Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions
Chapter 197 - 168: A No-Looking Pass, Tearing Open Liverpool’s Defense with a Bloody Gap

Chapter 197: Chapter 168: A No-Looking Pass, Tearing Open Liverpool’s Defense with a Bloody Gap

The football field changes in an instant.

As Tang Long pushed the ball forward, around him, five Inter teammates surrounded him in a circular formation, like five destroyers escorting a main carrier!

At the same time, Liverpool’s defense line is methodically being set up.

Liverpool plays with three midfielders, Gerrard in the center, flanked by Lucas and Henderson.

As the absolute commander in the midfield and the legendary player of the team, Captain Gerrard No. 8 is mobilizing his teammates for defense.

His first advice was: "No matter how they run, keep calm!"

The second piece of advice was more direct: "I’ll keep an eye on Tang!"

Thump, thump, thump!

Gerrard takes two steps in one stride and pushes forward from his defensive midfield position.

As he rushes towards Tang Long, he swings his arms inward from his back.

This is the sign language developed during Liverpool’s training – encouraging the full-backs to defend toward the center, staying aligned with the center defenders, ready to create offside traps at any moment!

Clearly, Liverpool came prepared for this visit to Meazza Stadium.

Rodgers and Gerrard discussed and reached a unanimous conclusion.

"To restrain Inter’s offense, the key is to restrain Tang."

"To completely hold Tang, we would’ve to sacrifice tight pressing from at least two players, which is unwise and would expose gaps in the defensive line."

"Since Tang’s biggest threat is the through ball, a coordinated offside trap is crucial for our defense on the road!"

Therefore, when Gerrard pressed towards Tang Long, his actions were very restrained.

On the surface, the England captain’s advance from the defensive midfield position seemed aggressive.

But actually, when he reached about three meters from Tang Long, he slowed down, poised between fighting and retreating!

"I don’t need to tackle, nor do I need to intercept," Gerrard thought, "just standing in front of him is an invisible barrier!"

Gerrard’s strategy had a certain effect.

Tang Long had never faced this world-class superstar before and felt a bit wary about him, lacking complete confidence in getting past him with dribbling.

Snap!

The ball was passed from Tang Long’s feet to Icardi, who was pulling to the sideline.

"Mauro, steady it!" This was Tang Long’s direction to him.

Icardi’s biggest threat lies within the box, his movement outwards is merely a tactic to pull defenders away, aiming to make Liverpool’s central defender Lovren move from his defensive position, causing confusion in their original formation.

However, Icardi realized that because of Gerrard’s command, Lovren remained at his position in the central defense instead of following him.

He exchanged glances with Tang Long, who shook his head.

Originally, Lovren was pulled out by Icardi, moving a few meters, which was the potential through ball chance Tang Long instantly noticed.

Unfortunately, the astute Gerrard shouted once more, and Lovren returned.

The gap in the enemy’s defense that had just been opened was instantly filled, and the opportunity disappeared in a flash.

No problem, Inter can try again!

Snap!

Tang Long received Icardi’s pass, took the ball steadily.

This pass and reception were completed within seconds.

However, the movements of the other teammates continued without pause.

Soon, Icardi on the flank swapped positions again with Podolski in the center!

At this moment, there are two players on Inter’s flank.

Tang Long, Podolski.

Just when everyone thought Inter’s counterattack would end here, downgraded from fast attack to stable positional play.

Something unexpected happened!

Right-back Yuto Nagatomo suddenly charged forward!

The diminutive 170cm full-back sprinting along the flank like a racing hyena!

This was a golden route!

Tang Long feigned passing the ball back to Medel in the center, but as the wind stirred by Nagatomo charging from behind brushed the back of his neck, Tang Long skillfully twisted his ankle and, without even looking, powerfully directed the ball towards the flank!

Whoosh——

The broadcast lens immediately honed in on Nagatomo, giving a close-up!

Nagatomo’s face was flushed red, cheeks puffed out, his hands and arms drew blurred shadows as his short legs whirred like engines, charging at full speed towards the rolling ball!

Liverpool’s right-back, Emre Can!

This German player originally played as a midfielder. Due to the absence of regular right-back Moreno in this match, the versatile Emre Can was positioned by Rodgers at right-back.

Tang Long targeted this spot!

The 21-year-old Emre Can stands at 186CM, a head taller than Nagatomo.

But while long doesn’t always mean best, faced with Nagatomo, the low-centered, nimble groundhog, Emre Can couldn’t catch him!

Nagatomo overtook Emre Can and made a cross!

At the moment of the cross, Icardi appeared like a phantom at the near post of the small box!

Lovren, assigned to mark him, couldn’t even react, watching Icardi rifle a direct volley without stopping the ball into the net!

1-0!

Inter Milan took the lead in the 11th minute of the first half!

Icardi rushed to the assisting Nagatomo, Nagatomo sprinted towards the pass-giver Tang Long, and eventually, the three gathered shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, in an embrace.

"It’s in!!!!"

"Beautiful!"

"That was an exceptionally smooth attack!"

"Nagatomo, with his speed advantage, decisively made the cross after receiving Tang Long’s pass!"

"How did Icardi score this?"

"We can review the slow motion later, but if I’m not mistaken, Icardi seemed to have suddenly moved to the front!"

"No wonder Lovren couldn’t keep up with him!"

"Scoring just 11 minutes into the match makes this one interesting!"

"Look forward to a high-scoring battle!"

After He Wei finished his rapid-fire commentary, it was Zhang Lu’s turn to speak.

Compared to He Wei’s machine-gun pace.

Zhang Lu’s explanation was not only slower but also quite calm in tone.

"Inter’s attack succeeded due to three well-executed details."

"Firstly, Tang Long’s pass to Nagatomo was perfectly timed, precisely delivered after Nagatomo reached sprinting speed, and the ball speed was fast, providing Nagatomo ample space to dash."

"Secondly, Nagatomo, facing the bigger Emre Can, showed no fear, using speed to rush past without hesitation!"

"Thirdly, Icardi decisively avoided his marker Lovren, robbing the front position to score!"

"His front-running skill was very practiced, likely ingrained in his muscle memory from lots of training."

Pausing for effect, Zhang Lu returned to discussing Tang Long.

"But despite these three key points, the most crucial part lies in the initial setup—Tang Long’s penultimate pass!"

That’s when the slow-motion replay came out.

Clearly, everyone thought Tang Long was going to redirect the ball back to the center to Medel.

Even Medel himself thought Tang Long’s pass was for him.

But in the next second, Tang Long suddenly passed the ball to the oncoming Nagatomo on the flank!

This one-touch no-look pass instantly tore open a bloody gap in Liverpool’s flank, allowing Nagatomo, the sprinting hyena, to bite onto it.

On the football field, people always focus on the glory of the goal scorer.

At most praising the assister.

However, in a seamless attack, the penultimate pass often plays the most decisive role!

Tang Long is such a backstage playmaker, understood by true veteran insiders like Coach Zhang Lu, who can tell that in this attack, actually over 70% of the credit should go to Tang Long!

Seeing the team conceding a goal early, Balotelli who was far in the midfield circle became displeased.

What’s going on.

Are we up to it?

"Can!"

He shouted Emre Can’s name loudly as he rushed towards him.

"You didn’t anticipate that Japanese guy’s movement! You’re the defender, you need to use your brain when playing football!"

(Balotelli signals to his teammate, emphasizing the need for smart playing)