Chapter 10 30 Meters Straight to the Ground
The Madrid derby is famous around the world, especially as Atletico Madrid is strong enough to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for the dominance of the La Liga title, the Madrid derby has become more popular.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have a head-on conflict at the competitive level. The pressure on the players on the field is very high, and it is normal for them to be emotionally difficult to control at a certain period of time.
At this time, clarity of mind is particularly important.
The heated atmosphere of the game has dropped significantly due to the referee's interference, but frequent physical confrontations still occur one after another.
Because Atletico Madrid's tactical play emphasizes physical contact and focuses on destruction.
After all, the technical gap is difficult to bridge and must be overcome by other means.
As the game time passed, the word physical fitness became an unforgettable gap between the two teams.
On the two international match days, both sides had a large number of international players, and they basically played two games. In addition, the physical exertion was very serious due to the fatigue of traveling and traveling. This game was also a very critical Madrid derby. No player thought about retaining their strength. Even three days later, the first Champions League group match of the new season will start.
In terms of physical exertion, Atletico Madrid players require more.
The full-court pressure and high-position pressure they are good at require a huge amount of physical energy. The team's international players participated in two more games on the international match day. Real Madrid players made many mistakes on the field, but they were all under tremendous pressure from Atletico Madrid players. As a result, the running distance is naturally less than Atletico Madrid. .
However, the Real Madrid players are all the main players in the team, and they must have participated in more game time than some Atletico Madrid players, so the game has declined to varying degrees in the 60 minutes.
The coverage area covered by players' running is reduced, and the enjoyment of the game is also reduced, because frequent physical confrontation is also a major attraction of football games.
Immediately, the on-site director gave a close-up shot to the coaches of both teams, and the close-up shot only lasted for Ancelotti.
The league has only started three rounds. If Real Madrid only gets one win and two draws in the first three rounds, it will have a huge impact on the subsequent league and Champions League.
Therefore, it is urgent for Ancelotti to try to make substitutions and adjustments.
Although the current Real Madrid lineup is very reasonable and luxurious, the targeted tactics deployed by Atletico Madrid are very successful. Except for Tang Zheng's sudden acceleration to create a penalty kick in the first half, Real Madrid's offense at other times lacks layering and threat. Sex is out of the question.
Of course,
The main reason was that the pressure from Atletico Madrid players was so great that Tang Zheng did not dare to try to penetrate deeper to participate in the attack.
In the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Tang Zheng used passes to connect the overall offense, control the rhythm and determine the direction of the attack. The offensive organization in the midfield and frontcourt was left to James Rodriguez and Isco.
It is undeniable that James Rodriguez and Isco are both geniuses, but their playing style determines the way they play, so it is difficult to free up their minds to organize offense under the crazy pressure of Atletico Madrid players.
Cristiano Ronaldo worked very hard, but had no choice but to fall into a solo situation many times. Benzema was even more isolated and helpless, disappearing for almost half of the game.
Two more minutes passed in the game, and what people didn't expect was that Atletico Madrid took the lead in making substitutions.
Turkish international Arda Turan replaced captain Gabi who was carrying a yellow card. He played the same position and performed the same duties as Gabi, protecting the safety of an area and paying attention to Tang Zheng who might participate in the attack.
Seeing again that Benzema failed to catch the cross under the defense of Godin and Miranda, Ancelotti shook his head and sighed, and then explained to his assistant Clement.
In the 66th minute, the live broadcast was broadcast to the sidelines. Real Madrid made the first substitution adjustment of the game. New aid Hernandez replaced Benzema.
At the same time, Atletico Madrid also made substitution adjustments, with Griezmann replacing Jimenez.
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Ancelotti's substitutions were only for alignment adjustments at the forward position. The tactical adjustments that fans wanted to see did not appear at all, even though Hernandez, who came on as a substitute, made a tactical gesture towards several Real Madrid players in the midfield. The change.
But there was not much change after the start of the game, and Hernandez's tacit understanding with Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Isco was basically zero.
Because Hernandez's loan signing was completed just before the end of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid did not even make the squad when they visited Real Sociedad. Then the international match day came, and Hernandez flew directly back to China to join the national team. During the game, there was no time to get in touch with the Real Madrid team.
There were no surprises. Hernandez seemed to be outside Real Madrid's overall tactics, and the effect was not as obvious as Benzema's.
Benzema's height and weight are there, and he has a tacit understanding with Cristiano Ronaldo. Although staying on the court will not have much effect, it can at least act as a deterrent.
Hernandez is less than 1.8 meters tall and his body cannot be compared with Godin or Miranda. One of his exaggerated falls to the ground after a physical contact even caused the referee Velacos to give him a verbal warning.
The substitution adjustments made by Atletico Madrid were very effective. Griezmann, who came off the bench, is a wide player with forward attributes. He has speed and skills, is not tall but has a strong ability to compete for the top in the penalty area.
If Arda Turan was restrained by Gabi's defensive actions after receiving a yellow card, then replacing Griezmann was to allow Atletico Madrid's offense to free up its hands and attack boldly.
Atletico Madrid's offense gradually threatened Casillas' goalkeeping, and the Atletico Madrid fans in the stands became more and more excited.
"Uuuuuuuuuu——"
The most difficult-to-serve Real Madrid fans in the world didn't know whether they turned against Atletico Madrid or were dissatisfied with Atletico Madrid, which mainly turned against the visitors. With their absolute numerical advantage, they made deafening boos.
The sound was so loud that even the fans sitting in front of the TV could hear it clearly and felt upset.
Both the Real Madrid players and the Atletico Madrid players on the field couldn't help but frowned, but they had strong psychological adjustment capabilities and quickly returned to the game after a short adaptation period.
The game continued. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti returned to the coaching bench, sat down, and then turned to exchange opinions with assistant Clement to see if any further adjustments to the lineup should be made.
If Atletico Madrid continues to attack like this, maybe it is really possible to score at this juncture.
There are not many players on the bench who have the ability to change the game.
Ultimately, the focus is on Toni Kroos.
Jese's return from injury was not in good shape, and Atletico Madrid's defense was impeccable, leaving no room for Jese to sprint, so the substitution effect was not great.
Illarramendi is not very capable, so he is okay against weak teams, but he is destined to be useless against strong teams like Atletico Madrid.
Then...the only choice is Germany's World Cup-winning midfielder Toni Kroos.
In the 72nd minute, Real Madrid made their second substitution adjustment of the game.
Looking at the electronic substitution number held up by the fourth official, Central 5 commentator He Wei said curiously: "When Kroos replaces Isco, is Kroos allowed to play directly as an attacking midfielder, or is it based on Tang Zheng's position, with Kroos replacing Isco?" Partner with Modric? Or use three defensive midfielders like in the Super Cup?"
As Toni Kroos and Isco completed the substitution handover ceremony and entered the stadium, the positions gradually became clear. Real Madrid's formation changed from the original 4-2-3 formation to the 4-3-2 formation tried in the Spanish Super Cup. type.
Toni Kroos, Tang Zheng and Modric serve as defensive midfielders, with Tang Zheng positioned further to the right. Toni Kroos and Modric are in front of him, one to the left and one to the right, respectively playing auxiliary defensive responsibilities.
When Real Madrid is on defense, the problem is not obvious, but when it comes to offense, the problem is very big, and the division of labor is not clear.
Last season, Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid was responsible for defense, Modric was responsible for connection and forward penetration, and Tang Zheng was responsible for offensive organization in the midfield and frontcourt. However, the opponent Atletico Madrid in this game was very strong. In order to ensure the safety of defense, Harbin had to play When Via Alonso left due to transfer, he served as a defensive midfielder. The three positions were very close to each other, so it was inevitable that there would be some mistakes in the specific division of labor.
It's not that Ancelotti's tactical division of labor is unclear, but that when Real Madrid's offense is tested by Atletico Madrid's defense, they lack someone who can share Tang Zheng's pressure.
Modric's body is thin and he cannot stand under the almost personal defense of Atletico Madrid players. Many short passes are made with one kick.
Toni Kroos has outstanding footwork and is very accurate in both short and long passes. Unfortunately, his tacit understanding with the Real Madrid players is never enough, and mistakes were made in the two long passes he just played, resulting in the ball being lost. .
Two consecutive pass errors made the Real Madrid fans in the stands extremely dissatisfied and booed.
Immediately, the broadcast screen showed Tang Zheng wearing the No. 10 jersey.
Real Madrid's offense was not smooth, and the offensive organization made frequent mistakes. It was obvious that the on-site director knew the ball very well, and he wanted Tang Zheng to do something.
In fact, Tang Zheng is also thinking of a way, but he is worried that the combination of Modric and Toni Kroos will not be able to complete effective defense when Atletico Madrid switches from defense to offense. After all, Modric has already received a yellow card.
The Madrid derby turned from two yellows to one red, an absolute disaster.
So Tang Zheng was waiting, waiting for that fleeting opportunity.
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Atletico Madrid has gradually created an offense with the possibility of scoring goals through two substitution adjustments, but Simeone, who was standing in the visiting team coach's command area, seemed not to be satisfied with the status quo, and made another substitution adjustment in the 78th minute.
Mario Suarez replaces Mandzukic.
It would be wrong to say that this adjustment is to strengthen defense. It is entirely to give new aid Griezmann more offensive space and to strengthen the ability to deliver artillery shells in the middle.
Alda Turan, Koke, Thiago, and Raul Garcia all have certain offensive organizing abilities. In addition, central defender Godin also has a precise long pass, which can create good opportunities when switching from defense to offense.
Atletico Madrid didn't have many offensive opportunities, but the threat was extremely high, so Ancelotti, who was standing in the home team coach's command area, was thinking...should he make the last adjustment?
During Ancelotti's hesitation, the game had reached the 85th minute.
The fanatical atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium has been significantly strengthened after a short period of downturn, so much so that the movements of the players on the field have shown signs of getting bigger again, and people are jumping on their backs one after another.
The referee on duty, Bellakos, realized some signs and decisively showed two yellow cards.
Both sides of the game restrained themselves under the stimulation of two yellow cards in a short period of time, and the game got back on track.
But Ancelotti was still thinking about how to adjust, because it was now at the end of the game. Toni Kroos's appearance did not relieve Tang Zheng's offensive organization pressure, but instead increased Tang Zheng's burden.
Ancelotti didn't know what effect the last adjustment would have, so he remained on hold.
Atletico Madrid once again switched from defense to offense, and the football quickly came to the feet of Arda Turan, who came on as a substitute in the second half. Koke, Thiago, Mario Suarez and Griezmann penetrated Real Madrid's defense in different directions. halftime.
Atletico Madrid players wearing red and white striped shirts are particularly obvious on the court and have a strong visual impact.
The Real Madrid fans in the stands subconsciously exclaimed: "Oh oh oh -"
Ancelotti, who was deep in thought, suddenly started to realize that something was wrong.
However, at this moment, a long leg suddenly appeared in the direct pass route sent by Arda Turan to Griezmann.
"Tang Zheng!!!"
Central 5 commentator He Wei subconsciously shouted.
Tang Zheng's timing when he fell to the ground and shoveled was very good, and his foot shape was also very good. He just used his instep to block the football.
Cork was in the running route of Tang Zheng's interception, so he stopped on the spot, and then stretched out his foot to poke the ball. However, Tang Zheng's feet were faster. When he fell to the ground, he poked the ball to Tony Ke next to him with his toes. Ross.
Toni Kroos had a wide field of vision after receiving the ball. He had already raised his right foot and was about to pass it directly to Cristiano Ronaldo, but his ears suddenly heard Tang Zheng shouting: "Tony, pass it forward to me!"
Instinctively, Toni Kroos quickly closed his foot and used the arch of his foot to push the ball forward.
At this time, Tang Zheng was also rolling and crawling, steadying his body and running forward.
After starting up, Tang Zheng stretched out his foot to stop the ball and accelerated to dribble the ball towards the center circle.
The exclamations that rang out over the Bernabeu Stadium suddenly turned into loud shouts, deafening: "Ooooooooo-"
Facing Thiago's frontal defense, Tang Zheng quickly feinted a shot above the football with his right foot, and then flicked the ball to the left with the outside instep of his left foot.
Pass people on a bicycle!
Thiago, who ran the game for nearly ninety minutes, was already stretched thin in terms of physical fitness and had no time to react to Tang Zheng's realistic fake moves.
Tang Zheng, who passed Thiago, did not dribble the ball again. The moment Arda Turan stepped forward, he used the arch of his left foot to send a through ball that was more than 30 meters on the ground.
After Tang Zheng completed the pass, he stood on tiptoe with his left foot and jumped quickly to avoid a fierce tackle from Alda Turan.
The football stuck to the turf and rolled quickly with the toes of Arda Turan's right foot, towards the space in the ribs between Godin and Juanfran.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who disappeared for most of the second half, was running like a wild horse. Juanfran did not hold him behind him, and could only watch Cristiano Ronaldo take the ball and enter the penalty area...