Leicester City Club, head coach's office.

Pearson led his coaching team to review the game against Everton.

With a two-goal lead, the opponent chased two goals in a row, and Leicester City scored a point in the away game.

Although this score was expected before the game, Pearson was not satisfied with the outcome of the game.

If we fall behind first and then reverse, we will happily accept the result.

In fact, it was a tie after leading. Although the result was the same, the second scenario was not easy to accept.

The turning point of the game was that starting from the second half, the team's counterattack was unable to advance because there was no ball release point in the midfield.

After replacing Drinkwater, there was still not much improvement, and instead he was scored by the opponent.

Pearson fixed the scene on the team's first counterattack and made a mark.

"In this counterattack, there were only three people at the counterattack point. After Mahrez got the ball, he was double-teamed. I thought the counterattack was over."

"However, Luo's sudden appearance opened up the situation in the center and cleverly distributed the ball to the wings."

This tactic has a clear idea and is a classic quick counterattack.

"This counterattack is a common offensive method we use, but it was difficult to execute under the circumstances."

Craig said: "In other words, this counterattack was an adjustment made by Luo after judging the game situation. The same was true for the second goal."

This is a skill that only outstanding players possess. If these two events are not a coincidence, then his future achievements will be immeasurable.

Pearson continued: "Let's look at the two goals conceded."

For the two goals conceded, there was no obvious mistake on the part of the defense, but rather the opponent's personal ability was too good.

Technical director Ewell said: "Boss, it can be seen from the two conceded goals that our defense is not good enough, especially the midfielder. Except for Cambiaso, no one in the team has the ability to cover a large area horizontally.

.”

The defensive midfielder is not only a current problem for Leicester City, but also one of the problems that plagues all teams.

A team can be without an attacking midfielder, but it cannot be without a defensive midfielder.

It is related to the balance between offense and defense of a team.

Especially in the modern football system, the definition of the defensive midfielder is no longer solely about defense, but also responsible for the team's offensive planning.

In the game against Everton, after Cambiasso came off the field, the team's defense dropped significantly. It only relied on the in-place defense of Drinkwater and Andy King, and it was difficult to contain the opponent's wing attack.

"This problem will have to wait until the end of the season and be completely resolved in the transfer window. Let's look at the moment now."

Pearson asked: "Didn't you realize there was something wrong?"

The three assistant coaches all shook their heads.

Craig has been the team's assistant coach for a long time. He has a good-natured nature and a good understanding of the team. He has gotten along well with the several head coaches he has worked with.

Ewell and Fleming were brought in by Pearson and were responsible for tactics and data analysis.

Fleming pondered for a moment, looked at the technical statistics table, and said: "In the last ten minutes or so, the forward penetration of the two wingers was the key to us conceding the ball."

It is clear from the data that Everton's offensive routines in the later period were all initiated from the wing.

"Before this, Everton didn't dare to play like this. Maybe it was because there was not much time left, so they did it alone?" Craig expressed his thoughts.

"No, they might, but not so quickly. Because our counterattack point poses a huge threat to them, because Luo is present."

Pearson took a deep breath of cigarette and then exhaled it slowly.

Fleming pulled up Rossi's data, projected it on the screen, and analyzed: "In the second half, all of Rossi's statistics were mediocre, and his running distance was also very small. The reason was that the midfielder failed to get the ball out."

Liao Ya is much better than him, and he also stole the ball twice defensively."

Pearson smiled and said: "Old man, data can only reflect part of the game. The player's ability must be viewed in conjunction with the game."

He called up several opponent's offensive pictures and said: "Look, although Luo didn't do anything outstanding in the second half, his presence threatens the opponent's offense."

The three of them watched in confusion as Pearson marked Rossi's position and the position of the opponent's full-back on the screen.

What does this mean?

Pearson called up a few more pictures and said: "This is the position of the opponent's full-back after Ulloa came on the field."

The three of them were immediately surprised.

Why does the opponent's full-back dare to press Ulloa, who has better defensive contributions?

But Rossi, who was walking off the court, could make the opponent afraid to press forward.

What is the reason for this?

Kress clapped his hands and said: "I understand, they didn't dare to press because they were afraid that our counterattack would hit the space behind them. We conceded two goals in the first half, that's it."

Pearson smiled slightly and smoked leisurely, but the other two still didn't understand.

If you are afraid of counterattack, you are also afraid of Vardy and Mahrez. What does Rossi have to do with him?

Craig explained: "This is related to the technical characteristics of the two people."

"Both of them have the awareness to retreat to get the ball. In defense, Ulloa is even better than Luo."

Judging from Fleming's data, Ulloa is obviously higher than Rossi in defense and running.

"This is not a matter of personal ability, but who is more suitable for the system. Although Luo's defense is not good, his ability to connect the two wings after getting the ball is far inferior to Ulloa."

Ulloa has the fulcrum ability of a traditional center, but this ability will be very obvious in the penalty area.

But when he gets the ball with his back away from the penalty area, he will immediately choose to pass back or control the ball and wait for his teammates to respond.

But Rossi is different. He will observe the player's position more and instantly judge the most appropriate route when receiving the ball.

And his ability to hit the ball with one kick is beyond Ulloa's reach.

The reason why Everton's two full-backs did not dare to move forward was because they were afraid that Rossi's ball after receiving the ball would hit the space behind them, giving Vardy and Mahrez space to move forward.

While Ulloa is on the court, after successfully stealing the ball, his first choice is to pass it back to his teammates to organize and then advance forward to attack.

In Leicester City, which has no playmaker, such a pass will undoubtedly slow down the attack and give the opponent time to return to defense.

The three of them also understood immediately why Pearson wanted to hold a meeting immediately after the game.

It is necessary to formulate a new strategy with Rossi as the core.

"Boss, I don't agree." Ewell was the first to object.

"Now that we are at the critical moment of relegation, it is too risky to adjust our original tactics at this time."

Fleming also echoed: "And our next opponent is Manchester City."

The Premier League champion last season will not show mercy just because you adjust your tactics.

"Craig, what did you say?"

Two people have already objected, and Pearson is recruiting the team veteran.

Craig also lit a cigarette and started smoking slowly. The office was silent except for the sizzling sound of the cigarette burning.

Although he is only an assistant coach, he knows Leicester City far better than Pearson and the other three.

"Boss, I have no objection."

This sentence is to support the authority of head coach Pearson.

"But if we lose, how do we deal with it from the top management?"

Nowadays, the team's performance is related to whether they can stay in the Premier League next season. Every decision is not only related to the team's performance, but also their work.

The club's top management will never allow the team to be relegated and suffer huge losses in revenue.

Pearson put the cigarette butt in the ashtray and took a deep breath.

"I will bear all the consequences. We have no way out."
Chapter completed!