Using set pieces as a means and counterattack as the main body, using such tactics to deal with Atletico Madrid was a deliberate decision by Houllier. Liverpool's advantages lie in average height, running and confrontation, and their skills at the feet are inferior to Atletico Madrid, so
Returning to the traditional long pass and quick attack, focusing on set pieces, is a good choice for Liverpool to give full play to its own advantages. It had a good effect in the first 20 minutes of the game. Two goals were scored, one was a set piece and the other was
A quick counterattack and being able to use his own advantages to this point are enough to prove that Houllier's tactics are correct.
Houllier didn't have a good way to deal with Atletico Madrid's tactic of controlling the midfield and then playing behind them. After all, this was Atletico Madrid's advantage, just like Dick couldn't deal with Liverpool's high-altitude bombing. However,
When leading by two goals, Houllier thought this was a good opportunity to completely defeat Atletico Madrid. Although Atletico Madrid had excellent results this season, they had insufficient foundation and experience after all.
After being hindered, they will easily have various problems...
However, the fighting spirit and psychological quality shown by Atletico Madrid exceeded Houllier's preparation. After taking a two-goal lead, Liverpool continued to attack, but Atletico Madrid controlled the midfield and at the same time relied on hitting behind to regain a point -
—After experiencing several ups and downs in the league, and after several outstanding comebacks, Atletico Madrid players are not too afraid of falling behind. They believe more that they can equalize the score through offense!
With such confidence and momentum, it is not easy to defeat Atletico Madrid - not to mention that they have not lost for a long time, whether in the league or the UEFA Cup, such a long-term unbeaten streak
The accumulation is enough for them to gather together a momentum. A team with this momentum will not be intimidated by the opponent's two goals in more than 20 minutes.
After regaining a point, Atletico Madrid continued to put pressure on Liverpool's players in the midfield. When defending, they also began to be careful not to give the opponent set kicks. In fact, even if Liverpool's high altitude advantage is sufficient, set kicks are not always available.
They can score goals every time. As long as they are careful, there will be no situation where they will lose a ball if they give the opponent a set kick.
In this entanglement, Atletico Madrid's advantage gradually began to be established. Belleron showed his master's style in the midfield. Every touch and pass made Atletico Madrid's midfield attack smoother.
As he invested more in the attack, Baraja also began to move his position back to protect Belleron, allowing him to organize the attack more smoothly.
Baraja was in the back position, and Vicente and Camoranesi began to move to the center. Their passing coordination skills were good. After they moved to the center, Atletico Madrid's two full-backs moved to the center.
It is the premise of the starting position - Liverpool's wing attack speed is not fast, which also gives them greater confidence to press forward. The result of this is that Atletico Madrid's advantage in the midfield begins to become even better.
After Atletico Madrid gradually pressed forward, Liverpool was forced to start retreating continuously, and Atletico Madrid's offensive threat began to appear greater. Seeing this scene, Dick nodded. This is what he wanted to see.
What I got was that due to some things, I couldn't quickly establish the advantage of the midfield. Instead, the opponent seized the opportunity and scored two goals. Fortunately, the game has not left Dick's control until now.
"Let's try to score another goal before the end of the first half." Dick thought silently in his heart.
Having an advantage does not mean that they can score immediately. Liverpool are now beginning to gradually recover. After all, the first half will be over in less than ten minutes. It is of course better to enter the halftime break with a lead.
.
Atletico Madrid began to get corner kick opportunities continuously. Although they did not have an advantage in high-altitude balls, Atletico Madrid, which has always paid attention to set kicks, still created some opportunities. When the game reached the 42nd minute, Belleron
Taking a corner kick, he did not pass the ball directly into the penalty area, but passed the ball to Capdevila in the corner of the penalty area. Capdevila took the ball forward and then decisively started.
Shot with his foot, the ball hit the rushing Babel and bounced into the penalty area. Among the chaos, Jardel grabbed the first landing point. He stretched his long legs, the ball bounced up, and then hit the head bone of Hunterz's calf.
The line flew into the blind spot of the goal!
"goooooooooooooal! Jardel! Jardel! Jardel! Atletico Madrid's top scorer stood up at this time to live up to expectations! He grabbed the first shot in the penalty area and then scored! Two to two draws! Atletico Madrid
Evened the score after falling behind by two goals! There is still more to play in this game!”
Amidst the shouts of the commentator, Jardel roared out of the penalty area, and then ignored the blocking of other teammates and rushed directly to the stands occupied by Atletico Madrid fans. In the process of running, he tore off
He took off his shirt, revealing his naked upper body, and let out a huge roar at the stands!
This is the moment he is looking forward to! To turn the tide in the European finals and score a crucial goal - let's see who the hell dares to say that I can score goals in the second-tier league!
"Well done! Jardel! You are one of the top centers in the world!"
Dick waved his fists and shouted, then laughed and hugged the assistant coaches around him - although it was still a draw, an equalizer after falling behind by two goals was two different things than a zero-to-zero draw.
A completely different effect, just like the game when Atletico Madrid eliminated Inter Milan. It was obvious that the opponent scored three goals at home, but because they equalized the score when they were trailing 1-3 at home, they instantly let their own.
The players were full of huge self-confidence, but they gave the opponent a serious blow!
Now, the same rhythm is the same!
Houllier muttered something in annoyance. This was the first time he had lost his composure since the start of the game. Originally, the game started well and he followed the path he set. Who knew that he would already enter the game?
The tiger in the trap suddenly jumped out of the trap and bit him, the hunter!
The victory that was almost achieved just slipped away from his hands. Although it is a draw now, in the second half, Liverpool will not have any advantage...
Trying to calm down his mood, Houllier made a downward movement on the court, and then sat back in his seat. There were only a few minutes left in the first half, so just get over it slowly, at least
, can’t lose the ball anymore...
After the joy of winning two goals in a row, the players of Atletico Madrid felt a little exhausted for a while. The rest of the first half passed like this. It was obvious that the two head coaches began to focus on victory.
Move to the second half.
When the whistle sounded at the end of the first half, the score was fixed at 2 to 2. Liverpool got off to a fantastic start, but Atletico Madrid tenaciously regained the score in the next 20 minutes.
Liverpool, the last 20 minutes or so belong to Atletico Madrid - it is obvious that this game still has to be played.
"Compared with last season's UEFA Cup final, this season's UEFA Cup final seems to be much more exciting... Four goals were scored in the first half, and last season's zero-nil ended with penalty kicks.
In comparison, this first half was already very exciting... As a neutral fan, I hope to see more goals in the second half!"
Dick met Houllier in the players' tunnel. Dick grinned at Houllier, nodded, and walked into the players' tunnel first. Houllier looked at Dick.
With a glance at his back, he lowered his head and thought as he slowly walked into the tunnel, intentionally or unintentionally keeping a distance from Dick.
"I am very satisfied with your performance in the first half."
After Dick entered the locker room, he said to the players straight to the point: "I have to admit that I made a mistake in preparing for the previous game. I did not consider the threat of Liverpool's set-piece tactics. This was a mistake that should not be made. It's just that I made a mistake.
However, we showed our own characteristics very well in the next game and seized the loopholes in their defense... It turns out that although we did not have good means to control their set-piece advantage, they had no way to resist us.
Deep attack. Although I feel that I am omnipotent, I cannot make all the defenders taller, and Houllier cannot make their defenders faster. This is a flaw in our respective lineups.
...The only thing that can change these two points is tactics."
"We use pressing tactics to reduce fouls in the backcourt, but this will make their fast break more threatening. If Liverpool wants to avoid being beaten by us, they can only adopt shrinking defensive tactics, which will make them
The number of attacks has become less. Houllier and I both know this. However, although it is flawed, it is the only thing we can do! So...in the second half, we suppressed the attack! Let everyone see
Let’s see, whether we can score more goals after suppressing the attack, or whether they can score more goals with their counterattack!”
Having said this, Dick looked around at the players in the locker room, and then said word for word: "Remember, compared to our ability to score goals, we are not inferior to any team!"
The players of Atletico Madrid nodded one after another. They have no doubt about this. In the UEFA Cup, they are now the team with the most goals, and in La Liga, they have scored 70 goals in 34 rounds.
Two goals, an average of a little more than two goals per game, the same as Real Madrid's number of goals, second only to Barcelona who scored 74 goals, but they conceded much fewer goals than Barcelona...
…
In terms of scoring ability, Atletico Madrid players have absolute confidence.
And what about Liverpool? They can't match Atletico Madrid in the number of goals scored in the UEFA Cup. In the 37 rounds of the Premier League, they have only scored 67 goals. Compared with Atletico Madrid's scoring ability, they are also inferior.
There is a huge gap. Although Atletico Madrid is likely to attack and Liverpool will defend in the second half, Atletico Madrid players still believe that with their ability, they will be able to score more goals than Liverpool!
"If they retract their defense in the second half, it will be unrealistic to attack behind them... Then let's use a frontal attack! Julio, you come on in the second half and replace Hector and Mauro. In the second half, you have to pay more attention to defense, Ruben
, you also need to fill in more positions on the right...Now, let them see what Atletico Madrid is like with full firepower!"
Cruz came on the field, Atletico Madrid became a double center, missing the right back Hector, but Camoranesi is a midfielder with a balanced offense and defense, and with Baraja's replacement, this side will not
There is a big problem - of course the key is that Liverpool's wing offensive ability is not particularly good. With Cruz and Jardel partnering, these two top centers are on the court, and Atletico Madrid has the ability to challenge Liverpool head-on.
