Intra-squad scrimmages generally don't have any tactics to speak of. The head coach won't separately instruct the two teams either. Basically, they just play according to what they usually do in training.
On the main team's side, Kerzhakov and Panov are both speed-type forwards. Both are short, Kerzhakov at one meter seventy-six and Panov at one meter sixty-six. So the main team's main tactic is definitely playing on the ground.
On the substitute team's side, because they have Chen Hero, who is one meter ninety-two, as a high point, the substitute team chose to play crosses from the wings, aiming for that high point.
Compared to the main team's complex coordination, the substitute team's side is much simpler.
After the players get the ball, they either play it directly to the wings, or send a long pass looking for Chen Hero, this high point, to head the ball down to teammates rushing up from behind.
On the main team's side, Kerzhakov and Panov have similar styles and technical characteristics, leading to overlapping positions and mutual interference. The teammates also don't know how to coordinate with them. In this situation, everyone naturally chooses to coordinate with teammates they are familiar and have good chemistry with. So Kerzhakov became the most popular person, the ball repeatedly sent to his feet.
On the substitute team's side, because there is only Chen Hero as a forward, the ball always ends up at his feet in the end.
He has many more opportunities to perform than Panov.
Substitute team teammate, Ukrainian defensive midfielder Olexandr_Gorshkov, sent a long pass forward, directly looking for Chen Hero.
Chen Hero discovered that the "Aerial Master" talent can not only be used for shooting, but is also useful whenever the head is involved!
He judged the landing point, leaned against Korean defensive midfielder Lee Ho behind him, and didn't rush to jump, but observed the surroundings. When the ball was about to arrive, he suddenly shot up into the air!
Chen Hero was already making it difficult for Lee Ho just by leaning on him. This giant of one meter ninety-two and ninety-three kilograms putting his full weight on him forced Lee Ho to clench his teeth to barely support himself. All of his strength was used to resist Chen Hero's weight. When Chen Hero suddenly removed his strength and jumped up, Lee Ho actually took a step forward. How could he have time to jump up and compete for the header?
Without an opponent, Chen Hero easily headed the ball to Ilya Maximov next to him. This nineteen-year-old attacking midfielder chested the ball down.
Like Chen Hero, he was promoted from the youth team. Although he is only one year older than Chen Hero, he is considered Chen Hero's senior, because he was first transferred to the first team as early as the 2004 season. Last season, he was also transferred to the first team and had appearances in the Russian Premier League. This season, he is permanently in the first team, currently representing the team in two home games, one start and one substitute appearance, with two assists, performing quite well.
Technique and passing are his strengths. The only problem is a lack of experience.
After Chen Hero headed the ball to him, he turned around and ran forward as soon as he landed.
Maximov did not pass a direct through ball, that's not Chen Hero's style. Although this big guy isn't slow, his strongest point is still his head. This is the result Maximov observed after training together for almost two weeks.
So after receiving the ball, he directly passed the ball to the wing. Because the substitute team's tactics are simple, the full-backs are very active in moving forward.
The person who received the ball was Czech winger Radek_Sirl. His characteristics are good crosses from the wing, fast speed, and the ability to shoot from distance.
Seeing the ball passed to Sirl's feet, Chen Hero accelerated his speed, decisively moved forward, and rushed into the penalty area.
The main team's center backs became nervous—everyone knows that Chen Hero's heading ability is very powerful now, and plus he's so big, it's really hard to stop him when he jumps.
"Don't let him jump..." Main goalkeeper Kontrphalssky basically wanted to say "Don't let him jump up," but he immediately thought that it would be difficult not to let Chen Hero jump up, so he quickly changed his words: "Don't let him cross!"
He shouted a little late. Sirl crossed the ball at the first opportunity, heading straight for the penalty area!
Erik Hagen appeared in front of Chen Hero, and helping him by his side was Martin Škrtel. The two main center backs joined forces to double-team Chen Hero, showing how much they valued him.
Chen Hero was not afraid of the two center backs, and still rushed straight up.
But just when everyone thought he would collide head-on with Hagen and Škrtel, he suddenly slammed on the brakes, then quickly took a step back, and jumped backwards!
Neither Hagen nor Škrtel expected Chen Hero to pull such a move. They were stunned for a moment, and no one rushed up to defend.
Chen Hero headed the ball while leaning back! But such a header was too difficult. The ball went directly over the crossbar and flew out of the baseline...
Chen Hero, sitting on the ground, watched the ball fly over the crossbar, and patted the grass in frustration, then got up and turned to run back.
Hagen and Škrtel looked at each other, and both saw surprise in each other's eyes. Such a huge body yet so flexible, it's really rare...
Chen Hero completely ignored how Panov was performing. Anyway, he only cared about jumping up to compete for the header again and again, giving full play to his heading advantage, not only when heading for goal, but also when receiving teammates in midfield. After the substitute teammates discovered how useful Chen Hero's head was, they basically abandoned the idea of playing on the ground. When they got the ball in the backcourt, they just kicked a long pass directly to the top of Chen Hero's head.
Chen Hero then retreated to the midfield area to receive the ball, facing off against Lee Ho. He used his heading and physical advantages to abuse Lee Ho again and again, showing no mercy. Poor Lee Ho, just because he rolled his eyes at Chen Hero and showed disdain, he was abused by Chen Hero again and again.
If Lee Ho knew Chen Hero had this kind of temper, maybe he would never have wanted to offend this guy again...
Although his heading was stable when heading the ball down to teammates, Chen Hero still wanted to pursue goals. He knew very well that as a forward, especially a center forward, the only standard for measurement is goals.
As long as you score a goal, everything is easy to say. Not to mention forwards, look at those defenders, as long as they can score a few goals, they are immediately praised to the skies. Even if their defense is terrible, as long as they can score, they are world-class defenders.
Chen Hero tirelessly pursued goals. But first, he had to break through the defense of Hagen and Škrtel.
After he tricked Hagen and Škrtel with his retreating back-lean, they changed their defensive tactics. One person still entangled him head-on, while the other lurked on the side.
Leaning back to compete for the header is already difficult. As long as there is a slight interference, it's basically either too high or off target. So Chen Hero thought about it, he still had to charge straight ahead and use his body to compete with the opponent!
Moreover, now there is only one Hagen intercepting him head-on. The defensive pressure he faces is much smaller. This is an opportunity!
When the ball was passed to the front of the goal again, Chen Hero didn't retreat this time, but went straight up!
When Hagen realized that Chen Hero wasn't faking this time, it was too late to signal Škrtel to stop this giant with him.
He could only jump up alone to face this guy.
Before, Hagen would always double-team Chen Hero with Škrtel, so this was Hagen's first time personally experiencing Chen Hero's explosiveness!
Chen Hero jumped high, flying towards the landing point of the ball. Hagen jumped in place, wanting to head the ball out before Chen Hero.
Chen Hero knew how powerful this Norwegian captain was. He is one meter eighty-five tall and weighs eighty-four kilograms, also very, very strong. His heading is excellent, and unlike some defenders, he is not afraid of physical contact like collisions at all. Even if the opponent is taller and stronger than him, he dares to face him head-on. He is a very difficult guy to deal with.
Even if it's just him alone, he can bring a lot of threat to me.
But now the arrow is on the string, Chen Hero has no choice, he can't choose to avoid it. And... as a center forward, it is natural to confront all kinds of center backs. He can't retreat, and he won't retreat!
Erik Hagen's face was fierce, and Chen Hero's expression wasn't much better.
The two met in the air, Chen Hero's shoulder hit Hagen's chest.
Hagen's body tilted, but his good balance allowed him not to fall directly, but to reach out and grab Chen Hero's shoulder, pressing down hard, while also reaching out to head the ball.
When Hagen grabbed his shoulder, Chen Hero also felt his body tilt, and the upward force was significantly weakened.
If he is suppressed by the opponent like this, then he won't be able to head this ball!
Chen Hero was always suppressed by Hagen in training. If he is suppressed this time, how can he win the coach's favor and be selected for the match roster?
So, absolutely not!
If I can't even deal with Erik Hagen, how can I become a football hero? In the outside world, there are many people more powerful than Hagen!
Chen Hero gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his neck, and then twisted his waist, rushing towards the ball regardless of everything.
The heads of the two looked like they were about to collide!
But they eventually brushed past each other!
Chen Hero headed the ball first. A muffled sound rang in his ears, and he could feel the impact.
He couldn't keep his eyes open all the time. When his forehead made contact with the ball, he still reflexively closed his eyes. But he quickly opened them, and the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of the ball.
The ball was still in flight, and main goalkeeper Kontrphalssky's hand was next to it, but he couldn't stop it. The ball flew into the goal first!
"Wow! Beautiful!" Someone among the coaches watching the game from the sidelines exclaimed.
This was the first time Chen Hero had scored in a one-on-one battle with Hagen!
Temporary referee Potter's whistle sounded: "Goal!"
The two landed at the same time, neither of them fell to the ground. Chen Hero turned around, raised his fist, and roared, "Good!!"
Hagen watched Chen Hero's back as he raised his fist and roared, one hand on his chest—where Chen Hero had hit him.
Martin Škrtel, who had been a spectator throughout the process due to the suddenness of it all, said to him, "Is it swollen?"
Hagen grinned: "No!"
Škrtel laughed.