After the match resumed, Morici instructed Fernandez to help Camihong defend against Aguirre.
And they managed to launch a couple of counterattacks.
But... lacking the support of the wings and the coordination of Lu Yang, Sogel found himself isolated, barely holding onto the ball.
On the surface, it seemed like both sides were evenly matched.
But those familiar with Rome’s games could clearly feel that Rome was controlling the pace of the match.
Meanwhile, San Remo seemed unusually out of control.
Even Morici couldn’t salvage the situation, proving the dominance of the opponent’s midfield.
"Or, how about you don’t come back?" Morici looked at Lu Yang.
"Are you sure?" Lu Yang understood Morici’s intention.
This kid’s thinking was special; he knew without Lu Yang, San Remo’s forward couldn’t take on such a tough challenge.
But... without Lu Yang helping in defense, San Remo couldn’t withstand the first wave of attack from the opposing team.
As the saying goes, the premise of defensive counterattack is having counterattacking opportunities under defense.
"No choice. In a single-elimination match, one-zero and three-zero are both losses!" Morici seemed carefree, since he’s the team’s core, he’d take the blame if they failed.
Oh dear (with a pretentious tone), aren’t you the team’s top star, Lu?
Then sorry, Brother Lu, you’ll have to take the blame!
It’s not that Morici isn’t holding up; it’s because Lu is holding up too much!
Lu Yang glared at Morici; ever since Lu Yang overtook him in the assist leaderboard, Morici had become annoyingly cheeky!
So petty.
Soon enough, Lu Yang’s foresight was proven right.
Aguirre’s breakthrough was unsuccessful on the wing and he passed the ball back to Balera in the midfield.
Balera calmly controlled the ball, avoiding Morici’s challenge, then resisted Morici to pass the ball horizontally to the team’s forward-moving defensive midfielder, Drake.
Drake took a long shot!
Latu Yidi tried to block the shot with his body but failed.
He had faced off against Drake many times before, so they were familiar with each other.
Overall, Latu Yidi usually had an advantage with Milan backing him, winning more than losing.
But this time...
"GOAL! Drake with a thunderous shot! I guarantee this is the most explosive long shot in this year’s Italian Cup! None other!" The commentator was fully excited.
"San Remo is in trouble! Only thirty minutes into the game, Rome leads two to nil! It proves that San Remo stands no chance against a true Serie A powerhouse!"
"Of course, this also has something to do with San Remo players’ adjustments; their attack and defense strategies weren’t consistent, giving Rome the space they desired but failing to gain any advantage themselves."
"Sotu is on the sidelines, frowning along with Old Tom, perhaps considering changes and adjustments in the midfield. Hopefully, they’ll act fast because, by the looks of it, San Remo really has little chance of winning."
"Even if they only reach the semi-finals, San Remo has already created enough miracles; they’re not weak, it’s just that Rome is too strong!"
"Suddenly, there’s a bit of anticipation for a Wolfsburg-led Rome versus AC Milan in the Italian Cup final!"
Not just one commentator, from many others’ mouths, it seemed this match was already over.
San Remo seemingly had no hope.
Meanwhile, Aguirre taunted Becher’s again on the pitch with a look.
This time, Becher’s was truly infuriated.
Damn!
Alright!
Watch me show you my skills!
Becher’s exchanged a glance with Lu Yang, showcasing their established chemistry.
After the kickoff, San Remo continued to retract their formation.
Having just suffered in the confrontation, Morici then showed Balera what’s what.
Otherwise, it seemed like the book was closed for the whole world!
He executed a Rabona elegantly, quite reminiscent of his father, Lu Yang.
He outpaced Balera with half a step, and although Balera was seasoned in the midfield, he wasn’t completely bypassed, still vying with Morici for position.
Soon enough, with his more vibrant physique and eruption, Xiaomo flung Balera off, then slotted a through ball before Drake could intercept, slicing through Rome’s ironclad midfield!
San Remo, a chance to strike!
Becher’s received the ball and swiftly dribbled past the tracking Rome left-back with a simple maneuver.
Yet the opponent wasn’t worried, as Becher’s opted to cut to the byline rather than cutting inside.
Had Becher’s chosen to cut inside, this ball would most likely have been intercepted by the opponent.
This was Becher’s change.
Previously, especially a provoked Becher’s, even normally, would mostly choose to cut inside rather than going for the byline.
But now... Brother Lu was pressing forward.
If not cutting to the byline now, then when?
Becher’s decisively went for the byline, with the left-back right on his heels.
He shot suddenly.
Rome’s left-back extended his foot to block.
However, Becher’s feinted a shot, adjusted, and then sent a perfectly targeted crossball.
The curve of the football was perfect, and its target precise.
Sogel leapt, heading the ball powerfully towards the goal.
Bang!
Rome’s gatekeeper Ameluci magically saved the shot.
Sogel was baffled on the spot.
Was this some sort of cheat?
Predictive hack?
"Oh! Ameluci has made a critical save! He denied San Remo’s goal!"
"Truly deserving of the title of former Italy’s second national goalkeeper! If not for being already thirty-four, Ameluci might still hold onto the position of Italy’s second goalkeeper."