Chapter 539: The Drawbacks of the Number Nine and a Half (Everyday Transition)

Spain should not continue using Enrique's world-class tactical corner kick this time.

Several Barcelona players and technical midfielders were sitting on the bench.

The Spanish players on the field will play a bit more simply.

The sea breeze fluttered the corner flagpole.

Koke raised his hand.

Two-step run-up.

Smack!

The football lifted off the ground and fell straight into Belgium's penalty area.

Belgium has many tall players.

But Morata's anticipation of the ball's trajectory is world-class.

He leapt with both feet.

His body swung forward in midair.

He completely suppressed the veteran Kompany.

Mora Tou!

We've got this ball!

The commentator, unable to hold back, shouted Morata's nickname.

Smack!

His handsome, striking face fiercely headed the ball toward Belgium's goal!

Bosque and the coaching staff on the sidelines were ready to punch the air in celebration: you can always trust Morata's head!

Courtois exploded with power.

He is two meters tall, but not bulky, possessing excellent mobility.

He also possesses top-tier anticipation of the ball's path.

He adjusted his defensive position with a crossover step.

At the moment of Morata's header, Courtois leapt high, stretching his body to its limit!

He really was like a wall!

Thud!

His green gloves clenched into a fist, punching the ball away!

Wow! A divine save!

Courtois has once again become a hero in the eyes of the Belgians!

He made the whole crowd let out a sigh!

The ball rolled to the edge of the penalty area.

De Bruyne controlled the ball, turned, and launched a long pass!

Belgium's counterattack!

Spain's overall formation quickly fell back.

We must fall back!

There is a number nine and a half on the field; regardless of the combat situation, whenever the team loses possession, it is unsuitable to immediately press and win the ball back in the front, and must retreat to set up a low defensive line.

The number nine and a half occupies the wide central space during the transition to attack; once possession is lost in the front, shifting from attack to defense, that wide central space will infinitely amplify the opponent's counterattack advantage!

Either we fill the gap with other midfielders, in which case the local numbers will be at an absolute disadvantage.

Or we make up for it through a battle-tested defensive system.

Therefore, only Atletico Madrid and Juventus possess the tactical soil for the survival of a number nine and a half!

All of De Bruyne's passing skills are maxed out.

Even if he were born ten years later, he would not be outdated.

Short windup.

Quick adjustment.

No matter how the tactical environment changes, all systems will greatly favor this kind of super midfielder that can shorten the attacking time axis.

The ball's trajectory was like a rainbow, drawing splendid patterns above the Samara Stadium.

The spectators again burst into cheers and applause.

The ball finally landed in the forty-meter zone of Spain's half.

It bounced once upon landing.

The change of direction was very slight.

The exquisite long-passing technique, down to the finest detail, is breathtaking.

Lukaku surged forward.

Pique also surged forward.

At the landing spot, the two engaged in a fierce collision.

Although Pique's character is not great, his defensive moves are very clean.

Unfortunately, he now simply cannot withstand the opponent's impact!

What precise tackles.

What balance battles.

All of it was useless.

That was a two-hundred-pound force unleashed at full power!

Prove the Dao with strength!

One force breaks myriad laws!

"Pique was flipped over and fell!"

"The referee didn't blow the whistle, no problem, this is a reasonable charge!"

"Lukaku!"

"A burst!"

"He's charging!"

"How can he be so fast?"

On the green field, a black fat guy bigger than other player models, when he sprints, all the visual impact given to the audience is absolutely maximized!

Spain's backfield.

Lukaku is full of killing intent.

De Gea is composed and calm.

In recent years, even the goalkeeper's one-on-one technique has undergone several revolutions.

The traditional goalkeeper's way of dealing with it is: one-on-one, approaching the opponent within the penalty area, making a save through extreme reaction.

This is almost a natural 'instinct'.

Let one's reaction time be greatly shortened.

However, data analysis from Southampton Football Academy shows: this way of dealing with one-on-ones only works when facing one-on-one threats from both sides of the penalty area.

"De Gea didn't come out."

"According to his career habit, if the opponent receives the ball beyond 14 yards from him and forms a one-on-one, he definitely won't come out!"

"He didn't assume the K-shaped block posture."

"Look at this ball."

"Lukaku!"

"The clash of two Manchester United teammates!"

De Gea's K-shaped block is a supreme skill; analyzing it could fill thousands of words and still not be exhausted.

But he now simply stands calmly in front of the goal, spreading his arms to increase his defensive area.

Lukaku dribbles into the penalty area.

He fires a powerful shot.

The ball howls toward the right side of Spain's goal!

The fierce, domineering half-high ball leaves De Gea's historic blocking foot with nowhere to act.

Smack!

The ball was blocked out.

At the Samara Arena, sighs rise again and again.

"Another divine save!"

"De Gea seemed to have slid sideways in advance, making a beautiful side save to block Lukaku's powerful shot!"

"Both goalkeepers are in great form today!"

Lukaku glumly hugged his big braised egg.

De Gea's expression remains calm: even if Lukaku scores an own goal for Manchester United, he can still block it.

Live broadcast room.

【Weak team's god when going out, Manchester United's defense keeps De Gea in a perpetual burst state.】

【What's up with Courtois?】

【Normal, Toby didn't get much playing time at Tottenham last season, yet his performance in the World Cup remains excellent.】

【Won't there be no ball left after Li Mingdeng scores one?】

【Haha, Li Kang has fallen into a four-minute goal drought.】

On the sidelines.

The moods of both coaching staffs rise and fall.

The tempo of attack and defense switches is very fast, yet they just can't score.

Miniano grows increasingly nervous: 'Chief.'

Bosque patted the assistant coach's shoulder: 'Don't worry, Belgium's threatening means are still relatively simple.'

The Spanish coaching staff now faces a problem: there is a number nine and a half on the field; when they lose possession, how should they play? Past tactical models have long been eliminated.

In this era, without the defensive systems of Atletico Madrid and Juventus, the number nine and a half will spend most of his time on the pitch in a 'stealth' state.

The problem arises.

Atletico Madrid and Juventus also lack a perfect number nine and a half that fits their defensive system.

Griezmann is a hybrid role.

Dybala has put out explosive performances over several seasons, but strictly speaking, he hasn't yet advanced to 'complete form'; however, Juventus fans believe: next season, Dybala will surely become stronger, becoming the soul of the striped team!

On the other side.

Martinez's observation is very keen.

Just like the in-game adjustment in the match against Little Days Comeback, he finally discovered the opponent's weakness.

The match resumed.

After losing possession, the bullfighter legion always has to revert to a low-form shape, allowing the European Red Devils to gradually gain the upper hand on the field.

24th minute.

Azhaer received the pass from Dengbeilai.

On the left flank, wiggling his big butt, he moved as if entering an uninhabited zone.

"This ball handling is very sophisticated."

"Facing three defenders alone on the left flank."

"Slow down. Then speed up, go wide, speed up again, then cut inside two steps!"

"Oh dear, Azhaer single-handedly blew out the opponent's left flank!"

"The Ball King's kicking style!"

"Debulaonei unusually opened up the midfield defense with his overlapping run with Lukaku."

"Azhaer launches the ball!"

"The attacking chain is that simple!"

Pa!

Azhaer, near the baseline in the penalty area, faced Kawahaer's block and created a passing angle.

He kicked a cross.

Feilaini made a forward run into midfield!

He jumped!

His afro shook violently!

Because the football hit Lukaku on the forehead, it flew out over the baseline.

Tens of thousands of spectators in the stadium stared in shock: "Did this black fatty block his teammate's shot?"

Feilaini stood there dazed.

Azhaer looked completely bewildered.

Lukaku froze for two seconds, then awkwardly clapped.

Head Coach Martinez crouched down and furiously punched the turf.

(End of chapter)