At least that’s what the Republican Newspaper thought.
Soon, on November 7th, the thirteenth round of the Italian Third Division kicked off, San Remo vs Como.
Como Team clearly listened to the Republican Newspaper’s advice, focusing on defending Lu Yang’s shots from the flank area.
In the first half of the match, Lu Yang’s performance was indeed not outstanding.
He frequently shuttled back and forth on both sides, connecting passes or returning the ball, but was never able to create a truly threatening attack.
He initiated four long-range shots from his sweet spot.
Three times from the left flank, once from the right flank.
Two were blocked, and two deviated from the goal to avoid being blocked.
Quite a few Como fans felt it was a false alarm and not much to worry about.
After all, the Italian Third Division team’s prior fear of Lu Yang’s flank blasts had become somewhat exaggerated, as if every kick would score.
But now it appears, it was just that Lu Yang hadn’t been thoroughly studied at that time.
The Republican Newspaper did a big favor for Como Team.
But in the second half, Lu Yang’s playing style changed.
No longer obsessed with long-range shots.
When Como’s midfield defensive player once again stood in front of Lu Yang, and their right center-back stood ready to block Lu Yang’s shooting angle, Lu Yang suddenly directed the football to the left side of the penalty area.
A surgical pass!
There was no one there initially.
But Bai Zhami accelerated past Como’s right-back, then made an offside run inserting behind Como’s right-center-back from near the baseline.
This was an offside run.
Moreover, a speed advantage, only Bai Zhami has this ability, Fernandez cannot.
Just as Bai Zhami arrived at the spot, the football came over, he was on the left side of the penalty area, though the angle was tight, but unmarked, he shot directly at the near corner.
The shot was cunning, the opponent’s goalkeeper couldn’t save it, could only try to block with his foot, but was too slow.
The football entered the net.
However, the linesman raised the flag.
Bai Zhami was offside!
Bai Zhami shook his head helplessly, this could have been a spectacular goal.
He looked at Lu Yang, who gave him a thumbs up.
That’s how you run.
This was a run designed specifically for Bai Zhami by Lu Yang, strongly supported by Sotu.
Because this kind of run wouldn’t affect other players in the team, Bai Zhami could freely shuttle through the opponent’s defense line, harassing them.
Besides, Bai Zhami doesn’t need to coordinate with other players, just wait for Lu Yang to pass him the ball.
This maximally liberated Bai Zhami.
This attack didn’t attract the attention of Como players.
Or rather, they couldn’t notice, because they necessarily had to have a center-back assist the midfielders in blocking Lu Yang’s shooting angle.
In the sixty-second minute, Bai Zhami almost replicated the movements of the previous offside goal.
But the only difference was, this time he was slightly faster, he wasn’t offside.
Player arrived!
Ball reached!
Bang!
Bai Zhami shot from a tight angle in the unguarded penalty area.
But this time, because the opposing goalkeeper had learned from the past, intentionally narrowed the near corner angle, Bai Zhami could only choose to shoot at the far corner.
The opposing goalkeeper, with long reach, saved the football.
It can’t be said Bai Zhami’s shooting skills are not exquisite enough, this shot was executed very well.
But if he had used a backward pass, the attack could have been better.
This is Bai Zhami, able to run into excellent positions and seize shooting opportunities, but not quite able to grasp passing opportunities.
Bang!
After the football was saved, the danger wasn’t eliminated.
Sogel held off the opponent’s center-back in the penalty area, then successfully controlled the ball and gently pushed it.
The goalkeeper couldn’t reverse the situation.
San Remo scored with a follow-up shot!
Leading one to zero!
Every aspect of this goal was brilliant.
But as the initiator of the attack, Lu Yang began to make Como Team feel troubled.
Next, how should they defend against Lu Yang?
Besides shooting, Lu Yang has already demonstrated his dangerous capabilities in passing.
If they don’t exert more pressure on him, the team will be punished.