Chapter 669: Who Scored First?
On this night, the Louis II Stadium in Monaco was as brightly lit as day. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info
Even though there were only nearly 20,000 fans in the stands, it still made a huge noise and made everyone who walked into the stadium feel the tension of the Super Cup.
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola challenging the cold, this is undoubtedly the most attractive watch in European football today.
Before the game, both teams kept a low profile, especially Barcelona, who won the Champions League treble.
In an interview with the media before the game, Guardiola said that he didn't care too much about the outcome of this game, but just regarded this game as an exam, and he hoped to be able to hand in an excellent answer sheet in the game.
Gao Han even said that Barcelona is better than he imagined, Bayern Munich has only a 50% chance of winning, and he needs every player to give it their all.
"Everyone is looking forward to the mentoring of Gao Han and Pep Guardiola. β
But what is a little surprising is that just now, when the two teams entered the stadium for training, the two affectionate masters and apprentices just shook hands at the exit of the players' tunnel, hugged them eagerly and separated. β
"Obviously, Gao Han and Pep Guardiola both know that fans all over the world will be staring at them, so they deliberately keep a certain distance before the game, which is also not to expose their friendship to the media.
"Now we've got the starting line-ups for both teams. β
"First of all, let's take a look at Barcelona. β
"The goalkeeper is ValdΓ©s, Abidal on the left and Daniel Alves on the right, Puyol and Pique in central defence, Sergio Busquets behind, Xavi and Andres Iniesta up front, and three players form an inverted triangle midfield. β
"The front three is Thierry Henry on the left, Samuel Eto'o in the middle and Messi on the right. β
It should be said that Guardiola is playing as much as he can, and this game also shows his determination to deliver a satisfactory answer in front of his teacher Gao Han. β
"Let's look at Bayern Munich. β
Gao Han was also the main force in this game, with Neuer in goal, and Marcelo, Hummels, Lucio and Lahm in the back line from left to right. β
"The three players in the midfield are Vidal, Schweinsteiger and Modric, and the front trident is Ribery, Aguero and Robben, it should be said that Bayern Munich players are not as famous as Barcelona, but judging from the performance of last season, the strength is not inferior to the La Liga giants. β
"So, we have every reason to believe that this is going to be a good fight. β
"This master-apprentice duel has captured the attention of fans around the world early on, and we will broadcast it live in more than 160 countries, which is also the highest viewership record in the history of the UEFA Super Cup. β
'Now that both teams are back in the dressing room and getting ready, the game is about to start. β
β¦β¦β¦β¦
β¦β¦β¦β¦
It's loud outside, but in the home dressing room at the Stade Louis II, every Barcelona player is like a big enemy.
The players were divided into two rows, each sitting in front of the wardrobe, and Pep Guardiola stood in the middle of them, with a solemn face.
"I believe, I don't need to say more, as you know, this game was against the strongest team we have faced in the last year, their players have great individual qualities, their manager is one of the best in football today, and they have a winning streak over the past year. β
Barcelona's last defeat was in April, when they had already won the league title early, so Pep Guardiola played in the second team, only to lose away from home, and have not lost since.
In the past season, Barcelona can be said to be in a breakthrough in both La Liga and the Champions League, and even Ferguson's Manchester United failed to snipe them in the Champions League final, which also makes every player full of confidence.
Each of them firmly believes that, as the outside media says, if there is one team in football today that can beat Gao Han and his Bayern Munich, it must be Pep Guardiola and his Barcelona.
'I would like to remind you again, our strength is possession, keeping possession is the first thing we have to do, I know Gao Han very well and I know that he will do everything he can to disrupt our possession. β
"But we must not rush, you have to believe that Gao Han and his Barcelona are not invincible, they have serious flaws like all teams, but they are very good at playing to their strengths in the game to cover up their flaws, and what we have to do is to tear off their camouflage and expose their flaws. β
With that, Guardiola looked at Busquets.
Just now, he got the starting line-up for Bayern Munich and he saw Vidal.
Based on his understanding of Gao Han and the style of play of Bayern Munich last season, he can judge that Gao Han's purpose in using Vidal is to force Busquets.
Busquets is Barcelona's goal, Guardiola knows it, and Gao Han knows it even better.
The player himself obviously understands this, so he looks up at Pep Guardiola's eyes with the doubt of asking for help, and he wants the manager to tell him what he should do.
Pep Guardiola was tempted to remind him, but in the end he didn't say anything and just nodded towards Busquets.
'You did really well last season, Sergio, go play like you normally do, I'm sure you can do it. β
When the game comes to this, there really isn't much fancy, it's completely a competition of pure strength.
And then there's the idea.
Pep Guardiola's Barcelona want to keep the ball and are good at it, as long as they can control the ball, Bayern Munich will die.
β¦β¦β¦β¦
β¦β¦β¦β¦
"Barcelona must never be allowed to control the ball smoothly, and I want you to keep that in mind all the time. β
In the away team's dressing room, Gao Han reminded the players in a very serious tone.
"If Barcelona are allowed to control the ball and we lose the possession of the ball, there is only one end result, and that is death!"
The eleven Bayern Munich players who started all nodded their heads as if they were in the face of a big enemy.
They are really good at passing, but if they want to play possession, they can't catch up with Barcelona.
This team has been playing possession for decades and all the players are made for it.
"Barcelona's death lies in Sergio Busquets, a very young player, just 20 years old, a regular player, and his consistency has yet to be tested, so, Arturo, your task is to keep an eye on him. β
Vidal nodded heavily, "Understood." β
Bayern Munich's defensive weakness is on the left side, Marcelo and Hummels are too young, while the opposite Barcelona is on the right side of Messi and Alves, and it is precisely the offensive channel of the La Liga giants, so the test is very serious.
It should be said that both teams have their own weaknesses and hidden dangers, and it depends on who catches the opponent's dead hole first and who scores first.
"Bastian and Luca, you have to get closer in this game, Xavi and Iniesta will be handed over to you to defend, especially you, Bastian, always pay attention to the defense. β
Both Schweinsteiger and Modric nodded heavily.
'Marcelo, Messi and Alves are very complementary combinations, like we've been practicing since last season, don't get off your feet, follow each other, keep in touch with your team-mates, control their wide crosses and give them to your team-mates. β
Marcelo also nodded solemnly.
He is well aware that his side will be the target of the opponent's attack, and if one is not handled well, he may become the number one culprit in the team's loss.
"Remember, it's going to be a tough game, there's no skill to speak of, Barcelona will play possession, they're going to be desperate to catch the ball, and we're going to have to play the whole thing, use the whole synergy to restrain their passing, and once you get the ball, move it quickly to the front. β
"After the frontcourt players get the ball, they take not losing the ball as the first principle, and organize the attack after holding the ball, and they must not be in a hurry or messy. β
Gao Han said this, looking at every player present with an extremely confident look.
"You have to believe me, as long as you play the way we set up and practice before the game, and don't make mistakes, the opponent won't get the slightest chance, and the final victory will be ours. β
Gao Han's words made everyone present excited.
In the minds of all Bayern Munich players, he is the undisputed king.
β¦β¦β¦β¦
β¦β¦β¦β¦
Under the leadership of the referee, the two teams walked into the stadium one after another. β
Just before this game, Barcelona announced that Ronaldinho, the team's number one superstar, had transferred to AC Milan, and David Villa, the superstar of Atletico Madrid, who was originally handpicked by Guardiola, also failed to join, which led to Guardiola having to arrange Henry to start this game. β
As for Bayern Munich's side, Van Bommel also moved to AC Milan and was replaced by Vidal. β
"Now look at the performance of both teams. β
"It was Bayern Munich who kicked off first. β
With the referee's whistle, the much-anticipated European Super Cup finally kicked off.
Aguero, who was standing in the middle circle, quickly kicked the ball to Robben, who passed it directly back to the backline, Lucio was not in a hurry after getting the ball, but stopped at his feet, and waited for Barcelona striker Eto'o to grab it, before passing it to the right and handed it to Lahm.
Lahm dribbled forward along the right flank, but Henry came over to defend at the first time, had no chance, and with a button, passed it back to Modric, then to Schweinsteiger, and then to the left.
But Marcelo was pressed by Messi and passed back to Hummels as soon as possible.
"Bayern Munich were clearly not willing to give up possession at the outset, and now Barcelona are pressing high. β
Hummels took the ball and moved again to the right and handed it to Lahm. β
'Lahm had a good stop, took it forward, crossed the halfway line and passed it to Robben. β
'Arjen Robben had the ball with his back and didn't have a chance, and then passed it back to Lahm. β
"Bayern Munich started with a lively attack on the right, but Barcelona pressed fiercely. β
'Lahm didn't have a chance, and then passed back to the defence. β
Lucio...... Schweinsteiger with a long pass to the right. β
"Robben, stop the ball, smash it beautifully, start cutting inside, pick up the box with his left foot. β
"There's a chance!"
"Oops, Puyol reacted very quickly, blocked Ribery and got stuck in position to clear the ball with a header. β
"Bayern Munich's attack is still very threatening, Robben has been very active this season, this foot stopped the ball after a feint, deceived Abidal and cut inside, and then picked up the right side of the goal with his left foot, the whole process was done in one go. β
"Bayern Munich's corner. β
"It's also an attacking weapon that the Bundesliga giants are very good at, and it's up to Ribery to take the lead. β
"Let's take a look at the corner kick attack this time, take it out, and land in the penalty area......"
"Post-point...... Dangerous...... Lucio ......"