Football Genius Midfielder System

"We've finished watching the UEFA European Championship semifinal together. What does everyone think, especially about England?"

Hierro wanted the Spain players to do a post-match review.

England had certainly played well against the Netherlands, but something about them gave Hierro a strange feeling.

Rodri ended up putting that exact feeling into words.

"I might be wrong, but I feel like England aren't particularly good at attacking or defending, yet somehow they just keep winning."

"Doesn't that feel strange? I still can't quite figure out what kind of system England are playing, but whatever it is, it wins them matches. That's how they've made it all the way to the UEFA European Championship final."

"And I noticed something very clearly. Kyle Walker and Trippier are both operating down the same side. When England attack, sometimes Walker pushes forward and sometimes he stays back, but Trippier always gets forward."

"Trippier's delivery is excellent too, which makes his crosses incredibly dangerous. Trippier and Kane are a perfect attacking combination."

"Our midfielders need to keep an eye on Kyle Walker at all times. He's quick, and you never know when he'll suddenly burst forward to join the attack. It's similar to what Rodri did against France, when he suddenly charged up from center back and scored. Wasn't England's first goal through Kyle Walker almost the same kind of move?"

Hierro was very satisfied with Rodri's answer. He then asked Leo to say a few words, knowing Leo always noticed details beneath the surface of a match.

"To all the defenders, I don't know whether you noticed something. Foden and Saka both started today, one as an attacking midfielder and the other as a left midfielder."

"But when England attack, Foden and Saka both move into midfield. Bellingham keeps making runs into the central space between the opposing center backs, Kane pushes even farther forward, and then Foden and Saka take control of the ball in midfield."

Hierro had known Leo would notice it.

Southgate's main attacking approach was essentially to have Foden and Saka get involved together.

Hierro also felt that Southgate was somewhat conservative in the way he used Foden. He seemed to want Foden to handle more restrained responsibilities. That might make England more stable, but it could also leave them short of attacking threat in the final third.

"So when England attack, our midfield has to make sure both Foden and Saka are covered."

"I don't know yet who'll start in midfield, but take Rodri and me as an example. The two of us would need to stop Foden and Saka together."

Leo smiled at Rodri.

He had plenty of experience dealing with Foden. They had faced each other many times before, and Leo had left quite an impression on him every single time.

After Foden broke into Manchester City's first team, he also found himself matched up against Leo frequently. Foden was often positioned as an attacking midfielder drifting toward the wing, then carried the ball forward to attack the opposition midfield.

At Liverpool, Leo had always been responsible for dealing with players who operated like that.

Hierro decided there was no point waiting any longer and announced the lineup on the spot.

"One reason I asked everyone to come watch this match today was to finalize the starting lineup for the final. I'm glad every one of you came."

"First, I've decided that De Gea will start in goal."

De Gea could hardly believe what he had just heard.

He hadn't started any of Spain's previous matches in the UEFA European Championship, yet now, in the final, the most important match of all and the last place anyone would normally expect a goalkeeper rotation, Hierro was actually starting him ahead of Unai Simon.

It was the boldest decision Hierro had made.

He knew De Gea had been carrying a great deal of frustration inside him, and that he would be desperate to prove he could help Spain win the UEFA European Championship.

On top of that, after evaluating him, the coaching staff believed De Gea had been outstanding in every training session throughout the tournament.

That was why Hierro had decided to restore him to the starting lineup for the final.

"Left back, Alba."

"Right back, Gaya."

"I trust both of you completely. Show Saka what a real fullback looks like."

"In midfield, Busquets and Rodri will play as a double pivot. When we attack, Busquets will remain as the lone holding midfielder, while Rodri moves up into central midfield to help Leo in attack."

Hierro chose not to start Pedri and instead went with Busquets, which even surprised Leo a little.

After all, Busquets hadn't played much in this tournament, and he was undeniably getting older.

"I don't need to say anything about Leo starting."

"Up front, Morata will play as the striker."

Morata let out a long breath of relief when he heard that he would start the final. Hierro hadn't started him against France.

"Olmo on the left wing and Sarabia on the right. We'll switch the two flanks between halves. Olmo starts on the left in the first half, then moves to the right in the second."

"To everyone who isn't starting the final, I promise you this. The moment I see something that needs changing, I'll send you on immediately, because I believe in every one of you."

Xavi and Zubizarreta stood on either side behind Hierro.

The three Spain coaches looked full of confidence.

"Leo, you're the captain. Say a few words and get everyone fired up for the UEFA European Championship final in a few days."

Leo stepped in front of the Spain squad.

"We've come through this many matches in the UEFA European Championship. Have we been afraid of anyone?"

"No!"

"I respect every team, but France are already out because of us. I believed they should have been the UEFA European Championship champions."

"So since we were the ones who knocked them out, we're going to be the champions instead."

"Let England see just how well the UEFA European Championship champions can play football."

...

Six days later.

The UEFA European Championship final.

The final battle of the tournament.

Gullit was noticeably quieter now, while Scholes had taken over the role Gullit once occupied and simply would not stop talking.

"Gullit, are you announcing the starting lineups for the final, or should I do it?"

"Gullit, why don't you say hello to everyone watching? I just saw someone in the chat say they've been a fan of yours for years."

"Gullit, say something. Why are you so quiet? Weren't you always the one who talked the most out of all of us?"

Stam could already feel Gullit's anger building.

"Scholes, maybe you should talk a little less. I'm worried that if Gullit suddenly goes after you, I won't be able to hold him back."

Scholes only kept grinning.

Then he received Spain's starting lineup and began announcing it to everyone watching.

"Spain's lineup for the final really surprises me. They're starting so many veterans!"

"Is Hierro hoping these veterans can make one final push for a major international trophy with Spain?"

...

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