Who made him play as a winger/attacking midfielder?

Chapter 112: Crowned King of Through Passes?

The 26th round of the 2017-2018 Serie A season has concluded.

Roma have 23 wins and 3 draws, accumulating 72 points.

They are the only team in Europe's top five leagues to remain undefeated and are currently leading the league.

Juventus and Napoli have the same record: 21 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 66 points.

Juventus scored more goals against weaker teams, giving them a 6-goal advantage over Napoli and placing them second.

Fourth-placed Lazio secured their second consecutive victory, but their previous three-game losing streak widened the gap in points.

The points standings show a significant gap.

16 wins, 4 draw, 6 loss, 52 points.

They are 14 points behind Juventus and Napoli.

The more points they have behind their city rivals Roma, the more points they will accumulate.

A full 20 points!

Inter Milan, currently in fifth place, has not been performing well recently, with too many draws, accumulating 51 points with 14 wins, 9 draws, and 3 losses.

Starting with Sampdoria in sixth place, the points gap widened again.

They are trailing Inter Milan by as many as 7 points.

The relegation situation is also a focus of attention for the Italian media.

Benevento, the bottom-ranked team, has only managed 10 points in 26 league matches, firmly holding onto the bottom spot.

Verona is second to last with 19 points, while SPAL is third to last with 20 points.

Based on the current points standings, Cagliari, currently ranked 14th, faces the risk of relegation.

However, with 12 rounds left in the league, anything is possible.

Whether it's competing for European qualification spots or fighting to avoid relegation, every player has to give their all.

Roma, having secured a home victory against Milan, quickly began preparations for their next match.

The second leg of the Italian Cup semi-final and the six-pointer at the Stadio San Paolo!

Having defeated Atalanta 1-0 in the first leg at the Blue Arena, there is some room for maneuver in the second leg at home.

The only problem is that playing two games a week in a row places very demanding physical demands on the core players.

Facing pressure from both Juventus and Napoli in the league, the whole team is fighting with their backs against the wall.

Head coach Di Francesco can see the specific situation of the team.

But he had no choice; the team didn't have the funds to make signings during the winter transfer window and could only rely on the players from the first half of the season to grit their teeth and persevere.

Constantly motivate the players and instill in them the idea that perseverance leads to victory.

Preparing for the battle is like walking on thin ice.

They were worried that relatively fatigued players might get injured.

The gap in ability between the starters and the substitutes is really quite large.

Even the slightest problem could undo all the hard work of the entire season.

Veteran players like De Rossi, Dzeko, Strootman, and Florenzi also played a role in boosting morale, ensuring a harmonious, honeymoon-like atmosphere in the locker room.

The protection of Chang Huan was taken to an extreme.

The coaching staff and players are well aware that Chang Huan deserves the most credit for the team's success this season, including leading the league, reaching the semi-finals of the Italian Cup, and finishing first in the Champions League.

The training atmosphere at the Trigoria training base is being fostered well.

Every player trained with a smile, giving the impression that they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Against this backdrop, Roma will host Atalanta at home.

As of the 26th round of the league, Atalanta has only accumulated 38 points, ranking eighth, six points behind AC Milan.

That is why Atalanta can only pin their hopes of advancing to European competition on the Italian Cup!

Unfortunately, they performed poorly at home in the first leg, losing 0-1 to Roma.

With their backs against the wall, Atalanta, playing away at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, launched a high-scoring attack.

Quickly pass the ball around the encirclement, fully utilizing the strong attacking capabilities of the wingers to bring the battle to Roma's defensive third.

Spinazzola, who has returned from injury, performed particularly well on the left flank.

Strong ability to break through defenses and accurate passing.

Alejandro Gomez, last season's Serie A assist leader, is in good form, orchestrating the entire team's offense perfectly.

If it weren't for Norwegian striker Cornelius's poor shooting skills, Atalanta could have easily taken the lead.

"Hey~ Focus, don't give them another chance!"

After this dangerous situation in front of the goal, Di Francisco shouted a reminder to the players on the field from the sidelines.

The balance of power has shifted again.

Atalanta quickly launched the ball out from their own half, attempting to replicate their lightning-fast attack at the start of the game.

but----

Rome didn't give them a chance.

Starting with Dzeko, Perotti, Nainggolan, and Chang Huan pressed forward in succession, launching a highly aggressive high-pressing attack.

The ball was passed to Spinazzola on the left wing, and Florenzi headed it up very quickly.

Even after the ball was passed out, he pretended to rear-end his national team teammate.

The whistle blew.

Atalanta are awarded a free kick at the intersection of the center line and the left touchline.

The home fans booed the referee, whom they believed was "biased."

Perhaps due to the pressure of playing at home, Florenzi, who was very remorseful, did not even receive a verbal warning.

Roma's high pressing and fouls disrupted Atalanta's rhythm, but they gradually found their own again.

The situation on the field has changed dramatically!

After organizing the attack, Chang Huan, who has been given absolute shooting rights, will move to the most comfortable right-center area of ​​the frontcourt.

Florenzi will immediately make a run down the wing to draw the defender's attention.

The away team players knew what Chang Huan was going to do.

But—it couldn't be stopped!

Whenever Chang Huan receives the ball in his familiar area, many home fans in the stands will instinctively stand up.

They craned their necks, their eyes glued to the screen, afraid of missing a single exciting moment.

21 minutes.

Rome's attack extended to the left flank, and then passed to Chang Huan on the right flank via Nainggolan.

Spinazzola and De Roon got into position.

One is to prevent outside scoring, and the other is to prevent inside cutting.

Cristante, who came over to help defend, noticed Florenzi making a high-speed run along the sideline and abandoned the double-team to avoid being caught off guard by Chang Huan's pass.

While the choice was correct, Chang Huan was able to make the most advantageous choice for his side's attack based on the real-time situation.

Nainggolan made a run down the middle, while the other defensive midfielder, Freuler, moved back towards the center.

Dzeko, positioned at the edge of the penalty area, stopped the central defender Caldara as he ran into the box. Left center-back Masciello pushed forward as Freuler tucked inside, preventing Chang Huan from breaking through unmarked.

Just then.

Perotti, partnering with Dzeko as a striker, started diagonally from the left edge of the penalty area, accelerating from behind Dzeko!

Chang Huan, who had blocked the inside cut, swung his left foot from the right side.

Use your calves to generate power.

The instep strikes the lower middle part of the football quickly.

De Roon and Spinazzola never expected Chang Huan to pass the ball between them; by the time they saw it and stretched out their legs, it was too late.

The high-speed rolling football visibly crossed the right side of the penalty area line and rolled towards the right flank of the penalty area.

The live broadcast director switched the camera to show the entire Atlanta penalty area.

"Chang Huan's penetrating through balls are exactly the same as Diego Perotti's running style!"

Sky Sports Italy commentator Fabio Carreza raised his voice eight octaves: "Etrite Berisha has rushed out of his goal!"

"Awooooo"

The home fans at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome instinctively let out a burst of excited cheers.

Atalanta's central defender, Caldara, abandoned his marking of Dzeko and ran towards where the ball was going to land.

Gasperini, standing in the away team's coaching area, raised his hands naturally, covering his white hair with his palms, his mouth open in an "o" shape, his face showing an expression of disbelief.

Just a second ago, he was quite satisfied with the defensive player's positioning.

It was pierced through in the next second!

What's going on?

Perotti, sprinting at full speed, adjusted his footing, glanced at goalkeeper Berisha as he came out, and then met the ball with his right foot to shoot!

The instep of the foot sends the ball toward the far corner.

Berisha instinctively stretched out his right foot to block the ball, but the speed was half a beat too slow.

All he could do was turn his head and watch the football, close to the ground, glide past the inside of the far post and roll across the goal line.

"gooooooooooal"

The commentator in the live commentary booth drew out his voice.

Every home fan unleashed their passion, completely igniting a frenzied home atmosphere.

Roma are leading by two goals on aggregate!

Gasperini had no way out; he demanded that his players continue to attack and try to equalize the score in the shortest possible time.

If we can secure an away goal, we'll have a real chance of advancing to the final.

Di Francisco would never give them a chance.

Before the game restarted, he called Chang Huan, who was running back, to the sidelines: "Atalanta will definitely increase their attacking intensity. It's hard to defend if we just stick to our defense. We have to capitalize on their passing mistakes and make a successful transition."

At the end, his voice rose several octaves: "Kill the game!"

"OK!"

Chang Huan nodded solemnly, turned around and ran back to the court, making a gesture that only his teammates could understand.

Trailing by two goals on aggregate, Atalanta pushed their formation forward, with their center-backs pushing past the midfield.

Both wing-backs, Spinazzola and Hateboer, are almost being used as wingers.

Roma first established a solid defensive line with a low press, and when Atalanta attacked down the flanks and passed the ball back, they decisively bared their fangs and pressed forward!

Apply overall pressure throughout the midfield and forward area.

Atalanta played it safe with their passing, avoiding blindly passing the ball into the middle.

The insurance policy keeps falling back, all the way to the goalkeeper.

Possession changed hands, but they didn't retreat to their own half.

Instead, they launched a high-pressing attack, demonstrating a strong desire to attack.

Roma has never been afraid of Serie A-level pressing, and their quick passing broke the encirclement of the ball.

At this point, Atalanta would decisively commit a foul, even at the cost of a yellow card.

In high-level matches, time often flies by, and before you know it, the first half is coming to an end.

Atlanta's troops, having gained possession of the ball, pressed forward.

"Boos erupted from the home crowd as they tried to distract Cristante as he received the ball."

He passed the ball to Spinazzola, who was pressing forward on the left.

Facing Florenzi, he turned his right foot and did a stepover, then flicked the ball down the wing with the outside of his left foot.

He used his explosive power to get past the defense, and his left-footed cross was very fast.

The football soared into the air and flew towards the penalty area.

Manolas headed the ball away at the near post, but De Rossi, outside the left side of the penalty area, volleyed it over ten meters away.

The Atlanta players, transitioning from offense to defense, were somewhat slow to react due to the effects of fatigue.

Chang Huan made a clean turn with the ball on the right flank.

De Roon, who was carrying a yellow card, did not dare to go forward and instead adopted a strategy of fighting and retreating.

Chang Huan was able to dribble the ball and advance it quickly towards the center for nearly ten meters.

The three center-backs quickly retreated after Dzeko turned around.

Perotti accelerated along the right flank and then cut diagonally across the center line.

Atalanta's retreating left center-back Masciello anticipated the move and positioned himself on the outside to block the passing lane.

But—it was still a step too late.

De Rooney's failure to apply immediate pressure gave Chang Huan ample room to adjust. About five meters from the center line, he lifted his left foot and delivered a low, through ball with considerable lead.

Atalanta coach Gasperini watched the through ball that had broken through the defense and his heart skipped a beat.

He knew—

We're doomed!

But—there was still a sliver of hope in my heart.

What if the one-on-one attack misses?

Once Perotti had regained his speed, he overtook Masciello and crossed the penalty area line.

"Beautiful through ball!"

"Diego Perotti has outpaced Andrea Masiello!"

"Only Etritte-Berisha remains ahead!"

Fabio Carreza, a commentator for Sky Sports Italy, is known for his eloquent and sometimes witty remarks.

"Wow, Chang Huan's through ball has once again pierced Atalanta's entire defense!"

PP Sports commentator Shi Qingsheng was full of passion and enthusiasm.

Perotti caught up with the ball, which had rolled to the right side of the penalty area and slowed down considerably. He adjusted his footing and unleashed a powerful shot from about two meters in front of the right side of the six-yard box.

Berisha was caught off guard.

The powerful football flew straight into the top corner of the far goal with unstoppable force.

"goooooooooooal"

The commentators on the live commentary panel all made a drawn-out sound in unison.

The entire Stadio Olimpico in Rome erupted once again, with passionate Roma fans creating a deafening roar.

Perotti, who had scored two goals, turned around excitedly and opened his arms to Chang Huan, who was running towards him: "Your pass was amazing!"

"Hey~ It's mainly because you have good positioning and a good feel for shooting in front of the goal."

Chang Huan put his arm around Perotti's shoulder.

Other teammates also ran over to celebrate the goal that extended the lead.

The home team's score became 2-0, and the aggregate score was 3-0.

Gasperini felt the overwhelming fervor and involuntarily closed his eyes.

He knew—

The Italian Cup final is over!

Di Francisco, who was not far away, was overjoyed and raised his arms in celebration.

[Kevin De Bruyne?]

Our everyday through balls are already incredibly effective; just look at our number of assists!

I would call him the King of Through Balls!

Fans watching the live broadcast of the match were active on social media platforms, praising Chang Huan's through ball.

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