But soon someone noticed something was wrong.
Morici maneuvered skillfully under the opponent’s pressing, not only did he not drop the ball, but he even used a "fried meatball" move to get past two pressing players!
Then... he backheeled the ball, nutmegging it through, Morici dribbled past those players again, returning to face the two defenders, back to the original starting point.
This scene left everyone a bit bewildered.
Was this... a show?
Definitely a show!
And what a damn show it was!
But showing off is fine.
But the key is, you’ve already gotten past two people, why run back?
Are you planning to dribble past them a third time?
"Time!"
In the VIP box, Maniero communicated with Carrel and others: "Morici is controlling time! He’s waiting for the three people upfront to get into position!"
"And... he’s also using his own threat to manipulate the opponents."
"After he broke through those two, the opposing defensive midfielder and the left and right backs gave him a quick look, preparing to guard against his dribble or pass."
"In that moment, both Fernandez and Becher’s got past their markers, gaining a positional advantage."
Carrel frowned, "Then why did he go back? Wouldn’t his threat be greater if he advanced with the ball?"
"Because his goal isn’t to advance with the ball, but to pass!" Izalelt was also onsite; AC Milan had a cup match the next day, and Izalelt wasn’t on the roster as he prepared for the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals.
As a playmaker and a midfield player, Izalelt obviously knew more about passing than a forward like Carrel.
Long passes require a player to put some force behind them.
After Morici broke through the two, advancing would indeed pose a bigger threat.
But because the opposing players were already in his half, many would disrupt him if he advanced.
The threat of advancing with the ball seemed big, but wasn’t really.
It’s a kickoff, quite different from when all players are already in position.
Since advancing wasn’t that threatening, Morici was bound to pass.
Sogel was not far ahead of Morici, roughly in the playmaker area; Morici could short pass to him and allow him to organize the attack.
But Morici didn’t.
That indicates Morici wants a long pass!
He plans to direct the ball to the feet of those three mad runners up front.
And a long pass needs to be kicked a certain distance, requiring adequate leg space.
But with two people tightly following him, where does Morici have space to swing his leg?
If he swings his right leg backward, it might kick someone.
Even if he doesn’t hit anyone, having someone closely behind you brings psychological pressure or hints, affecting your leg swing, causing a rushed or incomplete movement.
This would seriously affect the speed and accuracy of the long pass.
So Morici backheeled the ball again, dribbled past, and returned to the starting position.
At this point, both defensive players were stunned.
The first reason is they’d just undergone two consecutive turns and their balance was off.
The second reason is having been dribbled past twice by Morici, they’re now hesitant to rush in.
Maintaining a distance is a known and effective trick to avoid getting dribbled past.
Bam!
Space and time, everything was just perfect!
Morici raised his foot for a rocket pass and shot!
With this kick, he told everyone he’s back!
Upfield, Lu Yang passed by Sogel, and Samp’s defensive midfielder hesitated.
Who to mark?
If Morici’s pushing from midfield is less threatening,
then Sogel having the ball midway between midfield and the goal line is very dangerous.
Two steps forward, and it’s an opportunity for shooting.
A pass to either side can create a chance.
Even in the worst-case scenario, passing back to Morici can reorganize the play.
Thus, Samp’s defensive midfielder chose to mark Sogel.
As for Lu Yang, there are still two central defenders!
Similarly, thanks to Morici’s brilliant consecutive plays past two, Fernandez and Becher’s left their fullbacks behind.
They interchar beneath at the penalty box line.
And the same way, Lu Yang’s advancing path will cross this point.
More chilling, Morici’s quick pass and shot lands at this point as well.
Four arrows shoot forth, paths aligned.
San Remo intends to take the match with a deadly first strike!
Lu Yang, despite having the shortest path, is the slowest runner.
At this pace, the two wingers will arrive at the point about a second before him.
"Mark him!"
"Stay organized!"
"Switch defense!"
Samp’s defenders were top-notch.
The idea of the two central defenders was, as the wingers passed by, they would provide coverage.
Then, the fullbacks would switch their marking to defend Lu Yang.
Based on all players’ current running paths and speeds,
Samp’s fullbacks can’t catch up with San Remo’s wingers, trailing by one body length, but they can stand between Lu Yang and the goalkeeper before Lu Yang arrives.
So with perfect switching, they can effectively defend San Remo’s three players with their four.
Once they control the ball, it would then be their turn to attack.
Soon, the scene Sam’s defenders anticipated unfolded.
San Remo’s two wingers intersected at the penalty box line.