Chapter 252: Fierce Battle with Tottenham

Pochettino was obviously in trouble. With the score behind, he had to decide whether to stick to or abandon the defensive strategy he had formulated before the game. The pros and cons of the trade-offs were overwhelming.

In terms of the results, after Ajax scored a goal, it was proved that the tactics formulated by Pochettino before the game were a failure. However, from the process point of view, Wang Pu's performance was indeed difficult to give full play to the tactics he formulated. How to make a decision, how to change, and whether to change are the difficult problems facing Tottenham Hotspur coach Pochettino.

What to do next?

Pochettino fell into deep thought.

At the same time, after having a goal that did not rely on Wang Pu, the self-confidence of the Ajax players was greatly improved. In contrast, the psychology of the Tottenham players began to fluctuate. They began to question whether the defensive tactics formulated by the coach before the game were correct.

In the 34th minute of the game, Ajax counterattacked again. Casillas made a triangle pass back to Van de Beek at the top of the arc. The latter passed the ball to Jim who was advancing to the penalty area on the other side. The latter shot the ball with great force. Unfortunately, the angle was too straight and was saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris. Even so, only five passes penetrated the Tottenham defense. This attack was enough to sound the alarm for Tottenham.

All Tottenham fans couldn't help but sweat. The team's defense had no substantial effect on Ajax's offense. This was the most desperate. If this continued, it would only be a matter of time before they lost another goal.

What to do?

The head coach Pochettino, who was still hesitant, finally made up his mind this time to change the formation.

Focusing on me, returning to the 4231 formation commonly used in the league, and adopting regional man-to-man defense against Wang Pei.

This was Pochettino's denial of his own tactics.

This gave the fans who criticized Pochettino for being timid and conservative before the game an excuse.

Pochettino, who has extremely rich coaching experience, had expected such public opinion to ferment, but there was no way, competitive football is judged by success or failure.

The defensive strategy of robbing Peter to pay Paul must have its own flaws, and there is no way to do it. Now that they are behind, they might as well give up and fight Ajax for offense.

Counting the offensive line of Tottenham Hotspur, whether it is Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Lucas, or Eriksen, they are all first-class players. Such strikers have an advantage over Ajax's defense.

Not only that, such a personnel combination has high-altitude balls, ground balls, and speed bursts. It can be said that such a personnel combination covers a multi-faceted three-dimensional offense, which is what all coaches pursue.

There is such a three-dimensional offensive group, but it is not used. Instead, the number of players is used to limit the opponent's trump card. The self-destructive approach will eventually lead to bad consequences. Such a mysterious operation is also regarded by fans as a joke to laugh at Pochettino.

"A coach who can't drive an aircraft carrier is so funny."

"From this point of view, Fatty Pochettino really doesn't work at all, he is just a slacker."

"Is the threshold for coaches so low now?"

...

There is no doubt that Pochettino's self-slapping approach has become a laughing stock.

After the change of formation, Tottenham gradually took the initiative on the field. The players were in their familiar positions and played football with their familiar rhythm. Their own hard power was above Ajax, and it was reasonable for them to dominate the control of the ball.

After taking possession of the ball, Tottenham's offense spread out, and the three-dimensional offense began to test Ajax's defense.

Indisputably, in today's world football, Harry Kane is the template of an all-around striker, and his ability to bring his own system makes offense simple.

As the captain of the team and the backbone of the defense, De Ligt took on the responsibility of facing Harry Kane. In terms of physical competition, the Dutch guy still has certain advantages, but he lacks experience.

Harry Kane's evasive play made De Ligt very uncomfortable. Generally speaking, De Ligt suffered a loss in the match between the two.

However, such a loss is not shameful, after all, Harry Kane has basically reached the TOP level in the center position.

At the end of the first half, the hot pass team set off a wave of offensive frenzy.

In a short 3 minutes, 4 waves of attacks were organized and 3 shooting opportunities were created.

Such a sudden acceleration of the attack made the Ajax players feel great pressure.

Sun Xingmin's cut-in shot was dragged out of the bottom line by Onana, and Tottenham Hotspur got a corner kick opportunity near the end of the first half.

Eriksson's corner kick went to the back point, and Harry Kane, who had already bought it, broke the door guarded by Onana with a header.

1-1.

Harry Kane not only equalized the score for Tottenham, but also won a valuable away goal for the team in this round of knockout matches.

Then, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half of the game.

If it was a draw, then for Ajax, they would rather have a score of 0-0. The opponent got an away goal, which became a psychological burden for De Jong and other teammates.

This is the Champions League semi-final. Any disturbance will put a huge pressure on the psychology of these young players.

There is no problem with the tactics, and there is no problem with the performance of the young man.

The loss of the ball is purely due to the problem of strength.

During the half-time break, Ten Hag continued to provide psychological counseling for these young men.

After experiencing difficulties and adversities this season and winning the double championship, the growth of these young teammates is obvious to all, and Wang Po also believes that these teammates will not be defeated by this difficulty.

"Ajax, fight~!"

Before the start of the second half, Wang Po pulled his teammates to shout together.

"Beep"

A whistle sounded, and the second half of the game began.

After scoring the equalizer, the players of Tottenham Hotspur were quite encouraged. They pressed forward on three lines and pressed the three lines of the entire Ajax team firmly in the backcourt position, forming a siege.

The scene was very passive, and the goal was repeatedly threatened. The Ajax fans in the Cruyff Stadium began to worry about the team.

The knife mountain ball is coming.

After getting the ball back, facing the counterattack of the Tottenham team in the frontcourt, the full-back Mazraoui hurriedly passed the ball.

Wang Pei and Ali both stared at the ball, and both sides started at almost the same time. Seeing that the faster Ajax No. 29 was about to get the ball, Ali slid down to the ground. This action did not mean to stop, but to keep the person and the ball.