Chapter 508: Chapter 508

Pellegrini was very dissatisfied with the partnership of Delph and Fernandinho in the midfield, believing that they did not firmly execute the possession tactics strictly demanded before the match. Whether it was processing the ball like a metronome or pulling and pushing against the opponent, it far from met the expected results seen in training.

When Delph was substituted off, Pellegrini was somewhat angered and even slapped the back of his head.

"Don’t just sit on the bench and drink water, keep your head up and look at how Tang plays as a midfielder!"

Delph obediently sat on the bench, back straight, eyes wide open, consistently focused on Tang Long, observing his positioning and passing, hoping to learn some lessons from this 19-year-old player.

However, as he watched, Delph became increasingly confused;

He felt more uneasy, more mystified as he watched!

He noticed Tang’s movement was extremely elusive, somewhat defying logic, and his passing seemed always bizarre, not aligning with conventional thinking.

But the oddity lies here; although Delph felt Tang Long’s movement and passing diverged from normal thought processes, the end result was remarkably precise!

In the 77th minute of the second half, seeing an opponent midfielder rushing to press, Tang Long did not dodge but instead charged at the midfielder with the ball, leaving Delph bewildered!

As the two sides were about to collide, and Tang Long was about to lose possession, he cleverly exploited the opening from the opponent’s reckless advance, nudging the ball lightly with his toe, causing it to pass through the defender’s legs!

Iheanacho, following through the direction of the nutmeg pass, charged ahead without slowing down, effortlessly outpacing the opponent’s center back, and rifled a shot into the net!

Delph was completely stunned!

"The ball can be passed like that?"

In Delph’s understanding, if Tang Long could circumvent the pressing midfielder with a nutmeg in the closing moments, it would be a great fortune.

Had it been him, he surely couldn’t achieve that and would definitely lose the ball!

But Tang Long not only executed a nutmeg, but this nutmeg was an intentional pass-like move!

Not only did he overcome the opponent, but he fully exploited the gap left behind by the pressing opponent, thus creating a great opportunity for Iheanacho’s forward run and goal.

"Perfect, simply perfect anticipation! He had already thought out the next move!"

Guardiola’s scout Raymond in the stands was equally amazed by Tang Long’s excellent anticipation!

He attentively scribbled on his notebook, eager to incorporate the details of this play into the scouting report.

Raymond understood that Guardiola’s attention to Tang was not because he wanted to recruit this player during the transfer window, as Bayern did not have plans nor the financial backing to acquire Tang Long in winter.

Guardiola’s mid-season scouting of Tang Long was entirely in preparation for taking over Manchester City next season!

Raymond was Guardiola’s trusted scout, personally brought from Barcelona to Bayern by him;

Even if Guardiola went to Manchester City, he was surely going to bring him along.

So Raymond felt that opting out of scouting young talents in South America to watch a Manchester City Champions League match wasn’t beyond his duty but rather laying groundwork for future tasks—he was very happy to do so.

The match was approaching the 80th minute, and the tied Borussia Monchengladbach were anxious, needing a win to proceed to the UEFA Europa League, while 1-1 was of no use! They commenced full pressure again, and Tang Long also led the team in a moderate retreat, aiming to slow the match rhythm as much as possible.

In the 85th minute, Ranocchia came on, replacing the starting center back Demichelis.

Despite being away from the field for a month, Ranocchia’s impact was instantly effective upon stepping onto the pitch!

Though Joe Hart had poor technical footwork, unable to establish effective linkage from the goalkeeper position to Ranocchia;

Yet thanks to Tang Long playing as a midfielder this match, him standing in the midfield with Ranocchia raised the team’s passing and control system to a new level!

Under their influence, Manchester City’s backfield passing and control became proficient and effective.

The ball circulated across the field width, getting Borussia players anxious, desperate for a goal but unable to even touch the ball at this moment!

Guardiola’s trusted scout Raymond stared onto the football field, yet his hands constantly scribbled on the notebook. Google seaʀᴄh novel(ꜰ)ire.net

[Manchester City’s passing control system lacks an effective goalkeeper outlet.]

[Both fullbacks cannot create effective linkage with the center backs and midfield metronome, stagnant thinking, hovering outside the team’s passing control system.]

[Iheanacho’s skills on the frontline are extremely crude, he’s a traditional English striker.]

[The front line lacks sufficient insertions, not providing Tang with enough support, forcing many plays to slow their pace and choose backward passes.]

[Pellegrini’s personnel arrangement is not reasonable; his passing control system is somewhat rigid. Navas should play wing roles as arranged, but isn’t exerting the expected effect of pulling opponent players.]

Subsequently, Raymond couldn’t help but jot down his own advice.

[Huge room for improvement! The primary task is to introduce a goalkeeper adept at playing the ball.]

[Ranocchia can be liberated to the midfield position, he absolutely possesses this capability; tall stature, strong confrontational ability, excellent overall view, skillful feet, with competent passing technique.]