A victory or a victory?

This problem is a very serious problem for Chinese football, but for Hoffenheim, it is not a big problem.

As early as after the team finished the game against Real Madrid, the whole team knew that the safest way to do the last game was to win. They didn't think about the draw at all, and their minds were full of victory.

This is a bit like the situation before the match against Real Madrid. The whole Hoffenheim team also went for victory, and ended up getting a draw. But this cannot be said to be a failure, because the plan always has a certain gap with reality.

You plan to win, but you end up getting a draw. It's better than planning a draw, but you end up getting a failure, right?

Chinese football has been able to qualify for a draw for so many years, but the result of losing repeatedly is that the players and coaches think that it is enough to have a draw, and the whole team is satisfied with a draw. Therefore, when a real game comes, it would be strange if the opponent is not lost with a "lose" mentality. If you welcome the game with the belief of "must win" from the beginning, even if the opponent holds the belief of "must win", the two "must wins" meet, and the chance of getting a draw must be played over the chance of losing.

So no matter what the situation is, try to achieve the best results, so that the actual results you get are often not too bad. When you need a draw, you should prepare as if you need a victory. When you need to win a goal to qualify, you need to always think about "we have to score two or three more goals." Only in this way is the right attitude.

The entire Hoffenheim team has no problem with Chinese football. They have been unified in their minds two weeks in advance - everyone's goal in this game is to win, and only victory is the safest.

"Our opponents will definitely compete for victory. If they don't win, there will be no hope. They are the real "no choice but to win". They are at home. This team will definitely burst out with great energy. You must be careful." At the tactical meeting that night, Rangnick said to the players.

"The good news is that Inzaghi can't get on, the bad news is that Ibrahimovic will definitely get on, and Robinho is in good condition. Our defensive pressure will be very high, so this game must maintain the offensive pressure and pose a threat to the opponent's defense line in order to weaken their offensive frenzy!"

※※※"Hoffenheim can qualify as long as a draw, which is their advantage and their disadvantage." Allegri said to his players. "If their thoughts cannot be unified, some people want to win or some people want to draw, we will have a chance. But no matter whether they are unified or not, we only stick to our style of play. This game is our home court, and we have no reason to lose the game here. And we not only have to win, but also score more goals!" At the same time, Allegri is talking to his players about the importance of scoring goals.

Because AC Milan's goal difference is lost to one, and Hoffenheim is one, if the score is 1:0, both sides will have 0 goals. Then look at the goal difference, AC Milan has an away goal that will beat Hoffenheim in the second place in the group.

But this is not insurance enough.

Because Hoffenheim's attacking power is already very famous throughout Europe, everyone knows that their attacking power is very strong. Although Allegri is very relieved to the central defender team formed by Thiago Silva and Nesta, he cannot guarantee that his team can allow Hoffenheim to have more than one goal in the game. Until now, Hoffenheim has scored goals in every game, and even at the Bernabeu, facing the powerful Real Madrid, he has scored two goals. Of course, AC Milan people can laugh at Real Madrid's defense line for being very amateur, but they themselves lost to Hoffenheim away with a 1:2. From the league, Hoffenheim has played fifteen rounds this season, and there are only one game they have not scored, which is a 0:1 loss to Freiburg. There are goals in other games, and at least two goals are scored.

After fifteen rounds of the league, Hoffenheim scored forty-five goals, ranking first in the goal list. Dortmund, currently the top scorer, is seven fewer than them in the scorer. Not only do they stand out in the Bundesliga, but they have the most goals in the entire European football world.

Facing Hoffenheim with such a sharp attack, even Allegri dared not say that his team can guarantee a clean sheet of Hoffenheim.

Allegri was mentally prepared to concede the ball. If Hoffenheim really scored a away goal, then winning only one goal suddenly became meaningless. Because when the goal difference is the same, the comparison is between the two sides' away goals in two games in which they fought each other. If Hoffenheim scored an away goal, then both sides' away goals will be the same.

According to the rules, when the away goals of both sides are the same, the group goal difference between the two sides is compared. AC Milan has a big disadvantage in goal difference. They beat Aussel 2:0 in the last round away game, and Hoffenheim shook hands with Real Madrid 2:2 at home. In a total of five games, AC Milan scored seven goals and conceded six goals, and the goal difference was one, while Hoffenheim scored eleven in five games, conceded six, and the goal difference was five. If the final score of this game is 2:1 and AC Milan won, then Hoffenheim is still the second in the group, because Hoffenheim has four goals difference, while AC Milan has only two.

Therefore, as long as Hoffenheim scores the goal, AC Milan must find a way to score more goals and directly stop the ranking criteria in comparison with the goal difference between the two sides. When the score becomes 3:1, AC Milan's goal difference will be one more than Hoffenheim. Relying on the advantage of one goal difference, AC Milan can beat Hoffenheim and become the second in the group, thereby obtaining the right to qualify.

Hoffenheim's strategy in this game is very simple, which is to score more goals. AC Milan's strategy is also very simple, and it is also to score as many goals as possible, not only to win, but also to win.

Since both sides are pursuing more goals, they will inevitably hold high the banner of attack, so there will definitely be no missing goals in this game.

※※※Rangnick analyzed AC Milan's forward characteristics and told the players how to defend. After that, he spent more time on the offense and told everyone how to attack.

Nesta and Thiago Silva cooperated very well, and it was not easy to beat them easily. However, Rangnick had been preparing for this game for nearly two weeks, and he had a way to deal with AC Milan.

Forwards Ibissevic and Van Nistruei will be responsible for restraining AC Milan's defensive attention. Both of them are the kind of forwards who can hold the ball, stand firm, are good at picking up the ball from behind, and can pass the ball through their feet and heads to create opportunities for teammates. They can become the fulcrum and bridgehead for Hoffenheim when attacking.

When Hoffenheim's offense hits the frontcourt, the football is handed over to Ibissevic or Van Nisstrui, and these two people control the football. They can hold the ball with their backs and do not rush to turn around, but they must be able to protect the football under the opponent's press. Because when the football approaches the opponent's penalty area, AC Milan's defense will definitely be much more fierce than in the midfield. This is why you must choose a forward who can hold the ball instead of any forward. Obasi is in the position of being able to hold the ball, such as Ibissevic and Van Nisstrui, so he lost the starting list.

When Ibiszevic or Van Nistruey gets the ball in the frontcourt, Rangnick asks the forwards to keep up quickly, otherwise the football stays under the forwards for too long and will inevitably concede the ball.

Chu Zhongtian, Salihovic and Quaresma must all push up as soon as possible, and the other two full-backs must also actively assist in advance, thus forming a level-based offense.

No matter who you are, you can score a goal, and whoever has a better position will give it to whom.

This is a tactic.

Rangnick also considered this tactical change - what if Allegri saw through his own tactics and inserted them? He would definitely make corresponding adjustments. Allegri is not a waste of ignorance.

What if the opponent sees that we are going to attack after we are going to attack?

It's very simple. We let the forwards become the finishers of the offense again. When they defend the forwards, we transfer the football to the forwards. When they defend the forwards, we let the forwards be the main attack point. Anyway, this is the change back and forth, which makes AC Milan confused and doesn't know what we will do next.

As for when to focus on the forward and when to focus on the avant-garde, this is what Chu Zhongtian needs to master. He is the controller of the team's rhythm, and the whole team must follow his ideas.

Hoffenheim is familiar with this set. Last season, at his home court, Hoffenheim defeated their Inter Milan 3-1 in the first leg and fought back. As a result, this kind of play that made Inter Milan confused played a role, helping the team lead 3-1 in 120 minutes. In the end, both sides had to rely on penalty kicks to decide the outcome.

Chu Zhongtian's improvisation is very important, but more importantly, the team must keep up with Chu Zhongtian's improvisation. Fortunately, after a summer training camp, Hoffenheim can basically understand Chu Zhongtian's wild style. Hoffenheim has made great progress in the league this season and performed well in the Champions League because they have made sufficient preparations during the summer training camp.

The main tactic is this. In addition, the team must actively press in the frontcourt. Once someone grabs the ball, everyone must move quickly, run forward to pick up and launch an attack on the spot.

This is to ensure that the opponent's defense can be put pressure on the opponent's defense from beginning to end, forcing them to make many mistakes and increase their chances of attacking. At the same time, this can also effectively reduce the pressure on their back, because the opponent will be trapped by their own pressing and cannot pass the football through the midfield and successfully send the forwards. In the end, it can only force AC Milan to play a long pass and rush. In this way, the threat to his defense will be much smaller.

Hoffenheim insisted on pressing the frontcourt in their first Bundesliga season. Whenever they played well, they must do this. Do you still remember when Hoffenheim defeated Hamburg in the first season and created five consecutive victories. How did the players who lost to Hamburg evaluate Hoffenheim players?

"They are like savages, running all over the field, and they don't know how tired they are."

Yes, this is the impression Hoffenheim football gives people.

※※※"Their offense is excellent, and the key person is this person-" Allegri spent a circle on the tactical board, surrounding Chu Zhongtian's name "chu". "The connection between him and other Hoffenheim players must be cut off."

This is easy to say, but it is not easy to do.

Allegri didn't plan to use Gattuso again this time. He decided to use Boateng to defend Chu Zhongtian alone. He believed that Boateng could do it. Even if it was fouled, he would spare no expense.

Boateng tackled German star Barack in the FA Cup final before the World Cup, which directly led to the captain of the German national team missing the South African World Cup, which may be his last World Cup. If he could also tackle Chu Zhongtian in this game, it would be better.

So Allegri's requirement for Boateng is to be ruthless, fast, and press Chu Zhongtian from the momentum, and told him from the beginning of the game that the game would not go as he expected.

Solve the defensive problem, and more importantly, the offense.

In Allegri's opinion, defense is definitely not Hoffenheim's strength. Sana is a qualified midfielder, but there is still a gap between the top level. Simonic is experienced, but unfortunately he is too old. Next, whether it is Compare, Pogattz or Metzeld, they all feel that their strength is average. Both full-backs are assist-type full-backs, with offense stronger than defense, and they like offense very much. They are basically equivalent to a winger during the game.

Such a defense line is full of loopholes for Allegri. AC Milan's offense is mainly on the flanks. If Srna and Kolarov frequently assist, they will use the gap behind them after they insert it. If they are afraid of being exploited and dare not press it, it will be a good thing for AC Milan, because this helps their defense line to relieve the pressure. Anyway, it will be beneficial to AC Milan no matter what.

Robinho and Ibrahimovic can both pull to the side, which can further increase the team's investment in the side offense, and at the same time continue to oppress Hoffenheim's two full-backs and force them to make mistakes.

※※※ "You must remember to counterattack immediately after you lose the ball. Those who are close to the ball must participate in counterattack. As soon as AC Milan players get the ball, they will go up and press him. Don't let them easily pour the ball, especially Pirlo, which needs special attention. Once the ball is cut off, we will organize a counterattack on the spot. When attacking, everyone must run to meet the teammates who are taking the ball. I don't want to see long passes over 30 meters often. Try to keep the pass distance between five and fifteen meters." Rangnick repeatedly reminded.

As Hoffenheim becomes more and more famous in European football, Chu Zhongtian becomes more and more famous in European football. Every game, Chu Zhongtian faces more and more strict defenses. He often faces one or two players on the opponent's side, and even three players grab his ball at the same time. In this regard, it is no longer realistic to require Chu Zhongtian to fully utilize his personal skills to get rid of defensive players.

The best way is to take the whole team actively and keep running back and forth to create more pass opportunities for Chu Zhongtian, making it easier for him to pass the ball, rather than getting rid of the three defensive players with the ball to find the route of passing the ball - Chu Zhongtian is not Maradona, and it is impossible for him to often stage a good show of passing several people. Hoffenheim is not his own team, he just needs to play hard alone.

The whole team runs, obviously it is more efficient than running alone, while the whole team is waiting to catch the ball.

As long as everyone runs, the opponent's tight defense against Chu Zhongtian will become a decoration. They can defend Chu Zhongtian alone, but they can't defend the entire Hoffenheim team.

Chu Zhongtian is indeed the core of the team, but if other players did not cooperate with him, his core would be just a decoration.

※※※ Hoffenheim's tactical meeting lasted for an hour and a half. During these 90 minutes, head coach Rangnick took a video to analyze in detail every player in AC Milan who might play. Allegri has not released AC Milan's starting list, so who will start for AC Milan, Rangnick can only guess based on experience.

It’s much easier for AC Milan. Allegri can make targeted arrangements and deployments based on the starting list that Rangnick has announced.

After the tactical meeting between the two sides ended, the coaches rushed their respective players back to the room to rest.

"There will be a very important game tomorrow. You all have to rest early this night!"

Some players returned to the room obediently, while others were reluctant because it was still early - it was less than ten o'clock.

But before this game, no one can enjoy privileged treatment. Everyone must go back to their room to rest.

Neither Rangnick nor Allegri wanted to see his players get weak on the court the next day and unable to run.

This game will inevitably be accompanied by a lot of running, running from one end of the court to the other end, and shuttle back and forth. If you don’t have a good rest, you will have poor physical fitness and poor physical fitness, and the game will be completely over.

The corridors of the hotel were noisy for a while and soon became calm. Everyone returned to their respective rooms to rest.

On this night, there may be people tossing and turning, and there may be people sleeping peacefully.

On this night, San Siro Stadium stood quietly, waiting to welcome the focus battle tomorrow night.

In the end, is AC Milan or Hoffenheim qualifying in the group? Who can leave with a smile, and who will leave with a cry?
Chapter completed!