Chapter Nine: Performing Major Surgery on Real Madrid
Previous football tactics emphasized ball possession and players, but now a third element has begun to be incorporated, which is space
Whether there was a deliberate effort to conserve energy, only Zidane himself is likely to know. However, the roles that Zidane plays at Real Madrid and the French national team are distinctly different.
In fact, whether coaching Real Mallorca or Valencia, Cooper is undoubtedly a tactical innovator
After spending the entire night in the library studying these two major cases, although Gao Shen still found many aspects difficult to understand after repeated contemplation, his tactical proficiency had already reached a new level, and he had a clearer insight into the current issues facing Real Madrid
Firstly, Ronaldo's range of activity and personal abilities are no longer what they used to be, and he is unable to exert the same threat as Henry; secondly, Roberto Carlos has a passion for attacking and excels at making runs down the flanks, and everyone knows that in order for Carlos to pose a threat, space must be created for him in the front line
At least, the current Real Madrid cannot play in a 4-3-3 formation
It can be said that the 4231 formation is currently very advanced
Now, he has begun to understand a bit, so he intends to start addressing this issue
Building upon the foundation laid by Agnelli, he developed a 4-4-2 diamond midfield formation for Valencia, which greatly stimulated the tactical evolution in European football, prompting many, including Ferguson, to emulate Valencia's diamond midfield
Is he deliberately conserving his energy at the club
Real Madrid is not lacking in good players, such as Gravesen, who is the midfield core of Everton. Many people think of him as a brute. Yes, he does appear quite fierce, but in reality, he possesses strong passing and organizational skills.
Thus, he substituted a forward and adopted a double defensive midfielder strategy. After Valencia sold Gerardo, they brought in Baraja, and with the addition of the homegrown Albelda, it perfectly enabled Benitez to assemble one of the most classic double defensive midfielder combinations in European football in nearly a decade
If it can be said that Cooper led a tactical revolution in Europe during his tenure at Valencia, then his successor, Benitez, took this innovation a step further, promoting it to a consensus across all of Europe and even the entire world
He chose to watch Benitez's series, primarily focusing on Benitez's tactics and team formation, especially the improvements made after taking over Valencia and the transformations after assuming control of Liverpool, all of which are highly valuable for the current advanced understanding.
This is precisely what Gao Shen intends to accomplish
The answer is very simple: superstar
The answer is very simple, it is still a superstar
However, very few fans will remember that there was once a relatively unremarkable small team that reached the UEFA Champions League final for two consecutive seasons
At the turn of the century, many football fans will remember the madness of the Bundesliga, the Galácticos of Florentino Pérez, the ironclad treble of Manchester United, and the afterglow of the small World Cup in Serie A
4231 is the tactic that Gao Shen desires, and he believes that this is also the most suitable tactic for Real Madrid at present
This is certainly not a coincidence
He himself, relying on this set of principles, gained the favor of Inter Milan's president Moratti, which led to the subsequent entanglement with Ronaldo.
Then why doesn't Real Madrid make an attempt
Because Real Madrid continues to rely on the old strategy of zonal marking, their defense emphasizes individual player performance rather than a cohesive team system. This is compounded by the absence of Carlos and the lack of proactive defensive efforts from superstars like Ronaldo, Zidane, and Robinho
Such a situation can no longer be resolved merely by medication or injections; rather, it requires a major surgical operation that involves significant intervention.
Former innovators gradually became mainstream, being replaced by a new generation of innovators, thereby driving the development of football tactics
Before the time travel, he was a fan of the sport, and he only knew that the problem lay with the superstar, but why was it the superstar
The 4-2-3-1 formation is very balanced, especially in its ability to enhance the role of the attacking midfielder. Zidane thrives in this tactical system, to the extent that he does not need to worry about defense at all, as he is supported by two defensive midfielders behind him
Capello's success at Real Madrid was precisely due to his adoption of a double pivot system
Many fans remember Cooper for his coaching during his time at Inter Milan, particularly for the feud between him and Ronaldo
The history of football tactics is akin to a tragic tale of the new waves continuously crashing against the old waves
He does not understand
Then the question arises, when Carlos makes a forward run, the players on the left flank will move towards the center, which will encroach upon the attacking midfielder's activity zone. If it were only this, it would not be a significant issue. The key point is that if Carlos's forward run leads to an unsuccessful attack and the opponent launches a counterattack, it becomes very difficult for Real Madrid to organize an effective defensive system.
Benitez clearly recognized that the single defensive midfielder in a 4-4-2 diamond formation did not provide sufficient protection for the spaces on both flanks of the defensive line, especially considering that at that time in European football, there were many attacking midfielders like Zidane and Nedved, who possessed strong offensive capabilities in those areas.
Without innovation in the defensive system, it is futile to bring in more superstars
Although ultimately defeated by the giants and becoming synonymous with misfortune, this team is undoubtedly one of the most impressive in the years around the turn of the century, while also playing the role of a tactical innovator in European football.
This team is from La Liga and is called Valencia
4231, double defensive midfielders, high pressing and pressure
In a ball control state, how to maximize the expansion of space, mobilize the opponent's defense, and create more openings for the offense; in a defensive state, how to compress space as much as possible, maintain a tight defensive formation, and reduce the exposure of one's own gaps
Conservative, stubborn, and unsociable, these are the stereotypes that all fans have of Cooper
So the question arises, why do superstars have such a significant impact on Real Madrid's tactics
Looking from the perspective of 2006, the 4-3-3 formation employed by Chelsea's coach Mourinho was quite advanced, but it placed very high demands on the players, making it unsuitable for most teams; generally, only strong teams utilize it. In contrast, the 4-2-3-1 formation is characterized by its strong versatility.
It can be said that within this set of tactics, Zidane's abilities were fully showcased
Therefore, over the past few years, Real Madrid's defense has been riddled with holes. Even though the defenders have been replaced one after another, and defensive midfielders have been continuously acquired, the results remain the same, with no effect whatsoever
Is Cooper's tactical innovation merely an adjustment in player positioning
Cooper's tactical approach not only led Valencia to the UEFA Champions League finals for two consecutive seasons, but also nurtured a group of outstanding stars, such as Gerard, Mendieta, and others
Gao Shen is very clear about the problems that Real Madrid is currently facing
Herard, as a single defensive midfielder, developed under Cooper's system and caught the attention of Barcelona, who brought him in for a hefty price. However, unexpectedly, he became lost in the confusion of Camp Nou
Even in the past, when searching for Cooper online, a photo would always emerge featuring a person with white hair, black glasses, and an incredibly stubborn expression, which undoubtedly deepened the understanding of Cooper for those who came after.
Moreover, since Gao Shen has decided to confront the stars led by the Brazilian gang head-on, the team's offense will inevitably be affected. In light of this, it may be better to proactively weaken the offense and strengthen the defense.
The issue with Real Madrid has never been in their offense, but rather in their defense
Although this may sacrifice some attacking power, it will result in a more solid defense, making Real Madrid more competitive
Real Madrid is unwell, and the situation has become critical
Whether it was back then when Florentino Pérez brought in Makélélé, Flávio, and Celades, three defensive midfielders who performed exceptionally well in La Liga, or later signings like Gravesen and Pablo García, it has proven that Real Madrid is not oblivious to trends. So why is Real Madrid's defense still so poor
Having determined the tactics, the next step is to select the lineup.
Comparing the lineups of France in the World Cup, the forwards are Ronaldo compared to Henry, the left wing is Raul compared to Malouda, and the right wing is Robinho compared to Ribery. It seems that this is not entirely uncomparable, right
From Samuel to Woodgate, and then to the subsequent FIFA World Player of the Year Cannavaro, Real Madrid even specifically hired the conservatively renowned Italian coach Capello, which improved the team's defense and led to winning the league championship, yet it still lacked stability
If one or two players do not track back, the team can still find a way to compensate. However, if all the forwards fail to track back, how can compensation be made
Pablo García is also a prominent player in La Liga, and the fact that he has caught the attention of Real Madrid is a testament to his strength and capability
Can Real Madrid play?
Once upon a time, Real Madrid also considered adopting a double pivot strategy
Mendieta subsequently transferred to Lazio, where he experienced significant difficulties, leading to a sharp decline in his professional career
It is now the year 2006, and we are about to welcome the FIFA World Cup in Germany.
In the World Cup in Germany, France adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the double pivot being Makelele and Vieira, while Zidane played not on the left flank of the front line, but as an attacking midfielder
Yes, but also no
Is it merely because the superstars are not actively participating in defense
Even in the defensive midfield position, Gravesen is a renowned player in the Premier League, Pablo García is a distinguished player in La Liga, and there is also Beckham, who has played as a defensive midfielder and is an excellent long passer; it is worth considering.
Especially in defense, it is essential to innovate within the entire defensive system
Or rather, how to better organize defense while ensuring offensive threats
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To the average fan, this may indeed seem to be the case, but in reality, it represents a revolutionary shift in tactical philosophy. It signifies that European football is making significant strides from the previous concepts of free players and man-to-man marking towards the zonal defending principles outlined by Sacchi.
Moreover, next year, which is 2007, Liverpool will also reach the UEFA Champions League final
The four lines have achieved a new height in spatial control, allowing for offensive advances as well as defensive retreats. With this tactical approach, Benitez led Valencia to victory in La Liga and orchestrated the Istanbul miracle for Liverpool in the Champions League final
The defensive system remains unchanged, the overall tactical philosophy remains unchanged, and it is futile no matter who is brought in.
Many fans may wonder why Zidane performed so exceptionally in the World Cup in Germany, yet did not achieve the same success at Real Madrid
What Gao Shen needs to do now is to formulate a suitable set of tactics to integrate this group of players and form combat effectiveness
The Italian coach Ranieri brought the framework of the Italian defensive system to Valencia, and the subsequent Argentine coach Hector Cuper took Valencia's achievements to the next level