As soon as Zhao Zhao's command was issued, he discovered that the world he was in began to change.
This world was accelerating!
It was like watching a video sped up by N times; whether it was the players on the field or the spectators in the stands, their movements became much faster.
But unlike the third-person perspective of a video, Zhao Zhao could feel that he was within this "video," experiencing it from a first-person perspective.
Even more miraculously, even in this "accelerated state," Zhao Zhao was very clear about everything that happened, no matter what someone did or said to him.
At the same time, lines of text appeared before Zhao Zhao's eyes, clearly summarizing the currently simulated match:
[You consumed 1 simulation point and began simulating the rest of the match.]
[Halftime, Sunderland 0:2 behind Manchester United.]
[Halftime, you made no adjustments to tactics or personnel.]
[In the 50th minute, Sunderland's captain, John O'Shea, fouled Ibrahimović with a tackle in the box, and the referee showed him a yellow card. O'Shea was sent off for accumulating two yellow cards.]
[Manchester United was awarded a penalty, and Ibrahimović easily scored with a shot to the bottom right corner, Manchester United led 3:0.]
[Sunderland, playing with ten men, fell into a bitter struggle, and Manchester United completely controlled the situation on the field.]
[In the 55th minute, Manchester United scored again. Juan Mata took a corner kick, and Chris Smalling got to the ball first in the box, heading it into the net, Manchester United led Sunderland 4:0.]
[In the 62nd minute, Martial broke through on the left and crossed, Ibrahimović received the ball at the edge of the box and fired a low shot that went through the crowd into the bottom right corner of the goal, Manchester United led 5:0.]
[In the 70th minute, Mata received a pass from Pogba outside the box and took a long shot, the ball deflected off Sunderland defender Lescott and went into the net, Manchester United led 6:0.]
"…" Seeing this, Zhao Zhao was speechless.
So, the 0:2 in the first half was just an appetizer?
The second half directly turned into a disaster; they conceded four goals in just over twenty minutes, making it 0:6.
"If I remember correctly, the largest goal difference in Premier League history was created by Manchester United, wasn't it? I think it was a 9:0 sweep against Ipswich."
"Oh my god, if I keep playing like this today, I'll probably concede over 10 goals, right?"
"If that really happens, my pathetic coaching career stats, besides three consecutive losses, will also include the largest defeat by goal difference in Premier League history!"
"Wouldn't that mean no one would want me? Unemployed forever!"
Zhao Zhao suddenly felt a bit panicked.
"I should be able to adjust the lineup during this simulation, right?"
As the thought crossed Zhao Zhao's mind, he found that he could indeed slow down the "picture" to normal speed at any time and then give his instructions to the team.
Then let's try to operate it, substitutions first!
The reason for the collapse in the second half was precisely because the main center-back and team captain, the veteran O'Shea, was sent off, and he hadn't made any adjustments.
The formation became a 3-5-1, with four defenders turning into three, and having to face an attack of Manchester United's caliber, who could stand it?
So Zhao Zhao immediately substituted winger Januzaj with reserve center-back Kone, and the formation on the field also changed to a 4-4-1.
Zhao Zhao also asked the players to focus more on defense, basically leaving only veteran Defoe up front for counter-attacks.
[After your substitutions and adjustments, Sunderland's defense became more stable. Although Manchester United maintained their siege, it became difficult to break through Sunderland's goal again.]
[In the 80th minute, Manchester United Coach Mourinho made substitutions, replacing Martial with young player Rashford and Pogba with Fellaini.]
[In the 89th minute, Rashford received the ball on the wing and immediately crossed. Fellaini jumped high in the middle to head the ball, Sunderland goalkeeper Pickford fumbled the save, and Rooney scored on the rebound, Manchester United led 7:0.]
[The final whistle blew, Manchester United defeated Sunderland 7:0 at home.]
[Match simulation ended, current simulation points: 9.]
"Damn it, it got a little better, but not much," Zhao Zhao sighed.
Although they still conceded a goal at the end, it at least showed that his adjustments had some effect.
As long as he tried multiple times in this simulator, he would always be able to simulate a better outcome...
At least next time it wouldn't be such a disaster!
[You lost the simulated match, you can receive a one-week coaching knowledge training. The main lecturer for this session is: Guardiola.]
"Huh?" This was another surprise for Zhao Zhao.
"It seems this Coach Simulator system also comes with a coaching refresher course?"
"This is great, after all, the improvement of my own ability is the true improvement!"
"And after my coaching level improves, the success rate of subsequent simulations will naturally increase!"
Zhao Zhao also recalled playing football management games in his previous life; if he didn't make too many changes, sometimes even if he reloaded ten or twenty times, the matches that were meant to be lost would still be lost!
But if he could make more targeted arrangements against the opponent's playstyle and players, it would be possible to win against stronger teams.
And the prerequisite for achieving these in reality was, naturally, more extensive coaching knowledge!
Guardiola was clearly an excellent teacher.
Not only did he have excellent professional qualities, creating many new playing styles in football, but he also activated many players who were not originally outstanding;
More importantly, many people who had been by his side later became very good Coaches.
There are many such examples, such as Mikel Arteta, Alonso, Xavi, Erik ten Hag...
"But how do I start learning?" As soon as this thought crossed Zhao Zhao's mind, a line of text flashed before his eyes:
[Guardiola shared his football philosophy with you, mainly emphasizing ball possession, high pressing, and fluidity among players.]
[He explained offensive and defensive formations in detail to you, and simulated different tactics on the training ground, practicing formation changes and positional adjustments.]
[Your tactical knowledge has improved.]
It turned out that this kind of course was also conducted through simulation!
During the simulation process, Zhao Zhao's brain was also operating at high speed, as if he was truly receiving Guardiola's guidance, and quickly absorbed the relevant knowledge.
However, because it was only a one-week course, the content learned would not be very extensive.
But for a rookie like Zhao Zhao, it was already very beneficial!
"Anyway, we still need to think of a solution immediately, otherwise we're going to lose today." Just then, Zhao Zhao heard Assistant Coach Breswell's voice again.
Zhao Zhao looked at Breswell and found that he was still maintaining his previous conversational posture.
Zhao Zhao then looked at the field again; the match between Sunderland and Manchester United was still ongoing, and the match time displayed above the field was still 41 minutes in the first half.
This meant that when he was conducting the simulation, this real world would be "paused."
Zhao Zhao had simply entered another simulated world to operate, and once the simulated match ended, he would return to this normal world.
"I'm thinking. Don't worry, I have a plan," Zhao Zhao said to Breswell.
Now that he had this simulator system, he spoke with a bit more confidence.
Whether it was simulating the match itself or the subsequent improvement in tactical knowledge, both made him feel more confident in himself!
And as he spoke, Manchester United launched another attack in the final third.
This time, it was actually Sunderland's corner kick, but after the ball was cleared out of the box, it turned into a counter-attacking opportunity for Manchester United.
Ibrahimović, Mata, Martial, and Rooney, the four attacking arrows, formed a 4-on-2 situation!
Breswell immediately stood up nervously, and even Mourinho from the home team's coaching bench stood up.
But Zhao Zhao remained calm, still sitting steady as a rock.
Heh heh, he had simulated it just now; without intervention, the first half would definitely be 2:0, no doubt about it.
Sure enough, although Rooney accurately passed the ball to Martial's feet, the latter's shot was saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Pickford, who was focused!
This, in turn, made Breswell look at Zhao Zhao in a new light.
"This kid, it seems his mental fortitude is better than I imagined."
"Does he really have a good strategy?"
"Alright, then I'll see what adjustments you can make at halftime…"