Football: Starting from the Ronaldinho template

Chapter 68 This isn't playing football, it's a performance!
"By the way, last season Xhaka had an average of 7.2 successful long passes per game. In the entire Bundesliga, the only midfielders who were better than him in this respect were Mainz midfielder Geis and Bayern Munich's Xabi Alonso."

On the field, Jankic volleyed the ball to the middle without stopping it, Kramer stopped the ball abruptly to avoid Gustavo, and then passed it directly to Kruse.

This time, Kruse didn't turn around himself, but instead set up the turret for Kramer.

Bang! With a dull thud, the football transformed into a cannonball.

But the next second, Benaglio leaped high and leaned back to knock the ball over the crossbar.

Whoosh! The roles of the two sets of fans in the stands were reversed, and the Borussia Mönchengladbach fans looked at Benaglio in shock.

Does that mean all the top teams in the Bundesliga have excellent goalkeepers?

indeed.

In a league that lasts for 10 months, a good goalkeeper is worth half a team, and his importance is self-evident.

So, is Benaglio good or not?

His save of a penalty against France during the recently concluded World Cup was voted the best save of Day 9.

Later in the knockout stage, when Switzerland faced Argentina, Benaglio made several crucial saves against shots from Rojo, Higuain, Messi, Mascherano, and others, dragging the game into extra time.

If it weren't for Di Maria's performance, scoring a goal before the end of the match...

It's hard to say who will have the last laugh.

The first half ended before we knew it, with both goalkeepers putting on a spectacular performance.

Beep!
Two short whistles sounded, and Qin Ming's eyes swept from Zaka to Sommer, realizing that the two were indeed quite strong.

To break the deadlock, and with Kramer on the sidelines, they need to make breakthroughs on the flanks to tear apart Mönchengladbach's central defense.

This would give De Bruyne room to maneuver, allowing Wolfsburg's attack to be fully revitalized.

After returning to the locker room.

Dieter Blackkins meant something similar: "Qin, your dribbling frequency wasn't high enough in the first half, and you didn't put much pressure on the opponent. In the second half, you need to ask your teammates for the ball more often."

"Also, remember that when Qin gets the ball, the player in the middle needs to receive it in time and protect the space behind him."

The remaining time was left for the players to interact freely.

“Ivan, I think you can try to push into the flanks more often. Long-range attacks will give Mönchengladbach time to rebuild their defense, and we can’t do much in the middle either.”

Qin Ming looked at Perisic.

"Okay, I'll give it a try then."

Perisic didn't feel ashamed to receive advice from the younger Qin Ming.

That's just his personality.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have felt so proud of her father's chicken-raising work when her self-esteem was at its peak as a child.

Later, he even used his wages from playing football in France to help keep his father's chicken farm running.

"Kevin, what are your thoughts?"

Qin Ming was also helpless.

De Bruyne constantly directs his teammates on the field, helping them make the right choices, but off the field he becomes a silent, withdrawn person.

"Okay, don't worry about breaking through. I'll follow up in the mid lane."

De Bruyne's words were very reassuring.

Another conference room.

Xhaka was pointing out Wolfsburg's weaknesses: "Their flanks and the areas where they connect are very weak. We need to stay there as much as possible, draw the defenders over, and create space in the penalty area."

"Also, if there's an opportunity, we can cross the ball, but we need to control the area in front of the penalty box and launch attacks using second balls."

Zaka is not a character with a quirky personality.

He is just as disciplined on and off the field. For example, he gets a haircut every two weeks and his wardrobe contains only jerseys and training clothes.

But he adapted very well to this rigid and monotonous lifestyle.

"Furthermore, I know the opponent's goalkeeper and full-backs very well, so we can focus our attack on the right flank to target them!"

Zaka continued.

Then Favre took over the conversation, saying, "Wolfsburg is currently second in the league, and we are quite far behind them, so we must win this six-point game."

Although there's little difference between second and third place in the league—both qualify directly for next season's Champions League group stage—the Bundesliga has only gone through 12 rounds, and unforeseen events could occur later. Those three small points might then play a crucial role.

"Viewers, welcome back!"

"After a goalless first half, I believe the game will be even more exciting after adjustments!"

"Game start!"

Wolfsburg has possession!

Borussia-Park Stadium.

Borussia Mönchengladbach pressed high up the pitch, assigning players to focus on Qin Ming and De Bruyne to prevent Wolfsburg from launching a quick counter-attack after winning possession.

After being pressed into a tight space, the ball was passed to Naldo's feet, and the Brazilian stopped lingering in his own half and launched a powerful kick.

However, such a long pass was not very effective, as it was easily intercepted by the well-positioned Borussia Mönchengladbach center-back, who headed the ball to Xhaka.

Snap! Xhaka, facing De Bruyne's pressure, decisively passed the ball to Kramer.

Borussia Mönchengladbach switched formations instantly.

After Kramer and Hermann played a one-two, Kramer then made a through pass to the gambling god Kruse.

The latter not only enjoys gambling at the card table, but also has a similar habit on the court, feinting before letting the ball pass him by.

Knoch was caught off guard and didn't have time to react.

"Oh!!!" The Borussia Mönchengladbach fans erupted in cheers as they saw Kruse's agile evasion, as if a goal to break the deadlock was about to be scored.

Kruse turned and quickly chased after the ball, staring at the goal and assuming a shooting stance.

But just before his shoes touched the football...

Rodriguez, disregarding the fact that he was in the penalty area, made a very fierce tackle!

Snap! Kruse's shot was thwarted as he lost his balance and fell inside the penalty area.

The referee made no call.

Because it was a clean tackle.

Benaglio, seeing the ball rolling towards him and Rafael lunging at him, quickly launched a long kick forward.

"It's not about blindly offering help!"

"Left side!"

"Qin Ming!"

The fans in the stadium held their breath, watching the sprinting boy, a huge weight hanging over their hearts.

There's probably no chance.
That long pass was too powerful, and Hermann was chasing back; there seemed to be no way he could save it.

Even if they can be saved, Hermann can easily make the steal.

Borussia Mönchengladbach fans were getting ready to cheer.

Qin Ming on the field didn't know if he had a chance; he only knew that opportunities were created.

Just before the ball went out of bounds, he hooked it back with his left foot, and Hermann rushed in front of him.

What should I do?
Three-dimensional space!

He swung his right foot sharply backward, lifting the falling soccer ball back into the air.

Wolfsburg fans erupted in gasps of surprise.

This isn't playing football, it's a performance!
At this moment, that boundless creativity came to life, turning the football into a rainbow that swept over Hermann!
Tactical mastermind Favre was speechless.

Even though he had watched countless highlights of Qin Ming, there was still a huge gap between the screen and reality.

"Tor!" Dieter Black Gold, standing next to him, wasn't much better off; he would get very excited every time he saw such a scene.

Because that's the beauty of football!
Immediately afterwards, Hermann suddenly turned around, raised his hand to the fourth official, and said, "The ball is out of bounds!"

But they ignored him.

The linesman didn't even raise his flag, what are you yelling for?

(End of this chapter)