Chapter 349: The King of Cut-ins? (Daily Transition)

Working for Bayern's coaching staff is no easy task either.

Because most of the club's senior officials are a group of legendary old-timers who, during their playing days, brought back numerous club and national team trophies to Munich and Berlin, and they also have their own understanding of football.

They won't be as "quiet" as the senior management of other giants.

The coaching staff isn't targeting Müller; they simply haven't found the most suitable way to use Müller within Ancelotti's Bayern system.

Facing the barrage from legends, the fans' anger, and Müller's own confusion...

Ancelotti didn't even want to respond; his German at this stage was still very poor, he could only say a few opening remarks, and during interviews he still had to use Italian.

He personally likes Müller very much, and even before taking charge of Bayern, he often praised Müller.

But considering Bayern's average age and aging squad issues at this time... Ancelotti believed the current Bayern couldn't play 4-4-2, and since taking over at the Allianz Arena, he has consistently stuck with 4-3-3.

Adapting to the available players is Ancelotti's label.

Football Manager players are suffering: other teams' 4-3-3 formations lean toward attack, shortening the attack-defense cycle and easily producing more goals; Ancelotti's 4-3-3 tends to prolong the time of possession during the buildup phase.

Time passed unnoticed.

Bayern, trailing by one goal, regained control of the initiative on the pitch.

Arsenal continued with their low defensive block.

They couldn't win it back.

In midfield battles, only Li Kang had a positional advantage; Casillas faced no advantage against Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira, let alone the young Granit Xhaka.

Fortunately, Maguire and Koscielny performed excellently, preventing Lewandowski and Coman from getting too many chances.

24th minute of the match.

Thiago carried the ball in the thirty-meter zone, attracting the pressing of Xhaka and Cazorla.

He then knocked the ball back and surged forward into the crowd of attackers.

Alonso seized the gap in Arsenal's defensive line.

His long legs met the ball with a whip-like strike.

The ball skimmed the turf, pierced through Arsenal's midfield defense, and found Lewandowski at the top of the penalty arc!

Lewandowski was tightly marked by Maguire on his backside.

This guy isn't just about shooting.

His hold-up play is also top-notch.

Before receiving the ball with his back to goal, he made a "turn" feint.

Maguire followed suit and turned with him.

Halfway through the turn, he realized he'd been fooled!

He watched helplessly as Lewandowski knocked the ball with his heel... and immediately the ball rolled through his trousers and into the penalty area!

"Beautiful!"

"So imaginative!"

"Lewandowski's role as a focal point exceeds the traditional meaning of a striker!"

At that moment.

Thiago also emerged from the crowd and slipped into the penalty area!

About to receive the ball and shoot!

"This one's going in!"

"Wow!"

As Bayern's number 6 wound up for a furious shot, his view was suddenly blocked by Arsenal's number 10 jersey!

The ball escaped his control radius!

Li Kang stepped in first, swung his leg, and cleared the ball!

Thiago was jostled two steps... helplessly smoothing his hair: such a stealthy run-in, yet again spotted by La Masia's number 4!

Cech was overjoyed, he enthusiastically embraced Li Kang: "Li, you've just saved me from a big trouble!"

32nd minute of the match.

Bayern made a mistake in their forward passing.

Maguire won the ball but had no space to launch a counterattack long pass.

Lewandowski isn't just about shooting; although he talks a lot with his big mouth, his football intelligence on the pitch is exceptionally high, and his pressing and disruption ability is top-notch.

The two seemed to have swapped roles.

The role of backing into the defender, swapped.

"Beautiful, and he still passed the ball out!"

"Too bad Bayern's overall shape also completed its defensive recovery, Arsenal lost the chance to counterattack."

"Maguire's passing ideas are very simple—just find Li Kang."

"Hey! Li Kang is going to attack Alaba's flank!"

Alaba has a bad habit at the moment: his defending is beyond criticism, but his recovery positioning isn't proactive enough.

Alonso, Benatia, and Boateng often have to cover for him.

Li Kang carried the ball forward, made a small acceleration, and shook off Vidal's harassment.

Then he passed the ball to the right flank.

The space left by Alaba.

"Sanchez!"

"Receive the ball on the right... accelerate!"

"When did he swap positions with Walterskirchen?"

"No problem, he could handle any position on the attacking line during his time at Barcelona!"

"Boateng's recovery speed is very fast!"

The dark, thick thighs kicked hard against the turf.

The short Chilean star caused panic among Bayern fans!

No cutting inside!

Sanchez had no intention of directly confronting Boateng, but continued dribbling the ball toward the baseline!

Couldn't get past.

Besides Messi, few people could overwhelm Bayern's central defenders head-on.

The speed erupted by the two in the local area was extremely terrifying.

You chase me, I chase you!

How does the small guy break the big guy?

Sanchez made a sudden stop, Boateng couldn't hold his inertia, and opened up passing space!

"He's going to cross!"

"Arsenal have shown their intimidating power again!"

Inside the penalty area, both sides' tall players were eager to act!

Morata felt his moment to perform had arrived, tightly marking his own Benatia, nothing to fear!

Preparing to anticipate the ball's path... preparing to jump!

Bam!

The football didn't fly into the penalty area!

Sanchez delivered an "inverted triangle" diagonal pass!

The football rolled to the top of the penalty arc.

Li Kang chased after, and the bald silhouette in his vision suddenly blurred, as if hesitating about something.

"This pass is a bit hard to understand!"

"Theoretically no long-range shooting angle... one touch of the ball!"

Another bam!

The football left Li Kang's left foot.

Drew an elegant arc in the Bayern penalty area!

Over Alonso, Benatia!

A sudden drop!

Falling toward Morata's head!

The Spanish striker also didn't know why he could guess Li Kang's intention.

No.

It was Li who created the most suitable header opportunity for himself!

Bent forward.

Waist and abdomen exerted force!

Header!

The spinning football, upon touching Morata's forehead, instantly turned into a cannonball!

Unstoppably boomed toward Bayern's goal!

Arsenal fans were overjoyed.

Bayern fans were shocked and alarmed.

A pair of orange-red latex gloves overturned the joy and sorrow of over seventy thousand fans.

Bam!

The football was blocked out for a corner by the fully stretched Neuer!

"God save!"

"World-class save!"

"Neuer has made a contribution, he's not just a goalkeeper!"

"Arsenal missed a great chance to expand their lead!"

"But the intimidating power and coordination shown by the Gunners in this attack are worthy of praise!"

Morata rubbed his forehead, expression helpless.

Neuer got up, ignored the approaching Benatia for a hug, and instead pointed with his finger to indicate Alaba's positioning issue.

Live broadcast room.

-【My 1:4! Why hasn't it scored yet?】

-【Don't rush, Bayern's goals are concentrated in the second half, trust the data, don't be blind.】

-【Sanchez is smart, Bayern aren't afraid of regular bottom-line crosses, better to give Li Kang the ball at the top of the penalty arc to handle.】

-【Morata's header, that's a near-inches header! Actually got saved.】

-【Injury-free Neuer, in my eyes, is the goalkeeper version of Li Mingdeng!】

-【Strange, Neuer isn't afraid of top strikers, just afraid of Balotelli and Li Kang...】

In the following match, neither side created better opportunities.

Thiago was frozen by Li Kang, the agility and imagination shown in the first ten minutes gradually vanished without a trace.

The La Masia civil war, ultimately the number 4 position prevailed.

Zakka, relieved of his burden, went to pester the "old" Alonso.

But Arsenal's counterattacks were also repeatedly disrupted by Benatia and the "gatekeeper" Noyin.

Beep! Beep-beep~

The main referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the first half.

At the Allianz Arena, Bayern fans chanted slogans, cheering on their own players.

Being behind by one goal did not discourage them.

But some fans had not forgotten to blast Ancelotti.

The stands behind the coaching bench echoed with Müller's name.

"ThomasMuller!

!"

"ThomasMuller!

!"

"ThomasMuller!

!"

Müller's expression was complex.

After Van Gaal promoted him to the first team years ago, he had gone through several head coaches... only this season was he not given much playing time.

Ancelotti remained expressionless, chewing gum as he walked toward the tunnel.

Even if he had a big heart, he still needed more rest time to absorb nicotine, to ease his stress.

Arsenal's locker room.

Boerde pointed at the tactical board.

"Bayern exposed two defensive issues on the flanks in the first half."

"Kimmich is prone to losing position in positional play, exposing gaps!"

"Alaba tends to push forward in open play, and his timing to recover and reposition is often slow!"

"We still have a chance to extend the score!"

Theory is theory.

Boateng and Benatia's gap-filling ability is too strong.

Vidal's protection of the backline is also quite sufficient.

And Tiago also possesses strong defensive attributes in positional play.

Bayern is not so easily broken through.

To fight the strong with weakness, Arsenal can only rely on counterattacks to seek scoring opportunities.

Wenger pulled Schweinsteiger aside, and the two spoke in low voices.

After Ancelotti finished his cigarette and returned to the locker room, he heard some bad news... ptoo ptoo ptoo, it's bad news: Tiago's old injury flared up, and the team doctor advised him to rest!

Who else can we use?

There are still many usable players.

For example, Martínez, Costa... but these two guys' organization and distribution, creativity are not as strong as Tiago's.

In thought.

Ancelotti looked toward Müller.

He clearly knew: if Müller were brought on, the tactical system he had set for Bayern might collapse...

But to equalize in the first leg, he had no choice but to play Müller!

Players and head coaches are sometimes like a man and woman in a relationship.

No side is said to be good or bad, only whether their styles suit each other.

Müller is excellent.

Ancelotti is also excellent.

But they just don't suit each other.

Temporary unsuitability is still unsuitability.

But to win the match, when making a tactical shift, unsuitability must be made to suit.

Ancelotti had to give up some things to suit Müller.

Müller also had to put in more effort to suit Ancelotti.

The fifteen-minute break ended quickly.

The referee corps led both teams' players back onto the pitch.

When Bayern fans saw Müller's figure, they instantly erupted in cheers and applause!

Immediately after.

They then saw Schweinsteiger, and their emotions became complicated again.

Hoping the iron piglet would return to the Allianz Arena to end his career, they found the club no longer had a place for him.

VIP box.

The German legends could not feel happy.

They wanted Müller to play, but Bayern could not take Tiago off!

Just like in the 2014 World Cup, when Müller played up front, midfield also needed someone like Kroos.

During Guardiola's era, the inward movement of the full-backs could indirectly relieve midfield pressure.

But Lahm was preparing to retire, and today he wasn't even in the squad.

"Tiago's old injury flared up..."

The atmosphere was heavy.

A group of middle-aged men and old men who once shone on the field all showed worried expressions.

It's not Müller's problem.

It's not Ancelotti's problem.

If Bayern's overall lineup were a few years younger... they wouldn't fear Arsenal, whose overall strength is a notch lower.

"Dear viewers, welcome back!"

"We are now live broadcasting the first leg of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals!"

"Bayern Munich at home versus Arsenal."

"The temporary score is 0:1!"

"We see both teams have made substitution adjustments!"

"On Bayern's side, Müller substituted for Tiago! The formation should return to the familiar 4-4-2!"

"Arsenal also made a positional substitution, taking off Zakha and bringing on Schweinsteiger! The Iron Pig returns to the Allianz!"

Beep!

Accompanied by the referee's whistle.

The second half began.

Arsenal possession.

Morata kicked off and passed back to Li Kang.

Both teams' formations quickly overlapped.

Müller gave his all; Ancelotti made him feel a sense of crisis: to adapt to the development of football tactics, he too must develop other abilities.

"Li Kang has the ball so steadily!"

"Passed to the flank."

"Walcott received the ball... began to accelerate!"

"Can't get past Vidal this way, still have to pass back!"

"What happened? Arsenal easily took control of the situation!"

"The situation seems to be the reverse of the first half!"

The football on the green field was passed, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Arsenal firmly controlled possession.

Li Kang was very familiar with the Bayern in front of him.

Simply weaker than the Guardiola-era Bayern they faced in the Bundesliga.

In God's perspective.

After Bayern substituted off Tiago, the 4-4-2 formation exposed many problems.

Coman and Roben withdrew, the two attack-oriented wingers... could not contribute much in midfield battles.

Vidal's midfield freedom was greatly reduced.

The aging Alonso could not sustain the up-and-down movement for long.

Midfield slaughter?

Actually, it was Arsenal's five midfielders slaughtering Bayern's two midfielders!

Full-backs cutting in?

The young Kimmich is far inferior to Müller.

Moreover, Arsenal's flank has Sanchez.

What if Lai Wan also withdrew like Müller?

Then Bayern's transition attack would hardly come out, and even if Arsenal were dispossessed, midfielders would have ample time to reposition.

Li Kang hasn't played such an active problem-solving match in a long time.

"A sudden burst of speed!"

"After Arsenal took control, they launched a passing and cutting move in Bayern's half, thirty-meter zone!"

"The attacking direction is the left flank!"

"Shrink in!"

"Charge forward!"

The football was passed quickly at the feet of Arsenal players.

The running positions of the front-line attacking players, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing.

Continuously adjusting their own position with Casola's movement.

"The coordination is too beautiful!"

"Like mercury pouring onto the ground!"

"Like flowing clouds and running water!"

"But Bayern's defensive line is contracting very quickly!"

Sideline of the pitch.

Boerde excitedly said: "Boss, we're about to score again..."

Wenger sat upright on the coach's bench, at this moment also couldn't help clenching his fists.

The other side.

Ancelotti was calm and composed.

He firmly believed that defensive players could disrupt the Gunners' passing and cutting attacks.

Bayern might fear Atlético's onslaught, but there's nothing to fear about Barcelona and Arsenal's fancy play.

Kimmich was a bit nervous.

But he wasn't afraid at all.

Soon, Vidal, Robben, and Alonso gathered around him.

Most of Bayern's defensive strength in the midfield and front also converged.

Arsenal's attacking direction was too obvious!

Wasn't it just attacking the left rib area?

"Cazorla's chip was disrupted by Vidal!"

"Schweinsteiger came in just in time!"

"Pass it to Sánchez!"

Vidal came to his senses.

The ball had already stopped at Sánchez's feet.

The 1.68-meter Arsenal powerhouse, during his startup, shook his shoulder and shoved Kimmich aside!

This shove.

Arsenal's passing and cutting also stalled.

"Kimmich's defensive positioning was crucial!"

"He didn't win the ball, but he disrupted Arsenal's passing rhythm!"

"The Gunners no longer have sufficient space at this position to accelerate!"

Sánchez wasn't thinking about accelerating anymore.

After bursting out of the safe passing environment, he swung his thick leg!

Not a long shot!

But a wide transfer!

Pass to the right flank!

Find Li Kang!

Everyone's eyes followed the football's trajectory.

As it descended.

Two figures appeared in the frame.

Li Kang and Alaba!

"We will see these two youngsters competing on the green field for many years to come."

"The second conversation in their professional careers!"

"Sánchez's pass was very powerful!"

Alaba had bulked up this season.

A super genius, adjusting his body is as easy as eating and drinking.

He doesn't believe he will be knocked over again.

The moment the football hit the ground.

Even if Li Kang had taken up his position.

I still have confidence not to fall behind... What's going on, Li Kang's running posture!

The entire stadium erupted!

Bayern fans didn't even see clearly how Li Kang shook off Alaba!

Just two blinks!

Li Kang then carried the ball horizontally from the right flank, charging into Bayern's penalty area!

This running style... is exactly like Old Luo from our hometown!

"Feet treading the fire wheel!"

"Changing lines!"

"Cutting inside!"

In Li Kang's vision, the bald phantom reappeared, glowing with golden light!

Countless fragments surged wildly into his mind.

His blood seemed to boil as well.

Inside Bayern's penalty area.

Boateng stood with his hands behind his back, maintaining a subtle distance from Li Kang.

He couldn't easily stick out his foot!

It would cause a penalty kick in minutes!

This kid's footwork is too strange!

Prepare to block!

Gradually.

Bayern's center-back Boateng shrank back!

He followed Li Kang's lateral movement, adjusting his defensive position.

He couldn't keep up.

Only see Li Kang tapping the ball with his left foot, once, again, and again...

Three consecutive touches with the left foot!

Tight footwork adjustments.

Causing Boateng to shift his balance during the lateral movement! He can no longer block the opponent's shot!

Bang!

The football left Li Kang's left foot!

Violent spin!

Curving toward the dead corner of Bayern's goal!

Neuer's orange-red gloves could no longer change the joy and sorrow of over seventy thousand fans in the stadium!

The white net was lifted!

0:2!

!

Robben, still on the defensive recovery path, wore a look of astonishment.