The Plan (1)
Barcelona has defeated Eibar 2-1 and reclaimed the top spot in the league!
Yesterday Real Madrid had taken the lead with a victory, but that position didn't last even a day. The two teams are tied with just one point separating them, and the next round is a match between these two teams.
That's right. The battle for the La Liga standings is becoming increasingly intense.
In that sense, Barcelona's decision to field a large number of candidate players and secure the victory holds great significance for them. However...
However?
The next match is an away game against Napoli in the Champions League round of 16 in three days, and there's also a match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in three days. And Real Madrid has a home match against Manchester City right before the El Clasico. How will these two teams navigate such a packed schedule? That's the question.
“……As I've emphasized many times, the players we must be most cautious about are the trio known as MIL, the three-back from Napoli: Milagros, Irina, and Raula. Irina, as everyone knows, is a style with a 203cm height and overwhelming physicality, excelling in aerial balls. And she is a player who can perfectly exploit our weaknesses.”
This is the final tactical analysis meeting before the match against Napoli. The players listening to Angela's words had expressions filled with tension.
Napoli's three-back is known as the most destructive combination in Italy right now. The central striker Irina is currently ranked second in scoring in Serie A with 15 goals.
Moreover, 9 out of those 10 goals were headers, making her an excellent header player.
Excluding Irina, the aerial bomber from Serbia, Milagros from Uruguay and Raula from Italy are also very demanding players. Milagros excels in crosses, and Raula in dense dribbling inside the penalty box. This combination of three players is evaluated as difficult to mark even in the defensive Italian league.
But that's it. If asked if this combination is the highest level in Europe, my answer would be 'No'. Among the teams that reached the round of 16, 5-6 teams have better attacking lineups than Napoli. Naturally, our team is included in that list.
The players are tense because they know the importance of this match.
After this match, only three days until the match against Real Madrid, and our season's fate is riding on it.
Napoli is not an easy opponent, and Real Madrid is not just not easy but a tough opponent. And since we decided internally not to use full strength against the relatively weaker Napoli, we have no choice but to feel more pressure in this match.
'Hah, but it's fortunate that Real Madrid is facing Manchester City.'
The only fortunate point is that Real Madrid will also face a quite grueling schedule? Manchester City won the major two competitions last season, but unfortunately, they were stopped by us in the final, finishing as runners-up in the Champions League and missing the treble.
And this season, they are leading the EPL.
In terms of schedule, perhaps Real Madrid has it a bit tougher?
It was unfortunate that the next match is at the Bernabeu, but it was quite fortunate that Real Madrid has to endure an even more intense schedule.
“……As always, Napoli will likely come out with a 4-3-3. When attacking, the three midfielders in the center are just passing through. Napoli is basically a team that shakes the sides. So, when they are defending, they are likely to drop back.”
The tactical analysis continued for several times. It was a story that everyone had heard so many times that it could be boring, but no player was not concentrating. After talking with each other for a long time, the tactical analysis time finally ended.
And the time everyone was waiting for had come.
“……Then, let's call out the players who will start tomorrow. Goalkeeper: Maximilena. Three backs: Enri-Valentina-Narcis.”
'As expected, Tiana is out.'
Tiana is one of the top three defenders in the league and easily fits into the top five in the world. Especially in build-up from defense with short passes, she was evaluated as the world's best.
But because she is a single player, she doesn't match up well with Irina, the aerial bomber nicknamed for her Serbia origin.
But Valentina's height is in the late 180s to early 190s. She claims she adjusts her height depending on condition, but anyway, she is not the type who gets pushed physically. Her height is shorter than Irina's, but her agility and speed are superior, so is there anything to worry about?
By fielding the starting left-back Narcis, it seems they planned to infuse experience into the young defensive line. Considering that the left winger Francesca is more threatening than the right winger of Real Madrid, it was a good decision to keep Anila.
As expected, Angela's mercenary tactics?
So I nodded my head and listened to Angela's next words. What was important to me right now was this part.
“And the defensive midfielder: Camila……”
Camila's name is called. Since both Camila and Eibar were substituted for 45 minutes each in the previous match, it was unknown who would play, but calling Camila's name now means that she is a candidate for the Napoli away game.
'…No choice.'
Although she was a bit disappointed for not scoring more than 3 goals in 3 matches in the Champions League this season, it was unavoidable considering the league.
“…Midfielders: Joaquina, Wasila, attacking midfielder: Lorenza, three tops: Eloya, Yuri, Arnal. Basically like this, but we will check conditions before submitting the lineup tomorrow, so the players whose names are called should do their best in condition management. That's it.”
And as expected, my name was not in the starting lineup.
'Yuri is starting. Then for the Real Madrid match, will Bruna start?'
Probably they put Yuri in the lineup because Napoli is an attacking team focused on counterattacks.
The most dangerous moment in football is not when the ball is taken and counterattacked, but when the ball is taken during the counterattack and counter-counterattacked. And Angela seems to have targeted that moment by starting Yuri.
Moreover, it seemed like they were thinking that using Yuri as a last-minute substitute against Real Madrid would be advantageous.
'Then Tiana will mark, Camila will build up from the back, Yuri will finish. Wait, then all three will be starting.'
Looking at those three, some confusing thoughts in the corner of my heart surfaced, but I erased those thoughts from my mind again. There was no time to have such thoughts now, as this schedule was one that could be considered the most important of the season.
I quickly recalled the words Angela and the coach said during the meeting time in my mind and started thinking about how I should play if I come on in the second half.
“Tina. Your role is the most important in this match. You know?”
Before the match starts, while the players were lightly warming up, Angela approached Valentina and spoke.
Angela's view of the key of today's match is Valentina. And it was only natural to check the condition of such key player.
“Yes. I know.”
“Yeah, I'm not particularly worried, but if you rush and collect cards, you must not do it. You are essential to stop Napoli's attack.”
“Of course, Coach. Just trust me.”
And in response to such Angela's question, Valentina answered confidently. Valentina knew better than anyone that her role was important today.
And personally, thinking about Ha-neul watching from the bench, she wanted to show a good appearance.
After the Hetafe match, she had tried to approach Ha-neul more actively, but Ha-neul hadn't gone out of the dormitory because she was concentrating on training.
Even inside the dormitory, she was always analyzing match videos with a tablet.
Valentina also knew that this schedule was more important than any other, but it was a pity that Ha-neul was not giving space while focusing on football.
The fortunate point was that the other friends were in the same situation as her? Especially, it was really fortunate that she didn't allow a gap to Camila, who allows the most skinship with various pranks among the friends, especially to Ha-neul.
So, Valentina decided to slightly change the strategy.
To appeal to Ha-neul, who is pouring everything into football, it was best to show a wonderful appearance on the field.
And this Napoli match was likely to be the biggest opportunity. Because Irina, Napoli's striker, was the perfect opponent to show off her strengths.
Glancing at Ha-neul, who was lightly warming up, it felt like she had already entered match mode even as a candidate.
Probably watching the match carefully from the bench too.
Valentina's heart trembled a little thinking about showing a wonderful appearance in today's match.
“Yeah, don't hit the opposing player just because you came to Italy.”
But the heart that was trembling from Angela's joke got cold. Valentina was always ready to swing her fist for Ha-neul, but hearing such words from a superior was embarrassing, there was no way around it.
“I'm not a kid.”
“You say you're tall, but you're still like a kid.”
Angela, who had been the youth general manager managing La Masia before becoming Barcelona's coach, still felt the players she taught as kids. Especially the friends like Ha-neul's child-like friends were even more so.
“Hey, I'm much taller than the coach. I grew since middle school?”
Seeing her make such childish remarks made her seem even more like a kid. And Valentina felt Angela's heart.
'If I do this well…'
At that moment, a thought flashed in her mind.
“Kid. What good is just being tall? A woman becomes a real woman by dating a man. So, do you have a boyfriend? There are probably many people contacting you because they like you.”
“Well, there are many contacting via SNS, but right now, I'm focusing on football. Coach, don't you have a good man? You'll really live alone forever?”
“You should grow up too. The best for rich women is to live alone without marrying.”
“So, you don't have a boyfriend either?”
“I'm not meeting anyone.”
“Sigh, our poor coach, I should help. If I do well in this match, please treat me to a meal on the rest day.”
“A meal? I'll carry you around.”
“I don't like that at all.”
“Haha. Yeah. Just do well in today's match. I can treat you to food anytime.”
After Angela, who had granted her request, patted her shoulder and moved to her seat, Valentina laughed inwardly.
'Since Angela and Ha-neul are close, even if Ha-neul is included in that position, she won't refuse. Ha-neul isn't the type to refuse such things.'
Anyway, it seemed there was one more reason to do well in today's match.