From Arsenal to the Ball God

In high-level matches, it’s impossible for players to have a plan in advance when attacking... like stepping on a bicycle to deceive to the right, breaking through to the left; or first dribbling, then performing a Marseille turn to change direction.

This is unrealistic; high-level matches change rapidly, and the situation on the field is different every second.

If one cannot adjust flexibly and change based on the defensive player’s center of gravity and various reactions, there will almost be no success rate for breakthroughs.

”Boom boom....”

Ma’el continued to advance, and upon seeing Piszczek’s steady footing without any change, he glanced towards the center of the field.

After looking back, he looked towards the baseline, using the inside of his right foot to cover the ball in a large dribble towards the baseline, clearly intending to cross.

”Swish!” As before, Piszczek reacted quickly, swiftly turning and stepping back to chase.

There was no alternative; against such a fast and strong winger, if you can’t predict his intention and react first, you’ll likely be easily broken through.

”Smack... Boom....!”

At this moment, Ma’el stopped, stretched his right leg to step on the ball he had dribbled out, pulled it back, and then dribbled towards the middle.

Fake move!

He actively played on Piszczek’s habits of predicting defense, tricking him!

Then, with extraordinary coordination, he pulled the ball back just before it left his body range, dribbling towards the center for a breakthrough!

”Damn!” Piszczek had already run two steps, and seeing Ma’el swiftly pulling the ball to the center, he was startled and quickly turned to defend.

But his mind was too quick; his body couldn’t keep up and was dragged into turning, and as he turned, his body twisted violently, nearly causing him to fall.

Fortunately, his coordination was also good; after a slight slip, he stabilized himself without falling.

But he clearly lost the best chance to chase back, giving Ma’el the opportunity to drive deep into the dangerous area!

”Piszczek...! Pisz... Piz....” The shouts from the stands gradually weakened, and all the Dortmund fans couldn’t believe that their proud full-back was embarrassedly defeated in the second encounter.

Not far away, Klopp’s expression also froze momentarily, his face showing a few traces of seriousness, nervously watching Ma’el’s back.

”Bang!!”

By now, Ma’el had reached the center, seeing that neither Subotic nor Hummels dared to step out to defend, he drew and unleashed a violent strike, challenging Goalkeeper Weidenfeller.

”Slap!” Weidenfeller made a brilliant save, leaping up and single-handedly deflecting the ball back into the penalty area.

He certainly wanted to tip the ball out for a corner, but the strike was so powerful that despite his best efforts, he could only parry it out of the goal.

In the second ball position, Van Persie’s eyes narrowed as he quickly followed up, and charging alongside him was Gross.

In the end, Gross used his physical advantage to block Van Persie, sliding to clear the ball out for a corner, defusing the threat.

”Oh....!!” Arsenal fans’ cheers and applause erupted instantly, resounding across the stadium, celebrating their team’s attack.

Undoubtedly, they saw the opportunity to break through the opponent’s goal and felt a goal was imminent!

Dortmund fans, on the other hand, quietly sat back down, many clutching their chests, calming their racing hearts and sighing at having dodged a bullet.

”Hey! Hey!!”

Klopp finally got a chance to speak, loudly expressing dissatisfaction to Hummels and others, pointing to his head, ”What are you thinking? Afraid he’ll get past you? Just step out and block the shot as he approaches!

”If you give him such opportunities again, see if Weidenfeller will save you.... If you had Ma’el’s shooting prowess, you’d realize what opportunities you’re giving him!”

While such words might seem as if he’s undermining his own morale, Klopp spoke in German, intending to spur his players without praising Ma’el to his face.

But, in his frustration, he evidently forgot there were German players in Arsenal’s lineup.

Mertesacker at this moment was running from the backfield towards Dortmund’s penalty area, preparing to contest the header.

Reaching Ma’el, he couldn’t hold back a laugh, ”That guy just praised you, he probably thinks you don’t understand.”

”Who?”

Ma’el asked, glancing where Mertesacker indicated towards Klopp, and immediately understood, ”Haha... him?”

”Yes, he said your shooting is excellent, and then he complained about Dortmund’s defense.” Mertesacker looked again, and it seemed Klopp noticed he was explaining to Ma’el, blushing and turning away.

”Boom!!”

The corner was then taken, cleared by Subotic at the near post without posing a threat.

......

In the following period, both sides gradually adapted to each other’s rhythm, with the offense and defense becoming steady, resembling a disciplined and structured attack-defense routine.

The Champions League matches, theoretically, should be the fastest-paced and most competitive.

However, most of the time, they don’t give fans an intuitive impact, mostly leaving audiences thinking it’s exciting but not feeling the pace of confrontation is quick.

Firstly, both sides indeed slowed their offense-defense transitions for safety, often opting for steadiness.

When attacking players found no opportunity, they would unhesitatingly pass the ball back to reorganize the attack.

When defenders lost the ball, although they would counterpress quickly, they wouldn’t commit too many forces, preferring to reposition quickly to organize the defense.