Chapter 36: Superstar Rescue Plan
The preparation time was very tight and fulfilling.
But Yang Hao still took the time out to persuade Hill to join him, and together with Juanma Lillo, the three of them flew to Rome, Italy on Wednesday to watch the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Olympic Stadium .
Nedved, Nesta, Mihajlovic and Veron are all players that Yang Hao likes very much.
But unfortunately, Simeone and Mancini Sr. both sat on the bench.
It is worth mentioning that the tickets for Yang Hao and the other two were obtained through Simeone.
The team coached by Eriksson is really similar to his own personality. He can't get hard when he should, and he gets hard when he shouldn't. As a result, he himself falls on the zipper of his crotch.
And this time, Lazio also failed because they were not strong enough.
After the opening, with the four midfielders consisting of Veron, Almeida, Nedved and Conceicao, Lazio easily controlled the midfield and ball possession, and even completely dominated the situation.
This is also related to Cooper's conservative tactics.
After the first round, which was 5-2, Cooper obviously just wanted to get through safely.
Eriksen made a very fatal mistake and failed to score at the start!
Don't think this is metaphysics. In fact, when you lose in the first leg away and must score 3 goals at home, the first thing you need to do is not tactics or anything else, but to find a way to score a goal at the beginning.
If you don't produce troops at the beginning, the game will be dragged into a lukewarm state. What's the point of producing troops?
Lazio started the game too politely tonight. It was not until the 20th or 30th minute that they created some pressure through consecutive corner kicks, but they failed to create any threats after that.
Nedved performed as tough as ever. He was still the most hardworking person on the court and tried hard to create opportunities, but the overall intensity was not high enough and the pace was slow.
After watching for only half an hour, Yang Hao and Juanma Lillo basically judged that Lazio was bound to lose this game.
Because there is no sign of reversal.
Facts have proved that Lazio failed to reverse Valencia and was unfortunately eliminated.
"Eriksen has wasted these stars!" Yang Hao felt deeply regretful.
In another match, Van Gaal's Barcelona returned to their home ground with a strong performance after losing 1-3 to Chelsea in the first leg away.
Van Gaal calmed the players and decisively changed the formation to 3331, letting Rivaldo return to the number ten position. As a result, Barcelona played like crazy at the start of the game, and Rivaldo quickly scored the first goal for Barcelona.
After that, Barcelona continued to attack and finally won 3-1 in the regular game. In the extra time, Rivaldo and Kluivert scored consecutive goals and reversed Chelsea 5-1, staging a classic Champions League comeback.
Comparing Barcelona and Lazio, you can clearly see the difference in how the head coaches lead the teams.
Real Madrid defeated Manchester United 3-2 away from home after the score was 0-0 at home, with Raul scoring twice.
Bosque continued to use his 532 tactics. Although Manchester United fought back frantically after conceding three goals in a row, they were ultimately unable to continue the crazy reversal momentum of 1999.
…
After the game, Lazio was disbanded, and Diego Simeone even came over to meet with Yang Hao and others.
This is more of a Hill Jr. relationship.
Ever since Beckham's red card at the 1998 World Cup, Simeone's reputation has been very bad, and it can even be said that he has lost all popularity among the public, but privately, he is actually a very nice person.
Yang Hao was also very interested in this future bandit leader.
When Simeone revealed that he was also paying attention to the current situation of Atletico Madrid and was happy for the team's two consecutive victories, and as a player who had just fought hard with Valencia, Simeone suggested that Valencia must increase its intensity.
"Sven played too politely." Simeone said resentfully.
The first Sven is Sven Eriksson's name.
"I don't quite understand why we have to use two strikers. If we take down one striker, we can just put the players in the midfield. If you let me play, I can make Farinos regret stepping into the Olympic Stadium!" Simeone said harshly.
But after he finished speaking, he sighed deeply again.
It's too late to say anything now.
Eriksen only gave Simeone a total of 6 minutes tonight, and he played nothing.
"You made too many mistakes in the first round." Yang Hao said.
Simeone shook his head. "We seriously underestimated the intensity of the match, especially the determination Valencia showed in the opening minutes. As a result, we conceded two goals in the first four minutes. Everyone was stunned."
"The absence of Nesta also has a big impact on the defense line," Yang Hao added.
Everyone can understand this situation. It is actually a problem of the team's preparation. They are not fully prepared.
"I just asked other people in the locker room, and they all felt that this game against Valencia was quite exhausting, so you have to be mentally prepared." Simeone said this, looking deeply at Yang Hao.
He is still a little unsure, is this young man really the head coach of Atletico Madrid?
"We have been preparing all the time." Yang Hao said with a smile, "Cooper will deal with us Atletico Madrid just like he did in the first leg against Lazio, and explode from the start."
"They are not as physically fit as you are and cannot a protracted battle."
"More than that." Yang Hao smiled confidently, "We can accept a draw, but they can't, because they are now ranked 5th in La Liga, 4 points behind 4th-placed Zaragoza. We have to grab it."
Simeone suddenly realized.
La Liga has 4 places in the Champions League. Participating in the Champions League means an annual income of 20 to 30 million euros. Who can underestimate it?
What's more, they are facing Atletico Madrid, who is in the relegation zone.
"Then I feel relieved. Remember to avenge me." Simone smiled cheerfully.
Yang Hao was not polite. He nodded in agreement and looked at Simeone again. "If, I mean if, you are not happy in Lazio, as long as I am still the head coach of Atletico Madrid, you can call me anytime."
Simone was stunned for a moment, looked at Yang Hao again, and nodded in agreement.
Judging from the situation of this game, Eriksen trusts Almeida more than Simeone.
Of course, it is basically impossible to poach Simeone now.
Yang Hao just gave him a signal, and when he wanted to come back, he would naturally call him.
The premise is that he will still be the head coach of Atletico Madrid at that time.
…
On the flight from Rome back to Madrid, Yang Hao and Xiao Xier sat together.
The two naturally talked about Atletico Madrid.
Hill is very emotional, Atletico Madrid can no longer afford Simeone.
Hill actually doesn't have a good idea about how to manage Atletico Madrid.
He is very conflicted now. On the one hand, he hopes that old Hill will delegate power, but on the other hand, he doesn't know what to do after getting the management power?
"It's simple. We need to increase investment in global promotion and focus on commercial development, especially in North America and Asia."
Yang Hao’s speech was very insightful and also hit the nail on the head.
Professional football is all about money.
"Whether it's global promotion or commercial sponsorship, results on the court are needed," Hill Jr. reminded.
"So, the core of professional football is still football."
When Yang Hao said this, he no longer concealed his thoughts and directly expressed his thoughts.
"Regardless of whether they can avoid relegation this season, Atletico should restructure because the current players are not interested in Atletico, including Valeron and Hasselbaink, who can both be sold."
"By cleaning out a group of players, we can get a large amount of transfer fees and save a lot of salary expenses. Majadahonda needs to be renovated and the equipment, facilities and talents need to be further improved."
"The youth team needs to be restructured. Our second team is performing well, but some of the players are already 25 and have signed professional contracts. They are doing this purely for the sake of good results. What's the point? The youth team should be training talents for the senior team. If the talents they train can't be used by the first team, then they should be released."
"A pool of water needs to flow in and out to stay alive. We're keeping so many players on the second team, not only increasing expenses but also blocking the path for future players to grow. Why bother? Is it purely for good results?"
"Team formation must have a clear idea. The future of European football will no longer be the slow-paced, high-intensity competition of the past. Just like Eriksson's Lazio, no matter how many stars they had, if they played sloppily, what was the point?"
"If I were in charge, I wouldn't change the tactics and would just use 4-2-3-1. I would replace Hasselbaink with a strong center forward and Belleron with a modern attacking midfielder. The two wingers should be sharp and able to tear open the defense. The two defensive midfielders should be able to ensure the strength of the midfield and the stability of the defense."
"As for the full-backs, they must be good at both offense and defense. Capdevila can stay, but Gaspar needs to be replaced."
"And there are center backs. We must have center backs, otherwise how can we defend the center forwards? How many times have we been abused by center forwards so far this season?"
Yang Hao also gave it his all and was full of complaints.
He even wanted to ask, who exactly formed this team?
Tell him to get out here, or I’ll beat him to death!
Little Hill blinked and coughed twice. "Actually, the recruitment of many of our players was arranged by the old man."
Well……
Yang Hao exclaimed inwardly, it was indeed so.
He guessed it.
"What you said is indeed very tempting, but it will cost a lot of money, right?" Little Hill said with a worried look on his face.
Yang Hao chuckled, "It doesn't have to be much, and the club doesn't need to make any additional investments. You just need to give me the money from selling the players. I guarantee it will be more than enough, and it will also save a lot of salary expenses."
"If it goes well, maybe we can even leave another 10 ."
When Xiao Xier heard this, his eyes lit up immediately, "Really?"
What they lack most now is money.
"It's absolutely true, and I can guarantee that, regardless of relegation or not, give me three years, and I will help you achieve what famous coaches like Sacchi, Ranieri and Antic can't do!"
What will Ranieri do?
Within three years, a second Valencia was created in Atletico Madrid.
The situation Yang Hao is facing now is more severe than that during Ranieri's era, but he is still very confident in achieving this goal.
Why?
Because he already has very specific players in mind.
For example, as a center forward, Torres is so young, it is better for him to practice his skills first.
Since we have traveled through time, why not save Adriano?
What would be the effect of putting a perfect center forward who can rely on his super physique and excellent skills to beat top defenders such as Nesta and Maldini in Serie A in La Liga?
Have you forgotten how Atletico Madrid's Vieri brutally abused La Liga defenders?
Don’t you feel excited just thinking about it?
But this is the life a time traveler should have, isn't it?
