I AM the Football Star

Chapter 533: Chapter 145: Defense Matters, but Defense Isn’t Valued_3

Not only did he complete the interception, but Lu Yang also gained control of the ball at the very first moment.

Bam!

Lu Yang got up and lifted his foot almost simultaneously.

The soccer ball shot towards the Nice team’s backfield like a cannonball.

Totti’s spoon pass!

Nice was on the counterattack, and in order to meet Kaint, their teammates in the backfield had rushed forward, with some heading towards Lu Yang and Kaint.

But as a result, this left a huge gap.

Sogel had good habits, and he wasn’t in the offside area. Once Lu Yang passed the ball, his speed instantly kicked in.

As a tall player, he was somewhat faster than Nice’s center-backs.

Even a big central forward like Sogel could use his speed to eat up the opponent and carry the ball single-handedly.

This was practically a textbook example of a counter-counterattack.

Sogel controlled the ball three meters outside the penalty area and continued dribbling two steps.

The Nice goalkeeper lacked confidence to charge before, and now that he did, it seemed too late, he hesitated, making it impossible to stop Sogel’s precise push shot.

One to one!

San Remo made a comeback within five minutes of conceding a goal, leveling the score!

”GOAL! Sogel scores single-handedly! He has scored San Remo’s first goal in their Europa League journey, which will forever be etched into San Remo’s history!”

”Lu Yang’s pass was exquisite, putting the Nice goalkeeper in a difficult position to advance or retreat. It’s hard to believe it was his quick pass! At this moment, Morici Lu Yang reincarnated!”

”Of course, the most exciting part of this goal actually happened before Lu Yang’s pass!”

”After being intercepted by Kaint, Lu Yang relentlessly reclaimed the ball and completed an assist! This spirit is the most crucial reason why the San Remo miracle has come this far!”

The fans who traveled from San Remo to Nice to watch the game began to celebrate wildly!

They were not many, yet their cheer was louder than that of the Nice fans a few minutes ago.

At this time, the Nice fans regretted it, knowing now, why bother then?

Five minutes ago, they should have celebrated grandly.

Damn it!

What’s the point of a loss if it’s followed by a goal?

A goal is a goal!

It’s all Kaint’s fault, you scored, damn it, celebrate!

What’s with looking so embarrassed?

Look at Lin Huang, no matter how the goal was scored, there’s just one word for it, Hi!

If you were like that, would we be this passive now?

The fans cursed Kaint silently in their hearts.

Meanwhile, several players from the Nice Team also ran towards Kaint.

”Mate, what’s up with you? You’re too selfish, aren’t you?”

”Hey, what’s your problem? Can’t you pass the ball?”

”What the hell are you doing? Do you think you can play soccer alone?”

”Kaint, the way you handled that ball was downright lousy!”

”Bro, do you know you cost us the clean sheet bonus?”

A bunch of people criticized Kaint, and even Kaint’s best friend Boe chose to remain silent at this moment.

Lu Yang watched coldly from the sidelines, feeling somewhat sorry for Kaint.

This is the greatest sorrow of team-oriented players and organizing defensive players.

Their value was not recognized by the team or teammates.

Kaint’s situation is not an isolated case but a common one.

Back in the day, Real Madrid offered annual salary contracts exceeding six million euros to more than five superstars within the team.

Yet their defensive hub Makelele had an annual salary of only 1.2 million euros.

Later, Makelele demanded a raise, Real Madrid refused, and after Makelele left, the first phase of the Galaxy Battleship instantly collapsed!

This is the real portrayal of non-superstar players in defense.

Kaint’s passing is not great, and his dribbling is average, which makes him very ordinary among midfield players who favor technical skills. Neither he nor his teammates thought he was an excellent midfielder.

Meanwhile, although Kaint’s personal defensive data is outstanding, it hasn’t reached the top level.

The reason is because he sacrificed some ”personal performances” to make the team’s defensive system more efficient and stable.

Just like Lu Yang, in the backfield, to prevent defensive players from slipping, he takes on more tackles. In the front field, to prevent opponents from threatening with through balls, he positions himself to assist, cornering the opponent into the teammate’s defensive zone, letting teammates solve it.

As a result, the defensive core’s data is actually diluted.

And... if teammates don’t meet the required standard, they might even think it’s their defensive prowess, not knowing that the opportunity for interception was created by the person aiding them.

People can only see what they know.

If you don’t have the concept of a player separating from the ball in your mind, you will never become Bergkamp.

If you don’t have the concept of a midfield lob, even if the opponent’s goalkeeper steps outside the penalty area, you won’t think to attempt a long-range lob.

If you don’t believe players over thirty-three can perform well, you’ll easily let go of C Luo and Messi.

If you lack top-notch vision and sensitivity to open spaces, you’ll never see the value in Kaint.

”I admit that your method is correct.” Morici was filled with mixed emotions after witnessing all this.

A player with such a bright future as the ”World’s No.1 Middle School” was forced into such a state by a leadership-style defense, yet now he was being scolded like a dog by his teammates.