Dream Training : The Champions

" Sunderland's formation looks unique at first glance, it seems like this team is stacking players in midfield, but when they are defending, Sunderland's formation changes to 5-4-1. 3 defensive midfielders will step back in line with defenders. Of course, in attacking mode, the defensive midfielder will move forward to form 7 people in midfield. This will be an advantage for Sunderland.

For more details, let's watch the first half between Southampton and Sunderland in the third round of the English Premier League."

At the start of the first half, Southampton started the kick-off. Kazuki gave the ball to Ryan, then the ball was returned to Kazuki, after that, the Japanese player kicked the ball back. Then Southampton stretched the formation. The match officially started.

Sunderland was not aggressive at the start of the game. They maintained a 2-3-4-1 form, so the build-up of players in midfield made it difficult for Southampton to carry out an attacking build-up. Southampton's two defense midfielders, Rudolf and Wright-Phillips, were closely guarded by Sunderland's attacking midfielders Collback and McClean. Meanwhile, the Sunderland striker pressed the Southampton midfielder and the Sunderland's wingers kept the two Southampton fullbacks tight.

This forced Southampton to use a long pass forward. Even so, Larrson's position in the gap between Southampton's lines could get the ball. Sunderland tried to attack Southampton in the 3rd minute. Larrson who had just received the ball immediately gave the ball to Cattermole. Sunderland's right wing back brought the ball forward. Crage tried to restrain him, but Cattermole's speed was more than enough to get rid of Crage.

He then provided a long pass forward. Collback received the ball from Cattermole, behind him, Rudolf was guarding Collback tight. Fortunately, Larrson stepped forward, so Collback could provide him with a short pass. Then, Collback turned and ran into the Southampton's defense. At that time, Larrson also gave him a through ball.

Collback, who was about to receive a pass from Larrson, prepared to break through the penalty box, but Okhalo could steal the ball from Larrson's feet quite easily. Sunderland failed to penetrate the Southampton penalty box, but their spirit began to grow. The advantage they used in midfield made it difficult for Southampton to build the attacks.

On the touchline, George also noticed this problem. Wright-Phillips' job in this match was crucial, he needed to help the back line in building the attacks, he also needed to avoid pressure and stole the ball from Sunderland. In addition, he needed to tighten his guard against Sunderland's attacking midfielder. In a situation like this, Wright-Phillips was clearly lacking compared to Simone.

In addition, the long pass released by Wright-Phillips was less accurate. This made Sunderland easily intercept the pass sent by Wright-Phillips. George decided, if Wright-Phillips did not improve the quality of his gameplay in this first half, then he would replace Wright-Phillips at the beginning of the second half.

In the 8th minute, Sunderland got a chance. In midfield, Ryan, who just got a long pass from Rudolf, was immediately interrupted by Larrson. Ryan's ball came loose, so Collback could pick it up and give it to John O'Shea. O'Shea then sent a pass to the left wing back Craig Gardner.

Craig dribbled forward, he made a one-two with Sessegnon to break through Southampton's left. After that, he sent a cross from the left side. The ball flew and then turned into the middle of the penalty box. Fraizer Campbell managed to head the ball, unfortunately his header was missed the goalpost.

Sunderland still failed to break into Dean Smith's goal. Even so, they still controlled the match in the first 10 minutes of this first half. As time went on, the depressed Wright-Phillips played even worse. He began to miss the ball often and failed to keep the ball at his feet. This made the build up of Southampton's attack faced an obstacle.

The failure that faced by Southampton made Sunderland continue to freely control the game. The proof was in the 15th minute, once again they got a good chance. This time it was Collback who saw Wright-Phillips fail to receive a good pass. He immediately stuck his foot out and pulled the ball back. Collback turned and passed the ball to the right fullback, Cattermole.

Sunderland's right fullback carried the ball over the halfway line. Meanwhile, Crage performed a body charge to stop the Cattermole movement. Cattermole managed to keep the ball well, then he crossed to the left side of the field. Sessegnon received the ball with his chest and then dribbled forward. He teamed up with McClean to enter the penalty box.

McClean received the ball from Sessegnon but at that time Rudolf immediately interfered with McClean, so he had difficulty defending the ball, as a result Rudolf managed to steal the ball. Rudolf put the ball forward, Ryan stepped back to meet the ball, but Larrson was cut through the pass.

After that, he immediately passed the ball to McClean. McClean immediately sent a breakthrough pass into the penalty box. Collback broke away from Wright-Phillips' guard, then he penetrated the penalty box. Then, he accepted the pass and made a speculative shoot. McClean's shot failed, the accuracy was still not good.

The match was dominated by Sunderland. Until the 20th minute, The Saints still couldn't get out of the pressure. They had not recorded a shot on target at all. No matter how great Kazuki was, if his team couldn't pass the ball to him, then he couldn't score. The support from the fans were continuing, but Southampton was still struggling to get out of the pressure.

For the umpteenth time, Southampton's pass was intercepted in midfield. Larrson's presence became a powerful attack breaker in this match. In the 24th minute, Larrson was running fast, then he was skating, the ball bouncing off his body. Larrson stood up, he managed to give a cut back, the ball was passed and went to Ryan, this time he dribbled the ball forward.

The figure of Wright-Phillips, who look frustrated, brought Larrson down with a tackle that was quite dangerous. Larrson tumbled to avoid a tackle from Wright-Phillips. The referee without hesitation immediately gave a yellow card to Wright-Phillips.

In the 28th minute, Sunderland launched an attack. This time, it was Gardner who managed to steal Vicente's pass to Crage. After doing so, Gardner immediately gave the ball Larrson. Sunderland's central midfielder carried the ball forward. This time he avoided the figure of Wright-Phillips and provided a pass for Collback.

Collback and McClean showed good cooperation to break into the Southampton penalty box. After that, Collback gave a flat pass horizontally to the center of the penalty box. The figure of Campbell kicked the ball with great power. The ball hits the outside of the goalpost and bounces off the field.. This made Sunderland's attack failed for the umpteenth time.