Stealing the ball is an art; some players know you’re coming before you even get there, but others appear beside you and snatch the ball away before you even know who they are!
As an attacking midfielder, Lu Yang can boldly attempt to steal the ball without worrying about losing his position.
This will absolutely transform San Remo’s midfield defense.
And every ball he steals has the potential to sound the horn for San Remo’s offense.
So, this skill seems to exert force on the defensive end, but surprisingly it has a significant relationship with the team’s offense.
In the following 14th round match, Lu Yang once again shone defensively, achieving the most tackles and interceptions in the game!
This match was San Remo vs Alessen.
In the first half, Lu Yang contributed two assists in succession, helping Sogel to score twice.
At the start of the second half, young players Fernandez and Bai Zhami collaborated in the penalty area from the left-wing to the right-wing.
Fernandez, after receiving a surgical pass from Lu Yang’s steal, directly swept the ball in front of the goal, Bai Zhami seized the opportunity and scored, leading three-nil.
In the last five minutes, Lu Yang once again executed a steal and delivered a threatening ball. Although Sogel’s shot was blocked by the opponent, missing a hat trick, within less than ten seconds after the opponent regained control of the ball, Lu Yang made another brilliant steal and pushed the ball to the advancing Latu Yidi.
Latu Yidi performed a trick move, faking a shot and actually passing it back to Lu Yang.
However, Lu Yang let the ball pass through to Versachi behind him.
Versachi, unmarked at the edge of the penalty area, shot and scored.
San Remo got back on the winning track, rediscovering the winning spirit.
Lu Yang thus received initial recognition from Maniero, acquiring the player skill, Master of the Outer Foot.
This is a seemingly basic, but infinitely useful essential skill.
The wonder of the outer foot lies in its suddenness and timing.
Normally, passing left with the right foot is easier, while passing right requires adjusting one’s body orientation.
This is a very clear signal for defensive players.
Meanwhile, as the body needs to be oriented, even if the defensive players don’t preemptively disrupt or impact, it prolongs the passing time for the passer, preventing them from making quick passes.
However, passing with the outer foot allows a right-footed player to quickly complete passes to the right side without changing body orientation, and the same applies to the left foot. This speeds up the passing and adds an element of surprise, achieving multiple benefits at once.
Therefore, in short to medium passing, having the ability to pass with the outer foot is incredibly important.
Many classic through balls, smart passes, and quick releases originate from the outer foot.
Finally, long shots with the outer foot are equally classic.
Though accuracy significantly decreases, the trajectory of the ball becomes harder to predict, often resulting in a goal if it hits within the goal frame, and it’s moreover a world-class and miraculous goal.
At this point, Lu Yang has acquired the basic skills needed for the attacking midfielder position in San Remo’s 4213 formation.
In the upcoming period, his and San Remo’s performance is very likely to progress rapidly.
But... it’s not all good news.
In the Italian Cup, the opponent for San Remo’s third-round match has already been determined.
Unfortunately, they’ve drawn another strong Serie B team... Benevento.
This makes the match two weeks from now one of the highlight events of this round.
Because Benevento’s current main left winger is none other than last season’s top scorer for San Remo, Vedian!
Vedian is coming home!