I AM the Football Star

”Amazing! Robben descended like a god! A beautiful series of nutmegs pierced through Chiavich and Audi’s defences one after another!”

”No one can stop Robben’s goals! If there was someone, then add Zidane’s pass to that equation!”

”Zidane’s passing is always at a masterly level! Don’t be fooled by Chiavich predicting Zidane’s passing direction correctly, because Zidane had already predicted Chiavich’s prediction!”

”Zidane must know how Robben would get past Chiavich next, otherwise he would have passed the ball to Nelka!”

Zidane looked bewildered.

To be honest, he didn’t really know Robben would get past Chiavich. He was indeed just faked out by Chiavich, caught by surprise.

But fortunately, the commentator gets it and panders – it’s obvious they are on his side.

It’s a treatment befitting a superstar.

The same good play gets more praise if it’s from a superstar.

Even if there’s a mistake, as long as the result is good, people will praise it as a flash of brilliance and an evolution of basic skills accumulated over time from a superstar.

In the first half, both sides had their attacks and defences, battling it out to a tie, ending with a score of 1-1 at halftime.

France no longer held the huge advantage as they did in their first encounter.

But on Italy’s side, stamina was an important issue.

They obviously played with adrenaline in the first half.

Can they maintain this state throughout the match?

Once they ease off in the second half, they might get into trouble.

This is especially since France prefers to play fast and aggressive, but if France adopted Spain’s approach of passing and holding, Italy might crumble quickly in the second half.

Ball control has a special role in breaking down the opponent’s desire to press aggressively, forcibly dragging them into a slow-pace game, effectively boiling them like a frog in warm water.

This ”rhythm theory” is not esoteric but a real tactic.

As mentioned in literature textbooks, attack with all your might, only to weaken and then exhaust.

A player chases and presses intensely, but if the ball is passed multiple times, even if he keeps running, that drive will soon run out.

Once that drive is gone, fatigue and helplessness will take over, creating a perfect opportunity for the passing team to deliver a decisive blow.

”In the second half, France is likely to force ball control!” Maniero was discussing tactical predictions with Italy’s players, ”If they actually do this, then our players must pay close attention to the pace.”

”Our apparent rhythm can slow down, but our actual speed must not drop. Particularly, the defensive players must stay extremely focused and maintain absolute concentration!”

”Of course, we can also utilize this slow rhythm. Suddenly launching a joint press, using passing to dissolve their counter-pressing after turnovers, and launching unexpected attacks in slow rhythm, etc.”

”France is not Spain, they too will suffer the backlash of ball control tactics when they try to control possession.”

The second half began.

Maniero’s prediction came true!

The tactical masters had uncovered each other’s strategies, that’s a showdown at the highest level.

If either side had a coach with no real tactical understanding, the situation would be awkward, as their plans and countermeasures would lose their target.

However, France’s approach was an open strategy.

With Zidane on the field, France’s ball control had no issues.

After multiple pressing attempts, Italy fell into a quiet phase.

For a full twenty minutes, neither side seriously threatened the opponent’s goal.

But France had Robben, and he alone created three set pieces.

Two of them were in great positions where a Zidane free kick almost scored.

Thankfully, Audi performed heroically, pushing the ball out for a corner with one hand, saving Italy.

In the sixty-seventh minute of the match, Italy made a substitution.

They brought on Candreva, taking off Pellegrini!

This was Candreva’s first appearance in this European Cup!

This adjustment was beyond everyone’s expectations.

”Why not Finger?” The French coaching staff immediately started brainstorming.

Players might ignore this substitution, but the coaches must understand Maniero’s intentions and promptly inform the players for targeted arrangements.

Otherwise... letting any national level player freely play is extremely dangerous.

After all, don’t be fooled by Candreva’s seemingly low profile in the Italy National Team, his last match participation was when Italy feigned injury to sub on Morici in a playoff, but Candreva is the core and a superstar of Udinese, a mid-table Serie A team.

Without Candreva, Udinese would definitely be at a relegation-level.

”Candreva and Pellegrini are completely different styled players. Pellegrini is an all-purpose midfielder, his presence can compensate for Drake’s slow speed and limited coverage, and also fill the midfield intensity gap caused by bringing on Morici.”

”But Candreva is actually an attacking midfielder! With him on, Italy’s midfield intensity greatly decreases, he and Morici are similar in style, they... is Italy abandoning defence?”

”Storm the attack!”

Soon, a young assistant at France figured out Maniero’s intention.

Italy actually wanted to grab the attack!

”It seems that their earlier, unexpected lead has given them the illusion that they can take the lead on us again!” The French head coach almost laughed in exasperation.