Chapter 344: Crushing Match (Daily Transition)

Stoke City head coach—Mark Hughes adjusted his grey tie at the chest, his expression relaxed.

He is a bona fide Manchester United legend, having come up through the Red Devils youth academy in his youth and later played for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea.

His partnership with Cantona was called the 'Hughes-Cantona era'.

After retiring and becoming a coach, the deepest impression he left on Arsenal fans was: Wenger's 500th match milestone in charge of the Gunners, when Manchester City, led by this guy, slaughtered...

He was the first head coach hired by the Abu Dhabi consortium to usher in Manchester City's 'golden-money era'.

The match began.

Stoke City possession.

Bojan's kickoff was played back to Fabra.

No longer the 'Sky Castle' tactic of the Tony Pulis era.

Mark Hughes, having coached for three years, has always wanted to make Stoke City's attack more three-dimensional, especially the ground coordination of the front-line players.

Shaqiri is the one he is most satisfied with.

"Stoke City advances from the right flank!"

"Shaqiri's style seems out of place with his teammates, too nimble!"

"As expected of the Swiss Messi!"

Shaqiri might be the bulkiest among the various 'versions of Messi'.

Short and sturdy.

His explosive power is terrifying.

With a height of 1.69 meters, his ability to shift his center of gravity is extremely strong.

When he joined Bayern back then, veterans came out in support, saying his potential would not lose to anyone.

Thus.

He became a member of Bayern's 'treble-winning' era.

But this guy has a bad habit: he holds onto the ball.

Even more 'solo' than Sanchez.

Thus, when Guardiola took over Bayern, he immediately sold him!

Arsenal's half-field thirty-meter zone.

Two short, stocky bodies... had several close contacts! Drawing bursts of cheers from the crowd!

Shaqiri was fiercely tangled by Sanchez, who was tracking back, yet still refused to pass!

No way, after bulking up in the Premier League, his former finesse took a big hit.

Smack!

A figure swooped in, clearing the ball out of bounds while also taking Shaqiri down.

Xhaka!

"Oh dear!"

"The tackle was too heavy!"

"This is your national-team teammate, youth-training partner, Albanian descendant... oh! I heard Arsenal recently increased the win bonus!"

"It's no big deal; Xhaka helped Shaqiri up."

Time passed unnoticed.

The match became somewhat dull.

Stoke City failed to seize the opening, and thereafter could not create any threat.

Li Kang was active in the midfield rear of the formation.

He had thought it would be another grueling battle under a variant of the 'Kong three-center-back' system.

He didn't expect it to be so easy.

The playing style of some Stoke City players did not match well with that most avant-garde tactic.

Arsenal took control of the situation.

Possession rate increased significantly as time went on.

15th minute of the match.

Stoke City finally gained possession; near the midfield circle, Bojan received a pass from a teammate, intending to seize the opportunity while Arsenal as a whole hadn't yet recovered position to launch a counterattack.

He was about to turn and accelerate.

With a smack!

The ball was intercepted by Li Kang.

Mismatch versus mismatch.

From a God's-eye view, the attacking Stoke City had its defense full of holes.

He swung his left foot!

The ball skimmed the grass like a blade, piercing the opponent's back line!

"An ultra-long through pass!"

"Giroud!"

"One-on-one!"

"He's running slow! Stoke City's three center-backs turn quickly!"

"He shot directly!"

"Wow! A world-class strike!"

"This ball went in!"

0:1!

!

Old Yellow Bull Jilu excitedly sprang forward, wildly celebrating.

Live broadcast room.

-【Jilu this guy, he won't score unless it's a divine ball!】

-【Doomed, the defense will be ripped apart by Arsenal again...】

-【I haven't seen Li Mingdeng play in the holding midfielder position for a long time... the last time was during Lewokusen's early stage.】

-【Arsenal has no attacking pressure in this match; Little Li pulling back and switching back to the La Masia number 4 role is quite good; ordinary teams facing Stoke City can't control the situation that steadily.】

-【If Wenger signs a winger with off-the-charts solo combat ability in this summer window, Li Mingdeng will have more time to control the game, and Arsenal will become complete.】

-【Cut it out, isn't this match just about conserving energy to play Bayern?】

When a regular team falls behind in score, they will attack.

But Stoke City will not.

Mark Hughes is very patient, having his players hold a solid defense and wait for counterattack opportunities.

36th minute of the match.

Sanchez received Cazorla's pass on the left side outside the opponent's penalty area.

He immediately dribbled the ball toward the center!

Getting ready to cut inside!

The stands all around suddenly let out a gasp.

The Chilean star was knocked down by a little black egg!

Oh no! Indi is about to get a card!

Arsenal earned a free kick opportunity!

The position is excellent!

It's not right next to the penalty area! The position isn't too close either, so the arc of the kick is easy to control!

Indi helped Sanchez up, then pleaded pitifully with the head referee.

He was an internet celebrity from the 2014 World Cup.

Because of the funny moment when defending against Diego Costa, he was nicknamed 'Eye God Brother'!

Moreover, he also got into a fight with national team senior brother Robben during training, and of course he lost; despite being a size larger, he couldn't withstand Robben's rich fighting experience.

Stoke City goalkeeper Grant nervously directed the wall.

Li Kang, Cazorla, and Sanchez stood before the ball.

Since scoring that free kick in the Euro match against Croatia, Uncle Miha's apparition has rarely appeared.

This time is no exception.

In the view, a short, sturdy yellow-clad apparition appeared.

Extremely thick thighs.

Brazil number 6.

Carlos!

Strong Diamond Leg!

After a simple gesture communication.

Sanchez and Cazorla quickly dodged.

Li Kang began to retreat.

The Stoke City wall trembled with fear, players instinctively covered their groin and chest heart area.

The wall, it's still quite high!

Let's see how Li Kang kicks this ball.

It seems more like he's going to shoot himself!

Wow!

Arc run-up!

Here it comes!

Peng!

Accompanied by a blast that echoed through the night sky!

The spectators' eyes were about to pop out!

Terrifying.

Soul-shaking.

Arsenal's number 10's left foot launched a cannonball-like football!

Strong and domineering.

Momentum like a rainbow.

Fierce tiger descending the mountain.

Stoke City's wall seemed to have undergone a life-and-death trial.

Even the sound of the air being torn apart could be heard nearby!

Fortunately, the ball's arc was sufficiently exaggerated.

It went over the wall's head.

Goalkeeper Grant did not retreat or hesitate, but leapt vigorously, trying to punch out this powerful shot!

His professional attitude is very good.

But in the end, the French blocked Li Kang's goal!

0:2!

!

"Beautiful!"

"Li Kang scored a free-kick goal!"

"Asenna scores another goal!"

"The ball speed is too fast!"

"Before Ge Lante's saving motion was even complete, Situoke city's net had already been ripped!"

"No problem!"

"Unbelievable, even French cannot describe Li Kang's shot; I'm at a loss for words!"

Li Kang staggered two steps, gloomily covering his left leg.

Kalosi's heavy cannon's explosive technique still puts too much strain on the body... unless the left leg can be trained as thick as his.

On the sidelines.

Wenge and Boerde broke out in a cold sweat, hurriedly urging the team doctor onto the field.

And have Lamusai quickly change his jersey!

Just like that.

In the 38th minute of the match.

Li Kang was substituted off by Lamusai.

The rest of the match held little suspense.

Makexiussi, trailing by two goals, lost his patience.

He took off the mediocre Boyang and brought on the 1.92‑meter‑tall Anutuoweiqi, restarting the 'Tuoni Pulis era' sky‑high tactics!

This is a very common sight for Situoke city.

When trailing on the scoreboard... they uphold their fine tradition.

Beep! Beep-beep~

Finally, the referee blew the whistle to end the match.

Situoke city 1:4 Asenna.

Li Kang contributed a goal and an assist, Jilu scored twice, and Molata added the finishing touch.

Anutuoweiqi also lived up to the club's fine tradition; in injury time he seized a set‑piece chance and headed in a consolation goal with his big head.