A football match is a bit like a turn-based game.
Both sides set up on the pitch and engage in an offensive and defensive battle.
A stronger team will attack more often. A weaker team will attack less often.
But they basically do not deviate from this pattern.
You advance, I retreat. After we win the ball, I advance, you retreat. After we lose the ball, you advance again, I retreat.
These are all very regular offensive and defensive rhythms.
What people often call changes in rhythm are usually adjustments to the speed of advancing and retreating.
Everyone is used to this rhythm.
But Gao Shen wanted to change his thinking this time.
"I think there is a possibility, that is, when Atletico press forward, we will not retreat, but press forward and push them back head-on. Once Atletico retreat, we will also retreat and play to our advantage in possession."
Gao Shen's idea was really interesting.
In a local area, it is actually quite easy to do.
For example, in the Spanish Super Cup, when Real Madrid faced Barcelona, Gao Shen's requirement for Modric was to suppress Iniesta, which meant pushing Iniesta back when he tried to move forward.
In that game, Iniesta played awkwardly and was seriously out of form.
Because he was too far from the attacking third.
But now, what Gao Shen wanted was for the entire team to do this in unison.
Xabi Alonso, Modric, and Toni Kroos are all very smart players and very good thinkers, which is why Gao Shen called them over to discuss.
After listening to Gao Shen, the three fell into deep thought.
"I think this is theoretically feasible, but to achieve it, many problems must be solved."
Xabi Alonso was the first to share his thoughts.
"For example, when Atletico press forward, do they have the ball?"
"If they have the ball, Atletico will advance very quickly and attack the flanks. If we also choose to press forward, the targeted setup of the back line will be crucial. We must also consider player coordination and defensive cover."
"If they do not have the ball, Atletico will usually press high. If we press forward then, passing and support are also key, because once the ball is intercepted, the defense behind us immediately faces the risk of a counterattack."
Xabi Alonso analyzed quickly.
He is a thoughtful player, calm and wise.
After his analysis, many situations became clearer.
"Of course, the benefits are also obvious. We are not playing at the normal tempo, and Atletico will definitely not adapt. This will impact them and may even create an advantage."
"At the very least, after disrupting Atletico's rhythm and tactical deployment, we will continue to drain their energy. When Atletico's players are close to exhaustion, we will get more opportunities."
Modric and Toni Kroos nodded repeatedly after hearing this.
Both are midfielders with both attacking and defensive qualities. Both are highly valued by Gao Shen. They built a strong understanding last season and are fully aware of Gao Shen's tactical requirements, so they understand the head coach's intentions.
To put it bluntly, they want to carve a gap in Atletico's iron wall.
Against a team like Los Colchoneros, you can only fight hard and not expect shortcuts.
"I think it should be possible," Modric added.
"Atletico play a 4-4-2, with two forwards, two wingers, and two central midfielders. If our back line can step up in time, our three midfielders can press as a unit to contain their two central midfielders. I think we can cut off their connection to the wingers and the two strikers."
Toni Kroos added, "At that point, Luka and I can shift wider. Even if we cannot completely contain them, we can force them to pass backward and take away the forward lanes."
The three midfielders began discussing on the spot, speaking one after another.
They are all top players with exceptional ability. Even the youngest, Toni Kroos, has rich experience. They all know clearly what may happen in such a high-intensity match.
Through this discussion, a rough framework emerged.
The more they discussed, the more feasible it seemed.
Not only that, it also involved how to continue to control the tempo after dropping off.
Real Madrid must control the rhythm, then use the tactic of retreating when the opponent retreats and advancing when the opponent advances to contain Atletico, constantly draining their stamina.
In high-level clashes like this, both sides expend a lot of energy, but the team with the initiative will often have more advantages.
When physical energy is consumed to a certain level, many gaps and hidden dangers will naturally be exposed.
Even if they are not, Real Madrid's players have individual superiority and can create local breakthroughs.
But a problem soon arose.
If you want to do this, how do you ensure an advantage in possession?
The three midfielders immediately looked at Gao Shen.
Gao Shen looked at the three world-class midfielders in front of him, then turned to Zidane and Hierro, and could not help laughing.
"What is so difficult about that? If Atletico want the ball, let them have it. We do not care."
Everyone was stunned at first, then understood and started laughing.
Right?
Is there anything more uncomfortable than making Atletico, a team built for counterattacks, play a possession game?
I guess Simeone will be furious.
Damn, Real Madrid, what are you doing? Come and fight for the ball!
Everyone could imagine Simeone's expression.
…
After talking with the three midfielders, Gao Shen quickly organized another discussion, this time with more people.
Casemiro, Pogba, Isco, Verratti, Illarramendi, and others were all called in.
The coaching staff also presented Gao Shen's earlier ideas and the discussion with the three midfielders, inviting everyone's opinions.
Although Gao Shen had not announced it publicly, everyone could guess that, barring accidents, Casemiro should replace Xabi Alonso in the starting lineup.
In fact, Casemiro had not been planned to play in the sixth round against Elche, but Illarramendi's performance was not good, forcing Gao Shen to bring Casemiro on.
But for this match against Atletico Madrid, Xabi Alonso could not play, and Casemiro would start.
Therefore, among the midfielders, Gao Shen attached the most importance to the Brazilian's view.
Casemiro found his footing and did not overthink it. He said he was determined to carry out the task and promised to cooperate well with Toni Kroos and Modric.
After the small-group chat, Gao Shen started a team-wide discussion.
When they first heard the proposal, many were surprised, but after in-depth discussion, they felt it was feasible.
They even brought up another idea that had been tried in a preseason friendly.
If Real Madrid's two full-backs pushed high to pin Atletico's wingers, they could form a back four with Toni Kroos and Modric.
At that time, Casemiro would need to cover and fill in behind, while also protecting the two center-backs. If necessary, he could even drop into the back line to make a back three.
The defenders also offered many suggestions, some of which were indeed workable. The forwards and wide players actively contributed ideas as well.
In the end, as the discussion went on, many became more and more excited. It even felt like it was getting out of control.
Gao Shen and the coaching staff became spectators, responsible only for guiding the discussion.
Those who play for a club like Real Madrid are among the top players in world football. Their game intelligence, on-field instincts, and understanding of football are truly exceptional.
Even legendary stars like Zidane and Hierro may not have the same depth of understanding as this group, because times have changed.
Therefore, the suggestions and ideas they offered were quite valuable.
During this discussion, Gao Shen gradually impressed upon them that facing a team like Atletico Madrid would undoubtedly be very difficult, but whoever held out to the end would win.
The stronger the contest, the more Real Madrid needed to remain patient and rational.
…
"After I retired from Real Madrid, I played for many teams."
After the meeting, the players were still very interested in the discussion, and many even pulled teammates aside to talk before leaving.
Of course, some ideas were wild, but many were practical.
Whether feasible or not, this kind of discussion among players is beneficial for the next match.
Hierro watched the players leave and felt emotional.
"I have never seen a team operate like us, you know? For a second, I felt like we were not a football team."
"Not like a football team? Then what did we look like?" Gao Shen found it funny.
Hierro thought for a moment and replied, "A university."
Gao Shen's first reaction was to deny it, but after thinking it over, it seemed true.
"Maybe it is because I have never played football that I always feel the feelings and understanding of the players on the front line are important. Their discussion just now strengthened that idea," Gao Shen said with a smile.
It is well known that Gao Shen loves to talk with players.
Behind that is the fact he always puts players first.
In the past, Zidane and the others did not feel this, but thinking about it now, it may really relate to Gao Shen's background.
Having never played professionally made him pay more attention to the players.
"Everyone, go back and rest well. Recharge. We are going to fight Atletico Madrid to the end. This damn game will make you spit blood."
Gao Shen waved his hand and prepared to go home to hold his child.
"And Manchester United. I gave Ferguson tickets. If he dares to come to the Bernabéu, I will let the old man see with his own eyes how I destroy his team."
(To be continued.)
***
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