Positioning!

Positioning!

At 3:45 a.m. Beijing time, Utrecht hosted Groningen at Galgenwaard Stadium.

Groningen were also one of the Eredivisie teams. This was the second meeting between the two sides this season.

The two encounters were somewhat different.

The biggest difference was on Utrecht's side.

Lucky Bro had gone from the bench to the starting lineup! Having seen the lesson Zwolle had learned, Groningen manager John was a little more restrained when facing the reporters.

"Tang is a very outstanding player. I'm happy to see a genius emerge in the Dutch Eredivisie."

Those were John's exact words.

That was what he said, but John himself was definitely unconvinced. In the dressing room, he specifically emphasized Tang Ye's starting role to his players.

"We lost our last match against Utrecht. Today, our Dutch Cup opponents have put on a sixteen-year-old midfielder who isn't even an adult yet! Guys, I have to say, this is our opportunity. We need to make them pay!"

John pulled over the tactics board. "Tang is a very extreme kind of player. He might make some very beautiful passes, and that's what we need to watch out for. So how do we stop him from playing the ball in the attacking third?"

Knock, knock!

He tapped the tactics board twice with his pen. "Press! High-intensity pressing! He runs very slowly—or rather, he simply doesn't like running at all. Our forwards need to push up, push up, and then he won't be able to pass the ball!"

As Groningen's manager, John was quite confident about this match.

Erik ten Hag had put a player who did not run into the starting lineup.

And Groningen's strength was high pressing in the attacking third!...

"Welcome back to Little Wang's livestream, brothers!"

"Keep your eyes on the screen! It's Utrecht again today, at home against Groningen!"

"If you haven't joined the group yet, you can join the streamer's QQ group. There are guaranteed picks and winning recommendations every day in the group..."

"Alright, the match is underway now, with Utrecht kicking off!"

Wang Chao shouted as he began introducing the starting lineups for both teams.

Van der Maarel had been sent off with a straight red card in the previous match. Under FIFA rules, he had to serve a three-match suspension, and Leeuwin would replace him over the next three games.

"Utrecht!"

Bang, bang!

"Utrecht!"

Bang, bang!

It was not a major match, but the fans in the stands were still incredibly passionate.

Droste carried the ball toward the right, then, once he felt he was in a suitable position, passed it to Tibbling on his right!

Tibbling was very cautious. After receiving the ball, he did not rush forward, instead stopping where he was.

Amrabat ran toward him. Tibbling used a feint to shake him off, then passed the ball ahead to Antonia, who had made a run down the flank.

A textbook wing attack! Groningen had fully displayed their specialty of using the width of the pitch!

"Utrecht's defense is under quite a lot of pressure right now."

"It's already the fourth minute, and Tang Ye still hasn't had a chance to touch the ball."

"The upcoming defending... forget it, he probably won't take part in defense. Let's watch Utrecht's defenders!"

"Nganioni! One-on-one against Antonia!"

"Nganioni, cutback into the middle, de Leeuw is ready to receive it."

"Strieder, brilliant! Strieder clears the ball!"

Strieder's excellent long clearance sent the ball into the opposing half, and Utrecht successfully escaped danger! Not bad, not bad. Utrecht's defense had stepped up too. I hereby declare Utrecht my favorite team this season. I'm betting on them every day!

Why hasn't Tang Ye touched the ball yet? Isn't he supposed to be a possession-based midfielder?

The guy upstairs clearly hasn't watched enough Lucky Bro matches. Lucky Bro plays like the Ball King—he doesn't need to defend.

My Lucky Bro only has two defensive skills: tackling and eye marking!

With the opposing forwards pressing this hard, it feels like our Ball King Tang is going to have a miserable match today!

Pressure? What pressure is there to fear? Our Ball King Tang treats you guys to foot baths every week, and this is how much faith you have in him?

I am guilty! Betting on Utrecht to win again today!

"What a pity, what a pity. It's okay!"

The first attack down the flank was cleared by the opposing defenders, and John began encouraging his players.

Although the attack had not come off, John had seen things very clearly.

Groningen still had a pretty good chance of winning this match!

In the attacking third, Tang Ye and Balazhit searched for where the ball would land.

The experienced Balazhit got into position early and headed the ball to Tang Ye.

"Wow? Thanks!"

Tang Ye hurriedly brought the ball down.

This was his first touch of the match! No rush—check left and right!

Then he looked back once more! Bonnet was running toward him.

Bonnet was Groningen's left back. If he came out to press, Groningen's left-side byline would be open.

His thinking was extremely clear. Tang Ye sent the ball with one kick toward the right-side byline.

The ball returned to Balazhit!

"A perfect through ball! Tang Ye's very first touch has opened up Utrecht's attack!"

"Groningen are under enormous pressure, because they have a Ball King in front of them!"

Balazhit went down the flank and began a one-on-one against Kapelhoff.

To prevent Bonnet from dropping back to defend against Balazhit, Tang Ye moved diagonally toward the penalty area.

Bonnet had to stay with Tang Ye, but Tang Ye's approach was giving him a headache.

"Fucking run already!"

Tang Ye kept walking, and Bonnet had no choice but to walk alongside him.

Going back and forth like that, Bonnet felt as if he had simply given up, and he could not help becoming anxious.

Hmm? Tang Ye, having been cursed at, glanced sideways.

Professional players these days really had terrible mentalities. Every one of them was more impatient than the last.

He looked ahead.

Mm, the chance was here!

Balazhit beat Kapelhoff one-on-one with sheer force, fully displaying his individual ability.

Tang Ye had to show off a little too! He suddenly accelerated into the penalty area.

"Haller!"

Balazhit shouted and sent in a pass. Tang Ye bit down on his lower lip, slipped into a blind spot in the defense, and finished with a first-time shot! "Beautiful, Haller!"

Balazhit rushed over. When he saw Tang Ye's head inside the box, he suddenly realized something was wrong. "Wow, Tang, why is it you!"

"Same thing, same thing. Beautiful, Tang!"

Balazhit took a running leap and jumped straight onto Tang Ye.

"Awesome! Awesome! Ball King Tang!"

"What's going on with Ball King Tang? He's already turning it on in the sixth minute!"

"If you turn it on this early, how are the opponents supposed to survive?"

Wang Chao roared loudly in the livestream.

Based on past experience, Tang Ye generally only started exerting himself in the second half, but today was different.

The opposing three forwards were pressing hard?

No problem. Tang Ye simply ran into the attacking third and pretended to be a forward, so he would not get pressed.

His first touch opened up the attack! His second touch directly produced a goal! That damned personal charm!

What use do I have for possession, anyway!