amaotonovel Chapter 146 Preparing for Santos
Chapter 146 Preparing for Santos
Chapter 146 Preparing for Santos
When it comes to the three words "Santos", even if it is not thunderous, it can be said that it is a century-old giant in world football.
If it is said that Meazza made Inter Milan and Beckenbauer made Bayern Munich, then it must be Pele who made Santos, because it used to be Pele's parent team, which gave Santos a place in Brazil and even the world.
Of course, for most people, Pele's era is too long, and most people know the Santos club because of Robinho, this "cycling boy" became famous in the Santos team.
When Guangzhou Tianbao was about to face Santos, without Stan saying anything, the whole team was naturally excited. This should be a truly rich team that Stan has encountered since leading the team.
The duel was scheduled for December 12. After the Monterey match, Stan's team would have 13 days to rest. Stan's arrangement was to have the first 4 days off, the next day for physical recovery, and the last day for closed training that was not open to the media. He had to practice specific tactics.
During the two days off, the team members went shopping in Yokohama. Li Qiao called home to ask if they wanted anything. His parents said they didn’t need anything, and there was nothing missing at home. Li Qiao called Diana again. Christmas would be soon, and this was the first Christmas after they confirmed their relationship. He wanted to ask Diana what gift she wanted.
Diana said mischievously: "Choose it yourself and see if you can surprise me",
Li Qiao rolled her eyes in her heart, thinking, "A woman's heart is really hard to understand."
"Can I give you a hint?" Li Qiao asked.
Diana chuckled and said, "It won't be a surprise if you remind me."
"I was reminded of Tom Cruise's 'Mission Impossible,'" Joe Lee said.
Diana just laughed and didn't say anything, but Li Qiao promised to do her best.
"Hehe, then I wish you the best of luck in the game, come back later," Diana said.
"Well, thank you for your good words."
*****
When the players were on vacation, Stan kept watching the game in the hotel, and would make a few phone calls from time to time to ask for information. Stan has his own "sports data company", and they will provide Stan with the player information he wants.
But the more he watched, the more Stan’s headache became, because the opponent was indeed far stronger than himself. Santos is the kind of team with good overall strength and outstanding personal ability. Look at the names in their starting list-"Neymar", "Ganso", "Danilo" and so on, all of them are Brazilian international players.
It is very difficult for Stan to find the opponent's flaws. Even if he can find them, the strength of our team is not enough to take advantage of the fleeting opportunities.
Not only that, Santos also has the best goalkeeper of the new generation in Brazil "Rafael". The young Rafael has already had transfer scandals with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Naples and other European teams. He is also considered to be the successor of Brazil's national team after Cesar.
Sometimes Stan feels that being a head coach is a very lonely job. No matter how difficult it is, you have to pretend to be full of confidence in front of the players. How can those happy players who are shopping now know that their head coach is scratching their heads and thinking about ways to defeat the enemy.
In fact, after winning the first game, the domestic media was very satisfied. No one would expect that Guangzhou Tianbao could beat Santos.
But Stan himself doesn't think so. Now he seems to be able to touch Barcelona. At this time, it is difficult for him to accept that his success has fallen short. This is why Stan is under a lot of pressure.
But the objective gap is real, and this is not something that can be changed tactically. What should we do?
Stan picked up the glass again, "Let's relax your mind first", Stan thought.
After thinking about it, an unexpected idea appeared in Stan's mind, that is-to fight against the opponent.
The opponent's strength is too strong. If the game is really lost, then Stan hopes to lose decently. Stan doesn't want to leave the field in a state of embarrassment. He wants to fight against the opponent. Even if he loses by 5 goals, the score on his side must not be 0.
After having this idea, Stan immediately sat down and drew back and forth on the tactical board. After drawing a few times, Stan was dissatisfied, and erased all of them, and started again. Just like this over and over again, Stan finally had a satisfactory tactical idea, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
*****
On the last day of training, Stan came to the training ground. Pekovic distributed vests to the players according to Stan's request. The players who wore the red vests were the players who would start against Santos.
And when Pekovic finished distributing the vest, Recoba found that he didn't get the red vest, he was a little dissatisfied, and asked Stan for an explanation.
Stan explained to him. Recoba understood the coach's tactical arrangement and reluctantly accepted it. After all, no team member wanted to miss the semi-finals of the Club World Cup. Although Recoba also knew that he was getting older, his desire for the game was still the same as when he was 20 years old.
Stan's training is like putting together building blocks, first the part and then the whole. He likes to let people from different positions practice together.
For example, 4 people in the back line practice together, 2 midfielders practice together, and 3 forwards practice together. In short, a line is a tactical unit in Stan's mind.
While practicing, Pekovic was surprised to find that Li Qiao, who was supposed to practice with Kongka and Hasler, ran to practice with Gudjohnsen.
Pekovic yelled at Li Qiao, "Pay attention to your position."
But Li Qiao just pointed at Stan after hearing it, which means that it was arranged by Stan.
"Stan, your new tactic"?Pekovic asked.
"Not really, just try it out"
Pekovic looked at it. If Stan used to practice together, that is, people on the same line, then the formation used by Stan in the game against Santos was 4-2-2-2, which is an unprecedented formation.
"4222? Stan, are you going to do this against Santos"?
Stan smiled and said: "Don't be so rigid, the formation is dead, the movement is alive, you can imagine it as 4232".
"What? That's not 12 people"?Pekovic asked a little surprised.
"This time you can be half right, I am going to let Li Qiao play two positions by himself",
Pekovic does not deny that Li Qiao is very capable, but one person plays the position of two people?Can that body bear it?
Stan also saw Pekovic's concerns, and said: "So I kept Recoba. My expectation is that Li Qiao will only play half of this game. If we can lead at half time, then I will send Recoba in the second half."
"That is to let Li Qiao use up his physical fitness for 90 minutes in 45 minutes, so as to gain the advantage of 12 people in the half," Pekovic said.
Stan nodded.
Pekovic knew that facing a strong opponent, it was impossible to win without surprise, but was it reliable?What if there is no lead at halftime?
Stan also understands this, but the difference between the winners and the losers at the critical moment is that the winners can fight, while the losers cannot.
Stan also thought about the consequences of playing badly. It is likely to be slaughtered by the opponent. The opponent’s offensive player is world-class. You give him 10 chances, and he can catch 9 of them. If you play against each other, then Neymar is the happiest.
But Stan wanted to win so much, even at the risk of being beaten to death, he was willing to give it a try.
*****
Of course, CCTV will also broadcast this crucial battle live. Not only that, Shen Fangjian and Tao Wei, who commented, also came to Yokohama to explain the game for everyone on the spot.
Because Santos is the champion of the Copa Libertadores, they don't need to participate in the previous games and start directly from the semi-finals.
Their appearance tonight is the first time this Club World Cup has appeared in front of fans, and they have sent exactly the same lineup as they did in the Copa Libertadores.
Goalkeeper: Rafael
Defenders: Danilo, Dracena, Leo, Durval
Back midfielder: Enrique, Bruno.
Avant-garde line: Aloka, Ganso, Borges
Forward: Neymar
It's a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The head coach is "Merrisi Ramalho".
The change in Guangzhou Tianbao's game is that Hassler replaced Recoba in the game, and the other positions are the same as the previous game.
*****
"Director Tao, do you think Guangzhou Tianbao can enter the final?" Shen Fangjian asked.
"It's very difficult. To be honest, it's unlikely."
"This seems to be the first time since we commented on Guangzhou Tianbao, Director Tao is not optimistic about Guangzhou Tianbao," Shen Fangjian said.
Tao Wei smiled, "I hope Guangzhou Tianbao can create miracles, but there is indeed a gap in strength."
"Yes, maybe winning is a bit too demanding, but I think our team can still score a goal," Shen Fangjian said.
"I have confidence in this. Coach Stan has never been a character who can be bullied by others," Tao Wei said.
"Yes, I think of the game against Buriram",
"But the two opponents are not the same," Tao Wei said.
"So do you have any expectations for this game?"
"The biggest expectation is of course Santos' Brazilian star Neymar, and our Li Qiao. I hope that the affairs of the national team will not affect Li Qiao's mentality."
"Yes, I hope Li Qiao can continue his excellent performance in the AFC Champions League," Shen Fangjian said.
"The referee for this match is Yuichi Nishimura, who is more familiar to the Chinese, and he will also referee the final match," Shen Fangjian said.
Because it is the champion of the Copa Libertadores against the champion of the AFC Champions League, the "Yokohama International Arena" is full of seats in this game. With the whistle of the referee, a big battle is about to begin.
Thank you readers who have always supported me
(End of this chapter)