The new core not only struggles to adapt but also loses its previous match dominance.
The whole team severely lacks offensiveness.
For such a team, using it to train substitutes and young players and help them gain confidence is a great idea.
Meanwhile, on San Remo’s side, Sotu appeared with Lu Yang at the pre-match press conference.
After Sotu announced San Remo’s lineup, the reporters on-site couldn’t help but want to ask questions.
Reporter: "Sotu, is this true? San Remo has never played a 4213 formation before, yet you set it up like this against strong opponents. You’re setting such high demands for your players, do they know?"
Sotu, looking displeased: "This formation isn’t much different from how we used to play; most players can adapt."
Reporter: "Are you sure? This is completely two different styles revolving around different cores. Your previous 433 core was Morici, positioned centrally and deeper, but now? In the past few games, we’ve seen that Lu Yang cannot perform well as a deep-lying core."
Sotu: "So I’ve put him forward; he’s no longer a defensive midfielder; he’s the ’1’ in the 4213!"
Reporter: "You must be crazy! He couldn’t play comfortably at the back, and now you’re putting him forward? I can even imagine the disastrous performance he’ll have next."
Sotu: "Let’s wait and see. By the way, you’re from the Republican Newspaper, right?"
Reporter: "Yes."
Sotu: "Security! Didn’t Lu Yang say already, San Remo will never welcome reporters from the Republican Newspaper at our press conferences! Please escort him out immediately and make sure this doesn’t happen again in the future!"
The Republican Newspaper reporter reluctantly left.
No fair play!
At this moment, another reporter asked: "Lu Yang, can you talk about your performance in the last few matches? We have witnessed your resilience, winning two games and drawing one for the team under extremely adverse circumstances."
"Everyone could see your struggles in Morici’s position. How will you handle it in this match?"
This was a neutral journalist, and the question was earnest and straight to the point.
Lu Yang replied: "San Remo doesn’t need a second Morici, and in this match, I will bring victory to the team in my own way."
Reporter: "Victory? Are you sure? Your opponent is a strong Serie B team!"
Lu Yang: "I’m absolutely certain!"
Reporter: "Alright, looking forward to your performance."
...
In the team’s locker room, Sotu was explaining the tactics targeted at the opposition.
San Remo aims to make an impact in the Italian Cup, so they have thoroughly studied each cup opponent.
Gathering information on Serie B isn’t hard for Sotu.
After all, he has a good friend Maniero, who’s currently free and bored.
Rumor has it that next summer, Maniero might accept the role of head coach for the Italy Youth Team, leading Italy’s young talents in the European Youth Championship.
If he succeeds, he might become the head coach of the Italy National Team the following summer, leading the team in the European Cup!
Of course, the prerequisite is that the Italy National Team must qualify from the European Cup preliminaries.
As one of the candidates for the future national youth team and national team head coach, Maniero ideally has a deep understanding of Italian football, so he has information on almost all Serie A and Serie B teams.
"Brescia’s formation is the traditional 442, with parallel midfield lineup and a forward named Arnold, known for his speed, who everyone is familiar with," Sotu said, "Since most of them are substitutes, they aren’t strong, and in terms of cohesion, they fall short of us."
"I ask our defense not to push up, not giving the opponent chances to counterattack; stabilize the situation first, then attempt to attack."
"Lu Yang, their parallel midfield lineup can’t defend against penetration; as long as you pass one player, you’ve bypassed an entire line. At the beginning of the match, this is our best chance, and you must seize it!"
In the locker room, the players nodded in agreement.
Especially Lu Yang.
Lu Yang has never been the core player, even though his stats far exceeded the core player’s.
But there’s a world of difference between a core player and a role player.
This is the basis for most people underestimating him.
And now, it’s time to prove he is worthy of the future Italian midfield double-core.
Lu Yang, too, can play the role of a formidable core player!