Tyrant of green giants, signed Guardiola at the beginning

Leeds United fans were delighted to see Ronaldo crowned Ballon d'Or for the third time.

They know very well that Ronaldo is now their number one, their face!

Leeds United officially released a long message to congratulate Ronaldo for winning the Ballon d'Or.

Unlike before, they introduced Mr. Golden Ball.

Ronaldo was able to be crowned Ballon d'Or this time entirely due to his performance at Leeds United.

In other words, Leeds United's contribution to his success is naturally indispensable.

On midweek night, Leeds United faced Liverpool at home.

The League Cup quarter-finals are here as scheduled.

Before the game, they specially held a Golden Globe Award display event.

When Ronaldo entered with the Ballon d'Or in hand, all the Leeds United fans stood up, applauded and cheered.

After Ronaldo showed the Ballon d'Or to the stands, he walked up to Shen Hao with a smile and completed a master-disciple photo session.

Then...Ronaldo walked away with the Ballon d'Or.

He didn't even make the roster for tonight's game.

It's just a formality.

Liverpool fans watched with enthusiasm and were extremely envious.

This time Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or. It was the first time in many years since Owen that the Premier League created a Ballon d'Or.

Fleet Street will naturally be covered in a big way.

A superstar like Ronaldo is now the calling card of the Premier League, and he is indispensable in all promotional videos.

Liverpool fans take another look at their own squad.

The only one who might have a chance to win the Ballon d'Or is Gerrard.

But...what are you going to do to compete for the Ballon d'Or?

Even the Miracle in Istanbul failed to send him to the Ballon d'Or.

I'm afraid we need more substantial trophies.

Neither Shen Hao nor Benitez want to spend too much in the League Cup.

So both teams rotated.

Leeds United rotated 442.

Goalkeeper: Blazer.

Defenders: Carlisle, Thiago Silva, Stam, Baines.

Midfielder: Belletti, Rakitic, Rui Costa, Van Bronckhorst.

Forward: Ma Kai, Lopez.

Benitez watched Shen Hao use the two full-back positions as full-midfielders, which was no problem in terms of characteristics.

But he looked at Rivaldo on the Leeds United bench.

I really don’t understand why Leeds United is so organized.

Because the whole world knows that Shen Hao is good at playing 433.

Even if Lopez is used as a winger, he prefers 433.

But today, a 442 formation was put in place.

Not that there was no one available, which was obviously intentional.

Liverpool's starting lineup here is 433.

Goalkeeper: Itangjie.

Defenders: Arbeloa, Carragher, Hobbs, Aurelio.

Midfielder: Lucas, Alonso, Sissoko.

Forward: Voronin, Crouch, Babel.

Benitez's rotation was not thorough.

It’s not about seeking victory with a low-cost lineup.

It's just that the thickness of the team is not enough.

If all the main force is withdrawn.

Liverpool's lineup is no different than giving it away.

This is the dignity and baggage of being a wealthy family.

Can't throw it away no matter what.

Game start.

Leeds United was at home but launched a defensive counterattack.

This made Benitez even more confused. He didn't know what medicine Shen Hao was selling in his gourd.

But the Leeds United coaching staff knew it clearly, because in their confrontation with Inter Milan a week ago, Inter Milan's formation was to use two full-backs as guest full-midfielders.

It is also a defensive counterattack.

The effect is good.

Simeone was sitting behind Shen Hao. He leaned over and whispered: "Boss, do you think the formation Mancini put up before has special meaning?"

Shen Hao watched the game with his legs crossed and said calmly: "Mancini may be targeting Leeds United on a whim, and he will not continue his playing style last week. In fact, Inter Milan's lineup also forces him to not always arrange his troops like that. When setting up the formation, the fans need exciting scenes, and Inter Milan is not unavailable. But you are right, I think this style of play is a bit interesting, and I want to try to develop it. As for the tactics, it is not completely useless. Related, no matter what the tactics are, there are always thoughtful connections between them. Making some attempts when conditions permit can also allow the team to improve their tactical literacy and expand their technical and tactical capabilities."

Simeone must admit that he is not too interested in how Shen Hao tinkers with the team's offense. Even though Leeds United now leads the Premier League in offensive firepower, he has never been able to grasp the essence and core.

Probably because he was heartbroken by offensive football when he followed Bielsa to the World Cup in Korea and Japan in 2002.

But he seems to have a natural acumen for defense.

"Boss, can this tactic only use full-backs as guest stars?"

"Of course not. The core is actually that full-backs are better defensively than full-backs. Just like you have almost never heard of a full-back who is very comprehensive in defense. Often the characteristic of full-backs is that they are more diligent, not better. This Among them, the key point of defense is the adaptability of the full-backs, whether to defend with the full-backs, or to supplement the defense in the middle. They can temporarily play as a defensive midfielder. If a midfielder has such ability, he can also play this position, but it also tests the player's ability. Offensive ability, there is almost no need to modify to use full-backs as guest players, it is relatively more convenient."

Simone is a good person.

Thinking while watching the game.

Leeds United's midfield looked like a clear breakthrough point today.

Because the old and young combination of Rui Costa and Rakitic is unstable no matter how you look at it.

But Liverpool didn't play Gerrard today.

Lucas and Sissoko are both defensive midfielders. Alonso's forward penetration is not active enough, and he prefers to organize deep.

Therefore, Leeds United's central defense did not withstand much test.

However, with the frequent contraction of Liverpool's wing attack.

Neither Voronin nor Babel could score, so Crouch dropped back from the center to take over, trying to open a gap in Leeds United's defense from the center.

But it is impossible for him to form a direct link with the midfield unless he drops deeper.

So we still need to advance from the side first.

But when the wide player passed the ball to him, he was intercepted by Belletti after getting rid of Rakitic.

The ball was intercepted instantly.

He was bewildered.

Three minutes later, he deliberately leaned towards Belletti to respond. Belletti was restrained by Babel and could no longer help defend the center.

After receiving the ball, Crouch controlled the ball and turned around, facing Thiago Silva's frontal interception. As soon as he changed the direction of the ball, the ball was intercepted again!

Van Bronckhorst!

Crouch was confused.

Why did the two full midfielders take turns to fill in the middle area where the midfielder should appear?

Simeone watched in fascination.

When Leeds United defended, it looked like there were only two people in the middle, but actually there were three!

Liverpool plays on the left, Belletti defends frontally, and Van Bronckhorst on the other side moves in to help defend the frontier of the penalty area at any time.

vice versa.

This was the inspiration Shen Hao gained from his review after defeating Meazza.

At the same time, the system was improved and adjusted in preparation for the war.

When it comes to limitations, there are certainly them.

It can only be used to prevent counterattacks.

It is impossible to play offensive football.

Because offensive football will be played more frequently by opponents, the attacking players will not be able to return to the backcourt for a while, making the defensive system tighter.

Therefore, for Leeds United, it is equivalent to improving a certain degree of defensive technical and tactical capabilities.

It will not become their main technique and tactics.

Simone, however, could not take his eyes off him, remembering the essentials as he watched.

At the same time, brainstorm ideas.

This defensive model is completely different from the popular 4231 or 433 system.

The 433 system relies more on the strength and coverage of the double midfielders.

The 442 system has been considered to be outdated techniques and tactics.

Especially the British parallel 442.

But now Shen Hao is training on the League Cup stage, but he has performed a brand new 442 defensive counterattack tactical system.

But for fans, watching Leeds United's performance is definitely not enough.

Defensive counterattack means taking a beating first.

Only those who can withstand beatings are qualified to fight back and kill their opponents.

In addition to Simeone watching and learning on the spot, Benitez was also frowning and thinking about Leeds United's technical and tactical system.

At first glance, I always feel that Leeds United might as well just play 433.

But when Leeds United kept trying to counterattack and create threats, Benitez suddenly realized it.

This system allows for more options in counterattacks.

Two forwards can switch positions more flexibly while disrupting the opponent's defense.

Leeds United can also flexibly choose from both sides when launching a counterattack.

Whichever side has the best opportunity to hit.

Are Leeds Tyrants experimenting with new tactics?

Benitez couldn't help but think.

With Liverpool unable to attack for a long time, Leeds United's counterattacks also continued to try and create threats that caught Liverpool's defense off guard.

In Benitez's eyes, Leeds United can attack from the left or right.

When Lucas and Sissoko advanced Leeds' wing attack, they took the initiative to help defend the wing and frequently improved.

Rui Costa has better room to play in the middle.

Before the end of the first half, Rui Costa took the initiative to meet Van Bronckhorst.

Before Alonso and Lucas surrounded him, Rui Costa accurately found Ma Kai in front of the penalty area with a diagonal pass.

Makayla turned the ball and took a step forward.

Hobbes has already reached the point of death.

Ma Kai decisively passed the ball diagonally to the left rib area of ​​the penalty area.

Lopez's forward thrust was successful, and he faked a shot and dunked in front of Carragher!

After smashing the ball from the outside, Lopez then passed the ball across the middle of the goal.

Liverpool's rotating goalkeeper Yi Tangjie did not attack, but Makai got rid of Hobbs and grabbed the point and stabbed the ball into the near corner of the goal with his toes.

Elland Road was filled with cheers.

Benitez lowered his head and fell into thought.

Leeds United's style of play really surprised him.

If a star player explodes alone, he will not have any emotional fluctuations.

That is the gap in hard power.

But in the competition of teamwork, Liverpool is at a disadvantage, and there is a lot more in it.

Simeone applauded MacKay's goal, his expression suppressed with excitement.

It was as if a whole new door had been opened to him.

If in the past, his greater admiration for defensive tactics stemmed from his distrust of offensive football, then at this moment, his understanding of how defensive tactics should be concretely presented has become gradually clearer from vagueness.

Based on his previous experience playing in Italy, the chain defense has endured.

However, there has been no impressive development in recent years.

Simply put, this tactic has been studied by countless coaches in European football, and it is a necessary course for coaches.

Take a look at the top teams in European football today. Which teams are good at defensive counterattacks?

The La Liga duo do not fight against counterattacks.

Bayern Munich is not playing either.

There is Chelsea in the Premier League.

Italy has AC Milan.

As for Inter Milan, there is still a question mark as to how strong they can be in key battles.

Chelsea's strength comes from hard power and a passive competitive mentality.

AC Milan has field control organization and stronger rhythm change ability.

Simeone also hopes that a new anti-counterattack tactic will emerge to make top teams feel troublesome, and it is best to be helpless.

Now, he saw some hope and had a general framework in his thinking.

He also needs to learn, think, and improve his defensive counterattack techniques and tactics.

At the same time, he looked at Shen Hao's back, respect welling up in his heart.

Who would have thought that a week ago, the game was just a formality in the eyes of the outside world. Even though Leeds United lost miserably, it still gave the tyrant an unexpected gain.

For Shen Hao, it was just a temporary idea to improve his accumulation and experience with an open mind.

But it gave Simeone a treasure-like surprise.

The game came to the second half.

Liverpool's attack continues to suffer setbacks.

Crouch's mentality collapsed.

I don't know why, but he was a little irritable when facing Leeds United today.

After being intercepted one after another, he tackled Rakitic in retaliation. Although he didn't do anything to Rakitic, his action was really bad.

The referee did not hesitate to give him a red card.

Leeds United fans shouted abuse at him.

The reporters in the press gallery perked up.

"Haha, the one Crouch wants to tackle more is the Leeds Tyrant."

"Thanks to Clancy's best friend for breaking the news. It's a pity that this kind of tidbits can't shake the Leeds tyrant. He doesn't pay attention to such nonsense at all."

"For a playboy like him, Clancy may have been put behind him."

Not long ago, Clancy's best friend revealed to the media that Clancy had personally admitted that she regretted breaking up with Shen Hao.

They had been together for a few months, briefly.

At that time, Shen Hao was not the Premier League champion, let alone the Champions League champion.

Clancy is now Crouch's girlfriend, and Shen Hao may not even bother to say hello when they meet.

After all, the breakup was quite unpleasant and she smashed up the hotel room. Shen Hao always treated this kind of mischievous woman like a death sentence.

Avoid it.

Liverpool had one less player to play.

Leeds United still played defensive counterattack.

There is no chance in positional warfare.

But Liverpool obviously relaxed after 80 minutes of the game.

Leeds United launched a regular offensive into the frontcourt, and Rivaldo, who came on as a substitute, sent a wonderful pass.

Lopez successfully countered offside and had enough time and space to adjust in the penalty area before calmly shooting the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Leeds United 2:0 Liverpool.

Shen Hao smiled.

But I am thinking that if the team advances to the semi-finals of the League Cup, the schedule in January will probably be very tight!

competition is over.

Liverpool were eliminated and Leeds United advanced to the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Benitez had a cold face and suppressed his anger.

It was obvious that Crouch's red card made him furious.