I AM the Football Star

Reporter: Parrot, two years ago you were far more famous than Lu Yang and Morici, but now they’ve overtaken you. What are your thoughts?

Parrot: Since starting with them at the Star of Italy Team two years ago, I knew this day would come. Lu and Morici are very outstanding, and they deserve the praise they get now.

Same question to Lu Yang: Parrot is very strong, although he’s currently a star forward sought after by top clubs, I have to say, he’s underrated!

Reporter: Ferreira, you’re a talent from South America, this season you joined Porto with a high transfer fee and performed well, but for reasons like playtime and age, you didn’t make it to the Golden Boy Award list. How do you view this?

Ferreira: The Golden Boy Award is not the end, just the beginning. We will wish the players who win it all the best, but that doesn’t mean other players are inferior; on the contrary, some might even be better.

Reporter: How do you view this match?

Ferreira: We’re here for one purpose only—to take three points.

The reporter also asked the same question to Morici: I’ve heard of Ferreira; he’s very good. Selections are a matter of mechanism, which doesn’t mean players on the Golden Boy Award list are stronger than those not on it. Of course, Lu Yang is always the strongest in my heart, and it has nothing to do with the award.

Morici: It’s the Europa League knockout stage now. I’m sure all teams aim to win, just like Porto, and so do we.

The reporter wanted to stir up some conflict but failed.

They didn’t expect today’s youngsters to be so unflustered, not daring to talk wildly?

Young players and stars from England still have it; they believe whatever the reporters say and can spar with opponents at any time.

In this match, San Remo boldly deployed a 3-5-2 formation in such a critical event!

This is also a rare formational change for them against strong opponents this season.

On one hand, Kaint’s arrival and quick integration reduced defensive risks of changing formation.

Moreover, improvements in Kaint’s passing and shooting ability strengthened San Remo’s control.

Finally, theoretically, this formation could apply extreme pressure to Porto’s backfield, making it hard for them to play out, offering some formation advantage.

Thus, San Remo boldly adopted this formation.

In terms of personnel deployment.

Bai Zhami and Sogel served as the double forwards.

Morici, as usual, in the single attacking midfield.

Lam and Kaint as the double defensive midfield, with Kaint covering the midfield, providing strong protection for the right side.

Lu Yang and Canyes as the left and right midfielders.

Bernulin, Palacios, and Camihong as the three center-backs.

Areola as the goalkeeper.

The whistle blew, and the match officially began.

In the first ten minutes, both sides were probing each other.

This was players’ observation time.

Even with the same formations, different players create different styles.

For example, Kaint prefers tackling, with strong wing protection, greatly easing defensive pressure for right midfielder Canyes.

However, if Latu Yidi replaced him, central defense might become rock solid, but behind Canyes would become an area easy for opponents to exploit for scores.

Even the same player in the same formation can perform differently against various opponents.

For instance, if the opponent’s winger is determined to break through and has tactical support, Lu Yang might stay long in his half, essentially as a left wing-back or left-back.

But if the opponent’s winger isn’t good at breakthroughs, has no teammate support, and can’t easily pass Lu Yang without having speed.

Then Lu Yang would raise his position, be more active in the opponent’s half to strengthen offense, leaving gaps behind that opponents cannot use.

Simply put, it’s a mutual friction to determine the real shape of the opponent!

After ten minutes, Porto made the first move!

They believe they’ve figured out San Remo’s pattern.

Porto seized on San Remo’s weaknesses in attack, long passing to exploit the space behind Canyes.

Kaint moved over immediately, marking Ferreira.

Ferreira one-two passing with a teammate to get past Kaint.

But Kaint anticipated well and cut off Ferreira’s inside cut with his position.

By then, Canyes was already back in defense.

This was a relatively successful defense, at least tactically.

Yet Ferreira demonstrated why he’s valued at Fifteen Million euros!

In a moment, he judged Canyes to be a better target to attack.

Fake inside cut, real bottom line, then a cross.

Parrot heads for goal.

Fortunately, Areola’s outstanding ability predicted the path of the header, blocking the shot with his body.

The San Remo team broke into a cold sweat.

Kaint especially locked onto Ferreira, noticing this player’s danger.