Football Genius Midfielder System

Rodri kept pushing forward while Leo kept tracking back. Then the two collided, and the Spanish players ended up crashing into one another!

"You simply can't afford to concede a goal like that. The first half was almost over, but now you've allowed Spain to take a lead into the second half. That's going to make the rest of this match much harder for France!"

"Against almost any other team, you wouldn't see France struggling this badly. Spain remains the toughest opponent France can face, whether in Europe or even on the world stage!"

The last thing the French fans wanted was to see Spain score first. At the last FIFA World Cup, Spain had opened the scoring as well, and France ultimately lost the match.

French fans knew exactly what it felt like to chase Spain from behind. Catching them was incredibly difficult.

So when the UEFA European Championship semifinal resumed, France's first priority was to find an equalizer.

45th minute!

"Benzema works hard to create an opening for Griezmann."

"Played across to Griezmann, back to Pogba. He hits it first time!"

"Pogba's shot is saved by Unai Simon!"

"And that's it. There's no time left in the first half, and France won't get another chance!"

By the time the first half ended, Deschamps had already disappeared from the cameras. He quickly made his way into the France locker room and began preparing his adjustments.

Deschamps had spotted several things that needed to change, and if he made the right adjustments, France might still be able to beat Spain. Spain's defensive ability, and the performance of every player across their back line, had caught him by surprise.

Stam was also discussing Spain's defense. In his view, none of the players in that back line had actually been in their best form at club level, yet somehow, once they were put together, they had performed brilliantly at the UEFA European Championship.

"Laporte actually had the chance to become a France defender. Before Spain called him up, he repeatedly expressed his desire to be selected by the French national team."

"But Deschamps never picked him. First there was Umtiti, then later Kimpembe and Lenglet. Deschamps seems to have a real preference for center backs who play in La Liga."

"Laporte eventually joined the Spanish national team, but he isn't at his best right now. I think his first two years at Manchester City were when he was at his strongest as a center back."

Having spent the past few years covering the Premier League, Gullit had seen Laporte at his peak.

"Then there's Azpilicueta. He's one of the most unusual defenders in Chelsea's current squad. Sometimes he plays extremely well, and other times he produces performances you don't even know how to explain."

"As for Gaya, he's played plenty of matches for Athletic Bilbao, but he hasn't experienced many of the biggest club competitions. Rodri, meanwhile, is probably the player in Spain's back line with the most experience on the biggest stages, because he comes from Liverpool."

"And yet the player with the most big-game experience is the one who isn't even a natural defender."

"But somehow, this defensive line looks almost impossible to break down."

That was extremely high praise from Stam. As a former elite defender himself, his standards for defenders were exceptionally demanding.

Yet Spain's back line had barely put a foot wrong throughout the first half. Rodri's marking of Benzema had been particularly effective, allowing Laporte to keep Mbappé under control.

Azpilicueta had not lost Pavard once either.

Scholes believed Deschamps would make changes, and he expected Benzema to be taken off.

"I don't know what the French fans are thinking after watching this match, but if I were Deschamps, I'd bring Giroud on for Benzema."

"The two of them have always been compared and debated by French fans, but judging purely by what this particular match requires, I think Giroud might be a better fit than Benzema."

"I think he can bring out the best in Mbappé. They've played plenty of matches together."

That was exactly why Scholes believed France should introduce Giroud. In his view, Giroud could get more out of Mbappé, while his height and strength would also make him better suited to battling Laporte.

At that moment, Deschamps was inside the France locker room. He first informed Benzema that Giroud would replace him for the second half, then called Giroud over.

Deschamps knew that if France were going to change the course of the match, Giroud would be the key.

"I know you're unhappy that you haven't started at this UEFA European Championship, and I understand that. But I believe you have what it takes to change this match for France, so I'm putting you on for the second half."

Giroud had enormous respect for Deschamps, and his response was unmistakable. Whatever Deschamps needed him to do, he would do it.

"They had Rodri marking Benzema throughout the first half. Once you go on, Rodri will almost certainly mark you as well."

"When we attack, I want you to keep moving toward Laporte. That will free Mbappé to attack Rodri."

"Whenever you get the ball, I know what you're capable of. I don't care how you do it. As long as it's within the rules, use whatever kind of pass you want. Just get the ball to Mbappé."

Deschamps then turned to Mbappé.

"In the second half, I want you attacking Rodri's side. Gaya is the fullback to Rodri's left. He's quick, but I'll have Rabiot occupy him."

Deschamps was going to switch things around. Rabiot, who had been playing on the left side of midfield, would move over to the right, while Pavard would shift to the left.

From there, Pavard would concentrate almost entirely on defending, while Rabiot would focus on attacking. His job was to keep Gaya occupied so Mbappé could go directly at Rodri.

Everyone thought Rodri had performed well as a defender in the first half, and Deschamps agreed.

But Rodri was still a midfielder playing in defense. He was bound to retain certain habits from midfield, and those habits might give Mbappé something to exploit.

After all, Mbappé had tremendous speed and excellent finishing ability.

News that Deschamps was bringing on Giroud soon reached Hierro.

"No problem. We'll defend the same way we did in the first half and keep tight to the French players. Laporte, do everything you can to contain Mbappé. Azpilicueta will be ready to help you whenever necessary."

With both sides having made their adjustments, the second half of the UEFA European Championship semifinal began.

No one could face France without feeling some pressure, just as no one could face Spain without feeling the same.

But when the players returned to the pitch and the two head coaches took their seats again, there wasn't a trace of nervousness on any of their faces.

53rd minute!

Laporte stayed tight to Mbappé, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Mbappé might burst free at any moment.

Not far away, Giroud was watching closely, clearly waiting to carry out something they had planned.

Griezmann dropped deep to receive the ball once again. This time, he went long.

Giroud should have stayed near Rodri, but instead he suddenly charged toward Laporte. Griezmann's pass was headed in the same direction.

Laporte tried to reach out and hold Mbappé back, but Mbappé had already used his speed to break free and sprint toward Rodri.

Giroud was the one receiving the pass, but his real objective was to get the ball to Mbappé.

...

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