In the second half, before the match began, Sotu swapped a player.
Morici was moved to the starting lineup, and an older midfielder from the starting side was switched to the substitute side.
The latter is getting older and can’t play a full match in official games; he needs a reliable substitute or should be made a substitute.
This is one of the purposes of this training match.
Now it seems, Morici has won the favor of the Head Coach with his first-half performance.
The substitute players were all fired up.
Sotu meant it when he said that as long as they have enough skill, they could become starters at any moment.
This also prompted the starting side players to become more serious.
Sotu has already demonstrated through actions that there’s no absolute starter in his team.
Who wants to become the one who fails, right?
Sure enough, Morici’s departure brought significant changes to the substitute side.
On one hand, the substitute side’s midfield defense intensity decreased, as Lu Yang, a center-back, can’t rush out to tackle every time.
On the other hand, Morici’s passing was quite effective in facilitating play, greatly increasing the starting side’s ball control time.
In the sixty-ninth minute, Morici gave Sotu a pleasant surprise.
He got rid of the substitute side’s midfield hassle with superb ball control right at his position, then delivered a long pass, sending the ball from the backfield to the left front.
Vedian was instantly activated.
When the speeding Vedian received the ball, he had practically formed a solo run.
The rest was much simpler; Vedian 1V1 KO’ed the goalkeeper and put the ball into the net.
The starting side led the substitute side by one to zero.
Lu Yang found himself helpless against this.
He was the left center-back, whereas Vedian broke through the connection area of the team’s right center-back and right full-back.
He was powerless in this situation.
After all, soccer is a team sport involving eleven players.
On the sidelines, Sotu nodded.
Morici indeed proved to be a great engine.
Though alarmingly immature, but... why does his playing style seem so annoying?
In Sotu’s eyes, Morici increasingly resembles Maniero.
After a brief celebration, the match continued.
Morici’s presence completely energized Vedian, and he repeatedly launched attacks, continuously challenging the substitute side’s right defense.
He scored again.
If Lu Yang hadn’t switched over to defense, he might have even made a hat-trick.
But here’s where the change happened.
After Lu Yang moved to defense, the seemingly San Remo’s king Vedian was frozen again.
Yes, frozen!
Vedian’s physical confrontations are poor, and he has no chance in a stalemate battle against Lu Yang, a center-back.
And with Morici’s help, Vedian could get some sprinting space, but Lu Yang’s retreating steps were just too good.
After the switch, Lu Yang successfully defended against Vedian thrice.
Once with a successful retreat delaying until the arrival of his defensive partner, forcing Vedian to pass backward.
Once by extending his foot during retreat to block a shot, turning the half-solo effort into an inconsequential corner.
Once by a clean and decisive tackle during a retreat.
This greatly destroyed Vedian’s offensive confidence.
So much so that after being tackled, Vedian chased Lu Yang continuously.
Lu Yang, a tough character, showed no intention of passing, using a V-shaped Pull to shake off Vedian.
The latter, rushing forward, slipped directly to the ground with the move.
Morici’s eyes nearly bulged out.
Another shake-off!
What happened to Lu Yang, why are his playing moves now so... flashy!
Exactly, flashy!
After intercepting in the backfield, Lu Yang shook off Vedian and didn’t choose to pass, opting to breakthrough from the center instead.
Though his speed can’t compare to Vedian, he isn’t slow within the team.
At least, the unwitting Morici got left behind by Lu Yang’s single stride.
This also relates to Lu Yang’s familiarity with Morici’s defensive habits.
Afterward, Lu Yang drove straight in, arriving outside the penalty box.
Recalling that feeling of being Messi Moment Card possessed before, he raised his left foot, swinging towards the ball.
"Watch out for his feint!" Morici shouted.
The center-back who was preparing to stretch for defense paused, halting his movement.
Timber Shot!
That’s a buzzword in Italian Football today.
Like a logging machine, all defenders automatically fall wherever it goes.
This is absolutely the greatest mockery of defensive players.
And the creator of this feint is Lu Yang himself.
Boom!
Bam!
No feint!
The ball shot out, becoming a black-and-white lightning, colliding with the goalpost, and rebounding into the net.
The next moment, the net swirled with White Wave clashing.
"GOAL!" Sotu shouted excitedly from the side, "That’s how you play, never give up until the last second! Vedian, why aren’t you continuing the chase? Do you think scoring two goals gives you the privilege of not assuming defensive duties? Let me tell you, you don’t have..."
"Morici, why were you so easily bypassed by a center-back, where did your brain go? Wasn’t his awkward dribbling difficult to intercept just now?"
"And Lu Yang, who do you think you are? Who allowed you to play tricks in the backfield? Is it appropriate for you to perform a V-shaped Pull? You should pass quickly and trust your teammates!"
"Also, do you realize how big a gap appeared behind you with your reckless dribbling advance just now? As long as someone manages to intercept you, you’ve handed the opponent another goal!"