McClaren had accurately calculated Wood's lack of experience, but he did not expect Tang En to use the entire team's defense to eliminate this unstable factor. In Senli's city walls, no matter who was breached, it wouldn't be fatal, because there would be people around to help cover the defense.
Do you still remember the 1998 World Cup where the host team, France, faced the weakest team in the top 16, Paraguay, in the round of 16? Paraguay used defense in football almost to perfection, but in the end they fell short. Tang En believed that it was because Paraguay's defense was too passive and relied too much on the individual abilities of the goalkeeper, Chilavert, and a few defenders. The current Forest team was truly relying on the entire team to defend. Tang En never handed the opportunity to determine the success or failure of a defense to the goalkeeper, because when the opposing striker faced the goalkeeper and shot, it often meant that his defense had already failed 90% of the time.
Nottingham Forest would not give the Middlesbrough players a chance to comfortably control the ball. As soon as they entered their own defensive zone, they would immediately feel that the pace of the game had more than doubled! If they did not pass the ball, stop the ball, and dribble the ball as soon as possible, the football under their feet was very likely to be lost.
The technical report of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan once pointed out that the key to breaking the balance of a top-level competition might be: the coach's on-the-spot decision, the star player's individual performance, a counterattack, a set piece, and a mistake.
Other than the rule of "the coach making decisions on the spot," Tang En hoped to use the "wall defense" to minimize the chances of the other four golden rules appearing.
In his eyes, the only person in the Middlesbrough squad who could rely on his own ability to decide the outcome of the game was Juninho the Big. But now his form was not as good as it used to be. What's more, past experience had long proved that most Brazilian players were not used to English football. Juninho Sr. was no exception. His ups and downs in England had a lot to do with that.
Juninho couldn't even bring out 30% of his usual strength in this kind of crazy, almost foul situation, let alone change the outcome of the match.
As for the other once famous star player, Mendieta … Ever since he decided to leave Spain to make a living abroad, he no longer posed any threat. He was the kind of player who could only perform at his best in a specific football environment, a specific team, and a specific coach. Italian football does not suit him, nor does English football.
Perhaps Tangning's speed and momentum could bring some variables, but he also lacked experience. In addition, his passing and shooting were still far behind in terms of speed.
This was the best strategy that Tang En could come up with to deal with Middlesbrough. As for the actual situation in the match, it would depend on the level of command of both managers on the field. And this was the kind of contest that Tang En was least afraid of.
※ ※ ※
When Juninho finally dribbled the ball past the Forest team's defensive midfielder, Gunnarsson, but was knocked away by George Wood from the side with the ball, and the referee remained indifferent, the Middlesbrough fans could not help but boo from the stands. In their view, almost every move by the Forest team was enough to qualify as a foul, and the referee's decision made them very uncomfortable.
But while they were hissing, did they ever think about this question? The 1.65m tall Juninho and the 1.86m tall George Wood came into physical contact. Even if it was a reasonable collision, he would not be able to gain any advantage. The referee was right beside the two of them and could see the ball very clearly. Wood did not commit a foul. His leg was even faster than the Brazilian's.
Juninho felt the pressure from Wood pouncing toward him as he dribbled the ball, so he planned to dodge to the side. However, Wood quickly poked the ball away from his feet. Unable to stop in time, he simply took advantage of the situation and knocked over the Brazilian, who was planning to take a place kick in the front field.
The referee was perceptive, and it made Juninho so angry that he slapped the turf. Off the field, Tang En gave a provocative thumbs up to the field.
"Nottingham Forest's defensive organization is very successful. At least from the first 24 minutes of the first half, that's the case. Middlesbrough, who put on their strongest offensive lineup, only managed to shoot four times in the first half, and none of them were within the range of the goalpost. Most of the time, they kept losing the ball under the pressure of the Forest team's players. Taylor, I think if Manager Tang En changed to a faster striker, the score would be 2: 0, with the Forest team in the lead! "
Martin Taylor laughed. "You're right, but if Manager Tang En plans to attack, then his team will not be able to fully focus on defense. This match is not exciting at all, but it's a crucial match. I don't think any of them want to make a mistake. After all, this is a match that concerns who can go to Europe next season … "
Tang En stood by the side of the field. So far, he was very satisfied with the team's performance. They had played to the standard they had in training. Even though there were some slip-ups in the beginning, they quickly adjusted. It looked like this group of young lads did not have the nervousness of playing in their first EFL Cup final. This was really thanks to his performance before the match.
The players performed well, but Tang En was not surprised. Because this was his team, a team that was built according to his ideas and wishes. The team's character was the same as his character. He, Tang En, had never been afraid of anyone, and Nottingham Forest had never been afraid of anyone.
What was the English Premier League's "Giant Killer"? What was England's young and promising manager?
If we can fight our way into the final, we have the ability to defeat you and win the championship trophy!
McClaren sat in the manager's seat, watching the field expressionlessly. It looked like he did not take the difficulties the team was currently facing to heart. But in his mind, he was calculating the development of the match.
That Forest manager clearly hopes to restrict our team's offense through a tight defense. For him to do this … Should I call him smart or stupid? Will shrinking the defense be effective? Or will he change his tactics in the second half? Through a tight defense to deplete our players' stamina in the first half, through rough defensive actions to provoke my players, making them lose their cool and become impatient … Then in the second half, he starts to change players to adjust and play a quick counterattack … What about that Ukrainian?
McClaren turned his head to look at the Forest substitutes' bench, hoping to find Rebrov, who had been reborn since Tang En took over as a player and changed the field.
But he was a little surprised to find Tony Twain looking at him. Seeing that he was looking at him, Tony even grinned at him.
Seeing his opponent's behavior, McClaren could only choose to avoid it. He turned his head back and continued to watch the match.
Looking around, the back half of the Forest team's field was almost full of people … Juninho had lost the ball again. He angrily protested to the referee that Wood's tackle was a foul, but the referee still ignored him.
This Brazilian! How good would it be if you spent your time arguing with the referee on turning around and snatching the ball back!
Juninho still looks like he's in a bad condition. Damn it! He's clearly performing well in training!
That Spaniard can be counted on a lot. He doesn't even dare to go one-on-one on the flanks … His injuries and energy in Italy have eroded his confidence. He's no longer in Valencia's Mendieta.
Only Tang Ning … Seeing the young Tang Ning sprinting back and forth on the field, trying to break through, McClaren felt a little more relieved. Juninho and Mendieta would definitely leave the team at the end of the season, and Tang En's rise had pushed Cen Deng to the bench. He was Middlesbrough's hope and future.
It's just that … He's a little too excited. His movements are too fast and there are too many mistakes. Too young!
Looking around, McClaren found that he really had no way to deal with Nottingham Forest's omnidirectional defense — if he knew what Tang En called his tactics, he would definitely agree.
He covered his forehead. He'd really hit the wall this time!
(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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