Dear Gua
Chapter 103 Cologne's Brainless Tactics!
-【Not just the Bundesliga, other leagues have plenty of Japanese players too. Japan's youth training has been bearing fruit in recent years.】
-【Yuya Osako and Kazuki Nagasawa are products of school youth training. They performed impressively in the national high school soccer tournament and were spotted by J. League clubs, which is how they became professional players.】
-【Their level is pretty average, isn't it? They came up from the second division. Their transfer value is low, not even as good as our national team's main players.】
...
The referee blew the whistle.
The match officially began.
Leverkusen had possession.
Kießling passed the ball back.
With almost no need for adjustment, Leverkusen reverted to their style from last season: the whole team serving Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Cologne didn't like high pressing. Their formation quickly retreated, with the midfield line and defensive line positioned parallel, defending in front of the penalty area.
"The match has just started, and it's already transitioned into a positional battle! Cologne's counter-attacking stance is very firm! Eight players have formed a defensive wall!"
"Çalhanoğlu is very good at dealing with mid-to-lower-tier teams! If he doesn't face high-intensity pressure, his threatening passes are deadly!"
"A static midfielder!"
...
Leverkusen completely controlled possession, besieging Cologne's penalty area with a relentless barrage!
Çalhanoğlu played with ease.
Too easy!
As long as there's no mad-dog-like physical pressure!
My contribution on the attacking end is about the same as Li Kang.
Borges? Good positioning! Let's start with you and witness my official comeback!
Snap!
Çalhanoğlu slowed down in the right half-space, made slight adjustments, and launched a long pass!
The ball spun violently, plummeting towards the right flank!
"Beautiful! Çalhanoğlu's long pass is high quality!"
"Cologne's defensive line is retracting quickly, with several tall players gathered in the box!"
"Let's see this attacking opportunity, a cross from the byline!"
Borges also encountered no obstruction, easily stopping the ball near the touchline.
Instead of crossing, he passed it back in a triangular fashion to Bellarabi on the right side of the penalty area.
Cologne's midfield line immediately spread out.
Vogt and Kazuki Nagasawa quickly closed in!
Bellarabi's football IQ was low, but he had a very good relationship with Çalhanoğlu, and the two often trained together privately.
No need to think at all!
He showcased a rabona short pass!
The ball rolled along the grass towards the edge of the penalty arc!
Çalhanoğlu faced the wind, adjusting his steps!
Swing!
Kick!
Leverkusen! Your core! Is back!
Let the RheinEnergieStadion witness the return of the king!
...
The expected whistling rocket shot didn't happen!
A tall figure burst out, shielded the ball with his back, and knocked down the running Çalhanoğlu!
The latter looked bewildered!
"Yuya Osako!"
"Cologne's counter-attack!"
The Cologne fans at the RheinEnergieStadion erupted in cheers!
...
Yuya Osako believed his best position was: forward.
Coach Stöger believed the player's footwork could improve Cologne's midfield passing success rate.
Thump!
The ball lifted off the ground!
Flying towards Leverkusen's backfield!
"That pass was a bit random!"
"Modeste! He actually shook off two Leverkusen center-backs!"
...
Bundesliga teams have different counter-attacking styles.
Cologne's way is undoubtedly the simplest and most brutal.
After winning the ball, just boot it long to Modeste!
As long as it gets there!
He'll be able to receive the ball!
Cologne's midfield configuration meant they couldn't play high-frequency, stable possession passing. Playing a defensive counter-attack with a strong individual forward was the best solution.
Jonathan Tah and Papadopoulos chased back frantically!
Modeste had already shaken them off!
Rushing into Leverkusen's half, 30 meters from the goal, he chested the ball down, took another explosive touch, and charged madly into the penalty area!
Leno had missed the best opportunity to come out and was now guarding the goal, waiting in readiness!
Thump!
A dark, thick leg swung heavily!
The swing was wide.
The ball roared towards the top right corner of the goal!
Leno didn't have much anticipation pressure, stomped his feet on the grass, and pounced!
The green glove touched the ball!
But because the shot was too powerful, he couldn't completely block it!
The ball was slightly deflected but still rippled the back of Leverkusen's net!
1:0!!!
"Beautiful!"
"It's in!"
"Just under seven minutes into the game, Modeste scores a one-on-one! Cologne takes the lead with the most pragmatic tactics!"
"Defensive counter-attacks are the winning formula for weaker teams against stronger teams!"
"Leverkusen's defense has serious problems!"
...
Livestream.
-【Such a brainless style of play!】
-【Cologne's counter-attack looks simple, but the timing is actually very good!】
-【What timing? Yuya Osako wins the ball and boots it long. It's almost the same as our national team. Limited by overall technique and speed, they can't produce multiple passing counter-attacks or wide attacks.】
-【A player like Modeste is perfect for the Chinese Super League!】
-【I don't know who's holding who back between Çalhanoğlu and Leverkusen's defense. An Italian powerhouse would be better suited to showcase his talents.】
...
Çalhanoğlu looked dazed.
According to his original plan.
He would unleash a stunning rocket shot! Breach Cologne's goal! After gaining the lead, he would then lure Cologne out... and Leverkusen would gradually expand their advantage.
They clearly tore apart the opponent's defense with three passes!
But a strong, burly "little sun" popped out of nowhere!
Leno furiously complained to Jonathan Tah: "You're both black! And you were better positioned! Why couldn't you outrun him?"
Kramer and Bender exchanged glances and helplessly shrugged.
The reason for the goal conceded was that the two defensive midfielders had to move forward to support Çalhanoğlu's attacking organization, but this left our defenders facing Cologne's forwards directly.
Even without Yuya Osako's interception, Leverkusen would still face one-on-one tests if they kept playing like this.
To use an imperfect analogy: Leverkusen is an electric scooter, Çalhanoğlu is a supercar engine, and the defense is the fuel tank.
Cologne's approach is very crude, directly stealing your fuel tank.
In the stands, Cologne fans cheered loudly!
Interspersed with various taunts.
Streams of fireworks shot into the night sky, bursting into dazzling colors!
Modeste rushed to the bench and hugged his coach tightly.
Yuya Osako didn't celebrate for too long. He looked at Çalhanoğlu and thought to himself: This kid is too fragile!
...
Dino said dejectedly, "Boss, I told Kramer and Bender to pay attention to their positioning... and to have Borges come back!"
Old man Toppmöller remained calm: "Don't rush, let's see how Cologne changes next."
Li Kang sat on the bench.
He gazed at the players on the field.
For a moment.
Little red dots appeared in his vision.
As the players moved, the positions of the red dots changed.
What is this?
Could it be the shift in their center of gravity?
Is this the effect of the Eye of Truth?