Chapter 699 Long Diagonal Pass

Choosing to leave the city of Milan where he had played for more than ten years, leave the Italy where he had grown up, and go to the unfamiliar England full of unknown dangers. Pirlo made a very bold and courageous decision a year ago.

In the past year, countless reporters hoped to dig out the inside story from Pirlo's mouth about his departure from AC Milan. However, in the only few separate interviews, Pirlo stated that he chose to join Tote. The reason for Naham Hotspur is that he is eager to accept a new excitement and challenge.

The most he explained was to defend himself. He said that he did not join Tottenham Hotspur for money, because the salary he could get at Tottenham Hotspur was the same as playing for AC Milan and other teams. Including the salary package offered by Juventus is much lower because he has to accommodate Tottenham Hotspur's overall salary structure.

However, some media revealed that Pirlo did cut his salary by half to join Tottenham Hotspur. However, under Tottenham Hotspur’s business operations and according to the team’s usual salary plus commercial development salary model, Pirlo’s His income is not lower than when he was in AC Milan, and may even be higher, because half a year after joining the team, Tottenham Hotspur helped him sign 13 sponsorship contracts.

There is no doubt that in less than a year, after a free transfer, Pirlo, who was considered to be old before the season, conquered the fans of Tottenham Hotspur and the entire Premier League, relying on his skills. and his reserved and low-key character.

Pirlo's arrival has given Tottenham Hotspur's overall style of play a continuation. His short and long passes are very accurate and excellent. He can control the ball, organize and use various means to change the ball. With the team's rhythm, he made all Tottenham fans forget about Cesc Fabregas, David Silva and Yaya Toure.

When almost all media around the world evaluate the best transfer signings this season, Pirlo must be ranked first. There is no suspense about this, because a player who joined for free can play such a wonderful world. Top level, who could ask for more?

Pirlo's outstanding performance in the Premier League even made Allegri of AC Milan have to admit one thing when he was criticized by AC Milan fans, "There is nothing to regret letting go of Pirlo, but he He is a very good player!”

Some media even revealed that Galliani is still somewhat dissatisfied with Allegri over Pirlo's departure.

After the draw results for the Champions League quarter-finals came out, all reporters and media were excited. Because Pirlo returned to the San Siro Stadium, this battle will attract the attention and attention of the world.

What is unexpected is that two days before the game, Tottenham Hotspur decided to arrange for him to accept an exclusive interview with Gazzetta dello Sport after seeking Pirlo's consent. In this interview, Pirlo was the first For the first time, he mentioned the real reason why he left AC Milan, which was that he and AC Milan had basically reached a contract renewal terms, but Allegri's attitude caused the club to waver, and in the end he felt insulted, so he Decided to leave the team.

"I believe that all professional players want to play in a team that recognizes our importance. When you realize that your team can no longer give you such attention, you will definitely be disappointed, so I chose Although I left, my relationship with AC Milan is still very good. When we broke AC Milan’s unbeaten record of 58 games, I received congratulatory messages from almost all my Milan teammates.”

"Are Berlusconi and Galliani there?" the reporter asked.

"No!" Pirlo shook his head, "But I respect them very much!"

"Ye Qiu is a great head coach. I have experienced many head coaches in my career, but there has never been anyone like him. He arranged almost everything very clearly and prepared very well, even for every game. Before the game, we will be organized to watch the opponent’s analysis video, which is a very detailed and targeted analysis.”

"The moment we stepped onto the court, we figured out everything about our opponent very clearly and thoroughly. We had a very professional and huge team behind us silently supporting us, which made us invincible, but more importantly This team has a strong spirit. Everyone is eager to keep working hard, keep improving, beat teammates and opponents. This strong belief allows us to perform at the best level in every game. !”

After hearing this, the reporter from Gazzetta dello Sport nodded, "Many Pirlo fans have discovered a very interesting phenomenon. Pirlo has played very amazing statistics in the Premier League this season, with both goals and assists setting new career highs. , but more importantly, you are almost thirty-three years old, but your average number of passes and success rate per game are very amazing. You have not been troubled and affected by injuries throughout the season, and your average running distance per game is also very amazing. To reach eleven kilometers, it’s something you’ve never done before.”

Pirlo laughed after hearing this, "Yes, as I just said, we have a very large and very professional and advanced team behind us. They tell me every day that if you want to continue to perform well, What should I pay attention to, how should I arrange training, etc. They are the most professional team I have ever seen! ”

"Are you talking about Theobald Research Center?" the reporter tried to ask.

Pirlo smiled and said nothing. This is the core secret of Tottenham Hotspur. After a pause, he continued: "I think I have to thank my teammates for such a good performance this season. I have a group of top teammates in the world. You know, when you are surrounded by such a group of outstanding teammates, your passing will become very easy."

"Of course, there is also our head coach, Mr. Ye Qiu. He is a genius, but not just a genius in the field of head coach. I know that he will change the entire football world one day. I have no doubt about it, and I am very honored and proud to be a part of his entire plan. This is an honor for any professional player."

"I feel that I play for a great team that has the opportunity to rival the Michels all-out attack and defense era, or the Sacchi Milan dynasty era, which can create history. Now, I feel that I have never been as strong as I am today in my career!"

"Really?" The reporter tried to ask.

"Very sure!" Pirlo nodded seriously.

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This statement appeared on the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport the day before the game, before Tottenham Hotspur came to Milan, and immediately caused a huge response throughout Milan and the world. Many people affirmed it, but many people questioned it.

Those who affirmed it believed that Pirlo had indeed reached the peak of his career this season, both in terms of data and performance, and more importantly, he became the main midfielder of this historic Tottenham Hotspur team.

But some people also questioned that this was a psychological tactic of Tottenham Hotspur, the purpose of which was to split AC Milan before the game, especially when Allegri was at odds with many players in the team, such as Nesta.

The current situation of this AC Milan veteran is the same as Pirlo last season. Some media even broke the news that he almost had a fight with Allegri in the locker room. Although Allegri was forced to rely on Nesta in some games, Allegri set obstacles for Nesta on the issue of the team's contract renewal.

As a result, before the game, when the players of both teams lined up to leave the locker room, Pirlo joked with Nesta, the only player in the AC Milan starting lineup who could speak, and asked him jokingly whether he had also received a Cartier pen with the Milan team logo, and whether he was willing to switch to the Premier League like himself last summer.

"Don't worry, Alessandro, I will help you get revenge!" Pirlo said with a smile to Nesta's ear.

"With me here, don't even think about it!" The former world's top central defender responded with a provocative smile.

In fact, in the game, Nesta did play a very outstanding peak battle. He used his outstanding performance against Tottenham Hotspur to prove one thing, that he is indeed 36 years old, but he can continue to persevere, because he has never been a central defender who relies on his body to make a living.

Maldini can play until he is 40 years old, and Nesta can do the same!

This is not only to help AC Milan defeat its opponents and gain some bargaining chips for its contract renewal, but also a way for a top superstar to prove his dignity. He wants to tell everyone that although he is old, he is still one of the strongest central defenders in the world.

So in the game, Nesta not only performed well himself, but also showed his outstanding ability as a defensive commander. He commanded the defensive partners such as Mex, Antonini and Abate, and the four offensive and defensive midfielders in the frontcourt, organized tight defense again and again, and resolved Tottenham's waves of attack.

Watching the time pass by, from the first half to the second half, although Tottenham had an overwhelming advantage and got an amazing ball possession rate, they still failed to effectively break AC Milan's goal.

Is this game really going to end with a draw?

Pirlo was unwilling to give up. He had imagined many times what it would be like when he returned to the San Siro Stadium. He even thought before the game that he would try to beat AC Milan away from home no matter what. He wanted to use a victory to tell Allegri that giving up on him a year ago was the biggest mistake he had made since coaching AC Milan.

But Pirlo is about to turn 33. He has passed the age of losing his mind because of anger. He knows very well that anger is his motivation, but he must not let anger control his thoughts, so he is patiently waiting for the opportunity.

Ye Qiu quickly made adjustments, replacing the poorly performing left back Marcelo and Raul at the same time.

Although Raul performed very well after coming on as a substitute against Naples before, and became the hero of the team's promotion, Raul, who started again in this game, performed very poorly. Under the joint clamp of Nesta and Mex, Raul failed to get the same playing space as in the game against Naples.

This time Ye Qiu replaced Raul with Neymar, moved Messi to the middle, and Ribery and Neymar formed the two wings.

The former Real Madrid captain also looked dejected when he left the field. He has had fewer and fewer opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur this season, and he himself is very aware of his situation. His physical condition has made it difficult for him to adapt to such intense Premier League and Champions League competitions. Beckham previously told him that he would retire in the summer, and he also thought about leaving the team.

The team's sponsors in the Middle East also wanted to invite Raul to play in the Middle East and offered him a high salary. This was also an option for Raul, after all, he could continue to play in a semi-retired state.

After a round of adjustments, Tottenham Hotspur's control over the game situation seemed to loosen, and AC Milan began to have the opportunity to counterattack, and all this was pushed by Pirlo behind the scenes, because Ye Qiu told him that the purpose of letting AC Milan counterattack appropriately was to hope that AC Milan could press out and play, so that the defense would definitely loosen.

But it was obvious that Allegri was very careful, and the counterattack still relied more on Pato, Cassano and Boateng and other three front players to complete it. He was unwilling to invest more troops in the counterattack, obviously to ensure his backcourt defense.

Seeing this situation, Pirlo could only wait for another opportunity.

"It seems that Allegri really holds the attitude of a draw is a victory!" Mauro Tassotti also felt a headache. Once the Italian team holds the attitude to defend, it will be very difficult to break through.

0:0 at home, this score is not necessarily a bad thing for both sides. Tottenham Hotspur did not score an away goal. Although Milan could not beat the opponent at home, they had the opportunity to go all out away from home. As long as they got an away goal, they would have the advantage.

This away goal mechanism in the Champions League knockout stage is indeed a very complex test for both sides, almost all-round. It is this away goal mechanism that creates the suspense and viewing of the Champions League knockout stage.

Ye Qiu certainly guessed Allegri's attitude, "Since he plans to do this, let's take another step forward!"

After saying that, Ye Qiu walked to the white line in the away team's command area and shouted at the players on the court. He was changing gestures in his hands, indicating that the players should do more on the two sides and continue to strengthen the side attack.

After receiving Ye Qiu's instructions, Tottenham Hotspur began to launch an offensive on the side.

Pirlo made a long diagonal pass near the center circle, which landed accurately on the right side. Ribery, who had switched to the right side, sprinted forward quickly in the direction of attack. After unloading the ball with his foot, left-back Antonini quickly caught up and blocked Ribery's inward route, and Nesta also blocked Ribery and Messi very cleverly.

One-on-one, Ribery was sure to break through Antonini, but even if he passed, he would be trapped in the opponent's double-team, so Ribery felt that he had no chance and knocked the ball back. Kyle Walker rushed up from behind, received the ball, and wanted to cross, but AC Milan was obviously prepared. Kyle Walker's cross ball landed very well, and Allegri asked the players to be careful before the game.

Van Bommel rushed up quickly, forcing Kyle Walker to have no chance to cross. He made an emergency stop and dunked the ball, and knocked the ball back directly to Pirlo who was dragging behind in the middle.

After passing the center circle, Pirlo was outside the 30-meter area of ​​AC Milan. When he received the return pass from Kyle Walker, he glanced at the left. This kind of left-right attack routine is not uncommon in Tottenham Hotspur's offense, especially after Pirlo joined this season. Almost all of his diagonal long passes are diagonal attacks, looking for two flanks.

Neymar and Messi were in the penalty area. Because Ribery and Kyle Walker launched an offensive on the right side of Tottenham Hotspur just now, AC Milan's defense tended to its left side, and there were some gaps on the right side.

After Pirlo stopped the ball and turned to the left, Boateng rushed to Pirlo at the first time, but the latter made a long diagonal pass with his left foot, and the landing point was just in front of AC Milan's baseline.

The ball crossed a large area of ​​the half court and landed accurately about ten meters from the bottom line. At some point, the substitute left back Alba quickly passed the defense zone of the right back Abate and kicked the ball before it landed, hooking and unloading it, stopping it very well.

Pirlo's long pass has its own characteristics, that is, the person receiving the ball is very comfortable.

Xavi Alonso should be regarded as the player with the longest accurate long pass distance in today's football after Beckham gradually withdrew. He can pass the ball from his own penalty area to any point in the middle of the opponent's penalty area, but this kind of ball has a good landing point, but it is very difficult to receive the ball, so he has a lot of long passes, and the landing point is also very good, but the success rate is not high.

Barcelona's midfielder Xavi has another characteristic. He rarely uses long passes, so he is the player with the least long passes among the top midfielders in active service, but the success rate is the highest, reaching 92.4%. This cannot be said that Xavi's long pass strength is the strongest, because he is the least adventurous and will not launch a long pass without sufficient confidence.

Scholes is another player with excellent long pass ability. His long pass has a small arc and a relatively fast speed. The precision distance is not as good as Xabi Alonso, but the accuracy rate is very high. It is mainly reflected in finding the two wings in the middle, or passing from the two wings. He is a player who has a good grasp of the scale between precision distance and accuracy.

Pirlo's passing ability is very good, which is reflected in his good long and short passes, but what really stands out is that he not only passes the ball, but also uses the pass to tell his teammates how to launch an attack.

It's like sometimes he sees that there is a very dense defense area in front of you, and the defensive players are ready to double-team you, so he passes the ball to you in the back position, so that you stop and turn quickly, and the moment you receive the ball, you just get rid of the defense. Sometimes he thinks that your position is too far back, so he passes the ball to you in front, so that you rush forward, and just break through the opponent's defense.

There are really not many players with this kind of passing awareness, and they are rare. Xavi is one of them, and there is also Riquelme, while Xavi Alonso, Scholes and others are more about sorting and distributing the ball.

This is why Pirlo was named one of the 20 people who influenced football history.

Just like the long diagonal pass he made to Alba, the Spanish left back rushed up, because the ball was passed diagonally from the middle to the left, so Alba had to stop the ball to his right, that is, close to the middle, and the landing position was very good, behind Abate's defense area, and he could pass the ball as soon as he stopped.

In fact, as soon as Alba stopped the ball, without waiting for his reaction, Abate, who quickly returned to defense, approached and made a direct cross.