I AM the Football Star-Chapter 428 - 120: Group of Death? Bring Out My Italian Cannon! (13k-Word Major - ) (Part 8)
"You must know, based on his current and last season’s performance, a player like Pavovsky should not have a market price lower than twenty million euros if he transfers next year!"
The commentator clearly has some understanding of the Bundesliga and knows Pavovsky’s future path.
After scoring, the Polish players were not in a hurry anymore.
Proving they could level the score when behind instilled confidence, making them believe their style of play was correct.
The forty-first minute of the match.
The Italy Team once again shifted the ball from the left flank to the right.
Today, Italy Team’s offensive on the right was fierce, but a feint flank is still a feint flank, unlike the true dominant flank.
As the main attacking flank, Sevajos on the left had first choice control.
Whether to attempt a breakthrough to the bottom line, cut inside to shoot, or coordinate for a dribble and ball transfer, all was his decision.
He possessed the second-highest ball control in the team after Morici and had the most turnovers.
Many might say Sevajos lost the ball a bit much this match, but it’s part of his duty and authority.
In contrast, Pompey on the right looked fiercer today, but once he received the ball, he went directly for the attack, without needing to consider any other factors.
He had direct threat potential but lacked Sevajos’s diverse threats; his receiving the ball signaled Italy Team’s total assault to everyone involved, including the fans.
Bang!
Pompey passed back to Canyes near midfield before himself positioning towards the bottom line.
Canyes initially intended to advance with the ball but seeing Lu also moving to the right, decided to pass the ball to Lu and returned to his right-back position.
Brother Lu had worked hard covering for little Canye; Canye, being sensible, knew that even with overflowing offensive desires, sometimes supporting the team’s big player’s attacking intention was necessary.
After all, they were both teammates from San Remo, and whether Canyes thrived at San Remo depended not only on his skills but also on his relationship with Brother Lu.
Canyes, having trained in a big club, understood these nuances clearly.
Lu held the ball on the right flank, but Polish players only aimed to restrain him, not being as tense as when Pompey held the ball at this position.
Meanwhile, Pompey drew away a right back, theoretically leaving a significant defensive gap between the Polish left-back and left center-back.
Bang!
Lu nudged the ball with his foot and decided to cut inside.
The Polish midfielder reluctantly approached, intending to block Lu.
He was speechless - he was not even defending Lu, yet Lu wasn’t passing to anyone?
Why did Lu need to come towards him?
Was Lu questioning his defensive skills?
Today, even Pompey, Lazio’s starting winger on the right, barely benefited against Lu, only having a chance when aiming for the bottom line, while Lu from a Serie B team as a attacking midfielder was attempting to cut inside?
The next moment, the Polish midfielder stretched his foot, confident in his successful interception.
However, Lu used his right shoulder to lean against him while carrying the ball with his left foot and slightly flicked it.
The ball gently bounced, not high but just enough to surpass the Polish midfielder’s instep.
Simultaneously, Lu crouched, jumped up slightly, and, leveraging against the Polish midfielder’s chest with his right hand.
Thus, during that crossover, Lu successfully performed a beautiful cut-in from the front of the Polish midfielder.
The Polish midfielder remained stationary.
He had been shoved by Lu, naturally unable to move!
Robben Region!
The king of cutting inside!
This made everything simpler.
By this time, Lu reached one stride outside the penalty area’s right region.
Undoubtedly, this was within Lu’s shooting range.
But Lu shouted: "Morici!"
While preparing to pass.
Outside the penalty area, Morici jolted and dashed from the left flank into the center.
And Sogel in the penalty area swiftly approached Lu, moving towards the near position.
Momentarily, the two Polish center-backs, one followed Sogel to the right, while the other advanced toward Morici on the left.
A vast open space appeared between the two.
The defensive player in front of Lu quickly raised his foot, blocking the intended passing lane for Lu’s left foot.
If Lu was passing into the penalty area, this ball could likely be intercepted by him.
Outside the right side of the penalty area, left foot offered a shooting angle, while the right foot was practically useless, only possibly for horizontal passing due to the small angle.
And Polish’s current positioning and marking ensured Lu’s horizontal pass posed no threat since Italy Team had no other players outside the penalty except for the distant Cortino, who was about forty meters away.
No way Cortino could perform a forty-meter strike, right?
If they did, Polish Team would acknowledge defeat, as these players seemed like cheats.
Bang!
Lu fired with his right foot again.
Pass?
Impossible!
The previous shout for Morici was merely to distract them from the thought of a pass.
"Xiaomo" was just a tool.
Thus, amidst Morici and the Polish defender’s stunned expressions, Lu launched a powerful shot.
The ball carried a slight curve, despite the narrow shooting angle, bypassing the gap between the two Polish center-backs, heading straight for the goal’s bottom left corner.
Again for the bottom left corner!
Lu was fixated on this spot! 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
The Polish goalkeeper initially didn’t expect Lu to shoot.
After Lu prepared for the shot, he planned to dive for the near post since the angle was wider and most people would opt for it.
Unexpectedly, Lu unleashed a strong shot towards the far post.
Way too bold!
Did he forget he previously hit the post?
Dang!
The ball struck the goal’s left post and violently rebounded into the net.
This time, the Polish goal dared not refuse Lu again, fearing that this stubborn Eastern man would attack again.
Even iron could not withstand constant shooting like this!
Two to one, Lu secured one assist and one goal, leading Italy Team to a halftime lead.
After scoring, Lu dashed to the Corner Flag Area, raised his shorts, pointed at his sturdy thigh, and declared, "I am ok! Polish players, the Italian Cannon is loaded!"
The next instant, Lu was encircled by the Italy National Youth Team members, all exuberantly excited.
Clearly, they felt today’s match far less daunting compared to playing Spain.
Moreover, they were leading amidst such ease.
Previously, if any internally questioned Lu’s selection and skills, from this point, a third individual widely acknowledged in this predominantly new Italy National Youth Team emerged.
The first was Sevajos, known for his graceful playing style.
The second was Morici, who wielded exceptional control.
The third was Lu, outwardly unremarkable but... truly dangerous!
