Chapter 2162 - 556: No Tactics, All Talent
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"Just keep an eye on Messi."
Terry pointed at Cole and said, "Today, you don’t need to provide support to Gareth. After all, when he gets the ball, he doesn’t collaborate with others."
"I have no objections, but I can’t guarantee I can stop him."
Ashley Cole said.
Messi’s footwork is too agile. His strides are long, but his reactions can’t quite keep up.
Moreover, he, the world’s number one left-back, is already on the decline.
Cahill caught Terry’s gaze and felt his scalp tingling.
Standing at 1.91 meters tall, he’s a typical English central defender, proficient in face-to-face defense and aerial balls, but not good with footwork.
He’s not like that freak Ferdinand — tall, strong, and quick on his feet. Messi passes him with almost total accuracy.
"Do your best."
Terry knew of Cahill’s issues and could only sigh and say.
Hummels was sidelined for clashing with Ancelotti in the locker room; otherwise, the German might have fared slightly better against Messi than Cahill.
Terry missed Carvalho, taken by Mourinho to Madrid.
When it comes to defending nimble and quick players, his old partner Carvalho was the expert.
Cech restarted the play.
Their passing paths were entirely predictable.
Without Huntelaar, everything went through Bale on the left flank as he carried the ball forward.
Ambrosini and Rakitic were very careful with their defense on this side.
Therefore, after Modric got the ball, it wasn’t easy to pass it out.
Ashley Cole was watching Messi from behind, with no full-backs to support him.
In this case, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and carry the ball himself.
Luckily, Rakitic didn’t come to defend immediately.
Van Bommel immediately rushed forward.
Seeing Huang Kaiwen beside Mata, Modric still dared not pass the ball at will and could only forcefully drive the ball with his right foot behind Van Bommel.
Van Bommel’s arm reached out first, stepping up to block Modric’s way.
Modric suddenly pulled the ball with his foot, making Van Bommel think he would turn, prompting Van Bommel to quickly move along.
Unexpectedly, Modric sent a direct pass with immense penetration.
The ball went directly behind Thiago Silva, with Drogba charging into the penalty area like a raging bull.
But Buffon, preparing to attack, stopped and took a stance to block part of the goal.
Rushing toward the ball, Drogba sensed it but had no time for thought at that moment.
When Drogba was about to lift his foot near the six-yard box, a long leg swept across in front of him, fiercely clearing the ball to the byline.
"Beautiful!!!"
"Nesta’s sliding tackle was as precise and elegant as ever, cleanly clearing the ball without touching the opponent."
"Yes, even Buffon stepped aside seeing Nesta rushing back, which shows how much he trusts Nesta."
"Now it’s Chelsea’s corner kick, and Chelsea is very strong on set pieces. AC Milan ought to be cautious."
Huang Kaiwen returned near the penalty area.
Chelsea players took this opportunity very seriously.
Terry and Cahill simply charged into Milan’s box.
Seeing this, Huang Kaiwen also picked an easier target, standing beside Mereiles.
Primarily, he also needed to organize the counterattack, so standing in the box wasn’t optimal for him to run.
Stamford Bridge had quieted down from earlier.
Many Chelsea fans clasped their hands, silently hoping the team could score from this chance.
The whole world was watching this opportunity.
Pop,
Modric, after his run-up, chipped the ball to the near post.
Cahill and Thiago Silva jumped at the first moment; their clash in the air was very evident.
But their jumping heights were clearly inadequate.
In the center behind them, Terry, when jumping, deliberately pressed Nesta, preventing Nesta from getting a full jump, and even though Terry’s jump height wasn’t enough.
Drogba, however, behind him, leapt high and fiercely headed the ball with his dark forehead.
At that moment, a pair of palms appeared behind the ball.
Drogba’s head made contact with the ball, but the ball quickly encountered an obstacle, as it hit Buffon’s gloves and bounced out.
Zambrotta had just controlled the ball on the left, and Huang Kaiwen had already turned to dash away.
At that moment, Mereiles directly applied a tactical foul by knocking Zambrotta over the sideline.
"This is a tactical foul."
"Yes, but AC Milan players didn’t argue with Chelsea; they’re preparing for a counterattack."
Zambrotta bent over to set the ball and immediately took a powerful kick.
Everyone lifted their heads to follow the trajectory of the ball, with some Chelsea fans unable to resist gasping.
To the left, it’s going to the left!
Huang Kaiwen and Essien sprinted together down the left side.
The ball dropped between them.
At the moment the ball descended, Huang Kaiwen used his body to bump Essien, positioning himself under the ball and lightly heading it forward, speeding towards the left side of the penalty area.
Essien knew he couldn’t catch up with Huang Kaiwen, so he turned and ran directly into the box.
Kaka, Rakitic, and Messi were also quickly pushing forward, intentionally spreading out their positions.
Huang Kaiwen was on the flank, whether passing or shooting, the ball had to enter the penalty area.
And indeed.
Before the byline, Huang Kaiwen nudged the ball with his left foot, turning to carry it into the box.
Essien, who was prepared, accelerated directly down the line.
Huang Kaiwen’s running distance was further.
In his plan, he should be able to make it.
Unfortunately, Huang Kaiwen was faster. Before Essien could position himself, Huang Kaiwen was already close to the left post.
In this situation, Essien could only try to reach out, but the distance was too far to interfere with Huang Kaiwen.
Trying to reach, Essien inadvertently affected Mikel, who had returned to the box, causing him to halt on the left flank.
At that moment, Huang Kaiwen suddenly used his left foot to make a surprise back pass with his instep.
Rakitic, standing further back, didn’t have time to adjust before turning and forcefully took a shot, still catching Chelsea off guard. Cech dived a moment too late, only able to watch the ball hit the net.
Rakitic immediately ran towards Huang Kaiwen.
He didn’t expect to score in such a crucial match.
Nearby, Chelsea players had expressions of disbelief.
Trailing by two goals in the first half, how were they ever going to come back?
Ancelotti harshly threw down the water bottle in his hand.
Guardiola was truly shameless.
Genius coach? Nonsense!
Today he couldn’t see any tactics from AC Milan, it was all relying on the player’s innate talent!