Chapter 161: A divine-level performance in the final!
"What an incredible goal!" "A spectacular pass and cut!" "The Spanish team has offered a magnificent goal for the spectators in the stadium and in front of the television. I believe any football fan shouldn't miss this wonderful goal." "Yes, that's true. Although Lin Quan's final shot was simple, the combination with his teammates was astonishing. This goal completely showcases the Spanish playing philosophy, which is to take the ball to the opponent's goal."
On Sky Sports, Martin Taylor and Andy Gray were narrating the match for the global audience. Although traditionally finals aren't as exciting, this match had both commentators very thrilled and enthusiastic. From Brazil's goal in the first minute to Spain's recent goal, both were spectacular and showed their distinctive styles. Brazil, with its youth and energy, broke through the Spanish goal with a fast counterattack. Spain, known for its control and passing game, offered a wonderful goal with its combination play.
If the match continues at this pace, it will surely be very exciting. Both commentators were eager to see how the match would unfold.
On the internet, fans were also thrilled with Spain's goal.
"Wow, what did I just see?! If they covered the jerseys, I would think it's Barcelona playing." "This style of play is very similar to Barcelona's!" "Spain's lineup overlaps a lot with Barcelona's, their spine is from Barcelona, so it's not surprising they use the same style." "Spain was already using this tactic before, but it was never this terrifying. Lin Quan's arrival has completed their last puzzle piece."
After praising Spain, fans started to worry about Brazil: "This match is going to be tough for Brazil. Their ball possession is only 31%, the ball is mostly in the feet of Spanish players. If they can't regain the ball, they won't have scoring opportunities." "I think Brazil should accelerate the pace. They have to push the players forward. If they allow Spain to pass the ball in front of their area, it's very likely they'll concede another goal." "Exactly. In the last match against Spain, Italy defended very well in the first half. They pushed their two defensive lines out of the 30-meter danger zone, which made Spain's passes not so dangerous." "Do South American players not play as disciplined as the Italians?"
Fans discussed but couldn't find a solution. Unraveling Barcelona and Spain's passing and control system has been a global issue. For years, many coaches have tried to solve it, but few have succeeded.
The most successful was Jupp Heynckes with Bayern Munich, who in the Champions League semifinals, in two matches, defeated Barcelona, demonstrating for the first time an effective tactic against control football.
So, when his team was at a disadvantage, Brazil's coach, Scolari, thought of Heynckes' tactic.
How did Heynckes defeat Barcelona? With speed and strength! He used the skills and speed of the wingers to press Barcelona's full-backs, preventing the full-backs from joining the attack and reducing Barcelona's passing options. Leveraging the physical superiority of Bayern's players, they increased movement and physical duels, making it difficult for Barcelona players to keep the ball and execute their fluid combinations.
Brazil's full-backs are not as strong as Bayern's, but their players don't lack physical skills. So Scolari asked his players to increase physical contact in the game, although this didn't seem to be enough.
Spain had already faced physically strong opponents, and they had found ways to counter this tactic. If one tactic doesn't work, then Scolari had to follow Bayern's example and get the wingers more involved in the attack.
With this idea in mind, Scolari stood up and called Thiago Silva, giving him instructions. Silva returned to the field and relayed the coach's orders.
After resuming play, Brazil's tactic changed.
Seeing Brazil's tactical adjustment, Martin Taylor frowned and said, "Brazil seems to want to make their way through the wings. In these minutes, all their attacks have started from the wings. Neymar and Hulk are having more of the ball." Andy Gray replied, "Neymar is skillful with the ball and has a high success rate in one-on-one situations, while Hulk is nicknamed the 'Invincible Giant' for his physical strength. Giving the ball to these two is a good idea."
Martin Taylor, with a cunning smile, asked, "So, Andy, do you think Brazil's attacks will be effective?"
Andy Gray responded without hesitation, "Sure, Brazil has already scored a goal using this tactic, which proves it works."
"Wow, I didn't expect you to have so much confidence in Brazil! How about we make a bet?"
Taylor, knowing Gray was impulsive, provoked him.
"What do you want to bet?"
"The loser will have to do 100 touches with the ball here in the studio, wearing dress shoes!"
"Are you serious?"
Gray looked at his partner with an exaggerated expression. Taylor was 68 years old and not a former professional player. On the other hand, Gray had been a Scottish professional player and had started his commentary career only a few years ago. This punishment would be easy for Gray but extremely difficult for Taylor.
"Of course. I believe Brazil's attacks won't be effective, so I dare to bet on it."
Taylor showed confidence.
"Alright, then I accept the bet."
Gray, thinking his colleague was trying to attract more audience, quickly agreed. The bet between the two commentators soon drew attention and discussion from fans. Although they didn't mind seeing Gray touching the ball in the studio, they were eager to see Taylor, 68 years old, doing touches with dress shoes. So many viewers turned on their TVs and tuned in to Sky Sports to watch the match.
At the Chelsea FC office in Stamford Bridge. José Mourinho, who had recently returned as Chelsea's coach, was watching the match. Hearing the bet between Gray and Taylor, Mourinho let out a contemptuous laugh. Gray, despite his years in football, didn't see things as clearly as Taylor, who had never played professionally.
Although Brazil's offensives seemed promising, with Neymar and Hulk causing problems for the Spanish defense, Spain's defensive line remained firm. Brazil's opportunities weren't having a great impact. Plus, as the match progressed, the ball would be back in Spain's possession. How many times could Brazil attack without the ball?
To face teams like Barcelona or Spain, Mourinho always defended his theory: using quick and effective counterattacks to break through the defense in the shortest time possible and finish the play. Brazil lacked a maestro in midfield capable of making high-quality passes, and with Neymar on the wing, their organizational ability upfront was further reduced.
Can this type of attack really break through Spain's defenses?
Not in their wildest dreams! It seems that Scolari is nothing but an empty name, no longer has the courage of yesteryear. Not only Mourinho is paying attention to this match, within the football world, many people are also watching this encounter.
On an estate on the outskirts of Munich, the newly appointed Bayern coach, Guardiola, turned on the TV early.
To watch this match, he meticulously adjusted his work schedule to ensure that during these 2 hours he could watch the match uninterrupted.
Seeing Brazil's team tactical adjustments after halftime, Guardiola reflected.
As the founder of possession football, Guardiola understands better than anyone the advantages and disadvantages of this tactic.
He thoroughly researched the matches in which Barcelona was defeated by Bayern in the Champions League.
Although there is some restraint in the tactical approach, the strength shown by Bayern in those two matches is truly superior to that of Barcelona.
Although they still hold the title of cosmic team, the age of Barcelona's squad is clearly evident.
They no longer have the dominance they used to have when they won six titles.
Especially in midfield, Xavi's advanced age and decreased physical stamina make him easily limited by opponents in high-intensity matches.
Once opponents limit Barcelona's midfield, Barcelona's attacking threat will be halved.
This point also applies to Spain.
But Del Bosque is very clever, he has placed Xavi in the defensive pivot and has had Martínez act as his escort to protect Xavi.
Additionally, to avoid opponent pressure, Xavi even drops back near the defensive line, this position, more than a defensive pivot, is almost a defender.
Here, even if opponents try to press him, due to his high position and the presence of several teammates around him, they will not succeed.
Xavi's attacking ability is strong, and placing him in the rear inevitably reduces Barcelona's attacking ability.
But in Spain's case, there seems to be no such problem.
Their forward line is more luxurious and there are too many people who can replace Xavi and complete the attack.
All Xavi has to do is calmly pass the ball in the rear.
This way, Xavi's burden is reduced, the pressure of personal marking from opponents decreases, and his physical stamina allows him to play longer, and also gives him more time to observe opponent positions before passing the ball, to make a lethal blow.
Guardiola has also used this tactic, but he used Busquets, dropping him to the central defense position to assume this role.
But Busquets is not as experienced or skilled at passing as Xavi, so the effect of having Xavi assume this role is obviously better.
Thinking about this, Guardiola began to ponder:
Can he replicate this tactic at Bayern?
Schweinsteiger or Kroos, who can step back?
...
Whether a tactic can work not only depends on how well they play themselves, but also on whether the opponent gives them opportunities.
It's evident that Spain has no intention of giving opportunities.
In the 23rd minute, after resolving an attack from the opposing team, Casillas quickly passed the ball to Xavi.
Fred immediately stepped forward to press Xavi, but as he had no teammates nearby, Xavi skillfully rid himself of Fred's pressure with a characteristic turn.
Advancing with the ball, he observed the positions of his teammates and opponents, and launched a long pass to find Iniesta in the center of the field.
Iniesta quickly passed to Martínez, who diagonally returned the ball forward, sending it back to Iniesta after the latter rid himself of the pressure.
Nearby Brazilian defenders quickly closed in on Iniesta to stop his advance.
As Iniesta dashed forward, he horizontally passed the ball to Lin Quan.
Lin Quan received the ball and immediately passed it forward, playing a give-and-go with Iniesta.
Defenders, accustomed to tracking the ball, after seeing Iniesta pass to Lin Quan, one by one became highly alert.
However, this reduced caution against Iniesta, allowing the latter to successfully shake off the marking of three players from the opposing team and make his way into the penalty area to receive the ball.
"Stop him!"
Seeing that his teammates' defensive line was about to be breached again, César quickly ordered his teammates to intercept.
Thiago Silva and Marcelo rushed to press Iniesta.
Marcelo attempted to press Iniesta while Thiago Silva, a bit farther back, attempted to block Iniesta's passing lane.
Ten minutes earlier, they had fallen for this tactic from the other team and conceded a goal.
They weren't going to fall into the same trap this time!
Marcelo's read was precise. Faced with Marcelo's blocking attempt, Iniesta had no plans to shoot.
He quickly chose to pass the ball, and the person he passed to was Lin Quan.
A great opportunity!
Thiago Silva saw an opportunity to intercept and counterattack.
He quickly extended his leg to pass the ball to a teammate.
But unexpectedly, another foot was faster than his and touched the ball first.
How is this possible?
When did this guy arrive?
Thiago Silva looked incredulously at Lin Quan in front of him.
When this guy passed the ball to Iniesta, he was still about seven or eight meters away, and suddenly he was in front of him!
Was he planning how to combine with Iniesta while passing him the ball?
Alves and Luis saw Silva fail to intercept, and immediately rushed towards Lin Quan.
With too many people in the penalty area, Lin Quan's passing lanes were already blocked.
He had to deal with this ball alone!
Brazilian fans saw a Spanish player enter their penalty area and became nervous.
But when they saw Lin Quan trapped between three Brazilian players, they breathed a sigh of relief.
Did they manage to stop him this time, right?
However, something astonishing happened.
Despite being trapped between three Brazilian players, Lin Quan moved like an agile flea, dodging them and escaping from them.
Brazilian fans in the stands were baffled and couldn't believe what they were seeing.
How did this guy do it?
The Brazilian goalkeeper was also bewildered, he didn't expect his teammates' marking to fail!
At the same time, in the Maracanã stadium boxes, in the Sky Sports commentator booth, in the main coach's office at Stamford Bridge, in the Munich estate...
Almost everyone who saw this moment thought the same thing:
Is this guy human?
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