Mourinho gestured on the sidelines to calm the team's mood while strengthening the defense in the middle.
The game is not over at halftime, but Real Madrid has basically figured out Naples' offensive routine.
The wing position lacks an inside threat.
To be honest, this style of play is a bit outdated.
In today's strong teams, modern wingers are standard equipment.
If the wide players are only responsible for passing the ball, then the style of play will obviously be limited.
Napoli can be invincible in Serie A.
Largely because they have two top centers.
Not because of how strong the wings are.
The winger is only responsible for passing the ball and playing a supporting role.
But if you look at the C position of some wealthy teams, it may not be the center at all, but a wide player.
Messi was used by Guardiola as a center, but he was only a pseudo-center.
The real threat is mainly from the wing.
Ronaldo is a left winger.
Bayern Munich's Ribeiro duo.
The strongest teams in the modern era all have near-nuclear offensive power on the wing.
Naples is different.
There is no other reason, it is simply that their center is too strong!
Belongs to the top ranks in Serie A.
Hao Qiang dominates the top scorer list, Cavani ranks third, and Ibrahimovic ranks second.
This is enough to show the powerful firepower of their two centers.
But only in Serie A.
In the Champions League, facing stronger opponents, Naples did not have the capital to pursue tactical changes.
Therefore, Mazari would not use his brains to destroy the Great Wall.
All tactical changes can never be made with a slap on the head: yes.
We need to see what characteristics and styles of players they have in hand and whether they meet the tactical concept.
Mourinho mainly focuses on strengthening defense.
After all, even if they lose 0:1 in the away game, it is acceptable.
After Hao Qiang's wild celebration, he quickly calmed down.
Zidane's gold card blessing is almost over.
The teammates are still immersed in the excitement of leading the score.
Hao Qiang said to Cavani: "You continue to be at the front, I will drop back to assist the midfielder in defense."
Cavani was stunned for a moment, then his expression became solemn.
I admire Hao Qiang from the bottom of my heart.
He then said to Hamsik: "Let's play on the wing and see how Real Madrid reacts and strengthen our defense!"
Essentially they have to play defensive counterattack.
This is how Serie A teams survive in the European arena.
Even the Italian team that once conquered Europe does not have an unrestrained and romantic tactical style.
Hamsik nodded quickly and agreed.
Everyone quickly unified their thinking.
When he reached halftime, Hao Qiang turned his head and looked at Ronaldo.
Despite experiencing two seasons of championship battles and two Europa League finals.
But today's Champions League semi-final is still regarded by Hao Qiang as the most important battle in his career.
He is not greedy at all.
The team is leading. At this time, it is impossible to replicate the goal scored just now.
Are Real Madrid fools?
Make up for whatever you miss, this is the most basic defensive awareness on the football field.
There is no way Real Madrid will give him another chance to kick in the penalty area.
Naples is not in a dominant position, so why are they confident that they can create similar opportunities again?
You are the weak side to begin with. If you are cautious, you may miss opportunities, but you will never make a big mistake.
Real Madrid kicked off with a wave of attacks that reached the frontcourt but were surrounded and suppressed by the entire Naples team.
Ronaldo forced a dribble and cut in but the ball was intercepted.
The Real Madrid players quickly retreated and ran faster than Naples' fast break players!
The Galacticos, which was once criticized for being top-heavy on offense and light on defense, has indeed been trained by Mourinho to have a strong defensive awareness.
Naples' fast break failed to threaten, and Cavani was intercepted by Pepe and Khedira in the frontcourt.
Real Madrid turned around and played fast break again.
However, Di Maria encountered the joint pressure of Zuniga and Inle on the right side of the frontcourt, causing the attack to fail.
Mourinho's face started to look a little ugly.
Observing the overall situation, he found that Hao Qiang's position retreated, and Hamsik retreated deeper.
Not to mention freezing 272, it also allows Gargano to block and restrict Ronaldo with more confidence.
It's obvious that Naples' attitude has changed.
More conservative counter-attack prevention.
If this was not a Champions League semi-final, Mazzarri would definitely say: Comfortable!
The unnamed round of the competition.
It is normal to focus too much on winning and losing and not on wonderful performances.
That year AC Milan and Juventus staged the Italian Derby in the Champions League final.
The two teams were full of experts, but failed to gain anything in 120 minutes.
Can't score a goal?
It's because both teams focused too much on defense.
This is the nature of Italian football teams.
This has been the way of life for the past half century.
With the score leading, the team strengthened control and defense and focused on seizing fast break opportunities.
Before Mazzarri reminded the team, the team had already taken a stance.
This made him overjoyed, and his confidence instantly improved a lot.
If Naples does not have a good chance, they would rather control the ball more and let Real Madrid's defense retreat. At least this can ensure the safety of the defense.
Rather than the pace getting faster and faster, their defense line would not be able to adjust in time and loopholes would appear.
Hao Qiang's role in the midfield has become increasingly significant.
If you haven't seen his previous performances and watched him play for the first time today, you would probably think that he is just a midfielder.
Real Madrid has lost the environment to counterattack and can only go to the side in every tough battle!
Ronaldo and Di Maria performed very closely, trying hard to rush inside. No matter who came to support, Naples would narrow the encirclement.
The defense success rate is higher!
Averaging more than three goals per game, Real Madrid, with its fierce firepower, suddenly can hardly even see a shot!
At the end of the first half, Mourinho walked to the tunnel with a heavy heart.
Naples fans cheered, and Real Madrid fans whispered to each other.
"Too conservative! Jose still insists on defensive counterattack, but we are facing Naples, why can't we show some courage?"
"That's right! Even if we play against Naples, I don't believe we can still lose?!"
"Sigh, no matter how much I don't like Jose's tactics, everyone is enjoying our lead over Barcelona in La Liga."
"We are not saying that counterattacking is not possible, but we need to be flexible. If we are behind in the away game, isn't it worth the risk to score an away goal?"
...
Naturally, there are anti-Mourinho fans among the Real Madrid fan base, because Mourinho is completely contrary to Real Madrid's football philosophy over the past many years.
Real Madrid is royalty!
Not only do they want to win.
And they want to win beautifully and wonderfully, and let the whole world applaud them.
As if he is the spokesperson of football, he must show the charm of offensive football on the court.
Once upon a time, Real Madrid used this method to conquer Europe many times and even captivated the world.
But times are developing and the situation is changing.
In order to end the Barcelona dynasty, most Real Madrid fans and members chose to compromise.
As long as Mourinho can lead them to defeat Barcelona and win the championship.
So they will remain silent no matter what Mourinho does.
Just look at the results.
But when the team's situation is not going well, some people still can't help but complain.
Human nature.
If you are a philosopher who sees through everything and remains absolutely rational.
I'm afraid I won't come to watch football matches either.
Return to the locker room to rest.
The Naples generals cheer each other on.
At this time, everyone was united and began to become optimistic even though deep down in their hearts.
But no one dared to show it.
I'm afraid that this optimism will eventually become a joke.
Mazzarri reiterated that the team must be more patient and calm when leading.
Then he gave everyone a sip of 1982 chicken soup and asked the players to leave the locker room to prepare for the second half of the game.
The two sides returned to the court to change sides and fight again.
The cheers of Naples fans always shocked everyone.
Let alone one goal lead now, even if the score is a draw, Naples fans will not be discouraged at all.
In fact, in addition to hoping that the team can win, fans also have a little worry.
Afraid that the lead will be wiped out.
Even reversed.
After all, the opponent is the world-famous Real Madrid.
Don't take advantage of the lead and roar a little more now.
Are we going to cry out like ghosts and wolves howling when we fall behind?
Real Madrid kick-off.
Naples defends step by step.
Di Maria and Ronaldo tried to cut inside and hit long shots, but the results were not good.
Real Madrid are trying to pick up the pace.
But the key midfield link has always been paralyzed.
In the first half, 272, which was almost invisible, was forced to provide support on the wing, and there was no organization at all.
As long as they do not enter a dangerous area, Naples always maintains a neat and tight defense line.
But their fast break was no longer a threat.
The offense was almost all focused on Cavani. Hao Qiang and Hamsik would only make sneak attacks after a long interval, but they were only long-range shots in the frontcourt.
The same effect is not good.
Cavani, on the other hand, was restricted by Real Madrid's equally tight defense, no matter whether he made personal breakthroughs or grabbed points, and had no room to play.
Watching the game time go by minute by minute.
Real Madrid's generals are not impatient.
This temperament was also instilled in them by Mourinho.
For a team that defends against counterattacks, the first priority is mentality!
You must remain absolutely calm, rational and patient.
Killing someone crazy is another matter.
But if you lose your composure first, let alone counterattack, you may even have big problems with your defense.
As the game approached the 70th minute, Real Madrid's formation also cautiously pressed forward while gradually increasing the speed.
Alonso's frequent presence in the frontcourt to organize and dispatch is an obvious signal.
Naples is well aware that Real Madrid may be brewing an offensive.
So the defense against Ronaldo was strengthened.
Hao Qiang also silently used the second gold card, Barak!
In the 73rd minute of the game, Alonso received a pass from Arbeloa in front of the center circle. Hao Qiang immediately started to press, and Cavani also started to press at the same time.
Alonso passed the ball back to Khedira, who passed the ball diagonally to the left. Coentrao assisted and kicked the ball forward.
Ronaldo took the initiative to respond, and Gargano and Macho launched a pincer attack on him.
After Ronaldo touched the ball and kicked the ball, 272 ran to the wing to receive it.
The Naples defense thought that Ronaldo would move inside, so they took the initiative to block the inside line.
But what surprised them was that Ronaldo ran towards the baseline.
Aronika cautiously defended outwards.
272's pass was accurately delivered to Ronaldo's feet.
At the same time, Benzema ran to meet Ronaldo.
A figure is quietly entering Naples' penalty area.
Cristiano Ronaldo collided with Benzema nearby, and he got rid of Maggio's defensive pursuit.
But what surprised Gargano was that he was still on the wing and did not enter the penalty area!
Ronaldo retreated to stop the ball and then crossed from the wing at a 45-degree angle.
The football drew a slight internal arc and fell towards the center area in front of the goal.
Little Cannavaro just took off, and someone was faster than him!
The oncoming Ramos jumped high and hit the target with a powerful header!
Bang!
The football hit the lower edge of the crossbar and bounced into the Napoli goal!
The home team fans at the St. Paul Stadium were in silence!
