Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions
Chapter 175 - 147: Turbulent Times Arise! Tang Long Plans an Aggressive Tactical Change!

Chapter 175: Chapter 147: Turbulent Times Arise! Tang Long Plans an Aggressive Tactical Change!

The sugar-coated cannonball duo fired the first shot at the Juventus Stadium, but then fell into silence.

The reason is simple; Allegri quickly realized that if Juventus wanted to win the match, they had to enhance the restrictions on Tang Long!

Italian midfielder Marchisio’s role began to shift; he was not required to support Pirlo but rather to shadow Tang Long throughout the match.

Wherever Tang Long went, Marchisio would follow.

Even if Tang Long was in a completely non-threatening position, Marchisio would still follow him.

In the 25th minute of the first half, Medel executed an old trick, a direct pass to Tang Long, aiming to speed up.

Tang Long had already predicted Marchisio’s marking; he tried to use the distance between the ball and his body to feint past Marchisio.

Smack!

When Pirlo debuted in Brescia, he played as an attacking midfielder like Tang Long, sometimes even stepping up to the forward line as a shadow striker.

However, it was at AC Milan that Ancelotti discovered his organizing talent, leading to the dramatic shift, placing Pirlo deeper as a playmaker!

Thus was born the legendary genius defensive midfielder.

Yet, after all, Pirlo came from an attacking midfielder background, so his defensive awareness was average.

Furthermore, limited by his physique, when it comes to hard challenges, he would still give way!

But Marchisio is not the refined and gentlemanly type like Pirlo.

Fans familiar with him know that this guy is a typical hexagonal midfielder.

And compared to his teammate Pogba, Marchisio leans more toward defensive duties and is a product of defensive training.

His appearance has the delicate features of an Italian model, but his playing style is anything but courteous!

Swish!

A sliding tackle from the side took down both man and ball, bringing Tang Long to the ground!

The referee waved his hands, indicating the ball was touched first, no foul!

Tang Long stood up and glanced back at him.

Marchisio’s deep blue eyes stared directly at him.

It seemed to say: Where do you think you’re going! I’ve got my eye on you tonight.

In the past, Tang Long has not been unaccustomed to such exaggerated close-marking.

But today is different; today, marking him is the main defensive midfielder of the Italian national team, and the pressure on Tang Long is unprecedented.

Although the system has provided many optimal passing lines, Tang Long, limited by his skill, saw the passing lines but was repeatedly intercepted by Marchisio.

Under Marchisio’s close marking, Tang Long temporarily went invisible.

"Hey, aren’t you tired always following me?" Tang Long struck up a conversation with Marchisio.

Marchisio didn’t trash-talk, instead smiling and saying:

"That’s Serie A for you, but rest assured, I won’t deliberately injure you; whether you can shake me off depends on your ability."

Even during a dead ball interval, when Tang Long ran to the sidelines for a drink, Marchisio followed him.

Uncle Berni couldn’t bear to watch.

He handed Tang Long a bottle of water, then tossed another to Marchisio.

"Marchisio, have a drink and take a break. Are you running after Tang Long because he owes you money? You should be advancing; back runs are your forte. Don’t you want to score a goal in the Italian national derby?"

After drinking, Marchisio only nodded in thanks, stayed silent, and continued running after Tang Long.

Berni shook his head helplessly and gestured to his opponent on the bench.

"This kid won’t budge; he’s so persistent, I can’t do anything about it!"

After Tang Long went silent, Juventus’s attack became more ferocious.

In the 41st minute of the first half, it reached the time period officially recorded by the Serie A Alliance as having the most goals.

Pogba pulled back to the flank, using his advantage in ball protection to draw two Inter players, then from a gap boxed in by four legs, he managed to squeeze the ball out.

"Great ball!"

Morata faced the ball, not waiting for full-back Yuto Nagatomo to react, he went for an explosive drive!

The Spanish forward had height and long legs; although Yuto Nagatomo’s speed was comparable to Morata, he hated his short legs at such moments; Morata’s toe shot in the nick of time brought the ball past Yuto Nagatomo’s feet!

"Reverse triangle!"

Tevez had just shouted this phrase when Morata’s pass arrived as anticipated!

One forward moved wide, another rushed into the box, then suddenly paused to receive the partner’s reverse triangle pass. This system appeared daily in Juventus training, and the players had formed muscle memory.

Tevez struck the ball hard with his instep, fiercely shooting and scoring!

2-1, Juventus took the lead again!

Amusingly, the scorer was Morata, but Juventus’s French star Pogba seemed more excited than Morata!

He slid in celebration, ran to Morata’s side, and polished Morata’s shoes.

Then he turned, running towards the downcast Icardi, blocking his path, facing Icardi’s face.

"Hey, Argentinian, lift your head! Let me see your dejected face! What’s the point of this entire season, with no titles on all fronts, playing like this?"

"Your good buddy Tang has gone silent; what can you do anyway?"

"Accept that you’re losers, in both the league and Coppa Italia! When we parade our victory in Turin in June, remember to turn on the TV and watch the live broadcast~"

Icardi was so angry he almost ground his molars to dust!

Especially since Pogba mentioned the Coppa Italia.

This final between Inter and Juventus in the Coppa Italia was still far away!

And you’re already barking?

Icardi almost blurted out a racially insensitive comment about black people, but fortunately, he swallowed it back, stifling the words at his throat.

Live broadcast room.

-[The situation is not optimistic; don’t be fooled by the 2-1 score, the game is entirely one-sided!]

-[When was Inter’s last shot? Was it the last one?]

-[In the first half, there was only one shot, which was Icardi’s goal, and afterwards for half an hour, Inter couldn’t even manage another.]

-[This isn’t working! This is only the first half, and they’re not shooting? Someone should give Inter a Viagra pill!]

-[Inter needs to toughen up; the key is to free Tang Long at this point, else I see no hope of a turnaround!]

-[No longer asking to win, just hoping to secure a point in Turin, Napoli is keeping close pace, who knows what the score is over there?]

-[Napoli leads 1-0 at home against Genoa; I suspect winning won’t be a big problem there.]

Inter players laboriously endured the final minutes, utterly exhausted in body and mind!

Halftime break, players’ tunnel.

Ranocchia’s body was like it had been pulled from water, drenched with sweat like a fine rain covering every inch of his skin.

His jersey clung tightly to his back, outlining the muscles of his body.

Icardi attempted to lift the damp jersey hem to wipe his face.

Yet, this action soaked more sweat onto his face from the jersey.

Annoyed, he ripped off the jersey like it was a hot potato, throwing it to the waiting kit man by the side.

"Evans, hurry! Get me a new one; damn, Turin is scorching today!"

Meanwhile, Gualin stood with a heavy heart, shoulder to shoulder with his midfield partner Medel.

Their gestures interwove, as if weaving an invisible tactical net, reflecting and discussing the subtleties and regrets of each play of the first half.

Yuto Nagatomo felt extremely frustrated!

Particularly recalling the second goal, Morata found a breakthrough from his side, like a sly fox slipping through his defense, eventually resulting in a fatal assist.

Yuto Nagatomo began to lose confidence again.

Walking through the players’ tunnel, his not-so-tall frame of 170 was surrounded by those towering teammates and opponents like mountains.

At that moment, the Japanese full-back felt so small...

It’s clear this match is definitely the toughest one Inter has played so far.

Juventus’s domination felt like suffocating poison gas, making even breathing difficult for the Inter players.

Tang Long walked briskly past Nagatomo, patting him on the shoulder.

Although he doesn’t like Japan, from Nagatomo’s eyes, Tang Long saw insecurity, and he softly comforted him with a few words.

At this moment, Tang Long was brewing an aggressive tactical plan in his mind.

This strategy, since his promotion to the Inter First Team, Inter had never used before.

Can it be executed?

Tang Long first needs to get past coach Mancini!