"Do we have more than two good defensive midfielders in Liverpool? It seems there is an experienced defensive expert in the reserves, who doesn’t get many chances to play, but..."
Laird was lost in a sea of data, unable to extricate himself.
...
At halftime, the atmosphere in San Remo’s locker room was very low.
All the players were very dejected.
Because they knew that this time they were really going to lose.
AC Milan was too strong!
The unparalleled dominance and the ease of the opposing players completely made everyone feel the real strength of top league players.
Izalelt, without even trying hard, had two goals and one assist.
Becher’s and Praxedes were defeated in 80% of their duels, and the only times they got through were when the opponents let them pass intentionally, using tactical "baiting" to lure the enemy deeper.
But this doesn’t mean that AC Milan is invincible.
At least after playing half the game, Morici felt that AC Milan’s midfield ability was relatively mediocre. Compared to Rome’s distinctive iron midfield, it was three points lacking.
This may have something to do with Izalelt’s assertiveness.
Giving the ball to Izalelt was the best way for AC Milan to break the deadlock.
Even a slightly oversized through ball from the midfielders could be cleverly headed into the goal by Izalelt.
With such an Izalelt, AC Milan often didn’t need to fight the opposing midfield for operation or control.
The team had no such demand, so their midfield naturally wouldn’t develop ways of playing that didn’t help the team’s tactics, therefore AC Milan’s midfield gradually became mediocre, capable only of providing service passes.
This phenomenon was naturally noticed by AC Milan, so last year they brought in Rui Andres, the core midfielder of the Portugal National Team!
The 24-year-old Andres’s sole goal at AC Milan was to become their midfield core.
However... when he arrived, everyone was surprised to find that he was incompatible with Izalelt!
Andres is a midfield core, moreover, with a focus on attacking from the front, accustomed to a lot of dribbling and precise teamwork with teammates.
And this was exactly what AC Milan was lacking.
So, his cooperation with teammates often resulted in failures, lacking in synergy.
At the same time, Izalelt’s playing style required him to do a lot of dribbling and a need for large spaces, which conflicted with the tight spacing needed for Andres’s intricate playing style.
Therefore, Andres’s reform of AC Milan’s midfield ended in failure, a talented national team mainstay or even core midfielder could only sit as a substitute in Milan.
Even though he got quite a few chances to play, it was obvious that to get on the field, he abandoned his own style, accommodating Izalelt’s needs, becoming mediocre.
Now, Andres is seeking a transfer, as he doesn’t fit AC Milan, incapable of leaving his mark on AC Milan’s midfield or forward line while Izalelt is still there.
"If nothing unexpected happens, Izalelt won’t be on in the second half." Sotu and Maniero walked in, bringing some crucial information from outside, "Andres is warming up, he will most likely replace Izalelt and play as AC Milan’s attacking midfielder."
"Additionally, AC Milan’s defensive gatekeeper and rearguard organizer Praxedes will also come off; their sole task in this match is to keep in touch and warm up..."
It’s hurtful to say, but the fact is the two core players who performed the best for AC Milan were just here to "have some fun."
"Of course, a piece of good news is, replacing Praxedes is Harwood Chaloba from AC Milan’s own youth academy. Standing at 1.89 meters, he can play multiple positions such as center-back or full-back." Sotu continued, "Sogel should be quite familiar with him."
Sogel nodded: "I’ve faced him many times. He’s English, has excellent physical attributes, and is quite fast. I often lose more than I win in confrontations against him."
Everyone in the locker room sighed simultaneously.
Their youth academy players were even stronger than Sogel.
One must know, although Sogel is not the strongest in San Remo, his role is irreplaceable. The strong defender that even he can’t handle is the weakest on AC Milan’s side.
"Of course, Chaloba’s concentration isn’t great, that’s why I could often sneak goals past him in the past," Sogel provided some useful info, "otherwise, with his perverse physical traits and defensive ability, he would’ve long secured a place in AC Milan’s first team."
Morici diligently took notes in his little notepad, but he paid more attention to Lu Yang, who sat silently in the corner of the locker room.
"Why don’t you just sit this one out?" Morici approached Lu Yang and asked softly, "It’s already three to zero, we can’t win even if you play, you might as well take a good rest."
"So, this is the situation you created to get me not to play?" Lu Yang looked at Morici and said, "Don’t flatter yourself, kid, this is no longer about winning or losing, don’t you get it yet?"
"AC Milan’s players have no intention of letting up; they really want to create a rout on their home field, in a relatively important match, to please the fans and etch their names into AC Milan’s history books."
"Five to zero, six to one, eight to two... I don’t want such humiliation!"