Chapter 63 The turbulent second half

As a veteran and strong team, Leeds United competes in the English Championship, but this team is good at playing against strong teams and has repeatedly staged comebacks against the odds.

What Eddie Howe has to do is defend the midfielder.

Although O'Kane is stable, his weak style of play may be a bit weak under Leeds United's offense.

However, Gosling is stronger in offense than defense, so he is not suitable to serve as a single defensive midfielder.

Surman returned from injury and came on as a substitute in the last game. He performed very well, so he became the perfect choice for the defensive midfielder.

Youngster Ryan Fraser partners with Ritchie, and Bournemouth intends to strengthen the wing attack.

As soon as the game started, Bournemouth, playing at home, took the initiative to look for opportunities.

During the attack, Fraser came in from the left, Ricci returned to the defensive midfielder, and the formation changed from 4-1-2-1-2 to 4-2-3-1.

Leeds United is a team-oriented team, and its individual defensive ability is not particularly outstanding, but the team's collaborative defense is relatively tacit.

The Bournemouth team's change of formation is to use the numerical advantage in the midfield and frontcourt to create space and create a 1v1 one-on-one space for teammates.

However, Leeds United will not give up the ball so easily.

Last season, he made a total of 740 steals and 395 interceptions, ranking in the top three of the English Championship teams, which also reflects the player's very high ball-stealing ability.

If Bournemouth wants to advance in the midfield, they must first avoid being intercepted.

In the 6th minute, Bournemouth looked for opportunities from the left.

Ryan Fraser used his personal ability to occupy the space in the left rib of Leeds United, attracting three double-teams.

Knocking the ball horizontally at the edge of the penalty area, Surman suddenly stepped in from behind and hit the goal kick with a long shot.

The midfielder pushing forward was Eddie Howe's idea in this game.

But the premise is that the frontcourt offensive players must be able to attract more defenses so that there will be gaps in the middle.

The Bournemouth team got off to a fantastic start, and everyone played with more confidence.

Leeds United also adopts a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond position. After losing the ball, head coach Dreyfuin asked the players to actively run and strengthen the defensive coverage area.

Although he was promoted from assistant coach, he is very familiar with the operation of Leeds United.

It was also under his leadership that the team successfully weathered the crisis of the head coach's dismissal.

After losing the ball, Leeds United did not rush, but patiently organized the attack.

Antenucci on the striker's frequent activities on the left shifted Bournemouth's defensive focus here.

Eddie Howe is not worried that Leeds United will use a long pass to suddenly hit his weak side.

The protection of the double midfielders allows the team to cover a wide range of horizontal areas when defending.

Leeds United repeatedly tried to hit the opponent's midfielder position and caused fouls.

He also uses constant lateral transfers to mobilize the defense of the two midfielders.

But the effect is not very good.

Bournemouth's double defensive midfielders Ritchie and Surman are like the brains of the team, sorting out the entire team's offense and directing the team's defense at the same time, achieving a balance between offense and defense.

During the 30 minutes of the game, the two men defused their opponents' threatening attacks many times and were important contributors to the team's ability to take the initiative.

The performance of the two also won rounds of applause from the home fans many times.

Taking advantage of the situation and limiting Leeds United's offense was a tactical success for Eddie Howe.

However, he always felt that the progress was a bit too smooth.

Although Redfern is the team's assistant coach, he is not so inflexible.

He attacks his defensive midfielder position and suffers repeated setbacks. Is he too confident in his player's personal abilities?

At this time, isn't it usually necessary to change tactics and take advantage of the wing?

If Redfern really has such coaching ability, I'm afraid Leeds United will be involved in a relegation battle this year.

In the first half, thanks to the strong performance of Surman and Ritchie, Bournemouth entered the halftime break with a score of 1:0.

"Well done, I feel at ease with you all behind me."

Wilson hugged the two, and it was so reassuring to have a solid defensive midfielder.

Suman wiped away his sweat and panted: "It's funny, my opponent's offense is not very good today, it's easy to defend."

Rossi saw that he kept wiping his sweat and said: "Don't work too hard, be careful that you don't have enough energy in the second half."

After listening to Rossi's words, the people around him realized that Suman's sweating was abnormal.

Generally speaking, the defensive midfielder is also responsible for defense and has very strict physical requirements. Even if he runs all over the field, he will not sweat so much in just half a game.

Suleman smiled and said: "Luo, my injury is just right, and my physical fitness is still at its best. Besides, everyone is like you. After playing a game, you don't need to take a shower."

The locker room burst into laughter.

Eddie Howe knocked on the tactical board and said: "We just scored one goal and we must expand our advantage in the second half."

Wilson said: "Boss, don't worry. With the way they are today, I will definitely score in the second half."

Judging from the performance in the first half, the opponent seemed to be really out of shape, and it was only a matter of time before a goal was scored.

Could it be that I am really too worried?

"I hope you're not talking big words." Eddie Howe drew a few offensive lines with a pen and said: "In the second half, we will still play like this. Let's take a look at the situation first."

"Sulman, if your opponent doesn't dare to press you and you continue to push back, shoot if you have the chance."

With a relaxed atmosphere, Bournemouth entered the second half of the game.

After the whistle blew, Leeds United continued to look for opportunities in the opponent's two defensive midfielders.

[This head coach is very cool. Although he can threaten the goal after breaking through both sides of Bournemouth, Surman and Ricci performed very well today and did not give them any chance.]

[At this time, I think it’s time to make some tactical adjustments instead of fighting these two positions.]

As soon as he finished speaking, the home fans booed!

Oops!

Sulman's attempt to grab the ball failed and was knocked away by Antenucci.

If you are a fan who only started watching the game in the second half, you may not be surprised.

But Surman, who had been defensively sound in the first half, made a mistake just five minutes into the game?

The home fans couldn't believe it.

Antenucci used his speed to get into the penalty area under the double-team of two people. The home fans stood up nervously.

[Antenucci used his speed to get into the penalty area, but there was no shooting angle. 】

[There is a space in the middle, no one is guarding my teammates, pass the ball!]

【Dukkara hits the door!!】

【GOAL!!!The ball is scored!】

[Leeds United took advantage of the opponent's midfielder's mistake and launched a counterattack after stealing. Antenucci's pass and Dukara's outflank shot.]

[Exactly the same as Bournemouth’s offensive routine in the first half.]

[Sulman, this mistake is too fatal.]

Just ten minutes after equalizing the score, Surman committed a foul and received a yellow card.

It also gave the opponent a well-positioned set piece.

Dukara's free kick flew towards the penalty area with strong spin. Center defender Jessup Belushi beat Elphick and headed the goal to take the lead.

After conceding two goals in fifteen minutes, it was a mistake in the midfield area. Eddie Howe was frightened and quickly asked O'Kane to warm up.

While O'Kane was waiting on the court, Leeds United stole the ball from Ritchie's feet through a half-court scramble.

Dukara sent a through ball that directly penetrated the defense and assisted Antenucci to score.

1:3!

In less than twenty minutes of the second half, Leeds United used blitzkrieg to break down Bournemouth's defense.

Eddie Howe finally understood why his opponents kept attacking him.

Now, adjustments must be made to the lower back!
Chapter completed!