Chapter 69 If I Were to Clean up Kaka’s Mess, How Would the Opponent Respond?

From July 17 to July 24, a little over a week, Real Madrid played three friendly matches in the United States.

Among them, there was a 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy and a 5-0 slaughter of Guadalajara.

There was also a stable counterattack that killed Philadelphia Union 2-0.

Mourinho practiced both the two-wing flying tactics and the fast counterattack.

Several major offensive and defensive stars in the team also performed quite well.

After Mourinho temporarily proved that Real Madrid could still maintain a stable and powerful firepower output even if a certain midfielder left the team.

Real Madrid fans finally calmed down.

And Li Ang's another pre-season trip to Real Madrid also received unanimous praise from the pro-Real Madrid media.

At first, the senior reporters in these media were worried that Li Ang would ignore the sweeping protection of Real Madrid's midfield and backcourt because he was used to attacking forward.

But Li Ang quickly dispelled their concerns with his still stable defensive contribution and positive attitude of returning to defense.

Mourinho doesn't need to explain too much. Li Ang himself already knew what his most important tactical task was after returning to Real Madrid.

After all, Milan lacked offensive means in the frontcourt last season, so Allegri designed an offensive routine to insert from the midfield.

But Real Madrid has never lacked firepower output.

Last season and the season before, Real Madrid's output firepower surpassed Barcelona and was the team with the most goals per game in La Liga.

That is, the number of goals lost was slightly more, so some points that should not have been lost were lost, otherwise it would have been very likely to overturn Barcelona's domination of La Liga in the first two seasons.

So Li Ang was very clear in his mind after returning to Madrid before the start of the season.

No matter how the outside media boasted about his rapid progress and how they said he had offensive potential to be developed, that was all nonsense.

He knew clearly that he could gain Mourinho's trust and favor by relying on his defensive ability.

And his current clear cognition and outstanding performance also made Mourinho very satisfied.

Three friendly matches, three starts, this is the reassurance Mourinho gave him, and also a clear indication to the outside media.

No matter how the midfield combination is arranged in the new season, he and Alonso will firmly occupy the two starting positions.

And Las Diarra, Sahin, Altintop and Granero, the midfielders, can only compete for the limited opportunities to play.

At least this is what Mourinho thought when the training trip in the United States just ended.

But, just when Uncle Bird was ready to let go and further run in the "Bang Bang Hard Midfield Trio", just two days after returning to Spain, my unlucky brother Face was injured in training again.

And it was not a player in the Real Madrid team who injured him, but he himself pulled his hips when he was too strong when he was shooting forward in training.

Li Ang didn't know how to describe the fragility of Brother Face's body.

He looked tall and strong, but he was injured at any time.

Previously, he read in the media that after Khedira had played for Stuttgart's first team, his highest record of league starts in a single season was only 24 games.

He didn't really believe it at that time.

After all, being fragile in Real Madrid doesn't mean that my brother was also fragile in Stuttgart when he was younger, right?

Now Li Ang believes it completely.

Mourinho is really about to faint.

No coach can withstand such a loss.

One of the main midfielders of the new season died before the league officially started.

Who will he find to replace him now?

Sahin, who overlaps with Alonso? Altintop, who is not capable enough? Or Granero, whose spirit is gradually fading?

Wait, it seems that he missed a midfielder.

When Mourinho was feeling upset, he saw two figures who were still practicing on the training ground through the window of his office, and his eyes fixed.

On the afternoon of July 27, in the friendly match with the newly promoted Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin, Mourinho first used the midfield combination of Alonso, Li Ang and Granero.

But Granero only stayed on the field for half a game before being replaced by Altintop.

Thirty minutes later, the dissatisfied Mourinho replaced Altintop with Nuri Sahin.

Although the final result of the friendly match was that Real Madrid defeated Hertha Berlin 3-0, Mourinho was obviously still not very satisfied.

On July 29, after another day of training, Mourinho called Li Ang, who was planning to practice as usual.

"Have you been close to Kaka recently?"

Li Ang was stunned by the question of the bird uncle who went straight into the single-handed knife at the beginning of the game.

"Well, maybe it's because I was in Milan last season. I think Kaka should feel that I can talk to him. And he has chosen to stay for extra practice recently. I practiced short passes with him and got familiar with each other's playing habits."

Li Ang didn't quite understand Uncle Bird's intention, but he still tried to explain to Uncle Bird why he and Kaka got along.

"I don't want you to explain the reason in this regard, but you just want to tell me what you think of Kaka first."

Mourinho stroked his chin and simply held Li Ang's arm and asked him to go into the office with him and talk slowly.

After thinking for a moment, Li Ang also answered truthfully.

"His competitive level has declined a bit faster than three or four years ago. After the surgery last year, his speed advantage is no longer obvious. It may not be realistic to let him take the lead as the team's striker again. And as for scoring ability, I don't think Kaka has an advantage over the forwards in our team."

Li Ang pointed out almost all of Kaka's current shortcomings to Mourinho one by one.

Every time he pointed out a point, the worry in Uncle Bird's eyes seemed to deepen a little.

When Uncle Bird was almost about to tell Li Ang to shut up and go back to continue training, Li Ang's "but" came late.

"But, if he is not allowed to return to defense too much, and his position is moved slightly to the rib area, I think his ability to pass diagonally and shoot from behind should still be very sufficient."

Mourinho was interested at first, but after listening to what Li Ang said, his face fell again.

Who doesn't know that it would be better to let Kaka return to defense less and use his energy to pass threatening balls? .

Who doesn't know that if Kaka moves to a different position and tries to occupy less of Ronaldo's central space, both of them can play more comfortably?

But his tactics naturally require the midfielder to have a positive attitude to return to defense, and Kaka himself is not used to playing on the wing.

So.

"It's all nonsense!"

Li Ang listened to his boss's criticism, but he was not annoyed at all. Instead, he continued with a smile:

"Well, I know you are worried about the new starting combination in the midfield now.

Kaka's current body is not suitable for fierce fighting, and excessive return to defense can easily lead to recurrence of injuries.

But if, if I come to "clean up" Kaka, provide him with defensive protection and fight for the ball.

When he attacks, he boldly and confidently presses the opponent's 30-meter area to send threatening short passes. Or occasionally seize the opportunity to short-distance insert and shoot long shots.

How should the opponent deal with the threat of this former Golden Ball midfielder?"

Li Ang's words gradually made Mourinho's mind active.

But then Mourinho, who found something wrong, looked at Li Ang suspiciously.

"You kid, don't you want to sweep the front court without caring about the back court? You go to clean up Kaka's ass, and your teacher is alone in the back organizing and intercepting the defense?"

"Hey, boss, you can't slander me like this. I clean up Kaka's ass in front, but I can't clean up my teacher's ass? It's the same for one ass, and it's the same for two ass. Don't you believe I have the ability to clean up two ass?"

Li Ang's words successfully disgusted Mourinho, and Uncle Bird quickly knocked Li Ang on the head, signaling him not to talk about ass anymore.

"Can you really clean up two ass...can you really allocate your physical energy to take care of the defense in front and behind the midfield?"

"I think it should be no problem. When the time comes, you can ask Angel (Di Maria) to help me return to defense as much as possible. Even if the front can't be stopped, I can rush back in time to build a defense line in front of the central defender with my teacher."

Li Ang's final solemn promise moved Mourinho.

But at this time, he didn't directly tell Li Ang how he would arrange the starting lineup in the midfield later.

After sending Li Ang back to continue training, Mourinho wanted to deal with other things.

But when he thought of what Li Ang said, he felt itchy and finally started to deduce on the tactical board in the office.

On the morning of July 30, before the warm-up match with Leicester City, Real Madrid conducted the last training.

Kaka, who had almost only played as a substitute in the second half of the warm-up match during the previous trip to the United States, and did not get a chance to play against Hertha Berlin a few days ago.

In this training session, he got a training vest that symbolizes the main group.

Li Ang didn't know what Uncle Bird said to Kaka.

After the two talked on the sidelines, Uncle Bird patted Kaka's arm, and then Kaka ran back to the training ground with a little excitement holding the training vest.

"The boss still knows how to judge people. I said he would give Kaka a chance in the end!"

Ronaldo was holding his arms beside Li Ang and talking confidently, looking very proud.

Of course, Li Ang did not tell anyone that he had suggested that Kaka could be included in the starting lineup during his conversation with Mourinho yesterday.

People like Ronaldo who have a good relationship with Kaka in the team may think that Kaka impressed Mourinho with his own efforts.

But Li Ang knew very well that this was a test for Mourinho. If he passed, Kaka would naturally have a place in the new tactical system.

But if he failed, Li Ang would have no choice.

Kaka didn't think so much at this time. With Mourinho willing to give him a chance again, all he could do was to work hard and then become a starter again based on his strength.

Although Kaka was still a little puzzled by Mourinho's request to let him play in the right flank.

But now he didn't care whether he was comfortable playing on the side.

This was his last chance in pre-season training, and he had to seize it!

The team's group confrontation began.

But today Mourinho chose to change the formation again.

The main lineup changed from the previous 4-2-3-1 to a weird 4-3-3?

Li Ang was promoted to the central midfielder position, Di Maria retreated from the right side to the left midfielder, and Kaka was in the right midfielder's flank area.

It's not like this formation to be a 4-4-2.

Because Di Maria didn't play as a winger on the left, and Kaka didn't completely go to the side.

But if you say it is the 4-3-3 after Di Maria retreated to the midfield, it doesn't look like it.

Because Kaka didn't go to the front line.

Ronaldo and Higuain were confused, Angel Di Maria was also confused, and Li Ang shrank his neck with a guilty conscience.

"Damn, I suggested that Angel should return to defense more to help me relieve the pressure, but why did Uncle Bird directly pull him to the midfield? This is too much!"

After complaining in his heart, Li Ang looked at the current position of the main lineup and felt more and more "familiar".

However, the competition started soon, and Li Ang had no time to study it. He could only play for a while and see the effect.

After the competition started, Di Maria was somewhat restrained in his new position.

After all, it would be fine to let him play as a front midfielder, but this would make him play directly as a left midfielder. If he retreated too much, he would lose his position on the defensive end if he was not careful.

And Kaka's performance in the new position was also a little "quiet".

Although he didn't have to go to the side to fight the defenders one-on-one, he was actually more used to staying in the middle.

In short, it felt awkward, Di Maria was awkward, and Kaka was awkward.

In contrast, Li Ang and Alonso's performance was as stable as ever.

Li Ang saw Kaka hadn't performed for a long time, and decided to remind him again.

"Just a little bit of defense, don't retreat too much, press them to the third zone of defense, and find opportunities to pass the ball to Cristiano and Gonzano (Higuain)!"

After yelling loudly for Kaka to pay attention to the running positions of the two forwards in front, Li Ang also indicated that he would be behind him to grab the ball, don't panic!

With Li Ang's timely reminder, Kaka quickly figured out Mourinho's intention.

Don't let him go back to defense too much, and mainly look for opportunities to pass threatening balls forward?

Kaka thought for a moment.

If he only focuses on physical strength to attack forward, and mainly on passing, he will have no problem.

In this case, Li Ang's defensive pressure will be heavy.

But seeing Li Ang's look of "leave it to me", Kaka was grateful and made a decision.

He wanted to try this new way of playing. Even if he was not used to it yet, he had no better choice and opportunity!

Kaka, who took the initiative to change his mind, immediately ran actively in his new activity area.

C Ronaldo and Higuain's running positions are quite good, especially C Ronaldo, who was even more rapid when cutting in from defense to offense.

If you want to seize the fleeting opportunity between offense and defense, and successfully tear open the opponent's defense line with a pass.

Then you can only concentrate and observe the running positions of the two forwards in front carefully, and try to keep consistent with them in thinking.

Then, when there is an opportunity, give a threatening pass with enough advance time!

Kaka quickly sorted out his tactical positioning in his mind.

And soon, Li Ang used a short pass forward after a frontal interception, giving him the first performance opportunity after his mind was clear.

After receiving the pass from Li Ang and turning around to look up quickly, Kaka raised his foot and made a diagonal over-the-top pass!

At this moment, Higuain was still looking for an opportunity to get rid of Albiol, the substitute, but Ronaldo on his left had already quickly got rid of Marcelo with his explosive speed!

Therefore, Kaka's diagonal over-the-top pass with sufficient lead time and Ronaldo's running position were directly coordinated together.

It's a pity that Ronaldo chose to shoot directly without stopping the ball, and the football finally went slightly off the far post, which scared the substitute goalkeeper Adan into a cold sweat.

"Beautiful!"

Li Ang looked at the threatening pass sent by Kaka and cheered loudly.

And Mourinho, who had been taking notes and observing the situation of the game on the sidelines, also flashed with excitement.

Kaka, who no longer has the strong attacking ability of the past, still retains his outstanding passing skills and broad vision of the game under the accumulation of experience.

The threatening pass just now was fast and accurate, and it was very lethal.

Regardless of how much of Kaka's long-range shooting skills are left, it all depends on his ability to send a threatening through pass.

That is barely enough to be used as a midfielder in the early stages of the season.

Mourinho continued to bury his head in his notebook to make notes, and Kaka's confidence was greatly increased at this time, and he did not forget to give a thumbs up to Li Ang behind him.

Kaka knew very well how the ball came from this counterattack.

And as Khedira said when he chatted with him before, it was really comfortable to partner with Li Ang to organize the attack in the frontcourt.

It's just a pity for my angel, who has just touched some of the doorways of playing as a central midfielder.

It was still Long Ge's protection behind and Li Ang's coverage and sweep that made him feel a little relieved.

On the offensive end, his dribbling forward is very threatening.

And with his offensive support and cooperation, Ronaldo is getting better and better on the left.

When Ronaldo cuts inside and enters the penalty area of ​​the substitute side with Higuain, Di Maria's cross is even more threatening.

Li Ang watched several times and was jealous. He wanted to rush up and satisfy his desire to attack and head the ball.

But when he thought that Mourinho was on the sidelines, he finally chose to follow his heart.

Li Ang, who was sweeping the midfield at full speed, was almost cleaning the butts of three people.

It was definitely unrealistic to maintain this high-intensity sweeping defense rhythm for a long time, but in just more than ten minutes or even twenty minutes, Li Ang could still do it.

No way, the stamina is enough, it's enough, just enough to run, eh~

The substitutes Sahin and Altintop also felt their scalps tingling when they saw Li Ang running all over the field.

Did they want to compete for playing time with such a monster before?

What a joke, if they really run for 20 minutes in one breath, they will be exhausted, and what kind of game is it!

The main team firmly grasped the rhythm of the game on both offense and defense.

And Kaka also made another through pass before Li Ang had to slow down his stamina.

This time, Ronaldo did not waste the opportunity, and a powerful shot with a stop and adjustment directly broke through the goal guarded by Adam!

Mourinho also closed his notebook at this time.

He smiled with satisfaction.

Set a time happily, and then continue to write, brothers, big guys, today the foodie shamelessly asks for a wave of subscriptions~