Today, Zhao Zhao's starting lineup was originally a 4-3-3, but besides the front three, the three midfielders, Larsson, Cattermole, and McNair, were all more defensively oriented.
Their task was to cut off Middlesbrough's midfield passing lanes, allowing the front three to have better space to utilize their strengths.
Since he wanted to strengthen the offense, Zhao Zhao prepared to push Larsson further up, while Cattermole and McNair would form a double pivot.
Sebastian Larsson is an experienced Swedish international; at 30 years old, he has already played over 90 times for the Swedish national team, possessing rich match experience.
Of course, his greatest advantage is his versatility; besides playing in central midfield, he can also play right-back, right wing-back, right midfielder, and even right winger—in short, he can cover the entire right flank!
He can even play as a left midfielder without issue.
With Larsson playing as a right winger, Januzaj, who originally played that position, was moved to the center to play as an attacking midfielder, utilizing his excellent dribbling and passing skills.
The left winger remained Borini, and the center forward was, of course, the star player Defoe.
As for the defense, it remained the combination of Oviedo, O'Shea, Lescott, and Billy Jones, with Pickford in goal.
As a result, the formation evolved into a 4-2-3-1, and the team's overall approach was more offensive than the original 4-3-3!
Then, the simulated match began.
[You deployed a 4-3-2-1 attacking formation, while Middlesbrough responded with a traditional 4-4-2, but they also adopted an attacking style of play.]
[Sunderland quickly got into rhythm and broke the deadlock in the 10th minute with a brilliant combination. Forward Defoe received a pass at the edge of the box, cleverly laid the ball off to the overlapping Larsson on the flank, who then crossed into the box. Defoe pounced on the ball and scored past Valdés, giving Sunderland a 1:0 lead.]
[Middlesbrough was not disheartened; they equalized in the 25th minute. In a quick counter-attack, midfielder Downing delivered a precise through ball to forward Negredo, who calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper, changing the score to 1:1.]
[In the second half, both teams maintained their offensive intensity. Sunderland regained the lead in the 50th minute. From a corner kick, center-back O'Shea leaped high, out-jumping the opposing defender to head the ball into the net, giving Sunderland a 2:1 lead.]
[Middlesbrough equalized again in the 65th minute. From a free-kick opportunity, midfielder Gastón Ramírez took a direct shot. The ball curled over the wall and dipped sharply, leaving goalkeeper Pickford no chance to save it, making the score 2:2.]
[In the 75th minute, during a quick counter-attack, Middlesbrough's forward Bamford dribbled into the box and crossed. Negredo tapped in an empty net at the goalmouth, making it 3:2 and putting them ahead!]
[Sunderland did not give up. In injury time, from a quick throw-in into the box, center-back Lescott scrambled to shoot amidst the chaos, ultimately setting the score at 3:3.]
[Match simulation ended. Current simulation points: 3.]
"What the heck, how did it turn into a goal-fest?" Zhao Zhao scratched his head.
This result was unexpected for him.
What was originally a 2:1 victory turned into a draw after the adjustments; it was a loss!
Even worse, since the system only grants coaching lessons for that week if you lose a simulation, it meant he wasted 1 simulation point for nothing, which was a huge loss.
Of course, what surprised Zhao Zhao even more was that in the first simulation, Middlesbrough did indeed set up in a defensive counter-attacking stance as he expected, which allowed his possession-based style to gain an advantage and consequently win.
But this time, the opponent actually chose to go on the offensive against him!
In the end, both sides scored a total of six goals; it was practically an open game.
"I feel like this has something to do with our pre-match verbal sparring. Maybe Karanka enjoyed being insulted, so he also wanted to teach me a lesson in the match, which is why his tactics changed," Zhao Zhao nodded lightly.
In that case, it seems the later the simulation is run, the more accurate it will be.
After all, who can predict what might happen before a match that could change its course?
But it doesn't matter.
Since I know you'll use a 4-4-2 to attack me, I naturally have a counter-strategy.
Thinking this, Zhao Zhao activated the simulator again.
"Let me lure the enemy in deep and see how you respond?"
Soon, Zhao Zhao smiled.
-----------------
With the referee's whistle, the match finally began.
Zhao Zhao saw Middlesbrough's players charging forward fiercely from the very first minute, as if they were on steroids, and a faint, cunning smile appeared on his face.
Everything was unfolding according to the script!
However, amidst the cheers of fifty thousand fans at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland was not playing as aggressively.
In fact, for the first ten minutes of the match, the play was somewhat one-sided!
Middlesbrough's attacks came in waves, and the ball spent most of its time flying around Sunderland's half.
Karanka waved his arms on the sidelines, excitedly issuing attacking commands to his players, seemingly intent on taking control and overwhelming Sunderland.
Middlesbrough played a traditional 4-4-2 formation, with attacks initiated from the midfield and defense. Wingers or full-backs would often launch a long pass towards the front, looking for their strikers.
This could be said to be one of the most common tactics among lower and mid-table teams in England football.
The Spanish international Negredo, on loan from Valencia, and the English local striker Bamford, both around 190cm tall and weighing about 85kg, had a significant advantage in aerial duels.
As long as they won the header, whether directly shooting or flicking it down for an onrushing midfielder to shoot, it would pose no small threat to Sunderland's goal.
However, Zhao Zhao was well prepared for this.
Sunderland's two center-backs, O'Shea (191cm) and Lescott (190cm), certainly wouldn't back down from a challenge against the opposing twin strikers!
As for the second balls, Zhao Zhao had already instructed McNair and Cattermole, his double pivot, to position themselves in front of the opposing players and clear the ball first!
After several such exchanges, Middlesbrough seemed to be attacking vigorously, but they hadn't truly created any quality shots, nor had they forced Pickford to make any decent saves.
This situation was observed by Karanka on the sidelines, and the Middlesbrough Coach paced restlessly, shouting non-stop.
For him, winning this match today was absolutely essential.
With their survival prospects hanging by a thread, an away victory against Sunderland would be a life-saving three points!
And defeating their arch-rivals would undoubtedly stabilize his position as Coach somewhat.
His verbal spat with Zhao Zhao clearly prompted him to temporarily change his strategy to an offensive-minded one!
But as a professional Coach, he could clearly see that this so-called "advantage" on the field was completely useless.
His team's attacks seemed to flow like a tide, but whenever they reached critical areas, the pressure would suddenly increase, and then possession would be lost.
This perceived advantage on the pitch even seemed like Sunderland had handed it over!
Could this all be Zhao Zhao's strategy, and was he still holding back some nasty tricks, some later moves?
Karanka couldn't help but glance at Zhao Zhao.
But this young Coach was still sitting in the dugout, his expression normal, not showing any signs of urgency.
This made Karanka feel even more uncertain:
"No wonder even my idol Mourinho lost to him. He really seems to have something today."
"The pressure on a Coach is immense, yet he can always remain so calm, as if the situation is completely under his control. No wonder the media says he is…"
"The Calm One!"