Chapter 715: Chapter 714: To practice this technique, one must first castrate oneself
Manchester City’s lineup was pretty much the same as what the Manchester Evening had announced in advance.
But there had been a certain change in the formation.
Torres, Adriano
Deng Kai, Mascherano, Tu Lei, Fabregas
Ashley Young, Thiago Silva, Kompany, Maicon
Cech
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The only difference might be that Ribery appeared on the bench.
If the situation really got terrible, he still might have the chance to gear up and join the fight.
But then again, this was a 442 formation.
"Manchester City is actually using a 442, they shouldn’t be very familiar with this style of play, right?"
"Ribery can play as a right midfielder, but it’s obvious Fabregas doesn’t have that capability."
"However, the young Fabregas is extremely versatile, and though his explosiveness isn’t remarkable, he has good ball sense and a strong imagination. It’s not impossible for him to create wonderful combinations with Maicon on the right."
A similar situation can be found in La Liga.
After joining Real Madrid as an attacking midfielder, Zidane gradually moved to the left midfielder position.
And he was still able to create a dominant attack on the left flank with Carlos.
Of course, this was different from Ribery’s breakthrough style.
Zidane, and now Fabregas, mostly used their passing to break through on that side.
"And with Deng Kai playing as a left midfielder, he will probably have to emulate Zidane’s playing style, considering Deng Kai has always been a technical midfielder since his debut."
Deng Kai: ???
It has to be said, people’s impressions are indeed lagging behind reality.
They are so easily misled by appearances.
Why do fans think of Deng Kai as a technical midfielder?
Because Deng Kai was famous for his short stature when he debuted.
Even though he is now 1.83 meters tall, which is quite an above-average height for midfielders,
people still can’t forget his early days at Yue del.
A short midfielder has to be a technical midfielder, right?
But in fact... even when Deng Kai was of short stature, his style of play was never that of a technical midfielder.
His subtle skills were quite rough at that time.
Ronaldo vividly remembered how astonished and excited he and Deng Kai himself were when Deng Kai first performed the Marseille Turn and the deep-fried meatballs!
Deng Kai even flaunted this, stacking up deep-fried meatballs with the Marseille Turn to break into the opponent’s empty goal, sparking a fierce conflict between the two sides.
Robben, Fan Peixi, Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Iniesta—these players were all victims.
Only in the past two years have Deng Kai’s skills fully matured and become integrated, and it’s only then that he began to play with ease.
However, in terms of ball control, Deng Kai still isn’t top-notch.
The reason people feel that Deng Kai has strong ball control is because he knows how to use his now mature physique.
His physicality, his core strength—they have been enhanced ever since his time at Lisbon Athletic.
Ronaldo once wanted to imitate Deng Kai but was stopped by Trigella.
The reason was that Ronaldo, being half a year older than Deng Kai, was still at a stage of physical growth, and early strength training could hurt his natural talent.
Ronaldo was convinced at the time.
But looking at Deng Kai now,
This damn Deng Kai has been practicing the Sunflower Manual so early on and still hasn’t turned effeminate.
So your Evil-Repelling Sword Manual starts with "To practice this technique, one must first be castrated," and ends with "Even without self-castration, the technique can still be practiced," huh?
Damn it!
So, why do people still insist that Deng Kai, who is now technically well-rounded and excellent, is not a technical player?
Because starting this season, Deng Kai has been focusing on improving his breakaways.
His speed has increased significantly.
His ways and choices of breakaways are also beginning to diversify.
People know that Deng Kai’s breakaways can sometimes be sharp, but they mostly credit the "Vertical Flash."
However, Deng Kai’s absolute speed has made considerable progress this season.
Besides passing, movement, and physicality, Deng Kai’s fourth weapon in the midfield is actually his speed and acceleration.
Nobody considers him a speed demon.
But the truth is, another thoroughbred has joined the ranks of fast horses on the football green.
Ronaldo: So when it comes to me, I’m the speed demon, but with you, it turns into a fast horse? Don’t think I don’t know ’dog’ is an insult in your culture!
Deng Kai: Don’t say that, dogs are man’s best friend.
Ronaldo: Heh, circle, I want to see how you’re going to ’circle’ this!
Deng Kai: You’re also my good friend!
Ronaldo: Fuck me!
...
With the sound of the whistle, the penultimate match of the season in Europe finally began.
The second minute.
Manchester United took the initiative.
After Giggs broke through on the left flank past Fabregas, he delivered a through pass.
Ronaldo sprinted out to pull wide and received the ball behind Maicon before delivering a Backward Triangle Pass.
Scholes, who had moved up, took a long-range shot.
This was a classic play down Manchester United’s left flank.
Clang!
Scholes had a good touch, but was a bit unlucky as the football hit the post and bounced out.
Bang!
Saha, following up on the inside cut from the right without the ball, took a follow-up shot at the first opportunity.
Clang!
Thiago Silva leapt up and raised his leg, successfully blocking the football.
Saha held his head, in utter disbelief.
This was an open goal.
If only Thiago Silva hadn’t blocked it, that would have been a genuine goal!
Hass needed a goal at this stage to prove himself.
But such a good opportunity, others can take it, and it can be done.
When he does, it just doesn’t work out.
Saha was almost going crazy.
This really was a matter of... luck.
Very metaphysical.
But many times, you can’t help but believe in it.
The eighth minute.
Manchester City launched a counter-attack.
Yes... This 442 formation of Manchester City was actually playing fast counter-attacks, can you believe it!
However, Manchester United retreated quickly, and Manchester City’s counter-attack did not really succeed.
"Fabregas is holding onto the ball a little too much," Zhan Jun expressed his opinion.
However, Guardiola on the sideline kept nodding his head.
This was right.
Manchester City aiming for a fast counter-attack?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
It was just an illusion.
Or rather, Manchester City’s defense today was indeed more conservative, more solid, and further back.
But once they got possession of the ball, the rhythm of their attack had to return to their comfort zone.
And they had the ability to do so.
Just now, Fabregas used his dribbling ability to navigate in the midfield, seemingly wasting a counter-attack opportunity, but actually waiting for his teammates to come up.
Teams that can’t create offensive opportunities will cherish counter-attack opportunities.
But a team like Manchester City, who have a strong ability to create attacking chances, does not like to disrupt their own rhythm for the sake of counter-attacks.
The loss outweighs the gain.
Soon, the football circulated among Manchester City for a while before coming back to Fabregas.
Fabregas made a direct pass.
Maicon, overlapping around him, took off directly.
Ribery might be gone.
But Manchester City’s right flank did not lose its attacking edge because of it.
In fact, Fabregas’s passing was a notch above Ribery’s.
It’s just that Maicon might have a bit more to do now.
Bang!
Maicon took the ball down the line, beating Phil Neville to deliver the cross.
