Chapter 27 Mahrez VS Ashley Cole
Leicester City’s first team’s speed ranking, ranked first is the youth left-back Jeffrey Schlupp.
This black guy with dual nationalities of Ghana and Germany can reach a top speed of 36 kilometers per hour.
The second ranked player is Vardy, who can also reach 36 kilometers per hour.
Mahrez, who ranks sixth in the team, cannot be called slow, but he is not fast either.
It is worth mentioning that his speed with the ball is actually faster than his running speed without the ball.
The reason is very simple, just because his ability to combine man and ball is very strong. The football seems to stick to his feet, which can produce different rhythms and changes.
In his first start, he faced Mahrez, who was once the premier left back in the Premier League and had just arrived in England. He was like a newborn calf, not panicking at all.
I saw him with firm eyes, dribbling the ball forward at his feet, constantly getting closer to Ashley Cole.
The latter was preparing for the attack with a serious look on his face, not daring to make a move rashly, but kept retreating sideways.
While retreating, he watched Mahrez's shoulders and ankles, looking for the best time to steal.
Finally, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Matic, who was about to come over to help. Mahrez did not hesitate. He pushed the ball out with his left foot and was about to cut in from the right side of Ashley Cole. breakthrough.
And Cole was not slow either. His excellent defensive awareness made him immediately take a step to the right, immediately blocking his forward space.
In the flash of lightning, Mahrez made a change of pace with his left foot and slammed it back.
An exploded version of ox tail!
Seeing this, Ashley Cole, who had just moved his body, was shocked and immediately stretched out his slender left leg to block the left path.
And this stretch just blocked the ball pushed by Mahrez out of the sideline.
After completing this beautiful defense, Cole did not forget to look at Mahrez with a provocative look and said:
"Man, don't even think about passing by me!"
The first side confrontation, the result is out:
Ashley Cole wins!
Although, the first challenge failed and was ridiculed by Ashley Cole.
However, Mahrez is not discouraged at all.
As an attacker, Mahrez can make mistakes.
Once, twice, three times, it doesn’t matter.
As long as the ball is still in Leicester City's hands, he has enough opportunities to get past Ashley Cole.
But Ashley Cole, as a defender, cannot.
As long as one mistake is made, Mahrez will break into the backcourt and create a threat!
In the next ten minutes, Ling Feng changed positions with Mahrez many times.
The two cooperated in passing and cutting on the right wing, taking turns to create pressure on Chelsea's left wing guarded by Ashley Cole.
Once Matic moves over to help, Ling Feng immediately passes the ball back, or passes it long to the other side, making a wide range of transfers to stretch the space.
Under the premise that Chelsea gave up the ball, coupled with Ling Feng's retreat and change of position, Leicester City slowly controlled the rhythm of the field.
Seeing their team taking the initiative on the court, the fans in the King Power Stadium began to cheer for the team's twelfth man.
The loud singing echoed over the stadium, injecting endless motivation into the Leicester City players on the field.
“Leicester City’s ball possession rate in the past ten minutes has reached 80%!”
"Chelsea is the Premier League team that has conceded the fewest goals this season. Their defense has always been impregnable." Mourinho, who was sitting on the coaching bench of the visiting team, didn't care at all as he watched the ball remain at Leicester City's feet.
Because, he has seen this kind of scene too many times in his coaching career in the past ten years.
What about high ball possession rate? So what if the passing success rate is high?
Being able to score goals is the way to go!
Isn't Barcelona's passing control great?
He was defeated by me too!
The current direction of the field is just as he expected before the game.
Therefore, Mourinho even had time to observe the opponent's players.
Especially the young guy No. 23 who was recently recommended by the scouting department!
Compared with Oscar under his command, Leicester City's No. 23 boy's passing is more accurate and his movement is extremely reasonable.
Every move occurs in an open space.
Furthermore, his teammates seem to trust him very much.
As long as he wants the ball, he will almost always pass it to him and let him control the team's offensive rhythm.
Especially the ability to read the game, which is also visible to the naked eye.
Of course he could see that Ling Feng and Mahrez frequently changed positions in order to avoid Matic's pressing.
He also made arrangements in advance, telling Matic not to follow him, but to just stand in a good position.
Chelsea's defensive system is a whole.
As a single defensive midfielder, Matic can be said to be a crucial position.
Looking at Ling Feng, who was commanding the court with determination, Mourinho couldn't help but shook his head gently.
It's a pity that this kid is too weak and is afraid of confrontation, so he is not suitable for his tactical system.
Otherwise, buy him, train him, give him some guidance, and he may be able to become a top organizational midfielder.
Although Mourinho is very fond of the iron-blooded defense he has built himself. Confident, thinking that no matter how Leicester City attacks, they will not be able to shake the goal guarded by Schwarzer.
However, he still underestimated Mahrez’s foot skills.
At the eighteenth minute of the game, Mahrez once again got a chance to connect with Ashley on the wing. Cole's chance to challenge.
"Again?!"
After several singles duels failed, Mahrez gradually became familiar with Ashley Cole's defensive moves and habits.
This time, he was very smart and did not take the lead in making a breakthrough. Instead, he dribbled the ball forward with small steps and stepped on his bicycle twice from time to time.
After the continuous rhythm changes, he suddenly stopped.
The next second, he kicked his heel and knocked the ball directly to Ling Feng, who came up from behind to receive the ball!
The moment the ball was passed, Mahrez suddenly ran away from Ashley Cole.
The moment he passed by Ashley Cole, who looked stunned, Mahrez gave him a look.
That look in his eyes seemed to be saying to him: "You're stupid, I can't beat you this time!"
Facing the incoming ball, Ling Feng simply rubbed his feet and knocked the ball away. The ball went over Ashley Cole's head.
With just a simple one-two, Mahrez passed Ashley Cole, who had repeatedly frustrated him before, for the first time!
However, the defensive awareness of the top full-back made Ashley Cole immediately turn around and make the decision to make up for the situation:
He directly reached out and grabbed the hem of Mahrez's jersey and pulled hard!
With a scream of "ah", Mahrez, who was running, fell directly to the ground.
The referee's sharp whistle sounded again!
(End of this chapter)