Chapter 199: The Battlefield of Su Dong [Fifth update, begging for monthly subscription! ]
A charter flight flew direct from Milan, Italy to Valencia, Spain.
Shortly after landing, Inter Milan players, led by Argentine head coach Cooper, walked out of the airport gate one after another.
Walking in front, Cooper's expression looked very complicated, with mixed emotions.
The Valencia fans had been very unfriendly to him on his two previous returns to Mestalla.
And the third time, Cooper could imagine that Mestaña would treat him in an even more extreme way.
Even throwing a pig's head at him is not ruled out.
Cooper will never forget the time he spent in Valencia.
Although he failed to win a single championship here, reaching the Champions League final twice is the best proof of his coaching ability.
Not only that, no one can deny that at least half of the credit for Benítez's first league title as coach should be attributed to Cooper, but this also made the feud between him and Valencia more complicated.
In this city, he has enemies like Jaime Otti, but also former favorites like Mendieta, Aimar, Ayala, etc., which makes him feel uncomfortable every time he returns to Mestaña.
But as a professional head coach, he has only one task, which is to lead the team to win the game.
…
Cooper led Inter Milan to Mestalla twice, winning one and losing one, but he was the final winner.
The former was in the second leg of the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. With the score at 1-1 at home, Inter Milan challenged Valencia away. As a result, Cooper's team stubbornly maintained the score of 1-0 despite the unfavorable factor of goalkeeper Toldo being sent off with a red card, and eliminated Valencia.
In that game, the Bats took as many as thirty-five shots.
A year later, Cooper led Inter Milan to a comeback.
After a narrow 1-0 win at home in the first leg, Cooper once again used his best defensive counterattack in the second leg at the Mestalla Stadium, and brought his defensive tactics to the extreme.
The final result was 1:2, Inter Milan lost the game, but with the away goal, the total score was 2:2, and Cooper had the last laugh again! However, the ball possession rate of 29 to 71, the number of shots of 3 to 27, especially the 18 shots on target of Valencia, were enough to embarrass Inter Milan.
It can be said that Cooper used extremely conservative racing strategies both times and managed to win the final victory.
This not only allowed him to win the game, but also further deepened the hatred between him and the Valencia fans.
Especially Benítez.
As early as when the Champions League group stage draw was made, Benítez made it clear that this time Valencia would not let Inter Milan get away with it unscathed and would definitely avenge the two defeats of the past two years at home.
And the Cooper today is no longer the Cooper he was two years ago or a year ago.
As he walked out of the airport, Cooper raised his head and glanced at the blue sky of Valencia. The sunlight shone on his old face, deepening the wrinkles on his face.
He is tired!
…………
…………
"Cooper's current situation is very grim."
At the same time that Inter Milan arrived in Valencia, the Bats held a tactical preparation meeting at the Paterna base.
Benítez conveyed to the players his assessment of Inter Milan's current situation and the tactics that might be adopted in this game.
"The results are good, but the playing style is too conservative. This is not only my personal evaluation. Even conservative Italians can't stand Cooper's conservatism." Benítez spread his hands helplessly.
The players couldn't help but smile.
Italy is notoriously conservative, but even conservative Italians can't stand Cooper's conservatism. It's conceivable how hopelessly conservative he is.
"As early as before the season, Vieri said that Inter Milan is a top club and should choose a more aggressive style of play."
When Benítez said this, he pointed at the players and said, "This is a very positive sign. Even Inter Milan's players are beginning to be fed up with Cooper, because his style of play cannot win games, cannot win championships, and cannot see hope!"
Su Dong was sitting in the audience, and when he heard what Benítez said, he agreed in his heart.
Every head coach has his or her own strengths. Cooper may have his or her own unique attainments in coaching defense and targeted tactics, but a championship cannot be won by relying solely on excellent defense.
From Valencia to Inter Milan, Cooper has failed to win the championship again and again, which is no coincidence.
"According to reliable intelligence we have received, Moratti has issued an ultimatum to Cooper. The team must play more aggressively. The Inter Milan chairman wants to see a more offensive team. Otherwise, Cooper will be fired!"
When Benítez said this, his face showed no expression, but it always made people feel sympathetic.
The head coach is actually a very tragic role, especially for someone like Cooper. The chairman above likes to interfere too much, which is not a good thing.
"If I were Cooper, to be honest, I would definitely adopt a defensive counterattack when coaching this Inter Milan, because this team is not suitable for playing offensive football at all, and the player configuration is not good at all."
"For example, in terms of ball control, their double defensive midfielders are Zanetti and Emre. The former is a fierce player, but he is brave but not good at ball control. Emre likes to dribble and break through individually, which is not what a midfield organizer and ball controller should do. Recoba is also not suitable for the attacking midfielder position. His breakthroughs are very entertaining, but lack efficiency. He has too strong a desire for personal performance. Once the ball is at his feet, the offensive rhythm will become very slow."
"Another point is that their two center forwards, Kroos and Vieri, basically do not participate in defense, which means their midfielders have to be under huge defensive pressure for a long time. How can they organize and plan calmly?"
"Also, Cannavaro and Materazzi are both slow, so Cooper rarely uses offside tactics. But once the defense line moves forward, it is easy to create gaps in front and behind when encountering a quick counterattack."
The Valencia players listened in silence.
Benítez studies every game and every opponent very thoroughly, which allows the players to fully understand the opponents they will face before the game, and to deal with emergencies more calmly when encountering them during the game.
"To be honest, I don't know whether Cooper will play aggressively because I'm not Cooper, but I think we can definitely test our opponents and create some pressure on them after the opening."
At this point, Benítez quickly asked Jesterdam to bring out the tactical board, on which Inter Milan's possible starting lineup was already drawn, still the 4-4-2 formation that Cooper was best at.
"Vicente needs to avoid Zanetti, retreat appropriately, and still get the ball on the left side."
"Understood." Vincent nodded.
"Aimar, your task is to suppress Zanetti and Emre, put some pressure on them so that they dare not press forward."
Aimar raised his hand and made an OK gesture.
"Su." Benítez looked at Su Dong. "Materazzi and Cannavaro are both world-class central defenders. You may not be able to gain an advantage in a physical match, but in terms of speed and guerrilla warfare, they are no match for you."
As he spoke, Benítez stretched out his hand and drew a circle in the air in front and behind Inter Milan's defense line.
"This area is your battlefield!"
Su Dong nodded solemnly.
"You played quite well against Stam and Mihajlovic against Lazio before, and now, facing Materazzi and Cannavaro, I believe you can also give your best performance." Benítez encouraged.
After hearing this, everyone turned their eyes to Su Dong.
In the past two seasons, Valencia has met Inter Milan in European competitions and lost both times.
Without exception, the reason for the loss was all due to the weak forward line.
Now, the team has introduced Su Dong, but has met Inter Milan again.
Whether it's a mule or a horse, you have to take it out for a walk.
Is Su Dong capable of solving the team’s weak striker problem?
It all depends on his performance against Inter Milan!
"Everyone!"
At the end of his speech, Benítez clapped his hands solemnly, attracting everyone's attention.
"The upcoming schedule is very tight, first Inter Milan, then away to Atletico Madrid, then at home to Real Madrid, away to Marseille, and then away to Barcelona again."
"This schedule is a huge challenge for us, but if we can overcome this devilish schedule, then there is no doubt that we will play more easily in the rest of this season, especially in the first half of this season."
“Whether we can achieve good results or even win the championship, this part of the race is crucial!”
Benítez's words made the already serious players feel the importance of this game even more.
The match against Inter Milan is not only about avenging the defeats of the past two years, but also about making a good start for the upcoming devilish schedule.
Everyone knows that in a schedule like this, if it is not handled properly, losing again and again is common.
If this losing streak continues, there will be no hope for Valencia this season.
So, no matter what, Valencia must give its best performance against Inter Milan.
Su Dong sat down below, feeling heavy in his heart.
The more important the game is, the higher the expectations of Benítez and his teammates are of him, and the greater the responsibility on his shoulders.
This is also normal.
The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.
It’s just like in a football team, when they lose the game, the first thing they will do is to blame the star player for his poor performance, because you are a big star.
If you can accept praise when you win, you have to be scolded when you lose.
Su Dong understood this principle when he was at Sporting Lisbon.
And he also knew that he had to take on this responsibility.
Not only for teammates, for the team, but also for yourself.
Unless he doesn't want to move forward in his career, he must adapt to such pressure and learn to perform at his best under such high-load pressure.
This is the basic skill of a star player! Please subscribe to the monthly ticket! !
(End of this chapter)
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