Master Tutoring Class

Chapter 234 Chain of Thought
"Spread out some distance between the two sides!"

Musar gave a loud command and immediately moved closer to Wei Lai, his body positioned to the side, fully opening up his stance.

"One! Two!"

Wei Lai immediately passed the ball over and then ran forward into the open space.

During this time, Wei Lai saw someone approaching next to Musar.

"Danger!"

Wei Lai immediately spoke up to remind him.

But Musar remained remarkably calm. He gently flicked the ball with the instep of his foot, as if he had anticipated the opponent's footwork, and through an almost impenetrable gap, he completed a nutmeg pass.

"Fuck!"

Wei Lai couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

He chased after the ball and then passed it to the side again.

But the ball was cleared out of bounds by the opponent.

Taking advantage of this break, Musar found Wei Lai.

"It can be passed straight through! You see!"

Musar stared at Wei Lai, who scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "I'm afraid I won't be able to squeeze it in!"

Musar smiled and said, "Believe in yourself, be willing to take responsibility, and not only pass safe balls, but also pass threatening balls!"

"Keep coming!"

Musar retreated some distance again.

Musar is a traditional Italian deep-lying attacking midfielder, meaning he plays a style of play where he drops back to organize the attack.

Moreover, Musar is too steady. His movements are not fancy, but they can make the opponent chase back and forth in a flustered manner, but they can't touch the ball.

This steady approach quickly spread throughout the venue, continuously organizing and connecting various parts of the event.

Then Wei Lai started passing the ball to him frequently, as if there was some inexplicable attraction that made him do so.

Under Musar's passing, the rhythm was well-organized, and the offense and defense were clearly layered.

As the ball was being passed around, a sudden lob pass was made.

With a very simple change in rhythm, he immediately found Conrad Lehmann ahead.

Konrad Lechmann chested the ball down, and just as it hit the ground, he flicked his ankle and fired a close-range shot into the far corner, scoring the goal.

"Pretty!"

Konrad Lehmann immediately exclaimed in praise.

The change in pace was sudden, catching the opponent off guard.

Throughout the entire operation, Musar maintained stable control of the situation.

He doesn't pass the ball forward as frequently as Wei Lai, but he gradually draws the opponent in by switching the ball to the left and right sides.

Wei understands this very well.

"how did you do it?"

Wei Lai was puzzled, but he wasn't the type to keep things bottled up; if he had a question, he would ask it directly.

"Want to learn?" Musar asked with a smile.

Wei Lai immediately nodded.

Musar smiled and said, "Actually, you can do that too, and you might even do it better with your guiding passes, but you're too focused on your own running and neglect your teammates."

He extended his index finger and said slowly:
"The key is not how many meters you run, but how many 'effective' distances you get the whole team to run."

"It's not about how many people you get past, but about how your pass gets past the entire opposing defense."

The match started quickly, and Musar laughed, "Let's finish the match first!"

Wei Lai immediately nodded.

The match continued, and Wei Lai observed the field while also keeping an eye on Musar.

It must be said that he and Mussal are very similar in style. Neither of them are the type of midfielders who rely on technique and dribbling, but rather guide the team through passing.

The difference is that Musar has the skills, but he's too lazy to use them; he believes passing is more efficient.

Wei Lai tried to dribble past his opponent, but his technical limitations prevented him from making an effective pass.

"How much 'effective' distance did your teammates run!"

In fact, this statement is similar to the guiding pass of Coach Xavi.

The difference is that Coach Xavi's teaching method involves more of simulating teammates on the field.

Musar, on the other hand, was able to personally experience what 'effective running' means through his real-life teammates.

"Such precise positioning!"

Wei Lai took a moment to look at Musar again; he was standing in the area to the left of the center circle.

He is here, providing lateral interference and close-quarters support.

This means that, despite not being particularly strong, he can always provide defensive value to the team.

Once he took control of the ball, he immediately switched into commander mode.

Coach Xavi once said that in a 90-minute match, the highlight moments of scoring goals often make up only a small portion.

The game was mostly connected by a series of ordinary passes.

These seemingly ordinary interactions are the foundation for creating memorable moments.

Musar explained to Wei Lai, in the most personal and firsthand way, how these things should be carried out.

boom!
Wei Lai received the ball in the middle forward position, with no defenders around him.

Wei Lai was certain that Musar wouldn't make a guiding pass, but he did create the situation in his own way.

Same way!
Skills are the foundation for reaching your destination.

And they are all doing the same thing.

The key is how to achieve this situation more effectively and intuitively.

Wei Lai pulled the ball back and turned, advancing forward with great strides under no defensive pressure.

When he reached the penalty area, the opposing team had no choice but to send out a defender to follow up.

At this point, Wei Lai only needs to send the ball into the open space on the right.

boom!
A diagonal pass found Robinson, who immediately followed up and slotted the ball into the net.

Swish!
The ball goes into the net!

Standing on the court, Wei Lai had a different feeling.

"Change teams!"

Pessan immediately called for a team swap to start a scrimmage.

Wei Lai also approached Musar immediately after leaving the field.

The game is over!

Wei Lai looked at Musar with bright, piercing eyes.

The latter held the water bottle and looked into those sparkling eyes. The boy's eyes were pure and filled with a desire to explore.

"Come on! Sit down!"

Musar patted the spot next to him.

Wei Lai immediately sat down.

Musar handed over the water bottle.

"Drink?"

"I'm not thirsty!" Wei Lai shook his head.

Looking at the boy's eager, inquisitive face, Musar couldn't help but smile and said:

"I'm so glad to see that you have such a passion for football and such a longing for the midfield! It reminds me of my younger self."

"The midfield is the heart and brain of the stadium. It is not always the place where the stars shine the brightest, but it is definitely the core that determines the course of the game."

Musar smiled and said, "As a 'veteran sailor' who has experienced countless battles, I would like to share some insights on how to navigate this sea."

Wei Lai immediately nodded vigorously.

Musar smiled and said, "Remember, the ultimate goal for a midfielder is to become the 'director' of the game."

"Director?" Wei Lai blinked.

It seems that Coach Xavi also said something similar.

"Yes! In fact, your skills already exhibit these characteristics. I don't know how you learned them, but you're doing really well."

Wei Lai scratched his head and said modestly, "I have mastered these skills, but I can't use them flexibly!"

Snapped!
Musar snapped his fingers and laughed, “Having a clear understanding of oneself is a good start, so the old man called me over.”

He patted Wei Lai on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to take your place, I'm here to teach you how to play well."

Wei Lai stared blankly at Musar.

"Are you here to teach me how to play football?"

“Of course!” Mussal shrugged. “Do you think Atlético Amsterdam would be interested in a 34-year-old veteran?”

Wei Lai scratched his head awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

"First, let's start with the first part: let your feet be filled with wisdom!"

"The golden rule is to observe before receiving the ball. Before the ball is passed to you, your head should scan the entire field like a radar, observing the positions of the opponents, the running of your teammates, and the goalkeeper's positioning. A bad catch can ruin an attacking opportunity."

"Opening your body and receiving the ball sideways is always better than facing it head-on. This allows you to see what's behind you before you receive the ball, giving you valuable time and space for your next move."

"The direction of your touch is not just about stopping the ball at your feet. With your first touch, 'carry' the ball in the direction you want it to go, avoiding gaps in the defense, or directly connecting to your next pass or shot. This is called a 'problem-solving touch'."

Wei Lai nodded immediately; these were the key points he had learned in the simulated space.

Hair dryer coach, Beckham coach, and Xavi coach—they all made themselves do it this way.

But they never connected these things. That's why, when he heard Mussal's explanation, he had a very systematic sense of order.

Those chaotic skills seem to be slowly assembling into inexplicable chains of thought.

Seeing that Wei Lai was deep in thought, Musar did not continue speaking.

In fact, as he said, Wei Lai already possesses these skills; what he lacks is experience and the right mindset.

After a long while, Wei Lai finally looked up, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes, and said:

"and then?"

Musar took a sip of water and continued:

"Your pass, your weapon!"

"Passing the ball is not just about passing it to a teammate. You have to pass it to their dominant foot, to a position where they can comfortably handle it, and the force has to be just right. Too light and it will be intercepted, too heavy and it will be difficult to control."

"The best passing is about to reach the space your teammate is about to get into, not where they are currently. This requires you to anticipate your teammate's movement or direct them."

After a pause, Musar pursed his lips and said:

"Of course, your guiding passes are also very impressive, using them to guide teammates and create entirely new spaces, but both of them share a key element, which is..."

Wei Lai answered quickly: "Lead the way!"

“That’s right!” Musar smiled. Indeed, smart students are easy to teach.

"Three options for passing the ball?"

Wei Lai: "Safety ball, penetration ball, transfer ball!"

Musar nodded in satisfaction: "You should have a great coach, and he should be an excellent midfielder."

Wei Lai blinked.

"Yes! They are all very capable."

they?

Musar paused for a moment, but didn't delve into it, and continued:
"And then there's vision and observation, like an eagle surveying the entire field."

"These are some of the things you're currently lacking. You've observed enough times, but the quality of your observations isn't good enough. Broaden your horizons; don't limit yourself to distant or nearby points, but take a holistic view."

Wei Lai: "This is difficult!"

Musar: "Yes, but you can do it, you already have the qualifications."

"Observe behind your shoulder and develop the habit of frequently looking back before receiving the ball, constantly sketching a clear 'map of the court' in your mind."

"Scan the pitch, remember! Observation without the ball is key. Great midfield commanders do 90% of their job by observing while running off the ball."

Musar shifted his position to make himself more comfortable, and shook the empty water bottle.

Wei Lai was very perceptive and immediately ran over to get a brand new water bottle and handed it over.

"Thank you!"

Musar cleared his throat and continued;

"Part Two: Playing Football with Your Brain!"

He pointed to his head.

"Control the rhythm of the game and make you the conductor of the band."

"Your job is to act as a metronome; you should know when to speed up and when to slow down!"

Wei Lai immediately nodded and said:
"When the opponent's formation is loose, there are gaps behind the defense, or when we are counter-attacking, we should use quick, continuous passes and through balls to accelerate the pace instantly."

"When the team is in the lead, it needs to control the game; when the opponent is pressing hard, it needs to catch its breath; when it needs to reorganize the attack, it needs to slow down the pace by passing back and sideways, allowing the ball and players to 'take a breath'."

Musar nodded with a smile:

"Understanding slowness is for the sake of achieving greater speed!"

"Positioning sense, positioning during transitions between offense and defense, immediately engaging in counter-pressing after losing possession, and choosing between close marking or occupying a position to compress space, depending on the situation."

"Whether in attack or in possession, it is essential to maintain a triangular formation to provide teammates with more passing options and make the team's passing and possession system difficult to disrupt."

"Coverage and protection: understand your role in the defensive system, whether it's man-marking or protecting a zone, and maintain communication with your defensive midfield partner and center-backs to cover for each other!"

He pointed to his head again:
"Decisiveness! To pass or dribble? To shoot or control? This comes from your daily observation and training accumulation."

"Don't choose complicated methods just to show off your skills. Under pressure, a clear pass back is far more masterful than a risky dribble!"

"The simplest choice is often the most correct one!"

Musar stretched.

"Finally, there's mindset, which is also a key thing you need to constantly practice."

"Responsibility and commitment are essential for midfielders. They must have the courage to 'follow my lead.' When things are going well, you are the engine. When things are going badly, you must be the first to step up, receive the ball, and encourage your teammates. Don't be afraid of making mistakes; dare to ask for the ball, dare to take responsibility, and dare to take over the game!"

"Stay calm and patient. You'll be heavily marked and fouled. In these situations, stay calm and respond with passes and goals, not emotions. A game is a 90-minute marathon. Patiently look for opportunities and strike decisively!"

"Communication is the bridge. Use your voice to direct the defense, remind your teammates, and encourage the whole team. A silent midfielder cannot effectively organize offense and defense!"

Musar blinked and pointed to his mouth.

"Open it! Let's communicate. You've been kicking around like a headless chicken for 20 minutes straight!"

When the pressure comes, Wei Lai becomes mute.

Wei Lai: "You observed me for 20 minutes?"

Mussal: "I will observe everyone!"

Musar provided Wei Lai with a great deal of help.

Through communication and demonstrations in competitions, he constantly showed Wei Lai how to make choices in different situations.

Wei Lai also learned these things very quickly.

He had mastered these skills, but what he lacked was experience and a clear thought process. Therefore, when someone told him in the most intuitive way how to handle different situations, he was like a dried-up sponge, frantically absorbing the experience.

Simulated lessons, Premier League matches.

"Observation during off-the-ball movement."

Wei Lai kept turning his head as he ran, trying to memorize the position of each of his teammates.

"Look down at the stadium like an eagle."

When it came to this step, Wei Lai was a little stumped.

His field of vision was obstructed in some positions, limiting the information he could obtain, and the player positioning diagram he constructed in his mind was also somewhat incomplete.

"Oh shit!"

Wei Lai immediately received the ball, turned around and passed it back.

"Masterful demeanor!"

Ok?
On the longer side, the hair dryer coach raised an eyebrow slightly and couldn't help but smile; "Not bad! No more blindly passing forward, the pace has slowed down to build up power, only a fist that has been pulled back is more powerful!"

Wei Lai passed the ball around, connecting it with each other step by step.

He was observing, and he was also thinking.

He's no longer the rookie he used to be. He's not only able to integrate into the team, but he can also provide positive value at the right time.

Of course, he doesn't have the courage to take over the game yet.

This is a form of self-awareness.

Musar's attitude was more of an encouragement; if Wei Lai actually followed his advice, he would find that he had made a very foolish choice.

If you're capable enough, then take over the game!
If you lack the ability, then that's just plain clownish behavior!

"Don't rush! Be patient and wait for your opportunity!"

Wei Lai kept passing the ball while also constantly observing the surroundings.

He needs to observe both his teammates and his opponents.

Every individual's positioning, every tactical running route, every confrontation, and every new space created—these are all variables, and they can all be utilized.

"The key is how to effectively achieve the goal!"

boom!
Wei Lai used the instep to push the ball outwards, but instead of moving forward, he deliberately retreated a few steps.

This move prompted the opponent to immediately follow up and defend.

But when this guy ran like that, he created space behind him.

Even though it's just a fleeting moment, it could very well be filled in the next second.

But he has a group of very awesome teammates.

clap clap!

After two passes, he suddenly unleashed a powerful shot.

The ball slammed into the goal like a cannonball.

Ten minutes later, the game ended.

Wei Lai sat on the ground, panting heavily.

He turned to look at the scoreboard.

In 90 minutes, Manchester United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.

"We finally won!"

A smile appeared on Wei Lai's lips.

"What's there to be happy about winning by a mere three points?" the hair dryer coach said coldly as he walked over.

Wei Lai turned his head; "Huh? Three-thirds Alley?"

The hair dryer coach said, "Their home ground is called White Hart Lane, which is known as Manchester United's Three Points Lane. We have only one mission there: win the game and take all three points!"

Wei Lai opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

He felt that the other party was quite strong!
"The next match begins, and the lesson moves into its second phase!" Coach Hair Dryer looked at Wei Lai: "Get ready!"

"There's a second stage?" Wei Lai exclaimed in astonishment. "So, for almost two years, I've been stuck in the first stage?"

The hair dryer coach nodded.

"uh-huh!"

(End of this chapter)