It's not like Millwall has never faced such a densely defended team. They have also encountered the situation where the opponent gave up the attack and retreated to defend inside and outside the penalty area.
However, this is not a comparison of the number of defenders, but the quality of defense!
Most of the teams that set up the bus are underdogs, and the strong teams still need to show some dignity.
Therefore, those weak teams with big teams do not have masters like Makelele, Essien, Ballack, and Lampard in the team.
Chelsea said it was 442 today, but in detail, it was more like 4312.
It's just that the defensive system is very similar to 4321 when Aldridge led England to win the World Cup.
But in terms of defensive quality, Chelsea now is stronger than the England team back then!
At that time, the four players mainly involved in the defense of the England team were: Butt, Beckham, Lampard, and Scholes.
Compared with today's Chelsea midfield four, in a one-on-one defensive match, Chelsea's players will definitely win!
Coupled with the tacit understanding among the club players, which extends to the combined effect of the back line system, Chelsea's defense is tough and stable, and it does not come out of thin air.
How to predict the opponent's formation before the game? You have to observe it when the game starts.
Aldridge rarely makes hasty decisions as a coach on the spot. As a coach, he has to collect information and gain insight into his opponents by reading the game, while also observing his own team's status.
Ten minutes had passed since Chelsea scored. Although Millwall tried their best to attack through the half, they could not successfully penetrate the opponent's dangerous zone.
There are too many people!
Too dense.
Henry did nothing and had difficulty catching the ball. Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo were also restricted from breaking through on the wing.
Aldridge was thinking attentively, his brain was running rapidly, both horizontally and three-dimensionally, and even habitually created an overall view from the air to capture the details on the court.
Chelsea's counterattacks are becoming more and more threatening. This is related to the fact that Millwall's attack range is consciously increasing.
This is also the norm on the football field. The offense cannot go in. The team will subconsciously pile up the number of attackers forward, even if they do not realize it. The number of players attacking together at the same time will be more and more. After all, there may be more players on the field.
Except for the center back and goalkeeper, most of the other players are not purely defensive, but the difference is their offensive enthusiasm and the number of forward movements. For some teams with unique playing styles, the center back will also participate in positional battles.
attack.
After 35 minutes of the game, Aldrich frowned and thought deeply. He had collected enough information and now wanted to sort it out and then think of a way to deal with it, so as to make a significant improvement in the team's situation.
The current situation advantage is false, but when it seems that Millwall is in possession of the ball but unable to advance the offense into the dangerous zone, then such an advantage is an illusion.
While he was deep in thought, Chelsea launched another counterattack. Cristiano Ronaldo cut in from the right wing, but was blocked by Ashley Cole. It was obvious that Cristiano Ronaldo was also a little anxious.
After Ashley Cole stole the ball, he made a short pass with Terry. He pulled to the wing and then passed the ball forward.
Lampard received the ball in the midfield area, turned around, and before Alonso and Kaka could compete, he passed the ball diagonally to the right wing.
After Robben stopped the ball here, he went to the middle again. In order to prevent him from taking another long shot, De Rossi moved two steps forward to expand the defensive area, and would take the initiative to intercept when necessary.
Robben passed the ball ahead of schedule this time!
His cross was passed to the outside area of the small penalty area in the penalty area. Drogba took the lead and took a position between Nesta and Silva.
At this time, Butt attacked!
If Drogba wants to header the ball, he has no chance!
But he just stood up first and then turned his back to Millwall's goal. He relied on his strong body to take off first. When the ball fell, he headed back!
Bute's attack failed to touch the ball, and Drogba's return shot bounced out of the penalty area.
De Rossi gritted his teeth and made a flying shovel while chasing the ball. He had to do this!
Because on the path where the ball bounced back, a Chelsea player quickly followed up and it looked like he was going to take a long shot!
De Rossi's tackle is not to attack people, but to block the long-range path and block the ball!
But the Chelsea player who rushed up did not take a long shot, but instead dunked the ball horizontally.
De Rossi almost slipped half a meter in front of the ball, his eyes full of shock and fear!
After the opponent dunked De Rossi who was making a shovel, he kicked and shot from the spot!
The ball was lobbed towards Millwall's goal. Bute struck out and then went back, too late!
The ball slowly dropped into the goal!
There was a shocking scene at the Stade de France.
The Millwall fans were stunned in the stands, as if they were struck by a bolt from the blue, they couldn't believe what they were seeing!
Chelsea fans were like crazy, jumping up and down in the stands, as if they were brewing a riot!
Mourinho rushed out of the coaching bench and entered the stadium on his knees, his arms vibrating on both sides of his body. There was no smile on his face, but he looked as if he had finally turned over after years of grievance!
"Barack scored Chelsea's second goal! He calmly controlled the ball in front of the penalty area and dunked past De Rossi who was blocking his long shot. Butt made another major mistake! His attack was too reckless.
Yes, giving Ballack a chance to lob the goal! But from Chelsea
From West's perspective, this goal was wonderful, and the counterattack speed was astonishingly fast! Three passes and two downs pushed the offense into the frontcourt. A simple play, but it received the best reward! 2:0, Chelsea is in
Heading towards their first ever Champions League title!"
Being behind by one goal is nothing, being behind by two goals is nothing at ordinary times.
But on the stage of the Champions League, Millwall players can't help but feel a little panicked!
Before the game, everyone knew that this was Millwall's second chance to win three consecutive Champions League titles, and it was also an unprecedented opportunity for seven Champions League crowns to come to the Lion King Stadium.
This is positive, but it is also an invisible pressure!
They subconsciously looked towards the sidelines and set their sights on the man who gave this team soul and flesh: Aldrich.
Butt looked ashamed. He blamed himself for conceding the first ball and was a little nervous. He had no excuse for his mistake this time.
But when everyone turned their attention to Aldrich, they saw that their leader was still standing motionless on the sidelines. He straightened his spine and raised his chin, with a calm expression. He raised his left hand and made a downward movement, very slowly.
One action seemed to have invisible power, dispelling the panic and tension in the hearts of the players!
Then, Aldrich made another gesture, a gesture for a change of tactics.
Attack range reduced!
The team changes from attack to balance.
The players were confused.
Aldridge seems to be calm and calm, but why does he let the team retreat when the team needs to score the most? Doesn't this make it even more impossible to score?
They had questions, but they would not disobey Aldrich's orders.
Whatever the boss says to do, do it.
Aldrich has his own considerations.
The morale of the Chelsea team is now greatly boosted, and the first half will end in less than 10 minutes. If Millwall is allowed to attack more aggressively, Chelsea may score another goal through counterattack before the end of the game.
ball!
If the third goal is conceded, Millwall's Champions League final may be completely ruined.
Aldridge has sarcastically ridiculed Chelsea on multiple occasions and ignored Mourinho, but that does not mean that he has denied Chelsea's strength in his heart.
Moreover, a utilitarian like Mourinho expects Chelsea to take the initiative when they are ahead. It is not realistic at all. If they lead by one goal in the league, it will kill time. It really makes them three goals ahead. Maybe Chelsea will not only
He will delay time and use lying tactics.
After a brief silence, the Millwall fans in the stands began to cheer passionately.
In the team's most difficult moment, they have to play the role of the team's 12th man!
Neither Mourinho nor the Chelsea players expected that when Millwall fell behind by two goals, they did not invest more in the attack. Instead, they relied on control, attacked slowly, patiently looked for opportunities, and did not penetrate danger when there were no obvious openings.
zone.
To be honest, Mourinho really wanted to take advantage of Millwall's excitement to equalize the score and let Chelsea add another person in the counterattack!
But after seeing how Millwall controlled the game and did not rush into attack, he immediately gave up the idea.
A 2-goal advantage, this is an advantage that is difficult for any team in Europe to get when facing Millwall!
Throughout the first half, Chelsea's defense was very successful. Mourinho believes that as long as they insist on implementing such tactics, Chelsea can limit Millwall's goals in 90 minutes and then win the supreme Big Ears Cup!
"At the end of the first half, the trend of this Champions League peak battle was unexpected. Chelsea led the defending champion Millwall 2:0 with the goals of Drogba and Ballack. On the scene, Millwall did not have much success.
With threatening shots, Chelsea's targeted restriction on Millwall today was very successful. If this trend continues, it may be difficult for Millwall to equalize the score."
When the midfield whistle sounded, Aldridge turned and walked toward the player tunnel. He did not go to the locker room immediately, intending to give the players some time to calm down and adjust their mentality.
The coaching staff came to Aldridge with sad faces. Aldridge had just lit a cigarette and blew out a puff of smoke.
Villas-Boas frowned deeply and whispered: "Aldridge, this game reminds me of the World Cup four years ago."
Aldridge raised his eyebrows and said: "England playing Brazil?"
Villas-Boas nodded and said: "Chelsea is like England at that time, and we are like Brazil."
Blanco interjected: "In terms of offensive ability, we are stronger than Brazil."
But Villas-Boas shook his head and said: "In terms of defensive ability, Chelsea was stronger than England at that time, obviously stronger! At that time, England could only restrict Brazil through fouls, while Brazil only changed the rhythm of the game through personal ability.
They don't even have a midfield commander, a very good organizer. Their midfield is just too step-by-step. Our offensive configuration is more reasonable and has rich play styles, but it is severely restricted in the frontcourt. Even a few
You can't earn any advantageous fouls."
The fellow coaching staff were silent.
Aldridge finished his cigarette, threw the cigarette butt into the trash can, and walked toward the locker room.
"Hey, Aldrich, what should we do in the second half?"
Aldridge turned back and smiled: "Football is a sport of competition and risk. What else can we do? Take the risk and try it." (To be continued)
