Gao Shen once said that the biggest difference between European players and South American players is that Europeans are more stable, so stable that they seem mass-produced on an assembly line.
Barcelona's style of precise, stable, and patient possession play is simply impossible for South American teams to replicate.
Gao Shen even always felt that Messi for Barcelona and Messi for Argentina were two completely different versions, and the reason for this difference was that Argentina simply could not play the kind of football Barcelona played.
This is not about technical ability, but about football culture and a player's playing mindset.
It is like Riquelme not fitting in at Barcelona.
The so-called creativity of South American players is actually a spirit of adventure.
Many times, the tiny gaps they perceive are also seen by European players, but the football education and influence Europeans receive from childhood tell them immediately that the pass has a low success rate.
So they instinctively avoid risk and choose not to pass.
This is by no means accidental, but very common.
Because in European football, teams demand that passing accuracy meets the standard.
In contrast, South American players are more casual. They are more willing to try risky passes, sacrificing accuracy. Sometimes they do not even consider whether their teammates can collect the ball.
In the eyes of European players, this is irresponsible.
All European academies teach players to pass to a teammate's feet, to their stronger foot, with the right weight and timing.
All of this is to facilitate the receiver's next action.
But South American players?
They do not always do that.
They will take risks, they will experiment, they will play passes that seem illogical.
Is the pass not great?
No, they will tell you that you do not have to receive it conventionally. You can respond in an unorthodox way, or even stop and go.
So when you watch South American teams, you often see risky passes and dangerous receptions, yet they still find a way to control it. Even after collecting the ball, they resolve the earlier dilemma, launch a new attack, or create a fresh threat.
It is always unexpected and surprising.
But in European football, this style is not allowed, even strictly forbidden.
Why?
Because of fear of risk.
When you misplace a pass, you give your opponent an extra chance to attack.
And taking risks often means instability.
But now, all European teams pursue stability.
Why does Barcelona always win the league?
Because they are stable, shockingly stable.
Even Messi, an Argentine who has been completely Europeanized, feels different from traditional Argentine players like Aimar and Di Maria when you watch him play.
Or rather, Messi's style is not traditionally Argentine at all.
Messi is not unique in this. As many said back then, Rivaldo did not play like a Brazilian, and Kaka did not either. The same principle applies. They are Europeanized South Americans.
In recent years, in South America, especially in Brazil and Argentina, many teams have faced a dilemma in player development. Should they choose Europeanization, or continue to stick to South American culture?
Needless to say, choosing Europeanization makes it easier to succeed in Europe.
Sticking to the South American style is tradition.
These two ideas clash and compete constantly, which has also led to the relative downturn of youth development in Brazil and Argentina in recent years.
After all, in this Europe-centered wave of possession play, South American football has never found its own position.
But South American football is born with strong adaptability, just like their on-field style, flexible and maneuverable, and they can quickly adapt to new environments.
Gao Shen believes they will adjust quickly.
He believes that in a few years, we will see another wave of South American talents, from Brazil and Argentina, emerging in European football, continuing to bring pleasing, creative football to fans worldwide.
…
This is true on a large scale, and a similar situation exists even within a team.
Toni Kroos is famous for his stability, but his passing often struggles to produce unexpected surprises or shift tempo.
Modric is relatively more imaginative and adventurous, but still not like South American players.
So Gao Shen chose Di Maria.
Fans familiar with Di Maria know him well. The Argentine can use unexpected tricks to dribble, pass, and shoot, such as his signature scissor-kick cross.
These are unimaginable for many European players.
Facing Atletico Madrid, Gao Shen chose Di Maria.
Di Maria did not disappoint.
In the 67th minute, Dzeko moved to the right, Jese stayed central, and Di Maria appeared on the left.
Real Madrid's attack on the right broke down, and Modric switched play with a diagonal pass.
The ball was a little high and slow, so when Di Maria received it, Juanfran was already set.
But the Argentine was skilled and bold, and not panicked at all.
After chesting it down, he pinned it with his left foot and dribbled inside. He carried it slowly, step by step, easing Atletico's defensive alertness.
Especially after Koke recovered his position, Juanfran visibly relaxed.
But to everyone's surprise, Di Maria suddenly accelerated, shaped to play it, then disguised and poked the ball with the outside of his left foot.
The ball seemed to have eyes, slipping past Koke's left and landing on the left side of the six-yard box.
Jese, in the middle, had originally wanted to drop in for the pass, but Di Maria's sudden ball surprised not only the defender but also him.
The young Real Madrid forward reacted quickly, spun, exploded into space, shook off Miranda in one burst, and went straight to the left side of the six-yard box. He met Di Maria's pass and finished with his left foot. The ball went through Asenjo's legs and into Atletico's net.
By the time Asenjo reacted and crouched instinctively, the ball was already in.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
"In the 67th minute, Jese breaks the deadlock for Real Madrid!"
"A goal from the talented young Jese, 1-0!"
"Di Maria's pass was beautiful and imaginative, threading it straight past Koke."
"Jese's turn and burst were extremely explosive."
"This is Real Madrid!"
"Their players can suddenly create a clear chance and catch their opponents off guard."
…
When Gao Shen saw Di Maria's brilliant pass and Jese's goal, he clenched his fists and celebrated.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
A nutmeg like that was risky, and if Jese had reacted a fraction slower or broken later, for example if it had been Dzeko instead, the move would have broken down.
But sometimes, you have to admire the ingenuity of South American players.
This is something many European players do not have, and it can even be an advantage.
Gao Shen applauded vigorously, while also signaling the team to keep pressing forward and keep playing this way.
Especially Di Maria, Gao Shen encouraged him to be even more proactive.
Barely seven minutes after the goal, Di Maria switched back to the right.
The Argentine Angel drifted inside, swapping positions with Modric. The Croatian then advanced on the right and fed Dzeko.
The Bosnian center took it on the right channel outside the box with his back to goal but could not turn.
At that moment, Di Maria suddenly darted inside from the right half-space and raised his hand for the ball.
Dzeko slid it into Di Maria's path, right between Atletico's two midfielders, Gabi and Koke. A lane to goal opened again between Atletico's midfield and defense.
It was almost identical to Di Maria's earlier long shot.
The Argentine did not hesitate and struck immediately.
The ball flew like a cannonball, ripped through Atletico's two lines at high speed, and arrowed toward goal.
Crucially, when it hit the box, it bounced off the turf, making it even faster.
Asenjo read the line and dived across, but it was too late.
Di Maria's long-range effort flew into the left side of Atletico's goal.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"
"What a worldie!!!"
"A world-class strike from Di Maria!!!"
"One assist, one goal!"
"Di Maria has been excellent tonight. Whether it was the assist for Jese or this world-class strike, he has left a deep impression on everyone."
"The entire Bernabéu is on its feet, chanting Di Maria's name."
"This is Real Madrid's Angel!"
…
Simeone's face darkened and he turned away dejectedly.
He realized he had underestimated Di Maria and misjudged Gao Shen.
Perhaps Gao Shen never intended to use Ronaldo from the start. He wanted to use Di Maria.
Judging from the second-half trend, especially after Gao Shen's adjustments, Di Maria looked more like Real Madrid's offensive core, dictating their attacking direction and rhythm.
As an Argentine, Simeone knew Di Maria's style too well.
Sometimes, it truly surprises Europeans.
Whether it was the pass to Jese or the bouncing long-range strike, it was remarkable.
But anyone familiar with Argentina or South American football would not be surprised, because this kind of thing is very common in Argentina and South America.
Of course, very few are as strong as Di Maria.
This is a seriously underrated player.
Simeone had always felt that way.
In fact, he had always thought Gao Shen underestimated Di Maria.
But now it seemed he was wrong.
He had underestimated Gao Shen.
(To be continued.)
***
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