Of course, Chelsea's tactics were developed by Mourinho when he coached Chelsea.

Mourinho's tactical essence peaked when he first coached Chelsea. At that time, he really had the right time, the right place, and the right people.

When Ancelotti took over Chelsea, the old fat man immediately keenly realized the awesomeness of Mourinho's defensive counter-attack tactics. Or to be more precise, only Ancelotti really understood the essence of the defensive counter-attack tactics that Mourinho tailored for Chelsea.

Therefore, Ancelotti really knew how to use Drogba. Just like Mourinho, Ancelotti let Drogba charge and support, and let Lampard follow up and shoot to complete the final shot.

This method is simple and crude, and the effect is very good. The opponents clearly know what Drogba and Lampard will do, but they just can't do anything about it.

Ancelotti understands Mourinho, and Ancelotti has also adjusted Mourinho's 433 formation more meticulously.

On the surface, it seems that Chelsea's winning of the Premier League and the Champions League titles is due to Ancelotti, but in fact, Ancelotti's credit belongs half to him and half to Mourinho.

Although Mourinho is no longer at Chelsea, Chelsea is still enjoying Mourinho's "legacy".

Similarly, Mourinho also admires Ancelotti very much. Mourinho has said more than once in interviews that he respects Ancelotti very much and he thinks Ancelotti is a good coach.

From this perspective alone, today's game is not just a derby between the Reds and the Blues, but also a showdown between the new Mourinho tactics and the old Mourinho tactics.

Whether Mourinho can defeat his past glory and surpass the peak he once created depends on today's opening match between the red and blue teams.

Needless to say, Chelsea's formation is still using Ancelotti's version of Mourinho's 433, and the basic strategy is defensive counterattack.

The three forwards are Mata, Moses and Torres.

——The former meritorious striker Drogba transferred to the Chinese Super League after the end of last season. This is certainly not a good situation for Chelsea.

Although they have Torres, the problem is that Torres' ability to hold and protect the ball in the midfield is much worse than Drogba's. Without the fulcrum in the midfield, Lampard's forward runs would not have much meaning. Therefore, Drogba's departure has caused a big problem for Chelsea's 433 formation created by Mourinho and improved by Ancelotti.

Unless... Torres can have an epiphany and start playing as a supporting center forward.

Chelsea's three midfielders are Mikel, Lampard and Malouda.

The African buffalo Essien retired, and Mikel was previously loaned to Southampton. He performed very well in the game as a double defensive midfielder with Gu Ran. Mikel can be said to have made an indispensable contribution to Southampton's promotion to the Premier League and winning the Europa League.

Therefore, after being recalled to the home team by Chelsea, Mikel took the position of main defensive midfielder.

Therefore, today's game is also the first competition between Mikel and Gu Ran, two old teammates who have a good relationship.

——Before the game started, Gu Ran took the initiative to find Mikel for a high five and a hug, and the two of them were talking and laughing very intimately. It is unknown whether Mikel, who has the style of a beast and can tackle everything, will make a fatal tackle on his good brother Gu Ran after the game officially starts.

The goalkeeper is still the tank-hatted Cech.

Liverpool also used Mourinho's 433 formation, and the basic tactic was to quickly return to defense and counterattack.

Liverpool’s three forwards are: Suarez, Sturridge, and... the new No. 9, Gu Ran!

Yes, Mourinho's idea is very wild and bold! From the first day Mourinho took over Liverpool, he couldn't wait to put Gu Ran in the center position.

Even though Gu Ran had never played as a center in any game in the previous two seasons, and even though Gu Ran had never practiced as a center in any training session in the previous two seasons.

Although everyone believed that Gu Ran possessed super strong confrontation, indefatigable stamina, and field and organizational skills that were beyond his time, it would be best to place Gu Ran in the midfield, especially in the defensive midfielder position. However, the madman Mourinho was not conservative at all and directly placed Gu Ran in the center position, and a genuine center forward.

In the tactical setting, Sturridge and Suarez next to him all passed the ball to Gu Ran to support him.

Before Mourinho, there were coaches who had thought about letting Gu Ran play as a forward/center forward, but Mourinho was the only one who dared to do so directly.

From this point of view alone, it can be determined that Mourinho is not really a defensive coach. He is really an offensive coach, and defense is just a means to attack more effectively.

In Mourinho's own words, Gu Ran used to play as a center forward in Southampton. Although Southampton benefited greatly from it, Gu Ran's strength was not really brought into play because Southampton's defense was too fragile. As a result, Gu Ran was unable to devote himself to the offense. But it is different in Liverpool. With these Liverpool stars and the practical defensive counterattack tactics designed by Mourinho, putting Gu Ran in the center forward position is what makes Gu Ran most happy.

The reason is simple - if Gu Ran is happy, everyone will be happy.

Moreover, another advantage of putting Gu Ran in the center position is that Gu Ran can coexist with Gerrard.

Gerrard is currently playing as a defensive midfielder for Liverpool, and his main role is defensive interception, as well as instigating attacks.

In the 433 formation, if Gu Ran also appears in the midfield, it will inevitably conflict with Gerrard's position. A team cannot have two defensive midfielder organizers. If there are two defensive midfielder organizers, the entire team's style of play will fall into self-confusion, and the team's resources will also be greatly consumed in the second half.

Gerrard is the soul of Liverpool.

Gerrard's mental attributes are definitely the highest in the entire Liverpool team.

Even though Gu Ran is more famous than Gerrard worldwide, and even though Liverpool fans are crazy about his arrival, if Gu Ran directly replaces Gerrard, it will not be good for the locker room atmosphere of the new Liverpool team.

Mourinho's arrangement can be said to be very clever and appropriate.

...(End of this chapter)