Ancelotti is very good at curved shots, but as a result, he has injured the muscles on the left side of his waist, which are the most powerful.
Moreover, this position has been repeatedly injured over the past two years.
So even after he recovered, he didn't dare to exert too much force.
This is an important reason for his recent poor form.
His shooting... has weakened!
In a flash, Morici and Lu Yang displayed a quick passing play again.
The two made a bold advance, and with Sweden deliberately retreating to defend, the ball quickly reached the opponent's half.
Lu Yang made a direct pass, perfectly placed.
Morici received the ball about three meters outside the penalty area and took a shot...
Bang!
The opponent made a sliding tackle.
Morici fell like a young sapling being cut down.
The referee immediately blew the whistle.
It was signaled as a free kick!
And the sliding player received a yellow card.
Although a red card could also have been given, this main referee was relatively cautious with cards.
Moreover... the match was almost over, and there was no need to make a decision unrelated to the outcome but could cause controversy.
This main referee obviously had his own philosophy of officiating, fundamentally different from Wotrot, who was recently criticized for being lenient and incompetent.
Italian fans were tense.
If not for this foul, with Morici's touch, this long shot might have scored!
Likewise, Swedish fans were nervous.
A free kick from this position is still quite threatening.
Indeed, the commentator said, "A free kick from this position is actually very dangerous! If it were two or three meters closer, it would be Ancelotti's best range; he's scored many free kicks from there!"
"Of course, Italy has numerous free-kick specialists in the team. Besides Ancelotti, Perrotta at club Roma is also the second free-kick taker and has scored directly from free kicks multiple times."
"Praxedes is also one of the free-kick takers at AC Milan. His free kicks from the right side outside the penalty area are very threatening."
"Italy's starting midfielder Herman Fing is Inter Milan's first free-kick taker. Last season, he had a stunning free-kick goal in the Champions League, named the best goal of that round."
"Including Morici himself and Lu Yang, they are also among San Remo's free-kick takers, having scored directly from free kicks in the Italian Third Division, Serie B, and the Italian Cup."
By tallying up, basically, more than half of the Italian team has the ability to take this free kick.
But obviously, the one who should really take this kick is only one person.
And that is...
On the field, Morici, who stood up from the ground, held onto the ball, standing near the penalty area.
The main referee was still dealing with the Swedish players' appeals; they claimed Morici was diving... but of course, the Swedish players knew Morici wasn't diving; they just didn't want to see this free kick awarded.
On the other side, Ancelotti walked toward Morici.
He intended to commend this kid, even though passing the ball to him earlier might have been a better choice.
He was also outside the penalty area, and his long shot would certainly be more reliable than Morici's.
But Morici didn't pass.
Of course, none of this mattered anymore.
From this free-kick spot, Ancelotti had scored once before!
Moreover, he is the team's primary free-kick taker!
Number one!
"Well done!" Ancelotti said to Morici, then reached to take the ball.
However... Morici stepped back, avoiding Ancelotti's hand.
Ancelotti was stunned.
Are you serious with that half-step back?
Such a small gesture had such a big impact!
Ancelotti smiled politely, forced to play the gentleman, talking to Morici: "Morici, it's me, Ancelotti! Let me take this one!"
Morici frowned, turning to look at Lu Yang.
Because of the free kick and because this was likely Italy's last chance to attack.
The entire team, including goalkeeper Audi, had pushed forward.
"Morici, Ancelotti is the primary penalty taker of the team," Audi said, thinking Morici might be unaware.
That could be possible, considering Morici was new.
"Morici, give the ball to Ancelotti," Praxedes also reminded Morici, worried that he might want to take this free kick.
First, Morici wasn't qualified enough.
His tenure in the national team was too short.
As mentioned, many have the ability to take this free kick, but fewer have the qualification.
Secondly, disputed free kicks or penalties after contention can be very demoralizing.
If there was originally a 75% chance of scoring, it would drop by at least half after disputing.
In free kicks, mentality is one of the scoring factors.
In penalties, mental toughness completely outweighs technique.
In free kicks, mental toughness, technique, and luck each play a role, but mental toughness is also important.
Lastly, perhaps this young man Morici also wanted to save Italy, to create a miracle.
But this is the Italy National Team, not San Remo.
Morici is not entitled to decide Italy's fate.
But Ancelotti, the Italy National Team's top forward, is!
Yet everything changed with that look Morici gave Lu Yang.
Why couldn't Paris Saint-Germain's Cavani compete with the newcomer Neymar?
It's true that Neymar had a bigger profile and a higher market value, among other reasons.