Among the materials provided by the Liverpool coaching staff to Yang Yang, there is an article that specifically analyzes ac Milan's Christmas tree formation.
Head coach Benitez and tactical analyst Dave Mcdonov agreed that ac Milan's success this season stems from Ancelotti's tactical adjustment. He went to Ambrosini and took a three-waist play Is the key.
The biggest role of the Christmas tree formation is defense, especially the defense of the forefront of the penalty area.
Four three two one, from this series of numbers can be seen, four guards, three backs, two fronts, one forward.
When shrinking defense, ac Milan's hinterland gathered seven defensive players.
Want to control the situation on the football field, either control the ball rights, or control the space, and want to get these two things, can not be separated from people, so some people say that the advantage on the football field is groundbreaking, that is How to create an advantage in the number of people in a local area and use this advantage.
At the front of the penalty area, there are two offensive players and only one of the defenders.
If it is the other way around, then the attacking party is estimated to be out of business.
Ac Milan adopted the same principle, arranging seven players in the penalty area and the forefront of the penalty area, plus two front waists, which can ensure that ac Milan oppresses all opponents who enter the 30-meter area, forcing the opponent to only stay in the distance It's hard to create a threat if you start from far away.
Because the most threatening and critical areas inside and outside the restricted area are occupied by them.
This is the biggest advantage of the Christmas tree formation, and also the most annoying advantage for opponents!
But everyone also knows that on the football field, defense alone is not good. No matter how good the defense is, there is not enough offensive threat. Sooner or later, it will be laid down by the opponent.
So there are two front midfielders and one striker.
The three have always been in a triangular position and have different characteristics.
Da Inzaghi is good at running positions and passing through. Kaka is fast and explosive. He is good at plugging in offense and driving the ball in the middle. Seedorf is more comprehensive, creative, and has a good passing consciousness.
The three players have complementary characteristics and echo each other, forming a tactical level when attacking.
They can pull the side, play a small team in the middle, or fight back quickly.
Faced with such an offensive combination, no team dares to carelessly, and the full-backs dare not rush into pressure, because Seedorf and Kaka can create threats on the wing.
But how can there be perfect tactics in the world?
One of the weaknesses of the Christmas tree formation is the overall recovery. When it is attacked by the defender, it is far away from the goal. Therefore, in essence, this is a very conservative defensive counterattack tactic.
How do you solve the problem of being too far away?
Pirlo's long pass and Kaka's speed!
Another problem is that it is easy to disconnect.
In the first minute of the game, Liverpool's goal was the best proof.
After the kick-off, AC Milan launched a press in the midfield and tried to control the ball from the beginning. As a result, Liverpool directly hit a long pass, and the midfielder had no time to return to the front of the penalty area. This caused Gerrard to insert the ball , Can easily find Yang Yang, and assisted him to score a header.
At that time, Liverpool used their own speed to play the AC Milan defense when the two lines were disconnected.
In addition, the width of the offense depends heavily on the two full-backs. Without the full-back support, the offense is too concentrated on the middle, which makes it easier for the opponent to defend.
After Liverpool's first record, the trend of the game basically matched the situation of the Christmas tree formation.
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After an advanced goal, Liverpool took the initiative to press out the attack, but at the same time, whether it was Gerard ahead, or Mascherano and Harvey Alonso behind, they firmly held the middle.
The two wings of Finnan and Aurelio did not dare to overpress, at most it was equal to the double waist.
In the frontcourt, Yang Yang restrained Otto and Gattuso, and Pennant attacked ac Milan's left with all his strength, not only suppressing Yankulovsky, but also frequently creating threats on the court.
This makes ac Milan's situation on the whole court very embarrassing, and it can even be said to be embarrassed.
The trident on the frontcourt that the Red and Black Legions depended on, Inzaghi didn't have a shot, Kaka had a long shot, and Seedorf was invisible in the first half.
It can be said that Liverpool's tactics were very, very successful throughout the first half, playing AC Milan only had the strength to parry, and there was no room to fight back, the offensive is difficult to pass through the midfield, in contrast to Liverpool, frequently creating a threat.
In addition to a lightning goal at the opening, Yang Yang also made a dribble in the left, the right foot was transferred, and a diagonal pass was behind. Pennant quickly inserted behind Yankulovsky and passed to In the penalty area, Gerrard inserted a push shot and missed.
Then Yang Yang sent a good pass on the left and picked it up to the back point. Pennant caught up and directly hit the door, but still missed.
The most threatening attack in the game took place in the 28th minute.
Pennant sent an accurate cross from the right and fell to the back point.
Yang Yang quickly plugged in, headed the ball before the bottom line, and returned to the goal. Kuyt pushed in front of the goal.
As a result, the veteran Maldini blocked the shot with help, and then Gerald's shot was also destroyed by Ambrosini.
Yang Yang also created a long-range opportunity for Xavi Alonso in the 32nd minute. The Spanish midfielder hit the goal and directly hit the crossbar, but still failed to break the goal again.
In the thirty-sixth minute, Pennant once again created a chance from the right and sent the ball to the right side of the penalty area. Gerrard inserted the ball and passed to the goal. Kuyt ’s Nesta ’s Under the interference, the shot failed to hit hard and was shoveled by Otto before the goal line.
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It can be said that Liverpool took the advantage in the first half.
In addition to possession rate, all offensive data Liverpool have to lead AC Milan, the number of shots is far ahead.
However, after taking advantage of this, even everyone felt that Liverpool should be able to score again soon, but AC Milan equalized the score.
In the forty-fourth minute, AC Milan launched a quick counterattack. Seedorf drove the ball on the left and was shoveled by Mascherano. After AC Milan throws the ball out, he reorganized the attack and sent the ball into the penalty area. , Carragher took the lead to make a header, but Kaka took the first step outside the top of the arc to get the ball, Xavi Alonso fouled on defense.
When Pirlo took the free kick, he made a sideline with Liverpool player Inzaghi who hit the left side of the wall. The ball hit his left upper arm, turned a broken line, and hit Liverpool's goal.
Reina judged the original trajectory of the ball, but did not expect that the ball would change direction after hitting Inzaghi.
This is definitely an incredible luck.
The Liverpool player signaled to German referee Van der that this should be considered a handball, but Van der said that Grand Inzaghi ’s arm was not open at the time, and there was no obvious awareness of active handball. football.
In other words, ac Milan relied on God to appreciate the dinner and equalized the score!
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The home team's locker room was so quiet that only the footsteps of the players remained.
It is absolutely unacceptable to be evenly scored by the opponent with the advantage.
But it happened!
In addition to saying angrily, what kind of luck did ac Milan leave?
Yang Yang sat in the dressing room, took off his shirt and shorts, and sweated all over his body.
The temperature in Athens is too hot. Even at night, it is still terribly hot, which makes the player's physical energy consumption significantly larger than usual, which is quite unfavorable for Liverpool.
Because the Red Army adopted the tactics of siege and encroachment, which required physical strength.
The Liverpool coaching staff also developed a strategy specifically for this situation. They put ice in the training vest and each player put on two or three minutes to ensure that they can recover as soon as possible.
Yang Yang was the first to wear it, so he is sitting now, while the other teammates who wear it are walking around in the dressing room.
Their voices remained in the dressing room, and occasionally some movement from the staff.
Yang Yang believes that what the team needs most is not mobilization, but affirmation.
The team played very well in the first half. As long as the pressure is maintained, there will definitely be a chance in the second half.
But the key is to be patient, don't worry, continue to play in the same way after the first half lead, and sooner or later you can score.
But if you're in a hurry, Kaka's dribbling speed is quite fast. Just now, Xavi Alonso's foul was a little bit forced, because Kaka really started it, it couldn't be stopped.
Whether it is the suppression in the frontcourt or the interception and suppression in the midfield, Liverpool have done quite well in place. It can even be said that there is no problem, that is, some luck.
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"Everyone sit down, we have more important things to deal with."
Benitez and Yesterdan walked into the locker room and loudly signaled that the players were seated.
There was a sudden silence in the locker room, and everyone looked up at Benitez.
"The play in the first half was very successful. We completely suppressed AC Milan. We will continue in the second half and make use of the space behind the opponent's defensive player to give us the advantage of a quick counterattack."
The players nodded.
"We were unlucky in the first half, but that was over. It was nothing for one-on-one. We had a chance to score again. You did very well. Continue to create opportunities. We will definitely be able to score again. "
Obviously, the Liverpool head coach also believes that various targeted tactical arrangements in the first half of the team have been achieved and achieved results, and there is no need to make changes and adjustments.
But at the same time, Benitez also said that he will be replaced in the second half of the fifteen to twenty minutes.
Everyone knows that by then Crouch is the first team to be replaced.
England's tactical role in the frontcourt is still very obvious, especially in the face of AC Milan, a team that guards against defense, his high-ball advantage can often play a key role.
Benitez made him a substitute in this game, which originally used his idea of being a stranger.
If the second half still fails to open, Crouch will come off the bench.