Chapter 172: Chapter 171: Swept Away, Where is Deng Kai?
So Trigella began making substitutions.
Matias replaced Wu Xudong, then took up the left flank.
Hao Junmin, who was originally a right-wing player, moved to Wu Xudong’s position.
The intention behind such substitutions lay in the differing technical styles of Hao Junmin and Wu Xudong, which could present new challenges for the defenders.
Similarly, the target man Peckao, who replaced Yu Shihao, also differed in style from Yu Shihao.
These kinds of substitutions often have therapeutic effects.
In the 2022 World Cup, almost every substitution led to a goal being scored or conceded, simply and clearly demonstrating the impact of making changes.
This principle is akin to changing the head coach.
Some teams, when plagued by bad habits or negative emotions, find that nothing seems to go right for them on the pitch anymore.
Yet with the same line-up, the arrival of a new head coach could instantly revitalize the team, often without even needing to change tactics.
In essence, the goal is to "change the air".
A new coach, a new atmosphere.
But if the fundamental problems aren’t solved, after the novelty wears off, those same issues will inevitably return.
Therefore, during a game, when faced with a deadlock, it’s worth trying to make a substitution, to change the dynamic.
However, when managing a club, one cannot rely on frequently changing head coaches; the underlying issues must be addressed.
Lazy players must be cured of their laziness.
Players who lack intelligence need to be taught how to think.
Players who shoot too often should reduce their shots.
Players who don’t pass should be encouraged to do so.
Players who don’t meet the requirements should be sold early; otherwise, keeping them will only further decrease their value. Don’t think youth is a treasure, that the young always have boundless potential.
Players with a talent level below "world-class" will never become top stars.
Players below "exceptionally gifted" won’t see much improvement after three to four years as professionals, let alone become stars.
Young players who fail to make the cut should not stick to one club forever.
If you can’t make it here, it means at the very least the environment doesn’t suit you. It’s better to move on early—the tree may die when uprooted, but a person thrives on change.
There really aren’t many players who have a smooth sailing career.
In the 80th minute, Sporting Lisbon’s substitution paid off as they angrily conceded a goal.
The newly switched Hao Junmin did not cover as much ground as Wu Xudong, and a gap emerged during a defensive switch with Duarte, which the opponents exploited.
The 85th minute.
Hao Junmin also demonstrated his strengths, beating a defender with his personal skills before completing a cross.
This was a completely different approach to breaking the defense compared to Wu Xudong, and indeed, it was no easier to handle.
Moreover, the quality of Hao Junmin’s crosses was clearly several times better than Wu Xudong’s.
Wu Xudong: How is it ’clearly’? ? ?
The towering Peckao leapt high, scoring with a header.
He pulled off an authoritative header that Yu Shihao would find incredibly difficult to replicate in his lifetime!
Yu Shihao: What, you look down on us short players, huh? Kai, come on!!!
But it wasn’t over yet.
In the 90th minute, Hao Junmin repeated his feat and delivered another cross.
Peckao went to ground in the penalty area.
The opponent jostling for position hit him in the face with an elbow.
The referee awarded a penalty!
Deng Kai stood at the penalty spot, took a shot, and the opponent misjudged the direction, resulting in a goal.
Six to one!
Sporting Lisbon returned with a resounding victory, earning themselves a glorious three points.
You know, Saint Romang is one of the strongest teams in the region!
Suddenly, no one dared to look down on Sporting Lisbon’s U17 team any longer.
Even the Bola newspaper had to admit, "After enduring the agony of losing Ronaldo, the Sporting Lisbon U17 team has adapted over the course of nearly a month."
"Coach Trigella truly deserves to be considered for a top-tier club position; his tactics are highly suited to the current players, fully leveraging their strengths..."
The Bola newspaper praised Trigella effusively, and even seemed reluctant to mention Deng Kai’s name even once.
However, Trigella himself stated in media interviews, "I actually haven’t made many changes to the team; most of the transformation you see has been accomplished by Deng Kai."
"I really appreciate this about Deng Kai; I believe that a great midfield maestro should have his own views regarding the team’s playing style, selection of players, and the development and combination of personal characteristics."
"A top midfield maestro will certainly also be a good head coach."
"Deng Kai has proved this."
Faced with his mentor’s comments, Deng Kai also humbly stated, "A midfield maestro is bound to be a good head coach, like Zidane, Guardiola, if they go into coaching they could become among the best within a decade."
"But I still have a long way to go because I am not yet a truly outstanding midfielder; I still have much to improve."
"The team’s performance is the result of everyone’s combined efforts. Yu Shihao’s skillful retreat and dribble to create damage, Wu Xudong’s sweeping attacks and defense on the right wing, Hao Junmin’s ability to organize the midfield and launch fatal passes, Peckao’s irreplaceable role as a target man in the striker position, Veloso and Tavares as the midfield barriers, Shao Jiawei and Angelo acting like the stabilizing nails at the back..."
Deng Kai praised every member of his team, completely unconcerned by the impatient looks of the journalists.
Even after Deng Kai had left, reporters remembered that they’d actually wanted to ask about Hathaway after Deng Kai finished speaking.
Damn it!
October 26th.
Sporting Lisbon faced Belenenses away.
Deng Kai scored twice, with Wu Xudong providing the assist, and Yu Shihao scored the winning goal.
The team narrowly won three to two.
November 3rd.
The team played at home against Disporta.
Deng Kai scored and provided two assists, Yu Shihao achieved his first brace for Sporting Lisbon. Shao Jiawei scored again with a header, and Hao Junmin assisted to score twice!
Four to two, the team continued winning.
November 9th.
Sporting Lisbon had back-to-back home games, welcoming the challenge from Braga, another strong team.
Ronaldo had experienced heart issues during the game against Braga early in the season.
Without Ronaldo, Braga considered themselves certain victors as the stronger team.
However... Deng Kai provided two assists and scored twice, participating in all goals. Wu Xudong and Veloso both scored, with Yu Shihao providing the assists.
The team beat Braga four to two, giving them little chance to fight back.
After three consecutive losses, Sporting Lisbon bounced back with a strong winning streak, fiercely climbing back to second place in the standings!
Promotion to the north-south regional leagues was almost certain this season.
...
After the game against Braga, Deng Kai headed straight for the airport to be absent from the team’s training for the upcoming days.
He and Trigella had asked for leave, and Coach Terry had of course approved it.
Never mind playing for the U17, even playing for the U19, Trigella felt it would be an injustice to Deng Kai.
At one meter sixty-five, Deng Kai was already qualified to enter the professional arena, competing against adult players in their twenties and thirties.
So where did Deng Kai go during this time?
