Football Genius Midfielder System

"First, let's take a look at England's lineup."

"England have reached the UEFA European Championship final once again, and of course they want to lift the trophy. In almost every previous tournament, they were considered one of the favorites, only to fall short time and again in the knockout rounds, or sometimes even in the group stage."

"This time, they've finally lived up to expectations and made it all the way to the final!"

Scholes excitedly began announcing England's starting lineup.

"First, in goal, Pickford. He's Everton's starting goalkeeper and one of the leading candidates for Best Goalkeeper at this UEFA European Championship."

"Since Spain are starting De Gea, if England win the tournament, the award should go to Pickford. Otherwise, it'll probably go to Unai Simon."

"At left back, Luke Shaw, Manchester United's first-choice left back. He's in very good form and has played extremely well in Southgate's three-center-back system throughout this tournament."

"On the right is Trippier. You could also call him a right wing-back, because he'll push forward whenever England attack. Compared with Luke Shaw, Trippier has better technique and delivery, but he doesn't have Shaw's pace or ability to drive forward."

"In the middle of the back three is Stones, one of Manchester City's key defenders. He's excellent on the ball, can carry it forward, and his passing is very strong, so he'll be responsible for giving England their most direct distribution from the back."

"On the left side of the back three is Maguire, another key defender for Manchester United. He'll be on the same side as Luke Shaw, and the two should have better chemistry in defense because they play together at club level."

"On the right is Kyle Walker. He and Stones are teammates at Manchester City, and in the semifinal it was Walker and Trippier attacking together down that side that helped England eliminate the Netherlands, the team Gullit was supporting."

Gullit had no desire to hear Scholes mention his name again, but there was nothing he could do to stop him.

"Southgate still seems to be playing this a little safe. He's starting two holding midfielders, Henderson alongside Rice. Henderson plays in midfield for Liverpool, although there are reports he could move to Saudi Arabia."

"Rice is probably the most highly regarded young defensive midfielder in European football right now. His technical and tactical ability is outstanding. He almost looks like he was born to play that position. He can keep the ball, control the tempo, join the attack, and his passing is accurate too."

Scholes had always rated Rice highly, but he noticed that Bellingham had been left on the bench for this match, while the younger Foden and Saka were both starting.

"Foden and Saka are both in the lineup, and Kane is still leading the line, but what exactly are England trying to play here?"

"This shape feels pretty unusual. Foden can play either as an attacking midfielder or out wide, while Saka normally plays on the right, but that puts him in the same area as Trippier."

"Are England really going to leave the entire left side to Luke Shaw?"

Scholes couldn't work out exactly what Southgate was planning.

At that point, Gullit began going through Spain's lineup.

Ever since the Netherlands had been eliminated, especially because England had been the team to knock them out, Gullit had become a devoted Spain supporter.

All he wanted now was for Leo to lead Spain to victory over England.

If the Netherlands couldn't win the tournament, then Gullit certainly didn't want England winning it either.

"Spain's lineup is quite different from the ones they used earlier in the knockout rounds. First of all, they've brought De Gea into goal."

"Alba at left back, Gaya at right back, with Laporte and Pau Torres in central defense."

"Spain were fortunate to bring Laporte into the national team. He's already become the most important player in their back line."

"The two holding midfielders are Busquets and Rodri. You could make a strong case that this is the best double pivot any team in the tournament can field."

"As for Lin, of course he remains Spain's regular starting captain."

"On the left wing, Spain have gone with Olmo. He's played plenty of minutes earlier in the tournament, but his position has never really been fixed. Hierro tends to use him wherever the team needs him most."

"Against France, for example, Olmo's impact proved decisive in helping Spain knock them out."

"Sarabia starts on the right this time after previously playing on the left, while Morata is the striker. He didn't start against France, but Spain are clearly hoping he can cause problems for England's defenders."

"I think Morata should focus on attacking Kyle Walker's side. Walker is a top-class fullback, but since being moved to center back, his performances there haven't always been convincing."

"Walker made several defensive mistakes against France. There are certain situations you can handle one way as a fullback but not as a center back, and Walker clearly hasn't fully adapted to that yet."

"He doesn't normally play center back for Manchester City either. Southgate has moved him there specifically to make the back three work, and England could end up conceding because of it."

Every fan in the stadium had their eyes fixed on the entrance to the players' tunnel, waiting for the two finalists to emerge.

At 10 p.m., the floodlights lit up the entire stadium until it looked almost as bright as day.

Leo led Spain onto the pitch, while Kane captained England out from the other side.

Southgate and Hierro were chatting with each other, and both looked relaxed and happy.

Simply reaching the UEFA European Championship final was already a major achievement. Even if either side lost, neither coach was likely to face much criticism from the supporters.

Leo knew almost every player in England's squad.

Most were opponents he regularly faced in the Premier League, while some were teammates or personal friends.

After greeting them one by one, Leo gathered the Spain players around him.

"I don't care what tactics England are planning to use. We're sticking to the plan we prepared."

"From the opening whistle to the final one, we play our football and follow our own system."

"Play like champions, and the UEFA European Championship trophy will be ours."

The UEFA European Championship final officially began.

"Beep!"

"The UEFA European Championship final is underway. England kick off."

"Kane lays it back to Foden, with Saka offering himself on the right. From what we can see so far, England really are leaving Luke Shaw to handle the attacking duties on the left almost by himself."

If there was one England player who knew Leo better than anyone else, it had to be Foden.

Years ago, in a youth match, Foden had already suffered defeat at Leo's hands.

Some of his teammates from back then, including Palmer, hadn't been selected for this UEFA European Championship squad.

Foden had improved enormously over the years.

The moment he received the ball, he surged forward, keeping it under complete control.

Just as he was preparing to switch play toward Saka, a familiar figure appeared in front of him.

The same figure from years ago.

In that instant, Foden felt as though he had been dragged straight back six years.

Back to the days when Leo had completely dominated him.