely think through all the original hesitation and hesitation.

The reason why Gao Han has such confidence is not only because of the team's own strength, but also because Xavi is old and Iniesta has lost his early fighting spirit. Today's Barcelona is no longer the threat it was at its peak.

"We will win back the game we lost at Camp Nou earlier!" Gao Han said loudly.

Get up wherever you fall. This is what Gao Han wants to say.

…………

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The venue for the Copa del Rey final will be held at Camp Nou, something that was decided early in the season.

At that time, no one knew who would reach the final, so the final matchup between Barcelona and Chinatown undoubtedly created the illusion that Barcelona was playing at home.

But in fact, Barcelona is playing away from home in this game.

The host and guest were decided by drawing lots before the game, and Chinatown got the home team's draw.

That's why Enrique jokingly said before the game that using the visiting team's locker room at Camp Nou should have a different feel.

Zidane countered by joking that Chinatown would dominate Camp Nou.

On the night of the game, at least half of the stands at Camp Nou were filled with Chinatown fans.

In the history of Barcelona, ​​they have reached the Copa del Rey finals 37 times and won 26 championships. The success rate is quite high, and at the Camp Nou, Barcelona's winning record is even more impressive.

This game attracted the attention of fans from all over the world. After all, Chinatown and Barcelona are the most exciting teams in European football this season, especially Chinatown, which has the most goals in European football and its offensive firepower is impressive. Marvel.

But many people believe that Chinatown's defense will be Barcelona's opportunity.

Luis Enrique can be said to be the main force in this game.

The goalkeeper Valdes, the defense is Alba, Pique, Otamendi and Alves, the midfielder is Busquets, Iniesta and Rakitic are in the middle, and the front trident is Ped Ronaldo, Suarez and Messi.

Brazilian right back Alves has basically determined to leave the team at the end of this season. Barcelona is currently intensively looking for a right back. The most likely target is Danilo, who plays for Chinatown.

In the midfield, Luis Enrique did not schedule Xavi to start, which somewhat reflects Enrique's plan.

Zidane also sent his main force.

The goalkeeper is De Gea, the defense is Alex Sandro, De Vrij, Varane and Montoya, the midfield is Kante, Pogba and De Bruyne are in the middle, and the frontcourt is three-pointed. Halberd is a combination of Hazard, Firmino and Griezmann.

Pogba was started in this game. Zidane mainly considered Isco's injury and wanted him to better prepare for the Champions League final. At the same time, Pogba was regarded as a surprise weapon.

As for Pogba, he is becoming more and more general this season and is a crucial member of the team's midfield rotation.

More importantly, his physical confrontation is more advantageous.