I AM the Football Star

Chapter 195 - 75: Midfield Transparent Man, Vedian Goes Home

Numerical superiority becomes the only way to deal with the attacking midfielder.

In fact, this suggestion is theoretically supported.

Because Lu Yang’s terrifying distance covered in each match has stabilized at around 12km since he became an attacking midfielder.

Along with Bai Zhami, Fernandez, and Sogel, whose movements are also quite active.

In terms of just the front, San Remo does indeed have one player’s worth more running distance than the opposing attacking players.

Chemistry has already started developing among their four-man attacking group in the front line.

After this match, except for the Republican Newspaper which still believes Lu Yang is only lucky and will soon encounter a new bottleneck in this position, most media and Italian Third Division teams have recognized Lu Yang’s role as an attacking midfielder.

He is indeed very suitable for this position.

Some media even began to exaggerate by officially referring to Lu Yang as the "Izallet of the Italian Third Division."

Even Sotu was interviewed by the media, Reporter: "Many people now call Lu Yang the Izallet of the Italian Third Division, how do you view this phenomenon?"

Sotu frankly said: "Lu Yang and Izallet are completely different kinds of players, and in terms of ability, there is still a big gap between Lu Yang and Izallet. As for personal style and characteristics, they are also completely different."

Reporter: "Are you so not optimistic about Lu Yang? So you also believe that the Republican Newspaper’s statement that Lu Yang will eventually encounter trouble in the attacking midfielder position is true?"

Sotu: "How could I not be optimistic about Lu Yang? The gap is a reality that exists, and we have to respect it. Izallet is currently one of the best players in Serie A, while Lu Yang is just a player in the Italian Third Division."

"But I believe that Lu Yang will also have his day in Serie A, and he might even become the best in Serie A, who can say about the future?"

Reporter: "Okay, some say that San Remo’s playing style, especially regarding Lu Yang’s usage, is borrowed from Milan’s use of Izallet. Is this true?"

Sotu: "Of course! Lu Yang’s position was indeed pushed forward because of my familiarity with Milan players and playstyle. I think Milan’s use of Izallet is worth learning from and promoting."

"I believe this type of attacking midfield role like Izallet will become mainstream in future tactics, replacing the increasingly rare traditional attacking midfielder. But the specific playing styles of Izallet and Lu Yang actually have differences."

Sotu did not continue to reveal the subtle differences, which are tactical secrets, although under the research of interested parties, this secret will actually be solved soon.

Sotu’s response excited the AC Milan fans thoroughly.

This season, even though AC Milan won the Derby della Madonnina and defeated their rival Inter Milan, they were defeated by Juventus in the subsequent clash.

Moreover, although this season has only progressed a dozen rounds, AC Milan can only rank fourth in the standings, a result that truly cannot satisfy the fans.

The issues within Milan are becoming increasingly serious, with great contradictions among management, head coach, and players. If the team cannot win the championship, then the collapse of this team will not be far away.

In such a crisis, a head coach with strong coaching ability is definitely the savior in the eyes of the fans.

But perhaps the fans do not know that, within three years, this savior in their eyes would definitely not accept AC Milan’s invitation.

On the one hand, Sotu is currently lacking something, his coaching resume is too clean, lacking trophies of weight. Even if he became the head coach of AC Milan, he would not have real authority, not much different from being a scapegoat.

On the other hand, the so-called "no break, no stand," even if Milan is forcibly saved now, it can only remain in the middle and late stage of the first-rate strong teams, not considered top-tier, and most likely unrelated to the major trophies.

Instead of being half-dead, it’s better to wait until it completely collapses and rebuild it.

Sotu will only go to Milan after it has collapsed.

And when Milan collapses depends on when their current pillar Izallet leaves Serie A.

This day is probably not far away.

...

The match against the Como Team granted Lu Yang a player-level skill, Midfield Transparent Man.

Midfield Transparent Man allows your presence on the pitch to be significantly reduced, making it less easy for the opponent to notice you.

This skill is currently not very useful for Lu Yang on the offensive end, because it is impossible for him not to be noticed on the offensive end; he is the core of the attack, and his chances are created by running, not by hiding.

But it is crucial in defense.

Lu Yang is now famous for his massive range of movement on defense.

Compared to his previous defense as a central defender, left-back, and defensive midfielder, there has been a fundamental change.

Previously, he was the main defender, with high numbers of tackles and interceptions.

Now he is a support defender, mainly responsible for applying pressure, hence all defensive data have dropped significantly.

Data doesn’t lie.

This indicates that Lu Yang’s direct lethality in defense is indeed diminishing.

Although support defense also has a huge contribution, given that other San Remo players’ defensive abilities may not match Lu Yang’s, such trade-offs weaken San Remo’s defensive strength.

Especially on San Remo’s right flank, this is quite obvious.

And the Midfield Transparent Man allows Lu Yang’s presence to decrease, adding another possibility to his defense beyond applying pressure, which is the often-seen "stealing" by midfielders from the side or behind.