After conceding the first goal, Velarde felt powerless.
Of course, it's not entirely Willard's problem alone, it's mainly because his teammates are too incompetent.
If his teammates work hard, even if he is not in good condition, he should not lose the ball so easily. At least Gnabry will not get the chance to volley calmly in the gap so easily.
The defense of the Argentina Olympic team needs to be strengthened. It is no longer possible to play a 433 formation. It must strengthen the number of defenders, stabilize the position first, and then use Velarde's personal ability to make a comeback.
Velarde made a prompt decision and while passing by the substitute area, he talked to head coach Olaticochea about substitutions and strengthening defense.
In fact, Oraticochea has also noticed the problem of Velarde's poor condition, but it has only been 20 minutes in the first half, and no one was injured. Substitution for no reason, doesn't it prove that he Errors and incompetence in starting tactics?
As a result, just when Oraticochea hesitated, just a few minutes after the last goal, in the 29th minute, the German team first created a corner kick through midfielder Lars Bender's long shot.
Then, in the corner kick attack, right midfielder Brandt took a corner kick that once again avoided the area where Willard was. German center back Ginter, who stepped forward to participate in the fight for the top, hit the ball high from behind the penalty area. He leapt high, overpowered Argentinian defender Jose Gomez, and headed the ball into the back of the goal.
Goalkeeper Rulli stood at the front. Although he found that the ball was relatively high and started to move backwards, he still could not catch up with the speed of the ball. In the end, he could only watch the ball enter the net in despair.
The German team scored again, expanding the score and rewriting the score to 2-0. The Argentine Olympic team was already two goals behind.
In a football match, this is already a desperate disadvantage. Argentina's players and fans were all stunned and in disbelief.
Their opponent was only the second-placed team in other groups. Argentina was chasing the championship, but only half an hour into the game, they were already two goals behind.
It was a slap in the face.
Neutral commentators from various countries sighed:
"The Argentine Olympic team is experiencing great difficulties."
"The German team took full advantage of Argentina's uneven strength and Velarde's poor condition. It has been attacking fiercely from the beginning to the present. It not only suppressed the offensives of Velarde and Argentina, but also broke through Argentina's goal twice and won. A 2-0 lead.”
"Villad and the Argentinian team have encountered huge difficulties."
"If the German team cannot pass this level, then Willard, who flew back to Europe midway through the Olympics to compete, will bear the huge infamy."
"Obviously, Velarde's long-distance flight back and forth, not only the long distance, but also the huge temperature difference between the northern and southern hemispheres, caused Velarde to have obvious state problems in this game. His performance was greatly affected, and he failed to lead Argentina. The teammates on the defensive line effectively blocked the German team's attack."
"When the time comes, Velarde will become the sinner of the entire Argentina, even though he has helped Argentina win two consecutive Copa Americas."
Amid the crazy celebrations of the Germans, Velarde ran to the bench and did not get angry. Instead, he calmly expressed his desire to replace the defender with a defender and strengthen the defense.
In fact, after conceding the second goal, Oraticochea was already regretting it, but he could not lose his face. At this time, Velarde did not aggressively blame him, but asked him to make a substitution. Oraticochea immediately followed suit and made amends. Taking advantage of the Germans' celebration, he completed the substitution and replaced him with center back Magalyan. Recruited right winger Pavon and switched to a 532 formation.
Argentina’s substitution made some commentators express confusion:
"Germany were celebrating their second goal and Argentina took the opportunity to make a substitution."
"Oradicochea replaced a winger with a defender, and the intention was obviously to strengthen the defense."
"Argentina overturned the starting lineup and tactics they had arranged before the game, and made substitutions before the first half was over."
"But for Argentina now, is it a defensive problem? They are two goals behind and they don't step up their offense and don't want to come back and make a comeback?"
"Incomprehensible."
But some others clearly understand Argentina’s substitution:
"Argentina removed a winger and replaced it with a centre-back to strengthen the defense in the penalty area."
"For the U23 Olympic team, the threat of long shots from outside the penalty area is obviously not as high as that of the adult team. Most of the danger comes from the penalty area."
"Therefore, Argentina's addition of a central defender in the penalty area will definitely increase Argentina's defensive strength and prevent the German team from easily obtaining shooting opportunities in the penalty area."
"Next, the Argentine Olympic team's goal should not be so easily broken by the German team again."
"The rest depends on whether Willard can lead the remaining two forwards and complete the comeback after conceding two goals in the remaining time."
Although in poor condition, Willard's thinking ability is still normal. Just as he expected, after the game restarted, the Argentine team, which added a central defender, was indeed much stronger in defense in the penalty area.
Argentina now has three central defenders in the penalty area, as well as three midfielders and two full-backs who can withdraw into the penalty area at any time to participate in the defense. It is difficult for the German team to get a chance to calmly shoot in the penalty area.
As for long-range shots outside the penalty area, it is difficult for these U23 Olympic-level players to make the long-range shots that the adult team does so frequently. Coupled with the interference from three midfielders including Willard, even if the shot can be completed, it will be difficult to hit the goal frame.
This allowed the Argentine Olympic team's defense to finally stabilize, and there were no more frequent dangers.
And Willard, when he gets the ball, can dribble the ball and attack with peace of mind.
In the 36th minute, Argentina finally made a threatening shot. It was Velarde who dribbled the ball past two people from the right wing and then made a pass. Center forward Carleri headed the ball in the penalty area and hit the goal frame. A threatening ball formed within.
Unfortunately, the German goalkeeper Horn made a wonderful save and successfully pushed the ball over the crossbar, preventing Argentina from scoring.
In the next corner kick, a teammate passed the ball too close to the goal, and goalkeeper Horn attacked him. He punched the ball over Velarde's head and knocked the ball out of the penalty area to clear the ball, but it failed to pose a threat.
But no matter what, Argentina has completed its first threatening attack, which is finally much better than before, and there is no need to worry about defense issues.
Velarde can continue the attack leisurely and strive for the first goal as quickly as possible.
