Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 244: Tactical Substitutions 1

Chapter 244: Tactical Substitutions 1

The intensity on the pitch skyrocketed. Twente were fueled by Fer’s goal and pressed relentlessly, snapping into tackles, closing spaces, forcing AZ Alkmaar back.

[You can feel the momentum shifting,] Erik said. [Twente are back in this, and they know it!]

Brama led the charge, winning a crucial midfield battle against Henriksen before releasing the ball to Tadić. The Serbian maestro weaved past Marcellis with a clever body feint and accelerated down the left.

[Here comes Tadić again,] Ronald said. [He’s been Twente’s brightest spark tonight!]

Tadić cut inside, dragging defenders with him before slipping a pass into the 18 yard box. Castaignos, perfectly timed, latched onto it and fired—

But Alvarado was there again! The keeper spread himself wide, blocking the shot with his chest before scrambling to smother the loose ball.

[Unbelievable from Alvarado!] Erik roared. [He is keeping AZ Alkmaar ahead almost single-handedly!]

Castaignos pounded the turf in frustration, knowing how close that had been.

[Twente are doing everything right,] Ronald said. [But Alvarado is putting on a goalkeeping masterclass!]

AZ Alkmaar needed a breather. They slowed the game, passing it around at the back, forcing Twente to chase. Henriksen, now dropping deeper, dictated the tempo, spreading passes to the flanks to stretch the opposition.

[This is smart,] Erik observed. [They need to take the sting out of Twente’s attack]

Benjamin received the ball on the left, drawing Rosales toward him. With a subtle drop of his shoulder, he ghosted past the defender and surged down the wing.

[Benjamin has been electric tonight,] Ronald said. [Twente just can’t handle him!]

He whipped in a teasing cross—low, fast, bending toward the near post.

Altidore darted in front of Wisgerhof, his boot meeting the ball first-time—

But Boschker reacted! The veteran keeper got down sharply, palming the shot away!

[What a save!] Erik shouted. [Boschker is keeping Twente alive!]

The ball rebounded out to Berghuis at the edge of the 18 yard box. He took a touch, steadied himself, then let fly—

His shot rocketed through the crowd... Only to rattle off the crossbar!

CLANG!!!~

[So close!] Ronald groaned. [AZ Alkmaar inches away from sealing it!]

The stadium gasped, fans clutching their heads in disbelief. The ball bounced out for a goal kick, giving Twente a chance to breathe.

McClaren signaled for fresh legs, making a quick substitution. Schilder came on, adding energy to the attack.

[He’s going for it,] Erik noted. [Twente are throwing everything forward now]

Twente launched another assault, Brama threading a pass to Fer, who flicked it on for Chadli. The substitute’s first involvement was a dangerous low cross into the 18 yard box.

Viergever read it, stepping in to clear—

But the ball ricocheted off Castaignos and rolled straight to Fer, unmarked inside the 18 yard box!

[This is dangerous!] Ronald shouted.

Fer swung his foot at it, aiming for the bottom corner—

But Alvarado produced yet another stunning save!

The AZ Alkmaar keeper reacted in a flash, sticking out his right foot to divert the shot away!

[Alvarado again! This is ridiculous!] Erik yelled.

Fer buried his face in his hands. The Twente bench looked stunned.

[How is this still 4-2?!] Ronald laughed. [AZ Alkmaar owe everything to their goalkeeper right now!]

The clock ticked past the 68th minute.

[Twenty-two minutes left on rhe clock,] Erik said. [If they’re going to make this a grandstand finish, they need goals within this time frame]

AZ Alkmaar, sensing the danger, tightened up. Henriksen, Martens, and Elm sat deeper, shielding the defense. They weren’t taking any unnecessary risks.

But Twente refused to quit. Another long ball sent Chadli sprinting down the left. He took it in stride, squared up Marcellis, then sent in a curling cross toward the penalty spot.

Castaignos leaped, meeting it with a towering header but he couldn’t keep it down!

The ball sailed over the bar, and with it, Twente’s best chance in the latter stages of the second half.

[That might be it,] Ronald said. [You could see it on Castaignos’ face—he knows he should have buried that.]

AZ Alkmaar took their time on the goal kick, Alvarado motioning for calm. The seconds drained away.

Twente, exhausted, kept pressing, but their legs were heavy, their attacks less sharp.

The fourth official soon held up the board for substitutions.

Gertjan Verbeek made his move.

Victor Elm, who had worked tirelessly in midfield, jogged off, replaced by the fresh legs of Adam Maher. Berghuis, who had run himself into the ground on the right wing, made way for Roy Beerens.

And finally, Marcellis, who had struggled against Twente’s relentless attacks on the defensive right wing, was substituted for Mathias Johansson.

[Good changes from Gertjan Verbeek,] Erik said. [Adam Maher will bring fresh energy in midfield, Roy Beerens adds pace on the right, and Mathias Johansson will help shore up the defense]

[It’s about managing the game now,] Ronald added. [They don’t need to take risks anymore as they were leading 4-2—just see this out]

The AZ Alkmaar fans applauded the substitutions, recognizing their team was edging closer to victory. Meanwhile, McClaren also made adjustments. He had no choice.

Off came Denny Landzaat, looking exhausted, replaced by Felipe Gutiérrez. Schilder had already entered earlier, but now Roberto Rosales was sacrificed for Dwight Tiendalli, an attack-minded fullback.

[McClaren is going all in too,] Erik noted. [It’s attack or nothing now]

[They’re taking a gamble,] Ronald said. [If Twente score again soon, this could get very interesting]

Fweeeee!~

The game resumed with renewed urgency.

Twente, desperate for a lifeline, pushed forward in waves. Brama sent a searching ball over the top, aiming for Tadić.

Tadić, always dangerous, controlled it beautifully with his first touch, then squared up Johansson. He feinted left, darted right, and drilled a low cross toward the six-yard box.

[Dangerous delivery!] Erik shouted.

Castaignos lunged, stretching every inch of his body to get a toe on it—

But Viergever got there first, sliding in with a crucial clearance!

[Fantastic defending!] Ronald praised. [He read that perfectly!]