I AM the Football Star-Chapter 416 - 118: European Youth Championship Call-Up, 4123 Formation? (Part 4)
Luo Cheng and the others went to the office together to handle some procedural matters.
Sofia accompanied Tang Yuqin all the way, suggesting that everyone go shopping together later. Tang Yuqin happily agreed.
...
On the field, the players were engaged in a training match.
Since being selected for the National Youth Team implies good ability, what everyone primarily needs to do during this period is practice teamwork.
Most of the players were newly selected by Maniero, which made the familiarity training initially quite challenging.
The team’s cooperation errors were frequent.
But Maniero is confident this is only temporary, and once everyone completes the integration, this team will definitely be stronger than the previous Italy National Youth Team.
Lu Yang’s arrival was low-key; he came while a training match was ongoing on the field.
Helping the National Youth Team with their training was the Juventus Youth Team.
In terms of strength, the Juventus Youth Team was much weaker.
However, tactically the Italy National Youth Team did not show much advantage on the field.
But it must be admitted that the players in the National Youth Team had outstanding individual abilities.
Bang!
The National Youth Team’s right winger, André Pompetti, cut inside and scored.
He is the starting right winger for Serie A team Lazio, and despite his young age, he has the skill to play in the Serie A, with a rating as high as 78, stronger than Canyes.
Soon, the left winger Sevajos executed a lofted long pass that split the Juventus Youth Team, and Sogel headed it and successfully scored.
After a year, Sevajos’s rating astonishingly reached 81!
He has now reached the level of a top-tier star, being the strongest person in this Italy National Youth Team.
Bang!
In the backfield, a tall defensive midfielder from the National Youth Team successfully intercepted the ball. Unlike traditional Italian organizing midfielders, he appeared more like a rough defensive midfielder.
This is Mauro Cortino, the starting midfielder for Serie A team Turin, rated 77!
Eventually, the training match ended with a score of five to two, with the Italy National Youth Team winning overwhelmingly, but Maniero’s expression wasn’t very good.
He believes the team hasn’t yet demonstrated their full potential, with gaps in cooperation in the front and midfield, except for Sevajos, as most players were acting individually.
The defense line had many errors; both conceded goals came from coordination errors, not a lack of ability.
The left-back of this defensive line, Simo Nikolic, is the main left-back for Bundesliga’s Hoffenheim, with a rating of 74.
Old acquaintance Lam is not worth mentioning, but surprisingly he only has a rating of 74, which surprised Lu Yang a bit, as it seems physical limitations have begun to impede Lam’s further growth in the center-back position.
Right center-back Alessandro Pirola is the main center-back for La Liga’s relegation favorites, the Spanish team, rated 76, with outstanding strength.
Right-back Canyes, a native of San Remo.
Keeper Areola, also from San Remo.
Roughly analyzing, amongst the starting eleven of this Italy National Youth Team, up to five players were from San Remo.
Perhaps due to this, Morici consciously increased cooperation with the more unfamiliar players when organizing the team.
This is a very appropriate approach.
On one hand, it prevents people from feeling like the San Remo people are forming a clique.
On the other hand, it shows the true nature of the team, allowing Maniero to address issues based on performance.
Otherwise, if the real issues were exposed only during real matches, it would be too late to resolve them.
Indeed, Maniero started muttering: "The left side is strong but the left-back Nikolic lacks offensive ability. The right side is for feigning attacks, yet Canyes likes to move forward. The center-back duo has a good structure but needs more coordination practice."
"Cortino’s defensive ability is strong, and his position sense is good, but his running awareness is lacking, and as a double pivot with Morici, it doesn’t protect but rather increases Morici’s risk of being besieged."
"Versachi as a central attacking midfielder is still somewhat strenuous, and his ability is clearly weaker than others. His best position should be as a multipurpose substitute in the attacking midfield."
"In the 4213 formation, the central attacking midfield position is critical, in this team, Sogel mainly pulls and impacts, without scoring tasks, so it’s sufficient, but Versachi in the central attacking midfield is stretched thin."
"Treola responds well to saves, but he loves rushing out too much, which easily causes unnecessary mistakes."
Maniero muttered all the way, and Lu Yang beside him said: "Since Cortino and Morici are interfering with each other, then simply move Morici further forward."
Then, Lu Yang using his hand moved Morici’s position from right defensive midfield to right attacking midfield on the tablet.
Maniero looked at the tablet, momentarily stunned: "Can we do this? 4123? Five men in the attack, isn’t that too bold? This would easily expose the defense line, and moving Morici forward won’t provide him a good settling environment."
But then, Lu Yang shifted a few positions, straightforwardly saying: "Even if we are 4213, when we push forward to play against the opponent, the stance in the opponent’s half is actually similar to the current 4123."
"Since Morici can appear on the edge of the attacking third in advantageous situations to organize attacks and can handle the opponents’ pressing, why don’t we simply default his position there?"
Maniero shook his head: "It’s not the same, when he is in the defensive midfield, he has protectors around him."
Lu Yang said: "It’s the same! The left attacking midfielder beside him can also help sweep and support him!"
"But this increases the pressure on our defensive midfielder when the opponent’s midfield pressures." Maniero said.
"Canyes likes to move up; his position is advanced, and his footwork is excellent. When needed, he can act as half a right defensive midfielder, sharing Cortino’s pressure in distributing the ball." Lu Yang said.
Maniero looked at the panel and found there might actually be a possibility of playing this way. He finally smiled, patting Lu Yang’s shoulder saying: "Thank you so much, Coens, you’re definitely an excellent assistant coach!"
"Don’t mention it." Lu Yang patted the tablet-addicted Maniero saying, "But I might still wish to first be a good player."
"Coens, you are long past the age for playing soccer, wait... Lu? Why are you here?" Maniero then realized the person who has been speaking with him wasn’t his assistant but Lu Yang.
"Because I believe that in your arrangement, only I can assume the left attacking midfielder position to safeguard Morici." Lu Yang gave Maniero a wink.
Maniero was immediately captivated.
No one is more charming than you, Lu!
