Super Marshal

Creativity, according to Wikipedia, is the creation of valuable new things.

This term has been widely used in reports by media reporters and discussions by fans, but so far, no one has been able to give a simple summary of this term, which makes it seem extremely vague.

Maybe a good pass, an unconventional pass, or an incredible goal...

All of these can easily be understood as creativity.

Known as the most creative comedy master in British history, John Cleese once said: "Creativity cannot be explained. It is completely ineffable. It is not a talent, but a behavior. Way."

John Cleese believes that everyone has creativity in them, but the degree and choice of tapping it are different.

In recent years, many players from the European continent, including Pires, Bergkamp, ​​Cesc Fabregas and Arteta, have injected refreshing creativity into the Premier League. They are like The graceful elves shuttle between the opponent's defense lines, causing panic and chaos.

They are either good at confusing defensive players, luring them out of their defensive positions, and taking the initiative to follow them, leaving a large gap behind them for their own offensive players to exploit; or they are good at seizing fleeting opportunities. Use scalpel-like precision passes to cut through the opponent's defense and create deadly opportunities.

Many people say that this is a talent, but is it really so?

If, after taking the ball to attract the opponent's defensive player to grab it, Bergkamp failed to protect the ball, causing the ball to be intercepted, and the opponent scored the goal through counterattack, then is Bergkamp's behavior creative? ?

If Fabregas keenly seizes the opportunity, but passes the ball in front of the opponent's defensive player, or passes the ball across the baseline with a big foot, causing his teammates who ran out of space to return in vain, then Fabregas's Is this behavior still creative?

It is obvious that whether it is Bergkamp or Fabregas, the creativity they display on the football field is not a talent unique to them, but is universal. It is just that they have A better individual ability than anyone else, an ability that makes them more precise on the football field.

Yes, precise.

Bergkamp can accurately predict the defensive player's attack, accurately use his foot skills to get rid of the opponent, and accurately pass the ball to his teammates who have inserted themselves into the gap; while Fabregas keenly captures the killing opportunity. , able to use his exquisite footwork to accurately pass the ball to where he wants it to go.

That’s why John Cleese said: “It’s easy to tell others how to be more creative, but hardest to do it.”

…

After hearing what Gao Han said, Brian Kidd suddenly had all the above thoughts in his mind.

He suddenly understood what Gao Han meant.

Also playing with a back three, why did Hoddle's Chelsea get stuck in the quagmire and find it difficult to move forward, but Evans's Liverpool were able to advance and shine?

The reason is simple. Evans' Liverpool team was filled with players with excellent technical skills such as McManaman, Collymore and Redknapp. They played the most exciting technical football in the Premier League. They are known as one of the most gorgeous and creative teams in the history of the Premier League, achieving a level of precision that other teams are difficult to achieve.

The reason why Ferguson's Class 92 was able to dominate the Premier League was precisely because they were precise, and the decline in previous years was precisely due to the departure of Beckham and Keane, and the loss of players such as Giggs and Scholes. As they age, it is difficult for Manchester United to maintain the precision they had at their peak, and they start to make more mistakes.

Brian Kidd suddenly felt that he understood what Gao Han meant.

But when he thought about it further, he couldn't help but feel even more surprised, and even had a creepy feeling.

Gao Han's pursuit is a higher level of precision than his league competitors, including all-round precision in running, passing and receiving, spacing... and while pursuing precision, he adopts a three-four-three formation.

The current mainstream in European football is the four-three-three formation. The advantages of this formation are obvious. The three lines are more compact, the arrangement of the three midfielders is more reasonable, the offense is more layered, and the wings can be used more efficiently. , while giving offensive players more room to play freely.

But the disadvantage is also obvious, that is, the positions of the three offensive players in the frontcourt are relatively fixed, and they rely too much on the players' personal abilities to create threats through one-on-one breakthroughs. Once they encounter careful defense, the offensive threat will be greatly reduced.

Therefore, strictly speaking, the four-three-three formation has high requirements on the players' personal abilities and cannot be used by ordinary teams. Therefore, it is more of a standard configuration for wealthy teams or strong teams.

What about the three-four-three formation?

Everyone agrees that the three-four-three formation is the formation with the highest utilization rate of court space among all tactical formations. After combining the players' off-the-ball movement, this formation has considerable tactical flexibility, regardless of the situation. Both width and depth can maintain close contact.

But more importantly, this is a formation with super offensive capabilities.

Looking at Manchester City's current signings, there is no doubt that the frontcourt offensive combination that Gao Han trusts is Cristiano Ronaldo on the left, Benzema in the middle, Sanchez on the right, and Kaká in the attacking midfielder position.

These four players were definitely carefully selected by Gao Han, and they were by no means a whim or a blind pursuit of superstars.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo is a left winger, he is already the sharpest scorer in European football. The threat on the left is quite amazing. The scores are among the top in Europe.

Benzema is a striker, fast, nimble with his feet, and has excellent physical fitness. He is characterized by comprehensiveness and excellent left and right feet and heading. This allows him to play many roles in the frontcourt, such as taking the ball with his back, fighting for the ball, etc. The first landing point, or pulling to the wing to create opportunities for teammates to intervene in the back, etc.

As for Sanchez, he is the best wing attacker in Serie A. Gao Han uses him obviously for the threat of wing attack.

If these four players form a frontcourt offensive combination, as long as Gao Han combines well, the offensive methods will be very rich and diverse, which will definitely make it difficult for opponents to guard against.

Midfielders David Silva and Modric are both players who are very good at organizing passes and assists. Xavi Alonso is one of the best defensive midfielders in today's football. These three must play the main role. , and if three players form a midfield, the ability to create opportunities and advance the ball will not be a problem at all. On the contrary, defense may be a major hidden danger.

But when he thought of this, Brian Kidd felt strange again.

What are Javi Martinez and Mascherano up to?

These two players cost a lot of money, so there is no reason to buy them as substitutes.

Is it to prepare for the double midfielder?

But when Brian Kidd raised his doubts, Gao Han laughed heartily.

"You're wrong, Brian."

I was wrong?

Brian Kidd is even more puzzling.

"Javi Martinez is a player that I have admired early on, but I have always believed that he should not appear in the midfield, because his development in the midfield will be very limited, but if he is in the defense, He will be the leader of the defense and a free agent like Sammer and Beckenbauer."

“He has an excellent ability to move the ball forward, an excellent passing ability, a strong ability to read the game, an excellent running ability, and the ability to press fiercely. I think he should appear at the back. Line of defense.”

Everyone present was a little surprised. They never expected that Gao Han would value a young midfielder from Athletic Bilbao so much. Is that Javi Martinez really as strong as Gao Han said?

Or does he really have the potential to become a player like Sammer and Beckenbauer?

But Gao Han obviously does not intend to continue to delve into this issue, because he has his own set of ideas. He is convinced that his sharp eye for seeing people will never be wrong, and Javi Martinez is definitely capable of becoming his team's defense commander. .

Of course, the premise is that he can play at a high level.

"My idea is very simple. The team's offense starts from the back line. The players in the back line and midfield all have excellent ball-taking and passing abilities to ensure that the team's midfield and backcourt pass and control, even if the opponent wants to Come on, we’re not afraid either.”

With superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká blocking the frontcourt, even if the opponent wants to press, they can't invest much force. With Gao Han's current lineup configuration, it may be difficult for any team to win against Manchester City. Possession of the ball.

"Among the three central defenders, the one in the middle must pay attention to tactics and be able to accurately find the right position at any time and direct the defense line to move up and down, left and right, while the two central defenders on the left and right must be fast, have excellent grabbing ability, and have the ability to attack. Sexuality, even acting as the team's full-back when necessary."

"And our midfielder must be both offensive and defensive. Not only can he organize and pass and control, but he can also intercept and press. He can form a barrier when defending. He can take advantage of organization and control when attacking. He even has to step in to support the frontcourt when necessary. attack."

According to the position map drawn by Gao Han, his midfielder is in a diamond position, without the role of a winger. Xavi Alonso is behind and Kaka is forward. This is basically no suspense. As for the two central players, The roles should be David Silva and Modric.

These two players are more flexible in position and can even be moved to the wing. They can be said to be the team's offensive core.

With the midfielders and backfielders firmly controlling the ball, the four frontcourt players must make full use of various methods such as pulling wide, retreating, and inserting, cross-changing positions, and take turns attacking the opponent's penalty area to create threats.

Everyone was a little surprised after hearing Gao Han's analysis.

Because according to what Gao Han said, Manchester City's passing and control advantages will be more obvious, and there will be more firepower points when attacking. No matter what kind of opponent they face, they can definitely play hearty offensive football.

But there are no perfect tactics and no perfect players in this world.

The three-four-three formation adopted by Gao Han is indeed an attempt to change, both in terms of play style and philosophy, and is very advanced, but the question is, can the players implement it in place? Is there really no problem with defense?

This is an answer that is definitely not possible in a short period of time, because it needs to be tested in a game, especially in a real Premier League match, and let famous coaches such as Ferguson, Wenger and Benitez give it a good try. Then dig out the loopholes and flaws of this style of play.

But there is one thing that everyone present is very sure of.

That is, Gao Han is not coaching Manchester City for money.

Because if he is just after money, he can use a more relaxed and comfortable way, which is also safer and more secure, and use the tactics he is accustomed to and good at. With Manchester City's financial resources and Gao Han's attractiveness, he can definitely build a Create an outstanding team and defeat all opponents.

But he didn't do that.

It's because he still has pursuits.