Chapter 9: Generous Rewards From La Liga Matches, System Upgrades

"It's good to learn and apply it. I thought you didn't dare to let go of your hands and feet to ask for the ball, but I didn't expect you to be so brave. Very good. Organizing the team actually starts with these trivial tasks. Most of the time, we are doing the work of sorting out the transfer of ball rights to get the whole team running. As for when to speed up, you have to pay attention."

Alonso put his arm around Li Ang's shoulders in the player's tunnel and patiently explained to him the reasons for speeding up or slowing down the rhythm in the first half.

Li Ang lowered his head and thought carefully.

He is just getting started in organization now, and it is actually difficult to understand some of what Alonso said, but it does not prevent him from thinking from another perspective.

If he was in Alonso's position at the time, what would he do?

What is the difference between his subconscious choice and Alonso's?

Through the very intuitive comparison of passes, knowing the differences and gaps, you can naturally slowly summarize the mistakes and try to understand Alonso's ideas bit by bit.

It is said that imitation is also a good way to learn.

Li Ang had no idea how many times he had watched Makelele's game videos.

His crazy ability gave him the foundation to upgrade year after year in Real Madrid's youth training camp.

The precious "defensive position selection" insights from Makelele made him more effective in "imitation".

He didn't have the talent for organization before, so he didn't learn it.

But now Li Ang has Belleron's "core organization essentials" in his mind, so he naturally has to seize the opportunity to find Alonso and ask him about all the things he doesn't understand.

"Okay, you can't remember what I just said to you now, just think about what I just said to you for half a month, and I will show you how to make a pass choice when we practice later."

Seeing that Mourinho was still standing at the door of the locker room, Alonso stopped communicating with Li Ang and patted his head to signal him to go back to the locker room quickly.

"Well done."

Mourinho's mouth curled up slightly, and he smiled and shook hands with Alonso first, and then patted Li Ang on the back kindly.

"The first half was good, keep it up."

This sudden encouragement almost made Li Ang bite his tongue.

Mourinho had been nice to him before, but never to the extent of actively encouraging him.

Somewhat surprised, but it was difficult to ask the reason, Li Ang could only walk into the locker room with a lot of questions.

"Hey! Our new star is back!"

Marcelo was sitting on the bench taking off his socks. When he saw Li Ang coming in, he immediately threw the socks in his hand and howled.

In the first half, they successfully took the lead. At this time, the Real Madrid players were obviously in a good mood, and they also whistled or cheered.

C Ronaldo, who had lost his arrogant protective color, grinned and patted Li Ang's buttocks. Di Maria took the initiative to high-five Li Ang, and Casillas, as the captain, gave Li Ang encouraging applause.

"It really exceeded our expectations. Your performance in the game was excellent, even better than your usual training. I think Jose can be completely relieved now."

Karanka rubbed the back of Li Ang's head affectionately. As a Real Madrid legend, he would naturally feel very happy to see that Real Madrid's young players with good roots could perform well.

Li Ang did not get complacent, but still humbly said that he would continue to work hard.

After high-fiving his teammates one by one, he returned to his position to take off his shoes and rest.

Mourinho saw all this and was more satisfied with Li Ang.

When the players in the locker room were almost laughing, Karanka moved the tactical board in the corner to the middle of the locker room.

Seeing this, the Real Madrid players stopped talking and adjusted their sitting positions to look at Mourinho.

"Although our attack in the first half was not very smooth, we have firmly controlled the initiative in the midfield. After taking the lead, we can slow down the pace a little in the second half, control the ball first, and then mobilize Mallorca's two sides to press forward to assist their midfield in the fight for the ball. Cristiano and Angel (Di Maria), you can move inward and get closer to Sergio (Canales) at that time."

Under Mourinho's clear thinking and highly targeted tactical deployment, Real Madrid's tactical tone for the second half was quickly set.

Li Ang looked at Mourinho who was confidently standing in front of Real Madrid stars and talking freely, and he had to admire him.

This is Mourinho. In terms of tactical deployment and adjustment, his ability is the best in football.

And Mourinho, who has just led Inter Milan to win the treble, is also the most confident.

He came to Madrid with the ambition to bring Real Madrid back to the dominant position in football, full of vigor and confidence.

The stars of Real Madrid are now closely united around him, convinced, without any complaints or slackness.

Looking at this scene in front of us, who would have thought that after only two seasons, Mourinho would almost be "abandoned by everyone" in Real Madrid?

Li Ang sighed for a moment, but soon threw these distracting thoughts out of his mind.

After all, sighing is sighing, these things have nothing to do with him.

It is still unclear whether he will be in Real Madrid after two seasons.

Even if he returns to Real Madrid and becomes a main player, the big fight in the Real Madrid locker room will still have nothing to do with him.

Like his teacher Alonso, it is the wisest choice not to stand in line, play well, and ignore other things.

"Any more tactical questions?"

After Mourinho finished explaining the tactical adjustments, he asked one last question.

Canales seemed to still need to determine his defensive investment in the second half, and communicated with Mourinho for a while.

The other Real Madrid players who had no problem were seizing the last moment to adjust and rest.

With no substitutions on either side, the game quickly entered the second half.

Li Ang looked at Alonso who had almost retreated to the same level as himself after the game restarted, and his heart became more and more stable.

In the second half, Real Madrid focused on rhythm control.

It's not just about counterattacks. At least if the players are of sufficient skill, Real Madrid can place the battle line for the ball with their opponents near the center circle.

If Mallorca wants to equalize the score, it must invest more troops in fighting for the ball.

If the midfielder is not good enough, he will inevitably have to move to the midfield from the wing.

And by that time, Ronaldo and Di Maria's opportunity will come.

Of course, we want Mallorca to smoothly follow Real Madrid's game rhythm.

Then Real Madrid's midfielder must first withstand Mallorca's offensive impact, forcing them to pull their wide players into the center battlefield.

This will put a lot of defensive pressure on Li Ang alone.

But for the double midfielder combination of Li Ang and Alonso, the defensive pressure is within their ability to bear.

Li Ang changed his defensive mode of selecting positions in advance and predicting interceptions in the first half, and started a wide range of coverage sweeps in the midfield and backfield.

Xabi Alonso, on the other hand, pays more attention to supplementary defense and assisting defense, and is responsible for intercepting and intercepting people in the back.

Don't be surprised, Li Ang doesn't seem to be a covering and sweeping defensive midfielder. That's just because he didn't have to do this job many times in the past, not because he didn't know how to do it.

From Real Madrid's youth teams at all levels to Real Betis, whenever Li Ang plays a game, he is basically the player who runs the most in the team.

Just looking at this running ability, you know that Li Ang can cover and protect a large area of ​​​​the backcourt.

So when Mourinho needs Li Ang to become a sweeping machine, he can also change his style smoothly.

With him providing a large horizontal sweep of defense, Alonso's defensive pressure is much lessened than last season.

Mallorca's players did not expect that Li Ang could run so well!

Li Angcai on the front foot assisted Aveiroa in completing a double defense.

Mallorca made a comeback on the back foot, and encountered Li Ang's personal interference when advancing in the middle.

The players who won Mallorca were really going crazy!

Li Ang may not necessarily be able to grab the ball every time he attacks, but his "everywhere" messes up Mallorca's offensive advancement.

Coupled with Alonso's late tackle and timely defense.

Mallorca didn't last until twenty minutes, so they had to pull the wide players in advance and press heavily together.

Real Madrid took advantage of the situation and entered the rhythm of rapid counterattack.

Cristiano Ronaldo didn't score in the first half, which was when he was working hard to perform.

He wanted to shoot, and other Real Madrid offensive players naturally helped him take the initiative to pull away from Mallorca's defenders.

In the 67th minute of the second half, Cristiano Ronaldo received Higuain's pass during the counterattack, dunked past Mallorca's right back and then shot directly!

Li Ang didn't see much from behind, he only saw Ronaldo kicking his feet, and then his teammates in the frontcourt cheered and celebrated for the second time.

"Did the ball go in?"

Li Ang touched his head, feeling a little unsure.

"Then it must have gone in."

Alonso laughed and asked Li Ang to go to the front court to celebrate.

Off the court, Mourinho also clenched his fists with both hands, finally completely relieved.

In the remaining game time, Real Madrid gradually shrank its formation and launched a thorough defensive counterattack.

Ronaldo's huge threat in the counterattack made Mallorca never dare to make up his mind to attack across the board.

When they made a desperate counterattack in the last ten minutes, Mourinho decisively replaced Gago and defended the two-goal lead until the end!

When the final whistle sounded, countless Real Madrid fans beamed with joy.

Mourinho made a good start to his coaching career at Real Madrid.

Li Ang also showed a heartfelt bright smile.

Because the system prompt sound in his head brought him a huge surprise.

Not just because winning a La Liga game would net him more system points than he expected.

Also because his crude system, which had not been "moved" much for six years, was finally upgraded at this moment!