Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 568 - 390: Tang Long Demonstrates Technical Defense, Rogue Corner Kick Tactic Strikes Again!

Wenger’s eyebrows furrowed, eyes wide with anger, shouting at Ramsey, leaving Arsenal’s players on the field stunned.

The always elegant Professor Wenger, when did he become so irritable?

However, the noisy cheers at Wembley Stadium quickly brought these Arsenal players back to their senses.

This English League Cup final is the culmination of their entire season!

With no chance of winning the league, the Champions League is out of reach, and the FA Cup exit early—this English League Cup determines if the team can end the season with a trophy.

The English League Cup is their last refuge this season, Arsenal’s final attempt at a title after years without one.

"Pull yourselves together, guys! Let’s score another before halftime!"

Podolski suddenly sprang from the bench to the sidelines to motivate his teammates.

"Don’t get drawn out by Tang, pay attention to his passing gaps!"

Podolski, having been Tang Long’s teammate at Inter Milan for six months, knows Tang Long’s technical skills better than anyone on the entire Arsenal team.

Though not starting this match, Podolski did his utmost before the game to tell his teammates how to defend against Tang Long.

But earlier that goal was not defended properly, just because Bellerin was drawn out by Tang Long, leaving a gap behind him for Sterling. Tang Long then quickly passed the ball back to Sterling with a volley, leading to the subsequent powerful strike from the center.

Podolski’s loud shout from the sidelines also caught Tang Long’s attention.

He looked toward the sidelines.

Seeing this former teammate who once wore the blue-and-black striped jersey with him, now wearing Arsenal’s red jersey, directing teammates at the sideline.

Tang Long didn’t have time to feel sentimental. He turned his head and immediately joined in the tackle on Cazorla.

Cazorla is quite a clever player.

He’s not tall, only 1.68 meters, looking very insignificant among the tall Arsenal players, like a small chick standing among a flock of cranes.

But four years ago, after Cazorla came to Arsenal from Malaga in La Liga for a transfer fee of 19 million euros, and just after his first training with the team.

The exquisite skills he showed not only amazed all his teammates but also immediately won over head coach Wenger!

In front of the media, Wenger spared no praise for this small midfielder.

"Can you believe it? If I had 11 Cazorlas, I could win the Premier League title!"

This statement was exaggerated because Cazorla is a midfielder, and how could 11 midfielders win the title?

But the skill Cazorla displayed on the field was clearly 1 to 2 levels higher than other Arsenal teammates.

What’s more rare is that he is particularly good at understanding the coach’s intentions.

When faced with Tang Long’s aggressive tackling, Cazorla calmly dragged the ball to the sideline, while Tang Long kept pushing outward.

After a while, the two were far from the danger zone.

As Tang Long pondered Cazorla’s next move, the latter suddenly executed a back-heel turn on the spot, trying to slip past Tang Long!

This is a typical Iniesta-style 180-degree turn, relying on flexible body movement to instantly break free from an opponent’s encirclement.

Tang Long is very familiar with this move, having done it himself on the field many times.

He swiftly saw through Cazorla’s intent!

So as Cazorla turned, Tang Long didn’t move close but instead anticipated Cazorla’s direction after the turn, stepped back, and blocked his position.

Cazorla realized that this move didn’t fool his opponent, feeling a shiver inside, he had to brace against Tang Long with one hand, controlling the ball at his feet to reconsider.

Cazorla thought, "This guy’s speed and defensive anticipation are excellent, with my physique, I probably can’t get past him."

Although his head was low, relying on his sense of the game, he knew where he was on the right side of the pitch.

He figured rather than passing the ball back to danger zone, why not draw a foul from Tang Long and win a right-sided free kick.

Even though Arsenal practiced set-piece tactics before the match, getting a free kick in this spot is similar to a corner kick and worth trying.

So Cazorla suddenly pushed the ball forward, attempting to lure Tang Long’s center of gravity over, and Tang Long indeed stepped forward.

Seeing Tang Long about to fall for it, Cazorla felt a thrill in his heart~

Though short and with short legs, his pace was fast;

Pretending to force a cross, but at the last moment, pulled the ball back!

Pa!

According to Cazorla’s plan, this quick pullback and well-controlled center of gravity surely meant Tang Long would extend his leg to intercept;

Then he only needs to lean against Tang Long’s leg and fall, the referee’s whistle will surely blow, earning a right-sided set piece.

But contrary to Cazorla’s expectations, he still didn’t fool Tang Long this time!

His ball indeed pulled back, and his center of gravity shifted back, but Tang Long’s stop and center of gravity adjustment were a beat quicker.

With a slight extension of his left foot and a twist of his hip, Tang Long firmly held his position, bumping Cazorla away with his hip~

"Whoa, whoa, whoa—"

Manchester City fans erupted with enthusiastic applause from the stands at Wembley Stadium!