Pan Yi watched the game with a deep frown.
He had already expected that this game would be difficult. After all, the opponents in front of him, these Swedish players, were his subordinates just over a year ago.
And these subordinates always execute his tactics, especially defensive tactics, so well.
This forces Pan Yi to observe the game more focused to discover the flaws that the opponent may reveal.
Of course, with a ball in hand, Pan Yi can actually give up the offense first, defend against defense, and then seduce the Swedish team.
But Pan Yi doesn't want to do that yet.
On the premise that his defense is still safe for the time being, Pan Yi wants his players to be able to use the offensive tactics in training.
After all, this is a team preparing to win the World Cup!
If they can score against the Swedish team's defensive intensity, they will be able to prove that they have the ability to attack tough situations.
And this is what the Italian teams have been lacking the most in the past few sessions.
In the 2010 World Cup, the Italian team was placed in a group consisting of Paraguay, Slovakia, and New Zealand. At first glance, it was very weak.
But the Italian team was eliminated at the bottom of the group. It only scored one goal against Paraguay, and it could only score one goal against a team like New Zealand! In the end, they lost to Slovakia. It can be said that being eliminated was not unfair at all.
The 2014 World Cup was even more ridiculous. Italy was placed in the group of death with England, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
But it is generally believed that Italy and England are the most promising to qualify, and Uruguay is the most likely to disrupt the situation.
Unexpectedly, seemingly harmless Costa Rica qualified first in the group, Uruguay ranked second, and Italy and England were eliminated together!
Italy's weakness in attacking power has also been exposed in this cup. It failed to score against Costa Rica and Uruguay. Only Marchisio and Barcelona scored one goal each against England, but this was also the case in Italy's entire cup. The only goal scored.
By the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, the situation had not improved.
In a total of ten games, Italy scored a total of 19 goals. Does it look okay?
But Spain in the same group scored a full 36 goals!
Not to mention that Germany and Belgium in other groups have scored more than 40 goals.
After all, there are so many countries in Europe, and there are also many small ones. Gibraltar, San Marino, Andorra, etc. are all players who give away points and are experts in scoring goals.
The same goes for Liechtenstein, which is in the same group as Italy, but Italy only managed a 2:0 score when they played them, averaging less than 2 goals per game, which shows the weakness of its offensive line.
Even the Swedish team they are facing now is famous for their defense. They scored 26 goals in the group stage!
Therefore, for this Italian national team, Pan Yi focuses on offensive tactics.
If we don't strengthen our offense, even if we can pass the play-offs, there will be no chance in the World Cup!
And this is of course the more difficult part.
When you are at the club, if you lack an attacking player, go to the transfer market to find one.
If you can find Messi, that will solve a large part of the problem;
If you can't find Messi, then you can find Hazard or Leo.
But it's different in the national team. You can't just pick the players you need. You can only formulate a tactical style suitable for their performance based on the player configuration you currently have.
This requires the head coach of the national team to have more and richer command experience, as well as better tactical literacy and knowledge.
It can also be said that luck is very critical in national team competitions, especially in large-scale competitions, but it cannot be denied that the head coach's ability and the overall strength of the team are also crucial. It's important.
Of course, Pan Yi was prepared in advance. The current Scamaca, Tonali, Varela, and even defenders Bastoni and DiMarco all have their own strengths in offense. , and also started training and growing in the professional league in advance.
But before they have truly grown into stars, they still need to perform well in such key games to understand how to find ways to tear apart the opponent's defense when facing the best defense.
As the head coach, Pan Yi will also help them on the sidelines.
He always pays great attention and concentration, pays attention to every move on the court, observes everyone on the court, and then uses the most suitable tactics for his disciples to implement.
Now, Pan Yi has noticed some details.
"There seems to be something wrong with Larson." Pan Yi turned to Evani and said.
Evani looked at it and nodded: "Indeed, he didn't get in place to intercept the few passes we made in the midfield just now."
Sebastian Larsson has always been known for his active defense and strong running ability, but after all, he is 32 years old this year and his physical fitness is not as strong as when he was young.
Now, he relies more on awareness and experience to defend and predict. When it comes to defending one-on-one, including intercepting the opponent's passing line, he has begun to feel that he has more than enough energy and insufficient strength. .
Last season, the Sunderland team with him as the main player was relegated. In fact, part of the reason was due to the decline in his running ability, which led to a sharp increase in Sunderland's defense.
He also moved to Hull City this season, but the decline in form is indeed difficult to avoid.
It's not that Jane Anderson can't see this problem, but firstly, after Karlström retired from the national team, Sweden did not have many substitutes. Secondly, the superstition of Pan Yi's tactics also made Anderson grit his teeth. Stick to the double midfielder formed by him and Ekdal.
This is a bit like a poor student copying the test paper of a top student. His grades are still passable, but if he is asked to make other solutions on it, it is absolutely impossible.
But the midfielder position is really critical.
Compared with Larsson, his partner Ekdal is not a purely defensive player. The double midfielder composed of the two of them cannot suppress the Italian team in the midfield.
The reason why the defensive midfielder is becoming more and more important in today's football system is actually not only a matter of organizing the back position, but also because in the current football tactics, the offensive advancement is whether it is from the wing or the middle, whether it is a long pass or a short pass. However, there is one very key point that will not change.
That is running in depth within a threatening 30-meter area, which is the so-called scoring from behind!
The central defender obviously cannot assume the responsibility of preventing the opponent from scoring from behind, because they have to keep an eye on the opponent's forwards, or even wingers, so a key defensive point for the central defender is the midfielder.
It can be said that a very important reason why the defensive midfielder exists, or in other words, a very important reason why the defensive midfielder is valued by all head coaches is that they can provide timely follow-up defense when the opponent runs deep into the 30-meter area. Even blocking.
But now, Sweden's defensive midfielder is starting to be a little unsustainable at this point.
This is also because under the recent high-intensity attacks of the Italian team, the defensive midfielders have been too busy to cover up positions, which suddenly squeezed out their physical fitness.
However, Pan Yi is not in a hurry to make any adjustments now. He is still waiting for a better time.
The game time is less than 30 minutes now, let the bullets fly for a while...
——
"Larson went to the sidelines to drink water again." Vialli's bald head suddenly appeared in front of Pan Yi, making his eyes suddenly brighter.
Don't underestimate drinking water during the game, it represents a player's physical exertion.
During the game, coaches will also notice these clues to judge the opponent's physical condition.
Pan Yi nodded.
He also discovered that in the last few minutes of the game, Sweden's defense has indeed become more messy.
This is not to say that there is a problem with Jan Anderson's defensive arrangement, but that the Swedish players are exhausted and consume too much physical energy when facing the Italian attack.
This resulted in the first half of the game not being over yet, and many of them were severely exhausted, especially Ekker and Larsson, who played as defensive midfielders.
The reason is simple. Italy's off-the-ball movement and frontcourt pressing are very fierce, and they also have a good ability to control the rhythm. One is fast and the other is slow, forcing Sweden to run at their pace.
The one who is controlled by others will always be beaten passively, and will always be more exhausted than the one who takes the initiative.
It can be said that Swedish players have no advantage at all when facing the Italian team. Whether it is one-on-one or team combat, they have great shortcomings. Therefore, once they finally get the ball from the Italian team, it is very difficult. They lost it again soon, which was a huge torture to the spirit and fighting spirit of the Swedish players.
It's not that the Swedes are reckless and don't know how to control the ball, but they simply can't control it.
The Italian team is responsible for controlling the area in a group of three people. They stand in a triangular position. They are always one up and one down, one supporting and protecting, one link after another. The Swedish players can grab the ball, but as soon as they get the ball, they immediately find themselves Instead of facing a player, he was surrounded by a circle around him.
After a lot of hard work, he intercepted the ball, but lost it quickly. It was okay in the first few times, but over time, it was a huge torture to the players' mentality and a serious drain on their fighting spirit.
After the Italian team gets the ball, they will continue their offensive tactics, continue to press, and continue to bomb the Swedish goal, forcing the Swedish players to keep up.
Under the dual pressure of tactics and psychology, it is understandable that Swedish players consume too much physical energy.
Pan Yi looked at the scoreboard. The score was still 0:0, and the time was 38 minutes, not far from halftime.
But he also understood that it was time to make a move.
He immediately walked to the sidelines and waved to the Italian players in a dead-ball situation, especially Tonali, who was playing as an attacking midfielder in the frontcourt today, and waved some gestures that only they could understand each other.
After staying in York City for so many months, Tonali is very familiar with Pan Yi's tactics, and it is very obvious to understand the coach's intentions. With a gesture from Pan Yi, he knows what the coach wants to do and how he wants to do it.
The same situation exists for Scamacca, Varela, DiMarco and others. As Pan Yi's "direct descendants", they have also received instructions from the head coach immediately.
"The boss said, go back, hit the wings, pay attention to the width and depth!" Tonali said softly to each teammate as he walked back.
There happened to be a free kick from the Swedish team in the backcourt. The Italian players were all preparing to defend in their own half, and the personnel were relatively concentrated. Tonali was very convenient and quick to hand it over.
"I'm responsible for pulling out the side. You should pay attention to stretching out the width and playing in depth, just like how we usually cooperate in training!" Scamaca began to discuss with his two forward teammates.
Chiesa Jr. and Insigne both nodded frequently. They both knew how to play and had practiced it in training.
Pan Yi has previously trained to use the speed and breakthrough of Chiesa and Insigne to develop a tactical routine of cutting into the penalty area from two wings to complete the score, so they are all familiar with this set of tactics.
"You guys, deal with their double midfielders and step in when you have the chance!" Tonali continued, while he was also making gestures towards Barrera and Verratti.
Both of them nodded, indicating that they understood and would provide support and assistance behind Tonali and others at any time, and even insert themselves into the penalty area to complete the score.
When all the Italian generals understood Pan Yi's new instructions, the Swedish team also took a free kick in the backcourt.
Larsson kicked the ball out and lobbed it directly into the penalty area, but Isaac failed to get past Chiellini and the ball was pushed directly back to the midfielder.
Barrera got the ball, quickly turned around and immediately took the ball forward.
The three attackers in front had already received the ball and immediately pierced the Swedish defense line from the left, center and right directions like three sharp arrows, while Tonali followed behind Ska. Behind Maka, he is always ready to respond.
Barrera's advance was quickly blocked, and he immediately knocked the ball horizontally to the left. DiMarco followed up and pushed the ball from the left, and soon advanced to Sweden's 30-meter area. At this time, Sweden began to arrange defense.
Jan Anderson was aware of the danger on the sidelines and immediately directed his players' defensive positioning.
However, he was not sure where Italy's main attack direction was, so there was no way to give specific instructions.
After all, these four players, whether they are Scamacca, Tonali, Chiesa, or Insigne, are all very good at running without the ball, and they all have certain footwork. Everyone has the possibility to get the ball. Pass the ball behind and even shoot.
Facing such an opponent, every player is very dangerous.
When DiMarco pushed the ball close to the opponent's penalty area, Scamacca, who was originally standing in the middle, suddenly leaned over to the left from the middle, as if to cooperate with Chiesa and DiMarco to play on the left. At the same time, Tonali quickly moved to the left.
The two central players chose to lean to the left at the same time, which immediately sounded the alarm in Sweden's defense line, that is, the Italians were going to play on the left this time, so be careful.
Right back Lustig and right center back Lindelof immediately followed Scamacala to this side, carefully following the Italian forward.
In this way, the other central defender Granqvist must also come closer. Otherwise, the two central defenders are too far apart and will be directly beaten by the opponent.
But Insigne was always cruising on the right side, so their left back Augustinson could not easily come over, which directly caused a large vacuum and undefended area in the center right area of the penalty area.
"Danger!!!" Jane Anderson's first reaction was to be startled, because a bunch of Italians appeared in this area at the same time, even an ordinary fan seemed to be causing trouble!
But the Italian team attacked very quickly and gave Jane Anderson no time to warn.
The so-called bystanders know clearly, and the authorities are obsessed with it. The players on the field are equivalent to two-dimensional creatures. They do not have a God's perspective. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the criticality of the current situation.
The ball is still at DiMarco's feet, and Scamacca and Tonali appear more as screens.
But when DiMarco cut into a key position, the Swedish players obviously could no longer allow the young York City left back to rush forward like this, and they had to restrict him.
So Lustig let go of Chiesa and found DiMarco.
DiMarco did not fight with Lustig, but passed the ball directly to Tonali, who was approaching to receive the ball. The latter got the ball before midfielder Larsson and pushed it forward.
At this time, Tonali's physical advantage was reflected.
Larsson had already predicted DiMarco's pass, so the two of them attacked at the same time, but Tonali forcefully held Larsson, who was a little weak and his physical functions were declining, and then passed the ball Get it and pass it out.
At this time, after Chiesa grabbed Lustig, he cut horizontally towards the center along the line at the front of the penalty area. At this time, Tonali's pass came right in front of him.
When he got the ball, he happened to be near Granqvist, and he could drive into the penalty area!
Now, at the front of Sweden's penalty area, there is a huge hole in the entire defensive system.
Because Ekdal, who was supposed to appear here, also went to help defend Scamacca due to Italy's previous pull, and was not in this position.
In this way, in front of little Chiesa, there is a large gap in the area that Lanqvist can't take care of!
So after Chiesa got the ball, he immediately cleverly used his body and movement to press Granqvist and cut into the gap. It looked like he was about to have a chance to kick.
At this critical moment, left back Augustinson abandoned Insigne from the right side of the penalty area, and frantically crossed the gap of about 20 meters to cover the position, trying to flank Granqvist. Chiesa Jr. forced the Italian teenager to not be able to kick off easily.
And Chiesa handled this moment very calmly and decisively.
As soon as he saw Augustinsson approaching, he immediately passed the ball diagonally to the right behind Augustinsons. Insigne, who was originally moving with Augustinsons, had a tacit understanding and directly inserted it from behind. After getting the ball, stop and push.
As if the ball had eyes, it got into the Swedish team's goal between the goalkeeper who moved quickly from the left and made a save and the right post, 1:0!
"The ball is scored!!!!!!!" the on-site commentator roared excitedly!
"A textbook-like offense, a magnificent off-the-ball movement!"
"Sweden's steel-like defense was instantly shattered by the Italian team's extremely precise running!"
After seeing Insigne score, Pan Yi clenched his fists excitedly, turned around and high-fived Evani, Vialli and others in celebration.
This attack was indeed very beautiful. From creating width to creating depth, the entire offensive routine was almost flawless!
The Italian players executed the offensive tactics very well, and in this attack, the defensive weakness of the Swedish midfielder was also clearly revealed.
After nearly 40 minutes of the game, their spirit and attention were in a state of lack of concentration. As a result, their defensive density is now far less dense than before.
The live TV camera first followed the Italian players who ran to the stands to celebrate, and then came to the coaching bench.
At this time, both sides were naturally filled with joy and sorrow.
On the home team's side, Pan Yi is celebrating the goal with the coach and substitute players;
On the visiting team's side, Jane Anderson had a stern look on her face, obviously feeling very uneasy about the current situation.
1:0, total score 2:0!
He originally wanted to defend Italy's offensive in the first half, wait for the opponent to be unable to attack, suffer psychological fluctuations, and become unconfident in his offensive ability, and then launch a counterattack in the second half, but now...
Italy's offense eventually disintegrated Sweden's defense.
While the lead was expanded, it also put huge psychological pressure on the Swedish players. Now the Swedish team's situation will become even more difficult.
But what can he do now? You can't attack and you can't defend, this is a dilemma!
At this time, Insigne, the hero of the goal, had finished celebrating with his teammates. Before returning to the court, he ran to the coaching bench and hugged Pan Yi to express his gratitude to the head coach for trusting and supporting him. .
Speaking of which, Insigne is not Pan Yi's "direct descendant". Even at the beginning, he thought it would be difficult for him to play in this national team. After all, whether it was Chiesa Jr. or Laspadori It looks more like the "little shota" that Pan Yi likes.
But obviously, Pan Yi is not the kind of nepotistic person.
When you perform well in training, when you are in good condition, and when you can fit his tactical system, Pan Yi will put you on the field without hesitation!
And Insigne also seized the opportunity and repaid Pan Yi well!
He knows very well that as long as he can continue to make progress and live up to Pan Yi's high expectations for him, then he will always get the same opportunity to play and serve the country like today!
(End of chapter)
