I AM the Football Star

Chapter 496: Chapter 136: Lu Winger Arrives, Frontline Commander_2

So, the 352 formation was adjusted to a 433.

This change was quite significant, and very few head coaches would make such a transformation during a match.

This led many commentators to conduct an in-depth analysis at the start of the second half.

”San Remo is still not confident enough in their defense. They have returned to the formation they are most familiar with.”

”Lam didn’t perform well in the defensive midfield position. We don’t know if he can handle the central defense role.”

”Lam is very fast, and from a configuration perspective, he should complement Palacios, the tall center back, but we don’t know how their defensive coordination will be.”

”Bernulin as the left center back is quite a surprising decision because Bernulin is clearly more reliable than Lam in the central defense position. Perhaps this arrangement is related to Bernulin and Palacios having a slower pace.”

”A pair of slow center backs indeed can easily result in leaks, so having a fast destructor is crucial.”

”Is Lu Yang really placed at the right winger position? Did I see that correctly?”

”Lu Yang has a balanced ability with both feet, theoretically making no difference on either side, but... all along, Lu Yang has been a left-sided player. Suddenly switching sides, I’m not sure if he can adapt well.”

”The tactical difference between a winger and an attacking midfielder is sometimes minimal, but sometimes substantial. How will Lu Yang grasp the similarities and differences between the two?”

On the field.

Just onto the field, Versachi showed a lot of enthusiasm.

He, along with Morici and Latu Yidi, formed a three-person midfield, primarily responsible for large-scale movement and support, appearing wherever he was needed.

Basically, fulfilling the role that Lu Yang typically plays in midfield.

Quickly, Versachi caused a turnover with his pursuit and pressing, leading to the opponent’s passing error.

Morici cunningly returned to defend and successfully intercepted the ball.

Seeing Lu Yang’s opportunity on the right side, Morici directly made a straight pass to the right flank.

Lu Yang instantly switched to super sprint mode, engaging in a speed race with Juventus’s defensive midfielder.

And soon, he surpassed the midfielder, showcasing a clear speed advantage.

Although not exactly a speed dog, nonetheless... Lu Yang’s pace has already reached the average level of an excellent winger.

What is most crucial for a winger?

Perhaps different tactics have different answers.

But in the end, as long as they aren’t the organizational core, there is a generally accepted understanding.

That is, ”get forward”!

Recently, the much-vaunted Sancho, for whom eighty million was spent, has been dubbed as a flop by many fans. Why?

Is he truly terrible?

Not necessarily.

But... after getting the ball, he doesn’t move forward!

This is a critical issue.

A winger, apart from having lots of solo advancement opportunities in the Bundesliga, mostly faces fifty-fifty chances for advancing on the wings in other leagues.

Which means the opponent’s defensive player isn’t far from you, and if you attempt to break through, there’s a good chance he will catch up and obstruct your breakthrough.

Generally, when a winger receives the ball, the opponent’s defensive player being a step behind you constitutes a fifty-fifty chance to break through.

Because the defensive player is typically on the inside, although a step behind, they can preemptively block your direction for cutting inside, making it fifty-fifty.

In such situations, Sancho might opt to stop the ball and return it rather than attempt to break through. Let alone during times when he is even or behind the defensive player, will he choose to break through?

No need to think—the answer is... certainly not.

Such a winger, no matter how skillful, or how well they understand tactical intent, will struggle to deliver genuine threats.

In contrast, someone like Greenwood, who consistently engages in races with opponents and often wins, is visibly much more threatening on the wings.

Even if his passing might be considerably weaker, he is likely the most suitable winger for Manchester United right now, especially with encountering a player like C Luo in the latter stages of his career, Greenwood’s breakthroughs become exceptionally critical.

Bold prediction: Greenwood runs into space and passes to C Luo for the goal, or C Luo, then passes back to the charging Greenwood to create a goal. This could become Manchester United’s regular goal-scoring routine in the future.

Now, with Lu Yang playing as a right winger for the first time, he’s caught the essence of being a winger.

Zoom zoom zoom!

Eventually, Lu Yang took control of the ball before the opponent’s midfielder.

The opponent, realizing they couldn’t outrun Lu Yang, began to move inside to prevent his cut-in.

However...

Bam!

At the moment the opponent moved inside, Lu Yang seized the opportunity and raised his right foot to cross.

Sogel aimed for a header in the box.

Missed high.

Sogel quickly gave Lu Yang a thumbs up, praising Brother Lu!

Plug and play!

Pinpoint!

Juventus’s midfielders broke out in a cold sweat.

This is the first time he’s playing as a right forward?

This sure sounds like naturally talented material for a winger!

What is a potentially star winger?

Sterling, Greenwood, Mbappe, Chiesa, etc... no matter if they are central forward or winger, as long as they are fast and dare to challenge the opponent, willing to run and outrun the opponent... they all have the potential to become superstar level wingers.

Among them, Chiesa is perhaps the most typical.

Although not blessed with exceptional speed, his desire to break through with the ball is extremely strong.

Moreover, compared to Bernadeski, who originally occupied the position, Chiesa is more inclined to rely on speed for breakthroughs, while Bernadeski primarily uses dribbling and rhythm changes to beat opponents.