If Navas’s signature on the right wing is his high, precise crossing arc;
then once Tang Long moves to the flank, he will use his signature ground strike curved cross!
This specialty from De Bruyne has already been masterfully grasped by Tang Long.
The ground strike he kicks is not only fast and accurate, but most importantly, always anticipates the forwards’ runs, achieving a true ball-to-man delivery!
Like a precisely calculated cruise missile, the ball, with high-speed spin, leaves a deep scratch on the grass of Sunderland’s Brighton Stadium, expertly bypassing center-back O’Shea, landing right on Agüero’s path of advance.
The former Manchester United defender could only watch helplessly as Agüero once again used a lob to playfully score, widening the score to 2-0.
The Brighton Stadium, which was roaring at the start, suddenly plunged into a library-like silence.
And amidst this terrifying quiet, Agüero’s roar stood out sharply!
"Haha, that’s the way to pass, Tang!"
This time it was truly an assist from Tang Long, as Agüero slid on his knees right in front of Tang Long.
"Just run, and the pass will come!"
Tang Long gave a simple six-word reply. Follow current novels on novel•fire.net
This fierce offensive also made Yaya Toure, still at the backfield, feel emotional.
"Understands space, understands pressure, can control tempo, and has a pass that can predict the forward’s runs—Tang is a player born to play midfield!"
In the 70th minute, Pellegrini started making substitutions, taking off Toure and sending in substitute midfielder Delph.
This was Delph’s second time coming on as a substitute this season.
Excited to have the opportunity, he was anxiously rubbing his hands nearby.
But Toure wasn’t too happy, as this ended his record of playing all 90 minutes of every Premier League match since the start of the season.
"I can still run, why substitute me?"
Toure mumbled to himself.
Sitting on the bench, he watched the 26-year-old local midfielder Delph run around the field like a beast, feeling envious—youth is a wonderful thing!
Pellegrini observed the game’s development, while communicating with his assistant Rein.
Just 5 minutes later, Tang Long was moved up from his position to attacking midfielder.
Silva was subbed out and replaced with Fernando, who hadn’t appeared for some time, to fill the vacancy left by Tang Long at defensive midfield.
"It’s the first time Delph and Fernando are pairing as defensive midfielders, let’s see how this new combination performs."
Toure was sitting at the very edge of the bench.
He clearly heard Pellegrini and his assistant’s conversation.
He knew that every tactical adjustment Pellegrini made had a clear purpose, never adjusting just for the sake of adjustment or substituting just for the sake of substitution.
He mentioned the new combination of Delph and Fernandinho, both 26 and 28 years old, right at the peak age of a professional player’s career.
At this thought, Toure suddenly felt a sense of crisis!
He was very envious of Tang Long because Tang Long could play three positions on the field: defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and forward, he could play them all.
A player capable of covering multiple positions is like a cherished treasure in the coach’s mind.
What’s more frightening is that no matter the position, Tang Long always performs excellently, never just filling numbers.
Then, he thought of himself back at Barça, where he couldn’t compete against Habib in midfield and was forced to retreat to play center-back.
And now at Manchester City, Kompany, Ranocchia, Mangala, Otamendi—these center-backs are all at the peak of their careers, each one a top-notch Premier League player.
If Toure can’t play defensive midfield, can he play center-back at Manchester City?
If he can’t even play center-back, can he play other positions?
Forward, attacking midfielder, winger...
At this thought, his heart tightened even more.
So much so that when the referee blew the final whistle, with Manchester City triumphing over Sunderland 3-0 on the road.
The 32-year-old Toure was still sitting dazed in his seat, somewhat lost...