My uncle is Inzaghi.

Chapter 53 A test of tacit understanding

"What did the old man say?"

After Giroud returned from the sidelines.

A player asked loudly.

Giroud didn't say much.

He looked at Li Mo.

Then he said loudly: "The old man said, we have to score goals and we have to win!!!"

After Arsenal scored, the players' morale was already high.

After hearing these words.

The morale was even higher.

The momentum of both sides waxed and waned.

After the game resumed, Arsenal quickly took advantage of the situation.

After tasting the sweetness of the first goal.

Arsenal even implemented the previous tactics.

Use Giroud, a big center, to provide support.

Cazorla and Wilshere use two attacking midfielders to feed Li Mo.

Schalke 04's defense was obviously somewhat ill-prepared to face such an offensive method.

The 61st minute of the game.

Li Mo once again received a through ball and poked the ball into the goal with his toe.

But before that, the whistle sounded.

The linesman on the sidelines has raised his flag.

"Offside!!!"

Andy Gray shouted regretfully.

in front of the TV.

Many Arsenal fans also held their heads in their hands.

There was a burst of exclamation in the stands of Schalke Stadium.

"Li Mo sent the ball into the goal again but it was offside! Schalke 04 escaped! But Arsenal obviously found an offensive method that made Schalke 04 very uncomfortable. Stevens must make a response Responded!"

Schmitz, the commentator of German Sports Channel, said with a slight frown.

The camera showed Stevens on the sidelines.

The coach of Schalke 04 does have a headache at this time.

On the one hand, it is impossible for him to let the central defender follow Giroud to the midfield.

Because this will make the back line even thinner, giving Li Mo more space to penetrate.

But Giroud's support in the midfield did have the effect of making Schalke 04's midfield difficult to deal with.

How to do?

"Substitute someone else!"

Stevens' aide suggested.

Since the existing players have little room for tactical adjustments.

For the head coach.

Then you can only replace someone.

Stevens nodded.

He looked toward his bench.

On the bench, the only one who can compete with Giroud in terms of height and confrontation is probably Brazilian center back Santana.

but.

If you want to change Santana.

It would be better to let the current center back Matip push forward. He can definitely compete with Giroud in physical confrontation.

That being the case.

Stevens made a quick decision.

He will replace American midfielder Jermaine Jones with center back Papastathopoulos. Papastathopoulos is a versatile player.

Can play multiple positions in the backcourt.

Including center back, left back, and defensive midfielder.

Moreover, he is a short central defender whose biggest characteristic is his mobility and flexibility.

He can switch positions with Matip when he comes on the court.

Matip went up to confront Giroud.

Papastathopoulos used his speed and flexibility to pester Li Mo.

This does seem like a good idea.

For any head coach.

When facing difficulties.

A wrong decision is better than no decision at all.

Stevens was decisive when making decisions.

But Papastathopoulos stood on the sidelines waiting for his replacement to come on.

The ball was always at Arsenal's feet.

"Arsenal midfielder Li Mo once again tried to advance forward while holding the ball. Schalke 04's back line once again adopted an offside trap tactic"

Li Mo's body shot towards the back line.

at the same time.

Hurwedes, Matip, as well as Japanese right back Uchida Atsuto and Austrian left back Fuchs pressed forward at the same time, putting Li Mo into an offside trap. Li Mo’s forward thrust was in vain again.

However, he was not discouraged and turned back again.

With Giroud's presence, Li Mo was indeed much more relaxed - at least Giroud shared most of the tasks that required confrontation.

Li Mo is not incapable of confrontation.

But his physical fitness has always been a bottleneck.

And confrontation consumes the most physical energy.

Until the physical issues are resolved.

Li Mo more often positions himself as a poacher.

Relying on the bridgehead of Giroud.

His movement can be more flexible - from this point of view, Wenger's observation is indeed correct.

I want to maximize Li Mo's scoring ability.

It would be best to have a blue-collar worker next to him who will do some hard work for him.

Héwedes and Matip were gasping for air.

They have better physical fitness than Li Mo.

But when defending Li Mo, they must exert greater physical energy - especially they must be extremely focused.

otherwise.

An inattentive one.

Li Mo might appear behind them and get a single-handed ball!

This looming danger made Schalke 04's backline highly nervous.

Even this time, Li Mo was caught in an offside trap.

But both Hewedes and Matip know that this is not something to be happy about.

This is the difference between a forward and a defender.

The defender succeeded ten times and failed once.

That is also a failure.

The striker fails ten times and succeeds even once - that might be a goal! !

And

Cazorla didn't pass the ball this time - it was okay if he did, because Schalke 04 could take advantage of the situation to recover the ball and release the temporarily accumulated pressure.

When Cazorla passed the ball, he saw Schalke 04's back line pressing forward collectively.

This kick was passed out.

Li Mo will most likely be offside.

So he chose to pass back and pass the ball to Arteta in the middle.

Arteta looked up front, then pushed with the arch of his foot and passed the ball straight to Giroud's feet.

Giroud turned his back to the Schalke 04 goal.

He originally planned to stop the ball and pass it to the side.

Just now.

He heard a cry.

"Olivier!!"

It's Li Mo! !

In Jirou's mind, Li Mo's accustomed interweaving lines emerged.

Even though he didn't turn around to see Li Mo's position.

But at this point he decided to make a risky pass.

Faced with Arteta's through ball.

Giroud picked up the ball with the instep of his right foot.

The football flew into the air and passed over the heads of the two defenders who were rushing towards them.

at the same time.

He turned around and saw a very familiar voice.

Unfortunately, this figure ran too far.

Just now.

Jirou suddenly saw Li Mo turn around and look at him.

He had an idea.

Diagonally insert into the penalty area!

Li Mo originally thought that Giroud would give him a foot ball, so he completely increased his speed after penetrating forward.

Who would have thought.

Giroud sent an overhead pass.

The ball speed is very slow.

Li Mo accidentally ran too far.

When he turned around, he saw the football falling towards him.

If you stop the ball with your back to the goal at this time, you may lose any chance.

So he looked at Giroud.

Now it depends on whether the two of them have a tacit understanding.

Li Mo faced the ball and made a slight header.

He rubbed the ball laterally toward the right side of the penalty area.

Li Mo's header was just right.

After being able to get Giroud to charge up, he can hit it with a slight jump.

As expected, Giroud drove forward at high speed.

then

Take off.