RNP Chapter 66 So what if my positioning defense fails? I'll carry from set pieces!
Chapter 66 So what if my positioning defense fails? I'll carry from set pieces!
"Fuck!"
"You're addicted to stringing me along, aren't you?"
Courtois also had a temper. Looking at Chang Huan's regretful face, he spit out his saliva and spat it on the ground in annoyance.
"Chang Huan is truly fearless, like a newborn calf!"
CCTV-5 commentator He Wei laughed and said, "They've found their rhythm! Facing Courtois, they had two direct corner kicks, scoring one goal and having the other brilliantly saved by Courtois."
"Based on his performance in the match, I believe Chang Huan will have even more outstanding moments to come!"
Commentator Xu Yang said in a loud voice.
Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray exclaimed, "This young Liverpool academy product is incredibly daring! He's taking consecutive corner kicks against one of the top three goalkeepers in the world! A truly outstanding performance!"
"This kid is definitely going to be something special!"
His commentary partner, Martin Tyler, said in a clear and loud voice: "In the first eight rounds of Serie A, he had the second most key passes, only behind Neymar, and two more than Kevin De Bruyne, who was in third place."
"He is indeed a promising young player."
Andy Gray then changed the subject: "I wonder if Liverpool regrets selling this rising star, who made his professional debut in the final game of last season's Premier League, for only 100 million euros this summer."
Chang Huan took the corner kick from the left.
The left foot's curve was spinning outwards towards the goal, so Courtois wasn't worried about being lobbed.
However, the corner kick was of high quality, accurately finding Dzeko at the penalty spot after bypassing Chelsea's high point.
Unfortunately, Dzeko failed to get his aim right under pressure from Marcos Alonso and Bakayoko, and the ball went over the crossbar.
Roma, who were in the lead, kept a low profile and filed back into their own half.
Except for a certain point when they collectively pressed high up the pitch at Dzeko's command, they kept a low press throughout, targeting Chelsea's highly threatening flank attacks.
This forces the two wingers to make passes from the weaker side.
Or Fabregas or Bakayoko could take a long-range shot from the midfield area, which is too far from the goal.
Regardless of the attacking tactics employed, it was difficult to threaten Alisson's goalkeeping.
Time ticked by, and the first half of the regular time, 45 minutes, quickly came to an end.
Because the "political discrimination incident" had dragged on for a considerable time, the fourth official held up an electronic sign indicating five minutes of added time.
The Roma players were focused and united.
Chelsea's attack lacked innovation and struggled to break down Roma's relatively solid defense.
Alisson was in superb form, steadily catching the occasional ball flying towards the goal.
As Hazard received the ball on the left flank, cut inside past Gonalons, and unleashed a decisive long-range shot that went over the crossbar, Skomina glanced at the time; exactly five minutes had passed.
Take a deep breath and blow the whistle to end the first half.
The scoreboard displays the score.
1:2
The home team is in front, and the away team is behind.
"First half ends!"
CCTV-5 commentator He Wei exclaimed with excitement: "The away team, Roma, leads Chelsea 2-1 at halftime thanks to a penalty won by Chang Huan and a direct goal from a corner kick!"
The players on both sides displayed completely opposite emotions as they walked toward the players' tunnel; the Roma players were arm in arm, chatting and laughing.
The Chelsea players pursed their lips and lowered their heads, practically running back to the locker room.
All players from both sides entered the player tunnel, and the fans watching the live broadcast were mainly divided into two categories.
First, watch the replay; second, open football or sports-related apps or social media platforms to publish or share your personal insights.
……
"Waaaaahh ...
The Stamford Bridge stadium erupted in boos from the home fans.
This was given to the Roma player who made it onto the pitch at the perfect moment.
The boos continued until the home team's first attack of the second half ended.
Chelsea's backline, trailing behind, orchestrated attacks through Bakayoko and Fabregas, eventually finding Marcos Alonso on the left flank to widen the attacking formation.
Under pressure from both Bruno Pérez and Nainggolan, the cross landed too deep and went directly out of bounds.
Conte stood in the technical area, pressing down repeatedly with both palms.
The players on the field wanted to stay calm, but the Roma defenders pressed them so hard that they had no time to think.
Roma, who were in the lead, played very maturely and handed the initiative to Chelsea.
Hazard is indeed a big threat when he has the ball in the flanks, but it's difficult for him to dribble past several players in a dense defensive zone.
They almost managed to convert their attack into defense against Roma.
Standing in the home team's coaching area, Conte decided to make adjustments to the lineup.
As for who to replace and how to adjust the tactics, he still needs to discuss it with the two assistant coaches.
Ten minutes into the second half, Roma came closer to scoring.
Chang Huan's positioning was uncanny, and his play was intelligent. Kante, who was marked closely throughout the game, became increasingly impatient.
While the marking wasn't effective, it also prevented Chang Huan from directly threatening the goal.
However, his quick passes and long balls always pose a threat to Chelsea's defense.
Bakayoko's blind long-range shot went high and wide, and the referee blew his whistle and turned to face the substitution zone.
Chelsea made the first personnel change.
Pedro↑ Bakayoko ↓
The formation has changed from 3-5-2 to the 3-4-3 formation that was used last season.
The three center-backs, the two wing-backs, the midfield partners, and Morata's position all remain unchanged.
Hazard returned to his familiar left flank, while Pedro played on the right.
This adjustment allowed Chelsea to play better and better.
The home fans unleashed their passion, cheering on their players as they launched an attack.
Di Francisco, standing in the command area, identified the problem and was trying to find a solution...
We've conceded a goal.
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas controlled and turned past Nainggolan, then delivered a right-footed through ball that pierced the central defense, finding Hazard making a run into the middle from the left flank.
Morata's positioning was very clever; he deliberately gave up the middle lane and ran towards the left front flank.
Hazard sped off, drawing the attention of three defenders before passing the ball to the left edge of the penalty area.
Morata controlled the ball with the outside of his right foot, then followed up with a shot.
The ball struck the instep of Fazio's left foot, which he blocked in time, and flew in an irregular arc towards the right side of the penalty area.
That is...
That's right on Hazard's running path!
Kolarov's sidestep and foot extension to block was too late.
Hazard, without controlling the ball, fired a shot with the instep of his right foot, which swiftly flew into the net from near the goal.
2: 2!
Stamford Bridge erupted instantly, with deafening cheers echoing through the air.
Hazard, who scored the goal, ran solemnly into the net, bent down to pick up the ball, and turned to run towards the center circle.
Tie the score...
not enough!
After conceding the goal, Alisson encouraged his teammates: "Everyone played very well, conceding the goal was just an accident."
"That's right!"
Strootman clapped his hands in response to Alisson's words, boosting morale: "Everyone, wake up, defend well, and believe in Edin (Dzeko), Chang Huan, and Diego (Perotti). They will bring us goals."
Head coach Di Francesco had a brief conversation with Tomé and decided it was best not to make any adjustments for the time being.
Coming to Stamford Bridge is all about securing a draw or even winning, so bringing the score back to the same starting line is a good thing.
Chelsea, having equalized, were in high spirits, and the players' enthusiasm soared.
They attempted to force Roma players to make reckless clearances by pressing high up the pitch.
Rome was adept at this defensive tactic, and naturally had a way to break it.
Keep passing the ball back, with the two full-backs moving wide to provide support.
The continuous passing and movement gave Chang Huan about two seconds of space to handle the ball.
He delivered a long diagonal pass from the right flank of the backfield.
Perotti, making a high-speed run down the left flank, used a combination of stops and dribbles to get past Azpilicueta, but the central defender Rüdiger made a decisive foul, receiving a yellow card to end Roma's counter-attack.
Courtois felt a chill run down his spine as he watched Chang Huan, who had finished placing the football and was now looking toward the goal. Usually, when arranging free kicks at off-center angles, only one person would be assigned to the position.
This time, he lined up for two!
She also positioned herself further back than usual, fearing that Chang Huan, who was addicted to hanging doors, would take advantage of her.
"Beep~"
As the whistle blew, Chang Huan, facing the goal, raised his right hand and took a running start.
As if receiving some kind of command, the Roma players standing on the edge of the penalty area surged toward Chelsea's six-yard box like wild horses.
Chang Huan touched the ball with the inside of his left foot.
The ball flew swiftly over the heads of the wall, drawing a beautiful arc in the air above Chelsea's penalty area.
It flew swiftly and fast towards the edge of the close-range penalty area!
The ball landed perfectly, bypassing Azpilicueta at the near post and finding Dzeko, who was charging towards the near post, precisely at the penalty spot!
A beautifully swaying waist and head!
The soccer ball landed squarely on his forehead in front of his head.
The football, having changed its trajectory, flew towards the right side of the goal at an even faster speed.
Courtois had no chance against such a powerful header from close range. Before his body could even complete its instinctive diving motion to the left, the ball had already pierced through the covered area and plunged into the snow-white net...