Gao Bo stood on the sidelines, and after the pre-match ceremony ended, he went to shake hands with Benitez to show his respect.
Gao Bo had wanted to meet this tactical mastermind for a long time. He had often heard of Benitez's name before, but he didn't expect to actually meet him as an opponent.
The immense clamor of Wembley made people feel as if they were in a furnace. Gao Bo and Benitez shook hands, and neither of them spoke. After shaking hands, they left.
The two head coaches were opponents at this time. Although there were no personal grudges between the two sides before the game, on the field, enemies should look like enemies.
Gao Bo was wearing a black suit jacket, with a white shirt tucked into black suit pants. The well-fitting suit made him look heroic and energetic. Standing next to Benitez, who was round and plump, the contrast between the two in appearance was worlds apart.
However, football matches are not model pageants. People will not think that Luton can compete with Liverpool in strength just because Gao Bo looks much better than Benitez.
In fact, Gao Bo's appearance is undoubtedly a disadvantage in the football coaching industry -- he is too young, so young that people will subconsciously doubt whether such a young Chinese man, a young lad, can really lead and manage a team?
"The contrast between the two head coaches is like the contrast between the two teams. Compared with Liverpool, Luton is too young!" Wrightkinson sat in the commentary box, next to Liverpool legend Little Redknapp.
Wrightkinson wanted to find a Luton legend, but he couldn't think of any players who had played for Luton who were still active in the media.
"Vardy: 22 years old!"
"Kanté: 18 years old!"
"Charlie Austin: 20 years old!"
"Drinkwater: 19 years old!!"
...
Wrightkinson counted the ages of Luton's players: "Gao Bo seems to be very good at training young players into what he wants them to be. Luton's youth team, under the leadership of Gao Bo, is full of vitality!!"
"Luton seems to have changed its formation in this game. Compared with their regular starting lineup, there are two personnel changes! Adam White and Hassan Ali have replaced Lewis Emanuel and Soro Davies! I don't know if this change is a positional change, or if Luton has also changed its formation? We will only be able to see clearly through the following games."
"These are two very young and promising players!!" Little Redknapp added from the side, "Luton is likely to have tactical changes! They have been in closed training for ten days!"
"No media can get any news from them!"
Wrightkinson nodded in agreement. He felt that Gao Bo would not be deliberately mystifying. He must have some special tricks to use.
Just like when they played Chelsea last time, Adam appeared as a surprise soldier?!
Wrightkinson suddenly thought of that game, and he suddenly felt that Adam, who started this game, might bring surprises!
...
Gao Bo did indeed put the tactical focus of the first half on Adam!
"Can I use a card on two people in one game?"
At this time, Gao Bo opened the football card system.
The system's mechanical voice appeared along with the screen.
"The cooldown time after the card is switched is five hours!"
Gao Bo sighed. He thought it was a BUG!
For example, he could first use the speed card and dribbling card on Adam, and then use these two cards on Vardy or Charlie in the second half.
Now, the five-hour cooldown time obviously blocked his way out.
Gao Bo just asked tentatively, and he immediately equipped the cards.
Five card slots, equip five cards!
[Match Card (Blue): Team's tackle success rate increased by 15%]
[Match Card (Blue): Sharp Counterattack, using this card can increase the team's counterattack success rate by 15%!!]
These two cards must be used. In addition, he has several new cards that can be used. In the first half, he plans to use these three cards!
[Match Card (Green): Speed increased by 15%, designated player "Adam White" to use!]
[Match Card (Green): Dribbling increased by 15%, designated player "Adam White" to use!]
Once these two cards are used, Adam on the left can be used completely as Roberto Carlos on the right!
In addition, after careful consideration, Gao Bo still used this card:
[Match Card (Green): Goalkeeper save success rate increased by 15%, designated player "Claude Londo" to use!]
The goalkeeper is the last line of defense on the back line, and Gao Bo attaches great importance to this position.
He hopes that after using this card, Claude can become Luton's Buffon!
Gao Bo had expectations for Claude in his heart...
...
The players from both sides stood on the field, waiting for the start of the game.
The referee was already synchronizing watches with the referee team on the sidelines.
Benitez frowned as he looked at Luton's formation.
433?
Although 433 is generally considered to be an offensive formation, Benitez has also learned about defensive 433s.
Mourinho likes to put three defensive players in the midfield and then let the three forwards return to the midfield to participate in defense. This is a meat grinder-style 433!
Benitez guessed that Gao Bo was likely to adopt this method as well. However, the reason why he switched to 433 shows that Luton has some other ideas on the offensive end. At least they have a trident in the frontcourt, which can provide an extra point of contact during counterattacks!
The more Benitez thought about it, the more he felt that this was the case.
He was now a little relieved.
442 and 433, the formations are different, but they both play defensive counterattacks.
Benitez glanced at Gao Bo standing on the other side.
Want to win by playing these little tricks?
Benitez looked at Gao Bo's calm face and felt a little uneasy again.
What kind of medicine is the other party selling in his gourd?
Just as Benitez was thinking, the referee blew his whistle, signaling the start of the game!
"Okay, audience friends, the 2008-2009 FA Cup final officially begins!!"
Commentators from all walks of life started this game in their own languages.
Torres kicked the ball to Gerrard and then turned and ran forward.
Lella and Kuyt on both sides also turned forward!
Like Luton, Liverpool is also a 433!
But their 433 is of course an offensive 433!
Gerrard's position is very forward. When necessary, he can even appear as an attacking midfielder or even a shadow striker.
Liverpool's two wingers were very wide, and the ball was passed to Xabi Alonso!
No Luton players stepped forward around this Spanish midfielder. He looked at the positions of Liverpool's two wingers and then directly made a long pass!
Liverpool launched an attack at the beginning of the game!! Luton's formation is also very far back, even the forward Vardy has not crossed the halfway line!
Benitez was a little relieved!
The other party did not jump out of his control, but simply changed the formation.
Parking the bus in front of the goal and playing defensive counterattacks!
No surprises!
Benitez breathed a sigh of relief.
Deliberately mystifying!
He looked at the positions of Luton's players on the field and complained in his heart.
Nothing more than defense and counterattack. Liverpool has been prepared for this for a long time!