Chapter 42: Positioning!

At 3:45 AM Beijing time, Utrecht hosted Groningen at the Galgenwaard Stadium.

Groningen is also one of the Eredivisie teams; this marks the second meeting between the two sides this season.

The two encounters differ slightly.

The biggest difference lies with Utrecht.

Meng Ge has moved from the bench to the starting lineup!

Having learned from the lesson Zwolle provided, Groningen's head coach John was slightly more low-key when facing the reporters.

"Tang is an outstanding player; I am very happy to see such a talent appear in the Eredivisie."

These were John's exact words.

Although he said this, John himself was certainly unconvinced; in the locker room, he emphasized Tang's inclusion in the starting lineup to his players.

"We lost the last match against Utrecht; today, in this Dutch Cup fixture, the opponent has brought on a 16-year-old midfielder who isn't even an adult yet! Gentlemen, I must say this is our opportunity; we need to make them pay!"

John pulled over the tactical board: "Tang is an extremely extreme player; he might deliver very beautiful passes, which is what we need to watch out for. So how do we press him in the attacking third?"

Thump! Thump!

He tapped the board twice with his pen: "Pressing! High-intensity pressing! He runs very slowly, or rather, he simply doesn't like running; our forwards need to push up, push up, and then he won't be able to pass!"

As Groningen's head coach, John felt quite confident about this match.

Ten Hag had fielded a player who cannot run in the starting lineup.

Groningen's strength lies precisely in attacking-third pressing!

"Welcome back, brothers, to Xiao Wang's livestream!"

"Watch the screen! Today it's still Utrecht's match, hosting Groningen at home!"

"Brothers in the livestream who haven't joined the group can add the streamer's QQ group; the group features daily guaranteed bets and red-slip recommendations..."

"Alright, the match is now underway; Utrecht kicks off first!"

Wang Chao shouted loudly and began introducing the starting lineups for both teams.

Van der Maarel was sent off with a straight red card in the previous match; according to FIFA rules, he must serve a three-match suspension, and his position for the next three games will be taken by Leeuwin.

"Utrecht!"

Bang! Bang!

"Utrecht!"

Bang! Bang!

It wasn't a major match, yet the fans in the stands were still extremely passionate.

Droste dribbled toward the right flank, and upon feeling his position was suitable, passed the ball to Tibring on his right.

Tibring was extremely cautious; after receiving the ball, he did not rush forward but stopped directly in place.

Amrabat ran toward him; at that moment, Tibring executed a feint to shake him off, then passed the ball forward to Antonia, who was making a run down the baseline.

A standard wing attack!

Groningen fully displayed their characteristic strength of utilizing the width of the pitch!

"Utrecht's defensive line is now under considerable pressure."

"The match has reached the 4th minute, and Tang Ye still hasn't had a chance to touch the ball."

"As for the defense later... never mind, he probably won't participate in defending; let's take a look at these Utrecht defenders!"

"Nganioni! Marking Antonia one-on-one!"

"Nganioni passes horizontally to the center; De Leeuw get ready to support!"

"Strijd, beautiful! Strijd has cleared the ball!"

With a spectacular long clearance, Strijd kicked the ball into the opponent's half; Utrecht successfully averted the danger!

【Not bad, not bad; Utrecht's defense is finally picking up; I declare Utrecht my favorite team for this season, betting on them every day!】

【Why hasn't Tang Ye touched the ball yet? Isn't he supposed to be a possession-style midfielder?】

【The person above clearly hasn't watched enough of Meng Ge's matches; Meng Ge plays the Ball King style; he doesn't need to defend.】

【My Brother Meng only has two defensive skills: one is tackling, and the other is eye-contact marking!】

【The opposing forwards are applying so much pressure; I feel my Tang Tang Qiuwang is going to have a very uncomfortable game today!】

【Pressure? What's there to fear about pressure? My Tang Tang Qiuwang treats you all to foot baths every week; is this how you trust him?】

【I am guilty! Today I'll continue betting on Utrecht to win!】

"What a pity, what a pity, but it's alright!"

After the first wave of baseline attack was cleared by the opposing defenders, John began comforting his players.

Although the attack didn't materialize, John saw the situation very clearly.

Groningen's chances of winning this match were still quite high!

In the attacking third, Tang Ye and Di Di Bala jointly sought the ball's landing point.

The experienced Di Di Bala positioned himself early, heading the ball to Tang Ye.

"Wow? Thanks!"

Tang Ye immediately controlled the ball to the ground.

This was his first touch of the match!

No rush; he observed left and right!

He glanced back once more!

Bonnet was running toward him.

Bonnet was Groningen's left-back; if he ran out, then Groningen's left-flank baseline would be left empty.

The train of thought was crystal clear; Tang Ye kicked the ball toward the right-wing baseline.

The ball returned to Di Di Bala's side!

"A perfect through pass! Tang Ye's first touch immediately opened up the attacking situation for the team!"

"Groningen is under immense pressure because they are facing a Ball King!"

Di Di Bala reached the baseline and began a one-on-one duel with Kappelhof.

To prevent Bonnet from dropping back to mark Di Di Bala, Tang Ye moved diagonally into the penalty area.

Bonnet had to stick with Tang Ye, but Tang Ye's actions gave him a splitting headache.

"Run, damn it!"

Tang Ye kept walking, so Bonnet was forced to walk alongside him.

Back and forth, Bonnet felt as though he was simply slacking off, and his mindset inevitably grew anxious.

Hm?

Tang Ye, having been cursed at, glanced sideways.

These professional players really have something with their mindsets these days; each one is more anxious than the last.

He looked ahead.

Mm, the opportunity has arrived!

Di Di Bala ate up Kappelhof in a one-on-one, displaying his personal ability without any reservation.

Tang Ye also wanted to show off his own skills!

He suddenly accelerated toward the penalty area.

"Ale!"

Di Di Bala shouted once and sent the ball out; Tang Ye, biting his lower lip, slipped in through a blind spot in the defender's vision and finished with a pushed shot to score!

"Beautiful, Ale!"

Di Di Bala rushed over, saw the head in the penalty area belonging to Tang Ye, and suddenly realized something was wrong: "Wow, Tang, how is it you!"

"Same thing, same thing, beautiful! Tang!"

Di Di Bala took a running start, leaped, and hung directly onto Tang Ye's body.

"Awesome! Awesome! Tang Tang Qiuwang!"

"What's going on with Tang Tang Qiuwang! He's starting to exert force in just the 6th minute of the match!"

"If you exert force this early, how is the opponent supposed to survive!"

Wang Chao roared loudly in the live stream room.

According to experience, Tang Ye usually only exerts force in the second half, but today was different.

Was the pressing intensity from the opponent's three forwards too high?

No matter; Tang Ye simply ran forward, posing as a striker, so he wouldn't get pressed.

The first touch opened up the attacking situation!

The second touch directly completed the goal!

This damn personal charisma!

You tell me, what use do I have for this possession rate!

(End of Chapter)