Free Web NovelChapter 488: Chapter 100: The Fourth Title! A New Era for Football! Wang Shuo Scores Again! Sign Him, No Need for Ronaldo and Messi
Eto’o didn’t even bother tracking back, which allowed Rome’s right-back, Casetti, and right-winger, Mene, to link up. Mene, in particular, caused a lot of trouble for Inter Milan’s left-back, Chiwo.
Rome’s first goal was a perfect example. After Totti got the ball, their left-back, Risse, made a late run forward, received Totti’s pass, and scored.
"Our style is different from Rome’s. We also employ a high line, but we have a forward like Wang Shuo."
At this, Klopp suddenly let out a chuckle.
"He’s got speed, technique, good looks... he can take on Inter Milan’s entire backline by himself, and he scores more goals than Ronaldo and Messi combined. So..."
It was a rare joke from Klopp, and before he could even finish, the whole room erupted in laughter.
Even Wang Shuo himself couldn’t help but crack a smile.
Klopp just pointed at Wang Shuo. "Wang Shuo, in that bet, I’m definitely backing you."
This drew another round of laughter from the crowd.
"Okay, what I mean is, our attack has more options than Rome’s, but the fundamental idea is the same. Understand?"
Everyone nodded in unison.
Hearing this, Wang Shuo mulled it over for a moment. ’Now I get why Benitez wanted to sign Kuyt.’
’That’s the difference between him and Mourinho.’
’Mourinho’s low block is built for defensive counter-attacks.’
’So, the defensive work rate of players like Eto’o and Pandev wasn’t a major issue.’
’But what’s the most important part of a high-pressing defense?’
’Pressing from the front.’
’If the forwards aren’t committed to winning the ball back immediately, you’ve got a massive problem.’
’So why did he want Mascherano?’
’Because the double pivot of Cambiasso and Santie just isn’t effective in a high-line defensive system!’
’Last season under Mourinho, the double pivot was a combination of Thiago Motta and Cambiasso.’
’Thiago Motta’s role, in particular, was crucial.’
’If you really analyze Mourinho’s Inter Milan squad, you could argue they struggled with their midfield all season. It was only their brilliant performance in the knockout stages and their eventual championship victory that completely papered over the cracks.’
’In a way,’ Wang Shuo thought, ’that Champions League trophy belonged to Mourinho and Mourinho alone!’
’In the first three matches of the group stage, Inter Milan had three straight draws.’
’They ended up with two wins, three draws, and one loss, advancing as the second-place team in their group.’
’If it weren’t for their 2-0 victory over Kazan Ruby in the must-win final match of the group stage, there would have been no treble for Inter Milan.’
’Here’s where it gets really interesting.’
’When did Inter Milan’s transformation truly begin?’
’Chiwo suffered a fractured skull in January and was out for more than two months.’
’And in the final match of the group stage, Chiwo was suspended for accumulating yellow cards.’
’During Chiwo’s absence, Santie was the one who converted to playing left-back.’
’It wasn’t until the final, when Thiago Motta was suspended with a red card, that Santie moved back to midfield and Chiwo returned to the starting lineup at left-back.’
’But in the final, Inter Milan’s decisive second goal happened to be scored right after Chiwo was subbed off.’
’Chiwo was taken off in the 65th minute, and Inter Milan scored their second goal in the 70th.’
When Wang Shuo came across this detail while reviewing his materials, his first reaction was one of pure astonishment. It was uncanny!
Now, Klopp’s plan was clear: attack Inter Milan’s two full-backs.
’This can’t be a coincidence!’
...
That evening, during the UEFA Super Cup match at Louis II Stadium, Wang Shuo clearly observed Inter Milan’s various weaknesses firsthand.
Especially under Dortmund’s suffocating press right from the kickoff, their defensive line was exposed and looked completely riddled with holes.
Once the match began, the two teams, both employing a high line, immediately started trading blows in a head-to-head battle.
Inter Milan showed no fear.
’After all, they were the reigning Champions League champions. Beating the UEFA Europa League winners should be as easy as swatting a fly, shouldn’t it?’
Just two minutes in, Dortmund unleashed the first shot of the game.
It was a long-range strike from Reus on the left wing.
But in the 6th minute, Inter Milan’s Diego Milito answered with a long shot of his own.
In the 9th minute, Eto’o made a breakthrough on the left wing and laid the ball back. Just outside the penalty area, Sneider received the pass, shook off Sven Bender, and fired another long-range shot.
This shot also sailed over the bar.
For the first ten minutes, the two teams traded blows back and forth, appearing to be evenly matched.
But Inter Milan’s good fortune ended there.
In the 11th minute, Dortmund won the ball in midfield and launched a quick counter-attack. Wang Shuo dropped deep to receive a pass.
After controlling the ball, he quickly passed it to Götze.
At that moment, a fatal flaw in Inter Milan’s setup was exposed.
Their two holding midfielders, Santie and Cambiasso, both lacked pace and mobility.
As Götze received the ball and drove forward, Lucio immediately chose to step up and challenge him.
’Logically, when Lucio pushes up to challenge, who’s the first person supposed to cover for him?’
’It should be the right-back, Maicon.’
’But where was Maicon?’
’The Brazil fullback was positioned even higher up the pitch than Lucio.’
So, Santie was the one who immediately started tracking back to cover for Lucio.
But as the Inter Milan captain sprinted back, he saw Wang Shuo burst into a sprint at the exact same moment, accelerating to top speed.
The two were practically in a footrace.
’This is bad!’
Santie realized the danger instantly.
"Walter,"
he yelled to his teammate, Samuel, as he ran.
A high defensive line meant there was a massive amount of space behind them for Wang Shuo to sprint into.
