THE END OF PRE-SEASON REPORT (FINAL 3 FRIENDLIES)
Just a quick report on the final 3 friendly matches (All at Anfield) before the real stuff begins.
LIVERPOOL 0-1 BENFICA
I honestly don't know
how i lost this game, i really don't (how often do you say that?).
The first half we dominated possession, had the lions share of chances, restricted Benfica to long-range pot-shots at our goal but the half finished 0-0. Second half started as the first finished but then we gave away a needless free-kick just outside the area and step up Mr Simao Sabrosa to welly it into the top corner. That was about the 69th min, then the rest of the match just seemed to
fly by... LIVERPOOL 4-1 CLUB BRUGGE
This was a friendly match but as we lost on home soil to Benfica, in my pre-match team talk i "Expected a win."
And boy did i get it. We tore them to shreds from start to finish, dominated possession, had a glut of chances and scored four cracker goals.
The lads did well.
Although we did concede in this match (the second game in a row) it was again a free kick just outside the area which
flew in - unstoppable, this pleased me as we were yet to concede from open play.
I'm afraid that was about to change...
LIVERPOOL 2-2 AS ROMA http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1474/romaja0.jpg
I started this match using my default playing style as outlined in the title thread, I'm sure now that was a mistake as when i checked the match stats on 28mins Roma were enjoying 55% possession. AT ANFIELD. They were 1-0 up and having a right old laugh so i figured it was high-time for some tweaking; as my default tactic meant my team sat back, doing so against a team so technically astute as Roma was bound to cause me problems.
I changed passing to direct and mentality to attacking (one notch above the final "normal") and the change was instantaneous - we started having chances, catching them on the counter before finally equalizing on 44mins.
Half time team talk was simple; "Don't let your performance drop!"
As we were pushed up, alas, we were caught on the counter and soon went 2-1 down. The rest of that half was spent peppering their goal before finally nailing one in the dying minutes to "earn" a draw.
CONCLUSION
You may wonder why i'm so engrossed in friendlies, but I've learned a lot out of them, I've learned a lot about my players and i'm ready to commence the season with a clearer idea of my team.
The first match of the season (as I'm Liverpool) is the community shield versus Chelsea. This is officially a "Friendly" but not when these two meet - I want to win, then I'm playing Wigan at Anfield in the 1st league game and Legia Warsaw in the U.E.F.A Champions league 3rd qualifying round (not in that order)
I Will post a screenie of my opening fixtures when i get the chance...
That all for now...
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