Heroes of the Restricted Zone

Chapter 532 Calm Leonardo (first update, ask for a monthly pass!)

Leonardo's defensive strategy was successful, because until the end of the first half, Naples could not score a single goal.

The time left for them is only 45 minutes. In these 45 minutes, they not only want to win, but also win as much as possible, so as to end the suspense in the first round.

Clearly, the task is daunting.

So at the end of the first half, when Naples coach Mazzari left the field, his face was very ugly.

And Leonardo had a smile on his face.

At this time, the commentators also changed their tunes one after another, praising Leonardo's shrewd tactical arrangements.

After all, it is quite remarkable to be able to keep a goal in the first half in front of Naples, which is good at attacking, and at their home court.

"Inter Milan played Naples 0:0 in the first half. For Leonardo, this is a good result. If Inter Milan draws Naples 0:0 in the away game, it will be a good result for them to advance. The semi-final is obviously a big plus."

"Leonardo's defensive tactics played a role. Naples did not expect Leonardo to implement such a thorough defense in the away game. They lacked an effective response and were caught off guard. Now the time left for them is only 45 minutes Now, in these 45 minutes, can Napoli turn this unfavorable situation around?"

※ ※ ※

In the home dressing room, Mazzarri was consoling the players, expressing sympathy for the team's failure to score in the first half.

"Unfortunately, we didn't score. Their tactics were a bit beyond our expectations. But it's no big deal, isn't it just dense defense? You know, the last thing we fear in Naples is dense defense!"

Meanwhile, in the visiting locker room.Leonardo was full of joy and satisfied with the team's performance in the first half.

"We didn't concede a single goal in the first half, which is a good thing. We have to keep doing that in the second half, at least at the beginning. Once they find that they can't score goals, they will become impatient. Get up. After all, this is their home court. Home court means advantage and great pressure. If they can't win us at home, their fans will put great pressure on them. At that time, it will be ours. Here's the chance!"

"So in the second half we continued to defend and waited patiently for our chance. We saw in the first half, how empty they were at the back when they pressed all in. That was the chance we could take advantage of!"

※ ※ ※

After Mazari comforted and encouraged the players, he began to tell them what to do in the second half.The comparison of football games is not about talk. It doesn't mean that whoever can speak the most rhetoric will win. Want to win?It still depends on the strength of real swords and guns.

"One question I kept thinking about in the first half was why Leonardo let his team defend from the first minute of the game, even giving up the attack completely. A striker like Eto'o has a chance to be taken. Come to use as a defensive midfielder. At this time, I figured it out-they hoped to wear down our will with such a tenacious defense. Think about it, guys. This is our home field. If we can't What do you think about winning the opponent at home? Do you think the second round is difficult? Do you think the fans at home will become your pressure at this time?"

Someone nodded, it is indeed so.If the home court cannot be won, it will be difficult to play the second round of the game, which is why many players walked off the field after the first half, and the expressions on their faces were not very good.Thinking of the future, they couldn't help frowning.

"Yeah, that's how it is. If we don't score goals for a long time, we get impatient, there are mistakes and holes that we didn't have, and when we make mistakes, they take those opportunities... They are Inter Milan, they have a lot of experience in the game and it is not difficult to do that."

"So to disrupt the opponent's arrangement, we should try to score early in the second half." Mazari raised a finger. "This is one. Two, if we really can't score for a long time, don't be impatient. It is better to be taken by the opponent for a draw, and absolutely not for the opponent to take away a victory and an away goal. This is very crucial. .”

In Mazari's view, the worst result he can accept is to be taken away by the opponent to a draw.The big deal is to treat the game at San Siro as a final, and the winner will be determined by one game. As long as there is no loss at home, the two sides will still be on the same starting line.

"In the second half, we can't continue to play like the first half. There are too many spaces behind us, which can easily give the opponent a chance. And in the second half, our physical strength will definitely decline. If you fall, you will not be able to return to defense in time."

"In terms of attack, we should be more versatile. We can't always blindly pass from the bottom...The opponent's two central defenders are still very good in air defense. Be more patient when getting the ball at the front of the penalty area... ..."

※ ※ ※

"I really didn't expect Naples to be unable to score a goal at home..."

"If Naples can't win the game at home, it will be very difficult to advance to the semi-finals."

"Yes, yes. Leonardo's trick looks ugly, but the effect is surprisingly good..."

In the media seats, reporters from all over the world were also exchanging their views on the first half.

Just as they were talking, players from both sides played, and the second half of the game was not far from the start.

※ ※ ※

In the second half, the two sides changed places to fight again, and Inter Milan still defended, but this time the commentators no longer criticized Leonardo.

This season, Inter Milan had a difficult time after Mourinho left. After Leonardo took over, the team's performance improved.If they can reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, or even reach the final of the Champions League for two consecutive years, it will undoubtedly be a shot in the arm.

So at this time, don't worry about whether the scene conforms to the image of a Triple Crown team.In football, winning is the last word.

Leonardo continued to sit on the bench, while Mazzarri continued to stand on the sidelines.

The different performances of the two head coaches seem to confirm the mentality of the two teams.

Leonardo looked like he was sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai, watching Naples continue to attack, but his goal stood still in the storm. It seems that he has seen the pained expression of the Naples after Inter Milan scored...

But six minutes later, he stood up from his seat.

Wrong, it should be more accurate to say "jump" up...

※ ※ ※

Six minutes into the second half, Raul received a header from Chen Yingxiong in front of the penalty area and made a direct lob shot.

The ball bypassed the fingers of Inter goalkeeper Cesar and crashed into the goal behind him...

"Ah! Beautiful! Naples finally scored! They took the lead at 1 minute!"

"Raul! He scored his No.70 goal in the Champions League! This is an amazing achievement! Now it seems that Naples got Raul for free from Real Madrid last summer, which is really a good deal! "

"A beautiful direct lob shot! After the hero returned the football header to him, Raul didn't make much adjustments, he just unloaded the football, and then followed up with a direct lob shot with his right foot! So full of imagination And inspired goal, so beautiful and chic! This is that Raul Gonzalez!"

After the goal, Raul made the iconic gesture of kissing his fingers.He himself didn't expect that he could really usher in a new life in Naples... and continue to write his immortal legend in the Champions League.

Seeing Raul lob the football into the goal, Mazari breathed a sigh of relief.

But on the other side, Leonardo jumped up from his seat as if his ass was on fire.He was still sitting on the Diaoyutai just now, but now he is already in a hurry.

The score was equalized only 6 minutes into the second half, which meant that Naples still had 10 minutes to score more goals.

If you let them play well and play well, scoring two goals in 10 minutes is not a problem at all...

How to deal with it?
He didn't have time to worry about Raul's goal here, his brain was running at high speed, doing multiple-choice questions.

Immediately press out to attack and try to equalize the score as soon as possible?

This not only brought the two sides back to the starting line, but also scored an away goal.

But Leonardo vetoed this option without hesitation.In theory, this is a good choice, but in practice it is very difficult.First of all, you can't guarantee that you will get a goal immediately by pressing out and attacking.Secondly, if you press out to attack, there will naturally be space behind you. If your side has not been able to equalize the score, it will allow the opponent to expand the lead, which may not be too much.

So continue to stick to it and wait patiently for the opportunity?
Leonardo finally chose to continue to defend, but instead of waiting patiently for an opportunity, he waited for an opportunity to counterattack.

In fact, a 0:1 away game loss is completely acceptable for Leonardo's Inter Milan. Back at home, as long as they win a 2:0, they can advance.

On the contrary, Mazari will not let it go. Naples scored a goal and must want to score more goals, because it is not safe for Naples to win only one goal.They will definitely continue to attack, as long as this is the case, Inter Milan will have an opportunity to take advantage of it.

What he needs to do now is to stabilize the morale of the army and tell them to continue to defend, lest the players are not unified in their thinking. Some want to continue to defend, and some want to come out in full force to equalize the score as soon as possible.

While Naples was celebrating the goal, Leonardo called out captain Zanetti loudly, told him his arrangement, and then asked him to pass it on to other players on the field.

"Keep defending, tell them not to panic. Then counterattack, that's it!" He patted Zanetti on the shoulder and sent him back to the pitch.

Looking at the back of Zanetti running onto the court, Leonardo felt a little proud of himself for making a calm decision so quickly.

This is his second season of official coaching, and he can have such qualities, which shows that he is really suitable to be a head coach... After retiring from AC Milan, Leonardo has been working as a scout for AC Milan, but He feels that the head coach is the most suitable position for him.

He hopes that he can prove his coaching ability in the giant team of Inter Milan.

How to prove it?
He thought of those fans who sang "Song of Mourinho" on the sidelines of the training ground, of course to make people forget about Mourinho and sing "Song of Leonardo"!

(End of this chapter)