Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 569 - 390: Tang Long Demonstrates Technical Defense, Rogue Corner Kick Tactic Strikes Again!_2

These fans, watching soccer for years, truly understand the game. They don’t just cheer for assists and spectacular goals; Tang Long’s precise defense has also earned applause.

"Ha, overestimating themselves."

Pellegrini smirked coldly from the sidelines.

Who is Tang Long?

He can play forward, attacking midfield, and defensive midfield.

Not to mention his physical strength; defending against Cazorla is no problem at all.

Pellegrini often discusses Tang Long’s defense with his assistant coach, saying he’s quick to start and a technical defender.

The footwork Cazorla displayed was just child’s play in Tang Long’s eyes.

Like swinging a big sword before Guan Yu, what was Cazorla thinking? Shouldn’t he have just played a back pass early on?

Tang Long’s successful defense foiled Cazorla’s plan to create a free-kick opportunity from the flank.

But not all other Manchester City teammates are as smart as Tang Long.

Or perhaps they’re facing a more challenging situation!

After a period of struggle between the two teams, in the 31st minute of the first half, Welbeck forcefully pushed down the flank.

Compared to Cazorla, Welbeck may have rough techniques, but his speed is incredible!

Kolarov, taken down to the baseline, gained no advantage;

He had to fling himself into a sliding tackle just to barely nudge Welbeck’s cross past the goal line.

"Good play, Kolarov!"

Goalkeeper Caballero stepped forward to high-five Kolarov.

This is often the body language between a goalkeeper and defender on the field, encouraging a successful defense.

However, seeing Arsenal gain another corner kick, Ranocchia quickly reminded Caballero.

"We can’t let them surround you this time. I’ll tell the teammates to do everything we can to push Arsenal’s tall players away, giving you space to observe and act."

Caballero happily gave Ranocchia a thumbs up.

These two, one standing at 183 cm and the other at 195 cm, when standing together, Ranocchia more resembles a goalkeeper physique.

This is the second corner Arsenal has won in the first half, and all Arsenal players suddenly perked up.

In fact, although the score on the field is 1:1, Arsenal is being overwhelmed by Manchester City both in possession and shot count!

In terms of possession, Manchester City 61% vs Arsenal 39%.

And shots are even more lopsided.

By the 32nd minute, Manchester City had eight shots, four of which were on target. If not for Cech making several fantastic saves, Arsenal would have been overwhelmed by now.

Meanwhile, Arsenal has only one shot, which was Ramsey’s header from a corner kick strategy; apart from that, there’s been no threatening attack.

So it’s no wonder that seeing the team get a rare corner kick chance, all Arsenal players’ adrenaline surged through the roof.

High-fiving each other, as though they’ve scored a goal against the opponent, rather than having just earned a set piece~

Seeing Arsenal players’ unusual behavior, Pellegrini on the sidelines was puzzled.

Are you treating this as a corner kick or a penalty kick?

Once again, Cazorla takes the kick.

Before taking it, Cazorla glanced at the penalty area and lifted a single arm.

Last time from the corner kick strategy, he lifted one arm, gesturing a V for victory.

This time, he lifts a single arm again, still making a V gesture.

Learning from past experience, Manchester City’s defenders immediately realized Cazorla is likely aiming for the far post again. Having suffered once, they can’t afford a second mistake!

This time, center-back Ranocchia directed the tall full-back Kolarov to stand at the far post of the goal.

Everyone else continued with their man-to-man marking tactics.

As Cazorla took his first step in running up, the ball hadn’t even been kicked yet, just like before, Welbeck, Giroud, and Koscielny instantly surged towards the small penalty area, blocking goalkeeper Caballero’s sight.

"Push them all out for me!"

Ranocchia, Otamendi, and Toure moved quickly. They continuously kept the defensive players ahead of them, so Welbeck, Giroud, and Koscielny retreated only a few steps before being squeezed back by the Manchester City players behind them.

The encircling defensive wall around Caballero quickly dispersed, leaving him room to jump up.

Caballero, focused and concentrated, awaited Cazorla’s ball delivery.

Seeing Ranocchia cleverly dismantling the opponent’s bluffing tactic, Tang Long at the arc also gave him a thumbs up.

Tang Long and Bony remained at their positions, ready to defend and counter-attack at any moment.

However, as Cazorla dashed three steps, striking the ball with his left foot, Tang Long realized things weren’t as simple as they seemed.

Using his advanced judgment, Tang Long was the first on the field to sense something was wrong with the ball!

"Front post!"

Tang Long loudly alerted his teammates that the ball was heading to the front post.

But Cazorla’s ball was incredibly fast; as soon as Tang Long finished yelling, the ball had already dashed to Welbeck’s position at the front post.

Why was Welbeck at the front post?

He was surrounding Caballero initially but after being pushed away by Otamendi, leveraging that force, he suddenly dashed forward, quickly shedding Otamendi’s defense to reach the front post!

As Cazorla’s front post pass arrived at the same time, Welbeck effortlessly flicked the ball with his head, altering the trajectory.

This sudden flick at the front post caught Manchester City’s defenders off guard.

Simultaneously, other Arsenal players weren’t idle either. Taking advantage of Manchester City’s momentary mental lapse, Giroud and Koscielny quickly regrouped in front of Caballero!

The wall was back!

Caballero judged the ball as flying towards the center. He had pre-calculated that if he jumped, he’d have the time and space to intercept the ball in mid-air.

But just as he was about to move, two tall Arsenal players gathered before him, like mountains obstructing his sight and blocking his path.

"Get out of my way!"

In desperation, Caballero pushed hard with both hands, moving the two Arsenal players aside.

Though he pushed them away, he lost the chance to strike the ball!

The penalty area turned chaotic—players clashing, in and out.

After surpassing Caballero’s strike range, the ball suddenly dipped down, no one headed it, but it hit into Gundogan’s waist.

Gundogan was startled at first and turned to try kicking the ball away, but another foot reached out before his!

It was Giroud!

Amid the melee, Giroud with his height and long legs, poked the ball with his toe before Gundogan could clear it, sending it into the net!

to 1!

Arsenal took the lead!

Ranocchia was a bit confused.

He could’ve kept up with Giroud.

But just as he started moving, two Arsenal players suddenly squeezed him. The unprepared Ranocchia was intercepted midway, leaving Giroud wide open!

Scoring without being marked, Giroud was unchallenged.

Seeing the corner kick strategy succeed again, all Arsenal players in the penalty area raised their arms in celebration, and Arsenal’s team song echoed in Wembley Stadium!

In a distant Arsenal fans’ group in China, songs of celebration rang out!

"We are the invincible Arsenal!"

"We are the invincible Arsenal!"

"We are the invincible Arsenal!"

An excited Giroud spread his arms wide, ran all the way to the corner flag.

Just as Wenger earlier embraced Ramsey, Giroud picked up the petite Cazorla and hugged him tightly.

"We did it again!"

"Haha, we tricked them!"

Wenger also punched the air three times on the sidelines, showing that the pressure on him was immense; this goal was worth a full release.

Pellegrini rubbed his brow.

He felt somewhat upset.

The Chilean turned toward the fourth official, complaining that Arsenal employed such blocking tactics on the defenders and goalkeeper for two consecutive corners; wasn’t this against the rules?

Wasn’t this contrary to sportsmanship?

And on the field, the angry goalkeeper Caballero, with a swollen face, ran furiously towards the referee to lodge a complaint.

"Referee! My teammates just pushed away the Arsenal players surrounding me, and they immediately came back, surrounding me again, how am I supposed to move!"

The referee shot him a dismissive glance.

"Why didn’t you keep pushing them away, huh? Obviously, their movements are quicker, so there’s no foul!"

(Another Chapter around half-past one)