Chapter 246: The Integration of Passing Control and Passing Cut
The Arsenal head coach's way of celebrating over the past few years has always been rather restrained.
Either he would stand still, just shaking his fists.
Or he would take two steps and spread his arms.
He would never do anything overly flamboyant.
But as Li Kang scored his second goal against Barcelona's goal,
Wenger seemed to return to his youth, excitedly pulling the assistant coach and substitute players into circles, dancing the traditional dance of the Alsace region on the Franco‑German border!
People suddenly recalled: the young professor who once coached Monaco... seemed like a fiery, devilish manager.
"Boss, I've got Mustafi and Maguire ready; we'll line up six defenders in the second half…"
"No, keeping the attacking payoff higher would be better… let's ease off the pressing for now, we can't let Li Tai get too tired."
The whole Camp Nou was split in two by contrasting emotions.
The Catalonia fans collectively went mute.
The Arsenal fans' cheers overwhelmed everything.
"Lee!
"!
"Lee!
"!
"Lee!
"!
Li Kang was about to pick up the ball from the net when Morata and Sánchez came crashing in and tackled him.
It has to be said, those two forwards are really strong.
Following closely behind were Walcott, Cazorla, and Ramsey...
Barcelona's defenders watched wistfully as the opponents celebrated in their own net.
The ball was still pressed underneath everything...
In the distance.
Messi, meanwhile, was surprised by Li Kang's footwork while scratching the back of his head:
Two goals down, it's getting tough.
Enrique stood frozen in place.
He never imagined that the midfield and defense, built over the summer transfer window at a cost of 1.5 billion euros, would be so easily broken down by Li Kang.
The rise of the peak dream four‑dynasty was blocked.
The path to the rise of the four dynasties in the peak dream was blocked.
We were just caught off guard; the value of that 1.5 billion‑euro investment hasn't shown yet.
We're only two goals behind… there's still plenty of time left!
Barcelona's head coach quickly made his own adjustments.
Barça's head coach quickly made his own adjustment.
Steady as she goes—we can still turn it around!
Play restarted from the midfield circle.
Barcelona didn't rush a quick attack.
Instead, little Dennis controlled the tempo, advancing steadily.
The ball went back and forth in Barcelona's back line.
Arsenal also gradually eased off the pressing, with the midfield‑forward players maintaining a slow overall movement, and Morata even squatted down to tie his shoelaces for a while.
What had been an intense match... turned into a leisurely affair.
From the spectators' viewpoint: it even looked as if Barcelona were leading by two goals.
"Barcelona has taken control of the game's tempo!"
"During this spell their possession share has risen again, returning to the style most familiar to the Cosmic Team!"
"La Masia's football philosophy—control of time and space!"
"La Masia's football philosophy—control of time and space!"
Time slipped by unnoticed...
Barcelona simply couldn't press into Arsenal's forty‑meter zone in their own half.
Gomes is strong, but he's not suited to be the 'gear‑shifting' midfielder.
Little Dennis's grasp of tempo and spatial understanding still falls far short of Xavi's level.
The two superstars from different La Liga powerhouses cannot implement La Masia's football philosophy at Camp Nou.
The Catalonia fans are getting anxious.
Meaningless passing back and forth—let alone scoring, they can't even push into the half.
"Messi drops deep to link up."
"Look at this ball…"
"There's no space to advance—Li Kang reacts quickly, directing Arsenal's defensive positioning while he runs, adding depth."
"Messi's vision is wide; he switches play broadly… to the weak side, finding Gomes making a run into space!"
"Gomes sped up! He got past Ramsey, but… he didn't get past Cazorla and lost the ball!"
"Messi has joined the midfield interceptions…"
Messi participated in the midfield interception...
"..."
Meixi is too tired.
The scene is a bit surreal; Li Kang always sees through Basa's changes in pace and attacking direction.
Beep! Beep-beep~
The main referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the first half.
The score remained unchanged.
Jiateluoniya fans left their seats in anger; when humans are angry and depressed, the brain's nervous system regulatory substance acetylcholine secretion decreases, blood flow slows, subcutaneous blood vessels constrict, and the ** will become even stronger.
Ansennna fans waved their team flags frantically.
The stands at Nuokanpu were occupied by red and white.
Players from both sides walked off the pitch.
Li Kang was surrounded by his teammates.
These two goals are so satisfying, Li!
How is Basa attacking exactly according to your thinking?
I thought it would be as intense as a European Champions League final, but I didn't expect it to be easier than playing La siteit cheng!
Xiaodanisi's passing tendency is too obvious.
Boerde quickly dispersed the crowd, attentively handing over water and a dry towel.
Wenge urged the team doctor to quickly examine Li Kang's body.
Basa locker room.
The stars each had their own thoughts.
Gemaisi thought that if he were leading Wanlunxiya, he wouldn't necessarily feel so frustrated.
Xiaodanisi missed the coaching staff of Biliyaleiyaer a bit.
These two genius midfielders had long been recognized by European powerhouses, but in this match they seemed out of their element.
Obviously they played well in training, but as soon as they met Li, they turned into useless players.
Enrike frowned, rubbing his hair, and now he has no time to think about midfield coordination.
What should we do if we can't advance?
Listen, we'll play counter-attack in the second half!
Give Meixi and Neimaer enough space for counter-attacks!
Ansennna's defense can't withstand our sprint!
The players remained silent.
If we maintain this tactical approach from the start, there will be no problem.
But we are now two goals behind.
Wensuai moved the flag on the tactic board and explained: 'Ansennna has a high turnover rate in positional attack; Wenge especially favors dense attacks. Looking at the second half's timeline, we will get many counter-attack opportunities.'
Being two goals behind is not scary!
The fifteen-minute break ended quickly.
Players from both sides returned to the pitch energized.
Good evening, viewers! Welcome back!
Now broadcasting live is the opening match of the C group in the 2016/17 season European Champions League!
Basa versus Ansennna's second half!
The temporary score is 0:2!
Enrike was the first to make a substitution adjustment.
Two players were taken off at the same time!
Yinniesita and Lajitiqi, the ones taken off are Xiaodanisi and Gemaisi!
Even though we are two goals behind, we still have to rely on the veterans!
Can they equalize the score?
Li Kang took up his position.
God's perspective kept reviewing the changes in Basa's back line during the first half.
Too simple.
Without Masichelanuo and Aerweisi, the Nuokanpu defense.
Beep!
Accompanied by the main referee's whistle.
The second half began!
Ansennna possession.
Molata kicked the ball back with his reverse foot, passing to Li Kang.
Midfield and forward players from both sides ran quickly, formations overlapping.
The style of the game changed again.
Ansennna won't play a passive game with you.
Players surged forward.
The ball was constantly passed quickly horizontally and vertically.
Like strands of steel wire.
Frantically strangling Basa's midfield defense.
Too fierce!
In the first half we briefly overlooked Arsenal's passing technique.
The players' running intervals were short, creating a local numerical advantage during vertical progression.
The ball must be advanced past the forty-meter zone!
Spread out!
The spacing suddenly opened up!
Rakitic and Busquets didn't react in time!
Wow! Unbelievable! Arsenal didn't stick to the traditional shrink-and-pass play, but instead widened the attacking width!
Li Kang occupied the central lane, serving as the passing and control hub for both flanks!
It's equally beautiful and sexy football!
A mercurial, smooth advance!
VIP box.
Robert and the Barcelona executives were dumbfounded.
Barcelona's football philosophy is irreplicable...
Damn it.
Wenger is copying us!
The speed of the ball rolling on the grass is getting faster and faster.
Arsenal players' movement is extremely exquisite.
No need to perform a wall-pass in a confined space as before.
No need to worry about Morata's movement as the pivot.
Just watch Li Kang.
That's not right either.
Li Kang's passes can be caught even with eyes closed.
Sanchez ran into space in the front.
Ramsey's off-the-ball run dragged Rakitic away.
Li Kang passed the ball to... Walcott!
Cazorla's forward run dragged Busquets away.
How did Li Kang get to the flank so quickly? Umtiti is about to lose position!
Morata just let the ball go...
Monreal appeared at the top of the penalty area arc! Phew, the focused Pique is too capable!
Enrique panicked completely.
When the number 4 position of La Masia became the commander in Arsenal's passing and cutting system... the chemical reaction between them was terrifyingly extreme!
The opposing concepts of 'space control' and 'shrink-and-dash' actually managed to merge in the details of the attacking timeline!
How to stop it?
Can't stop it.
Wenger's heart also surged.
A tactic that cannot be efficiently executed even in team training matches can be displayed so effortlessly before Barcelona's back line!
This is the role played by the 200-million-euro midfield core in the overall attack.
Crazy pulling.
Ultimate tearing.
Barcelona actually can't win the ball from Arsenal?
Barcelona is actually being pressed by Arsenal in front of the big penalty area!
Crazy.
The viewers in front of the TV kept exclaiming in amazement.
This is a scene they never even dreamed of: Arsenal actually able to maintain long-term possession and pressure?
Is the jersey worn inside out?
Who is truly the heir of La Masia?
The value of 200 million, so terrifying.
Rakitic is really tired.
He keeps shuttling back and forth, pressing.
Limit Li Kang?
How to limit?
That kid's positioning is too far back.
If following traditional thinking: a few people move forward to join the press...
Then the back line will be pierced by him at any moment!
Any team's defensive line will have loopholes in positional play.
What's tested is the speed at which local defensive players cover the gaps.
Mourinho, Guardiola, and Ancelotti have different ways of covering gaps.
What is Barcelona's problem nowadays?
Li Kang is too familiar with La Masia's defensive system.
Grabbing the opening means a fierce beating, giving Umtiti and the others hardly any time to cover up.
"It's rare to see Barcelona being pressured by the opponent's passing and control."
"During this period, Arsenal's possession rate has surged straight up!"
"With a two-goal lead, Li Kang tries more to probe and wear down, not easily losing possession."
"As he moves laterally, Arsenal's attacking direction also shifts differently on both flanks."
"Morata is active between the two center-backs, as if taking a stroll."
"La Masia's football philosophy is bearing fruit at the arsenal..."
Minute 55 of the match.
Barcelona's back line can't withstand Li Kang's provocation.
It exposed a gap on the right side.
Li Kang sent a lofted pass from the right flank!
The ball went over Pique's head.
It floated down lightly to the left of the penalty area!
The arc was perfect, the ball speed swift, the force moderate.
Sanchez burst through the space ahead like a small tank.
"He can shoot!"
"Great chance!"
"Ter Stegen's positioning is excellent!"
Smack!
No shot.
His thick leg swung.
The ball was swept to the middle.
Morata leaned on Umtiti and flicked with his right foot.
Pique quickly blocked!
Everyone thought he was going to shoot.
But the gasp of amazement cut off abruptly the next moment!
Again, a smack.
The ball leapt to the right side of the penalty area.
Cazorla darted like a small yellow eel into the dangerous zone.
"Turning clouds and rain!"
"Barcelona's defensive line has been thrown into utter chaos!"
"He can shoot!"
Wenger raised his fist, then lowered it again.
He repeated this action three times.
Even though the players were carrying out their own football philosophy...
Arsenal's head coach could hardly hold back either.
Why hasn't he shot yet?
On the other side.
Enrique was sweating coldly.
He seemed to have a premonition of the worst outcome...
No.
All outcomes are terrible.
Cazorla still hasn't shot.
Because Messi and Suarez have also tracked back into the penalty area.
A flick and a push.
Balancing on both feet, he barely managed to evade their double-team and bring the ball to the baseline.
Wenger gave the players ample attacking freedom, while Li Kang was a lighthouse in the dark sea, illuminating the direction of attack.
Cazorla is about to complete his task!
Smack!
This is a deadly smack!
"An inverted triangle pass!"
"Li Kang!"
"His run..."
"He can shoot!"
All Barcelona players' spirits are tense.
In just a few seconds, the heartstrings tightened with the ball's movement to the extreme.
Rakitic is no good-for-nothing.
He timely blocked Li Kang's shooting angle.
As a dual club and national team marker, the Croatian midfielder knows Arsenal's number 10's overlapping runs very well.
Even taking a beating can yield experience.
Yinniesita came over to help defend, but injuries left his step frequency far below peak.
But his consciousness could compensate for his bodily shortcomings.
It looked like the two were about to defuse the crisis.
In Li Kang's vision, a red-and-blue phantom suddenly appeared.
Barcelona number 6.
Xavi.
The Catalonia fans' voices were almost hoarse from shouting.
No matter how loud the boos, they couldn't stop Arsenal's attack.
In the line of sight.
Arsenal's number 10 made a heart-shaking feint.
He cut the ball with the outside of his left foot.
【252> He avoided Rakitic's tackling foot.
They avoided Lājīdìqí's kick.
Immediately after.
Turn around!
His body moved like a compass, drawing a circle.
It also left Yinniesita stepping on air.
Love's magic spinning around?
Xavi?
The former Camp Nou deity, at this moment donned Arsenal's jersey, becoming the nightmare of the Catalans!
"A turning motion as smooth as flowing clouds and water!"
"A leisurely stroll in the courtyard!"
"Elegant!"
"The passing lane has opened up!"
"A through ball as precise as a scalpel!"
Not only were the Barcelona players dumbfounded.
Sanchez was equally dumbfounded.
He hated Barcelona.
He did not want to recall his cold-storage days at Camp Nou.
He was even more furious that Barcelona's higher-ups treated him as a bargaining chip in a Suarez exchange.
He did not want to be anyone's substitute.
He had always wanted to breach the gates of Camp Nou.
Now.
Li Kang delivered the opportunity to his feet.
The Chilean striker trembled all over.
His bronzed, thick thighs gathered all his unwillingness... the vengeful blood inside burned and boiled!
Thud!
The ball carried the force of wind and thunder.
It pierced through Ter Stegen's trousers and blasted open Barcelona's gate.
0:3!
!
End of Chapter
