I still remember that before the game against Roma last season, Gao Shen once said when mentioning Perrotta that head coaches often employ people with strong inertia.
Sometimes you may not really understand the role of a player, but you use it, win, get used to it, and then continue.
This situation is actually very common, and it can even be regarded as a tacit understanding, that is, not to make adjustments when the team is winning consecutively. But Spalletti sometimes doesn't think so.
In the first seven rounds of Serie A, Roma has a clear dividing line.
In the three rounds, Roma won three consecutive victories while conceding no goals. However, in the next three rounds, Roma scored five goals but also conceded eight goals. This actually proves that the Red Wolves' defense can show up.
Problem.
In the Champions League, Roma scored two goals and conceded one goal in the first two rounds, winning one and losing one. They defeated Dynamo Kiev 2-0 at home and lost to Manchester United 0-1 away.
Why is this so?
Studying the starting lineup of Roma in these games, it is not difficult to find that in fact, in the first two rounds when the defense performed the most stably, the main central defenders were the veterans Panucci and Mexes, which made Roma's defense impregnable.
But then, Brazilian central defenders Juan and Ferrari became Spalletti's new favorites, and Panucci became a substitute.
The main reason is that these two short central defenders need to be more flexible and more suitable for Roma's wolf-pack tactics.
In comparison, Panucci is too old, and coupled with Mexes, whom Spalletti is not satisfied with, the Roma coach feels that when these two central defenders partner up, Roma's backcourt mobility will be very difficult.
Be a problem..
As early as when Spalletti coached Roma, Mexers lost his main position for a time. Spalletti made more use of Kufuor, who had transferred from Bayern. However, with Kufuor's injury, Mexers was
Only then did he gradually gain a foothold.
Last season, Spalletti preferred to use Chiwu and Mexes to partner, and the defense was led by Chiwu. This was also Chiwu's best season, and for a high price of 16 million euros,
Transferred to Inter Milan, so Spalletti was not willing to use the combination of Panucci and Mexes, but wanted to replace Qi with Juan or Ferrari, two central defenders similar in size to Chiwu.
Wu's position, partnered with Mexes.
But who would have thought that in the following rounds of games, Roma's defense would have major problems and almost become a colander.
But what is interesting is that in the seventh round away game against Parma, Spalletti started Panucci on the right, with Ferrari and Juan partnering as central defenders. As a result, Roma once again conceded a clean sheet.
I have to say that this is really a bit elusive.
Panucci performed well this season. When Materazzi was injured, Italian national team coach Donadoni still trusted him quite a bit, and he is a versatile player who can play as a central defender." Lucas analyzed.
Previously, after Cannavaro Jr. was selected for the national team, the reason why he could not partner with Cannavaro to stage a brother legend was partly due to the influence of Panucci. After all, the Roma defender performed too well at the time.
"But the better he performs in the national team, the more likely it is to affect his position in the club. After all, his age is there, and his characteristics have never been appreciated by Spalletti."
When talking about this, Lucas believed that Roma's defense would be an important breakthrough point in the game. At the same time, he also mentioned another weakness, which is set-piece defense.
"The second goal against Juventus and the first goal against Fiorentina were one from a foul kick and one from a corner kick. We can find that there are still some problems with Roma's set-piece defense, and this will also be a breakthrough point.
"According to the intelligence feedback from the scouts, Roma has indeed not practiced set kicks for a long time." After Lucas finished his analysis, assistant coach Carlo also responded,
He agreed that Lucas's analysis must be unfamiliar if he hasn't practiced it for a long time, especially some of the coordination routines and the feel of free throws.
"I think Spalletti is a bit like Zeman now, he only cares about offense but not defense, so Roma's offense is very sharp now, but defense is very problematic.
Carlo's words are actually some summaries of Lucas' analysis.
Gao Shen had been spinning his ballpoint pen. Hearing this silently, he suddenly stopped and said with a smile: "So, we can only take defensive measures. Attacking Rome is too risky and not cost-effective."
Carlo and the others smiled.
In fact, Gao Shen is not as principled as the outside world imagines. If we must say that he is very principled, then Gao Shen's principle is to win.
Therefore, as long as he can win, he doesn't even mind putting up an iron barrel formation.
Of course, nowadays, there are probably not many teams in European football that can force Naples to set up a tight formation.
At least not in Serie A.
But defensive counterattack can still be used.
"I suggest you stimulate Spalletti a little more." Lucas gave Gao Shen a tacit look, as if to coax him into giving Spalletti some eye drops.
Gao Shen was a little depressed, "You are forcing me to be bad!"
Everyone fell down laughing.
Are you starting to pretend to be innocent now?
"You don't need to learn, you are already very bad!" Lucas laughed.
"I'm obviously a beautiful boy with a bright heart, but you forced me to become a conspirator. How can I get a wife like this?" Gao Shen said with a "despair" look on his face.
Everyone was joking and quickly discussed targeted tactics and training arrangements. Gao Shen also gave some of his own ideas on the overall situation of the game, but in the next few days he would have to polish it in detail, especially considering the country. The impact of team competition on both sides.
At the end of the discussion, Lucas suddenly told Gao Shen another thing.
"David... came to practice again today."
After everyone heard this, they all immediately looked at Gao Shen.
After playing against Inter Milan, in addition to training the next morning, Gao Shen gave the team a day off, which was the afternoon of the next day and the morning of the following day. However, David Luiz came over to train on his own during these two days.
In fact, David Luiz did very well in the recovery training the next morning.
The Brazilian player is optimistic by nature and is very popular in the locker room, but his mistake against Inter Milan was indeed painful.
Everyone knows that Gao Shen wanted to take revenge at Inter Milan's Meazza Stadium, but was screwed up by David Luiz. Especially after he made a big show of his temper in the locker room, no one dared to defend David Luiz. Open your mouth.
Lucas is Gao Shen's confidant, and he waited until now to speak out.
You got so angry that you really scared him." Lucas said with a bitter smile.
Gao Shen laughed twice and asked, "Can he change?"
Lucas was speechless. Who can guarantee this?
David Luiz has this kind of character. He is good because he is really positive and optimistic, but he is bad because he is really reckless and often makes low-level mistakes.
In fact, the reason why the coaching staff didn't speak up was because they felt that it might not be a bad thing to take the opportunity to get through this kid and polish his character. After all, his impetuous and reckless character is the biggest obstacle to him becoming a better central defender.
.
Everyone can see that Gao Shen is actually deliberately training him.
"Stay with him for a while longer. If this guy is hot for three minutes, I think he can last for a few days! Gao Shen thought for a while and said.
"Lorenzo, please tell the team doctor to pay attention to his body and prevent him from getting injured."
After hearing this, Buenaventura nodded, "Don't worry, I'll talk to him later."
Gao Shen sighed deeply, shook his head and said: "Asshole, this kid doesn't even bother to work hard!"
Everyone felt funny.
In fact, Gao Shen really cares about David Luiz.
Not only him, everyone in Naples likes this kid, and coupled with his talent and potential, it is really hard to put it down.
But unfortunately, his recklessness really caused people a headache.
All in all, annoying!
In the following period, Gao Shen paid close attention to the national team's games, especially the situation of the national football players. On the other hand, he led the team to prepare for the game, especially the game arrangements for Roma.
The coaching staff also began to arrange more targeted training programs for Roma.
During this period of time, David Luiz has been working very hard in training. He is even the hardest-working player in the team and has meticulously completed all arrangements made by the coaching staff.
But his face also lost the smile of the past.
It seems like he is a player who made a mistake and wants to make amends and please his coach.
However, Gao Shen never gave him a good look and kept tolerating him like this.
After every training session, David Luiz would take the initiative to stay and practice more.
Or practice long passes, practice free kicks, or go to the gym for strength training...
Everyone can see that he is really working hard.
Lucas, Carlo, Buenaventura and others all told Gao Shen about this matter one after another, but Gao Shen never took the initiative to talk to him and continued to endure it.
It's like boiling an eagle. If you want to eliminate its wildness and ferocity, you have to work hard to boil it. Only when it can no longer bear it can it be considered tamed.
Gao Shen also wants to tame David Luiz now.
If a draw against Inter Milan can bring about a change in David Luiz and usher in a world-class central defender for Naples, Gao Shen feels it is a good deal.
Even, great value!
Therefore, Gao Shen endured him like this.
It wasn't until the second week of the national team match that David Luiz finally couldn't bear it anymore.
After one day's training session, all the players left. When Gao Shen was about to leave the Konami Training Center, David Luiz suddenly appeared and stopped in front of Gao Shen.
"Boss... David Luiz mustered up the courage and looked directly at Gao Shen. Gao Shen was shocked, but he was not afraid because he didn't think David Luiz would beat him.
Although the Brazilian looks a bit fierce at the moment.
But I still have some confidence and depth.
"Is something wrong?" Gao Shen asked coldly.
David Luiz took a deep breath and said harshly: "I want to treat you to dinner. I have something to tell you."
Gao Shen looked at his appearance and felt secretly happy in his heart, but on the surface he remained calm.
