Chapter 184 I will score two goals in this game!
Southampton is England’s southern gateway to the world.
The most commendable thing about Southampton is not the beautiful and bustling port, nor the departure point of the Titanic, but the pride of this city - Southampton Football Club!
Southampton has always been famous in England and even throughout European football for cultivating young players.
There have been many outstanding stars who have shined in the Premier League, such as Lallana, Bale, Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw, Ward-Prowse and so on.
However, as a small club, it is difficult for them to retain the outstanding stars produced by their own youth training.
Faced with poaching from wealthy clubs, they can only sell these stars at a good price as much as possible, and then continue to look for high-quality and low-cost substitutes in the transfer market, or directly promote them from the youth team. .
And this is also the way for small and medium-sized clubs to survive and operate!
Since returning to the Premier League with three consecutive jumps in the 11-12 season, this is their third season in the Premier League.
Their own excellent blood-forming ability, coupled with the club's very reasonable operations, allows them to continue to remain competitive in the Premier League.
Even though the "five tiger generals" composed of Lallana, Lambert, Luke Shaw, Lovren, and Chambers were poached last season, and the head coach Pochettino was also poached, almost everyone was criticized. The dismemberment of a wealthy family.
However, they added timely reinforcements in terms of transfer signings, and under the leadership of Koeman, they played beautiful offensive football!
Moreover, their defense is also impregnable.
After ten rounds, the team has conceded the fewest goals in the league, ranking fourth in the league!
It can be said that this is definitely a strong team!
Therefore, when he saw Southampton's starting lineup, Ling Feng couldn't help but sigh in his heart:
This must be a tough battle!
Southampton’s starting goalkeeper is the British substitute goalkeeper, Fraser Forster.
During the national team training, he is responsible for shooting training with the players.
So, Ling Feng knew the strength of this old man very well.
Although not as good as Joe Hart, he is definitely a starter for mid-range teams in the five major leagues.
The four defenders are all familiar Premier League players:
Bertrand, who made his debut in the Champions League final, Portuguese international Fonte, Belgian international Alderweireld, and England's new international player Klein;
In the midfield, French midfielder Schneiderlin is on the left, Northern Ireland international Steve Davis is on the right, and Kenyan midfielder Wanyama is slightly on the right. Late protection;
On the left and right are Mane, one of the future Red Arrows, "Smoky Tai Sui", and Serbian magician Tadic.
The one at the front is the Italian center and Luneng legend Pelle!
Based on the overall strength of this starting lineup in a single round, Southampton is not only stronger than Leicester City, but can definitely rank among the top six in the league!
Perhaps Leicester City's frontcourt is slightly stronger than Southampton's.
However, the strength of the midfield and backfield is quite different.
The former uses offense instead of defense, while the latter uses both offense and defense!
This is also the reason why after ten league rounds, Leicester City conceded 13 goals, while Southampton only conceded five goals.
Of course, there is not much difference in strength between the two sides, they are only between equals.
Judging from the score predictions of football experts before the game and the odds of betting companies, they are all optimistic that Southampton can win.
This season, Leicester City’s away record is not good.
Maybe it conflicts with the word "West". The only two losses were to Chelsea and Swansea away from home!
When away from home, when the opponent occupies the home court advantage and thus controls possession of the ball, Leicester City will fall into a situation of being passively beaten.
Leicester City’s defense is not stable.
Even if you have the ability to counterattack, you often cannot sustain the counterattack, and the defense line will be breached by the opponent.
Since it is impossible to defend, then attack!
This is why Leicester City will adopt high-pressure offensive tactics whether at home or away.
As the saying goes, one should remain unchanged in response to all changes, and conquer the world with one set of tactics!
As for this away game at St. Mary's Stadium, in Pearson's view, if he wants to escape unscathed, he must turn the tables and stick to his offensive football!
“From the first second of the game, we must suppress Southampton!”
“Be more aggressive in the frontcourt and don’t let them easily control the ball and organize the offense.”
However, just as Pearson was giving everyone the pre-game tactical arrangements, another assistant coach, Shakespeare, quickly walked into the locker room and whispered in Pearson's ear.
Then, Pearson frowned, then looked around and said in a deep voice:
"It's raining outside."
"Our tactics need to change a little!"
Rain has an obvious negative impact on football matches.
The grass watered by rain will become silky, the speed of the ball will also increase, and the players' feet will easily slip.
Because the jersey gets wet from the rain and becomes heavier, the player's running ability on the field will be greatly reduced, and the physical energy consumption will be doubled.
If the drainage system of the court is good and there is not much water on the court, you can still play and cooperate.
If there is too much water, it will be a disaster for a team that is good at ground coordination!
This is also why in many classic battles, the team that was originally at a disadvantage would reverse the game because of rain.
Rain is an important factor that affects the direction of the game and the outcome!
"Make more direct passes!"
"Jessie, Riyad, you should make more inverted triangle passes near the edge of the penalty area."
"Ling, don't be polite this time. More long-range shots! ”
On rainy days, long-range shots are a very effective way to score goals!
Because the high-speed moving ball will become silky after being stained with rain, causing unpredictable trajectory changes, and it is also easy for the goalkeeper to make mistakes in saving the ball.
Therefore, every time they encounter a rainy game, both teams will increase the frequency of long-range shots, reduce short-distance passes, and simply and crudely play long passes!
Had it not been for the fact that the handed-in starting lineup could not be changed temporarily, Pearson even planned to replace Lingard and replace him with big center Ulloa as the starter.
In this way, the frontcourt can have a fulcrum to provide teammates with the ball, and the entire offense can be more three-dimensional.
It's a pity that it can't be changed.
Ling Feng, who was taking off his gloves after hearing the coach's instructions, couldn't help but nodded.
Ever since he saw Mahrez wearing gloves as if he was on BUFF, Ling Feng also imitated him in wearing gloves during the game.
Although there is no obvious effect for the time being.
But he really felt that his hands would be warmer and the body heat would not be lost from his hands.
Moreover, when someone knocks you over and you fall to the ground, wearing gloves can also provide a cushion, and it won’t hurt that much.
However, if it rains, wet gloves may become another burden on the body.
That's why he decided to take off his gloves
After laying out the tactics and conducting routine pre-game mobilization, the Blue Fox generals slowly walked out of the visiting team's locker room.
At this time, Lingard, who was walking beside Ling Feng, suddenly asked:
"Ling, I have a hunch that you will score a goal in this game!"
Hearing this, Ling Feng couldn't help but be stunned.
On rainy days, the probability of scoring from a long shot is indeed higher than usual.
In addition, he was given unlimited firing rights by the head coach in this game, which increased his chances of scoring goals.
Thinking of this, Ling Feng made a "yeah" gesture, and then pretended to be serious and said:
"Well, I also have a hunch that I will score two goals in this game!"
After saying that, he couldn't help but smile. After patting Lingard on the shoulder, he stepped forward.
Originally, Ling Feng was just joking with Emperor Lin.
Unexpectedly, the latter took it seriously.
Looking at Ling Feng's back, Lingard's eyes suddenly became firm.
At this moment, Emperor Lin couldn't help but secretly determined that he must pass the ball to Ling Feng more in this game and let him score goals!
To repay him for taking care of me from the first day he rented here!
. . . When players from both sides lined up to enter St. Mary's Stadium, warm cheers suddenly erupted in the stadium.
The drizzle floating in the air cannot extinguish the enthusiasm of the fans!
When Ling Feng raised his head, he felt the raindrops hitting his face, which was a little cold.
The rain is not heavy, just a gentle drizzle.
As we enter November in England, there are fewer and fewer sunny days.
The British have long been used to this.
However, Ling Feng has never tried to play a game when it rains.
So, this will be the first rain fight in his career so far!
After the pre-match ceremony and the referee's whistle, in the eleventh round of the Premier League, the highlight battle between Southampton and Leicester City at home has officially begun!
Southampton's offense mainly relies on the two wings.
Although Mane on the left is not yet the "fiery King Kong and smoky Tai Sui" of the Liverpool era,
but his excellent speed and breakthrough have already begun to emerge.
Driving the ball on the left wing is Southampton’s weapon to get started on the wing!
Although Tadic on the right is not an orthodox wing player, his speed and explosive power are average.
However, his ball protection and passing are both top-notch.
Especially with a wide field of vision, he can always catch his teammates in space and pass the ball out.
In the game where the "Black Cat" Sunderland was slaughtered 8-0, he contributed a hat-trick of assists!
Currently, he also ranks third in the league assist list, second only to Ling Feng, who is far ahead, and Xiaofa, who is second.
The Serbian international is Southampton's source of creativity, comparable to Leicester City's.
Therefore, Pearson also specifically highlighted the importance of Tadic and asked the "physical monster" Schlupp who guarded the left to defend him closely.
Then he asked the experienced Cambiaso to assist in defense, which was bound to lock down Southampton's frontcourt commander!
As for the big center Pellet in front, he is a typical standing center.
As long as Tadic's shots are restricted and he cannot touch the ball, with his speed and running without the ball, there is basically no big threat.
Southampton kicked off first.
As soon as Pellet passed the ball back, midfielder Schneiderlin, who was holding the ball, immediately noticed that the Blue Fox players in blue pounced on him!
In response, he couldn't help but turn around and pass the ball back to central defender Fonte.
The next second, Snedlin felt a breeze blowing beside him, and a blue afterimage ran quickly past him.
And behind the afterimage, there is number seven printed on it!
As the game progressed, Leicester City players became more and more aware of the team's tactics and maintained a very good pressing distance between them.
However, facing the Blue Fox's frontcourt press, the Saints' backcourt players did not panic and passed the ball to the two wings.
At the same time, the two defensive midfielders Wanyama and Snedlin came back to support.
Then, they were surprised to find that at a glance, there were players wearing blue jerseys everywhere!
The Blue Fox's entire formation was extremely advanced.
Even center back Morgan has even reached the center circle!
Seeing this, Southampton coach Koeman on the sidelines couldn't help but frown.
The formation is so high? !
Are they crazy?
Although I have studied the opponent's tactics.
However, he did not expect that Leicester City's frontcourt pressure would be so fierce!
You know, this kind of pressing intensity is extremely energy-consuming.
It is indeed the team with the youngest average age in the league!
After a difficult pass in the backcourt, the ball finally reached the feet of left back Bertrand.
He first glanced at Snedlin, who was passing by to meet him, but found that Andy King was closely followed behind him.
Seeing that Mahrez was approaching, he had no choice but to pass a long ball forward and hit it forward.
At the same time, left winger Mane immediately started to move forward.
Fortunately, right back Danny Simpson was quick and responsive enough to catch up immediately.
Under a wave of body collisions, Simpson took the lead in catching up with the ball, and then passed the ball to center back Morgan.
The captain of the Blue Fox passed the ball directly to Cambiaso.
The latter looked up and glanced forward, then passed the ball directly to Ling Feng, who was in charge, and he organized it.
However, before Ling Feng turned his back to get the ball, Wanyama came up directly behind him and hit it.
The next second, Ling Feng felt a huge force coming from behind and was immediately pushed to the ground.
Beep!
The home whistle sounds!
Wanyama, who committed the foul, did not defend himself. Instead, he gave a thumbs up to the referee and stepped back.
Obviously, this black and hard Kenyan beast waist is the player arranged to target him in this game!
In response, Ling Feng just smiled, patted his butt and stood up.
He has gradually become accustomed to this kind of treatment
However, after the five minutes of testing each other, the rain did not stop.
On the contrary, it gets bigger and bigger!
As the heavy rain poured down, Leicester City took the lead in using simple passes to create a wave of threats:
In the tenth minute of the game, Ling Feng hit the wall with Lingard on the left side of the frontcourt. , the latter received the through ball, dribbled the ball down the wing, and passed directly with his left foot without looking up!
"Lingard!"
"Inverted triangle!"
The ball rolled over on the slightly slippery turf and flew straight to the outside of the penalty area. Ling Feng is in place!
Seeing that there was no one guarding him, Southampton captain Fonte's eyes widened suddenly and he immediately shouted:
"Defensive midfielder!"
"Prevent him from passing the ball!"
Perhaps Ling Feng's passing skills were so good that they ignored a very important thing for a while.
That is:
Ling Feng's long-range shot is also quite threatening!
So, neither of the two central defenders stepped forward to block, but instead prevented him from passing a through ball to Vardy who was diagonally crossing.
Wanyama, who was chasing after him, swooped in at high speed from the left.
However, before receiving the ball, Ling Feng had never thought about passing the ball!
Seeing that no one was blocking in front of him, he did not hesitate at all. He stopped with his right foot and stopped the ball in front of him.
Then he suddenly took a step forward, and before Wanyama landed with a sliding shovel, he kicked up and shot!
(End of this chapter)