Chapter 207: Tang Ye Overtakes Two in the Middle; Is He the Hazard of Villarreal?

On the flight to Rome, Tang Ye's tablet was playing the recently popular Stranger Things.

Actually, Tang Ye had originally wanted to play games, but the Wi-Fi on the plane did not support him doing so.

However, Tang Ye was far too easily distracted when he wasn't playing football or gaming; after watching for dozens of minutes without any so-called monsters appearing, he simply exited Netflix and began browsing recent news.

One piece of news caught Tang Ye's attention: it concerned his former club, Utrecht.

Although Utrecht had secured a spot in the Champions League, the Dutch team had managed to earn only one point in this season's Champions League group stage.

Upon seeing this news, Tang Ye immediately checked the Eredivisie league table.

It was not good news; Utrecht was currently ranked only eighth in the Eredivisie.

Although an eighth-place finish was not terribly bad, one must remember that Utrecht was the double champion of both the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup last season!

The aircraft cabin was dark; the white glow of Tang Ye's tablet caught Escrivá's attention. The Spanish manager raised himself from his seat and saw the content on Tang Ye's screen.

"You are concerned about Utrecht."

Hm?

Tang Ye turned his head and only then realized that Escrivá's head was leaning between his seat and Rodri's.

"Yes, Utrecht's results don't seem very good; I feel Bart and the others shouldn't be only in eighth place."

"Haha, do you have very close teammates over there?"

Escrivá's laughter was loud; Tang Ye quickly made a shushing gesture: "Rod and the others are all sleeping, Mr. Ferran, you must keep your voice down!"

"I know, I know."

Escrivá shook his head: "However, I believe your attention should now be focused on Villarreal; our match schedule is very demanding."

Tang Ye closed the Eredivisie table interface; the tablet screen now displayed the Google homepage: "I know; I just checked because it crossed my mind."

"Actually... there is absolutely no need for you to worry about Utrecht."

After saying this, Escrivá leaned back into his own seat, leaving Tang Ye alone to stare blankly at his tablet.

Worry about Utrecht?

That was certainly unnecessary.

If things continued developing along this current trajectory, in a few months tens of millions of euros might suddenly appear in Utrecht's accounts.

To be honest, worrying about Utrecht was less worthwhile than worrying about Villarreal!

After exiting the website, Tang Ye still felt a bit uneasy in his heart; he could imagine the expression on captain Ramselaar's face when confronted with the team's current results.

Last season, when Utrecht lost matches in the league, Tang Ye had witnessed that expression with his own eyes; it was not a pleasant experience.

But Mr. Ferran was right; Tang Ye's attention now needed to be completely focused on Villarreal, as matters concerning Utrecht were beyond his control.

Turning off the tablet, Tang Ye reclined the seatback behind him.

Tomorrow evening would be the second-leg match against Roma; it was a very important game.

And in order to deliver a good performance in the match, Tang Ye needed to ensure he got sufficient rest!

Check Dongqiu Di Match Preview: Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg Spotlight Match, Yellow Submarine visits Roma, Tang Ye and Džeko lead the starting lineup.

【A crucial match, let's go, let's go, let's go!】

【No panic at all, okay? The Yellow Submarine is already ahead by one.】

【But Roma has three away goals; if Roma leads by one goal in this match, the Yellow Submarine is directly done for.】

【Don't be nervous; when the time is right, GGBond will step up.】

Matches involving the Yellow Submarine and Manchester United always generated relatively exaggerated hype, and the Yellow Submarine was even more exaggerated than Manchester United.

Previously, when the Yellow Submarine played against teams like Zürich in the group stage, they could still create a spotlight match, let alone now that their opponent was Roma.

Last season's third-place Serie A team versus this season's third-place La Liga team; an absolute clash of giants!

"China Central Television! Here is the live broadcast bringing you..."

"We can see that players from both sides are now ready in the player tunnel."

"Today's match marks the first start for Villarreal captain Bruno since his recovery from injury; we believe he can bring some experienced assistance to the team."

An on-site photographer carrying a camera walked in from outside the player tunnel; the moment he filmed Tang Ye, the live stream's comment section suddenly exploded.

Seeing Tang Ye perform his classic gum-chewing plus leg-shaking-in-place move, Yellow Submarine fans breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Tang Ye was in good form; this indicated that the Yellow Submarine had already won this match at the starting line!

"Beep!"

The match was about to begin!

Tang Ye walked out onto the pitch following Musacchio.

"Roma Roma Roma~ (Rome, Rome, Rome)"

"Core de 'sta citta~ (The soul of this ancient city endures)"

"Unico grande amore~ (We love you)"

"..."

"Roma Roma Roma~"

The moment the referee blew the whistle to start the match, the fans at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome became restless.

This season, Roma's goal in the Europa League was to win the championship.

Although they were unlucky enough to collide with the La Liga dark horse, the Yellow Submarine, in the Round of 32, this was not a major problem.

Gladiators are brave; they fear no difficulty.

Today, as long as they led their opponent by one goal, Roma could step over the Yellow Submarine and advance to the Round of 16!

The camera cut to the two coaches on the sidelines.

"Oh! The expressions of both the Villarreal and Roma head coaches are very serious."

"Yes, this match is crucial for both teams; the 4-3 scoreline from the first leg is too awkward!"

Bang!

Less than ten minutes into the match, after Bacca dribbled down the right flank, his cross was directly cleared out of bounds by a tackle from Rüdiger.

Hiss—

Rüdiger's violent defense made Tang Ye feel slightly panicked.

The atmosphere between the two sides in today's match seemed rather heated.

Whether this was good news for the Yellow Submarine remained to be seen.

But for Tang Ye, it was definitely not good news!

A corner kick for Villarreal, handed to Bruno to take!

The Yellow Submarine's players all rushed into the penalty area, leaving only two outside to provide cover, with Tang Ye being one of them.

Lacking heading ability, Tang Ye lurked at the edge of the arc, ready to sneak in and steal a goal at any moment!

Bruno raised his left hand!

Near post!

Slap!

The ball flew out from the corner flag position.

Since it was aimed at the near post, the ball did not fly high.

But the speed was fast!

Rodrigo, the closest player, ran over and headed the ball directly toward the goal!

Bang!

The ball struck Fazio's stomach; Fazio quickly moved aside, lifted his foot, and volleyed the ball away.

Roma escaped danger!

【Feels like Roma's defense today is a bit lacking】

【They let Rodrigo get the ball? Isn't the Yellow Submarine secure then?】

【It didn't go in, why are you all so excited? Roma hasn't gotten into gear yet】

【Which one is the Tang Tang Qiuwang you keep praising? I can't see him in the camera shot】

【You're done for, upstairs】

Tang Ye indeed had little screen time today; this was because the Yellow Submarine was leading from the first leg.

Once leading, the Yellow Submarine would play more conservatively.

And "Tom" and "conservative" have nothing to do with each other; once the Yellow Submarine adopted a conservative tactic, Tom's disappearance was inevitable.

This style of play made Tang Ye feel somewhat uncomfortable, but just like in previous league matches, he was naturally willing to make some concessions for the team.

The match continued until the 32nd minute!

"If Roma wants to find opportunities, I think they should try to attack through the center, because Villarreal..."

"Eh, they passed directly!"

"Strootman, very decisive, passing the ball to Dzeko inside the penalty area!"

Glancing back at Musacchio behind him, Dzeko held up the ball with his back to the goal.

Then he began to observe; at that moment, El Shaarawy on his right shouted, and Dzeko quickly passed the ball over.

El Shaarawy dribbled the ball down the flank himself!

"Oh!!"

"Past him, past him!"

"Charge inside!"

"Shoot directly! He's shooting directly!"

Several fans in the lowest tier of the stands held the railing with one hand while raising the other, constantly trying to direct the players on the field.

Controlling the ball at the baseline, El Shaarawy appeared extremely calm.

Adjusting his breath, he performed step-overs to shield the ball, inching his way into the penalty area.

"Here!"

Emerson, making an overlapping run from behind, shouted loudly; El Shaarawy feigned a cross but actually flicked the ball behind him.

Emerson controlled the ball!

After adjusting half a step, he crossed directly!

The Yellow Submarine's penalty area was now in chaos!

Dzeko jumped up!

Heading the ball directly!

Asenjo, with bandages still wrapped around his face, reacted incredibly fast, clenching his fists to punch Dzeko's header away.

The ball fell back into the penalty area.

"Grab it quickly!"

Asenjo, lying on the ground, shouted loudly; Costa was sprinting toward the ball in the penalty area when Nainggolan ran over from the edge of the arc.

Without controlling the ball, he blasted a shot straight into the top net of the goal!

"Il golllll!!!!! (Goal)"

Goal!

This was a goal by Roma's attacking midfielder Nainggolan!

"Woww!!!"

The Roma players on the field ran toward the corner flag, while the stands erupted in cheers.

Villarreal leads 1-0 in the second leg!

The aggregate score between both sides is now level!

Moreover!

Because Roma scored three away goals in the first leg, if this 1-0 scoreline holds until the final whistle, Roma will advance!

Not Villarreal!

Spalletti, who had been exceptionally calm, suddenly threw both his hands up.

Long before kickoff, Spalletti had emphasized to his players the necessity of strengthening their attack for today's match.

And the facts proved that Spalletti's arrangement was correct.

Roma is now leading!

"Phew..." Tang Ye exhaled deeply, watching the Roma players celebrating at the far end alongside Rodri.

Conceding a goal felt terrible.

But this feeling of wanting to help defend yet being unable to do so was even more unbearable!

Pacing back and forth on the sideline, sitting back down on the bench, then standing up again as if remembering something.

This was Escrivá's current situation.

The pressure on the Spanish manager had reached its peak!

Villarreal's plan had been to defend for the full ninety minutes and secure a steady advancement to the next round.

But now the situation was no longer like that.

They had to score; otherwise, they would lose!

Thinking of this, Escrivá knew he had to do something.

"Push forward! Push the attacking line forward!"

Oh?

Tang Ye seemed to have heard some good news and quickly turned his head to look toward the substitutes' bench.

While shouting instructions, Escrivá pointed toward the Roma goal: "Attack! What we need now is a goal! Stretch out on both wings, Tom, move forward!"

!

Tom, move forward!

This was exactly what Tang Ye wanted to hear!

Escrivá had changed the team's in-game tactics, and an excited Tang Ye rubbed his hands together.

The friction generated heat, making his already warm hands feel momentarily scorching hot.

His heartbeat was accelerating!

"Wow."

Martí, who had been sitting silently on the substitutes' bench, suddenly raised an eyebrow.

After Escrivá issued the attack order, Tang Ye's heart rate suddenly jumped from 117 beats per minute to 150, lasting for a few seconds before returning to normal.

Watching Tang Ye on the pitch exchanging words of encouragement with his teammates, Martí reached out to touch his own forehead.

This guy still loves attacking so much...

The first half resumed; Tang Ye ran toward the rolling ball and decisively passed it to Bruno on the wing.

Then he ran forward himself!

Tang Ye's position was now just ahead of the center circle, and his accelerating sprint inevitably forced the other Villarreal players on the field to pick up their pace.

Escrivá suddenly waved his hand.

He realized he had made a mistake!

Before the match, he had instructed the Villarreal players to match Tang Ye's rhythm while also issuing defensive orders.

The problem was...

When Tang Ye was defending, he had no rhythm whatsoever!

Hiss—

Taking a deep breath, Escrivá figured everything out.

No wonder Villarreal had played so passively in the first half.

Damn it, the two orders Escrivá had given were contradictory!

But it wasn't a big problem.

Escrivá adjusted his tactics quickly.

Villarreal was now on the right path!

"Pass it directly to me!"

Tang Ye shouted loudly for the ball, and Bruno decisively passed it to him.

Strømsen and De Rossi both ran toward Tang Ye simultaneously.

Tang Ye adjusted his breathing.

Strømsen was on the left, De Rossi on the right.

Tang Ye suddenly turned left, forcing both Strømsen and De Rossi to slow down simultaneously.

OK, they fell for it!

Tang Ye turned again, running directly between Strømsen and De Rossi.

"Fuck you!"

Escrivá cursed outright.

Damn it, I told you to attack, not to mess around!

With Tang Ye being so arrogant, the Roma players certainly couldn't tolerate it, and De Rossi decisively stuck out his leg.

But right at that instant, Tang Ye's body paused again.

Originally, De Rossi's extended leg could have directly kicked the ball at Tang Ye's feet, but now he had kicked only air.

?

Facing De Rossi's outstretched leg, Tang Ye jumped up with the ball.

He leaped directly over De Rossi's leg!

Holy crap!

The continuous changes in rhythm made Tang Ye feel a bit dizzy, and when he stepped back onto the grass, he nearly fell.

He stumbled a few steps to adjust his rhythm.

Okay!

Tang Ye's heart was beating fast now because he had just dribbled past two people simultaneously!

This was the 【Zidane Rhythm Control Template】!

Tang Ye's only ball-control template!

Escrivá touched his nose and glanced out of the corner of his eye at the camera in the distance.

The lens wasn't pointed at him.

It seemed that when he had cursed at Tang Ye just now, no one else had noticed...

Continuing to run forward, Tang Ye pointed his finger toward the penalty area.

He made a forward run!

Aleix and the Roma defenders inside the penalty area reacted at the same time, quickly moving toward the box.

Manolas prepared to intercept Tang Ye's through pass!

Tang Ye swung his left leg out!

Pa!

【De Bruyne Far-Corner Curled Shot Lv5: Replication】

Proficiency: 0

How was this a through pass? This was a direct shot!

Tang Ye had tricked his teammates again!

The ball flew directly over Aleix's head, drilling straight into the top-left dead corner of the goal.

"This one's in!"

"Oh my god, this..."

"Haha!"

He Wei and Zhan Jun didn't know what to say anymore.

Having completed the shot, Tang Ye spread his arms wide, delivering his first knee slide at the Rome Olympic Stadium!

Still the three stripes!

Stand up!

"Together!"

"Vamos!"

The Villarreal players hugged each other by the corner flag.

【You have obtained Counterattack Points *15】

He glanced up at the stands.

Somewhat beyond Tang Ye's expectations, after this goal, the Roma fans in the stands were surprisingly silent.

The home fans weren't cursing.

They were looking at the stadium's big screen!

And on the big screen, the entire process of how this goal had been scored was being replayed.

The speed and angle of the far-corner curled shot were indeed very tricky, but that wasn't the main point.

The main point was how the hell did Tang Ye get past those two people?

The CCTV broadcast booth was also replaying the footage of Tang Ye's dribble just now.

Actually, Tang Ye's speed and acceleration weren't particularly fast, but the defenders simply couldn't predict the timing of his rhythm changes.

His movements paused repeatedly, his center of gravity rising and falling.

Although there were no flashy dribbling moves, he had somehow tricked both Strootman and De Rossi simultaneously.

Check Dongqiu Di Live Match Report: Tang Ye dribbles past two in the center + world-class shot straight into the dead corner, Villarreal pulls one back, score now 1:1!

【Who said Tang Ye can't dribble!】

【Awesome, dribbling past two, holy crap, this goal has a bit of an Hazard feel to it, but Tang Tang Qiuwang's moves are more elegant than Hazard's】

【Awesome, awesome...】

Truly a reliable carry, damn it

【I said back then that Tang Ye going to La Liga was a good thing; dribbling ability can be trained】

【Is this considered dribbling ability? There wasn't a bit of actual dribbling, it was all rhythm】

【Just answer whether he got past them or not!】

Flashy dribbling might look awesome, but it often doesn't accomplish much when playing in top-tier leagues.

Because defenders in top-tier leagues are very cautious; they don't fall for feints.

But rhythm-based dribbling past opponents is different.

This style of beating a defender only leaves them with a sense of powerlessness.

Just when they think you're going forward, you suddenly stop.

This is exactly what defenders fear most!

Spalletti glanced toward the Yellow Submarine's bench; after the score became 1–1, a smile suddenly appeared on Escrivá's face.

He let out a long breath.

"I'm starting to regret it now."

Hm?

Spalletti's words surprised the assistant coach.

"Regret what?"

"We should have started our attack in the second half."

Nainggolan's thunderous shot was undeniably impressive, but the fact remains that his goal has had an entirely negative effect on Roma.

Falling behind in the score has helped the Yellow Submarine find the correct way to play this match!

"Beep——!!!"

"The first half is over!"

"The current score between both sides is 1–1; due to the advantage from the first leg, Villarreal now leads Roma by one goal on aggregate."

"Villarreal is very close to advancing, but there are still 45 minutes in the second half; let's see what adjustments Roma will make..."

(End of Chapter)