From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: One-on-One!

The scene shifts back to Bramall Lane Stadium as the match resumes the dynamic attack and defense struggle.

Ma’el’s goal ignited the passion on the scene, giving Sheffield United players even stronger motivation and desire.

”Boom! Boom!”

They launched an aggressive attack, with balls constantly being sent into the penalty area from the wings.

A Championship team, indeed, can’t display too advanced tactical plays.

Creating opportunities on the wings to outnumber the opponent, or going one-on-one before crossing the ball, then having as many players as possible in the center to challenge for the cross. This is the most practical method.

The rest is to play good counter-attacks and solid defense, and it’s already enough.

But whether simple tactics can be executed well depends on the pre-game investigation by the coaching staff and the state and skill level of the players.

Currently, it seems Sheffield United players are in good form!

In the 21st minute of the match, a new excellent opportunity arrived.

Gilbert made a surgical pass, tearing open the gap in Portsmouth’s ribs, and Evans made a diagonal run to receive the pass.

”Boom!!”

He turned around naturally and struck the ball, the football streaking along the ground towards the far corner of the goal.

This was a high-quality shot, Evans displayed his level, and the entire shot process was seamlessly executed!

The goal guarded by Ashdang failed once more.

He was too tall, slow to go to ground, unable to block such a shot.

The football hit the side netting and spun its way into the inner net!

Two to zero!

Sheffield United’s situation is looking very favorable!

”Oh....!” The home fans erupted into a cheer, everyone related to Sheffield United joined in the wave of celebration.

Including the sports equipment manager, coaches, field staff, security personnel, etc., all joyfully hugged each other, raising their hands to join the carnival.

Running towards Evans and Gilbert, Ma’el suddenly felt a sharp clarity in his mind, even his vision became particularly clear.

[Skill: Insight Level 2]

[Skill Level: (1/800)]

[Utility: After extensive match practice and consumption of many videotapes, you have developed an extraordinary observation ability, occasionally capturing small movements and details!]

The observation skill improved!

This is definitely a beneficial auxiliary skill for his passing, allowing him to enhance his ability to read the game, and better capture teammates’ movements!

It can be said that Ma’el previously, when crossing, could only basically ensure the quality of the ball, ensuring the football had speed, curvature, and could pose a threat to the opponent’s penalty area.

As for whom to pass to, he hadn’t thought much about it.

On one hand, his crossing ability was temporarily only Level 3, not the best.

On the other hand, given his current skill level, being able to swing the ball in successfully was already good, with no time to observe.

But now, everything will be different.

He could perhaps complete a rough observation in an extremely short time, occasionally making precise strikes!

”Gilbert, you kid, blooming in terms of assists as well.”

Ma’el didn’t think too much, as he was still in the celebration mood, with the observation improvement, it was a double happiness worth celebrating.

”Watching videotapes together often, you think you’re the only one whose football IQ has improved?”

Gilbert smiled arrogantly, raising his eyebrows, ”Naturally, I’m not useless either, even you’ve admitted with your own mouth that I have good talent.”

”Alright, alright.”

Ma’el didn’t want to say much to him, dealt with him by a high-five.

He pondered for a moment, does believing you are something truly lead you slowly towards that direction?

......

Thus ended the first half of the match, with Sheffield United returning to the locker room with a two-nil lead.

During the adjustments, Garrispeed specifically mentioned the first-half conflict, his expression not very good, ”Michael Brown is a notorious bad boy in the league, high on red card rates.

”Having suffered a setback in the first half, he certainly won’t let it go that easily, be careful of his retaliation in the second half.”

He turned his gaze towards the corner where Ma’el and Gilbert were, ”Especially you two, the ones directly involved in the conflict, as the United Kingdom has a saying, it’s not devils we fear, but little demons.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a tactical board, ”The above considerations are personal to you, from a team perspective, I’ve observed Michael Brown’s mind is not on the field anymore.

”He is an important part of Portsmouth’s defense, yet often out of place, with their left center-back frequently be surging up to cover his position.

”Keep this in mind, look for opportunities to exploit his positioning mistakes, and attack the gap left when the left center-back covers. Understood?”

The players nodded, and Ma’el silently noted it down.

Sometimes, the game on the field revolves around one or two individuals.

These are high-level professional teams, most players have the basic skills.

Pulling out flaws from them is far less efficient than targeting one or two individuals’ weaknesses.

”Are you worried?”

Gilbert turned his head and asked him at this moment, ”Scared?”

Ma’el didn’t respond at first, after thinking for a moment knew he was referring to Michael Brown’s revenge, ”No, but I’ll be careful.”

”This thing was originally directed at me.”

Gilbert lowered his head, then lifted it again, eyes fierce, ”If he wants to take revenge on you, he may as well try what I’ll do in return.”

”Don’t talk like that.”

Ma’el smiled slightly, shaking his head, ”Protect yourself first, in the future, we’ll definitely run into this kind of person often.”

Gilbert didn’t say anything further, just by the look of it, he seemed to be thinking something.

......

”Blades! Blades!! Blades!!”

When the second half started, the fans organized a neat cheering activity, they beat the war drums and shouted the team totem at the top of their lungs.

Ma’el stayed on the wing, always keeping an eye on Michael Brown’s movements.

If anyone is most likely to exploit the opponent’s positioning errors, besides the nearby forward Bolodanovich, it would be him.

As long as Michael Brown is careless, and the opposing left center-back is forced up to assist, he can quickly penetrate the flank!

He kept running, waiting for this opportunity.

With the enhanced observation, he has this capability, which also breeds his ambition in this regard!

Finally, in the 63rd minute of the match.

”Boom!”

On Ma’el’s third attempt to run into the space behind the opposing left center-back, Janu’s pass arrived!

It was a ground-rolling pass, not difficult to stop, and Ma’el directly lifted the ball into the penalty area, from the corner of his eye he saw many fans rising from their seats.

”Don’t foul!”

”Cover, cover!”

Portsmouth’s players’ panic-stricken shouts echoed, their left center-back and Michael Brown raced back, with others on either side running towards Ma’el.

But apparently, it was too late.

With the speed now reaching Level 2, even if Ma’el doesn’t yet have a dramatic overtaking capability, if he gets moving first, no ordinary person could overtake him in a chase.

This breakaway only involved him and the goalkeeper battling, others at most could apply some pressure!