I AM the Football Star

Chapter 37: Chapter 16: If You Don’t Play with Flair, What Kind of Defensive Midfielder Are You? (Part 2)

Taking advantage of the opponent’s instability and lack of focus at kick-off, launch a flash attack.

This is a tactic favored by weaker teams because they can try their luck.

However, it is also a preferred attack method for players who excel at fast-paced gameplay because their quick reactions support their ability to win amidst chaos.

True powerhouses often rely more on opportunities diligently organized by themselves.

Lu Yang and Morici, with the latter having the demeanor of a midfield maestro, are capable of finding openings to pass the ball through multiple encirclements.

The former, needless to say, has a vision rated 99, enabling him to perceive everything on the field.

Morici sends a straight pass, piercing the opponent’s defense.

Lu Yang advances to receive the ball and directly executes a Rapid Descent Shot, a powerful strike to score!

The score is one-nil!

And yet, just thirty-six seconds have passed.

Lightning goal!

Another lightning goal!

San Remo has scored many lightning goals in the second half of the season, whether it’s Lu Yang and Morici’s swift wall passes or the golden axis connection between Morici, Lu Yang, and Vedian.

They appear very bold in their attacks.

”Oh, an incredible lightning goal. We can see that Lu Yang hasn’t displayed any discomfort after leaving his center-back position. On the contrary, freed from positional constraints, his range of activities has vastly expanded, unleashing his attacking prowess!”

”His and Morici’s teamwork remains as seamless as ever. Let’s look forward to the performances of this midfield twin stars!”

San Remo’s opponent today is Foggia, ranked tenth in the league. Considering the schedule, they have a chance to challenge for the promotion playoff zone.

But the premise is to win against today’s opponent, San Remo.

And now, they are trailing.

Soon, the match resumes.

Foggia launches a very threatening attack.

San Remo’s right center-back lunges incorrectly and is easily bypassed by the opponent.

Rondo, the defensive powerhouse, makes a decisive move. When the opponent thinks he’s retreating to defend, he seizes the chance of the opponent’s large dribble and decisively lunges forward.

Their calves hit the football at the same time and collide heavily.

This was a nerve-wracking scramble for San Remo fans, fearing that team captain Rondo might get injured again.

But fortunately, Rondo stood up.

However, the unfavorable part was that the opponent’s central forward stood up before Rondo and rushed toward the soaring football.

Simultaneously, another Foggia forward joined in.

The goalkeeper was positioned in front of the goal line, once Foggia’s forward gets the football, he’ll face a harsh test.

Just then!

A figure charged towards Foggia’s central forward, engaging in physical confrontation within the penalty area and gaining the upper hand.

This wasn’t a center-back but someone as effective as one, San Remo’s left defensive midfielder, Lu Yang!

Judging the drop point of a high loitering ball is extremely challenging.

Once Lu Yang secured a physical confrontation advantage in positioning, the opponent’s central forward didn’t hurry, merely maintaining pressure on Lu Yang.

Because who Lu Yang faced was indeed another Foggia forward.

Once Lu Yang mishandled the ball control, that Foggia forward would welcome Lu Yang’s ”pass” with glee.

Scenes like this are not rare in football.

Taking the example of National Team Players mistakingly giving the ball to opponents, instances abound.

Even players in top leagues find it challenging to control the ball in such combative environments.

So often, they opt for a big breakout kick.

But Lu Yang... made a completely different choice.

He extended his foot, attempting to halt the ball.

The commentator didn’t understand Lu Yang’s decision: ”Oh! We can see Lu Yang made a move to stop the ball, this is way too irrational!”

”Yes, we all know Lu Yang’s ball control is considered decent among defender players, but controlling the ball in such a confrontational circumstance is very difficult, even Morici wouldn’t manage to stop such a high ball, Lu Yang he...”

”If there’s a mistake, this almost gifts the opponent a goal!”

”Seems like Sotu letting Lu Yang play as a defensive midfielder opened a Pandora’s box while liberating his attacking eagerness. Lu Yang’s playing style is increasingly risky!”

Before finishing the sentence.

The football descends.

And then...

No bounce whatsoever.

On the contrary, Lu Yang’s foot seemed glued, firmly absorbing the football.

This was a perfect world-class ball stop!

Marcelo-style foot trapping the ball!

Then, Lu Yang deftly tipped the ball, passing it to Rondo who returned to the defensive line, accomplishing a brilliant rescue without a breakout.

Whoosh!

A burst of applause erupted in the stands.

Lu Yang did not disappoint; he always manages to play beautiful football.

”I feel like we have five defenders now!” Tom expressed with admiration.

Sotu nodded: ”Indeed, Lu Yang playing in the defensive midfield position can indeed exhibit defensive capabilities similar to a center-back, so... we definitely have five defenders!”

Just as before, when Morici played as the lone defensive midfielder, beyond organizing, he needed to cooperate defensively with Lu Yang.

Lu Yang at the left defensive midfield position also undertakes the team’s defensive duties but... it’s not mandatory, this grants Lu Yang more operational space.

This marks the greatest disparity between this position and a center-back.

Talents shouldn’t be restricted.

Top strikers have started to run all over the field now.

In the twenty-eighth minute of the first half, the effect of San Remo’s tactical adjustment was evident.

Lu Yang successfully intercepted the ball at midfield and distributed it to Morici, Morici passed it to the right midfielder.

The right midfielder returned it to Morici, who at this point, already moved forward evading the opponent’s defense, then passed it to the team’s right forward returning to midfield linkage.