Chapter 21 Mourinho’s Real Madrid Sets Sail

Li Ang didn't know that Mourinho would have such high expectations for their newly "born" midfield trio.

His goal is still very pragmatic.

That is to have a stable performance in his first Champions League game.

Real Madrid's victory is the best result for him. He wants to get the first victory package of the Champions League as soon as possible, and also wants to see how many points the system can give him for winning a Champions League game.

So he is satisfied with the result of "winning". As for whether it is a small win or a big win, it depends on whether the forwards in the front court today have shooting boots.

As for not winning.

Well, Li Ang dare not think of such a scene.

After all, the current Ajax has been sinking in the Eredivisie for a long time, and it is no longer the gorgeous team that swept Europe.

Compared with Real Madrid, which was ridiculed as "Sixteen Lang" by major giants in previous years, but still has the Champions League to play every year.

Ajax has not played in the Champions League for four seasons!

The last time they played in the Champions League was in the 05-06 season.

At that time, Ajax successfully entered the top 16 of the Champions League, but lost to Inter Milan led by Mancini in the quarter-finals.

And the main players of Jiafu at that time have basically transferred to other teams now.

In other words, Real Madrid, which has rich experience in the Champions League, is now facing a new team in the Champions League.

If they can't get off to a good start, let alone the fans will riot, it is estimated that all the stars of Real Madrid will not be able to forgive themselves.

So Li Ang really has no psychological burden. There are tall people to support him when the sky falls, and he has no reason to be nervous about the upcoming battle with a group of Dutch players.

However, he himself is not nervous, but Alonso, who is his partner, still took care of him at the beginning of the game.

Try to pass as little as possible to Li Ang, first stabilize in the backcourt to assist Li Ang in defense, and call Khedira back to help him increase the ball route to get rid of the opponent's pressing.

Alonso is very conscientious as a master, and Mourinho doesn't think there is anything wrong with being more stable at the beginning.

After seeing that Li Ang's performance was still stable and there were no unforced errors caused by nervousness, Mourinho nodded more assured.

His trust in Li Ang was not blind. He also considered the situation that the media said Li Ang might make nervous mistakes in his Champions League debut.

The backup plan is actually very simple, that is, if Li Ang is dragged down, Khedira's position will be withdrawn, and three midfielders will be used to stabilize the midfield defense.

If Li Ang's performance continues to be sluggish, then Gago or a certain attacking midfielder on the bench can start warming up.

But now it seems that this backup plan is completely useless.

Li Ang's stable performance not only put Mourinho and Karanka at ease, but also subconsciously added a confidence to the rest of the Real Madrid players.

Alonso gradually handed over the heavy responsibility of defending to Li Ang, and began to devote more energy to sorting out the ball transfer in the backcourt, while looking for opportunities to send long passes forward.

Marcelo was more confident in his forward movement, and Carvalho also felt more secure and organized the defense line more calmly, which made Pepe, who had just returned from injury, amazed.

Originally, Ramos should have started with Carvalho today.

But after the last training session this morning, Ramos felt some discomfort in his calf muscles, so Pepe returned and started.

He had not worked with Li Ang in a formal game before, but now seeing that his teammates around him all trusted Li Ang, Master Pepe also subconsciously felt at ease.

And the one who was in the happiest mood on the court at this time was naturally Khedira.

Brother Lian had a very ups and downs this week.

He was replaced at halftime in the league starter, and not only did he mess up his debut, but Li Ang, who was his competitor at the time, performed very well.

During the training, Li Ang also received praise from most teammates and coaches. Khedira felt that he might have to seriously consider changing his style.

But after a training session with a strong experimental nature that Mourinho suddenly came up with, Khedira quickly ushered in his spring.

No longer need to pay attention to the defensive position, he can take on his favorite forward task, and when he is in the limelight, he doesn't have to worry about no one cleaning up behind him.

This feeling is simply.

It's so cool!

Khedira, who ran forward in the midfield with the ball, instantly found the feeling in Stuttgart!

Mourinho asked him to increase the coverage of the front court and asked him to control the number of shots in each game?

That's not a problem!

After being beaten and replaced in the first half, Khedira was not dissatisfied with the tactical requirements that Mourinho put forward to him.

In the new tactical system, Khedira, who was relieved of the defensive burden and tried his best to prove himself, soon played a performance that surprised Real Madrid fans.

Khedira's ability to advance is not top-notch, but it is enough, his passing ability is not top-notch, but it is enough, his shooting is not good, but now he doesn't fire randomly.

More importantly, this guy has enough physical strength!

He is really everywhere, and he can do things everywhere and cooperate with his teammates to set the pace.

Maybe his skills are still a bit rough, but it doesn't matter. The offensive players in the front court of Real Madrid have excellent and delicate skills, so there is no need for him to dribble and tear the defense line.

He successfully completed his own task of connecting the attack and supporting the forwards, which was already quite prominent.

On the defensive end, his wide coverage and sweeping can effectively slow down the opponent's counterattack.

He is not an efficient stealing machine, and his chasing speed is not fast. A week ago, this would definitely be his fatal flaw on the defensive end.

But now, it doesn't matter.

Because after he completed the sweeping task, the enemy offensive players who were screened out will be "cleaned up" by two midfielders, Li Ang and Xabi Alonso.

Khedira is equivalent to the first layer of "filter" in Real Madrid's midfield defense.

It is good to be lucky enough to stop the opponent's echelon attack at the beginning, but it is not fatal if it cannot be stopped.

Li Ang behind provides frontal interception and sweeping and chasing back.

Alonso "checks for leaks and fills in gaps".

The three of them together form a "midfield meat grinder" with clear division of labor and high efficiency.

This is also the reason why Li Ang joked that the three of them can be called the "hard trio" together.

Hard?

Looking at all the European giants, after they have mastered this set, they are indeed strong on the defensive end!

The defensive line layout level, confrontation ability, mobility, ground interception, high-altitude interception, that is everything.

The offense is a bit rough, but with Alonso, a master of organization with long passes and precise guidance, it does not hinder Real Madrid from playing efficient counterattacks at all.

Let’s talk about how they can perform when they meet Barcelona’s midfield later. The current Ajax can’t hold on for less than half an hour anyway!

Damn it!

The new midfield combination of Real Madrid relies on Khedira’s rush and Alonso’s long passes on the offensive end.

It just so happens that Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria on the two wings are both top stars with extremely fast speed and comprehensive skills.

Once they run, it is easy to cause Ajax’s backcourt to fall.

And when Ajax finally made a counterattack, they just got rid of Khedira’s crazy running flow and pushed through the midfield, and met Real Madrid’s two midfielders and fell again!

Especially Li Ang, who made all the Ajax players so angry!

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder relied on his good health and courage to attack without any restraint.

You are great with your good jumping ability and strong foot. You want to play a head-on "foot-to-foot game" with me after winning the header?

Go to hell, I don't want to play anymore!

Li Ang used four successful one-on-one frontal interceptions in the first 30 minutes of the first half to break the defense of Ajax's midfielders.

Li Ang is not afraid of pain or injury, he is tough enough, but they are afraid!

Under the instinctive shrinking, Ajax's already sporadic counterattacks were directly silenced.

Real Madrid naturally increased the offensive strength.

However, it was not Ronaldo and Di Maria who had performed outstandingly before who finally broke through the gate of Jia Mansion in the first half.

Instead, it was the little smoking gun Higuain who developed for 36 minutes and finally succeeded in offside and scored a goal with a single knife!

"C Ronaldo's through ball! Beautiful offside run! Higuain, lob shot! Goal!!!! In the 36th minute of the first half, Real Madrid finally broke through the door of Ajax! This new Real Madrid is eye-catching!"

Zhan Jun was a little excited. He saw a Real Madrid that was more balanced in offense and defense than last season, and more "reassuring".

He also saw the important role of Li Ang in Mourinho's tactical change!

At this moment, Li Ang, who was smiling and high-fiving Khedira and Alonso, attracted the attention of the live camera again.

Or rather, it was the three of them who attracted the attention of the camera together.

Xabi Alonso, the master organizer at his peak, Khedira, the B2B midfield template who was gradually moving towards his peak, and Li Ang, a newborn calf but calm interception machine.

This midfield combination, which Real Madrid used for the first time this season, has significantly outstanding defensive efficiency and lethality.

Perhaps it is the final version of the "key to victory" that Mourinho has worked hard to experiment with.

Seeing Mourinho and Karanka hugging each other excitedly, all Real Madrid fans had the same thought in their minds.

"Mourinho's Real Madrid has truly set sail"