On June 9th, the much-anticipated UEFA European Championship kicked off in the Spanish capital, Madrid.
After a Latin-inspired opening ceremony, the host team, Spain, played the opening game against Belgium.
La Liga was famous for advocating offense, and the Spanish national team's style was the same as that of their league. The UEFA European Championship in Spain also seemed to be a feast for offensive football.
In the past, the opening game of the World Series always gave the impression of being dull and boring. Both sides played cautiously for fear of making mistakes. But this time, at the Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain and Belgium put on a wonderful offensive drama.
In the end, Spain was more skillful and defeated Belgium with a score of 3: 1 to win the group. The Spanish striker, Bojan, scored the first goal of the tournament, while Belgium's Axel Witsel received the first yellow card of the tournament.
The Bernabéu stadium, which could hold 80,000 people, was full. The fans witnessed the departure of Spain's new invincible fleet. They hoped that this invincible fleet could once again dominate Europe on their own soil.
The next day, June 10th, the UEFA European Championship was in full swing. The strong teams did not encounter any opponents in the first round and won easily.
Due to the expansion of the UEFA European Championship, the rules for advancing from the group stage were also adjusted. Twenty-four teams were divided into six groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group advanced directly, and the four best third-placed teams in the group advanced. In this way, 16 teams were assembled to play in the Round of 16.
With this change, the competition in the group stage was not as intense as before, because as long as your team could get the best third-placed team in the group, it could still advance to the knockout stage. Other than the strong teams who aimed for the first place in the group, most of the mid-tier teams had more pragmatic goals.
However, the fierce competition in the groups, such as the Group of Death, would still be fierce.
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"Portugal's weakness is at the back." Twain was standing in the conference room to give the team a tactical lesson. This was the last tactical lesson before the game. The players would know what tactics the team would use tomorrow.
In fact, every player had a tactical booklet, which was specially designed by the coaching staff for each player's characteristics and different tasks. It had been sent to the players. If they could not remember, they could read the booklet. But Twain still had to give it personally, in terms of the overall layout.
"Their central defensive line is older and moves slowly. Pepe was the core of their defense and was already 33 years old. His injuries and age had caused his physical fitness to deteriorate greatly. Ze Castro didn't turn quickly either. The two full backs, Binnello on the right and Antunes on the left, were both assist-type full backs. They would plug forward when they had the chance, which was also a characteristic of Portugal's offense. This creates a situation where their backs are always empty. "
Tang En circled behind the Portuguese defender.
"We'll use defensive counterattack to lure them into pressing up, and then use our speed to hit these gaps." He drew a few arrows in England's half of the field and went straight behind the Portuguese rear defensive line.
"Portugal's flank attack is very sharp because they have Ronaldo, Nani and Quaresma. That's why I'm asking our wingers not to flinch in the game and to go head to head with them. "Twain clenched his fists and bumped them. "If you retreat, you'll only give them a foot after taking an inch. Our offense also needs to make more use of the flanks, and the full backs also need to actively assist … We're playing defensive counterattack, not just defending and not counterattacking. When there's a chance to counterattack, the two flanks must press up for me. I don't want to see a situation where our players haven't passed through the midfield when our ball has been passed to the front field. "
Counterattack was the core of Tang En's insistence on defense. If they did not counterattack, no matter how solid their defense was, it would be useless. Defensive counterattack and defensive counterattack were indispensable. Only when both played a role could they ensure their victory.
"When counterattacking, the speed must be fast. It must be fast. Try to reduce the number of passes in the midfield … "
Having said that, Tang En turned on the projector at the side, and the white screen showed the scene of England's friendly match against Argentina. George Wood was dribbling the ball. After running for two steps, he passed the ball to Downing on the left. Downing simply cut inside and forced his way past Fazio before passing the ball to the center. Wood plugged in from the back and shot a powerful volley into the goal.
This was the entire process of England's first goal against Argentina.
"In this goal, we saw the benefits of simple handling of the ball in the midfield …" Tang En rewound the process of the goal and explained it to the players in detail.
"When we counterattack, the Argentina players are quickly moving back to defend. If at this time, George Wood takes control of the ball, then turns around and looks up, what would happen? "
He pressed the remote control, and the image began to move. It stopped again at the point where Wood's pass had just passed through Mascherano's defense. "Then there is a high chance that this pass will not be able to pass."
The image continued and stopped again at the point where Downing forced his way past Fazio.
"Even if the pass is passed, Downing will not be able to break through Fazio so easily, because there will be an Argentina defender behind Fazio to protect him. Perhaps it will be a full back who has returned to defend, or perhaps it will be a center back who has replaced him. But no matter what, the probability of success for this attack has been greatly reduced. "
"You must remember, counterattacking is a race against time with the defense. Whoever seizes the initiative will win half the battle. At this time, do not stop in the midfield. Even if you can't dribble the ball out for a while, you must pass it to the people around you as soon as possible, and then create a passing route through your own movement. "
"Of course, if the opponent's defensive system is better maintained, they can retreat very quickly. Without a good passing point, there is no need to pursue speed. We can slow down, then pass the ball back, and then pull them out. "Tang En made a hand gesture, vividly illustrating his words.
"After luring them out, then pass the ball forward decisively! Pass the ball to the most dangerous place! "
"Mitchell, you will be at the front and attract all their defensive attention. Rooney and Gerrard will lie in wait behind you, waiting for an opportunity to plug in. You are not the scorer in this game, you are the bridgehead, do you understand? "Tang En turned to his disciple in the Forest team.
Aaron Mitchell nodded. As long as it was the boss's arrangement, he would not have any objections even if he were to play as a center back. Because the boss must have his reasons for this arrangement.
"Attract Portugal's defensive firepower, create opportunities for your teammates, and score if there is a good opportunity. When we counterattack, you must be the first to go up and press Portugal's defensive line back, and pull out space for Rooney and Gerrard to plug in from the back. "
"No problem, boss." Mitchell responded.
"When the positional attack, if Portugal focuses on guarding against our flanks, play more coordination in the flanks. If Portugal shrinks back to the middle to defend, directly pass the ball from the flanks. " Anyway, there was Mitchell, an excellent header, to dominate the air. Even if Portugal felt something was wrong and wanted to shrink back to play positional warfare with England, Tang En was not afraid.
He did not use Agbonlahor and Rooney's double fast combination because he was guarding against this move.
"We will not carry out man to man defense in this game. Remember how we trapped Argentina's offensive lineup in the front field? We will play the same way, zonal defense. After the back line intercepts the ball, pass the ball forward, and try to avoid horizontal or return passes. If there is no good opportunity to send the ball out, Michael Johnson has to retreat more to receive the pass. You are the hub of the midfield. "
The 27-year-old midfielder from Tottenham Hotspur, Michael Johnson, nodded. He was the person Tang En had found to temporarily replace Wood. But he was not the only candidate. In fact, although Gerrard's position was closer to the opponent's penalty area, he could also do Johnson's work when necessary. George Wood's abnormal running ability, defensive ability, and offensive ability needed to be shared by multiple people. This was Tang En's "no-core tactics." In the past, England's opponents only had to find ways to keep an eye on Wood. It was not possible to think that way now.
Tang En continued to explain the tactics while George Wood sat in the corner and listened. In fact, he did not need to come at all because he would not play. It did not matter whether he listened to the tactics or not. But as the captain, he still sat here and listened to Tang En's tactical arrangements.
It was not for anything else but to experience the atmosphere of the big game. So that when he could play, he could adjust his condition to the best in the shortest time possible.
Now, listening to the tactical arrangements and watching the video of the goal, Wood only felt that his body missed the feeling of being healthy more and more.
He longed for the game.
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There was a tactical meeting in the morning and Tang En went to Camp Nou in the afternoon for a pre-game press conference. He attended at the same time as the Portugal manager, Queiroz, and the media was full of expectations.
It was because it was said that Queiroz was very unhappy with Tang En when he was at Manchester United. It was also because Ferguson favored Tang En that Queiroz did not eventually become his successor. It was also because of this that he chose to go to the Portugal national team to coach.
Now, he finally had such an opportunity to prove in front of the world that he was similarly an outstanding manager who did not lose to Tang En.
Because of this relationship, Tang En felt that the atmosphere was not right when he and Queiroz shook hands.
Queiroz did not have a smile on his face, and Tang En also kept his smile.
The two managers completed a group photo in front of the crowd of reporters with straight faces.
At the start of the press conference, Tang En burst out with a shocking statement. "Mr. Queiroz and I are old acquaintances. We should be very familiar with each other when we were in the English Premier League. Many of the Portugal players are playing in the English Premier League, and I am also very familiar with them. For example, Nani and Adrian from Manchester United, Danny and Moutinho from Manchester City, Postiga from Middlesbrough, and Pepe from AC Milan … I am very familiar with them. This Portugal team is no secret to me. I have a high chance of defeating them. "
As soon as these words came out, the scene was in an uproar.
Everyone said that Tony Twain was a madman. Seeing him today, he indeed lived up to his reputation …
Who would make such a statement before a match? Was he not afraid of provoking the other party's desire to fight by clearly looking down on them?
As expected, Queiroz's expression immediately darkened.
He launched a counterattack. "Mr. Tang En and I are indeed old acquaintances. We have played against each other in the English Premier League. I respect his achievements very much. "In other words, he did not like him very much. "In fact, I have been in the English Premier League for a long time, and I understand the England team very well. Honestly speaking, I think Mr. Tang En was joking when he said they have a high chance of defeating us. "
He was the first to laugh after saying that. Following that, a wave of laughter rang out in the crowd.
Tang En laughed along. This joke was really clumsy.
He did not continue to embarrass Queiroz with his words. Queiroz's "I think Mr. Tang En was joking when he said they have a high chance of defeating us" was already a sign of weakness.
There was no point in beating a drowning dog now.
However, he was certain that he had already successfully provoked the other party's anger. Defensive counterattack, defensive counterattack. If they did not provoke the other party and let them press out, how were they going to counterattack?
The reporters were more concerned about what the England team would do if Wood was not around. However, Tang En did not answer these questions. As long as it was a question about tactics and lineup, he would find an excuse to dodge it. If he was forced into a corner, he might as well not say anything at all.
In the ten-minute press conference, other than the slightly more explosive speech he made at the beginning, there was nothing else worth mentioning.
Instead, it was Queiroz who spoke with assurance, completely outshining Tang En.
"We will work hard to attack. Portuguese football is football that is meant to attack."
Tang En snickered at the side. This was the best.
"No one is troubled by injuries. We can send out our strongest lineup."
Tang En nodded his head. This way, it is in line with the lineup I predicted in the morning.
"Death group? Our goal is not to advance from the group stage. Advancing is not a problem. "
Tang En followed up in his mind: The best team with the third place in the group can also advance.
…
This continued all the way until the end of the press conference. Tang En stood up and shook hands with Queiroz again.
"See you in the match, Mr. Queiroz."
Queiroz was surprised by Tang En's sudden words. Before he could react, Tang En had already let go of his hand and turned to walk away.
Queiroz looked at the somewhat arrogant back view and pursed his lips tightly.
You're proud just because you've won a few club championship trophies? Mr. Tang En. You think you can do whatever you want just because you've won a few weak teams in the qualifiers? Mr. Tang En.
You're just a newcomer in the national team's field. Let's see how long you can run wild for!
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Tang En did not know how Queiroz was cursing him in his heart. When he returned to the hotel he was staying at, he took a good shower and washed away his stinky sweat. He changed his clothes and laid on the bed, chatting with Shania on the phone.
He was very relaxed now. He did not feel the slightest bit nervous about leading the national team to participate in an international competition for the first time.
So what if it's the UEFA European Championship? I've won so many championship trophies that my hands are sore. What kind of storms and waves have I not seen?
After ending the call with Shania, he directly turned over on the bed and fell asleep.
He did not dream of himself leading the team to lift the championship trophy. Instead, he dreamed of himself having a child. It was a cute girl who looked as beautiful and likable as her mother. When she grew up, she would definitely be the focus of all the men's attention.
She would stick to Tang En's side all day, calling him "Daddy," and Tang En would never get tired of hearing it.
He did not wish for her to grow up, but he also hoped that she would blossom into a beautiful girl. Just like that, he watched her grow up day by day with conflicting feelings.
When Tang En was woken up by Walker for dinner, he still had an obvious smile on his face.
"You're in a good mood, Tony?" Walker asked in the elevator.
"Oh, why do you say so?" Tang En asked.
"I've heard people say that to judge a person's mood, you have to look at their expression after they wake up. You're obviously smiling … "
Tang En smiled again. "I'm indeed in a good mood because I had a beautiful dream."
"Did you dream of winning the championship?" To Walker, he could not think of anything else that would make Tang En smile even in his dreams.
Tang En shook his head. "No, it's a dream that makes me happier than winning the championship."
"Then what is it?" The surprised Des Walker asked out of reflex.
Tang En did not answer. Judging from the smile on his face, he was probably immersed in that dream again, wasn't he?
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