Chapter 1265: Repel External Troubles, Pacify Internal Affairs (Part 4)

“One to zero! Barça is leading!”

“It’s Mateo! His curling shot from the right side of the penalty area was incredible!”

“Of course, this goal was also thanks to Lu Yang’s movement. Everyone, look closely, Lu Yang’s running clearly drew away all the defenders from Mateo’s shooting path!”

“I wonder if Lu Yang did this intentionally or if it was a special design. If it’s the latter, then this is undoubtedly a chemistry-like collaboration!”

“Oh, it should be intentional! Barça’s previous central forward movements usually involve moving closer to Mateo, then Mateo passes the ball and cuts in without the ball into the penalty area, with the central forward making a wall pass straight to Mateo.”

“But Lu Yang’s movement this time moves away from Mateo…this isn’t part of Barça’s regular movement requirements; it’s his precise judgment based on the situation on the field!”

“Well done!”

In the first half, as Sevilla increased their defense against Mateo, there was no change in the score.

In the second half, Mateo was still heavily defended by the opponents, missing previous good opportunities.

This scenario inevitably reminded Barça fans of Barça’s performance during recent losses.

It’s too similar!

So, has Lu Yang’s arrival not solved Barça’s problem?

That…that seventy million euro transfer fee seems, indeed, a bit wasteful!

But Ortiz and Hernandez on the field have already noticed something wrong.

“His normal match positioning is too conservative…” Hernandez shook his head.

It’s unexpected.

“I feel like he’s been playing at Barça for ten years! He’s just like those slackers at the back.” Ortiz said more bluntly.

Lu Yang is definitely slacking off.

The bastard.

There were several good opportunities to run into open positions just now; as long as he ran, Ortiz would ensure a direct pass to him.

Receiving the ball and facing the goal alone, wouldn’t it be exhilarating?

But he preferred reverting and passing back.

Him opting to pass to Mateo and Mancini.

Why?

Ortiz didn’t realize his mentality had unconsciously changed.

He started longing for direct passes?

This…

Marginal utility diminishes!

Once you’ve enjoyed the pleasure of direct passes, you no longer fancy slow advancement?

What’s with the shallow to deep, deep…deep isn’t better?

Seeing the offensive efficiency in midfield falters.

Mebarak, who started the match today, knows his chance has arrived!

In the last match, that lousy Pirola just scored a lucky header, yet some foolish fans claimed his performance wasn’t inferior to mine?

Some even thought he could become a stable substitute for the team.

How can this end well?

If this continues for a while, would he eventually replace me?

Such direct competitors must not be kept.

Mebarak has a comprehensive plan to deal with Pirola, but moreover, if he performs better on the field, he can quicker ensure Pirola remains by the water cooler instead of becoming a primary rotation.

For example, apply pressure to Clement and promote Clement’s substitute to become a key rotation.

There are only so many positions, and if Clement’s substitute is included in the main roster, Pirola will naturally struggle to be included.

Bang!

Mebarak suddenly made a move, dribbling forward.

Meanwhile, Lu Yang seemed to have telepathy, actively retreated to midfield, appearing to support Mebarak.

In this scenario, who could see any conflict between Lu Yang and Mebarak?

The dignified central forward has come back to provide passing options for you; isn’t that touching?

Fans were almost moved to tears.

“Honestly, Lu Yang’s professional ethics are top-notch!”

“Right! His running is so proactive; he’s currently the most active runner in Barça!”

“He’s been the most active runner on the field all along; it’s not even sixty minutes yet, and he’s covered seven thousand meters!”

“Wow! Mateo has only covered five thousand meters; Lu Yang truly is humble!”

“Just this attitude of not considering himself as the core has already touched me.”

However!

On the sideline, Gudiola’s mouth suddenly twitched.

Lu Yang, oh Lu Yang, you’re so damn ruthless!

It seems like Lu Yang is retreating.

But when Lu Yang retreats, Ortiz has to make room for Lu Yang, right?

It’s impossible for both to occupy the same spot.

However, after Ortiz made room, Lu Yang didn’t go to that spot.

What’s that spot?

It’s the most comfortable position for Mebarak to pass from, a spot not easy to intercept by the opponent.

In the end, there’s no one at that spot.

Sevilla is a strong team, not a bunch of slackers; can they leave many passing options for someone with the ball?

Midfield competition is about cutting off the opponent’s passing options.

Sevilla surrounded Mebarak.

Mebarak looked at Lu Yang, intending to pass the ball to him.

But Lu Yang suddenly turned, unexpectedly sprinting forward.

It seemed like…a great chance, brother, quickly pass directly!

But the problem is where’s the opportunity here?

Don’t you see a player standing between us?

He doesn’t want to receive the ball!

Mebarak could only turn to find other players.

But the ball had stayed at his feet for too long.

Bang!

Sevilla’s winger retreated to snatch the ball, achieving an impressive interception.

Then the opponent dribbled away, exploiting Mebarak’s positional void.

Clement quickly filled in.

Bang!

Opponent passes, Sevilla’s central forward unmarked, easily adjusts and shoots, leveling the score.

One to one!

“Oh no! Mebarak dribbled too much! The ball was snatched right from under him!”

“Lu Yang retreated so actively this time, yet Mebarak delayed passing to Lu Yang.”

“You can’t play like this due to off-pitch reasons; it’s not good.”

“This time, Mebarak is two hundred percent responsible for the conceded goal!”

“Actually, this season Mebarak has already made several mistakes like this, only they didn’t result in disasters. But this time, he couldn’t escape punishment!”

“Oh! The substitute sign is unexpectedly raised?”

“Pirola substitutes Mebarak?”

“This…”

“Have to say, it’s a brilliant sub!”