After signing with AC Milan, I will be the king of football!-Chapter 1639 - 451: Totally Unexpected
Midfielders: Huang Kaiwen, Rakitic, Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso,
Forward: Ibrahimovic.
Rome’s 4321 formation with three defensive midfielders:
Goalkeeper: Bogdan Lobont,
Defenders: Riise, Mexes, Juan Santos, Cassetti,
Midfielders: Perrotta, Mené, De Rossi, Totti, David Pizarro,
Forward: Vucinic.
"AC Milan’s lineup is really luxurious, with Torres and Ramos, two Spanish national players, sitting on the bench, Guardiola also intends to let them rest."
"Yes, Kaka isn’t playing on the wing like in the warm-up match, he’s back in the familiar center. Gattuso starting is also an attempt to strengthen AC Milan’s defense."
"Rome is a very strong team, we’re all familiar with Totti, and last season De Rossi performed exceptionally well."
"Indeed, it’s worth mentioning that David Pizarro and the Claudio Pizarro who has played for Bayern and Werder Bremen are two different people familiar to many Serie A fans."
"This player Vucinic needs special attention, he scored 14 goals and provided 8 assists for Rome just in the league last season, an outstanding figure."
Huang Kaiwen walked into the field with the team flag.
Totti came over extending his hand with the flag, saying: "Welcome back Kevin, but I won’t go easy."
"You better be careful."
Huang Kaiwen patted Totti’s arm and said.
Turned and handed the flag to a teammate on the bench.
He didn’t request a position switch today, he wanted to use De Rossi’s defensive ability to contain Totti. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Totti’s position is slightly to the right, which is perfect for facing him.
The two returned to the center circle.
Referee Belgonzi took out a coin and asked: "Heads or tails?"
Huang Kaiwen opened his palm, gesturing for Totti to choose first.
"Tails!"
Totti said confidently.
Belgonzi tossed the coin and caught it, opened his palm and said: "Heads, AC Milan gets the first choice."
"We’ll kick off."
Huang Kaiwen said.
After Rome chose the field, the players from both sides stood on their respective halves.
At 7:45 PM, the referee blew the whistle to start the match.
Ibrahimovic kicked off to Kaka, Kaka immediately delivered a pass to the left wing.
Huang Kaiwen took the ball and retreated, standing level with the two defensive midfielders.
Rome began to press fiercely.
Ranieri stood arm-folded at the sidelines, this requirement is also the key to his conflict with Totti.
Huang Kaiwen’s team often chooses to press high in the field, and Ranieri keenly perceives the benefits of this approach.
He hopes Rome plays more aggressively.
Regardless of whether Totti stands in the attacking midfielder position or forward position, he will do some defensive work to help the team, but he doesn’t like chasing the ball.
After Totti pressed up, Huang Kaiwen immediately made a horizontal pass.
Rakitic received the ball avoiding Totti and started advancing.
He can play multiple positions like wing midfielder, attacking midfielder, central midfielder, and defensive midfielder, with abundant stamina and good vision.
Seeing De Rossi consistently hovering around Kaka, Rakitic didn’t hurry to pass the ball.
Gattuso was consistently moving forward to support, allowing him to confidently carry the ball.
As Rakitic advanced past the center circle, he noticed Huang Kaiwen already moving forward and immediately distributed the ball to the left wing.
Huang Kaiwen extended his right foot’s outer instep to stop the ball beside his foot, and quickly used his left foot to curl the ball under.
Bang—
This footwork wasn’t powerful but highly accurate.
The ball directly fell behind Rome’s defense, Ibrahimovic started but was pulled by Mexes, failing to reach the drop point first, the ball was claimed by Juan Santos.
"Oh, that was close."
"Yes, Huang Kaiwen’s pass was beautiful and sudden, delivering it straight into the penalty area from such a distance."
"Juan dribbled forward himself, he and Lucio—this national team duo—both like pushing up for attacks, but the two Brazilian defenders also have quite good footwork."
Rome’s counterattack was quite swift.
Their one-touch passes didn’t falter, Mené passed to the front after arriving, giving the ball to Totti, who sent a strong-curved cross from the right wing, Vucinic suddenly moved to score.
After scoring, Vucinic immediately ran to embrace Totti.
Buffon couldn’t help but reveal a cold smile retrieving the ball.
Heh.
Satisfied just by scoring one?
Take a look at Juventus’ previous matches!
He wasn’t worried about losing the game at all.
Buffon was more concerned about his post-match performance.
At home, he had already prepared the championship interview draft. He wondered if the media and fans would like his comments.
Buffon tossed the ball forward.
Thiago Silva apologized saying: "This time it’s on me."
His language talent was impressive, in the half season he couldn’t register after joining Milan, yet his Italian improved rapidly.
Buffon nonchalantly waved his hand.
Losing one goal and freaking out? He thought he’d better advise this teammate.
"Keep your spirits up guys!"
Huang Kaiwen clapped his hands and shouted.
Guardiola watched the field, constantly touching his forehead.
Clemente concernedly asked: "Pep, are you worried we’re going to lose?"
"No..."
Guardiola hesitated to speak.
"Then what?"
"Um..."
Guardiola felt at a loss for words, gesturing as he said: "I feel Kevin hasn’t pushed forward much, he’s been quite active defensively, I’m wondering if there’s a problem with the tactics."
"Maybe it’s just because the match has just started."
Clemente replied.
"Maybe."
Guardiola nodded saying.
Milan kicked off again, Pirlo’s long pass still couldn’t achieve success.
Guardiola’s tactics were vastly different from before, the whole team hadn’t fully adapted yet.
This time Juan Santos took a couple of steps encountering Ibrahimovic’s pressing and immediately sent a straight pass to De Rossi, who performed a direct through ball to just before the halfway line.
Huang Kaiwen and Totti both chased after the ball.
Huang Kaiwen’s displayed explosiveness and speed left Totti with no choice but to go all out.
But the ball began slowing down not far after crossing the halfway line, Huang Kaiwen suddenly decelerated letting Totti overshoot.
Huang Kaiwen turned to protect the ball, keeping Totti behind.
Totti tried to squeeze from the left, but Huang Kaiwen’s shoulder pulled back making Totti nearly lose balance, stumbling to Huang Kaiwen’s right, he reached out his hand as he saw Huang Kaiwen intending to move forward with the ball.
Totti’s ability to confront is strong.
Huang Kaiwen also felt the trouble.
Pulled off balance, Huang Kaiwen staggered, and before regaining his stance, he swung his right foot.
Bang—
The ball moved straight to the left of the front field.
The advancing Rakitic stopped the ball at his feet using his abdomen, turned and sent a cross.
Amidst the crowd, Ibrahimovic jumped high, heading the ball fiercely into Rome’s goal.
"Goal!!!"
"Ibra Ibra Ibra!"
"Ibrahimovic scored a crucial goal."
"Kevin’s one-on-one defense against Totti is really beautiful, the whole confrontation was full of wisdom."
"We all know Totti is a very smart player, but he looked like an impulsive player in front of Kevin, who first used speed to force Totti to accelerate leaving no time to judge the ball’s position. Kevin successfully outwitted Totti to gain the ball, and in the ensuing physical battle, while Totti used hands and feet, any player competing with Totti isn’t easy, but after losing balance and stabilizing, Kevin didn’t adjust nor observe, directly delivered a precise pass to the forward-moving teammate, I truly wonder if Kevin’s mind has a GPS system."
"Perfect strategy, outstanding technique, that’s the crucial reason Milan managed to equalize, from intercepting to passing to unguarded Rakitic, Kevin did almost everything. Luckily, Rakitic and Ibrahimovic didn’t let down Kevin’s effort!"
Guardiola stood at the sidelines continuing to hold his head.
Originally, he wanted Huang Kaiwen and Kaka to serve as two explosive points in the front field to pressure Rome, but unexpectedly Huang Kaiwen treated himself as a wide midfielder."
