Football: Salary System - Chapter 119: Simeone’s Choice (Patreon)

Unlike the fans tearing into each other online, the pre-match press conference at Westfalenstadion was remarkably cordial.

Facing the reporters, Favre continued his usual habit of talking up the opposition in a serious tone.

“The UEFA Champions League is different from the league. Atlético Madrid are an extremely difficult team to face. For years, their defense has been among the best in Europe.

“They also have top-class players like Griezmann and Diego Costa up front, so their attacking threat is considerable as well.

“Our performances have earned praise from all sides, but Atlético Madrid are on a different level from the Bundesliga opponents we’ve faced. We can’t afford to get carried away.”

The reporters in the room weren’t surprised. By now, they had grown used to the Swiss coach’s way of speaking.

How many times had Favre warned everyone not to be optimistic, only to turn around and watch his team batter the opposition?

But this kind of mutual praise wasn’t exclusive to Dortmund.

Diego Simeone, famous for his passion and uncompromising style, also spoke highly of Dortmund in his interview.

“Dortmund are in excellent form. They lead the Bundesliga, and with 80,000 supporters behind them in this magnificent stadium, they’ll be pushed to an even higher level. Their transitions are extremely dangerous, they have tremendous pace out wide, and those young players in attack are particularly threatening.

“We have to play very intelligently and make the most of our own strengths if we want to take anything away from here.”

Reporters familiar with La Liga were equally unsurprised.

Lavishing praise on the opposition before a match was standard practice for Simeone.

Building the opponent up and keeping his own players alert and hungry was far more effective than belittling them.

...

October 24.

Westfalenstadion had become a boiling sea of yellow and black.

The intimidation of this place had never come from the roar and singing of 80,000 supporters alone.

In the South Stand, the world-famous Yellow Wall was slowly unveiling a massive tifo.

An enormous image of a Dortmund supporter wearing a club cap and holding binoculars covered the entire stand. Behind him was the outline of the UEFA Champions League trophy, while the lenses of his binoculars reflected the same trophy, the symbol of the summit of European football.

Across the bottom of the giant tifo, bold German lettering read:

“Auf den Spuren des verlorenen Henkelpotts.”

“In Search of the Lost European Cup.”

“Welcome to Matchday 3 of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League group stage. Dortmund host Atlético Madrid here at Westfalenstadion.”

Commentator Matthäus sounded impressed.

“No matter how many times you come here, this stadium always gets the blood pumping.”

His partner Hellmann nodded repeatedly.

“Westfalenstadion is one of the most intimidating grounds in Europe.

“This match has been described as Favre’s first ‘major test.’ Lothar, what do you make of it?”

“In my view, Simeone may actually be facing the tougher test.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

Matthäus didn’t hold back.

“Atlético’s performances so far this season can only be described as poor. They have just 16 points from their first nine league matches. That’s their worst La Liga start at this stage of a season since Simeone took charge.”

Hellmann glanced down at the statistics sheet in his hands.

“That’s true. By comparison, Dortmund have taken 22 points from seven wins and one draw in the Bundesliga, the best start in the club’s history. The two teams could hardly be coming into this match in more different form.”

“Of course, that doesn’t mean Dortmund will have an easy time of it. If they switch off for even a moment, Atlético could leave here with all three points.”

[That Yellow Wall tifo is incredible.]

[They really are searching for the lost European Cup. Dortmund haven’t won the UEFA Champions League since 1997.]

[Man, that brings back memories of Wembley in 2012-13...]

[Atlético have been poor in the league this season, but Los Colchoneros in the UEFA Champions League are a different beast.]

[Simeone: timid in the league, throwing punches in the UEFA Champions League.]

The stirring UEFA Champions League anthem rang through Westfalenstadion.

“The players are walking onto the pitch alongside the mascots. Let’s take a look at the starting lineups.”

“For the home side, Dortmund, Favre has once again gone with his favored 4-2-3-1.

“Apart from veteran fullback Piszczek coming into the side, there are no changes to the back line compared with recent matches.

“The main changes today are in attack. Götze starts as the attacking midfielder. Captain Reus has moved out to the right, while Pulisic returns from injury to start on the left.

“And leading the line, naturally, is their prolific striker Zayn Ryder.”

“Pulisic has gone straight back into the starting lineup after recovering from injury. Favre clearly can’t wait to use his pace and direct running to stretch Atlético’s defense.

“As for Götze, Favre likely wants to give the former golden boy an opportunity on the cup stage. At the same time, he’s keeping Sancho on the bench as an option to change the game later.”

“Now let’s look at Atlético Madrid. Simeone has gone with a very traditional 4-4-2.

“Goalkeeper: Oblak.

“Defenders: Juanfran, Godín, Lucas Hernández, Filipe Luís.

“Midfielders: Koke, Thomas Partey, Saúl, Lemar.

“Forwards: Griezmann, Diego Costa.

“Simeone has made one particularly interesting choice in midfield. Thomas Partey starts in the holding role, while Rodri Hernández, who has been performing consistently well in La Liga, begins on the bench.”

“That is a little surprising. Rodri’s performances this season have been there for everyone to see. His positional awareness and composure in possession have raised Atlético’s control of midfield to another level.”

Matthäus frowned thoughtfully for a moment before beginning to break down the Argentine coach’s thinking.

“I think I understand what Simeone is trying to do.

“Dortmund may be at home, but Favre’s team often willingly gives up some possession, allowing the opposition to push forward before accelerating the moment the ball changes hands.

“Against that kind of approach, Rodri would certainly help Atlético control midfield and dictate the tempo. But Rodri is more of an organizer and doesn’t offer as much aggression going forward.

“Thomas Partey is different. The Ghanaian is extremely strong, explosive, and willing to carry the ball forward.

“He can make late runs from deep and play vertical passes.

“Simeone clearly doesn’t want his team simply sitting back in their own half.

“So Thomas may be responsible not only for the defensive work. More importantly, once Atlético regain possession, he can drive forward himself or move the ball to Griezmann and Diego Costa as quickly as possible.”

[Got it. Simeone isn’t just trying to hold Dortmund off. He wants to knock them out with one punch on the counter.]

[Thomas really is stronger physically than Rodri.]

“It’s a very brave choice. If Thomas pushes forward and fails to recover in time, space will open up behind him. And Dortmund’s attacking players are at their best when exploiting exactly that kind of space.”

“Exactly. This match could easily turn into a midfield war.

“So the key to deciding the battle between ‘Modern Jazz’ and the ‘Iron Army’ may well lie right through the middle.”