Chapter 235: The Poor Blue Fox

What school is La Nie Li? It's the Sa Ji school!

His counter-attacking defense differs greatly from the traditional 'big bus'.

No pressing.

No frantic running.

No tightening up ahead of the penalty area to look for a counter.

Instead, they give up possession, solidify the central defensive base, then use a local numerical advantage to choke the opponent's wide attacks.

Such a simple tactic—why did it baffle the entire Premier League last season?

Because Premier League teams rarely like to 'attack the rib area'.

Because Leicester City once had a terrifyingly wide-ranging, interception-unbeatable Kanté...

Under the influence of the 'Sacchi chain' system.

The Blue Fox's group of grassroots players seemed to have been given a group buff.

They were truly deserving Premier League champions.

Speaking of Sacchi, this famous coach is an unavoidable milestone in world football's tactical history...

Unfortunately, Ranieri himself is not Sacchi.

He can't play other formations; he can only stick with the eternal 4-4-2.

Such a rigid, inflexible tactic is practically a gift for a midfielder like Li Kang.

Imperial Power Stadium.

Twenty thousand Blue Fox fans watched the swiftly advancing Arsenal, felt no fear, and continued to sing loudly.

This is their most familiar rhythm.

"The Premier League is becoming less rough; the league's football style is developing toward diversity."

"Many clubs pay meticulous attention to tactical deployment."

"Look at Leicester City: their defensive positioning is very reasonable, overall movement highly coordinated, and they can at any time form a local numerical advantage."

"Arsenal isn't that easily able to create threatening attacks... whoops!"

Duan Xuan's words had just fallen.

In the shot, Li Kang immediately played a through pass.

The ball skimmed the gap between Drinkwater and Simpson.

The trajectory was precise.

The power was perfect.

A stocky, sturdy figure suddenly surged into the rib area.

Sanchez's thigh.

The ball arrived, and the player arrived.

Leicester City's defense was not yet in disarray.

It leaned orderly toward the ball's direction.

In the god's-eye view, it was as if one side of the chain began to tilt.

With a crack.

The ball left the left foot of the Chilean powerhouse, soaring toward the top of the penalty arc!

"Sanchez's passing foundation is also very solid!"

"Look for Giroud!"

"It seems there's no way to shoot directly!"

"Look at this ball—Mendy appeared very timely!"

At the end of the twentieth century, several 'Mendis' were born.

Manchester City Mendy.

Real Madrid Mendy.

Monaco Mendy.

Nice Mendy.

And so on...

They share one thing in common: they are all black.

Leicester City's new signing Mendy, Ranieri bought him from Ligue 1 just to make him the second 'Kanté'!

Last season, Kanté was the lynchpin of the 'Sacchi chain'.

Even if you are a superstar from any of the Premier League's Big Six, meeting him makes it easy to lose possession.

The perfect combination of tactics and individual traits.

The Blue Fox coaching staff believes Mendy can do it too!

It's a pity.

Mendy's height is only about 1.6 meters.

Giroud's height is 1.93 meters.

Facing this pass... Arsenal's striker can gain aerial advantage without jumping.

"No chance to settle the ball."

"Other Leicester City players are coming to double-team."

"How should we deal with this ball..."

"Beautiful!"

Giroud jumped up, flicked his head, and laid the ball off to Walcott, who had burst out from the other side's rib area!

Leicester City's defense instantly loosened.

Lost Kanté.

They were like they had lost a moat.

Arsenal's little tiger had no space to explode.

He stopped the ball on his chest.

Li Kang miraculously appeared at his side, lightly nudged the ball, and charged into the penalty area!

"Flowing like clouds and water!"

"Rip open Leicester City's flanks!"

"He's playing too loosely!"

"A simple and efficient passing combination!"

"Li Kang can have a shot himself from this position!"

"He can't do it."

"The Premier League myth's players aren't that weak."

"Morgan instantly closed off the shooting angle of Arsenal's number 10."

"Old Black Egg is very calm."

"He didn't take a shot lightly in the box."

"Instead, he closely observed Li Kang's weight shift..."

"He knows the opponent is a super monster adept at the magic spin, Cruyff turn, Marseille roulette, Figo step-over, and Bale exterior cut..."

"Stay calm, keep him contained."

"Teammates quickly rushed to support!"

"Smack!"

"The Leicester City center-back suddenly felt a chill between his legs, and before he could turn, the ball had already rolled behind him!"

"How could such an obvious pass not be stopped?"

"No technique beats having technique!"

"A perfect attacking rhythm, not losing the chance by trying to evade and dribble."

"Wow, Morata's run is absolutely godlike!"

"The twelve-yard area."

"Morata edged ahead of Huth by half a body, charging toward the ball with fierce determination."

"I don't know why."

"I feel that whenever I play alongside Li Kang, my performance spikes."

"Come on!"

"My first Premier League goal."

"Let the whole Imperial Authority Stadium gasp in amazement!"

"Thud!"

"The Spanish god-forward's right foot crashed into the ball!"

"Both coaching staff were stunned: When did this guy get such terrifying leg strength? Previous data never showed it."

"The pressure shifted to Leicester City's goalkeeper."

"Young Schmeichel's pupils narrowed, facing such a close-range shot... such terrifying ball speed... he launched a save faster than one could cover his ears."

"Thud!"

"His gloves didn't touch the ball."

"The whole goalpost gently shook."

"The crossbar!"

"It's harder for this ball to stay out than to go in!"

"All the preceding play was perfect, but the final shot slipped away."

"Ah! The danger isn't past! Morata, don't just hide your face!"

"On the sidelines."

"Boerde furiously slapped the grass."

"Wenger instinctively clutched his chest... he suddenly could feel the anxiety of Allegri and Bosque."

"On the other side."

"Ranieri's brows were knotted."

"He knows the team's current weaknesses."

"But where could we find another Kanté?"

"Can Arsenal get a second-chance attacking opportunity!"

"Leicester City has been getting pressed this whole time."

"Li Kang's initiated attack makes it hard for them to discern the pattern."

"It's not a traditional central penetration or an attack around any flank, and there aren't even side passes."

"It's hitting the flanks!"

"The Gunners are grabbing Leicester City's two flanks and tearing into them!"

"The ball bounced to the top of the penalty arc."

A tall and mighty figure dominated the sky over the two little dwarfs, Mendy and Okazaki Shinji!

Mustafi!

Nobody noticed when this Arsenal new signing centre-back had pushed forward!

An uncontested aerial duel!

The German headed the ball into the penalty area!

"Not a shot!"

"It's a pass!"

"He made it for Li Kang!"

"A volley shot!"

"Beautiful!"

Morgan and Fox exerted all their strength, yet they couldn't push Li Kang out of the ball's landing zone.

The two were greatly surprised: this kid not only has a strong physique, but his balance control is also beyond that of ordinary players.

No time left.

Little Schmeichel had just gotten up, and hadn't yet adjusted to the best defensive position.

Other teammates were also pulled by Giroud and Sanchez, leaving them unable to attend to both ends.

What about Drinkwater?

This guy was still thinking that Leicester City could launch a counterattack!

Li Kang vaguely recalled the match against Rome from back then.

Back then, he also faced a derivative tactic of the "Sacchi chain"... Breaking through Rome's goal back then was extremely difficult.

Now, having come to Arsenal, facing the Premier League myth's even more solid defensive formation... it's surprisingly easy.

In the moment he gathered his thoughts.

His left foot also touched the ball!

Smack!

Not a very standard shooting motion.

In his vision, Raul's illusory figure flashed by.

Morgan and Fox's combined strength should not be underestimated; it still interfered with him.

Little Schmeichel was under considerable pressure.

Such an irregular shot makes it hard to predict its exact trajectory.

Fortunately, the direction was easy to judge; he quickly went down and dove toward the near corner.

But the ball smashed heavily onto the turf!

It then bounced high up.

It flew over Leicester City's goalkeeper's head and fell into the net...

0:1!

!

"It's Li Kang again!"

"After joining the Premier League, he scored in two consecutive matches!"

"A phenomenal player!"

"An unpredictable low drive!"

"A single strike that seals the throat!"

"Mustafi's assist, Li Kang's clever shot broke the net! Arsenal took the lead!"

Cech, Koscielny and Mertesacker... the three stared at each other.

They once worried that Mustafi's rash forward run would let Leicester City launch a quick counterattack.

Unexpectedly, this guy's timing of his attacking runs was not bad.

Some defenders who became famous in La Liga, huh.

Their defense isn't great, but their attacking attributes are maxed out.