Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 544 - 370: Watch Closely! Tang Long Performs Dreamy Footwork! This is the Real Premier League’s Best Midfielder!_2

A bright gap appeared right in front!

Just send the ball over, and Agüero only needs to break through the offside trap a bit to secure a one-on-one.

"There’s an opening!"

"Gundogan sees it, he’s about to pass straight through!"

"Connecting with Agüero!"

"Oh no... too bad."

"Intercepted halfway!"

"West Brom’s center-back Lescott, with his height and long legs, stretches and intercepts the ball!"

"Facing his former club, Lescott still shines like before!"

Meanwhile, West Brom’s fast winger Berahino has already pulled to the flank, and Lescott spots him, lifts his head, and makes a long pass to try and launch a counter-attack.

Luckily, the experienced Agüero pulls him down from behind, using a tactical foul to relieve the opponent’s attack.

The referee perhaps wanting to make it up, gives Agüero, who committed his first foul of the match, a yellow card.

Agüero, helpless, shakes his head at Gundogan, saying nothing.

Now it’s Gundogan’s turn to feel guilty!

The opportunity for such a great direct pass was missed, and not only that, but also made the team’s star forward receive a yellow card early in the first half to stop the opposing counterattack.

"Your pass was too obvious in its intention!"

Walking back, Gundogan suddenly recalls what Tang Long told him during the last League Cup match.

At that time, Gundogan didn’t take it seriously.

What’s wrong with being obvious?

Isn’t it a good thing? Plus, I provided an assist, maybe you’re just jealous.

But now, after his pass got intercepted, Gundogan finally understood Tang Long’s meaning.

Against Aston Villa, a Premier League bottom team with no fighting spirit, passing direct balls with clear intentions wasn’t an issue; they couldn’t intercept them.

But facing West Brom, a mid-table Premier League team fighting for UEFA Europa League spots, such obvious passes might not get past their center-backs.

So what constitutes a pass without obvious intentions?

Three question marks appeared in Gundogan’s mind.

Soon, Tang Long demonstrated the concept to Gundogan through example.

Playing at home against West Brom, it’s crucial to score in the first half so that the opponent has to come out and attack in the second half; if it ends in a draw, they’ll continue to shrink into a defensive shell, and even for Manchester City, breaking their defense wouldn’t be easy.

That’s why Manchester City’s attacking momentum hasn’t waned but grown even stronger.

Under Tang Long’s leadership, the defensive line pushed up, suppressing West Brom in their half.

This presented a great challenge to Manchester City’s offense!

In the densely packed defensive area, properly conveying the ball and orchestrating player movements to find openings is very challenging.

It still depends on Tang Long!

As the opponent contracts, Tang Long boldly steps forward from his defensive midfield position, at times paralleling Gundogan to form a dual attacking midfield setup.

"Watch the ball!"

Kolarov charges up the flank with the ball, pretending to go further down, his body thrusting forward, the ball slowly rolling—

That little change in rhythm draws away a defender, and Kolarov swiftly turns, passing the ball to Tang Long coming to support in the middle.

As the ball rolls about two meters away from Tang Long, West Brom’s midfielders Fletcher and Morrison rush towards him fiercely, sticking hard at his back!

One pulls at his jersey, the other has their feet blocking directly in front, just waiting for the ball to arrive to disrupt it.

Seeing this scene, the battle-hardened Gundogan is momentarily shocked, thinking: "Is Premier League defense really this barbaric?"

He believes Tang Long’s ball is sure to be intercepted.

However, what followed caused Gundogan’s eyes to widen in disbelief!

Tang Long, despite being pulled ahead of time, suddenly accelerates; such speed that Fletcher, grabbing him, stumbles and falls!

The other defender, Morrison, seems entirely unprepared for Tang Long’s sudden acceleration; after Fletcher falls, he remains stunned in place.

Tang Long receives the ball!

Watching Tang Long successfully escape the encirclement, Gundogan also exhales deeply and quickly moves in to support him.

In his view, as long as Tang Long successfully returns the ball under pressure, it would be a good linking play.

"Tang! Give... "

As Gundogan’s shout to Tang Long is cut short by a sudden "pop!"

Tang Long, after receiving the ball, without pause or thought, swivels and flicks the ball with his instep towards the left flank!

This move caught Gundogan off guard, his eyes even failing to track the ball momentarily;

Once he focused on the ball, he suddenly discovered Sterling had managed to slip behind the defenders!

"Great pass! Hurry up and support!"

That direct pass left Gundogan astonished; he suddenly realized what Tang Long meant by not passing with obvious intentions, for not only was it unclear to opponents, but even as a teammate, he couldn’t sense where Tang Long was going to pass.

Gundogan quickly accelerates, trying to support Sterling!

Given his understanding of Sterling, this player on the wing is sure to draw opponents in for a challenge, leaving the center open, which is a good chance for him, the attacking midfielder, to shoot from the top of the box.

Sure enough, Sterling knows his shooting isn’t great, and instead of forcing a breakthrough and explosive shot, he swings the ball back with his left foot after reaching the bottom line.

Yet Gandogan’s start was ultimately a step too slow, and before he could catch up, the ball rolled through.

Initially feeling regret for missing this shot opportunity, he suddenly saw a shadow gleam past him, outstripping his step frequency and speed by a wide margin!

Taking a closer look at the number 9 jersey, Gandogan realized that Tang Long was already sprinting at high speed. A crisp ’stewed meatball’ move, tapping twice on the penalty area line, leaving Lescott cleaned up!

What a dreamy step!

Gundogan was utterly captivated!

When he passed, Tang Long was clearly behind him, how did he suddenly dash to the front!

"Agüero!"

In the box, Tang Long roars at Agüero!

That roar instantly draws the attention of Dawson and the opposition’s goalkeeper Myhill to Agüero.

Though Dawson rushes to stick close to Agüero, Gundogan thinks as long as Tang Long’s pass is quick enough, with Agüero’s skills, he’ll absolutely score at the far post.

Bang!

Tang Long pretends to pass but at the last moment, suddenly flicks his right ankle inward, fiercely driving the ball into the center!

The goalkeeper Myhill reacts too late, watching the ball roll into the near corner of the goal!

He collapses on the ground miserably, covering his face with both hands.

To any goalkeeper, conceding at the near post is an immense humiliation.

Guarding the near post, allowing for long shots is a concept hammered into all professional goalkeepers during training.

It’s not that Myhill didn’t know to guard his near post, but Tang Long’s sudden shout, his glance at Agüero, and his posture just before he intended the pass—all these linked fake moves caught Myhill completely off guard, leaving him utterly deceived. Boo-hoo-hoo~

Etihad Stadium roared with thunderous cheers!

"Tang!"

"Tang!"

"Chinatang!"

The familiar three calls for Tang Long resounded!

Teammates rush to surround Tang Long, celebrating and hugging him.

Standing at the top of the box, stunned and overwhelmed, Gundogan also shook his head smiling.

He exhales deeply, then quickly runs towards Tang Long to join the celebration.

As the teammates finish celebrating and turn to leave, Gundogan remains the last one by Tang Long’s side, exchanging a private high-five.

"Tang, a perfect performance, everything you said is right, I concede!"