Chapter 2326 - 591: The Baton Connection, Skyflying Trio
Today, we’ve changed to a backline with a similar average level, slightly weaker in aerial defense, but more agile.
Huang Kaiwen is planning to set an offside trap.
Spain plays a lot of through balls, and setting an offside trap can frequently disrupt their attacks.
However, if there’s not enough coordination, it’s easy for the defense to be penetrated directly.
Stekelenburg has become the person to help the defense decide whether to set the offside trap.
Even with this tactic, it’s not possible to use it continuously, as the risk is too high.
Therefore, someone needs to assess the threat level of the opponent’s current attack and manage the backline as a whole.
Stekelenburg is the person Huang Kaiwen picked to help the defense.
Upon hearing Huang Kaiwen’s call.
Marten Stenkelberg also felt the pressure.
Training is training.
The Spanish team isn’t just any opponent.
At this moment, the goalkeeper of the Roma team feels the weight of his responsibility.
When a person bears the hope of victory for a team, a country, that’s how it is.
"Are we really going to set an offside trap?"
Cocu asked with some concern.
The players are familiar with this tactic, precisely because when an offside trap fails, it’s easy to concede a goal, so coaches seldom use such an extreme tactic.
𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
Otherwise, if a successful offside trap could disrupt the opponent’s attack without fouls, it would be used more often.
"Let’s trust them."
Huang Kaiwen sighed and said.
Originally, he thought playing Fabregas as a forward was less threatening, so extreme measures weren’t needed.
But Spain’s attack still has such strong penetration.
Just now, David Silva tore apart the Netherlands’ defense in an instant, damn, if they don’t set an offside trap, they’ll give them a direct shot, so it’s better to take a gamble.
After making a decision, Huang Kaiwen hesitated no more.
Moreover, there’s a benefit that the Eredivisie’s offensive play is bold, and these defensive players have used the offside trap tactic somewhat in their clubs.
Cocu could only nod.
Huang Kaiwen has done many things these days.
But Spain’s strength is obvious, forcing their hand.
Now the biggest question is whether the Netherlands can score first with their quick play against Spain’s slow play.
Previously, Spain didn’t use Torres, and they faced the same lack of attacking force when playing against Italy.
Even if Italy’s defense line is stronger than the Netherlands’, Huang Kaiwen believes that with all his arrangements, the Netherlands team won’t disappoint today.
To be honest, Huang Kaiwen doesn’t like the feeling of the game being out of control.
But at this moment, he can only trust the players on the field.
No Iniesta.
The Barca system nevertheless got affected.
The Spanish National Team’s midfield framework is like this.
David Silva and Mata aren’t lacking in ability, but they’re not from La Masia.
The issue of coordination means Xavi has to stay forward, Busquets also has to push forward, and Alonso stays at the back to cover for his teammates.
After Xavi received the ball in the frontcourt, he passed forward, Bouma suddenly rushed forward and kicked the ball back.
Sneijder, who had retreated deeply, got the ball and turned to pass it to Robben, who made a quick advance from the center line with the ball.
"Hehe, you see, today the Netherlands team is indeed agile, Robben’s gone to the left now, Robben’s dribbling speed is really fast, Kuyt is cutting in, Kuyt seems to be everywhere."
"Robben chips it, Kuyt shifts it to Van Persie!!! Ah, that shot hit the crossbar, Van Persie’s volley almost went in, it was just a bit higher."
Huang Kaiwen applauded from the sidelines, encouraging the players.
The Dutch attacking line is the reason he abandoned a purely defensive strategy today.
The strength of the Three Musketeers is truly formidable; even a slight opportunity can pose a threat to Spain.
Spain quickly organized another attack.
Their style of continuously passing the ball around in the back isn’t something ordinary teams can replicate.
The Netherlands team didn’t press forward, and Spain wasn’t in a hurry to send the ball to the front.
Van Bommel kept shouting, urging his teammates to get moving.
The passive response to Spain is because their seemingly hypnotic attack can suddenly quicken.
If you don’t keep running ahead of time and positioning yourself, it’s easy to expose a gap.
At the club level, he’s not worried about honor, but the National Team is always a sore spot for him.
Van Bommel knows very well that his form may not last until two years later.
This means this European Cup is likely his last international tournament.
After losing to Spain in 2010, he was very unwilling to accept it; his desire for this European Cup championship is not less than Huang Kaiwen’s.
When Xavi passed the ball to Mata again, Van Bommel immediately urged De Jong to go up.
Kuyt was closer, but his role wasn’t suitable for intercepting.
Mata attempted a dribble, but De Jong wasn’t in a hurry to make a move.
In this situation, Mata could only opt for a horizontal pass.
Xavi, who was advancing, immediately passed forward upon receiving the ball, and Fabregas, who had retreated, got the ball. Kuyt slid in with a tackle to clear the ball.
Van Bommel raised his left foot to stop the ball, then quickly turned and swung with his right foot.
Bam—
The ball flew straight toward the left front, but Ramos wasn’t in his defensive zone!
Busquets rushed toward the drop point immediately.
Van Persie saw the person behind him and quickly remembered Huang Kaiwen’s warning.
As the ball descended, Van Persie used his chest to control it, and Busquets began to tug at Van Persie’s arm from behind.
Without thinking, Van Persie fell to the ground.
Afraid the referee didn’t see him, he even rolled over intentionally.
"Rizzoli, referee Rizzoli called a foul on Busquets, Van Persie is lying on the ground smiling at his teammates, probably finding it amusing himself. Busquets clearly intended to go down, but didn’t expect Van Persie to be so decisive."