Anelka's arrival gave Tang En a new idea for his offense in the middle. When the opponent focused their defensive attention on how to guard against the Forest team's flanks, using Anelka's speed and individual skills, coupled with Albertini's exquisite direct passes, could often tear apart the opponent's defensive line. And unlike the flanks, once the Forest team was allowed to tear apart the opponent's defensive line in the middle, Anelka would directly face the goal and the goalkeeper! At that time, with Anelka's ability, it was rare for him to fail a one-on-one shot.
The only drawback was that this move could not be used too often. After all, the middle was the default area for any team to set up a heavy defense. Forcefully attacking the middle without great strength would only put their own offense in a quagmire. Now, Inter Milan put all their attention on the flanks. Whether it was offense or defense, they prioritized the flanks. In this way, there was bound to be a gap in the middle. As long as the Forest team could seize it, it could be a goal.
Attacking in the middle did not require quantity, but quality and a success rate.
※ ※ ※
Finally, there was a chance for a dead ball. Seeing Kerslake standing on the sidelines, Albertini knew the coaching staff must have a new plan, so he ran over to listen to Kerslake's instructions.
Kerslake gave a very simple instruction, and Albertini quickly ran back.
Anelka looked at him, and the captain nodded to him. His face lit up with a smile. After covering for the others for twenty minutes, it was finally his turn to be the main character.
Inter Milan had gradually pushed the Forest team back through their offense on the flanks. Now they surrounded the Forest team and bombarded them. The fans cheered incessantly in the stands. No one noticed that Nottingham Forest had quietly adjusted the direction of the main attack.
As the center forward, Mark Viduka was still at the forefront, attracting the defensive attention of Inter Milan's two center backs. Anelka cruised behind him, looking a little anxious because he could not receive the ball. He kept running back and raising his hand to ask for the ball.
The two men's positions and performance did not look any different from before.
Veron suddenly shot a long shot from outside the penalty area, and the football flew toward the Forest team's goal. Edwin van der Sar focused and lifted the football over the crossbar.
"… Inter Milan's offense is like a tide. It looks like if they continue to play like this, Nottingham Forest will concede a goal sooner or later!"
The fans also agreed with the commentator. They sang to their heart's content in the stands, as if Inter Milan was already in the lead.
"This is Inter Milan's corner kick. Maybe it's a chance to break the deadlock! Let's see … Materazzi and Samuel rushed up, and Viduka returned to the penalty area to participate in the defense. In the 26th minute of the first half, Inter Milan got a corner kick and there was chaos in front of Nottingham Forest's goal … "
Materazzi rushed in, and George Wood happened to be in charge of defending him. When the two collided, sparks were immediately ignited. The two sides were entangled, Materazzi trying to get away from George Wood, and George Wood holding on to Materazzi's shirt. Seeing that the two of them were about to fight each other, the referee blew the whistle in time to stop the match.
"You two, behave yourselves. Split up!" The referee ran in and warned the two verbally. He waved his hands to both sides. "Split up!"
Materazzi raised his hands to indicate that he had no intention of continuing to pester Wood. Of course, he didn't want to continue tugging at Wood. Wood just put his hands down, indicating that he was not holding her.
When the referee retreated out of the penalty area, his hands reached up again …
Materazzi ignored him. In his heart, he decided that the best way to retaliate was to head the ball in over this kid's head! Of course, he would not forget to make a little sneak attack when he headed the ball …
The referee whistled again. This time, it was the whistle to signal that Inter Milan could kick off.
Stanković's corner kick flew over the top of Materazzi's head.
The two men jumped almost at the same time, but in the previous entanglement, no one was stuck in an advantageous position, so this time it was destined to be a battle of pure jumping and body for the header.
Materazzi was 1.93 meters tall and weighed 92 kilograms.
George Wood was 1.86 meters tall and weighed 84 kilograms.
Just by looking at the height data, everyone would think that Materazzi would win!
Unfortunately, the battle for the header in a football game was not just a competition of jumping. It included more things, and even … small movements.
After Materazzi jumped up, he put his elbow between himself and George Wood. He wanted to push George Wood covertly and make the other party lose his balance in the air.
It was clear that Materazzi had not learned his lesson from the fall just now. His small movements did not cause any interference to George. Instead, it made him unable to fight for the header with all his strength.
By the time Materazzi reacted, he could only see a shadow appear above his head.
"George Wood's header to clear the siege!"
The football was headed out of the penalty area by George Wood. Right in the middle, Albertini appeared at the point where the ball would land.
Zanetti cruised near the midfield, responsible for protection. When he saw Albertini make a move to stop the ball with his chest, he did not even have time to call for the other teammates to return to defense. He turned and ran back.
"Return to defense!" Mancini yelled on the sidelines.
Some of the Inter Milan players were still scratching their heads. The opponent's center forward had withdrawn to defend this corner kick. Now they want us to return to defense. Who are we going to defend against?
He stopped the ball with his chest very steadily. The football fell from the air at a moderate speed. Albertini, who had stopped the ball with his chest, turned at the same time and rotated his right leg.
Yes, the Forest team's center forward did return to defend the corner kick, but the Forest team did not only have one striker!
Looking at the football turning in front of his eyes, Albertini felt his body full of energy. He had never felt so good before. He was sure that he could pass the ball where he wanted it to go and where it should go.
He turned and passed the ball!
"This is Albertini's signature move! But who does he pass it to … Anelka! "
The mystery was revealed.
It was a corner kick to break the deadlock, but it was dedicated to Nottingham Forest!
"Anelka! There are no defensive players around him at all. He's not offside! He's not offside! The timing of the pass is perfect. He's definitely not offside! He receives the ball … A beautiful stop … Zanetti can't catch up, but he's still chasing … César strikes! He shoots … Ah, a feint! He bypasses poor César … GOOOOOAL — GOOOOOAL!! "
Everyone on Nottingham Forest's substitutes' bench and technical area jumped to their feet!
(To be continued. If you want to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. COM. More chapters. Support the author. Support the original reading!)
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