CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 23: I’VE SEEN THIS MATCH BEFORE—WE WILL WIN!

Whistle!

A whistle sounds, Italian D League Palermo VS San Remo.

Following the rules, the home team plays first, and this is Palermo’s home game.

The timing, location, and people are all on their side.

So right from the start, Palermo displayed the aura of a "champion."

They launched a fierce attack.

And San Remo, was passively taking hits.

The commentator said: "We can see that Palermo’s recent right-side breakthrough was very threatening. If it weren’t for San Remo’s left midfielder Lu Yang’s excellent performance successfully intercepting, Palermo would already be celebrating a goal."

"Thirty minutes into the match, although no goals have been scored yet, we believe a goal will come soon because the gap in the performance between the two teams is quite large."

"Palermo’s ball control rate is as high as 65%, and previously San Remo, which had played a wave of offensive football, has been completely overwhelmed today."

"It’s important to note that in the last ten matches, San Remo’s average ball control rate was around 55%, they were never the disadvantaged side, but today..."

"Morici doesn’t dare launch attacks, he’s putting his effort into defense instead, causing San Remo to almost lose the midfield. If the second half continues this way, Palermo’s ball control rate might get even higher!"

"Halftime, the score is zero to zero for both sides. Palermo’s ball control rate in the first half was 69%, with numerous shots, yet they still couldn’t score a goal."

"In contrast, San Remo showed no strong team style in the first half, having only one chance to shoot."

The commentator was somewhat speechless, originally expecting a brilliant clash.

But unexpectedly, San Remo had no fighting spirit, showing a stance focused solely on defense.

They didn’t even field their main right-wing forward today, instead adding an extra midfielder, forming a 442 lineup.

A complete turtle strategy!

It seems Sotu was right, San Remo’s main task in the upcoming matches is to secure points, even if it’s just one point.

They’re focused on maintaining a top-five ranking, with no unrealistic thoughts about getting into the top three, which isn’t too far away.

Should we say Sotu is not capable, or that he’s steady enough?

In the locker room.

"Very good, you all performed well in the first half, keep this performance up in the second half, stopping them is victory," Sotu conveyed his second-half strategy in the locker room, "But Morici, you need to find opportunities to attack in the second half!"

"Lu Yang, I allow you to decide how to play based on the situation in the last ten minutes, but you and Morici must not both move forward!"

"Vedian, in the second half, I’m allowing you not to participate in defense, whether you deserve such privilege must be demonstrated by your performance!"

"Rondo, you will play the entire match, I hope you don’t get injured, but I even more hope the team doesn’t concede a goal!"

In the locker room, everyone is on high alert.

The second half begins.

The audience is still witnessing a dull match.

But the professional commentators have already sensed the change in direction.

The commentator: "We can see that within five minutes, Vedian initiated three assaults, and two of those were quick long passes from Morici."

"Indeed San Remo is still unwilling to settle for a draw, the lack of advancement in the first half was just a façade, they’re looking for a chance to snatch a goal!"

"Oh, the 69th minute of the match, Morici succeeded! He stopped frequently passing the ball, instead using his personal skill to dodge the opponent’s midfield defender and dribbled forward!"

"Lu Yang swiftly moved to the center and dragged back, filling the formation gap created by Morici’s advancement. That’s Lu Yang, a player who knows what to do in each situation, his positional sense is excellent."

"Previously, Lu Yang would have advanced together with Morici, but this time he stayed back, showing the special instructions from Sotu."

"Sotu is an excellent head coach, knowing what’s more important."

"Passing! A great opportunity! Vedian moved in to receive the ball, this is a semi one-on-one, he can shoot, given his ability, he’s very likely to score the first goal for San Remo..."

The commentator’s voice abruptly stopped.

Replaced by the sound of a whistle on the field.

Palermo’s central defender, number 5, fouled Vedian inside the penalty box.

He received a yellow card.

And San Remo won a penalty!

"Penalty! It’s a penalty! San Remo’s opportunity has come! They’ve defended for an entire half like a turtle, enduring humiliation. But at this moment, everything becomes worthwhile!"

"Vedian demonstrated his immense role in the defensive counterattack. Look at Morici’s position when he passed, there were at least three defenders ahead of him, yet in an instant, he surpassed them, appearing at the ball’s landing spot."

"Morici’s pass was so cunning, who could have expected it to reach that position? This is absolutely the intuition of a top-tier midfielder, today he stepped back from midfield control, he’s no longer the midfield commander but became a lethal midfield assassin."

"A truly excellent midfielder can create serious threats even with limited ball possession!"

"We can see Rondo walking towards the front field, he is San Remo’s first choice penalty taker."

Suddenly, as Rondo reached midfield, he pulled Lu Yang beside him.

"What’s up?" Lu Yang looked at Rondo, noticing his somewhat gloomy expression.