Chapter 1264: Securing Internal Stability and Repelling External Threats (Part 3)

Mebarak might not just be a system player; he could be equally formidable in other teams with other tactics.

But within Barça’s system, his role is merely the “1+10” with him as the 10.

The 1 in Barça is Mateo.

It could also be Lu Yang.

It might even be Ortiz.

But it will never be Mebarak.

This is defined by Barça’s system.

Those who benefit from the system must also be constrained by it.

“But he is the team captain, I can’t always keep him on the bench.” Gudiola expressed his thoughts.

He didn’t continue from a technical and tactical angle, indicating he agreed with Lu Yang’s ideas and was already considering their feasibility.

“Can you really not?” Lu Yang looked at Gudiola.

Gudiola kept silent.

Gudiola had no idea how Lu Yang understood Barça so well.

Does Barça have the ability to play as a center-back?

The answer is yes.

Most teams that attack fiercely often struggle defensively.

But Barça is an exception.

Once Barça’s attack becomes fierce, eighty percent of the football time remains in the opponent’s half. At this moment, the probability of the center-back making a mistake greatly decreases.

So… as long as the team concedes a goal, substitute Mebarak, then the team launches a frenzied attack; the substitute center-back has a high chance of outscoring Mebarak in post-match ratings.

Appropriate use of public opinion can exert great pressure on Mebarak.

Of course, no one will intentionally let the team concede a goal, but… since Lu Yang wasn’t present previously, Barça almost conceded in every match, which already indicates Mebarak has issues.

It’s not a matter of ability, but issues with gameplay and attitude.

Despite Gudiola pointing it out, he wouldn’t correct them.

If given the chance, Gudiola might even be more eager than Lu Yang to bench Mebarak for a while.

“Only enough competition can correct some attitudes.” Lu Yang’s final words broke down Gudiola, prompting him to signal for Lu Yang to leave as he needed some time to organize his thoughts.

Lu Yang returned to the field and naturally blended into the training.

He shrugged off Mebarak’s faint scolding in his role as captain.

…

On October 23, the ninth round of La Liga kicked off.

Barcelona faced a strong La Liga contender, Sevilla, as visitors.

Last year, this team was in the same Champions League group as San Remo, knocked into the Europa League by San Remo, but succeeded in winning the UEFA Europa League.

It became part of San Remo’s “Twelve Crown Slayer” title.

Now, with Lu Yang joining Barça, the two meet again, adding some narrative.

Before the match, the media played up slogans like “A showdown between enemies” and “Sevilla seeks revenge,” attracting quite a crowd.

Moreover, this was Lu Yang’s second match with Barça and his first in La Liga; everyone wanted to see if Lu Yang could adapt to La Liga’s style.

La Liga and the Eredivisie, where Ajax is, are quite different.

In the first half, Lu Yang performed quite ordinarily, seemingly no different from any other Barça player.

Ordinary back passes.

Ordinary one-touch passes.

Ordinary active positioning.

Ordinary intense pressing.

This “ordinary” doesn’t mean he was passive or lazy; it means what he did was what the rest of Barça was doing.

This was completely different from the distinct personal style Lu Yang displayed in the previous match.

Thirty-eighth minute, inevitably disappoints many who came just to see Lu Yang.

“Geez, thought he’d be another Mateo; they hyped him up so much before, but turns out he’s just like this?”

“Feels quite ordinary, huh?”

“Seventy million euros for this guy? How much kickback did the sports director pocket?”

“How is this different from our team’s number 11? We got ours for fourteen million; Barça paid seventy million?”

Sevilla’s fans jeered madly.

The next second, Lu Yang continued with an unremarkable pass.

Except the usual back passes to Ortiz and Hernandez were this time directed at Mateo.

And initiated his off-the-ball forward movement mode.

The threat suddenly loomed.

Sevilla’s center-back doggedly followed Lu Yang.

Lu Yang’s forward movement shifted direction to pull left, appearing to vie for the back post.

If Mateo delivered a cross, Lu Yang could contest in the air.

Barça now had a header option!

Sevilla’s center-back remembered this detail well, giving Lu Yang no opportunity.

However, Mateo feigned a cross and broke through, passing one easily!

Directly cutting inside from the right, he reached the edge of the penalty area.

Barça’s fans instantly became hopeful.

According to Mateo’s style, he would utilize fakes and rhythm to bypass one or two defenders then powerfully shoot to score.

Almost guaranteed!

Because this was Mateo territory!

But Mateo realized he didn’t need extra dribbling.

Because on his left-foot curling shot arc, there wasn’t any defender.

A perfect gap!

Sevilla’s right central defender and defensive midfielder were all drawn to the left side of the curling arc by Lu Yang.

Bam!

Mateo suddenly shot.

Though there was still a Sevilla left central defender in front, but… it wouldn’t prevent Mateo from getting his shot off.

Against players like Lima, Robben, Moreira, Mateo, and even Lu Yang, one defender is nothing.

Two might also be defeated.

Whoosh!

The football bypassed the goalkeeper’s reach, precisely hitting the upper left corner of the goal.

Theoretical dead spot!