Ground football: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him

Including the last time the two sides met, Kompany also scored a header from a corner kick.

Playing him would be a better option against Barcelona.

After all, the average height of the Barcelona team is relatively short, making them less effective against high balls.

When Kompany plays against Barcelona, ​​he possesses both offensive and defensive attributes.

Why did Manchester City give up on Kompany and bring on Thiago Silva instead?

On the bench, Guardiola maintained a mysterious smile and chatted with Deschamps: "Luckily, Kai reminded us."

"Barcelona's midfield and attacking players are very agile and explosive, but they are generally not tall enough."

"Relatively speaking, Desailly and Kompany are not as agile and turn slower."

"Bringing on Thiago Silva, who is more flexible, will limit Barcelona's attack to the greatest extent."

"As for Kompany's attacking attributes... with Manchester City's attacking strength, having one more or one less tall striker won't make much of a difference."

Deschamps nodded repeatedly: "The only thing I'm a little worried about is Thiago Silva's physical condition. His recovery is slightly worse than Chiellini's."

boom!

The two had just finished their conversation.

On the field, Deng Kai took a corner kick.

Thiago Silva's header went just wide.

Schmeichel chuckled, "See? It works perfectly. With Kompany here, this is exactly the effect."

In the ninth minute, Barcelona retaliated.

Ronaldinho skillfully dribbled past Mascherano on the left wing before unleashing a curling shot.

boom!

The ball wasn't completely caught and was saved by Cech.

In the twelfth minute, Barcelona pressed their advantage.

Xavi's through ball.

Quaresma cut inside without the ball, and after receiving the ball, he used two consecutive technical moves to shake off the recovering Duncan and avoid Chiellini.

boom!

Quaresma curls a shot with the outside of his foot!

boom!

Thiago Silva stretched out his leg and blocked the ball, which then flew out of bounds.

If it weren't for that, the ball might have gone in.

Cech's view was just slightly obstructed by Chiellini.

Moreover, Quaresma's outside-of-the-foot technique is inherently unpredictable.

Thirteenth minute.

Barcelona took a corner kick.

Manchester City successfully controlled the first ball.

Barcelona doesn't really have many tall players on the field.

After receiving the ball, Ribery dribbled and sprinted all the way across the halfway line.

Adriano and Villa were neck and neck.

boom!

Ribery made a cross pass, giving Adriano a little time to react.

But he regretted it the next moment.

Valdes rushed into the penalty area early on and cleared the ball by kicking it wide.

Ribery subconsciously turned around and looked at Cech.

This is ridiculous... isn't this what Manchester City requires of their goalkeepers?

Valdes' attack range is quite large.

Schmeichel frowned: "Although the requirements are different, and his timing for the attack wasn't as good as Cech's or Neuer's, Valdes... was very decisive!"

Guardiola nodded in agreement: "Barcelona's tactical philosophy places great emphasis on players' footwork. This influence even extends to goalkeepers."

"Reina and Valdes both have excellent footwork. The best way to make full use of a goalkeeper's footwork is to expand their defensive area."

"Turn them from goalkeepers to goalkeepers."

"Otherwise, the goalkeeper's footwork skills could become a ticking time bomb for the team."

"But the way a goalkeeper plays requires the entire defense, and even the whole team's offensive and defensive system, to cooperate with him. Sporting Lisbon didn't specifically require this, so they only achieved half of it."

"Even though they only achieved half of it, they still won the Champions League."

"Manchester City has spent a year, or even longer, still refining their players... As long as the players stay healthy, I can't imagine any team being able to stop us in the future!"

Nineteenth minute.

Deng Kai retreated.

Because Barcelona's midfielders and forwards launched a pressing attack in midfield.

This is Barcelona's tactical requirement.

However, it also has similar tactical requirements to Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City.

This is why Quaresma and Ronaldinho integrated so smoothly into Barcelona and performed so brilliantly.

Similarly, this is also why Guardiola integrated so smoothly into Sporting Lisbon back then.

Guardiola also deserves credit for Sporting Lisbon's miracle.

Especially in that UEFA Cup, if Duncan is the core of the team, then it's not an exaggeration to say that Guardiola is the core of the backcourt attack and organization, right?

Backcourt players: Aren't the backcourt players all defensive anchors?

Pirlo: Guardiola, you understand football!

boom!

After receiving the ball, Deng Kai dribbled laterally, shaking off Xavi's entanglement, and then passed it to Maicon, who was coming up on the wing.

Maicon's flick of the ball is a way to accelerate, it looks like he's about to make a sudden burst of speed, right?

Van Bronckhorst, who was already quite far from Maicon, quickly retreated, preparing to limit Maicon from the position in the attacking third.

Barcelona conducted a very detailed analysis of Manchester City's players.

Manchester City's two full-backs are someone they value very much.

Many people believe that the core of Manchester City's attack is Duncan.

That's not wrong.

But in reality... Deng Kai's offensive contributions only account for about 30% of the team's total.

The remaining 60% were initiated by the two full-backs!

boom!

Maicon, who had just crossed the halfway line, suddenly took a shot when no one was marking him.

A cross at a 45-degree angle!

This... Barcelona fans were stunned.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!

Damn it...aren't you going to get to the byline and cross the ball in?

Isn't this kind of kicking too hasty?

This style of play, which lacks technical skill, doesn't pursue absolute attacking opportunities, and simply involves kicking the ball forward in a haphazard manner, is arguably the most typical style of play in England... long balls and crosses!

It really is true that the greatest truths are the simplest, isn't it!

If Barcelona's disdain for crosses from the byline is somewhat like Tesla's disdain for domestically produced electric vehicles...

So Barcelona's disdain for long passes and crosses is the same as Tester's disdain for electric vehicles like Emma, ​​Xiaodao, Luyuan, and Tailing.

But then again...

Tester... might no longer have the right to look down on others.

In a few years, or even in the next few years, domestic car manufacturers will look down on Tesla's unfinished house!

boom!

Adriano charged through the penalty area, then leaped high above Puyol.

Puyol stared silently.

That's awesome, it's so domineering!

The football is launched into the net.

"Goal! One to zero!"

"The aggregate score is 3-2! Manchester City has taken the lead and seized control!"

"Adriano has done a great job!"

"Maicon and Adriano connect! The two Brazilians at Camp Nou have taken the lead against the team led by Brazil's key players!"

"Maicon and Adriano are very likely to appear at this summer's Copa America. The Brazilian national team will most likely call them up."

Of course, in the past two years, the Copa America has been a training ground for the powerful Brazilian team... to develop new players.

Which player on the Brazilian national team isn't a core member of their club?

With so many games each season, it's important to take a break when necessary.

Only the World Cup can get them to give it their all.

Therefore, it is highly likely that Brazil will field its second-string team in the Copa America.

Superstars like Ronaldo, Carlos, Ronaldinho, and Kaká definitely won't go.

Adriano, Maicon, and even Thiago Silva are all highly likely to join Brazil's second team.

Moreover, Adriano is undoubtedly the core player.

If it weren't for the fact that he only rose to prominence in the last two seasons and lacks team experience, his explosive performance this season would have allowed him to go directly to the first team without having to play in the Copa America.

Of course, Adriano himself is also very eager to play in the Copa America.

After all, he hasn't won many championships lately, so even a small one is still something.

Deng Kai: Are you implying that I didn't lead everyone to win more championships and that I'm sorry to everyone?

(End of this chapter)

I like playing football on the ground: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him.