Chapter 42: Positioning!

At 3:45 a.m. Beijing time, Utrecht hosted Groningen at the Goffert Stadium.

Groningen is also a team in the Eredivisie; this is the second meeting between the two sides this season.

The two encounters were slightly different.

The biggest difference was on Utrecht’s side.

Monge was promoted from substitute to starter!

Having seen the lesson from Zwolle, Groningen’s head coach John was somewhat more subdued when speaking to reporters.

“Tang is an outstanding player; I’m glad the Eredivisie has produced a talent.”

These were John’s exact words.

Though he said it, John himself was certainly Bufu , and in the locker room, he emphasized to the players about Tang Ye’s starting role.

“We lost the last match against Utrecht. Today, in the Dutch Cup, they’ve put in a 16-year-old midfielder—he hasn’t even reached adulthood! Guys, this is our chance; we need to make them pay!”

John pulled over the tactics board: “Tang is an extremely extreme player—he might deliver a stunning pass; that’s what we need to watch out for. So how do we press him up front?”

Thump! Thump!

He tapped the board twice with his pen: “Press! High-intensity pressing! He runs slowly—or rather, he simply hates running. Our forwards need to push up, push up, and then he won’t be able to pass!”

As Groningen’s head coach, John still felt confident about this match.

Ten Hag has put a player who doesn’t run into the starting lineup.

Groningen’s strength is high pressing up front!

…

“Hey brothers, welcome back to Xiao Wang’s livestream!”

“Watch the screen! Today’s match is Utrecht again, at home against Groningen!”

“Brothers who haven’t joined the streamer’s QQ group, please join—we post daily betting slips and red picks in the group…”

“Alright, the match is starting—Utrecht kicks off first!”

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

Van der Maarel received a direct red card in the last match; according to FIFA rules, he must serve a three-match suspension, and his position will be filled by Rieuwe in the next three games.

“Utrecht!”

Thump! Thump!

“Utrecht!”

Thump! Thump!

Not a major match, but the fans in the stands were still extremely passionate.

Droste dribbled toward the right, felt his position was right, and passed to Tibbling on his right.

Tibbling was very cautious—he didn’t rush forward after receiving the ball, but stopped in place.

Amrabat sprinted toward him; at that moment, Tibbling feinted and passed the ball to Antonia, who had run down the left flank.

Standard wide attack!

Groningen fully displayed their strength in exploiting the width of the pitch!

“Utrecht’s defense is under some pressure now.”

“The match is already at the 4th minute, and Tang Ye hasn’t touched the ball yet.”

“Next defensive move… never mind, he probably won’t defend—let’s just watch Utrecht’s defenders!”

“Enganioni! One-on-one on Antonia!”

“Enganioni, pass across to the center, Driew prepare to receive.”

“Stried, great! Stried cleared the ball!”

Stried executed a brilliant long clearance, sending the ball into the opponent’s half—Utrecht escaped danger!

【Good job! Utrecht’s defense is finally coming together—I declare Utrecht my main team this season, I’m betting on them every day!】

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

【You upstairs clearly haven’t watched Monge’s games much—Monge plays like a king; he doesn’t defend.】

【My Monge only has two defensive skills: one is the tackle, the other is stare-down defense!】

【The opposing forwards are putting so much pressure on him—I feel my Tang King is going to have a rough game today!】

【Pressure? What pressure? My Tang King treats you all to foot massages every week—this is how you trust him?】

【I’m guilty! I’m betting on Utrecht to win again today!】

“Too bad, too bad—but it’s fine!”

The first wide attack was cleared by the defender; John began comforting his players.

Although the attack failed, John saw clearly.

Groningen still had a good chance of winning this match.

Up front, Tang Ye and Balazic searched for the ball’s landing point.

Experienced Balazic got into position early and headed the ball to Tang Ye.

“Wow? Thanks!”

Tang Ye quickly struck the ball down to the ground.

This was his first touch of the match!

Don’t rush—look left and right!

Look back again!

Bonnet was sprinting toward him.

Bonnet was Groningen’s left-back; if he came out, Groningen’s left flank would be wide open.

His thinking was crystal clear—he passed the ball to the right flank.

The ball returned to Balazic’s feet!

“Perfect through ball! Tang Ye’s first touch opened up the attack!”

“Groningen is under heavy pressure—they’re facing a king!”

Balazic took the ball to the byline and began a one-on-one with Kappelhof.

To prevent Bonnet from returning to mark Balazic, Tang Ye cut diagonally into the box.

Bonnet had to stick with Tang Ye, but Tang Ye’s movement was giving him a headache.

“Come on, run, you bastard!”

Tang Ye kept walking; Bonnet had to walk with him.

Back and forth, Bonnet felt like he was just giving up—his mindset grew anxious.

Huh?

Tang Ye, who had been yelled at, glanced sideways.

These pro players really have fragile minds—each one more impatient than the next.

Look ahead.

Hmm, here’s the chance!

Balazic beat Kappelhof one-on-one, showcasing his individual brilliance.

Tang Ye needed to show something too!

He suddenly accelerated into the box.

“Aale!”

Balazic shouted and passed; Tang Ye bit his lower lip, slipped into a blind spot, and slotted the ball home!

“Beautiful, Aale!”

Balazic sprinted over, saw Tang Ye’s head in the box, and suddenly realized: “Wow, Tang, it’s you?!”

“Same thing, same thing—beautiful, Tang!”

Balazic took a running leap and hung directly on Tang Ye.

“Amazing! Amazing! Tang King!”

“What’s going on with Tang King? He’s already firing up at the 6th minute!”

“If you start this early, how are the opponents supposed to survive?!”

Wang Chao roared loudly in the livestream.

By experience, Tang Ye usually only came alive in the second half—but today was different.

Was the opposing team’s three forwards pressing hard?

No problem—Tang Ye simply ran forward, pretending to be a striker, so he wouldn’t be pressed.

First touch opened the attack!

Second touch completed the goal!

This damn personal charisma!

What use is possession if you can’t do this?

…

(End of chapter)