บท 164: Chapter 163: Heavy Pressure
Chapter 163: Heavy Pressure
Santos seriously and carefully instructed the Portuguese players, "It's unpredictable how they will adjust in small details, but there are two things we must focus on ourselves."
"First, we need to press faster and more fiercely. We have to put pressure on France's center-backs, Mangala and Varane, who didn't feel much pressure in the first half. We need to strengthen this aspect in the second half."
"Second, our counter-attacks need to be faster, but at the same time, we must ensure our whole attack and defense system remains compact. This is the prerequisite, the foundation of not conceding any more goals. We must get this right."
During the training period, Portugal has consistently practiced their tactics to ensure the integrity of their offensive and defensive system. This has always been a focus of Santos' training, and the players are well aware of how seriously the coach takes this.
"That goal at the end of the first half was precisely because we sped up," Santos said.
Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Ronaldo and Pepe, who both smiled as if to say, "Looks like you got a compliment there."
Santos rarely praises anyone in the locker room, so being mentioned like this was, in fact, a form of praise.
After finishing his instructions, Santos had essentially said everything he needed to say.
"Even though we have reasons to be satisfied with the 1:1 score at halftime, we must not take it lightly. You must remember, this is Stade de France, the home ground of the French team."
"You must understand, tonight you are facing one of the strongest teams in Europe. Whether it's a draw or a one-goal lead, it's not enough to ensure victory. Therefore, we must concentrate all our energy and focus on playing well every minute of the match."
As the captain, Ronaldo immediately stood up, nodding emphatically. The other players also stood up, either nodding or verbally responding.
...
The second half began without significant changes from France; they did not adjust their lineup or tactics, continuing as in the first half. However, Portugal appeared different than in the first half.
If the first half's strategy for Portugal was to stabilize their defense and get accustomed to France's game rhythm, then the second half strategy was to seize the moment after adapting to the opponent and go for the jugular!
Just one minute into the second half, Portugal began to press intensively. Cabaye fouled Bruno, giving Portugal a free kick in the attacking half. Ronaldo chose to shoot directly, but Mandanda caught it, averting a crisis.
But Portugal's pressing continued, quickly setting the tempo of the game. France's attacks were curbed, struggling to find their rhythm.
Griezmann and Valbuena, already restrained by Eliseu and Cedric in the first half, represented France's "disarmed arms," while the midfield was blocked by Tiago and Gomes.
The full-backs, Sagna tasked with marking Ronaldo and Evra tied by Nani, further restricted France's offensive capabilities. Essentially, France's entire attack was stifled by Portugal. If they couldn't find an opening in the first half, the second half proved even more challenging.
...
Deschamps clearly became frustrated as France's attacks failed to materialize. He paced back and forth in the coaching area, appearing tense and agitated.
After ten minutes, unable to wait any longer, Deschamps made the first substitution of the game, replacing Valbuena with Payet.
Bruno sensed that while the ball was still with France, the control of the game was in Portugal's hands.
The effectiveness of a possession-based game hinges on creating threats. If possession doesn't translate into threatening opportunities, it can be dangerous; it can cause the team controlling the ball to become anxious.
Especially since France is not accustomed to possession-based tactics like Barcelona or Manchester City. In fact, Deschamps' team is typically stronger in defense and counter-attacks. Today's approach seemed forced, a result of playing a possession game at home under duress.
As the second half started, both teams struggled to create chances, but the atmosphere became increasingly tense. Bruno knew this was a test for both sides; whoever couldn't withstand the pressure or made the first mistake would lose.
Portugal remained firm in executing the coach's tactics because they were effective.
...
In the 65th minute, France made the second substitution of the game.
Bruno watched from the field as the fourth official displayed the substitution board. He didn't even need to see who was being swapped; he could tell France was getting desperate, Deschamps was losing his composure, especially since Portugal hadn't made a single substitution yet!
Substitutions are made to change the course of the game. When a team like Deschamps makes two substitutions while the opponent hasn't responded at all, it's clear that Portugal holds the tactical and psychological advantage.
That goal by Ronaldo at the end of the first half was crucial. Without it, France wouldn't have been so anxious.
This time, Deschamps replaced Cabaye with Giroud, a forward for a defensive midfielder, a clear gamble!
Santos was forced to adjust, pulling Tiago back to better protect the defense line.
Portugal still made no substitutions!
...
After the substitution, France tried to launch fierce attacks but still couldn't find a way through the Portuguese defense. Instead, their own vulnerabilities were exposed.
In the 70th minute, under pressure from Danny, French center-back Varane was forced to pass back to his goalkeeper.
"Whistle!"
With a sharp whistle, the main referee quickly ran towards France's penalty area. The sudden sound stunned players from both teams.
Bruno, seeing Varane's pass back, was about to run back, thinking Mandanda would clear it with a long kick.
Only Portuguese striker Danny continued to press the French team, and at that moment, he turned with a surprised smile, spreading his arms wide to his teammates as if to say, "Guess what just happened?"
"Oh, my goodness, it's a blunder from Mandanda!"
"Under pressure from Danny, Varane passed back with his right foot into the penalty area, and Danny quickly pressured Mandanda. The French goalkeeper directly grabbed the ball with his hands, a back-pass mistake."
"A very basic error from Mandanda!"
...
The TV broadcast zoomed in on the coaches' bench, where Deschamps looked particularly aggrieved.
"Deschamps must be frustrated; he didn't expect such a harmless back-pass to lead to giving away a free indirect kick inside the penalty area to the opposition, a terrible situation."
"Of course, we must recognize that under Portugal's intense pressure, France really felt the strain. Varane's back-pass was weak, forcing Mandanda to come forward to meet it, but Danny's pressing gave him tremendous pressure, leading him to forget the rules and grab the ball."
A chorus of boos rang out from Stade de France, clearly dissatisfied with the team's silly mistake. Mandanda hung his head, visibly dejected.
"The referee has awarded an indirect free kick inside the penalty area, an excellent opportunity for Portugal."
"However, France also has a chance because this free kick is on the right side of the penalty area, almost perpendicular to the small box edge and level with the penalty spot, slightly off the goal, which makes shooting challenging."
"According to the rules, an indirect free kick inside the penalty area must involve at least two touches by two players."
...
All Portuguese players gathered excitedly in the French penalty area.
The referee positioned the ball and began signaling for the French team to set up a wall at the edge of the small box.
This position, slightly to the right, is definitely within shooting range. If handled well, it could help Portugal score another goal and turn the game around, a painful blow for France. But scoring from this position is still quite challenging.
"This position is tricky," Nani said, frowning.
"On the right side, plus the wall is close. Directly shooting means you have to curl it around, and bypassing the wall on both sides isn't feasible. You'd have to go over the top, which is a high demand," Danny added, stroking his chin.
Ronaldo nodded, "The most important thing is the angle. For a right-footed player, probably only the near post is viable. Look at Mandanda's positioning; he's obviously covering our near post. If we shoot there, it's likely to be blocked."
"Ronaldo is right; it has to be a left-footed player," Pepe agreed.
An indirect free kick inside the penalty area seems threatening but is also quite challenging.
"Bruno, what do you think?" Ronaldo noticed Bruno had been quiet, observing the wall.
"It's worth a try," Bruno chuckled.
With Bruno's comment, everyone seemed enlightened.
"Nani, can you do it?" Bruno asked with a smile.
In the Portuguese lineup, Ronaldo is the primary free-kick taker, but his specialty in knuckleballs isn't suitable here, so it had to be someone else.
After considering it, Nani shook his head, "If I take it, it would have to be from the edge of the box; otherwise, I'm not confident about getting it around the wall."
They're all professional players who know their capabilities after years of playing.
Everyone then turned their attention to Bruno.
Everyone knows he's proficient with both feet, having trained his left foot to be as good as his right.
(End of Chapter)
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