On September 10th, La Liga resud.
News of Real Madrid's injury crisis quickly spread, making them a target for many teams looking to take advantage of their weakened state and snatch a result.
Among these teams, Atlético Madrid was one.
Since Diego Sione took charge of Atlético Madrid, he quickly began transforming the team.
From a previously, flair-focused team, Atlético Madrid began emphasizing defense and discipline.
Under Diego Sione's constant emphasis, so dia even dubbed them 'Sione's chanical Army'.
Of course, this wasn't a complint but a criticism!
These dia outlets believed the current Atlético Madrid had lost its soul, playing unattractive football with players lacking autonomous thought.
A chanical backline!
A workmanlike midfield!
The only bright spot was their prolific striker 'Falcao'.
There's a saying in football: Atlético Madrid has always produced great strikers.
From the first-generation star Spanish 'El Niño' Fernando Torres, the second-generation star Falcao had now taken over as the team's main scorer.
During the season, he delivered outstanding performances.
He even competed with Šuker and ssi for the Golden Boot at one point, though he lacked staying power and fell off severely in the second half of the season.
Even so, no one dared underestimate Falcao.
Currently, Diego Costa is out on loan, but upon his return, the third-generation star will take over from Falcao and establish his own status.
As for the fourth-generation star, it's French forward Griezmann!
However, Griezmann is still developing at Real Sociedad and hasn't yet been brought under Sione's wing.
Even so, Real Madrid cannot afford to underestimate this Atlético Madrid team.
As the league resud, the Bernabéu stadium was filled with a large crowd of Real Madrid fans.
Since news of the injury crisis broke, Real Madrid fans were sowhat worried.
To see the truth and the team's performance for themselves, they gathered at the stadium, making it even livelier than usual.
Under their watchful eyes, the players from both teams walked out of the tunnel.
The starting lineups were as follows;
Real Madrid (4-4-2):
Goalkeeper: Casillas
Defenders: Srna, Varane, Pepe, Coentrão
Midfielders: Granero, Khedira, Alonso, Di María
Forwards: Bale, Šuker
Atlético Madrid (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defenders: Manquillo, Domínguez, Godín, Filipe Luís
Midfielders: Mario Suárez, Gabi, Tiago
Forwards: Falcao, Adrián López, Reyes
On the sidelines, dressed in a black suit, black shirt, with a thick beard and a robust build, Diego Sione stood firm.
Facing the jeers of the entire Real Madrid crowd, he didn't flinch.
From his deanor and lineup, it was clear Atlético Madrid had co prepared.
Šuker took a deep look at the opposite half before turning and shouting, "Midfield, move the ball more decisively!"
Atlético Madrid's high press and rapid transitions were notorious.
Although many mocked them for playing like machines, a team operating with machine-like precision was also a remarkable feat.
And this Atlético Madrid team, aside from experience and confidence, had almost everything else.
The defensive line had Godín!
In world football, when discussing center-backs, Godín is unavoidable. His presence helped Atlético Madrid build the most solid defense.
Midfielder Gabi also brought so attacking vitality to the team. His passing and dribbling could guide the team on the right path.
Up front, Falcao was absolutely soone to watch out for.
Especially when operating on the wings, Falcao could use his speed and dribbling to advance.
Most crucially, he could also cut inside.
Despite being only 177 cm tall, he possessed excellent jumping and aerial ability.
The 'Colombian Tiger' Falcao didn't earn his third-place finish on the scoring charts just by talking.
If Atlético Madrid from a few years ago was harmless, from now on, this team was beginning to subtly threaten Real Madrid, and would likely grow even stronger in the future.
Šuker was wary of Atlético Madrid.
On the other side, Atlético Madrid also looked grave.
They constantly adjusted their ntality, trying to ease the pressure.
Šuker was wary of them.
But their wariness of Šuker was multiplied ten, even a hundredfold.
A three-ti Ballon d'Or winner!
Back-to-back La Liga and Champions League Golden Boots in the last two seasons—such terrifying efficiency ant they had to mark him with their lives.
Amid the watchful eyes of the crowd, the whistle blew.
Peep!
Šuker imdiately passed the ball, Bale passed it back.
The two spread out wide, while Atlético Madrid instantly pressed forward.
Their press wasn't a chaotic charge but a coordinated, systemic high press.
From a bird's-eye view, though there were slight up and down in the lines, the front, middle, and back lines were clearly discernible.
This was the importance of discipline.
Everyone was in their designated position, without any panic, simultaneously maintaining their shape and pressuring Real Madrid.
Tap!
Alonso passed the ball and imdiately ran to the next open space.
He had just shaken off López, thinking he was free to receive the ball comfortably.
But Falcao instantly closed him down.
"They're not giving any space to receive the ball at all!"
Alonso thought to himself.
Now he understood why Šuker had told him to move the ball more decisively.
With such intense high pressing and pressure, any hesitation would see them trapped in the opponent's net.
Real Madrid kept passing the ball, trying to quickly break through the defense.
But Atlético Madrid's press was like a large net constantly closing in on the ball carrier.
Tap!
Di María finally managed to pass the ball to Šuker along the wing.
But he was also knocked down by an opponent.
"So Rough!"
Di María gritted his teeth.
Since the start of the match, these guys had been like stubborn glue, sticking to them and harassing relentlessly.
One or two would be manageable, but the entire team played this way.
Mourinho narrowed his eyes as he watched the pitch. "In attack, football has triangular play, using triangular positioning to constantly pass the ball, forming triangles across the pitch to advance. Similarly, there's a defensive equivalent called 'net-style defense'."
"It's a defensive model developed based on zonal coordination, roughly similar to triangular play but applied to defense. However, this defense requires players to have excellent positional sense, a positive attitude, and extre discipline. It's like casting fishing nets to cover the attacking areas, using pressure, herding, isolation, and other thods to press."
Faria: "This season and last season Atlético Madrid sold a large number of players and also brought in many new ones."
Mourinho nodded. "This is the coach's habit. I like to thoroughly clean a house inside and out before decorating it, ensuring it's spotless before I start. The sa principle applies to football clubs. Diego Sione used transfers to clear out those with poor discipline or who didn't fit his system. With the funds recouped, he then started signing players to enrich his squad."
"Since last season, this guy has been making moves. From the scout reports, Atlético Madrid's data has changed significantly over these two seasons, indicating soone is reshaping the team."
Mourinho turned to look at Diego Sione.
"This guy has great ideas."
Mourinho admired Diego Sione; Atlético Madrid's style was exactly the kind he liked.
However, the current squad was a budget version.
"They want to use 'net-style defense' to disrupt our buildup and create chances for Falcao. Falcao has switched from center forward to right wing to avoid Srna at right-back and focus their firepower on Coentrão!"
Faria: "Should we have our midfield drop back then?"
Mourinho shook his head. "No need! Since they want to play this way, we'll oblige. I told you, their defense is too chanical. The advantage of chanics is great discipline, but it also makes them very rigid... They can't stop Šuker!"
Bang!
Alonso drove forward with the ball and, before the press arrived, lofted a pass to Šuker.
Šuker, in the left half-space, backed into the Atlético Madrid full-back, then deftly turned with the ball.
The ball went through Gabi's legs, and Šuker explosively accelerated.
Just as he was about to reach the ball, Suárez and Tiago closed in from both sides.
The two sandwiched Šuker.
Under their interference, Šuker couldn't build up speed and had to shield the ball.
While shielding, Šuker looked up.
He was almost surrounded by Atlético Madrid players.
"Where are our guys?"
Šuker couldn't help but curse!
Bang!
Šuker was tackled by Gabi, and the ball was poked away.
On the Atlético Madrid bench, Sione clenched his fist and pumped it vigorously.
'Trapped!'
Šuker got up from the ground and looked over.
He saw the Atlético Madrid players sprinting forward in large strides, launching an attack.
Except for the defensive line, everyone else pushed up.
Atlético Madrid crossed from the wing, and the ball was headed clear by Pepe.
Di María collected the ball and imdiately drove forward.
"Counter!!—"
Di María roared.
As he accelerated, he saw a group of players in red shirts sprinting back desperately to defend.
Gabi, Suárez, Tiago, and Reyes.
"Damn it!"
Di María couldn't help but curse:
"They're tracking back faster than we're countering?"
Šuker ran a few steps and saw Atlético Madrid had eight players already in defensive positions.
Šuker couldn't help but grin.
"Pass it here!"
Tap!
Di María passed just before being tackled. Šuker t the ball and imdiately switched play with a long cross-field pass.
Bale on the other flank controlled the ball and passed it back.
From a aerial view, you could see Atlético Madrid players sprinting frantically all the way back.
Only when the ball entered Real Madrid's half did they gradually slow down.
"Šuker! Go up front! Go to the very front!"
Šuker turned to look.
Faria was on the sidelines yelling at the top of his lungs. Next to him, Mourinho gave Šuker a slight nod.
Šuker imdiately sprinted to the very front.
"Place the most threatening weapon in the most dangerous area!" Mourinho smiled. "Next is to deliver the ball into the box."
Since Atlético Madrid didn't want Real Madrid to launch quick counters and were intercepting and pressing on the ground, their tireless running would indeed cause problems.
In that case, they wouldn't engage Atlético Madrid head-on.
They would just play long balls to the back. Unless you run faster than the ball, you simply can't keep up.
"Such a quick reaction!"
Sione shook his head as he saw Šuker's positional change.
As expected of Mourinho, quickly making the judgnt and adjustnt.
Now, ground interceptions were useless. He thought he could restrict Real Madrid for at least 30 minutes, then rely on multi-point counters to score.
But now, Real Madrid was going to play more directly.
This style would reduce the spectacle!
But Mourinho didn't care about that; winning was all that mattered.
He didn't care about so-called reputation.
Winning brings respect!
Losing, no matter how pretty you play, you're still a loser!
Godín watched Šuker move to the center forward position, his brow furrowed.
A sense of foreboding growing in his heart.
Soon, Real Madrid's attacking approach changed.
Or rather, their positioning changed.
From a 4-4-2, they shifted to a 4-3-3.
Šuker took up the center forward role, with Bale and Di María responsible for advancing and crossing from the wings.
Khedira also pushed forward to press. He and Alonso were responsible for playing forward passes, even directly lofting balls into the box.
Bang!
Taking advantage of a back-pass opportunity, the Atlético Madrid midfielders were all facing the attacking direction.
"Great chance!"
Alonso's eyes lit up.
He imdiately stepped forward and struck a long ball aiming for the space behind Godín.
Šuker burst into motion.
Thud!
Šuker felt himself being held back.
It was only for an instant, but it prevented him from launching properly.
By the ti he accelerated again, the ball had already bounced and was collected by the onrushing goalkeeper.
Šuker turned to look at Godín.
That instant, Godín had definitely interfered with him.
Godín was now looking forward, avoiding eye contact with Šuker.
Šuker lowered his head in thought for a mont, then imdiately sought out Di María and Bale.
"You two cut inside more; I'll look for chances to make runs behind!"
Bale was stunned.
"They're good at playing the offside trap!"
Šuker grinned. "No matter how many offsides, they only need to get it wrong once, and they're finished!"
'That man' lived on the offside line!
Šuker grinned fiercely.
Co on!
Let you defenders experience the ghostly impact from the old era!
When the match restarted, Šuker began constantly moving up and down along the edge of the box.
Several tis he was in an offside position, but his teammates didn't pass, so it didn't count.
However, watching Šuker constantly move up and down, Godín was sweating profusely.
They could play the offside trap.
But the problem was, Šuker's movent was unpredictable.
Sotis up and down, sotis left and right.
In these constant movents, they had to expend a lot of energy marking Šuker.
At that mont, the ball reached Di María's feet.
Šuker burst forward.
Simultaneously, Atlético Madrid stepped forward in unison.
They were setting the offside trap.
But Di María didn't pass.
Šuker suddenly dropped back, feigning to receive the ball.
"I've got him!"
Godín imdiately charged towards Šuker.
Šuker ran back behind the defensive line. Just then, Di María played a through ball into the diagonal space.
And Šuker, who had just dropped back, instantly pivoted and sprinted forward again!
"Oh no!"
Godín was horrified.
He imdiately reached out, but Šuker's acceleration was too fast.
He couldn't hold him back!
anwhile, Šuker had already burst through.
"Oh~~~ heavens!!! Šuker is through on goal!!!—"
La Liga comntator González exclaid.
Šuker caught up to the ball.
The young Belgian goalkeeper Courtois charged out at Šuker, his arms flailing, unable to hide the shock on his face.
Šuker t the ball and gently pushed it.
The ball slipped under Courtois's arm and rolled into the net!
Šeker turned and sprinted towards the corner flag.
His face was filled with smiles.
The previous era was a ti of a hundred schools of thought contending.
Strikers of various styles and types shone brightly.
The ghostly Inzaghi!
The unstoppable Ronaldo!
The nuclear warhead Shevchenko!
This era doesn't have them, but it has !
Šuker's eyes blazed as he spread his arms.
'I'll let you Atlético Madrid iron defenders experience the terror of the strikers from the previous era!'
"Gooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!"
"Šuker! A ghostly strike!! That run was fantastic. After the first offside, he dropped back to feign receiving the ball, then imdiately accelerated again! And Di María played the through ball at the sa ti!"
"Everyone thought Šuker was dropping back to receive the ball, but he was setting up his next run!"
"Godín was completely fooled. He should have followed Šuker more decisively, but he was a step too slow..."
"For an 'assassin', just that one mont is enough to score!"
"This goal reminds of that distant era, that man who live on the offside line..."
"Oh~~~ Šuker!!"
González laughed.
He saw Šuker standing by the corner flag, gripping the flagpole and saluting!
"He's paying tribute to his good friend and forr teammate!"
"That man who, in the glorious era of Serie A, occupied the Milan starting striker role with his unique style—Filippo Inzaghi!"
"This is a dialogue across two eras!"
"I thought that with Inzaghi fading from the public eye, we would never see that ghostly assassin-like performance again. But now, Šuker has awakened those distant mories with this goal!"
"A brilliant goal! This is Šuker! The omnipotent Šuker!"
"Perhaps we should shout..."
"SUPER!!!!!"
At the Bernabéu stadium, the entire crowd roared.
ŠUKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!——
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