"Sampdoria’s defense line had issues, they consecutively missed Bai Zhami and Lu Yang. San Remo’s two goals were both of this counter-offside nature."
"Sampdoria is in trouble now, because although they’re missing marks, Bai Zhami and Lu Yang have completely different styles."
"Yeah, Bai Zhami relies on speed for breakaways, a prescient defender might cope with him. But Lu Yang’s running is puzzling, no one knows when he’s going to run into the penalty area."
"Lu Yang’s goal-scoring instinct is sharp, it’s likely the striker’s intuition. Also, I feel like he’s faster and more agile inside the box, I wonder if it’s just my illusion."
During halftime, Luo Cheng, the commentator for this match, was analyzing the first half with the host.
"Of course, we must also see that the two breakthrough goals are largely connected to the exquisite passing from Lu Yang and Morici. Beyond that, San Remo’s offense didn’t perform well today." Luo Cheng stated, "Especially one of San Remo’s offensive engines, Canyes, is noticeably off form today."
Luo Cheng identified the problem.
The primary reason lies with Quagliarella Farella, whose experience is too sophisticated for Canyes today.
His positioning on defense torments Canyes mercilessly.
Instead of directly charging at Palacios, he lingers in the shadow striker position, which consumes Canyes and draws the attention of both Palacios and Lam.
Perotti’s earlier goal also has a connection to Farella’s positioning.
Of course, Perotti later being crushed by Lu Yang also has something to do with Farella not attacking from the central forward position.
It can be said that while Perotti is the offensive core for Samp,
the one truly dictating the pace and distribution of the offense is the veteran central forward Farella.
The saying "old and wise" suits the thirty-four-year-old Farella perfectly, as he knows full well how to influence the match’s circumstances.
He certainly has a deep understanding of the butterfly effect, and I bet his Go skills aren’t bad either because he can see moves several steps ahead.
It’s somewhat a shame for a player like him to play as a central forward; he might have become a master if he had played in midfield.
But unfortunately, he doesn’t meet the technical requirements of a midfielder, and who would play midfield if they can play forward?
Soon, the second half began.
Bang!
Shortly after, Farella was pressing Canyes in the flank area, preparing to shoot.
Canyes struggled hard against Farella, but in the end, Farella just sent the ball behind Canyes.
A large open space!
Samp’s left-back made a brilliant cross right away.
Farella rushed to the near post, attracting attention.
The ball fell toward the far post, fortunately, Lam came back to clear it, or the Samp player would have had a chance to score.
Lu Yang glanced at Farella, this old guy bullied Canyes too harshly.
They’re not even on the same level.
No wonder he can still steadily be selected for the Italy National Team at the ripe age of thirty-four.
In Lu Yang’s opinion, if Farella had played instead of Ancelotti in the last few qualifier games, Italy probably wouldn’t have had to face the playoffs.
It’s not that Farella is better than Ancelotti, Farella’s ratings are probably much lower than Ancelotti’s.
But Farella’s grasp of the situation is much better than the eager-to-prove-himself Ancelotti.
He knows how to seize opportunities, he’s a dangerous character.
In the sixtieth minute, Sotu made a substitution.
Versachi replaced Fernandez, moving to the midfield position.
And Lu Yang from the midfield moved up to the right winger position.
Clearly, Sotu also felt a bit insecure, so he put Versachi on.
Although Versachi’s defensive ability is weaker than Lu Yang’s and might not fully guard against Perotti, with Lu Yang going to the right flank, he can better limit Farella.
Don’t be fooled by Lu Yang playing right winger, as soon as Lu Yang retreats a bit, he becomes a right midfielder.
Transforming from 433 to 442 in an instant isn’t at all rare.
In fact, Lu Yang could swap with Canyes to go forward while Lu Yang stays at right-back, just as stable!
Right corridor, it all depends on how Lu Yang wants to play.
Sure enough.
Lu Yang at the right winger position, starting off didn’t participate in rear defense but instead acted as the troublemaker upfront, initiating a full-court press tactic!
Sogel, Bai Zhami, and Morici all were willing to cooperate with Lu Yang, making it difficult at times for Samp to get the ball from the back to the midfield.
This frontal pressing tactic, San Remo actually practices often in league matches when using a 352 formation against weaker teams.
Don’t be deceived by 352 mainly piling players in the middle for ball control, to mitigate the defensive flaws of three at the back, they often start pressing immediately upon losing possession.
And the likely pressers are Morici, Sogel, Bai Zhami, Lu Yang, among others.
So San Remo’s frontal pressing certainly has some substance.
Quickly, San Remo regained ball possession.
Sogel tried to play a one-two with an inside-cutting Bai Zhami on the edge of the box.
But Bai Zhami overran, and the defender picked up the ball.
The opposition defender passed the ball to a midfielder coming back to assist, but Lu Yang suddenly accelerated, intercepting the pass.
Frontline interception!
Bang!
Without much thought, Lu Yang, after intercepting the ball, made a direct through pass.
With the Counterattack Master bonus, his thinking was unusually clear!