Football giants

Chapter 384 Triple Crown

"Toni Kroos was seriously injured!"

In one of the stands at Wembley Stadium, Diego Simeone and two assistants, Boggs and Ortega are sitting here.

The purpose of their trip is to inspect Southampton on the spot.

Liverpool is undoubtedly a very qualified touchstone. In this final, both sides have no reservations, providing them with the opportunity to observe Southampton's strength up close.

On the opposite side of their stand, the Southampton first-team players who were not included in the squad for the game were all sitting together in suits and ties, and it was easy to find Toni Kroos.

The German teenager's left foot was still wrapped in a conspicuous white bandage, and his expression looked quite depressed.

"I've been paying attention to him since I entered the arena just now. I haven't gotten up since I sat down. Buying drinks and burgers are all done by my teammates next to me. It seems really inconvenient!"

After all, Boggs was born as a goalkeeper, so his eyes are extraordinary, and he can still see the situation on the opposite side clearly across a field.

Diego Simeone couldn't help laughing, "It's a good injury!"

He is now finally sure that Toni Cross is indeed seriously injured.

There are only three days until the final of the Europa League. Looking at the current situation of Toni Kroos, even if it will be fine tomorrow, it will be difficult to adjust the state before the final of the Europa League.

On the other hand, in this game, Southampton's midfielder Matic performed very steadily, defending and organizing quite well, showing amazing strength, so from the perspective of the head coach, Bielsa has absolutely no reason not to use Matic.

"Liverpool's game is probably over!" Diego Simeone shook his head and sighed.

Originally, they all expected Liverpool to fight Southampton.

Unexpectedly, it would not be too hard for the Saints to win!
Ortega nodded and said: "Southampton's three midfielders are superior in strength, covering a wide range and full of layers."

After a pause, he began to analyze.

"Matic always drags at the back to protect the defense line. He hardly moves forward. Strowman and Vidal are relatively free. They are very relieved of the defense behind them. The coverage area is from the penalty area to the penalty area. Running back and forth is very active."

"Relatively speaking, Dalglish has been unable to keep up with the development of today's football tactics in terms of tactical attainments."

Diego Simeone smiled slightly, "He hasn't coached a top team for more than ten years, and he can't keep up with the times!"

The development of football tactics is changing with each passing day. The tactics that may have been invincible last year have been completely suppressed by opponents this year.

Just like Barcelona, ​​the extreme ball possession tactics have allowed Barcelona to form its own system, and it has raised Barcelona's youth training to an unprecedented height, and it has also brought Barcelona unprecedented glory.

But that's just the bright side.

But what about behind?

When the youth training cannot provide strong supplements, the new aid introduced by Barcelona always needs a long period of adaptation, and some even cannot adapt at all.

Also, once this extreme tactic is restrained by the opponent, then congratulations, you don't expect to be able to turn around in a short time.

When did Cruyff's dream period collapse?

After losing to Fabio Capello's AC Milan in the Champions League final [-]-[-].

In this battle, everyone has found a way to restrain Barcelona's dream.

In the second year, Barcelona had just stepped out of the group stage and was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the first round of the knockout round.

Also in this year, Barcelona's humiliating [-]-[-] loss to Valdano's Real Madrid!

That is, after that war, Barcelona entered a period of darkness and turmoil. It was not until the new century, Rijkaard's era, that the so-called Dream Phase II was organized.

But between the first phase of Dream and the second phase of Dream, there was a full ten years in between, and Barcelona has been adjusting and exploring.

Relatively speaking, the style of the second phase of Dream is relatively diversified, but in the Guardiola period, Barcelona's style of play went to the extreme again, frantically pursuing ball possession tactics, and raised this ball possession tactics to the pinnacle.

But Diego Simeone has a hunch that this set of Barcelona will soon be out of control.

On the one hand, although there are player factors, on the other hand, more and more teams have found effective ways to restrain Barcelona.

For example, Mourinho's Inter Milan, Allegri's AC Milan, Wenger's Arsenal, etc., once restrained Barcelona's tactics. Although it did not last long, these were firmly remembered by professional coaches.

Never ignore the research and analysis of tactics by professional coaches who coach for a living.

In the field of professional coaches, there has never been a lack of obsessive lunatics like Bielsa and Benitez who are firmly occupied by football for 24 hours. They constantly change roles between restraint and anti-restraint.

This has just promoted the rapid development of football tactics with each passing day.

After one or two years away from the front line of coaching, many head coaches will inevitably find that their tactics have been outdated when they come back.

For those like Dalglish who have retired for more than ten years and come back to coach again, the tactics are far behind the times.

"The simplest one, Toni Kroos is injured, Matic comes up, Liverpool can't play Spearing no matter what!"

Ortega was very sure of his criticism of Dalglish's tactics.

"This is a stupid failure!"

Simeone nodded and said: "Matic lags behind, Vidal and Strowman cover a large area, so there should be a midfielder who can cruise in their three-man defense zone, hold the ball, and pass it!"

Having said that, Simeone and Ortega looked at each other, nodded almost in unison: "Diego!"

After the two finished speaking, they all burst into laughter.

There is such a player in the Atletico Madrid team.

"There is only one Diego, I'm afraid it's not enough, Turan and Adrian are both on!"

With Simeone's outline in this way, in Atletico Madrid's usual four-two-three-one tactic, the midfield has already been assembled.

Falcao is the unshakeable striker's first choice!
"The only trouble is the central defender!" Ortega said worriedly.

After hearing this, Simeone frowned.

The most amazing thing about Southampton this season is their two centre-forwards, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Didier Drogba.

These are the top centers in the world!
It is already very difficult for other teams to have one, but they are lucky to have two in one go.

In the past season, these two major centers have been in frighteningly good form.

In the past season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a total of 43 goals in all competitions. Except for the English League Cup, all fronts have gained.

Drogba did not give up too much, counting these two goals in this game, his total number of goals for the season has reached 42.

The scoring contest between the two ace centers has always been the most talked about drama in Southampton in the past season.

Atletico Madrid's central defenders Godin and Miranda, can they stop these two top centers in the world?

"Then follow the old rules, start the game first, try to steal a goal from him, and then we will stick to it!"

This is also Simeone's most used trick!
Atletico Madrid's outstanding performance is not because of the team's superior strength, but because of pressing and defense!
Ortega also nodded, "This is the only way!"

Who told you that your strength is not as good as your opponent?
…………

…………

No one thought that Dalglish seemed to give up the game after replacing Dirk in 5 minutes.

It was not until the No.808 minute that he made the second and third substitutions.

But at this time, it was very close to the end of the game.

Liverpool finally lost the FA Cup with a score of zero to three!

The moment the referee Dodd sounded the whistle for the end of the game, the entire Wembley Stadium was completely boiling!
All Saints fans rushed out of their seats frantically, and cheered hoarsely towards the bottom of the court!

At this moment, the same thing must have happened in front of countless TVs.

Not just in the UK, but in Europe, and even in the world!

"Let's congratulate Southampton on successfully defending the FA Cup!"

"This is the most amazing feat in the history of English football. They have won the FA Cup for two consecutive seasons as a third-tier and second-tier league team!"

"What's even more amazing is that this team has also won the League Cup and the Championship this season!"

"Although it is not very appropriate to say this, I personally think that Southampton is worthy of the title of the Triple Crown!"

"Especially considering that Southampton has reached the final of the Europa League this season. If they win the Europa League, they will complete a grand slam. They will not only create a new history of English football, but also open up a new history of European football!"

"This is the manager of Southampton, the Argentine madman, Marcelo Bielsa!"

"During the two seasons in charge of Southampton, he injected the blood of crazy offensive football into this team on the south coast of England. He brought Southampton an amazing and gorgeous football feast."

"We have every reason to believe that the Premier League next season will become even more exciting and suspenseful because of Southampton's presence!"

Football games are so cruel!

All eyes, all eyes are on the winner!
No one cares about the cries and tears of the losers, they left the stadium sadly!
All Southampton players, led by captain Neuer, walked to the bottom of the stands where the fans were, thanking the fans for going north with the team to cheer for the team.

At this time, the Saints fans suddenly unfurled a long banner in the stands, covering most of the second-floor stands of the entire Wembley Stadium.

As you can see, on this banner, there are anthropomorphic cartoon images of the four trophies of the English League Cup, the English Championship, the FA Cup and the Europa League.

What's interesting is that the cartoon characters of the first three championship trophies have all put on Southampton's iconic jerseys, lined up neatly, and walked forward holding the Southampton team flag high.

On the opposite side is the naked cartoon image of the UEFA Europa League trophy, clutching key parts, running over quickly, as if to join the Southampton queue.

The whole banner is drawn vividly, very realistic and interesting.

There is also a sentence below, "Please pay attention, it is running towards us very fast!"

The action of the fans in the stands immediately made everyone in the audience roar with laughter.

Especially the players in the stadium gave thumbs up to the fans in the stands.

No surprise, this huge banner is from Saint Harry Fan Club!

At the scene, spotlights flashed frequently, some were cameras in the hands of reporters, and some were mobile phones and tablet computers in the hands of fans. Without exception, they all wanted to remember this impressive scene.

At this time, the drums sounded little by little, getting heavier and louder.

Immediately afterwards, fans from the Saints Harry Fan Club began to sing Southampton's team anthem in unison.

First, then they were singing.

But gradually, more and more people joined the chorus.

In the end, even the players, even the Southampton executives on the podium, stood up one by one and joined the chorus.

At this moment, football is not just football!

(End of this chapter)