Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
On 9th June, the much-anticipated European Cup kicked off in the Spanish capital, Madrid.
After the Latin-inspired opening ceremony, the host of the East Spain started the opening match with Belgium.
The La Liga was known for its offense, and the Spanish national team’s style was a level above their league. The European Cup in Spain also seemed to be a ceremonial display of offensive football.
The opening battle of the past World Series always gave off an impression of dullness, with both sides playing with great caution for fear of making mistakes. But this time, at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain and Belgium put on a great offensive show.
In the end, Spain was better in terms of techniques, beating Belgium by a score of 3:1 to get the first win of the group. Spanish striker Bojan scored the first goal of the tournament, while Belgium’s Axel Witsel was shown the first yellow card of the tournament.
The 80,000-capacity Bernabeu stadium was filled to the maximum as fans witnessed the launch of Spain’s new invincible fleet, which they hope would once again dominate Europe on their own soil.
On the next day, June 10, the European Cup was in full swing. In the first rounds of each of the strong teams, they did not face any significant opponents as they effortlessly achieved their respective victories.
As the European Cup had expanded, the rules to leave the group stage had also been adjusted. Twenty-four teams were divided into six groups, and there would be four teams in each group. The first two teams from each group would immediately leave the group while the third of the four best-performing groups would advance as well, bringing together 16 teams to play in the quarterfinals.
With this modification, the competition for the group stage would not be as intense as before, because as long as your team could get the third place in the best-performing group, it could still qualify for the knockout stages. Other than the stronger teams which were aiming for the first position of each group, most of the middle-tier teams were more pragmatic in terms of their goals and were aiming for the middle positions.
It was only those groups who were supposed to be competitive which were still intensely competing with each other, like the “group of death”.
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“Portugal’s weakness is the back. ” Twain was conducting his theory lessons for his team in the conference room, this was the last theory lesson before the match. If there were any tactics that the team had to use the next day, the players needed to learn them on the day itself.
In fact, each player had a tactics brochure, which was developed by the coaching staff specifically for each individual’s characteristics and their respective responsibilities, which were all distributed to the players. If they were unable to recall, they just needed to look at the booklet to recall the content. However, Twain still needed to personally explain the details, from a general perspective.
“The players holding their central line are older and they move slower than the rest. Pepe is the core of their defence and even though he’s 33 years old, injuries and age have made him less physically fit than he used to be. Ze Castro’s turn was also not as agile. The two wing-backs, Ben Nello on the right and Antoines on the left, are both assisting wing-backs and have a chance to insert, which is also a feature of Portugal’s offense. This would often create a situation where their defensive half would always be empty.
Twain drew circles around the Portuguese’s full back.
“We would use defensive counter-attack to bait their full press, then use agility to charge into those spaces,” Twain said while he drew a few arrows from the mid-field of England and inserting into the back of the Portuguese’s defensive line.
“The Portuguese side offense is effective because they have Ronaldo, Nani and Quaresma. So I request our wingers not to back down in the game and instead go face-to-face with them.” Twain then raised his fist and bumped it. “If you retreat, you’ll only let them get their way. Our offense should also make more use of the side flanks, the wing defenders also need to actively assist the offensive … We are utilizing the defensive counter-attack, not just defensive and not counter-attacking, when there are counter-attacking opportunities, both sides must press forward, I don’t hope to see a situation where our ball being passed to the front field while our players haven’t even ran past the midfield.”
Counterattack was the core reason of Twain’s insistence on defense, and if there was not any counter-attacking, there would be no use for a strong defense. They must not lack in either defense or counter-attacking because they could only win the game when they properly utilized both.
“While you’re counterattacking, your speed must be fast, it has to be fast. Minimize the passing in the midfield whenever possible.”
At this point, Twain switched on a projector on the side, as the white curtain showed England’s warm-up match against Argentina. George Wood was taking the ball with him, and after running for a while, he passed the ball to Downing on the left, as Downing’s clean insertion into the opponent’s defensive half allowed him to pass by Fazio while he passed back the ball, allowing Wood to powerfully shoot the ball towards the goal mouth.
That was the whole process of England’s first goal against Argentina.
“In this goal, we saw the benefits of effective handling the ball in midfield…” Twain rewound the process of the goal as he explained the process to his players in detail.
“As we were launching our counterattack, Argentina’s players were still coming back quickly. If during this time, George Wood stops the ball and turns around, raising his head to observe the situation, what would happen?”
He pressed the remote control as the frames began to move, where the screen was set when Wood’s pass had just passed Mascherano’s defence. “Then there would be a good chance that this pass would not be able to complete successfully. ”
The clip continued from where it had been paused at the moment Downing forced his way past Fazio.
“Even if the pass was made, Downing would not be able to pass by Fazio so easily, because there would be an Argentine defender behind Fazio to protect that space, perhaps a wing-back who returned to his position, or perhaps a central defensive midfielder who came over to assist in that position. But in any case, the probability of success of this particular attack would have been greatly reduced. ”
“You must remember, counter-attacking is fighting for time against the defending opponents, you would be able to win half the battle if you are able to get the initiative. Don’t even stop in midfield at this time. Even if you are unable to bring the ball forward at that moment, just quickly pass it to the players around you, then create the route for the ball yourself by running into position. ”
“Of course, if the other side’s defensive system was maintained better, their speed in returning back to defend to be much faster. Without a great passing position, then there would be no need to fight for speed, we can decrease our own speed and pass the ball back, while baiting them forward.” Twain made a hand gesture, as he illustrated his words with creating the images.
“Bait them out and then pass the ball decisively forward! Pass the ball into the most dangerous areas! ”
“Mitchell, you would take the position in the most front, attract all their defensive attention on you. Rooney and Gerard would hide behind you, while they will wait for the opportunity to insert. You’re not a scorer in this game, but instead you’re a head of the bridge, understand?” Twain turned towards his disciples in Nottingham Forest.
Aaron Mitchell nodded. As long as it was the arrangement of his head coach, he would not have any opinion even if he were to play center back. Because the head coach would definitely have his reasons behind any of his arrangements.
“Attract Portugal’s defensive firepower, create opportunities for team-mates and score if you have a good chance yourself. When we are launching our counter attack, you have to be the first to advance, press the Portuguese defensive line back and give Wayne Rooney and Gerrard space to insert in their defensive half.”
“No problem, head coach,” Mitchell replied.
“If Portugal were to focus on guarding our side when we’re in our attacking formation, then the central path would have to assist more. If the Portuguese shrink into the middle road to defend, then pass towards the side flanks.” Anyway, there was Mitchell’s excellent header which would dominate the air space, even if Portugal felt that there was something wrong and shrinks to play a possession game against England, so Twain was not afraid.
He did not utilize the double-fast combination of Agbonlahor and Rooney as he needed to defend against this point.
“This game we would not play the man-to-man defending, remember how we trapped Argentina’s forward attacking line-up? We would proceed with the same tactics, area defense. After the defensive line intercepts the ball, they would pass the ball forward, reduces the number of horizontal and return passes. If there isn’t any good passing opportunities, Michael Johnson should return back to receive the ball, you’re the hub of the midfield.”
Twenty-seven-year-old midfielder Michael Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur nodded. He was the one who Twain had found to be a temporary replacement for Wood. But he was not the only candidate, and in fact although Gerrard’s position needed to be closer to the opposing’s penalty area, but he was able to do Johnson’s job when it is necessary. George Wood’s insane running, defensive and offensive capabilities needed to be split amongst several people, and that was Twain’s “non-core tactics”. Before this, England’s opponents just needed to find ways to mark George Wood, but today, that was not enough.
As Twain continued to explain the tactics, George Wood was sitting in the corner listening. Actually, he did not need to attend the lesson as he was not going to play, so there was no difference in him listening to the tactics lesson or not. But being the team leader, he still sat there, attentively listening to Twain’s tactical arrangement.
It was for nothing else, he just needed to experience the competitive atmosphere.
Now, while listening to the tactical arrangement, watching the clip of the process of the goal, Wood only felt like his own body was missing the times when he was healthy.
He was thirsty for competition.
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Tactical meetings were held in the morning. In the afternoon, Twain went to the Nou Camp for a pre-match press conference. He was in attendance with Portugal coach Queiroz at the same time. The media was holding a lot of expectations towards this.
Because Queiroz was said to be unhappy with Twain back when he was in Manchester United. It was also precisely because Ferguson preferred Twain over Queiroz that he did not end up in his succeeding position, which was why he chose to coach the Portuguese national team.
Now he finally had the opportunity to prove in front of the world that he was also a good coach who was not inferior to Twain.
Because of this relationship, Twain felt that the atmosphere was not right when he and Queiroz shook hands.
Queiroz had no smile on his face, Twain also kept away his smile.
The two coaches completed a photo in front of a crowd of reporters with a straight face.
At the start of the press conference, Twain made a startling statement: “I’ve known Mr Queiroz for a long time and we were familiar with each other in the Premier League. A lot of Portuguese players play in the Premier League and I am familiar with them, such as Nani and Adrian of Manchester United, Danny and Moutinho of Manchester City, Postiga at Middlesbrough, Pepe at AC Milan… I know them very well, this Portuguese team holds no secret to me. I have great confidence that I’m able to defeat them.”
As soon as this remark came out, there was an uproar in the scene.
Everyone said Tony Twain was a mad man, today, that title was well-recognized.
Who would ever express this type of opinion before a match? He was clearly not recognizing his opponent at all, and he was also not afraid of agitating his opponent’s fighting sprit.
Sure enough, Queiroz’s face suddenly sank.
He rebutted, “I’ve really known Mr Twain as we’ve played against each other in the Premier League. I have great respect for what he has achieved. Other than that, I don’t really like him as a person at all. Truth be told, I’ve actually been in the Premier League for a long time and I know the England team very well. To tell you the truth, I think Mr. Twain is joking when he said they were very sure they were going to beat us. ”
After finishing his statement, he laughed. Then afterwards came an outburst of laughter at the scene.
Twain also laughed along — this joke was really ridiculous.
He did not continue to embarrass Queiroz. Queiroz saying “I think Mr Twain was joking when he said he had high chances of defeating us” was already a sign of weakness.
There was no meaning in completely destroying him.
But he was convinced he has successfully ignited the opponent’s firepower. Defensive counterattack, if he were not to agitate his opponent to go on a full press, how could his side even launch a counter attack?
The reporters were more concerned about what the England team would do when Wood was away. Twain did not answer such questions. Whenever there were issues relating to the tactics and formations, he would always find excuses to push them away. If he were forced to answer, he would rather not say anything.
There were nothing else significant enough to mention other than that groundbreaking speech he made in the ten-plus minutes long press conference.
It was Queiroz who was freely talking, as he was unable to compete against Twain.
“We would try our best to attack, as Portuguese football is equivalent to offensive football.”
Twain was laughing secretly by the side, it would be best for him if this occurs.
“If there were no one with injuries or issues, we will be able to send out our strongest roster.”
Twain nodded, this way, the roster you are sending out will be exactly the same as his predicted one.
“Group of death? Our aim was not leaving the group, leaving the group is not the problem.”
Twain responded to himself internally, “The third team in the best group could also leave group stage.”
…
Just like this until the end of the press conference, Twain stood up to shake hands with Queiroz again.
“See you at the game, Mr. Queiroz. ”
Queiroz was surprised by Twain’s sudden statement, not waiting for him to respond, Twain already let go of his hand and turned to walk away.
Queiroz looked at the somewhat arrogant back, as his lips clenched.
Winning a few championships for the club, are you satisfied, Mr Twain? Winning a few weaker teams in the selection matches, you think you can do whatever you want, Mr Twain?
In the national team field you are nothing but a new person, let me see how long can you remain this wild!
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Twain did not know how Queiroz was cursing him internally, as he took a bath and washed away a body full of stinking sweat when he returned to his hotel. He changed his clothes as he lay down on his bed, talking to Shania on the phone.
He was very relaxed now and he was not the slightest bit nervous about bringing a national team to participate in a global competition for the first time.
What about the European Cup? I have already won championships until I am sick of it, what type of situations have I not seen?
At the end of the conversation with Shania, he turned over in bed and fell asleep.
He did not dream of his team lifting the championship trophy. Instead he dreamed that he had children. She was a lovely girl, looking as attractive and pretty as her mother. When she grew up, she would definitely be the focal point of all men.
She would naturally stick by Twain, constantly calling him “daddy”, but Twain would never get tired of it.
Not wanting her to grow up, but looking forward to her becoming a water spirit. Carrying such a contradicting emotion and watching her grow up day by day and maturing.
Even when Twain was woken up to dinner by Walker, there was still a distinct smile on his face.
“Are you in a good mood today, Tony?” Walker asked in the elevator.
“Oh, you can tell?” Twain asked.
“I’ve once heard people say that you have to see a person’s expression right after they got out of bed to properly determine a person’s emotion You’re clearly smiling, so…”
Twain laughed again, “I’m in a really good mood because I just had a beautiful dream. ”
“Did you dream of winning the championship?” “For Walker, he could not think of anything else that would make Twain smile after his dream.
Twain shook his head, “No, it was a sweeter dream that would make me even happier that winning the championships.”
“And what is that?” Des Walker responded, as he was surprised at that reply.
Twain did not answer. From the smile hung on his face, maybe he was immersed yet again in that dream scene?
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