Bab 162: Chapter 162: Understanding
Chapter 162: Understanding
"Portugal quickly takes a free kick in the attacking third."
"Tiago sends it to the near post, Danny heads it! Just a bit too high!"
"This was Portugal's most threatening shot of the first half."
"Created from a free kick opportunity on the left by Bruno, but Danny couldn't capitalize."
"Goal kick for France."
...
As France takes the goal kick, Portugal retreats back to their half. Despite being a goal down, the Portuguese side remains calm and determined on the field, especially after creating a moment of threat.
At this moment, Portugal resembles a shark that has sensed blood, ready to pounce at any moment.
Santos quickly makes another tactical adjustment. He pulls Tiago back to join Andre Gomes in a defensive midfield duo, pushing Bruno forward since he notices Matuidi advancing more for France.
This positions France's midfield trio somewhat like an inverted triangle, with Cabaye dropping deeper. Santos adjusts by bringing Tiago back but pushing Bruno forward. The reason is simple; he needs Bruno to support the attack more and to keep Pogba in check, which will help curb the organizational abilities of the French midfield.
Meanwhile, Santos also reassigns responsibilities in the team's midfield and defense. France clearly recognizes Bruno as the core of Portugal's midfield organization, so in the first half, as soon as Bruno gets the ball, the French team immediately closes him down.
Cabaye, Matuidi, and Pogba are tasked with this during the game. Noticing this, Santos adjusts by having Tiago and Gomes support Bruno more in midfield, controlling the ball and pushing forward to create opportunities for the forwards.
...
The match quickly approaches the 40th minute. After several adjustments, Portugal actively and patiently looks for opportunities.
Everyone knows that even losing 0:1 to France isn't the end of the world, but Bruno doesn't see it that way; he doesn't want to lose to Pogba.
Ronaldo, too, hates to lose. At all times, the competitive Ronaldo wants his team to win!
After continuous adjustments by the team, the Portuguese captain's role remains unchanged; he is still responsible for the attack on the left wing, as Eliseu can't provide any support.
But this doesn't mean he's left one-on-one against Sagna, as it's often hard for passes to reach him there.
France also has a targeted strategy. Throughout the first half, Ronaldo gets few chances to handle the ball. Clearly, it's France's strategy to not let Ronaldo attack directly.
With Matuidi pushing forward, Cabaye acts more like a single holding midfielder, giving Ronaldo more chances on the left. Without needing Santos' reminder, he naturally expands his operational range.
...
Portugal soon creates a chance.
Bruno, surrounded by French players, quickly passes back to Tiago.
The Atletico Madrid midfielder sends a low ball directly to the front line.
Danny drops back, receives the ball with his back to goal, and nudges it to the left.
Ronaldo beats Sagna to the ball and controls it, but without any chance to advance, opts to pass back.
Gomes nearby takes the ball, and the French players immediately press him.
Gomes passes back to Tiago, who then passes to Bruno.
The entire process involves quick passes, and when Bruno receives the ball again, he faces the direction of the attack.
He sees Ronaldo!
Almost at the moment Bruno passes, Ronaldo bursts forward, shaking off Sagna with blistering speed, cutting behind the French defense.
Bruno's pass is driven low and fast, right into Ronaldo's path.
Lifting his left foot, Ronaldo controls the ball smoothly.
But at that moment, French center-back Mangala rushes back to block Ronaldo.
The ball hits the ground and bounces up.
Seeing Mangala approaching to intercept, Ronaldo swiftly kicks the ball, lobbing it over Mangala's head and landing behind him, then accelerates past Mangala's side into the box.
Mangala turns quickly, but Ronaldo is faster. In the blink of an eye, Ronaldo reaches the ball before the goalkeeper Mandanda can intercept.
From the left is Mangala, from the right Varane, and ahead is Mandanda. Ronaldo, reaching the ball first, barely thinks before instinctively flicking it...
...
"Beautiful dribbling!"
"Ronaldo flicks the ball over Mangala, creating a clear chance!"
"France's goalkeeper Mandanda comes out!"
"Ronaldo..."
"Brilliant!"
"Ronaldo scores an empty netter!"
"Goal!!!!"
...
After scoring, Ronaldo doesn't slow down but dashes off the field.
He leaps high, throwing his arms back, and roars skyward.
"Shiu!!!"
His iconic goal celebration!
All Portuguese players are thrilled, rushing towards him, surrounding him in jubilation.
"An amazing combination!"
"This goal for Portugal is crucial!"
"Now, at the 44th minute, Ronaldo's goal not only equalizes but also greatly boosts the team's morale while striking a blow to France."
"Truly an admirable goal!"
"We can see, Ronaldo's ability to read the play is strong. When receiving Danny's pass, he chooses to knock it back."
"Sagna seems a bit careless at that moment, but Ronaldo quickly makes a sharp run behind him."
"Undoubtedly, Bruno's pass was perfect, landing exactly on Ronaldo's run, so Ronaldo controls it with his left foot, then doesn't wait for Mangala to close down before flicking it."
"The two actions connect superbly, fluid like water, absolutely spectacular!"
"Mandanda's decision to come out seems rushed, but he has no choice against Ronaldo, who puts pressure on any goalkeeper."
...
Santos jumps up on the sidelines, thrilled by the unexpected delight. He had been prepared to be down a goal at halftime, but Bruno and Ronaldo's brilliant play brought an exciting surprise.
"This kid plays so smart!" Santos praises with a smile.
He has always thought Ronaldo is not just fast and skilled but also exceptionally smart about off-ball movements and thinking differently from others.
"Bruno's pass was also beautiful," Santos's assistant coach adds with a smile.
Santos nods, aware that not many on the team have the understanding with Bruno that Ronaldo does. This comes from Bruno joining the team later and not being as familiar with the others.
This kind of understanding can't be rushed.
As for the understanding with Ronaldo, perhaps that's just the resonance between top talents, sharing similar thoughts.
But you can't expect every player to be a top genius.
In this Portuguese team, only Ronaldo and Bruno could be considered top geniuses; most others are just regular players.
So, he still needs to consider tactics that suit ordinary players and focus on such training.
Santos believes that as time goes by, Bruno will grow more familiar with his teammates, and their understanding will develop, just like at Udinese.
Overall, aside from Pepe's early mistake, Portugal hasn't made significant errors defensively, keeping the French attacks directionless, much to Santos's satisfaction.
Portugal tactically suppressed France!
...
During the halftime break, the Portuguese players return to the locker room, all sporting excited smiles, clearly pleased with the first half's outcome.
Santos's strategy completely disrupts France's tactical setup.
Though the first half ends 1:1, tactically, France is thoroughly outplayed.
Santos enters the locker room to plan for the second half.
He first addresses the issues from the first half, focusing on minor details and avoiding mentioning Pepe's error, clearly to spare Pepe's feelings.
Santos shares his prediction for France's second-half tactics: "Typically, if a team dominates on the field, they won't adjust easily in the second half because changing their approach can lead to losing control of the game, so they won't risk it."
"Although the score is 1:1, France controlled the situation, but they faced some issues in the final minutes of the first half and conceded a goal to our counterattack. Thus, I suspect Deschamps won't make adjustments, especially substitutions."
As Santos makes his plans, all Portuguese players, including Ronaldo and Bruno, listen intently.
(End of Chapter)
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