Halftime.
Italy team’s locker room.
"In the second half, we need to defend well. Our attack is already taking shape, and I have full confidence in our forwards." Maniero was encouraging the team. "At the end of the day, Portugal is just a one-man team."
"As long as we can stop Madeira, we can beat this team!"
If outsiders heard Maniero’s words, many would probably think he didn’t understand the game.
Because this Portugal team has no shortage of star players.
Superstar level includes Madeira.
Famous players include Laveran, Canisell, as well as a midfielder and a left winger.
Others can also be considered stars.
Otherwise, in the previous predictions, Portugal wouldn’t have been ranked above Italy.
Is this really a one-man team?
"Stacking stars doesn’t necessarily mean no effect, but the efficiency is actually quite low." Maniero said. "Portugal lacks a true tactical master. Besides Chelsea’s head coach Zuka Felish, they haven’t had a good coach in recent years."
"The current Portuguese national team has decent players, but their tactics are quite simple. Almost all threats in the first half came from their right wing. Among these, eighty percent came from Madeira."
"So... Praxedes!"
Maniero looked at Praxedes.
"I understand! Don’t worry everyone, I’ll let this Portuguese king feel the chill of Italy!" Praxedes made a cold joke.
Quite a few people laughed knowingly.
They absolutely trust Praxedes’ abilities.
But Lu Yang frowned.
Because although Praxedes’ words were strong, his eyes weren’t as determined as before.
The more knowledgeable and aware a person is, the harder it is to deceive themselves.
Praxedes, as a top-level left-back, was very clear about whom he could defend and who he couldn’t.
After this segment ended, Lu Yang found Praxedes.
"Isa!" Lu Yang called out to Praxedes.
Praxedes turned around to look at Lu Yang.
"If you need help, feel free to say it," Lu Yang pointed in a certain direction.
That was the direction of the Portugal team’s locker room.
The smile on Praxedes’ face slightly froze.
After a few seconds, he suddenly said, "If I were at my peak, I could definitely freeze Madeira! He’s an excellent right winger, but he’s not at the top world tier."
"But... he’s three years younger than me. I didn’t expect these three years to be so hard to overcome."
"Last season, I clearly felt my form declining, and this trend hasn’t stopped until now. The most important aspect is my burst and my subtle control over the football."
Burst and ball sense!
These are very important foundational abilities for a professional player.
If this continues, Praxedes’ most suitable position would transition from left-back to center-back.
Because a left-back needs speed to attack and defend, and ball sense to coordinate offensively.
Praxedes, during his peak, excelled in both offense and defense.
But now, his attacking and defensive abilities are both declining.
While Madeira is still in his prime.
If there were a data rating, it would show that Praxedes’ rating has dropped by two to three points over the past year.
This is a significant decline.
"I’ll focus more on the left side, and you can hand over more offensive attempts to me," Lu Yang expressed his understanding of Praxedes.
Facing many teammates, Praxedes naturally couldn’t speak such discouraging words.
After all, everyone was counting on him to freeze Madeira.
But facing Lu Yang, Praxedes felt he should be honest.
Because Lu Yang is someone who can truly help the team, yet won’t be crushed by the pressure brought by this matter.
Fifteen minutes quickly passed.
The second half officially began.
As expected, Portugal also tilted their tactics to the right wing, and Madeira’s attacking attempts significantly increased.
But Praxedes’ focused defense and Lu Yang’s multiple retreats temporarily stifled Portugal’s offensive.
However, without Lu Yang as a connection point, Italy’s midfield and front line showed obvious signs of disconnection and a shortage of personnel.
Even relying on Morici’s strong delivery ability and Perrotta’s retreat to deliver the ball to the front.
The subsequent threatening attack couldn’t be completed by Ancelotti alone.
Unless it were Ancelotti in his peak period.
The 65th minute marked a significant turning point.
But not in this game, rather in the adjacent one.
France’s Nelka descended like a god, scoring twice and helping France lead Russia 2-1.
Russia’s spirit finally couldn’t hold back.
In the real-time standings, France tops with seven points, Italy with five, Portugal with four, and Russia with zero points after three consecutive losses!
As such, it’s now France and Italy that would advance.
Rather than Italy and Portugal as earlier.
This time, Portugal is truly in a desperate situation.
Counting on Russia is unrealistic; they might as well rely on themselves.
And the Portuguese have always had a superhero gene.
minutes into the game, Madeira received a pass from Canisell on the right wing, with three consecutive quick stops and direction changes, he shook off both Praxedes and Lu Yang!
At this moment, this Portuguese king became the most dazzling star on the field.