Chapter 14: The Very Different Second Half, the Role of Leon
Jose Mourinho did not directly replace Khedira in the final stages of the first half.
He is desperate for control of the team and does not like his players going against his tactical intentions.
But he wasn't stupid.
However, saving Khedira the last bit of face does not mean that Mourinho will not "punish" the German midfielder.
When the referee blew the half-time whistle, Mourinho called for Leon to enter the dressing room with the starters.
What this scene represents, Mourinho doesn't need to say too much, Real Madrid's home fans have already discussed it.
And when Real Madrid's starters returned to the dressing room, Mourinho motioned for Marcelo, who was the last to enter, to close the door.
Li Ang secretly said in his heart that it was not good.
Sure enough, the frenzied Magic Bird directly criticized the starters who had recorded him in the first half!
In the end, except for Casillas and Xavi Alonso, the rest of Real Madrid's starters were all sprayed with blood.
"I know that some of the people I named only came back from playing in the national team three days ago, you didn't have a good rest, you didn't adjust......
"Well, these excuses can be a reason for you to behave badly today, and they are justified!
But I still have to say that you represent Real Madrid and your opponent is Osasuna! Any idea what that means? ”
"It means that if we are drawn or even beaten by them today, then you, me, all of us, will be on the front page of sports newspapers all over Spain tomorrow!"
"Tell me, would you like to see headlines like that? Do you want to see Osasuna deliver you a humiliating defeat at the Bernabeu?! ”
Mourinho's excitement made Real Madrid's stars feel shame and anger!
They shouted "Never!" ”
Losing to Osasuna at home to the Bernabeu?
That would be a humiliating disaster!
If the Barcelona players and fans had known the news, they would have laughed at Real Madrid.
After all, even Osasuna, who was only ranked 12th in La Liga last season and just seven points ahead of the relegation zone, can't solve it, so dare to say anything about overturning Barcelona?
Therefore, Real Madrid's players will not tolerate such a failure.
And seeing that the players' anger was hooked up and the morale of the army was available, Mourinho slowed down his tone slightly.
He began to explain the tactical adjustments in the second half.
Real Madrid's attack in the first half seemed to be lively, but the offensive ball was too scattered, the route was not concentrated, and the defensive imbalance allowed Osasuna to seize the opportunity to play several waves of counterattacks, which further affected the investment and efficiency of Real Madrid's attack.
Therefore, they had to take the lead and start the second half to finish the offensive pressure on Osasuna.
The main attacking route is undisputed on the left side where Ronaldo and Marcelo are located.
As for the issue of defensive imbalances.
Mourinho looked at Khedira, who was silent at the moment, and a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
He didn't understand, why did this Khedira always worry about his B front plug!
It's not that he wasn't involved in the offense, but the guy's offense and desire far exceeded the coaching staff's expectations!
If you want to say that there is no choice, then you can only let Alonso do more dirty work and work harder.
Who made Alonso capable and tactical execution?
But now Mourinho has a choice.
The most important purpose of his request to bring in Khedira in the first place was to free Alonso as much as possible.
Alonso is the playmaker of the whole team, not specifically to wipe his Khedira's ass and make up for the defense.
Mourinho is bullish on Khedira's ability and prospects for transformation.
But there are limits to his patience.
If you perform well in training, you won't be able to play well in the game!
Thinking of this, Mourinho directly called Leon's name.
"In the second half, Sami (Khedira) you can take a break, you can watch the game and find your feelings...... Little Lion, you must pay attention, in the opening stage of the second half, you must help Xavi to stabilize the midfield defense, even if it is a foul, you can no longer let Osasuna's counterattack easily pass through our midfield wings......"
Mourinho quickly and succinctly pointed out Leon's tactical mission.
Li Ang couldn't help nodding, and after listening to it, he confirmed it again, and directly said that he had no problem.
After Mourinho finished adjusting the overall tactical thinking and signaled the players to hurry up and rest for a while, the atmosphere in the dressing room seemed to gradually become lively.
Leon checked his gear.
In particular, after checking that the "Broken Power Leggings" and the "Broken Good Luck Wristband" were put on, they took the lead in trotting out of the players' tunnel for an early warm-up.
As soon as the second half began, Movistar's La Liga commentator directly spotted the substitution adjustment that Real Madrid had taken the lead.
Without him, Li Ang's sunny and handsome face is really too "cared for" by the live broadcast camera.
Many Spanish girls who watched football with their families in front of the TV instantly straightened their eyes!
Soon, he covered his mouth and glared at his eyes and let out an exclamation in one go.
But before these girls could appreciate Li Ang's handsome appearance, Li Ang broke the girls' appearance filter for him with a fierce sliding shovel.
It turns out that the handsome one is not necessarily an elegant attacker, but also a "mediocre" midfield butcher.
But Leon is quite satisfied with his current positioning.
The opponent's striker may just see that he looks harmless to humans and animals, so he prefers to break through on his side, and he feels that he needs to make the opponent's brain clear.
A decisive and ferocious tackle forced Osasuna striker Kamnas to jump in embarrassment and fall on his stomach.
And Li Ang, who left the ball, quickly poked the ball with his toes on the ground to his master Xavi Alonso, who was on his side.
Just six seconds into the second half, Leon's first decisive defense snatched the ball back from the feet of the Osasuna players!
And relying on the ball he snatched back, Real Madrid finally played another threatening and smooth quick counterattack.
Even if Benzema's shot didn't hit the frame at all, the Real Madrid fans at the Bernabeu were still happy to give their applause!
However, Osasuna's players are somewhat unconvinced.
Three minutes later, they were back on the side, trying to get on the side and playing the fast-moving one.
Monreal quickly knocked the ball past the halfway line to his midfield team-mate Nekonan.
Nekonan also tacitly stuffed the ball behind Arbeloa, who pounced forward, and tried to play a simple one-two with Monreal on the wing.
But this time the Monreal people were in the past, but the ball was successfully intercepted by a figure who had made a predetermined attack in advance!
"Leon! Crucial second defense! Oh——! Nice diagonal short pass transfer! Soriano didn't touch the ball! Alonso, sent a long pass!! ”
Under the passionate speed of the Movistar commentator, Real Madrid's transition from defense to attack is also too fast!
Leon steals, quickly connects with Alonso, and then Alonso sends a threatening long pass!
In a few passes without delay, Ronaldo, who started and ran forward on the left side, has already had an excellent opportunity to go down!
This is completely different from the attacking arrows scattered and unbalanced in the first half!
And the fans who watched the game knew exactly who brought about such a significant change.
They looked at the back of the field, at the teenager who had magically improved the pace of Real Madrid's attack and defense with his defense and smooth short passes.
Is the performance shining?
Actually, it's still not likely.
But he was already beginning to "glow" faintly and continuously.
In his own way, prove his worth.
His name is Leon.
Lion cub from Rafabrica.
Don't be stingy with what you expect from him.
He deserves it.