Chapter 60: Kill Real Madrid and bring back the championship!
On the evening of May 24, at the Stade de France in Paris, France.
Accompanied by Juanma Lillo, Yang Hao quietly appeared in the stands of the Champions League final and watched the game live.
The result was very interesting. The score was still 3-0, and the scorers were still Morientes, McManaman and Raul, but the process and order of goals were completely different from the previous life.
The first goal was scored by McManaman. Before the end of the first half, he shot a world-class goal from outside the penalty area and broke through Valencia's goal, reflecting the true level of the star and changing the game.
After the second half, Valencia attacked more fiercely, but Raul made a long-distance run and broke through Valencia's goal again, further expanding the score.
In the end, it was Morientes' final shot that killed the game.
After watching this game, Yang Hao fully felt the randomness and inevitability of football matches.
The so-called inevitability is that Valencia will definitely lose.
This can be deduced from the lineups of both sides and the tactics of the two head coaches.
The so-called randomness refers to everything that happens to the players during the game, which changes anytime and anywhere.
This is actually the greatest charm of football.
Even if you let Zidane play in another hundred Champions League finals, he will not be able to replicate that magical kick.
So, it is inevitable that Real Madrid will defeat Valencia.
This is a kind of pressure for Atletico Madrid because they are about to face the Champions League winners.
But there is also an advantage, which is that Real Madrid consumed a lot of physical energy because both sides fought until the last moment.
Throughout the game, Valencia actually had a certain advantage, but Real Madrid had more shots and their shots were more threatening.
The reason for this situation is simple: the Bat Legion took the initiative to attack.
In the face of Real Madrid's iron wall, Cooper's team once again exposed its weaknesses in organization and passing ability.
Of the 11 shots, only 1 was on target. It cannot be blamed on Lopez or Angulo, but rather that they both found it difficult to get good opportunities. How could they pose a threat?
"This game fully demonstrated to us that it is very dangerous to press forward against Real Madrid in their current form!"
After watching the game, Yang Hao summarized his own experience.
Juanma Lillo advocates high-pressure pressing, but after watching this game and listening to Yang Hao's words, he had to admit that it was indeed the case.
Because Real Madrid has a large number of players in the backcourt, there are almost 8 players defending each time, and sometimes even 10 players form three lines to chase and intercept Valencia.
But the Bat Army likes to advance layer by layer.
So, Valencia finally won the ball and pushed forward step by step, only to find that Real Madrid's defense had arrived.
"Ivan Helguera is a crucial player, but his strongest point is not his individual defense, but his command of the defense and his distribution of the ball from the back."
Elguera can play as a midfielder and a central defender, but in Bosque's hands, he is the central one among the three central defenders.
Even when Hierro is there, he has to stand aside.
Elguera's defensive ability is indeed not outstanding, but his awareness is very good, and he has good ball-handling and passing skills. When facing Valencia's pressing pressure, he performed very well.
Elguera is extremely popular now, but who would have thought that in just two or three years, he would become a victim of the superstar strategy?
"With our strength, if we push forward to attack, we will probably die more miserably than Valencia." Yang Hao shook his head.
He is now more determined in his opinion.
Cooper had already demonstrated to him in front that he couldn't play like that against Real Madrid.
…
"Real Madrid played very conservatively in this game, but they won thanks to their stars up front."
This is what the Argentine said when Yang Hao saw Cooper outside the locker room of the stadium after the game.
Cooper still looked expressionless and a little indifferent, but there was a hint of fatigue in his eyes, revealing his mood at the moment and his disappointment after losing the final, but he seemed exceptionally strong.
This is the second consecutive season that he has lost a European final, last season was the European Cup Winners' Cup final.
"It would have been very dangerous if you didn't score a goal in the first 30 minutes," said Yang Hao.
Cooper understood what Yang Hao meant.
Yang Hao said that if they couldn't score a goal in the first 30 minutes, they should be more conservative and simply retreat.
Cooper shook his head and smiled bitterly, "It's not that easy. I can't retreat."
After a pause, the Argentine gave his own explanation, which was rare.
"We had a unified mindset before the game. Facing a Real Madrid team like this, we only had two options: either score a goal before their opponent, or defend to the end and wait for the opportunity."
Yang Hao nodded, this was indeed the only way.
Real Madrid's stars all have strong individual abilities. The combination of Morientes and Raul is one of the top offensive forces even in European football, and they cooperate very harmoniously and tacitly.
"When we made up our minds to attack Real Madrid, it showed our attitude. We had to score earlier than Real Madrid, otherwise we would be in a very passive position. When we were unable to open the situation on the pitch, it was difficult for me to ask the players to retreat."
"They're not robots. I can't tell them to attack with full health and fighting spirit, and then retreat with all my heart if I tell them to. Then, when I see the right opportunity, I'll tell them to attack again, and they'll be able to revive and attack again with full health. That's unrealistic."
Yang Hao understood what Cooper said.
Ultimately, Valencia lacked game control.
This kind of control is not just about controlling the ball, but also about being able to control the rhythm and guide teammates around him.
The most obvious example to illustrate this situation is Real Madrid in 2023.
When Modric and Toni Kroos are on the court, everyone feels that Real Madrid plays more organized and controlled, but once the two veterans are not there, Real Madrid will play somewhat out of control.
Similarly, there is Benítez's Liverpool, with or without Xabi Alonso, they are two completely different teams.
The problem Cooper is facing now ultimately comes down to Valencia's lack of midfield control.
Atletico Madrid’s current situation is actually similar, except that there is an additional Valeron.
But in the King's Cup final, Belleron will definitely receive special attention from Real Madrid, and Yang Hao will also have to make some appropriate adjustments.
"You are indeed a little nervous tonight." Yang Hao comforted.
It's the first time after all.
It doesn’t matter, you will be “nervous” again next season.
"We lost, but I still want to advise you that once you make a decision, you must have absolute confidence in it, otherwise, you will not be able to beat Real Madrid." Cooper warned seriously.
Whether as the head coach or as a senior, he is qualified to speak to Yang Hao like this.
Even if he lost the Champions League final.
"I know, thank you for your reminder, Hector." Yang Hao thanked him politely.
…
"You know what, Juanma?"
On the plane from Paris back to Madrid, Yang Hao talked about the final with his assistant again.
"Cooper, like us, has seen Real Madrid's weakness. This team under Bosque is slow to warm up. They rarely score before 30 minutes this season. In the first half hour, they always play a bit chaotically."
"But their defense was really well organized."
Faced with this temptation, Cooper chose to take the initiative, but after 30 minutes he failed to score and the team could not retreat.
So, he lost.
Yang Hao does not think that the attacking combination of Hasselbaink, Solari, Aguilera and Belleron will be stronger than the attacking combination of Lopez, Angulo, Kily Gonzalez, Farinos and Mendieta.
What Valencia can't do, Atletico Madrid can't do even more.
If this final was held a year later, and Yang Hao formed his own team and spent another year polishing it, he would definitely do better than Cooper.
But now, you have to admit defeat when you should, and act like a grandson when you should.
Isn’t there a saying?
Every grandfather starts with his grandson.
"Then... defend?" Juanma Lillo suggested.
Yang Hao nodded and said, "Defend, but don't just defend blindly."
"Yes, drag Real Madrid into a war of attrition, and then use our physical advantage to kill them!" Juanma Lillo said excitedly.
In professional competitions, every team and every person is making full use of their own advantages to defeat their opponents.
Real Madrid players are so strong that Atletico Madrid is at a disadvantage.
Now that the schedule is favorable and Real Madrid has been fighting continuously, it has given Atletico Madrid an opportunity. Shouldn't Yang Hao take the opportunity to stab them?
"Pay special attention to free kicks. Judging from this final, Bosque has practiced set pieces quite a bit."
Juanma Lillo nodded in agreement.
"Isn't it just the Champions League title? What I'm fighting for is the Champions League title!" Yang Hao's heart was also burning with excitement.
…
After returning from France, Atletico Madrid began its final preparations.
The entire Majadahonda was completely closed to the outside world. All media reporters and fans were prohibited from visiting. Security guards were even arranged to patrol the perimeter of the training base to prevent Real Madrid scouts from coming to spy on military intelligence.
Yang Hao and Juanma Lillo were in the training base, behind closed doors, giving special training to Atletico Madrid players. He also personally edited some of Real Madrid's game processes this season and played them for the players to watch, so that they could better understand Real Madrid's offensive tactics and when and how to press.
In Yang Hao's opinion, as long as Real Madrid's flanks are suppressed , the offensive threat to the goal will be much smaller.
In addition, Yang Hao repeatedly reminded Belleron and Baraja to pay attention to the suppression in the midfield and control the situation and the rhythm of the game.
"We have to play fast, use a fast pace to wear down our opponents and drag down Real Madrid!" Yang Hao's plan was blatant.
But at the same time, he also reminded his players that Real Madrid is likely to take the initiative this time because they cannot afford the consumption.
Therefore, you must be prepared to defend yourself from the beginning.
Finally, the team not only practiced the offense and defense of corner kicks and free kicks, but even penalty kicks.
Yang Hao also specifically counted and collected the habits and data of Real Madrid players in taking penalties, and gave them all to Molina so that he would be more confident when saving penalties.
At the same time, the penalty save data of Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas was also listed. In fact, there were not many, as Casillas had just made his debut and had not even joined the national team. However, Yang Hao combined his impressions from his previous life and revealed Casillas' weaknesses and shortcomings to the players.
In a nutshell, in this game, he will do everything he can to defeat Real Madrid!
"I want you to help me bring back the Copa del Rey title!"
