Celtic’s opening salvo, the first strike ca crashing down, shattering Inter’s window!
Even they couldn’t dream that just 10 seconds into the ga, they had scored!
Steven’s shot was full of power, and with such close range, Handanovic tried his best to seal the near corner but still couldn’t stop the ball from blasting into the net over his head!
"Steven!!!!"
"Goal!!!"
Under the DJ’s call at Prince Park Stadium, the 60,000 spectators erupted.
Wild cheers with a Scottish accent echoed in the sky.
At this ti, none of the Inter players had touched the ball yet.
Which left Podolski with a bewildered smile as he once again stood on the center circle for kick-off.
Hey, what’s going on?
Has the match really started?
Assistant coach Herrera was hopping mad on the sidelines!
"Focus, it’s the lack of focus again! Andreoli was distracted, and Little Juan, didn’t stick close to their forwards. I really don’t know what’s muddling their brains!"
Mancini, however, looked calm, continuing to chew on his gum.
This conceded goal was actually within his expectations and wasn’t surprising.
On one hand, Scottish teams play with this brutish style!
Although in recent years, with European mainland coaches taking turns in the Premier League, many Premier League teams have gradually shifted from traditional long ball tactics to a more continental style of traditional play.
Most notably is Barça, once coached by Guardiola, whose style of possession is more dazzling than the Wen Style possession, attracting many opponents to mimic it.
But in Scotland’s conservative retreat, the possession trend of the Premier League hasn’t blown through, and long balls remain their foundational approach!
On the other hand, this conceded goal also directly reflected the drawbacks of the formation change.
In Mancini’s previous 4312 tactic, Inter had three holding midfielders, forming an iron gate in front of the two center-backs.
Especially the deeper midfielder, many tis similar to a center-back, so in defense, Inter often had three center-backs.
Switching to two holding midfielders, the deeper midfielder was lost.
"If we played three midfielders, this issue wouldn’t have arisen, it’s the price we must pay, but don’t worry Herrera, we are here to train, let’s see if we can leverage our strengths next."
Mancini also wanted to take the opportunity to test his players, whether they could equalize early amidst the starting setback and erge from the quagmire.
The reply from Inter’s players was quite positive.
Three players’ performances stabilized the situation.
First, the lone striker Podolski.
With over a hundred appearances for the national team, experienced in tournants, he knew that at such tis, haste could lead into the opponent’s trap.
"easy! easy! Don’t rush for direct passes, hold it a bit longer!"
Many tis with chances to take the ball, Podolski gestured downward with both hands, indicating to slow down the tempo.
Gualin’s sweeping and running as a midfielder also played a strong role.
Although not greatly responsible for the opening 10-second opponent’s long-ball hit, Gualin felt indignant!
Not to ntion grappling with the physically hardy Scots, even if the world’s self-proclaid strongest player Akinfenwa charged, Gualin would still collide with him!
"Mine!!!"
In subsequent high ball contests in the backfield, standing at 184, Gualin relied on his physique to forcibly win the headers against several 190 Scots giants!
Of course, the most prominent role was Tang Long!
He continually deployed skillful passing, orchestrating the defense across the midfield.
Left, right, left again, then right!
"Utilize the width, make them move back and forth!"
Tang Long shouted to his teammates during organization.
Fortunately, Podolski, Palacio, and Shaqiri in the front were roaming players with technical skill advantages, perfectly shing with Tang Long’s passing style, showcasing a superb sense of coordination.
With swift passes and shifting, Celtic players were run ragged, their energy greatly depleted.
Herrera pointed at Tang Long and said to Mancini:
"Great passing! Tang implented our pre-match training requirents, of course, it’s good that Podolski is positioned centrally, if it were Icardi, his footwork might not have adapted well to this possession system."
Mancini did not provide a definite answer but said: "The key is still seeing how long it takes for us to score, otherwise all efforts are in vain."
Gualin jumped to et the ball!
Like a big black bear in the jungle, using a solid back and sturdy arms to fend off two Scots midfielders, he then leveraged strong abdon muscles to twist his body mid-air and forcibly claid the spot!
The ball flew far away, Gualin’s jersey tugged, he fell to the ground!
The referee had the whistle in his mouth, air rushing into his throat in preparation to blow, but then swallowed it back.
Both hands leveled, advantage in attack!
The ball Gualin contested landed right at Tang Long’s feet!
"Spread wide!"
Tang Long passed the ball to the right wing towards Palacio.
Palacio, knowing his deceiving age couldn’t overco vigorous young opponents, used a diversionary tactic, feigning to go wide while drawing Celtic’s full-back and a defensive midfielder, then swiftly exchanged the ball back to Tang Long in the middle.
Tang Long had been waiting for this mont!
He imdiately accelerated, resolutely pushed the ball forward by ten ters, the attack line instantly surged to within ten ters of the penalty area.
Gualin, clutching his waist, painfully climbed up from the ground.
Seeing the ball nearing the opponent’s penalty box, Gualin rejoiced!
"Quick, pass to Podo! He’s open!" Gualin shouted towards Tang Long.
To his surprise, Tang Long didn’t pass but instead cut with his right foot, simultaneously shifting direction as he tapped the ball to the left opposite Podolski’s run!
"Take him!"
Tang Long didn’t have the advantage in speed, his dribbling frequency was also not fast, drawing center-back Van Dijk and midfielder Brown to close in.
The then 23-year-old Van Dijk, still honing in the Scottish Super League, had a bit of ways before achieving the legendary defensive status at Liverpool.
However, his defensive anticipation concerning attacking players’ next moves had already begun to show its edge!
After Tang Long took the first step to the left, the Dutch center-back anticipated that this Oriental guy, standing at around 180, was slow and couldn’t get past him!
Standing at 193, Van Dijk stepped forward like a compass, tracing an arc to reach Tang Long.
He was ready to jab the ball away!
Simultaneously, midfielder Brown also closed in from behind.
"Too sticky with the ball, this idiot!"
Seeing Tang Long sandwiched front and back like a burger, Gualin, in the backfield, still clutching his waist yet running fiercely forward, cursed.
If he was in that position, he would have either taken a powerful long shot or passed the ball to Podolski on the right.
With his build, wanting to duel the opponent’s center-back, especially while dragging a defensive midfielder in tow?
Not knowing his own weight?
But the unexpected often occurs at such monts...
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