“Clean and crisp steal!”

“Li Kang, returning to the role of deep-lying midfielder, is one of Europe’s top iron gates!”

“Let’s see this transition offense.”

“The position is still too far back. If he chooses to advance himself, the rhythm will be a bit sluggish… Exquisite long pass!”

“He’s looking for Chamberlain!”

Chamberlain is a super talent produced by the Southampton youth academy.

His initial nickname was… “The New Walcott.”

Also a fast horse.

Stronger in physique and impact than Walcott, but not as smart.

Monaco’s midfield isn’t frantically counter-pressing.

They’re not panicking.

Coaching staffs all over Europe are studying Arsenal with Li Kang.

They’ve summarized a lot of experience:

‘If Li Kang doesn’t participate in transition offense, Arsenal’s attacking ceiling can only reach Paris Saint-Germain at best.’

‘If Li Kang doesn’t participate in positional defense, Arsenal’s defensive ceiling is about the level of Guardiola’s Manchester City.’

Pay attention.

Transition offense.

Positional defense.

In addition to being good at discovering young talents, Monaco’s coaching staff also makes ample arrangements for pre-match deployments when facing strong enemies.

Jardim even coveted the salary of financial football, publicly stating: Give him a Chinese Super League team, and he can go head-to-head with a mid-table Bundesliga team.

…

Arsenal’s advance isn’t facing much pressure.

Chamberlain keeps taking the lead and rushing forward, encountering no obstruction.

The reason why the butterfly 4-4-2 is gradually being eliminated is that the formation changes too much during the offensive and defensive transition phases, relying on the players’ sense of position.

A player with a poor sense of position isn’t a good thing;

Too strong a sense of position is also bad… for example, Mata, who transferred from Chelsea to Manchester United.

That’s right.

Players with too strong a sense of position have found it difficult to take on core tasks in the lineups of top teams after 2014. The blurring of the core player’s position is a wave of tactical change, and the trend is gradually circling back to the starting point of “total football.”

Coincidentally.

Monaco’s group of young geniuses has a very good grasp of their sense of position.

Li Kang follows the movement of his own formation and runs forward slowly.

From God’s perspective:

No one is following him, but instead dispersing around his forward teammates, blocking passing lanes.

Mendy and Bakayoko are rushing back to their own half.

Fabinho isn’t stuck in the midfield position, but quickly retreats to form a “three-center-back” formation with Glik and Jemerson.

In an instant, they widen the defensive width.

Monaco isn’t panicking at all.

The unawakened juvenile Chamberlain doesn’t yet know what awaits him…

…

At the edge of the field.

Jardim is gesticulating and roaring loudly in the command area.

The “butterfly 4-4-2” he trained is infinitely variable.

But it requires the coach to transmit adjustment information in a timely manner, so he looks particularly busy in key games.

On the other side.

Bould is also shouting from the sidelines.

Wenger adjusts his red tie and looks solemn.

He deployed this defensive 4-4-2 before the game. The defense is fine, but the numerical disadvantage on the offensive end makes it difficult to bear fruit.

…

“Chamberlain’s little change of direction is too agile!”

“Oh… couldn’t get past.”

“The football bounced out of bounds!”

“Missed a good offensive opportunity…”

“Can’t really call it a good opportunity, Arsenal’s forward passing lanes are being cut off.”

“Not enough troops invested in the attack.”

“The Monaco players should take a breather now!”

Chamberlain gives his teammates a thumbs up apologetically.

He’s a little annoyed with himself right now.

That guy Welbeck can still have perfect link-up play with Li… why can’t he produce any eye-catching performances?

…

Bellerín throws the ball in from the sidelines.

The target is still Li Kang, who is unmarked in the backfield.

Immediately afterwards.

After seeing a few rapidly changing hand gestures, Arsenal teammates understand.

Since the European Cup, Li Kang hasn’t played the position of deep-lying midfielder for a long time.

He’s been studying Monaco’s tactical framework for the past few days.

He roughly has a preliminary way to deconstruct it.

But Fabinho’s positional changes can’t be simulated in the game.

Still needs testing.

To test the evolutionary direction of Jardim’s butterfly 4-4-2.

Instead of rushing into a quick attack, he unhurriedly began to sort out and coordinate the midfield.

In the slow running and passing.

A blurry figure of red and blue number 6 gradually appears in his vision.

Xavi.

Without venting his turning and escaping skills.

Instead, conveying the idea of maintaining the overall formation structure and advancing slowly…

The football is passed at varying speeds under the feet of the black jersey.

The longitudinal spacing of the entire central axis is sometimes shortened and sometimes expanded!

“The Arsenal players’ running spacing changes are very simple, mainly revolving around the principle of forming a numerical advantage in a local area.”

“The depth space is used well.”

“That was close, Fabinho’s sliding tackle in time disrupted Arsenal’s threatening pass to the ribs!”

“But Monaco isn’t under much pressure dealing with this passing and control system… they defeated Barcelona in the second round of the Champions League group stage.”

“It’s different!”

“Li Kang’s allocation of passing resources… is already close to the realm of Xavi and Pirlo.”

…

Time passes by minute by minute.

The Monaco players gradually feel the pressure.

Jardim also has a bit of a headache.

Press or retreat?

That is the question.

The frontcourt trio of Falcao, Mbappé, and Lemar have no chance to touch the ball at all.

No.

Can’t fall into Li Kang’s rhythm!

…

Louis II Stadium.

The momentum of the Monaco fans hasn’t diminished at all.

They still remember: not long ago in the second round of the Champions League, Barcelona was also defeated by Monaco because they used this tactic.

Breaking passing and control, is it difficult?

The royal family members in the VIP box are also watching the game with great interest.

“Arsenal’s football, no matter how it’s played, is a symbol of art.”

“Didn’t Rybolovlev say he wanted to invite Mr. Arsène back with a salary of 10 million pounds a year? We can’t afford a 200 million man, but we can let the Arsenal coach return to where his dream began… to fulfill another dream!”

“Don’t listen to his nonsense, Jardim is doing a good job, why replace him? Our team will definitely achieve good results in the Champions League this season!”

Arsenal fans are also a little unaccustomed.

The style displayed on the field isn’t the rhythm they’re familiar with.

But no matter what.

Enjoy the games with Li.

Cherish the Gunners’ beautiful new era.

…

At the edge of the field.

Bould exclaimed: “Boss, after advancing to the 40-meter area of Monaco’s half, the opponent’s pressing is getting fiercer! We only have Li and Cazorla, no Iniesta and Busquets, this static passing and control style won’t last long!”

Wenger presses his hands down, signaling the bald assistant coach to calm down.

“Even if the opponent presses and wins the ball, it won’t be so easy to break up our formation.”

“Mertesacker and Koscielny’s positioning is very cautious.”

“We have to trust Li.”

…

With Jardim’s frantic hand gestures on the sidelines.

Monaco increases the number of players pressing.

Bakayoko and Mendy move forward.

Yes.

That’s the Mendy who likes to throw “parties.”

The young him doesn’t yet know his future fate at the Citizens.

Sidibé moves forward and inward, shifting from fullback to defensive midfield, making up for the thickness in front of the defense line, the ultimate goal being to free up Fabinho.

What about Fabinho?

This guy is showing unparalleled coverage and defensive abilities.

He himself also came from a right-back background.

He is 1.88 meters tall, physically strong, and extremely freakish in his ability to predict interceptions… facing his good teammate from the former Real Madrid academy – Morata, he is not at all at a disadvantage.

…

“Fabinho’s role on the field is too obvious!”

“Huh?”

“Li Kang is specifically targeting his back!”

“This time, the over-the-top ball is again passed to the area near him!”

Fabinho is also a little depressed.

He could clearly serve as a flexible mobile defender.

Why is he being targeted by Li? It’s like he’s competing with himself.

There’s no way around it.

Arsenal’s defense line has already pushed past the center circle with the overall movement of the formation.

As long as Monaco completes a steal and launches a successful counterattack.

Lemar and Mbappé will make Li regret it!

…

Live broadcast room.

Barrages of comments fly across the screen.

-[Fabinho is good, only 23 years old this year! He has the potential to become a top three defensive midfielder in the world!]

-[I heard from The Sun that he’s joining Liverpool next season!]

-[Our army is rising!]

-[23 years old, if the news is true, enough for Liverpool to use for ten years!]

…

20th minute of the match.

Li Kang sends an over-the-top long pass.

The football traces a beautiful arc in the sky of the Azure Coast, easily piercing Monaco’s right side.

Fabinho retreats quickly.

But he is blocked for a moment by Giroud’s big butt.

Morata takes the opportunity to overtake, runs wildly with the ball, and slashes diagonally into Monaco’s penalty area.

At the arc.

Glik rushes up quickly.

The Spanish striker changes direction, shakes out a shooting angle, and blasts a shot!

Pa!

The football whistles and slams into Jemerson’s butt… flying out of bounds.

32nd minute of the match.

Li Kang sends another over-the-top ball.

Still targeting the space behind Fabinho.

The Brazilian defensive midfielder is suffering, turning around and chasing again, while blocking Sánchez’s position…

Glik, who arrives in time… looking at the menacing Morata, resolutely clears the ball out of bounds.

38th minute of the match.

Li Kang sends an over-the-top ball.

Fabinho turns around and chases…

42nd minute of the match.

Li Kang sends an over-the-top ball.

Fabinho turns around and chases…

Jardim is dumbfounded.

The audience is also dumbfounded.

Monaco’s butterfly 4-4-2… such a perfect cross-rotating defense system, is actually being repeatedly teased by Li Kang under the premise of controlling the ball.

The world-class defensive midfielder Fabinho, who was originally tall and majestic in their minds, gradually becomes short and embarrassed.

Gradually, some discordant voices flew from the stands.

“Why does Sidibé always abandon the defense on the right side, and let Fabinho fill the hole?”

“Is it necessary for Bakayoko and Mendy to participate in the high press?”

The poor Monaco players, have a hard time speaking out.

Without a series of pressing and defensive rotations… that would allow the Arsenal players to comfortably play sharp passes!

…

Injury time in the first half.

Li Kang didn’t even have time to send an over-the-top ball.

Bee! Bee-bee~

The referee blows the whistle to end the first half.

“A slightly dull first half.”

“But Li Kang has shown many exquisite long passes.”

“It sounds a bit cruel, but under the premise that Arsenal controls the game, super talents like Lemar, Bernardo Silva, and Mbappé have no chance to show their abilities on the offensive end…”

“But Arsenal didn’t get many chances either, with only a few shots!”

“Looking forward to the performance of the two teams in the second half!”

“Take a short break, let’s go into a commercial break first…”

…

Li Kang and Cazorla feel fine, not very tired.

Including Bellerín, who occasionally inserts and stands parallel to the two.

The tired ones are his teammates on the front line.

Especially Giroud, whose speed hasn’t been trained at this time, and he’s also big, constantly sprinting back and forth consumes a lot of his stamina.

“Why do we always have to attack the right side and right rib space of Monaco? The number of shots converted is too small…”

“Don’t ask too much, just listen to Li.”

Morata interrupts his teammate’s question, takes a dry towel from Bould’s hand, and runs to Li Kang with a smile.

…

Arsenal’s locker room.

The coaching staff is reviewing the details of the first half.

The freshly baked heat map, a touch of red printed on the right side of Monaco’s half, is extremely rich.

Everyone gradually discovers a problem: Fabinho’s turning speed is so fast, why is he always half a beat slower than Morata… or even Giroud?

“Damn it, this is why Fabinho can’t compete with Casemiro in Real Madrid’s academy and the Brazilian national team!”

“This guy’s judgment of the landing point… is too hesitant!”

“How can such an excellent talented defensive midfielder have such a stupid bad habit, like a fly falling into a pot of delicious mushroom soup!”

“Unbelievable, hasn’t Real Madrid’s youth training targeted such training? No, why doesn’t Casemiro have this shortcoming?”

“Fabinho isn’t a orthodox product of Real Madrid’s youth training… well, now is not the time to discuss this.”

“Li is too terrible, he used 45 minutes to test out Monaco’s defensive weaknesses! The 200 million was well spent!”

“Unfortunately, this weakness can’t temporarily become the key to victory.”

“It is the key to victory.”

While the coaching staff is still arguing.

Wenger has already pulled Welbeck to the corner, giving him instructions.

After a while.

The simple-minded little black egg, is excited to clench his fists when he learns that he can play as a substitute.

“Boss, I remember your arrangements… well, it doesn’t matter if I can’t remember, wherever Li passes, I’ll run there!”

Wenger is stunned, shakes his head helplessly, he can’t find a place to refute Welbeck.

…

Monaco’s locker room.

Jardim is roaring frantically.

“The attitude of pressing must be more decisive!”

“Hesitating will only allow Li to sort out passing opportunities!”

“I don’t expect you to intercept the football from his feet!”

“My requirement is very simple: compress the space for him to handle the ball!”

“Li’s gestures are very simple, isn’t it just raising his hand to let his teammates give way to the wing or the middle? I can understand it! His purpose in the first half was to find a chance to create a mismatch! Forming a local numerical advantage!”

“Listen up!”

“We just need to be more resolute and do a good job in defensive details, and Arsenal’s offense won’t pose any threat!”

The generals are silent.

Including Mbappé.

He scratches his little black head in frustration, feeling that the gap between himself and Li Kang has widened a little bit again.

Fabinho is suffering in his heart.

It’s not that there’s a problem with his judgment of the landing point, but that Li’s over-the-top passes… are too tricky.

…

The fifteen-minute break is quickly over.

The Azure Coast, night falls.

Li Kang walks out of the tunnel, looks up at the deep blue night sky, and feels that it is extremely similar to the color of his jersey.

The problems to be dealt with in the second half are like the stars in the sky.

4-4-2, the eternal formation honed by countless football predecessors, is infinitely variable, and may not be so easily eliminated by the reform wave.

“Good evening, friends, welcome back.”

“We are now broadcasting the second half of the Champions League group stage match between Monaco and Arsenal!”

“The temporary score between the two sides is 0:0.”

“Arsenal took the lead in using their first substitution!”

“Welbeck replaces Giroud!”

“This is a like-for-like personnel adjustment!”

…

Bench.

Giroud takes a shower, changes his clothes, and sits next to Walcott.

He is a hardworking old ox, with a correct competitive attitude, and will not have any complaints about being replaced by a midfielder.

He knows very clearly what type of defenses he is suitable for, and what scenarios he is not suitable for.

What is this called?

A professional player’s tactical awareness.