Chapter 505: Unreasonable Slowdown (Daily Transition)

Bayern Munich locker room.

Heynckes's adjustment is simple.

"Raise the overall speed."

"Sit down, rest!"

Even though trailing by three goals on aggregate, the Bundesliga giant shows no sign of decline.

This is the temporary aggregate score over two legs, not the current match score.

There is no grand passionate speech.

Everyone is grabbing a quick rest in the little remaining halftime.

Chelsea locker room.

Dino carefully reviewed the tactical details of the first half.

Tuchel proposed the adjustment idea for the second half.

"Slow down."

"Infinitely suppress the tempo."

"Even when leading, we must absolutely not let our guard down."

The disciples understood implicitly.

After a brief silence.

Buffon wanted to tell a joke, just started, and teammates burst into laughter.

The fifteen-minute halftime break ended quickly.

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

Allianz Arena, once again boiling.

"Good evening, friends in the audience, welcome back."

"Both sides have not made any substitution adjustments for now."

"Bundesliga giant, can you complete a comeback in the final 45 minutes?"

"Let's wait and see!"

With the whistle of the head referee.

The second half officially begins!

Bayern possession.

Lewandowski kicked off and passed back to Martinez.

The Polish striker is annoyed tonight; his chances to touch the ball rely solely on this restart from the center circle.

Chelsea's formation no longer presses high.

Bayern's attack no longer initiates from the back.

The ball's rolling speed on the pitch is very fast, completely different from the first half's rhythm.

"Kimmich!"

"He can't combine with Robben on the right like Lahm does."

"The ball is lost"

"The whole person was shoved out of bounds by Kanté!"

"Chelsea's defensive midfielder's tackle is clean, no problem."

"The forward teammates' positions haven't shifted; no rush to counterattack."

Kanté passed the ball back to the backfield.

After being sorted by Rüdiger and David Luiz.

The ball came to Li Kang's feet.

From God's perspective, after Hai Clan Bayern lost possession, the midfield-forward interception line was quickly established.

Immediately after.

The golden radiant phantom of Beckenbauer lightly lifted his foot.

Li Kang's motion synchronized with it.

He stepped on the ball under his foot.

Slow down, break the stalemate.

"The underfloor heating equipment at Allianz Arena is very advanced."

"The heating solution comes from a local family business, Viessmann."

"Viessmann Heating Technology Ltd.'s third factory in China is located in."

"Eh? Li Kang's ball-stepping action is very unreasonable."

Li Kang did not immediately pass the ball, nor did he immediately run.

Ribery decisively surged forward.

Li Kang lightly flicked the ball, calmly evaded the opponent's press, stepped forward a few steps, and passed to the overlapping Azpilicueta on the flank.

The latter performed a one-two (wall pass).

A two-on-one, shaking off Müller.

Li Kang again stepped on the ball to stop it.

Slow down.

Bayern's formation pushed forward.

From God's perspective, space opened up in the backfield.

Well, from the analysis report of Southampton's youth academy.

The purpose of dribbling is space.

In form it is a deceleration; essentially it is the simplest method to create dangerous attacks.

The core player's deceleration dribble is an enticement of time and space.

Dribble.

This action, which was wildly condemned in the past, appeared in a paper in the 17‑18 season.

"A divine technique of individual deceleration."

"A divine technique of overall space attraction."

The author of this paper is the head coach of Serie A Sassuolo, Roberto De Zerbi.

Which European stars like to dribble?

Beckenbauer, Maradona, Ronaldinho, Zidane, Xavi, Iniesta, Pirlo, Modrić, Kroos, 91 Messi, Havertz, Marcelo.

But if a football cartoon dares to depict this action in a match, it will face fierce backlash from many fans.

"Stupid screenwriter? Let the protagonist dribble a trivial ball? Wait to be stolen by the opposite side?"

"Who dribbles in an official match?"

"When dribbling, the limitation of breaking free is too great."

"Stupid screenwriter, do you think official matches are five‑a‑side football?"

When you played on the school team as a child, if you dared to do this move, you would be loudly criticized by teachers and teammates.

Everyone would think: unreasonable.

Who could have imagined that in the tactical evolution of European football, this unreasonable action would gradually become the mainstream deceleration kicking method?

"David Luiz is imitating, dribbling to entice, looks very dangerous!"

"Oh no, Rüdiger almost made a mistake"

"Beautiful, it transferred again to Li Kang's feet."

Sideline.

Tuchel's expression was excited; he exaggeratedly made the gesture of pressing down with both palms.

Leading by two goals, decelerate.

Attracting Bayern's forward press, exposing more space in the backfield.

Even if the interception line is dense, there is still a chance to break through.

The other side.

Heynckes' expression could not hide his bewilderment.

First leg, the deep strong‑weak side interception network that made Chelsea suffer—has it just become ineffective?

Live stream room.

The danmaku flows endlessly.

【There's still so much time left in the match, why are you already clearing the ball? My big 3.5!】

【Damn it, refund!】

【I still remember the first leg match; Chelsea pushed forward, only to be toyed with by Bayern's deep interception network to the point of ecstasy.】

【That's right; at that time Bayern's defensive focus on the strong‑weak side was intentionally set up very clearly; Chelsea couldn't break through on the ground; if they switched to the far weak side, Bayern players had ample time to adjust their defensive focus.】

【Nowadays is different from the past; does Chelsea dribble in the backfield? Deceleration enticement, forcing Bayern to crowd the frontfield, exposing asymmetrical backfield space.】

【Speed Reduction Divine Technique, a natural counter to Hai Clan Bayern.】

Time passes second by second.

The red sea of stands all around the Allianz Arena continued to churn, still surging.

Bayern's frontfield players struggled to press.

Couldn't win it.

Li Kang in a deceleration state, with his back to the goal, had no flaws.

The purpose is not to dribble past, but to break free.

V‑shaped pull.

Inside cut.

Outside push.

Rear pull turn.

The match data panel kept updating, half‑ball touches chasing Alonso, Busquets, Kroos, and Ruoniao.

This is yet another tendency that many fans consider unreasonable.

Cruyff once said in the 1970s: "In a match, the average time each player holds the ball is only three minutes."

In fact, his own ball‑touch time in a single match far exceeds that number.

Not to mention the La Masia disciples under Cruyff's triangular system.

Hypnosis tactic, rampant across Europe.

After scoring, they began clearing the ball, clearing, clearing, clearing, clearing—just the ball‑holding time of the Havertz trio already far exceeds three minutes.

With tactical evolution, rhythm changes, use of attack‑defense cycles, and extension of effective playing time, the core midfielders of Europe's powerhouses now have ball‑holding time and touch counts in a single match that far surpass that concept.

Minute 68 of the match.

An abrupt change occurred.

Under high pressure, Hai Clan Bayern finally revealed a hint of a breach.

Li Kang was in the thirty-meter area of his own half.

He struck the ball with the inside of his left foot.

With a natural follow-through motion, he delivered an inswing long pass.

Above Anlian Stadium, a beautiful slight curve was traced.

The drowsy spectators were suddenly jolted awake.

"Inswing curve."

"The ball speed is very fast, the arc is very small, masterful skill."

"In the blink of an eye it pierced through behind Kimmich."

"Oh no, Kimmich is pressing too far forward."

The descending ball carried tremendous momentum.

It blasted through Bayern Munich's high defensive line!

Boateng and Hummels quickly retreated.

The latter rushed toward the landing point.

At the moment the ball touched the ground, an exaggerated change of direction unexpectedly occurred!

"A superb long-pass technique!"

"The inswing force Li Kang applied to the ball is terrifyingly strong!"

"It caused the ball to bounce, change direction dramatically, as if given life, cleverly avoiding Hummels!"

"Li Kang, he decided the course of the match!"

"Morata!"

VIP box.

All the Bayern legends once again turned their gaze toward the football emperor: Is this guy pouring everything he's learned into his opponent?

In the previous century, during the 1960s-70s when long-pass technique was 'relatively scarce'.

As a defender, Beckenbauer displayed an ultra-modern deep long pass in official matches.

Twisted long pass.

Outswing curve.

Inswing curve.

A high-arcing long pass from a stationary bouncing ball.

A defender who, by using different passing methods in various situations to create different threats, founded the long-pass tradition for posterity, worthy of the emperor's title.

As of 2018, there still existed online color footage of Beckenbauer's long-pass highlights.

Beckenbauer raised his right hand, glanced at the time, and said: 'His performance may not yet be over.'

"Morata!"

"Can you seize the opportunity?"

Morata dribbled forward and charged.

His handsome, charming face, calm and composed.

He surged to the edge of the penalty area, and when facing Boateng's interception, the Chelsea striker used incredibly agile footwork to find the best shooting angle in the cramped space.

Amid the astonished cries of the crowd,

Neuer launched himself in a diving save.

The cannonball-like ball was blocked by the pink-gloved hand!

"Oh no!"

"Amazing save!"

"Morata's shot was of extremely high quality!"

"Too bad he was up against Neuer!"

"He fumbled it!"

"Alaba cleared it with a big kick!"

"The ball flew out of bounds!"

"What a close call—Chelsea was just a bit short of completely killing the match!"

Morata scratched his head, then lightly clapped.

He felt he had played well.

Neuer didn't blame his teammates; he knew there was nothing defenders could do against the trajectory of such an inswing long pass.

On the sidelines.

Tuchel threw the ball to Azpilicueta.

He and Li Kang exchanged a few gestures.

The master and apprentice instantly understood each other's intentions.

At the 70-minute mark, they slightly increased the pace.

On the other flank.

Heynckes fell into doubt.

The old man's expression was calm, but his flushed cheeks could not hide his inner tension.

Unlike the first leg, the Bayern head coach who had brought numerous tactical troubles to the Chelsea players now found their roles reversed.

Azpilicueta threw the ball to the central water-drinking brother.

Li Kang paused in the right-wing front, then made a reverse run forward.

The water-drinking brother didn't think too much.

He sent out a ground long pass.

The pass lacked precision.

Yet the anticipation was ample.

The ball rolled toward the right flank baseline!

"It's time to compare speeds again!"

"Alaba and Li Kang are talking again!"

"No suspense."

"Alaba didn't make a tracking-back move in advance and was overtaken!"

"Bayern didn't expect Chelsea to play so simply!"

Li Kang barely managed to stop the ball near the baseline.

A horizontal pass into the middle of the penalty area found space!

Diego Costa and Morata were one in front, one behind.

The twin towers stood tall!

Thud!

Close-range point-blank heavy shot!

Neuer fired full power, punching the ball out with both fists!

The ball flew out of the penalty area.

In the outer area, David Luiz leapt high, got ahead of Ribéry, and headed the ball to Kanté.

Kanté dribbled laterally.

Li Kang withdrew from the right flank, then cut inside to midfield.

"Not in a hurry to look at the ball's position."

"Look at Li Kang's position after cutting inside; the purpose is to create more space."

"The ball is coming again!"

"Li Kang accelerated, dribbling down the outer line! He has now become a full-back."

"Azpilicueta ran diagonally, inserting into Bayern's flank! He has now become a winger."

"Alaba and Boateng narrowed their distance!"

"Li Kang didn't combine with Azpilicueta on the ground but instead lofted the ball directly, a long pass into the penalty area!"

"So smart! Top-tier ability to read the defensive line."

"Diego Costa!"

"Header."

"Oh no, it was blocked by Neuer again!"

"During this period, Chelsea's right-wing attack was simple and terrifying!"

Chelsea, relying on slowing down to gain a physical advantage, launched wave after wave of right-wing attacks.

Bayern fans were trembling with fear.

Chelsea fans forgot the score.

In Li Kang's vision, the phantom of Beckenbauer grew ever more brilliant.

Minute 78 of the match.

Chelsea launched another right-wing attack.

Azpilicueta made a diagonal run into the half-space, giving space to Li Kang.

Alaba and Boateng weren't fooled this time; the former pursued the ball, the latter focused on the penalty area's twin towers.

"Oh no, Li's right-wing attacking chain has a different pattern again!"

"How can Bayern be so honest!"

"Li Kang passed the ball to an unoccupied area on the flank! He then cut inside again!"

"Azpilicueta goes to the flank to receive the ball."

"Position swap flank combination!"

"Again a pass to Li Kang's flank, Li Kang touches the ball once, then slots it to Morata in the penalty area gap!"

"Wow!"

"Still Neuer!"

"The dignity of the Bundesliga giant cannot be trampled!"

"The Blues' firepower cannot create a tragedy in Munich!"

Alaba felt like he was about to be played to pieces.

Li Kang on the right half is practically the nemesis of Hai Clan Bayern.

Azpilicueta, panting, gave Li Kang a thumbs-up.

He had a premonition: in the 2018 World Cup, thanks to his chemistry with Li, he could very likely bench the 'world's best right-back' Carvajal.

Live stream.

【Azpilicueta is going to be brought up as the world's number one right-back!】

【I'm thinking: if right-wing Li and right-wing Mei were teammates... forget it, one ball isn't enough for them to play.】

【The whole match was entirely Li Kang's solo performance.】

【In the first half, two goals showcasing extreme individual ability.】

【In the second half, slowing down to control the game, right-wing burst, organization linking.】

Pass stop carry shoot. Super big core.

Reign over Munich!

Time passes slowly.

Match 85th minute.

Tuchel frantically gestured on the sidelines.

The deceleration time point has come again!

Heynckes did not give up; the old man on the sidelines gestured authoritatively. This might be his last Champions League match in his coaching career.

Even though the overall score is behind by three goals.

Hai Clan Bayern, too, will not give up.

"Fourth official on the sideline raised the LED board; injury time added four minutes."

"Trailing three goals, not much time left for Bayern Munich."

"Munich may not witness a miracle."

"Oh dear, look at this attack—Robben was taken down by Bakayoko!"

"A free-kick opportunity near the diagonal of the right side of the large penalty area!"

The head referee took out the foam spray and drew a 'U' at the foul location.

Kimmich stood alone at the penalty spot.

Chelsea set up a three-man wall inside the diagonal, and Müller also stood in that position;

Chelsea lined up a seven-man wall behind the top of the penalty arc.

Beep!

Kimmich took the free kick.

"No shot on goal!"

"Ground diagonal pass!"

"The central wall's Boateng and Hummels had their backs to the ball, restricting Chelsea's central wall from retreating!"

"Lewandowski quickly moved forward to receive the ball!"

"Müller also got around the three-man wall on the diagonal and charged toward the byline!"

"A beautiful pass!"

"Chelsea's central wall produced a chaotic chain reaction, causing chaos in the entire penalty area defense!"

"Müller dribbled on the byline, inverted triangle!"

"Boateng, who completed the interference work, now ran to a position six yards from the goal!"

"It leaked through!"

"Robben shot!"

"Buffon!"

The Italian goalkeeper quickly went down, near the left post, and firmly caught the ball.

Despair.

Allianz Arena, once again echoed with desperate sighs.

The camera cut to Heynckes on the sideline.

Bayern's old coach shook his head helplessly, feeling lost.

Finally.

The head referee blew the whistle signalling the end of the match.

Bayern Munich 0:2 Chelsea.

The blue team advanced to the Champions League final.

Li Kang was surrounded by teammates and then lifted high.

The black-haired figure rose and fell under the spotlight.

Allianz Arena, the traveling Chelsea fans sent out waves of applause.

Tuchel waved his fists, rushed onto the pitch, full of vigor.

Heynckes silently walked toward the tunnel, leaving a lonely silhouette.

Today high school classmates came to visit; no choice but to entertain well. Tomorrow definitely stay home all day to type well.