Chapter 381 Tactical Responses
After conceding the first goal, the Benfica players became more proactive in their approach to the game. They abandoned their ultra-defensive tactics and arrayed themselves into a 4-3-3 attacking formation. Before long, they started launching continuous waves of attacks on Rosenborg's defense by relying on wing-play tactics and defense-splitting passes through the middle.
Benfica's dominance soon exceeded expectations as the midfielders in red and white started feeding more balls to their three attackers. Eventually, their relentless efforts paid off, and during the 34th minute, they created their first clear goal-scoring chance.
Enzo Pérez, one of Benfica's central midfielders, linked up well with Miralem Sulejmani, Benfica's left-winger for the night. The two players exchanged a couple of one-twos on the left flank as they circumvented opponents and speared deep into Rosenborg's half. Soon, they stepped past the border of the final third, and the ball naturally ended at Miralem Sulejmani's feet.
Miralem Sulejmani fed the ball past Tore Reginiussen, Rosenborg's right-back, before beating him for pace. Then, when the passing angle opened up, he unleashed a curling cross towards the edge of Rosenborg's box.
A rare wave of silence soon swept across the stadium as the cross was on point and heading straight towards Óscar Cardozo, the Benfica striker. Fortunately for the Rosenborg fans, Eric Bailly, one of Rosenborg's center-backs for the day, leaped high and headed the incoming ball away.
However, Eric Bailly's clearance wasn't enough to calm the tense nerves of the Rosenborg fans as the ball traveled midair, heading straight towards Rodrigo Machado.
The danger was obviously still at large for team Rosenborg since Rodrigo Machado, Benfica's right-winger, managed to control the ball just outside the box on the right flank. Before any opponent could close him down, he squared a pass into the middle to find André Gomes, Benfica's midfielder.
André Gomes didn't even pause to control the incoming ball. He just drew his leg back like a bow before swinging it down hard and fast to unleash a missile of a shot towards Rosenborg's goal.
TENSION!
It was a tense moment for Rosenborg. The ball rose from the ground and zoomed towards the inside of the right post like a bullet. But once again, Rosenborg's luck was incredible, and the effort bore no fruit.
Daniel Örlund, Rosenborg's experienced and ever-reliable goalkeeper, executed an acrobatic dive and punched the ball to save Rosenborg from conceding an equalizing goal during the 35th minute. The Rosenborg fans around the stadium finally breathed sighs of relief as the ball crossed the line and bounced out of play.
*FWEEEEEEE*
The referee blew the whistle and pointed to the corner flag.
Most players on the pitch immediately started swarming into Rosenborg's box to ready themselves for the corner. And soon, chaos descended as some players shoved their opponents away while others grabbed shirts while awaiting the corner kick.
The referee soon stepped in and warned a few players from both sides to calm things down. And finally, after a good one minute of tussling and hustling, the order returned to the box, and the referee immediately blew the whistle.
Maximiliano Pereira, Benfica's right-winger, took the corner kick and unleashed a lofted ball into the crowded area before Rosenborg's goal. And it was at that moment the players around and inside the box got into action. Some started running around to confuse opponents, while others leaped high to meet the incoming ball.
But at the end of it all, it was Óscar Cardozo, Benfica's center-forward, who came out on top. He escaped the harassment of one of the Rosenborg defenders before leaping high and planting a header towards the goal.
But once again, luck still seemed to elude team Benfica, and Óscar Cardozo's header ended up smashing off the post before heading out of play for a goal kick. The striker had missed an opportunity to score an equalizer during the 37th minute. He could only glance skyward while shaking his head with regret.
After wasting a few seconds, Daniel Örlund, Rosenborg's goalkeeper, took the goal kick, and the game continued. The Benfica players continued dictating the tempo and launching endless attacks on Rosenborg's box as they searched for the equalizing goal. They really showed the spirit of Portuguese attacking football during the next few minutes of gameplay.
Be that as it may, the Benfica players didn't manage to score no matter how hard they tried. Daniel Örlund saved three of their shots on goal while the other attempts missed the target by mere centimeters. It was as if a powerful shaman had cursed them to remain goalless during the first half.
The proceedings moved forward, and eventually, the first 45 minutes elapsed. To the relief of the many Rosenborg fans around the stadium, the referee immediately blew the whistle without adding a single minute of injury time. As a result, the players could only match down the tunnel when the score was still 1:0 in favor of Rosenborg.
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Coach Johansen was in a somber mood as he quietly watched his players settling down on the benches around the dressing room. Even though his team was leading by a goal to nil, he was still tense and nervous. He feared that his team might concede a goal at any given juncture and lose the ticket to the Europa League finals, scheduled to be played two weeks later at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy. So, the coach was eager to reorganize his team's tactics during halftime so that his players would put up a much more potent defensive display during the second half.
"Okay, guys," he said after the players had settled down and hydrated themselves. "Luck was on our side during the first half, and we're winning. But let's not get complacent since there are still 45 minutes of the second half remaining before the end of the game."
"During the late stages of the first half, you all relaxed a bit," the coach continued. "You did not work hard to tight mark and close down the opponents, and in so doing, you allowed them to come at us fiercely. I don't know what caused you to lose concentration, but all I can say is that we were lucky not to concede a goal before halftime."
The coach swept his gaze across his players. "Do you guys wish to qualify for the final?" He asked in a loud voice.
"We do, coach," the players replied almost in chorus.
"Do you dream about winning the Europa League?" Coach Johansen asked again.
"We do, coach," the players once again replied.
"Excellent," the coach said, nodding. "Your objectives are similar to mine as I also wish to win the Europa League this year. But guys! I wish to remind you that no team can win a major European Trophy without a willingness to work hard and put everything into each and every game."
"As the saying goes," the coach lowered his voice as he started pacing around the room, "A dream does not come to reality through magic, but it takes sweat, determination, and hard work. So, when you're on the pitch during the second half, remember why you're fighting and sweating. Remember what you wish to accomplish during every minute and every second of the game. Focus! Concentrate, and then remember to give your all for that dream of winning the Europa League. Guys, do you follow?"
"Yes, coach," the players replied, more or less in unison.
"Do you guys follow?" The coach asked again in a louder voice.
"Yes, coach," the players yelled back.
"Great," the coach said. "Now that we're on the same page, I'll go over the second-half adjustments. First and foremost, we'll switch to a 4-5-1 formation and play a defensive game during the second half, meaning that the two flank players will have to drop back and play as midfielders for the rest of the game. We'll remain patient and weather Benfica's attacks since we're already ahead by a goal. In so doing, we'll tempt Benfica to move forward and relax their defensive efforts. And when an opportunity arises, we counterattack and try to score. Are you guys with me?"
"Yes, coach."
"Excellent." Coach Johansen nodded and turned towards Zachary. "Zachary! The three opposing midfielders are zone-marking you once again during this game. So, as we talked about before, you must remain mobile on the pitch to render their efforts useless. You can switch into the wing and the defensive midfield positions more often. That way, you'll force your opponents to leave their positions if they insist on continuing to mark you. The rest of your teammates can then utilize the gaps the opposing midfielders leave in midfield to launch counterattacks and possibly create goal-scoring chances. Do you follow, Zachary?"
"Yes, coach," Zachary replied. "I understand."
"Then, I'm glad." Coach Johansen nodded and glanced at his watch. "The fifteen minutes of halftime are almost over. So, it's time for us to head back to the pitch for the second half. But, please remember to play as a team and remember to work hard for every moment of the game. As long as you can accomplish that, we'll become the victors tonight. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, coach."
"Excellent," Coach Johansen said, beaming. "Since everything is in order, let's prepare and head back to the pitch."
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