Even the Hurricanes' own players and other coaches on the coaching staff were stunned by Mario Binko's change of formation. They did not expect that the game was about to start and the head coach would make such an on-the-spot change.
Assistant coach Andres Yalin objected: "Boss, we have been playing 352, and we are practicing 352 during this period. If you adjust like this, it might disrupt the rhythm of our own people."
Binko asked rhetorically: "Then do you think we can win if we perform normally?"
Yalin opened his mouth, but in the end no sound came out, so he could only shake his head helplessly.
The temporary adjustment of the starting lineup was decided in this way.
This temporary adjustment also made the organizing committee very dissatisfied, because the starting lists of both sides were handed over to the organizing committee one hour before the start of the game. The organizing committee then sent it to the major TV stations, and the commentators started the game. announced to television viewers.
Now that the Hurricanes are adjusting their starting lineup just before the game starts, it is natural that the organizing committee and the TV station will be in a hurry.
But Mario Binko naturally had his reasons. He vowed that the forward he originally started had a muscle strain during the pre-match warm-up and was unable to play, so he had to temporarily adjust the starting lineup. He was helpless!
These reasons were so impeccable that the organizing committee could only hold their noses and admit it. They hurriedly notified the cooperative media of the changes in the Hurricanes' starting lineup and asked them to pay attention when reading out the starting lineups of both sides. They didn't know where to go. Not in time.
At 20:00 on the evening of July 27th, local time in Argentina, with the referee's whistle, the match between the Argentine Cup 1/16 finals of the 2013/2014 season between the Argentine giants Boca Juniors and the Argentinian Hurricanes Athletic Team officially started. Allen · Willard and other substitutes sat on the bench to watch the game.
Mario Binco's temporary change of formation caught even his own team's players and coaches off guard and stunned them, let alone Boca Juniors.
Whether it is last season's lineup, this season's pre-season training, and two warm-up games, the Hurricanes Athletic Team plays a 352 single midfielder and double front midfielder formation.
Unexpectedly, before the game started, Mario Binco made a temporary change.
I don’t know if Boca Juniors underestimated the enemy too much, but Mario Binco’s unexpected change of formation really had a miraculous effect.
Federico Bismara's stability and Lucas Villaruel's youthful physical fitness complemented each other, not only sweeping away most of the attacks in front of the three central defenders, making Boca goalless in the first half. At the end, in the process of switching from defense to offense in the 56th minute of the second half, Lucas took the ball from the backcourt and launched a quick counterattack. Finally, Toranso made a pass in the frontcourt and forward Avila grabbed the point in the penalty area. The volley scored to help Hurricane Athletic open the scoring and take a 1-0 away lead.
The moment he saw the ball flying into the goal, even Velarde, whose mental age has reached 36 years old, couldn't help but excitedly jumped up from the bench and shouted loudly, not to mention the other substitute players. , assistant coaches, team doctors and other staff.
Everyone clapped, cheered, and yelled excitedly, while questioning each other in disbelief:
"Did you get in?"
"Did you really get in?"
"Did we score?"
"We're actually ahead of Boca Juniors?"
"Haha, so exciting!"
"If I can win, I'll be happy even if I don't appear!"
"That's right! Come on Hurricane, beat Boca and advance to the top 16!"
“Long live Hurricane Athletics!”
This goal not only excited the substitute players on the sidelines and the Hurricanes away fans in the stands, but also boosted the morale of the Hurricanes players in the stadium. Their spirit and fighting spirit were on the verge of collapse due to being pressed for a long time. Not only did they not collapse, but their morale was boosted and they became more resilient.
After the game restarted, Boca Juniors, who couldn't attack for a long time but was stolen a goal by the opponent's counterattack, became angry and substituted two offensive players in succession. From 433 to 334, they launched wave after wave of attacks against the Hurricanes' defense zone. onslaught.
But an even more unexpected scene occurred. Mario Binco not only failed to strengthen his defense due to the leading score and the opponent's crazy attack, but instead removed a full midfielder and replaced him with a player with stronger offensive capabilities. The winger pushed Lucas Villaruel to the central midfielder position, changing the formation 3142, and started a confrontation with Boca Juniors.
There is no doubt that if the final game is lost, this is a suicidal formation.
But in fact, this is the 352 single defensive midfielder, double front midfielder, and double forward offensive formation that the Hurricanes are most accustomed to. Everyone is more comfortable playing.
Although the number of defenders was relatively small, when the Hurricanes were defending, the midfielders, central midfielders, wide midfielders, and even the forwards all sprinted back and forth desperately to participate in the defense, uniting to maintain the leading score.
Boca Juniors themselves also failed to live up to expectations and have never been able to break through the Hurricanes' goal.
In the 64th minute, Boca Juniors had an excellent shooting opportunity. Midfielder Castellani broke through from the left and sent an exquisite ground cross, which perfectly avoided the Hurricanes defender at the front point. He rolled directly into the small penalty area in front of the goal.
Boca forward Federico Carriso rushed over and made a flying shovel shot in front of Hurricanes center back Santiago Echeberria, successfully grabbing the first point.
The ball was so close to the goal that the goalkeeper couldn't react. Almost as long as he touched the ball and didn't touch the goalkeeper directly, he could score.
Whether it was goalkeeper Marcos Dias in front of the goal, the Hurricanes players inside and outside the penalty area, or the substitutes and coaches on the sidelines, as well as the Hurricanes fans on the scene and in front of the TV, their hearts were already in their throats.
The Boca Juniors coach and substitute players on the sidelines, as well as the Boca fans in the stands and in front of the TV, also raised their hands, ready to celebrate the goal.
Unexpectedly, even though Federico Carrizo grabbed the first shot of this close shot opportunity, he failed to kick the ball into the goal. Instead, he lost his center of gravity while flying and tackled the shot. His foot kicked the ball over the crossbar.
You know, the point of contact is less than 5 meters from the goal!
With such a short distance and such a big goal, as long as the ball is kicked and does not directly hit the goalkeeper, it will basically go in.
As a result, he kicked the ball over the crossbar.
The commentators exclaimed:
"Castellani crosses the goal!"
"good chance!"
"Carriso!"
"Shoot!!!"
"Oh..."
"Gosh!"
“The goal didn’t go in???”
"Carrizo actually kicked the ball away?"
"Boca Juniors had a great chance to score, but Carrizo unexpectedly kicked the ball away in front of the goal."
"Unbelievable, luck was not on Boca Juniors' side. Carrizo missed an opportunity to be a hero and equalize the score."
"If Boca Juniors loses this game in the end, Federico Carriso's goal will definitely be yelled at by the fans!"
The more than 20,000 fans in the Candy Box Stadium also sighed in unison, feeling incredible that Carrizo missed this must-goal opportunity to equalize the score.
Federico Carrizo was also sitting in the penalty area, clenching his right fist and constantly beating the ground. He was obviously very upset that he missed such a sure goal opportunity.
As for the Hurricanes, while escaping, they naturally felt that the goddess of luck was on their side today. It would make no sense if they didn't win. Everyone worked harder and vowed to unseat the super-rich Boca Juniors.
After the game restarted, Boca Juniors continued to attack aggressively, while the Hurricanes continued to attack and defend as a team. When defending, everyone retreated and almost swarmed forward after getting the ball. The confrontation between multiple offensive players in the frontcourt also put a lot of pressure on Boca Juniors.
Of course, because there are few defenders, the running distance of each full-time defensive player is a bit too much. Although the 31-year-old Federico Bismara wants to fight until the last moment, he is too old and cannot fight hard. At the 71st minute, he suddenly suffered a thigh cramp and fell to the ground after trying to steal the ball from his opponent.
The commentators said one after another:
"The Hurricanes' main defensive midfielder Federico Bismara collapsed due to cramps."
"The Hurricanes are in a bit of danger right now."
“The experience of Federico Bismara has played a huge role in the Hurricanes’ defense holding on so far.”
"Although it seems that he doesn't have many direct steals, he can appear in key positions every time, blocking Boca Juniors' attack or passing path, slowing down the opponent's attack, and buying time for his teammates to return to defense. "
"This is a player who plays with brains and experience."
"Unfortunately, now he has a thigh cramp and the Hurricanes will definitely have to make a substitution."
"But Lucas Villaruel has been pushed to the central midfielder position. Even if he returns, his experience and defensive skills are not as good as Bismara. Can he withstand the super giant Boca Juniors? The attack group impact is really hard to say.”
"The Hurricanes currently have only 21-year-old defensive midfielder Alan Willard on the bench."
"This is the Hurricanes' own substitute player, but last season he only made two substitute appearances, and the total playing time was less than 20 minutes."
"Can such a young man replace Bismara and assume the role of the iron gate in the midfield and block most of Boca Juniors' attacks?"
While the commentators were talking like this, the Hurricanes' team doctor had already entered the field to examine Bismara, and Mario Binco on the sidelines also waved to Velarde, who was warming up.
Willard came to the head coach excitedly. Mario Binco put his arm around his shoulders and said solemnly in his ear: "Willard, Bismara has strained his muscles now and can't hold on anymore. Lu Cass needs to take on the offensive tasks, so I can only send you to play as a defensive midfielder and responsible for interception in the midfield. Now we are still leading 1-0. As long as we persist for another 20 minutes, we can win against Boca Juniors and create a new record. A big upset for a dragon-slaying legend, can you do it?”
Willard knew that the opportunity was rare, so he immediately nodded firmly and said: "Don't worry, boss, I will complete the task resolutely."
