Some people say it can’t be done.
This is actually quite correct.
It can be done, meaning that if a player is excellent enough, they can indeed possess both strong offensive and defensive abilities, as is the case with Lu Yang rampaging in the Italian Third Division, speaking from a capability standpoint.
It can’t be done, is from a spatial and temporal standpoint.
On the field, if you want to attack, you inevitably need to reach the attacking third, and when a defender goes there, their defensive third is left unmanned.
The so-called three zones refer to dividing the football field into front, middle, and back parts, with the area near the opponent’s goal being the attacking third, the midfield being the second attacking zone, and one’s own half being the first attacking zone.
And defense is the opposite, with one’s own side being the defensive third and the opponent’s side being the defensive first zone.
No matter how strong your abilities are, you are still only one person.
This situation is actually something Lu Yang has encountered before.
That was when he played as a central defender, even though he had strong attacking abilities, once he moved up, a huge gap appeared on the defensive end, which is due to the special nature of the defender position and is almost impossible to compensate for.
The reason for saying almost is because... in modern football, there later came a solution.
The first is repositioning.
Letting the midfield fill the gap after Lu Yang advances, which is part of chain defense.
In the last two matches, Latu Yidi tried this approach.
The advantage is that it has some effect, the disadvantage is that the area originally covered by Latu Yidi becomes exposed, easily allowing opponents to take long shots from the flanks.
A better method is actually a formation change.
Many strong national teams have later adopted this, which is known as dynamic formation, but at this time, it is still very advanced.
Transforming from four defenders to three, or five defenders to four, all aim to liberate their full-backs, allowing them to aid in attacks. At that time, the demands on full-backs also become higher, far from the current notion of strong players in the center and lesser ones on the sides.
After Sotu finished speaking, Lu Yang shared his thoughts with Sotu.
Meaning that when he moves up, the team transitions from a four-defender lineup to a three-center-back formation, without needing Latu Yidi to fill the position, so he doesn’t lose his position.
On the contrary, Latu Yidi, anchored in midfield defense, takes on the role of a defensive midfielder, strengthening the team’s defense.
This way, the team’s defense remains intact, and Lu Yang can be completely liberated.
The only extra effort required is from the right-sided players, who will lose their attacking edge, with right-back Matias losing the right to advance, focusing solely on defense.
Right winger Fernandez will also lose support, becoming a right midfielder who appears to be a right winger.
But whether it’s Sotu or Tom, or Morici, all support Lu Yang’s concept.
Because after six matches, it’s very clear whether San Remo’s right side can shoulder the offensive responsibility.
Although Matias is at his peak, he is not excellent in attack.
Fernandez is even less suited to playing right winger.
This approach, while liberating Lu Yang, also places them in better positions.
Thus, San Remo’s formation still appears to be 4-3-3, but in attack, it will actually change to an irregular 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.
As for which one exactly, it depends on how aggressive Lu Yang is.
This is a formation change centered around personal attack, a special tactic belonging to Lu Yang alone, but it requires the coordination of the whole team.
It has to be said, this is undoubtedly the treatment of an offensive core.
For this, Morici is not at all jealous, after all, the more Lu Yang shoulders, the less he has to bear.
When Lu Yang’s playing style becomes a regular tactic one day, Morici can then fully unleash his accelerator talents.
Such a San Remo will then become stronger.
Rather than the current situation, where Morici has to waste time on regular tactics and lacks the energy to seize the opponent’s weaknesses for deadly passes.
The two complement each other, but... Lu Yang is somewhat more prominent.
As the core of the team, Morici often receives higher tactical ratings.
But as the sharp blade on the field, Lu Yang has the advantage in data and performance.
The latter often makes one feel more exhilarated.
Because the former requires others’ recognition, is living off others’ words. The Tactical Master, before football became fully scientific, was an undervalued existence.
Whereas the latter is self-fulfilling, is deciding at any moment whether to be excellent, is the one holding destiny in their own hands.