Chapter 240： Are you here to dig my corner?

David Wenner is a famous British football journalist. He has a very good relationship with many stars in the circle. He has written autobiographies for stars such as Bergkamp and Ferdinand, and has also written many books on football.

Among them, he had such a theoretical description of Dutch football in a book [Brilliant Orange].

Living on the flood-prone plains, the Dutch are forced to manage all kinds of spaces skillfully in their daily lives. Over time, they are particularly good at using space, and they also bring this quality to football.

In the book, he also interviewed Peter McWilliam, the Tottenham Hotspur manager in the "old times".

"Having the ball is the key, don't push your feet, go forward."

"Long passes are too risky. Most of the time, only honing your technique will pay off. If you have the ball at your feet, keep it up,

That way the opponent can't score a goal. "

Does it have a similar feeling?

That's right, this set of football concepts is the ball control concept of the Netherlands and Barcelona later.

McWilliam doesn't have much of a reputation, not even the Englishman Vic Buckingham, his player at Tottenham.

Few people know that Vic Buckingham is Michels' predecessor at Ajax and Barcelona.

In a way, Ajax, even Dutch football, and Barcelona football should start with Vic Buckingham, then Michels, and then Cruyff. A wave of peaks creates a dream team.

So, many people only remember Michels and Cruyff.

From Vic Buckingham to Michels, to Cruyff, Van Gaye, Rijkaard and Guardiola, it's a system of inheritance.

But in it, there is one person whose role has been greatly underestimated, and that is Louis van Gaal.

Strictly speaking, Van Gaal has further improved the passing and possession concept inherited from the days of Michels and Cruyff to make it more suitable for the trend of modern football, which is very remarkable, because it happened in the nineties. early 1990s.

Van Gaal's three-four-three formation at Ajax has officially defined the number four.

The so-called No. 4 is actually a central defender among the four, three, three, and four backs, pushed forward and placed between the midfielder and the defender, taking more responsibility for organization and transitional passing, defending. At times, he can even retreat to the back line and evolve into a back four.

Before the high-level crossing, many people were questioning Busquets, but from this point of view, does it make sense?

Soccer tactics are linked together.

Van Gaal seems to be a small change, but in fact completely overturned the entire tactical system.

When the No. 4 moves from a central midfielder to a central midfielder, taking on the responsibilities of playmaking and transitional passing, as well as defending, a change in midfield follows.

Why have a number four? Why move forward?

If it's just for organization and transition, isn't the back line okay?

The answer is given in three, four and three miles, that is, to push the tenth position forward, which is the diamond-shaped midfield position.

But then another change came. The tenth pressed forward and became an offensive midfielder. After getting closer to the center and the penalty area, his responsibilities must also change, because that is the area with the most intensive defense. .

Therefore, if you look at the football of Ajax in those years, you will find that the tenth position is often the point where they have the strongest attacking firepower and the strongest scoring ability, while the center is more focused on supporting and playing the ball.

Then think again, why did Guardiola want to promote Busquets?

Why does Guardiola have to sell Eto'o, who has such a strong scoring ability, for a Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

In fact, the answer is very clear.

With the passage of time, Van Gaal's three, four and three are out of date, but the role of the number four, and the concept behind it, has always existed and has been constantly improved.

For example, Rijkaard used Edmilson as a four and Marcos as a centre-back, but in reality?

Marcos often moved forward in midfield and Edmilson often dropped back to central defender.

It's definitely not like playing a football manager game, pulling an arrow, pushing a pawn-like player forward or backward, tweaking it in the tactical settings, pressing a few buttons.

In fact, there is a set of rigorous tactical theories and inheritance behind it. The purpose is to use every inch of space on the court reasonably and effectively, and to control the ball as much as possible.

This is number four!

So, so many people play fours and threes, but in the Netherlands, in Barcelona, ​​in the hands of Guardiola, it is different.

Even in Mourinho's four-three-three-mile, the most suitable 4-position player, Makelele, has a very high passing ability and stability. Later, without Makelele, Mourinho transformed it. Mikel is also a technical front waist transformed into a back waist.

Gao Shen has been adjusting Napoli's tactics since the beginning of last season.

4231 is really good, very stable, but the attack is not strong enough.

Especially in the face of a tight defensive team, there are always problems when 4231 is attacking.

To put it simply, the double midfielder and the back line are prone to disjointness.

So, Gao Shen tried four, three and three.

He has tried many players to play the No. 4, Biglia, Rakitic, Vidal, and he even asked David Luiz to make a cameo, but the results were all unsatisfactory and failed to meet his requirements .

Just like Vidal, in the second leg against Roma, he performed very well and froze Totti, but in fact, in attack, his passing and organization did not give enough support to the midfield.

That said, he defends well, but doesn't do enough playmaking and offense.

Biglia and Rakitic are both old problems, and they are not qualified for a single midfielder.

So Gao Shen had to aim at the current hall of No. 4 player training, Barcelona!

As soon as he walked out of the airport, Gao Shen's cell phone rang.

"I'm in the parking lot directly opposite you, that black car with double flashing lights, do you see it?"

Gao Shen listened to Guardiola's voice on the phone and quickly found him.

As soon as he got in, Guardiola hurriedly drove away.

"I said, why are you acting like a thief?" Gao Shen wondered.

Guardiola turned his head to the side and glanced at him, "Don't you know? You are one of the most unpopular people in our Barcelona, ​​and I'm about to become the head coach of Barcelona's second team. If anyone sees us Together, it’s sure to make headlines.”

Gao Shen smiled and snorted, "The head coach of a broken team in the fourth tier, see what you can do."

Guardiola laughed from ear to ear.

He is not a talkative person on weekdays, even a little stern, but he is always happy to be with Gao Shen.

"Let me tell you, you'd better provide me with food, drink, and fun. If not, I'll go to the newspaper tomorrow to break the news. With your half bucket of water, coaching Barcelona's second team will ruin those children."

Guardiola was delighted, "Didn't you just say that we are a broken team in the fourth tier? How can I ruin it?"

"The team broke because of a bad manager."

"Listen to what you mean, if you are allowed to act, can you bring it well?"

"Upgrading is definitely no problem. One level up a year, directly to West Second Division, and then onwards, I can't do anything about it."

Guardiola digs the groove directly, "It's been a long time since I saw you, your bragging skills have improved."

The two were amused by each other, and the car quickly drove on the expressway to the city.

When Gao Shen came to Barcelona before, he always came with competition assignments, and he was always under a lot of pressure. Unlike now, he was relaxed and could enjoy the scenery of Barcelona.

Don't say it, it's really not a style.

He couldn't help but think of a movie he saw in his previous life, Spy Shots.

After the hero of the agent was shot, he was rescued from falling into the water, lost his memory, and landed in Barcelona.

"Like Barcelona?" Guardiola guessed.

Gao Shen smiled, it was the default.

"Otherwise, think about it, come to Barcelona to be the head coach when you have the chance, and I'll be your assistant coach." Guardiola suggested with a smile, looking like he was still serious.

Gao Shen couldn't help but be amused, "You brat is very ambitious, you want to usurp Carlo's position, be careful."

how to say?

Barcelona is good, but not for him!

"By the way What happened to the thing I asked you to do?" Gao Shen asked with concern.

Guardiola smiled, "Of course, what you explained, can I not give my best?"

"arranged?"

"Well, it's an appointment. We'll have dinner with Tesiki tonight."

Tesiki Begiristan, the current technical director of Barcelona.

If Gao Shen wants to poach a player from Barcelona, ​​he must get the approval of Begiristan.

Coincidentally, when the Barcelona star played before, he and Guardiola were teammates and had a very good relationship.

"Tell me, who are you planning to dig?" Guardiola asked with interest.

Gao Shen stared at him maliciously, smiled and said, "You better not know."

For some unknown reason, Guardiola had an ominous premonition in his heart.

He had a feeling that this time he was afraid that he might not have lifted a brick and smashed himself in the foot, leading the wolf into the room.

"Hey, Gao, let's talk about it. I've just been on my own, and I've already fallen to the fourth level. I can't fall any more. Don't play my team's idea."

"Look, is there a misunderstanding?" Gao Shen snorted, with an angry expression of being wronged, but soon he couldn't help laughing again, "You said it too, we've fallen to the fourth level anyway, Can't fall any more, what are you afraid of?"

Guardiola was stunned for a moment, damn, are you really here to dig my corner?

"No, this can't be a reason for you to dig my corner!"

Gao Shen clicked his tongue again and sighed: "You just look at me like this? Do I look like that kind of person?\"

Guardiola did not answer, but his eyes were very clear, very clearly written two words.

picture!

This made Gao Shen very depressed.

Make friends carelessly!

This friend is for nothing!

******