NABC Chapter 25: A heroic performance that stepped up!
Chapter 25: A heroic performance that stepped up!
Dzeko's rebound shot came too late.
Roma ultimately lost 1-2 to Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, suffering their first preseason defeat of the 2017-2018 season.
Head coach Di Francesco was not surprised.
This match was Sevilla's last warm-up game before the Champions League play-offs, and their form was far superior to that of their International Champions Cup opponents, displaying extremely high aggression on both ends of the pitch.
In addition, the essence of warm-up matches is to identify and solve problems.
Through the ninety-minute match, he gained a new understanding of the abilities, condition, characteristics, and weaknesses of all the team members.
The following morning.
The team used the Seville training base to resume training, preparing for a friendly match against Celta Vigo at Balaídos Stadium three days later.
This is also Roma's last match before the first round of the new Serie A season!
Di Francisco's training intensity has decreased, but the quality of training remains high.
Tactical integration with the main players as the core and the substitutes as the support.
The coaching staff has high hopes for Chang Huan's potential.
Although he is the youngest in the first team, his talent and ability are among the best in the team.
Adhering to the principle that with great ability comes great responsibility, the coaching staff and even the Roma management have high hopes for Chang Huan's future.
If they can grow rapidly in the next season, they are very likely to break even before the summer transfer window closes next year!
"Mr. Monchi, from a technical point of view, there is still a lot of room for improvement in the internal cutting technique."
Di Francisco turned to look at Monchi.
"you mean?"
"Hire a top-tier incisor personal trainer to create a customized improvement plan."
After a moment's thought, Monchi nodded: "OK."
It's normal for professional football clubs to hire private coaches to improve their players' abilities, and the prices aren't high in the industry. The key question is whether it's a worthwhile investment.
Without a doubt, Chang Huan is absolutely worth it!
They performed well in attack, but were weak in directly threatening the goal.
Once a player develops the ability to cut inside and shoot from long range, their market value will inevitably increase further!
Monchi acted swiftly, immediately using his personal connections to find a suitable top European incisor trainer.
……
Roma's loss to Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium was sharply criticized by the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, which commented that Roma faces a tough challenge in the new season, struggling to break even and with the departure of striker Mohamed Salah having a significant impact.
The headline on Forza, the most influential and widely read portal for Roma fans, is optimistic: While both attack and defense have declined compared to last season,... the newcomers might bring us unexpected surprises!
The local football media outlet GR also gave it high praise: The growth process is bound to have its thorns, but overall the gains are greater, and the new season is definitely worth looking forward to. 17-year-old Chang is the team's biggest discovery this summer.
……
After resting in Rome for two days, they took a bus to Vigo.
Passing through Mérida, Salamanca, and near the Portuguese border...
After a seven-hour drive, we finally arrived at the seaside hotel in Vigo at 3:30 p.m.
Wow~
El Shaarawy's spirits lifted as he stood before the hotel lobby's enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, the fatigue of his long bus journey vanishing instantly. He whistled, "Lorenzo, Rico, Patrick, look!"
"Huh? Aren't you going to call me to look?"
Chang Huan, who was playing on her phone, couldn't help but look up and curiously lean over.
"Minors are not allowed to watch this."
Lorenzo Pellegrini reached out to block.
Chang Huan slumped his shoulders and swayed slightly, his gaze passing through the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
About 100 meters from the private beach area of the sea-view hotel, several graceful women, some without armor and others in bikinis, wearing sunglasses, were enjoying sunbathing in the sunlight...
Chang Huan exclaimed indignantly, "Damn it, next time you absolutely must let me know immediately if something like this happens!"
Assistant coach Tome saw the players huddled together looking at pretty girls, and his brow furrowed instantly: "Guys! Gather together! Get your room keys!"
"The weather is really nice today."
"Yes, the sun is shining brightly."
"I'll come to Vigo for my next vacation."
"Together, together."
The players dispersed in a panic.
One day later.
Local time 7:30 p.m. on August 13.
Balados Stadium.
Celta Vigo vs Roma
Compared to three days ago, Roma fielded a large number of substitutes for this match.
Chang Huan, who had been a substitute in five consecutive warm-up matches, was given the opportunity to start.
Chinese fans watching the live stream through unknown links are filled with anticipation.
However, Roma's starting lineup consisted of too many substitutes and fringe players, making them significantly weaker than Celta Vigo, whose squad was almost entirely composed of starters.
Playing away from home again, Chang Huan didn't have many decent opportunities to get the ball in the early stages.
But once the ball reaches his feet, Roma's attack becomes threatening.
Celta Vigo coach Juan Unzue made a decisive move, intensifying his high press to limit Roma's attack at its source.
Roma's starting lineup, primarily composed of substitutes, mainly consists of key players in the midfield and defense.
These players have good mental fortitude and were able to calmly and strictly execute the tactics devised by Di Francisco in the face of the home team's high-pressure defense.
Apart from Chang Huan, who was able to hold onto the ball, the other midfielders and forwards, such as Gonalons, Defrel, Schick, Gerson, and El Shaarawy, struggled to keep up.
The midfield and forward lines failed to pose a threat to Celta Vigo's defense, and the pressure on the defensive line gradually increased.
Celta Vigo's two full-backs pushed forward very far, almost acting as wingers.
16 minutes.
Right-back Hone Castro received the ball and broke into the penalty area, where he was inadvertently fouled by Juan Jesus who was covering for him.
The referee decisively awarded a penalty.
The home fans cheered wildly.
In the frenzied atmosphere, Aspas scored the penalty.
Celta Vigo, leading in the score, continued to apply pressure amid the chants of their home fans.
It was only five minutes after the first goal was scored.
Sisto received the ball on the left edge of the penalty area, cut inside and curled a shot, the ball deflected off Gerson's leg and into the net.
The home team leads 2-0!
The entire stadium became a sea of joy for Celta Vigo fans.
The cheers came in waves.
The die-hard fans were shirtless, spouting passionate words.
The Roma players looked somewhat bewildered after conceding two goals.
Head coach Di Francesco came to the sidelines and pressed his raised hands down repeatedly.
It means to stay calm.
The game has restarted.
Chang Huan increased his running range, playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses.
Using unpredictable runs to get rid of defenders, he tirelessly runs and connects attacks with a series of one-touch passes.
Two minutes after conceding the goal.
He moved forward to the right flank of the attack and received a forward pass from El Shaarawy.
The continuous frying of meatballs achieves a silky smooth breakthrough.
The center-back Cabral, who came to cover, had no other options.
foul!
El Shaarawy feinted, and Chang Huan delivered a high-quality, curving free kick with his left foot to the far post.
Fazio, who had moved forward to the left edge of the six-yard box, headed the ball across to the center.
His center-back partner, Juan Jesus, headed the ball in.
The football, its trajectory altered, arced around goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez's save area and nestled into the snow-white net...
With the score narrowed to one goal, Roma's morale soared.
A unified high-pressing strategy forced the home team to increase their passing speed!
La Liga teams are known for their technical skill, but in the face of constant pressure and rapid passing, mistakes are inevitable.
Juan Jesus made a precise anticipation and moved ahead to intercept the through ball that was passed to Aspas.
Gerson handled the ball very simply, completing the transition quickly.
Chang Huan quickly advanced the ball across the center line.
Facing the pressing player Was, he swiftly flicked the ball to the left with the outside of his left foot.
Create an opening and quickly connect with a long pass.
The football soared into the air and flew towards Celta Vigo's weak side.
After completing the pass, Chang Huan sprints in a straight line, acting as a long-range receiving point.
El Shaarawy, sprinting at high speed down the left flank, appeared at the perfect point of a long pass.
Stop and go.
He glanced out of the corner of his eye and noticed the opposing center-back coming to cover. He quickly took two steps and, about 20 meters from the byline on the left flank, swung his left foot to cross the ball!
Fontas stretched out his foot to block the near post but missed the ball, and Schick and Castro, who stepped into the penalty area, were entangled but also missed the ball.
The football slipped past.
Goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez turned to look as the ball moved.
You wouldn't have known if you hadn't looked, but what you saw shocked you!
Roma player Chang Huan was often unmarked!
He instinctively abandoned the gate and attacked!
The home fans in the stands instinctively booed loudly, trying to distract Chang Huan.
Chang Huan, who ran to the passing lane, remained calm and unaffected by external influences.
He fully learned from his mistake of missing a shot against the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation during the International Champions Cup, and used the outside of his left foot to stop the ball sideways inward.
Step forward with your right foot to support your body, and swing your left leg into a striking stance.
Di Francisco couldn't help but think of Chang Huan's terrible shooting skills in front of goal, and almost blurted out: Calm down!
Sergio Alvarez instinctively lunged to his right like a tiger pouncing on its prey to make a save.
The main focus is on creating a powerful atmosphere!
Chang Huan feinted a shot with his left foot, then followed up with a forward push with the instep of his right foot.
Fried meatballs!
He dodged Sergio Alvarez's lunge towards the far end and caught up with the ball in two quick strides.
Adjust to your left foot, shift your weight to the right, and push the ball towards the unguarded goal with the instep of your foot.
The player had just fallen to the ground when the soccer ball crossed the goal line...
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