Chapter 181: The End of Technique?

Being a football commentator is a profession.

The greatest joy is watching the youths sprint across the green pitch, slowly growing up.

The greatest sorrow is watching heroes age, their prime fading away.

Raising a son in the clouds.

Raising a father in the clouds.

He Wei watched Li Kang and Alonso on the screen, about to fall into a nostalgic mood—when suddenly Duan Xuan's elbow jab interrupted him.

Some information is like nail clippers.

When not needed, it's found everywhere.

But when you need it, it's nowhere to be found.

Duan Xuan frantically rummaged on the table.

Today is the final match day of the five major leagues, and the scorer lists are gradually being released.

Premier League: Harry Kane (Tottenham), 25 goals.

La Liga: Suarez (Barcelona), 40 goals.

Serie A: Higuain (Napoli), 36 goals.

Ligue 1: Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain), 38 goals.

There is no mention of Messi or C Luo.

Of course, league difficulty varies, so does scoring difficulty, and the attacking resource weight that matches the team is also closely related.

For example:

Juventus are the Serie A champions; the team's best forward—Morata... pfft pfft pfft, actually it's Dybala! He is Serie A's second‑top scorer with 19 goals—17 behind leader Higuain!

But the Zebras' total goal tally is about the same as Napoli's.

Which team has the highest total goal tally in Serie A?

It's Roma!

You wouldn't expect that, would you?

It's that 'Roma Xiao Ping' who draws every match!

They have no player who can crack the Serie A top‑four scorer list.

Their best scorer, Salah, trails Higuain by 22 goals!

The reason is simple: their attacking resources are widely scattered.

There's no case where shutting down one player kills the team's entire offense.

Ligue 1, La Liga, and the Premier League show a similar pattern.

Can you say Kane's 25 goals are worthless compared to other Golden Boot winners?

But you can't say that outright.

In this era, the Premier League can't just crush minnows!

Over the whole season, the Premier League sees hardly any one‑sided routs to inflate numbers.

Only the Bundesliga is left!

The current scorer ranking shows Li Kang with 21 goals and Lai Wan with 29!

Duan Xuan looks a bit confused.

"In this last match, Li Kang can't possibly overtake Lai Wan!"

Having said that, he couldn't help but laugh at himself.

How can a holding midfielder whose job is to feed the ball and defend be compared to a centre‑forward whose only job is to finish?

Different positions, different responsibilities.

A midfielder with 21 goals is already exceedingly rare in football history!

He Wei hurriedly interjected: "Li Kang only played 24 league games this season, Lai Wan played 32—let's also look at the assist chart..."

They glanced at the data and were stunned.

Premier League assist leader: *** (Arsenal), 19 assists.

La Liga assist leader: Messi (Barcelona), 16 assists.

Serie A assist leaders: Pogba (Juventus) and Pjanic (Roma) tied at 12 assists.

Ligue 1 assist leader: Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), 18 assists.

Bundesliga... Li Kang, 22 assists!

Crazy!

What does that even mean!

At 18, he has 21 league goals and 22 assists!

What kind of tactical resource allocation could possibly produce such a 'monster'?

Even super‑clubs like Porto and Monaco couldn't produce such stats even if they threw everything at it!

You should know...

Last season's Europe‑shaking De Bruyne posted 10 goals and 21 assists!

"This number is close... to Henry's Arsenal days, when he contributed 24 goals and 20 assists in a season!"

"The game isn't even over yet, and the European assist champion has already been crowned!"

Allianz Arena.

The head referee urged the Lewokusen players to wrap up their celebration quickly.

As for the scorer and assist charts...

Actually, the coaching staff isn't really concerned.

Lewokusen indeed builds its attack around Li Kang as the core, making him both the playmaker and the finisher.

But the problem exposed this way is also very obvious: it's easy to be figured out.

Crushing you alone is equivalent to crushing half the team.

A normal tactical framework.

The weight of attacking resources should lean toward dispersion.

Why isn't Manchester City's De Bruyne the assist leader this season?

Because his partners have become David Silva and Yaya Touré.

Has the overall ability improved?

It has improved by more than one notch.

This is a rather complicated problem.

The match continues.

Bayern, trailing by two goals, firmly controls the match.

Lewokusen retreats all its forces to defend.

Bellarabi and Son Heung-min, who originally were active in the front line looking for counterattacks, have also withdrawn back to the thirty-meter zone.

"As long as we don't concede three goals in a row."

"Even if we end up drawing, Lewokusen can still win the championship!"

Guardiola frantically makes hand seals on the sidelines.

The ball quickly passes back and forth at the feet of Bayern's stars.

Frantic rotating cross runs.

A deadly pass as precise as a scalpel.

An extremely concealed long-range shot.

They have used every possible method, constantly threatening Lewokusen's goal.

Tuopu Laotou and Dino are mentally tense.

Van Dijk and others dare not slack off in the slightest.

In the stands, a huge mosaic puzzle of the team emblem falls down!

The fans of the Southern Stars hold up signs, forming a series of red-and-white letters that stir the heart!

Immediately afterward, the entire Allianz Arena lightly trembles.

"MiaSanMia!!!"

"MiaSanMia!!!"

"MiaSanMia!!!"

Amid the frantic cheers of Bayern's fans, Lewokusen's defensive line teeters on the brink of collapse.

If you often get scolded or beaten by your wife or girlfriend, you'll find they always use just those few moves.

Likewise.

The young Lewokusen players who have been beaten from the youth team to the first team by Guardiola's Bayern have also gradually gained experience.

Don't look at Jonathan T., who appears like a 40-year-old black man; in fact, he just turned twenty not long ago.

All the way, having been beaten from the U-17 squad to the present by "Guardiola for three years".

The whole world is studying Guardiola.

Mourinho also specially added a postscript in several books: Guardiola is dancing on a minefield, and I want him to step on a mine every step.

Of course, Lewokusen's players lack the ability to bury landmines, but they can follow along in the dance...

Lai Wan active in the deepest part of the position.

He serves as the receiving point inside the penalty area, drawing fire and creating space for teammates.

Other Bayern stars frantically crisscross and swap positions.

If Lewokusen at this time still insists on the cutting-edge fashionable "zone defense," it's easy to form "no pressure in man-to-man defense, but major flaws appear in covering."

Alonso and Kimmich have ample time to handle the ball, seek gaps, and other off-the-ball Bayern giants have richer running options.

Then how should Lewokusen defend?

It's simple: don't use your brain, don't think about helping and covering, don't care about the numerical difference in parallel and vertical lines in the dangerous zone!

Just use the most primitive "man-to-man" and it's done!

No matter how you think, you can't outthink Guardiola!

But on the basis of man-to-man, we must suppress Bayern's overall attacking direction.

Then who will accomplish this task?

Li Kang!

Relying on God's perspective, he can always predict the direction of Bayern's attacking routes at the first moment.

One side, he constantly makes gestures, directing Kramer, Bender, Bellarabi, Son Heung-min, etc., to apply pressure.

The other side, he constantly follows Robben.

"A very smart defensive method."

"Man-to-man compresses the opponent's main attacking direction, opens up the wing's breakthrough route, then uses a temporary numerical advantage... to form a local many-defend-few!"

"Yes, Bayern only has seven players involved in the attack... Lewokusen then has ten players active on the defensive line!"

"Li Kang is like a chess player, through constant exchanges, frantically devouring Bayern Munich's fierce offensive!"

"The showdown between two generations of La Masia's number four position, meeting opponents, a deadly layout, the whole board full of killing intent!"

"He also limited Robben!"

Actually, it cannot be limited.

Even if the brain's shadow spreads to the extreme, with all-around hacks, it still cannot limit the healthy Robben.

Li Kang could only interfere with Robben's start and pass... buying time for Van Dijk and Jonathan Tah behind him.

Fortunately, the teammates are very familiar with Guardiola-style Bayern's attacking system, so they don't need too many complex hand signals.

Match time passed by the second.

Lewokusen gradually held off Bayern's powerful offensive.

Unless a superstar shows a flash of brilliance, otherwise it's impossible to turn the score around in a short time.

Guardiola is tired.

He helplessly shook his wrist... gazing at Lewokusen's number 10 on the pitch, his eyes showing a hint of confusion.

For a long, long time, no one has shattered their own philosophy so thoroughly...

At the end of technique... is it construction or destruction?

Gradually, the more he thought, the more his head hurt.

Live broadcast room.

Bullet comments flew across the screen.

-【I feel the other players on the field don't really understand...】

-【Guardiola's coaching ability is puzzling, sometimes strong, sometimes weak.】

-【Once he gets carried away, he doesn't care about winning or losing, even daring to try tactical experiments in crucial matches.】

-【News says he will take over Manchester City next season, likely needing to rebuild the team, hoping that when he arrives at Etihad he can find the right path and bring the Champions League trophy back to the Blues.】

-【News says he will take over Manchester City next season, estimated to have to rebuild the team, hoping that when he comes to Yindihade he can find a suitable path, and win back a Champions League trophy for the Blue Moon.】

Beep! Beep-beep~

The referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the first half!

All Lewokusen and neutral fans couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Just from the game situation, Bayern could score at any moment.

"Nothing is more pleasing to Lewokusen than the halftime whistle."

"They struggled to hold onto their lead."

"The miracle continues."

"They are getting closer to lifting the Bundesliga trophy."

Both teams' players slowly walked off the pitch.

One side rejoiced.

The other side was distressed.

Calhanoglu earnestly handed Li Kang a dry towel and drinking water, plus a banana.

Their eyes were mixed with fervor and agitation.

This season, by following Li Kang, they managed to sneak into the Champions League semifinals.

The Bundesliga title is within reach.

If their performance in the European Championship were a bit stronger... maybe they could become teammates with Li Kang in the summer transfer window!

If his performance in the European Cup were a bit stronger... maybe he could still be teammates with Li Kang in the summer transfer window!

The turf system at the Allianz Arena is very advanced.

The ground is equipped with sensors that automatically collect temperature, humidity, soil salinity, hardness, flatness, etc.; each year there is dedicated funding for maintaining the stadium's 'black tech'.

Dino looked at the futuristic watering equipment... envious, unwilling to leave for a long time.

A surge of heroic spirit rose in his chest: he should be an assistant coach in such a luxurious stadium!

A year ago, he was still a rookie youth team coach who had just obtained his coaching license.

Tonight is Li Kang's farewell performance for Lewokusen, and also the last match for the little assistant coach.

Bayern never cuts corners when it comes to facilities.

The visitors' locker room is spacious, luxuriously decorated, with indoor temperature constantly maintained at 21°C.

The only drawback is that the shower area has no partitions.

Tuopu Laotou coughed heavily twice:

"Guys, tonight's performance was pretty good!"

"We... you are no longer a pile of shit!"

"Van Dijk! Want to proudly return to the Premier League? Then take the glory of the Bundesliga championship back with you!"

"Jonathan Tah! Do you still remember what it tastes like to pick up leftover hamburgers from the slums?"

"Lai Nuo, strike back hard against Löw with your performance, tell the arrogant German coach that you're damn well not worse than Nuriel!"

"Defense, the next tactical idea is still damn defense; now is our best—and last—chance to overturn the Bundesliga giants."

"From youth team to first team, how many times have you been knocked down by Bayern? Can you count them?"

"Tonight, we will step on the giants' heads under our feet..."

White hair trembled with his sharp, aged voice.

Tuopu Laotou's face flushed red.

He forgot his lines...

He had clearly stayed up late to memorize the script smoothly!

Obviously, I only got the script down after staying up till the wee hours!

The Lewokusen players' burly bodies trembled: the figure of their own head coach... had never seemed so towering before.

Dino trembled all over with excitement, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Boss, how exactly should we play in the second half?"

"Watch Li's signals!"

Bayern Munich locker room.

A silence fell.

Guardiola kept sketching and drawing.

His strokes flew like dragons and snakes, appearing mad.

All the players stared intently at the tactics board.

One symbol after another.

One line after another.

Representing the road to a comeback.

Some encouragement is silent.

The fifteen-minute halftime break ended quickly.

Both teams' players returned to the pitch.

The Allianz Arena regained its mighty presence.

No one left the field.

All eyes awaited the outcome of this Bundesliga showdown.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers, welcome back!"

"We are now broadcasting the 34th round of the 2015/16 Bundesliga season!"

"The second half of the Bayern Munich versus Lewokusen match!"

"The current score is 0:2!"

"Lewokusen holds the lead, the Bundesliga championship is within reach!"

"But don't forget this is the Allianz Arena! Bayern has the strength to turn things around!"

Accompanied by the referee's whistle.

The second half officially began.

Bayern Munich possession.

After Lai Wan's kickoff returned to Alonso, he surged forward like a madman!

Right after him came Vidal!

Exactly!

When the midfielders of Guardiola-style Bayern opened up space,

it showed the Bundesliga giants were fighting with their backs to the wall!

"The ultimate form of PositionalPlay!"

Lewokusen's formation quickly fell back.

The significance of high pressing was minimal.

Van Dijk lingered at the rear, vigilantly directing the spacing of the defensive line.

He watched Boateng madly surging forward with the ball in the distance.

A vague foreboding welled up in his heart.

His former club, Southampton, had the most advanced coaching staff in European tactical theory.

This had been the case for many years already.

They had begun researching: what is the future direction for a central defender?

Guardiola was also probing this answer!