I AM the Football Star

”Something doesn’t seem right.”

During the dead ball opportunity, Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking midfielder Sevajos and Miguel were staring at each other with furrowed brows.

”Dominating but not scoring!” Miguel spoke up, ”Although Boe’s performance on that side was very spectacular, the actual threats we’ve posed inside San Remo’s penalty area are lower than our last match.”

Sevajos also realized, ”The same number of attacks, with reduced threats in the penalty area, means the opponent has more breakouts and interceptions outside the penalty area.”

”San Remo has gotten more chances in these twenty minutes than when they faced us last game? At least the average is higher!”

These two smart players roughly figured it out.

In an instant, Miguel thought of his national team friend Mateo.

The two-wing play between Miguel and Boe, seemed unrelated to Mateo and Moreira’s competition for Barça’s throne.

But in reality, the core was the same.

It’s a competition of efficiency.

Was Moreira bad?

What a joke!

He was a top-five contender for the Golden Ball Award this year!

In fact, for the past few years, he hasn’t dropped out of the top three! He’s won both the Golden Ball Award and the World Footballer of the Year!

But Mateo?

In Barça’s system, Mateo’s efficiency is indeed slightly higher than Moreira’s.

Thus, playing Moreira is not as effective as having Mateo play.

However, Moreira cannot just become a squad player; the world doesn’t offer such luxurious squad roles, not even Real Madrid would do so.

Therefore, their tactical conflict has been growing bigger.

The same situation applies to Paris Saint-Germain.

In the past twenty minutes, was Boe’s performance poor?

No, it was very good.

On the left flank, he almost broke through Canyes and pushed Lu back to become a wing midfielder.

When he needed to break through, he broke through; when he needed a brilliant pass, he did; when he wanted to shoot, he shot.

But... in the same twenty minutes given to Miguel, Paris Saint-Germain might have a few more brilliant passes and shots.

Within these, there might even be a goal.

This is the difference between the two.

Miguel wants to take control of the football, but in doing so, Boe will inevitably feel uncomfortable.

Anyone who plays well would feel uncomfortable having their ball control taken away.

This is another difficult point in the two-wing play.

Because the main attacking player usually controls the ball and has the right to distribute it, when the player on the weaker side is outperforming, the main attacking player should sacrifice some of their ball-holding time and let the weaker side play.

Simply put, that’s what the weaker side’s player earns through their usual efforts in running and pulling.

They usually give up control; when they’re shining, can’t they make the most of it?

This logic doesn’t hold.

The unnoticed efforts, the high-light moments’ ball rights, the usual control and decision rights, teammates’ support during high-light moments, self-sacrifice for the team... these form a very complex system of giving and feedback.

And since everyone’s system is different, an exact calculation of these weights is very challenging.

Misjudging it can affect relations and harm team harmony.

The best solution is to foster emotional connections between players.

If the relationship is good, playing more is all right; offering extra runs is something one would do willingly and even happily.

But Boe only joined the team this season, and clearly does not have this relationship with Miguel yet.

Within the entire Paris Saint-Germain, there’s currently no emotional chemistry in any scope.

Minute thirty-two.

Bang!

Boe shoots.

Naji stretches his leg and blocks the shot.

Morici directly receives the ball and executes a Marseille Turn, bypassing Paris Saint-Germain’s midfielders.

San Remo counterattack!

Morici adjusts the ball twice, then delivers a straight pass.

On the right, Lu Yang takes off late but arrives first, forcing a no-ball overtake on the wing.

Bell’s Outer Line Overtaking!

After receiving the ball, Lu Yang immediately opts for a powerful inside kick, kicking the ball ten meters ahead.

Kaka’s Big Step Meteor!

Dribbling, touching the ball, cutting inside, dribbling, touching the ball... all seamlessly executed.

Only two Paris Saint-Germain center-backs remain ahead of Lu Yang.

Bang!

Lu Yang continues with the Big Step Meteor, daring and high-spirited in carrying the ball.

With just two touches, he reaches the edge of the penalty area.

But on the second touch, the force was a bit strong.

Or, Lande, this tall center-back at one meter ninety-one, had unexpectedly fast speed, somewhat beyond Lu Yang’s expectations.

Giving him a decent chance to forcefully grab the ball ahead of Lu Yang.

Lu Yang exerts power from his legs, stretching to the limit.

Lande clenches his teeth, ultimately going for the tackle.

Neither would give an inch.

Because they both knew, this duel might very well determine the birth of a goal.

Once Lu Yang breaks through, the consequences are unimaginable.

Bang!

The ball rolls into Paris Saint-Germain’s penalty area.

Lu Yang takes flight in the air, flipped by Lande’s fierce challenge.

Whistle!

The main referee immediately blew the whistle.

Calling a foul against Paris Saint-Germain.

And showing Lande a yellow card.

San Remo players immediately rushed up, demanding it be a red card action.

But the main referee indicated that Lande withdrew his leg at the final moment of contact.

The replay on the big screen confirmed this.

But the speed of both colliding was still too fast, making Lu Yang fly up.

However, it is true Lu Yang touched the ball first.

Overall, the decision has no major issues.

But Lu Yang remains on the ground for a long time without getting up.

This is rare.

Because Lu Yang rarely plays possum!

Instead of performing agony on the grass to earn something, Lu Yang prefers to stand up immediately to seek attacking opportunities or return to a defensive position.