Chapter 203: The Calm Leonardo (first update, please give me a monthly vote!)

Leonardo's defensive strategy was successful, because until the end of the first half, Napoli failed to score even a goal.

Now they have only 45 minutes of time left. In these forty-five minutes, they not only have to win, but also try their best to win, ending the suspense in the first round.

Obviously, this task is very difficult.

So at the end of the first half, Napoli's head coach Mazari left the stadium with a bad look.

Leonardo's face was smiling.

At this time, the commentators also changed their words, praising Leonardo's smart tactical arrangements.

After all, it is still amazing to be able to be in front of Napoli, which is good at offensive power, at their home court again.

"Inter Milan played a 0:0 against Napoli in the first half. For Leonardo, this is a good result. If Inter Milan tied Napoli 0:0 away in this game, it would be obviously good news for them to advance to the semi-finals."

"Leonardo's defensive tactics have played a role. Napoli did not expect Leonardo to perform such a thorough defense away, lack of effective response, and was caught off guard. Now they have only 45 minutes left. In these forty-five minutes, can Napoli reverse this unfavorable situation?"

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In the home team's locker room, Mazarri was comforting the players and sympathized with the team's failure to score in the first half.

"I'm sorry, we didn't score. Their tactics were a bit beyond our expectations. But it's no big deal. Isn't it just intensive defense? You know, what we, Napoli, fear the least is intensive defense!"

At the same time, in the visiting team's locker room, Leonardo was full of spring breeze and was satisfied with the team's performance in the first half.

"We didn't lose a single goal in the whole first half, which is a good thing. We must continue to do this in the second half, at least at the beginning, and continue to defend the ball. Once they find that they can't score, they will become impatient. After all, this is their home court, and home court means an advantage and a huge pressure. If they can't win us at home, their fans will put huge pressure on them. By then, it will be our chance!"

"So continue to defend the second half and wait patiently for the opportunity. In the first half, we have seen how empty the defense line is. That is the opportunity we can take advantage of!"

※ ※ ※

After comforting and encouraging the players, Mazari began to tell them what to do in the second half. The football game is not about talking, nor is it about whoever speaks the best, whoever can win. If you want to win, it depends on the strength of real swords and guns.

"I kept thinking about one question in the first half, that is why Leonardo had to let his team defend from the first minute of the game, and even gave up the offense altogether. Forwards like Etoo were used as midfielders. At this moment, I figured it out--they hoped to use such a tenacious defense to drag down our will. Think about it, guys. This is our home court. If we can't win the opponent at home, what would you think? Do you think the second leg is difficult? Do you think that the home fans will become your pressure at this time?"

Someone nodded, it was true. If the home court cannot be won, it will be difficult to play in the second round. This is why many players have not looked very good after the first half. When they think about the future, they can't help frowning.

"By the way, that's it. If we can't score a goal for a long time, we will become very impatient, and there will be some mistakes and loopholes that we didn't have. When we make mistakes, they will seize these opportunities... They are Inter Milan, they have rich game experience, and it's not difficult to do this."

"So to disrupt the opponent's arrangements, we should strive to score early in the second half." Mazari raised a finger. "This is one and two. If we really can't score a goal for a long time, don't be impatient. It's better to be taken away by the opponent a draw than to let the opponent take away a victory and away goals. This is very critical."

In Mazarri's view, the worst result he can accept is that the opponent will take a draw. At worst, he can treat the game to Meacha Stadium as the final, and determine the outcome. As long as he does not lose at home, both sides will still be on the same starting line.

"We can't continue to play like the first half in the second half. We have too many spaces behind us, which can easily give the opponent a chance. And our physical strength will definitely drop in the second half. If the space in the backcourt is too large and we cannot return to defense in time when we are exhausted."

"In terms of offense, we should change a little more. We can't always just cross the bottom... The opponent's two central defenders are still very good in air defense. We need to be more patient when getting the ball at the front of the penalty area..."

※ ※ ※

"I really didn't expect that Napoli was unable to score at his home court..."

"If Napoli cannot win the game at home, it will be very difficult to advance to the semi-finals."

"Yes, yes. Leonardo's move looks ugly, but the effect is surprisingly good..."

In the media seats, journalists from all over the world were also communicating their views on the first half.

As they were talking, the players from both sides appeared and the second half of the game was not far away.

※ ※ ※

The two sides changed places and then fought again in the second half, and Inter Milan still defended the dead, but this time the commentators no longer criticized Leonardo.

This season, Inter Milan has had some difficulties after Mourinho left, and only after Leonardo took over the team's performance improved. If he could reach the semi-finals of the Champions League or even reach the Champions League final for two consecutive years, it would undoubtedly be a shot of a heart-warming agent.

So at this time, we don’t worry about whether the scene fits the image of a triple-champion team. On the football field, winning is the bottom line.

Leonardo continued to sit on the coach's seat while Mazzari continued to stand on the sidelines.

The different performances of the two head coaches seem to confirm the mentality of the two teams.

Leonardo looked like he was sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai. Seeing Napoli still attacking fiercely, his goal stood firm in the storm. It seemed that he had seen Inter Milan scored a goal, the Napoli's expression of pain...

But six minutes later, he stood up from his seat.

If you are wrong, you should say that "jumping" is more accurate...

※ ※ ※

Six minutes into the second half, Raul received a header from Chen Yingxiong in front of the penalty area and successfully shot with a spoon.

The football bypassed Inter Milan goalkeeper Cesar's fingers and fell into the goal behind him...

"Ah! Beautiful! Napoli finally scored! They took the lead in the 51st minute!"

"Raul! He scored his 71st goal in the Champions League! This is an amazing result! Now it seems that Naples got Raul for free from Real Madrid last summer, which is a good deal!"

"A beautiful direct shot! After the hero headed the football back to him, Raul did not make any adjustments. He just disassembled the football and then directly shot with his right foot! Such a goal full of imagination and inspiration, so wonderful and chic! This is that Raul Gonzales!"

After scoring, Raul made a signature celebration of kissing his fingers. He himself did not expect that he could really welcome a freshman in Naples... and continued to write his immortal legend in the Champions League.

Seeing Raul hang the football into the goal, Mazary breathed a sigh of relief.

But on the other side, Leonardo jumped out of his seat as if his butt was on fire. He just sat firmly on the Diaoyutai, but now he is already in a hurry.

The second half was equalized six minutes before the start of the second half, which means that Napoli has 40 minutes to score more goals.

If they are allowed to play in a state and feel like they are, scoring two more goals in forty minutes is not a problem...

How to deal with it?

He didn't have time to upset Raul's goal here, his brain was running at high speed, doing multiple-choice questions.

Go out and attack immediately and strive to equalize the score as soon as possible?

This not only brings both sides back to the starting line, but also gets a away goal.

But Leonardo rejected this choice without hesitation. In theory, this is a good choice, but it is very difficult to operate in practice. First of all, you cannot guarantee that you can score a goal immediately by pressing the attack. Secondly, if you pressing the attack, you will naturally have room behind you. If you have not been able to equalize the score, you will expand your lead. This may not be too much of a loss.

So, keep holding on and waiting patiently for the opportunity?

Leonardo finally chose to continue defending, but instead of waiting patiently for the opportunity, he waited for an opportunity to fight back.

In fact, losing 0:1 away is also completely acceptable for Leonardo Inter Milan. When you return to home, you can advance as long as you win 2:0.

But Mazzarri would not give up. Napoli scored a goal and would definitely want to score more goals, because he only won one goal, which was not safe for Napoli. They would definitely continue to attack. As long as this is the case, Inter Milan has a chance to take advantage of it.

What he needs to do now is to stabilize the morale of the army and tell them to continue to defend so that the players will not be inconsistent in their minds. Some want to continue to defend, and some want to go out to equalize the score as soon as possible.

While Napoli was celebrating the goal, Leonardo called captain Zanetti down loudly, told him his arrangements, and asked him to tell the other players on the field.

"Continue to defend and tell them not to panic. Then wait for an opportunity to fight back, that's it!" He patted Sanetti on the shoulder and sent him back to the court.

Looking at Zanetti's back running onto the stadium, Leonardo was still a little proud of his decision so quickly.

This is his second season in official coaching. He is able to have such qualities, which shows that he is really a suitable person to be a head coach... After retiring from AC Milan, Leonardo has been working as a scout for AC Milan, but he thinks that the head coach is the most suitable position for him.

He hopes that he can prove his coaching ability in Inter Milan.

How to prove it?
Chapter completed!