Quickly, Manchester City has returned with renewed vigor!
This ti, the attack showcases Guardiola’s strategy of utilizing the roles of the three midfielders to perfection.
The starting point of the attack, however, is the right-back Navas.
At the beginning of the season, Navas heard he was to be converted into a full-back, and he was quite puzzled, finding it amusing.
I’ve reached this age, they say once you’re over thirty, you don’t learn new skills, I’m already 31, and you’re asking to learn a new position, do you think I’m still a young man?
If I were only 18, you could even convert into a goalkeeper!
But after Guardiola’s attentive guidance and training exercises, Navas ca to an epiphany, feeling enlightened, and his understanding of football deepened considerably.
Receiving the pass from Stones, he faces the approaching Ranocchia, taps the ball to him, and then runs imdiately;
Pushing Navas is Sunderland’s striker Defoe.
Seeing Navas start his move, Defoe subconsciously thinks Navas will follow the sideline, so he quickly turns around to chase;
Unexpectedly, Navas cuts inside, heading towards the center, receives Ranocchia’s pass while stationary, and brings the ball to the position of the holding midfielder!
This move of a full-back cutting inside to beco a midfielder is Guardiola’s tactical innovation in the football world!
Navas moves swiftly, with nimble footwork, like a rabbit darting to the top of the central arc with the ball.
"Don’t rush, give the ball!"
Gundogan is stationed four ters behind Navas, controlling the rear.
Without looking at him, Navas uses his foot to drag the ball backward, bringing it to Gundogan’s feet.
In Guardiola’s tactics, Gundogan plays the role of Harvey.
After assessing the situation, Gundogan notices the opponent isn’t pressing forward enough, so he forms a triangular position with Ranocchia and Navas, passing the ball back and forth, until they attract two Sunderland players to press, and finally, "thrillingly" passes the ball to Diego.
The rhythm of this pass is truly unparalleled, causing Diego to inwardly exclaim "Nice" as he receives it, then he rotates sideways and faces the opponent’s goal!
Navas and Ranocchia manage the ball, Harvey controls the pace at the back, and Diego’s role is to strike a deadly blow.
He has already seen Agüero and Tang Long rapidly switching positions, so with a deft outside foot flick, the ball curves and slips through the gaps between two defenders, precisely landing at Tang Long’s feet!
Tang Long’s ball control is also particularly brilliant, with long-term training giving him 85% of Maradona’s ball sense. With his back facing the goal, he uses his right foot’s outside to absorb the pass’s power, stopping the ball steadily in front!
"He’s going for goal!"
Agüero, switching positions to the left wing, instinctively shouts!
Tang Long has reached the top of the penalty arc, about 20 ters from the goal, a pri spot for a central long shot.
However, in Tang Long’s view, this isn’t the right ti to shoot because the goalkeeper’s position is good and directly in front of him, there is a defender solidly blocking the way, recklessly kicking would only result in the ball hitting the defender.
Tang Long advances with the ball another two steps.
[Direct shot, goal probability 42%]
[Pass to Agüero on the left, goal probability 85%]
Tang Long glances at Agüero on the left and notices he’s in an offside position, about a leg-length offside;
But evidently, Agüero hasn’t realized he’s offside, not having moved back at all.
"Either shoot or pass, what are you hesitating for!" The opportunity is fleeting, and Agüero calls out urgently!
Tang Long turns towards Sane on the right!
Just as he’s about to pass to Sane, another Sunderland defender rushes back from the outside at high speed, Agüero, although not moving, has returned inside the offside line!
At the last mont, Tang Long’s ankle shakes, his body makes a 90-degree turn, finally passing the ball to Agüero on the left!
"Here it cos!" Agüero, although not expecting Tang Long’s final pass, with top-notch striker skills, steps up and without stopping the ball, chips it into the far corner, and the ball hits the net!
to 0!
Listening to the cheers of the fans echoing in his ears, Agüero finally breathes a sigh of relief.
"Next ti, either shoot or pass, don’t hesitate, Tang, that’s not like you!" Agüero smiles as he high-fives Tang Long.
Agüero and the celebrating teammates high-five each one and then walk towards the center circle.
On the way, he thinks to himself: "Tang at the forward position still isn’t decisive enough in ball handling, or perhaps he lacks confidence in shooting, why didn’t he go for such an easy long shot just now? Luckily, his passing skills are still there, haha, he’s not originally a natural forward, it’s forgivable."
Entering the second half, the situation still shows no sign of reversal;
Most of the Sunderland players have given up any hope of gaining points against Manchester City.
This is the epito of a club’s dominance!
Tian Ji’s Horse Racing, when the weaker team faces a strong one, often after half a match, if the situation doesn’t show signs of improvent, they decisively abandon the effort, conserving energy for opponents against whom they might gain points.
As for being a strong team, once the opponent gives up actively, they can play more effortlessly, thus preserving stamina and avoiding injuries.
But Tang Long clearly doesn’t want to stop, he feels his ball sense is scorching hot!
It’s the first Premier League match of the new season at the Etihad Stadium, predictably packed, and the fans don’t want Tang Long to stop either, constantly cheering him on.
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