"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter! Get back quickly and prepare to defend again!"
Gao Shen shouted loudly from the sidelines.
Cavani got a good opportunity and could have scored the first goal for the team in the eighth minute, but unfortunately, he failed to grasp it, but there was nothing he could do about it.
No matter how good a scorer is, it's impossible for him to achieve a 100% shooting percentage, right?
"Calm down, don't be in a hurry, take your time, just like you did just now."
"Pay attention to the second landing point, control the situation, don't worry!"
Gao Shen kept shouting and directing the team from the sidelines.
The first point of Barcelona's goal kick was definitely grabbed by Naples, and the second point was also controlled by Naples. However, Barcelona's counterattack was also very strong, trying to steal the ball in the Naples half.
But Naples is not a fuel-saving lamp. They passed the ball continuously, dumped the ball, and finally passed it back to the goalkeeper.
Eto'o got close to the goalkeeper, but Handanovic quickly passed the ball to David Luiz.
When it comes to passing and controlling the ball, Napoli is definitely not weak, but the two sides have very different philosophies.
Naples spotted an opportunity and directly sent the ball to the frontcourt with a long pass.
Barcelona is different from Naples. They want to stabilize possession of the ball, so their offense seldom passes long balls, but more slowly advances. This is also related to Barcelona's philosophy.
To use what Gao Shen joked with Guardiola in private: If he loses the ball, he won't know how to play.
After kicking the first shot of the game, it proved that Gao Shen's tactics in the opening game were effective.
Therefore, he is not anxious at all and continues to ask the team to be patient.
…
Guardiola is also not in a hurry. He is still constantly adjusting the team's formation, especially the offensive formation.
Napoli's midfield was very targeted tonight.
Cavani dropped back to pinch Busquets, Rakitic, Biglia and Thiago Motta looked a bit like a three-midfielder formation, but the positioning was exactly right for Barcelona.
Xavi and Iniesta.
As soon as Messi retreated, their central defender did not follow him, but the midfielder did.
This is the advantage of having one more player in the midfield after Cavani retreats.
But in this way, Barcelona's two central defenders can get more ball control and freedom.
Guardiola knew Gao Shen so well that he never believed that Gao Shen had good intentions and wanted to let Barcelona's central defender control the ball and organize.
"He's waiting for Yaya Toure to step forward!" Guardiola gritted his teeth.
Vilanova was stunned for a moment, but immediately figured out what Guardiola meant.
Did Gao Shen deliberately let Yaya Toure drive forward with the ball?
"Don't doubt it, Tito. This guy is very cunning. He always does things without leakage. He will not miss the central defender like this."
When Guardiola said this, his face looked a little solemn.
In fact, he was also a little worried about Yaya Toure.
In the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao, Yaya Toure performed very well. His goal was crucial to Barcelona, which gave Guardiola almost no reason to stop and suppress him.
But unfortunately, it is definitely a taboo for the central defender to advance with the ball.
If the ball is intercepted, the damage caused will be greater and more painful than what happened to Alves just now.
Among Barcelona's central defenders, Pique is slow to turn and has poor tracking ability. Originally, Puyol was the most suitable partner, and Guardiola has always arranged it this way, but Puyol is very good at attacking and has physical confrontation.
It's weak.
If Puyol and Pique partner up and encounter a strong high forward, Barcelona will be at a huge disadvantage.
So Guardiola tried Yaya Toure.
This midfielder is a hidden danger in the fourth position, but when he comes to the central defender, he often drives forward.
However, he performed so well, and his presence greatly made up for the weaknesses and deficiencies of Barcelona's defense.
So now, Guardiola also has a love-hate relationship with him.
"Tito, you have to keep an eye on Yaya Toure and don't let him get crazy!" Guardiola reminded.
Vilanova glanced at Guardiola and wondered if he was making a fuss out of a molehill?
But he still nodded and agreed.
Gao Shen has a great reputation, and Naples is indeed very strong, so they cannot be careless.
But Vilanova is different from the paranoid Guardiola. He is more tolerant of players like Yaya Toure. Unlike Guardiola, who almost goes for zero mistakes.
…
When Barcelona's ball enters the frontcourt, it never gets faster, so the entire rhythm of Barcelona's kicking is almost unchanged.
They just keep passing the ball, back-footing, pulling back and forth, and passing forward from time to time to try to pass the ball. After receiving the ball in front, they are not sure enough, so they always choose to knock back and reorganize.
Ball possession is the lifeline of this team.
But fifteen minutes into the game, Barcelona suddenly accelerated the pace of the game, especially the pressing intensity in the midfield and frontcourt.
Obviously, Barcelona also realizes that continuing to confront Naples like this is not a good thing for them.
In the 18th minute, Barcelona created an opportunity. Messi scored the ball from the front of the penalty area. After Henry got the ball on the left, facing Lichtenstein, he suddenly accelerated and threw away the Swiss right back.
The flat ball was passed to the front of the small penalty area.
When Eto'o crossed in front of the goal, he was interfered by David Luiz. When he forced his kick, his shot was blocked by the Brazilian central defender and failed to threaten the goal.
Then, Xavi quickly took a corner kick, and Pique grabbed the spot, but it was too high.
This was Barcelona's second shot of the game.
"Napoli's defense is very well organized."
"They did not use the traditional positional defense. Instead, they created a tight defensive zone from the center line to the 30-meter area of their own side. Once Barcelona penetrated it, they immediately positioned themselves to defend."
"The players switch very skillfully and smoothly in this style of play. It seems that they have gone through many rehearsals before the game."
After an unsuccessful attack, Barcelona did not just give up, but tasted the sweetness.
In fact, Barcelona has always insisted on pressing and pressing from a high position. Now that they seize the opportunity, of course they still want to go all out and completely suppress Naples.
It would be best to score a goal and resolve the ten-minute stalemate at the beginning of the game.
Gao Shen kept calling on the players on the sidelines, telling them to stabilize their position and stay patient.
"Naples played very steadily, while Barcelona increased their counterattack and pressure in the midfield and frontcourt."
"The current situation is very stressful for both sides."
"The pace of the game is a bit slow, but if anyone can score first, I believe the game will be much better than it is now."
"There is no name game in the competition, but as long as there is a goal and the situation is broken, it will immediately become different."
Barcelona gradually pushed the defense line near the center line, with Pique and Yaya Toure both kicking near the center line. The forwards had already reached the edge of Naples' penalty area, but they still failed to get many opportunities.
Messi frequently pulled back from the front to respond, but every time he advanced with the ball, he was surrounded by people.
Naples has deployed heavy troops in this area, obviously to create a cage for Messi.
But judging from the scene, Barcelona is indeed gradually gaining more advantages.
It really looks like a cannon is set up and ready to fire at any time.
The situation still seemed calm, but secretly, some people began to feel restless.
…
"They all said that when we advance the defense line to the center line, it proves that we are about to launch a general attack!"
In the chairman's stand, Barcelona's president Laporta laughed, obviously full of confidence in this game and sure of victory.
Barcelona is full of stars. Although Naples performed well, it is not as good as Barcelona in terms of club influence and team lineup.
More importantly, there have been rumors that after tonight's Champions League final, Gao Shen will announce that he will leave Naples and coach Real Madrid. This is undoubtedly something that Barcelona is very unwilling to see.
The best result is that Barcelona defeats Naples tonight and Guardiola defeats Gao Shen, giving him a huge boost.
Even if Gao Shen takes over Real Madrid, the impact on Barcelona will be within a controllable range.
Otherwise, Real Madrid's continuous big moves this summer, coupled with Gao Shen's return, will have a huge impact on Barcelona.
"Naples' tactics are indeed very stable and their defense is also very good, which is difficult to deal with." Technical Director Begiristain reminded.
Many times, the situation on the football field is a blessing and a curse.
Now Barcelona seems to have the advantage, but with Naples' tenacity and tenacity, if they are really caught with the opportunity to fight back, Barcelona will be very dangerous and must not be careless.
In other words, the scene is definitely not as optimistic as Laporta said.
But when the Barcelona president praises Haikou in front of many guests and guests, no one actually cares.
"What's so hard to deal with? Look at the current situation, we will win tonight!"
Laporta didn't take Begiristain's words to heart. He is full of confidence in Barcelona this season.
As long as he defeats Naples tonight and wins the Triple Crown, he will start seeking re-election.
He wants to become greater than Nunez and others, and even become the greatest and most successful president in the history of Barcelona!
As if responding to Laporta's call, at this moment, Barcelona launched another wave of attacks in the stadium.
First, Alves stepped in from the right, cooperated with Eto'o, and tried to pass the ball into the penalty area, but was blocked by David Luiz at the front point, but the ball still fell at the feet of Xavi on the outside of Barcelona.
.
As soon as Xavi stopped the ball, Biglia had already rushed forward.
Just when the Barcelona midfielder was about to get away, Biglia tripped Xavi.
Referee Weber signaled a foul and gave Barcelona a free kick opportunity in the frontcourt, but still no card was given.
This made the Barcelona players a little dissatisfied. Puyol and others gathered around and argued with Weber.
Generally speaking, it is said that Naples players make many small moves.
The reality is that Barcelona players make a lot of small moves.
Therefore, Weber ignored the protests of Barcelona players.
Xavi was preparing to take a free kick, and Barcelona's two central defenders, Pique and Yaya Toure, quickly ran upfield and entered Naples' penalty area. Even Busquets followed suit.
It seems that Barcelona's players want to work hard and use this free kick opportunity to score Naples' goal.
Gao Shen kept reminding his players to pay attention on the sidelines.
He had a strong feeling that the time he had been waiting for was about to come.