Gao Shen has always felt that the away goals rule in the Champions League is a great invention.
It makes the entire Champions League more interesting and richer in terms of rules.
Just like at Old Trafford on March 5, Real Madrid, which won the first leg 1-0 at home, did not adopt very conservative tactics in the away game, but acted very aggressively from the beginning.
Because Gao Shen's strategy is very simple, grab an away goal.
Why rob?
As long as they get an away goal, Manchester United must score 3 goals.
This will be a very big psychological advantage for Real Madrid.
So, on this night at Old Trafford, everyone saw a very strange scene.
Real Madrid, who were clearly ahead in the first round and could advance as long as they kept a draw, launched an attack instead; while Manchester United, who were one goal behind in the first round and had to score when they returned home, retreated from the start.
Very far back.
This is a very strange and puzzling scene.
It is estimated that many fans can't help but scold Ferguson in their hearts, thinking that he is too conservative.
But what about actually?
He can't afford to gamble!
In such a strong dialogue, as long as Real Madrid is given an away goal, Manchester United's morale will collapse.
In contrast, Real Madrid did not have such worries, and Gao Shen even allowed the players to free their hands and feet to attack.
But Real Madrid's offensive effect tonight was very unsatisfactory.
Gao Shen arranged a four-three-three formation.
Goalkeeper: Casillas.
Defence: Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane and Carvajal.
Midfield: Xabi Alonso deep, Toni Kroos and Modric in the centre.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria.
In the Bernabeu match last weekend, Gao Shen played against Barcelona and rotated 9 players just for the battle at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's formation tonight is a bit strange.
When he first saw the list, Gao Shen thought it was 4, 3, 3. When the kickoff started, the two sides lined up and he thought it was 4, 4, 2. But when it came to the game, he found that it was not, not even 4, 2, 31.
.
This is a very strange player positioning.
The goalkeeper is De Gea.
The defense from left to right is Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand and Rafael.
The midfielder from left to right is Nani, Carrick, Schneiderlin and Giggs.
The two forwards are Welbeck and Rooney.
It seems like a parallel position of 442, but when it comes to competition, it's not like this at all.
First up is Welbeck.
He is a forward, partnering with Rooney, but in the game, he basically follows Xavi Alonso.
Wherever Real Madrid's No. 14 goes, Welbeck will follow.
Ferguson's purpose was to interfere with and target Xabi Alonso, causing Real Madrid's midfield and backcourt play and organization to fall into chaos.
The most typical one is that in the third and fifth minutes, Welbeck fouled after Xavi Alonso got the ball.
Among them, in the fifth minute, Welbeck pulled back from the front and pushed Xabi Alonso from behind, but the referee only blew the whistle and did not give a card.
The referee's enforcement tonight was a bit soft.
From this we can see that Manchester United's formation is not 442.
There is also a very targeted arrangement, that of Raphael.
If Welbeck was staring at Xabi Alonso the whole time, then Rafael was staring at Cristiano Ronaldo the whole time.
Note, it's the kind of tight-knit marking.
Gao Shen realized this problem at the beginning. After several contacts, he discovered the problem, so he asked Ronaldo to start moving to the center, but Rafael was also chasing after him, even giving up the space on the right side of the defense line.
why?
First of all, Giggs is not a right winger, or even a right midfielder. Whenever Rafael loses his position, he will immediately withdraw to support the right wing.
Secondly, Real Madrid uses right-footed Arbeloa on the left. He has offensive ability, but he is not strong, and he is not fast enough to penetrate from behind.
The most typical one is that in the 6th minute, Real Madrid received consecutive throw-ins on the left side, but failed to threaten. The last time, Arbeloa threw the ball to Benzema, and when the latter headed the ball back,
Arbeloa was unable to stop the ball under Giggs' pressure, causing the ball to go out of bounds.
Ferguson knew very well that without Marcelo, Real Madrid's offensive threat from the left would be greatly weakened.
Gao Shen asked Ronaldo to push forward again, trying to move more between the full-backs, central defenders, and midfielders, but found that the effect was not good either.
When playing against Barcelona, Gao Shen created a tailor-made cage for Messi, allowing Messi to return without success again and again.
And now, Ferguson has created such a cage for Ronaldo.
The key reason is that Real Madrid's left back is not very good.
Ferguson is obviously very aware that Marcelo's absence has a huge impact on Real Madrid's attack on the left.
If Arbeloa was starting tonight instead of Marcelo, Ferguson would definitely not dare to do this.
…
"Old Sir is really awesome."
Standing in front of the visiting team's coaching bench, Gao Shen was also convinced.
It's not that he wants to admit defeat, but rather Ferguson's formation and use of players.
Giggs used this move really well.
This Manchester United star, who is getting more and more weird as he gets older, plays on the right wing. Not only is his tactical execution ability frightening, but his tactical awareness is also excellent. Just by watching him cooperate with Rafael to freeze Ronaldo several times, you can understand why Ferguson relies on him so much.
Already.
This kind of wisdom in playing football is really not something just anyone can have.
At least, in today's Manchester United, I really don't see anyone who can replace him.
Who would have thought that Ferguson could put an old Giggs on the right, and together with the young Rafael, freeze Ronaldo, who has scored a lot of goals this season?
"Welbeck's move is also very good, and it also reminds us that more and more teams will realize the characteristics of Xabi Alonso, and when the time comes, they will all pinch Xabi Alonso."
Zidane reminded.
Xavi Alonso has been used very effectively by Gao Shen in the Real Madrid team this season and performed very well, but he is mostly behind in organization, positioning and defense, as well as distribution and long passes.
It's a bit like Carrick at Manchester United.
"Nani is also very critical." Gao Shen pointed at Nani on the court and said.
"Normally, when our left wing is contained, the performance of the right wing can greatly relieve the pressure on the left wing, but now, Nani's presence is very intimidating to Carvajal."
Nani, the winger, is definitely underestimated, or in other words, he has not reached the height he should have.
But when it comes to the pitch, no one can ignore Nani's threat.
Even Gao Shen did not dare to press too hard when Carvajal faced Nani. He had to be wary of Nani at all times.
"Old Sir is an old Sir, it's not simple!" Gao Shen shook his head and laughed.
Judging from the starting tactics and the adjustments made in the first ten or twenty minutes, Gao Shen and Ferguson struggled at the tactical level and did not take any advantage.
Of course, Ferguson didn't get much benefit either.
At best, Manchester United contained Real Madrid's offense, and Real Madrid did not make it easy for Manchester United.
After all, when Manchester United went to such great lengths to contain Real Madrid, its own offense was also greatly affected.
Especially on the ball in the midfield.
Giggs was too deep and Nani was cared for by Carvajal. Manchester United was now forced to play more long passes.
But once the ball reaches the front, it is basically difficult to pose a threat.
Real Madrid's two central defenders are not just decorations. The partnership between Varane and Pepe is getting better and better, and their performance is becoming more and more stable.
Especially Varane, this youngster's performance in recent games can be described as world-class.
"What should we do now?" Hierro asked anxiously.
He has a feeling that tonight's Real Madrid seems to have become Barcelona in the Bernabeu battle. They have a great advantage on the scene, but there are few actual threats.
Zidane also looked at Gao Shen, with questions in his eyes.
Gao Shen grinned and asked Zidane, "What do you think?"
"If it were me, I would consider slowing down the pace. We play too fast and are prone to mistakes."
A mistake is the opportunity Manchester United is waiting for.
As long as Real Madrid makes a mistake and Manchester United seizes the opportunity, it will be a counterattack.
"Just slowing down the pace is not enough." Gao Shen shook his head.
"Then what do you mean..."
"Didn't Ferguson want to beat us like Barcelona?"
Zidane and Hierro looked at each other and were both surprised.
Gao Shen was very excited and said, "Then we will do as he wishes and let them try the Real Madrid version of Tiki-Taka."
After a pause, Gao Shen couldn't help but look forward to it.
As many people have said, Real Madrid is actually very comprehensive and can handle different tactical characteristics.
And Gao Shen's courage comes from his three midfielders.
Although the combination of Toni Kroos, Xavi Alonso and Modric is weaker defensively than Real Madrid's previous three midfielders, it is much better at passing and controlling the ball.
More importantly, Real Madrid's passing and possession style is still very different from Barcelona's.
This can be seen in some La Liga games in the past.
Manchester United has made it clear now that they want to retreat. If Real Madrid makes a mistake, then Real Madrid might as well take the opportunity to give Manchester United a try and wear down their opponent.
Thinking of this, Gao Shen walked to the sidelines, shouted Xavi Alonso's name loudly, and gave him clear instructions, telling him to slow down and control the ball.
Not only that, Gao Shen also specifically called Modric, who was close to him, and told him in detail that he should walk more with his opponent and Di Maria, who could actively retreat to participate in defense.
Ronaldo also retreated.
This is not the first time for the Portuguese.
Many people say that under his advanced coaching, Ronaldo plays with a more team-like feel and is no longer the lone hero who can only score goals like in the past.
At the same time, Gao Shen also reminded Real Madrid players to remain patient and not to be anxious.
The most important thing about passing and controlling the ball is to be patient, able to stay calm, not to be affected by the opponent, and to completely follow your own rhythm.
What's more, Real Madrid is currently leading the total score. If they really want to be anxious, it would be Manchester United who is anxious.
"I really don't believe it, our old knight can really keep doing this."
Without the goal at the Bernabeu in the first round, Gao Shen might still be anxious, but now, he is not anxious at all.
What's more, the ball is still in Real Madrid's hands, so what are you afraid of? This chapter has been completed!
