"My goodness, what did I just see! Lu played the opponent's defender! And it wasn't even a V-shaped Pull, it was a backheel pass!"
"A beautiful backheel assist! What else can Lu do?"
"I thought this attack was over, but Lu deceived the opponent. He pretended to break through to the right, but instead of nudging the ball with his left foot, he used his right foot to wrap around from behind and delivered a brilliant pass!"
"This pass was highly entertaining, Lu's soccer is always so beautiful!"
"Three to zero at halftime, the Foggia players are completely collapsing, especially right before the halftime break. It's a devastating blow to their morale!"
"I hope their Head Coach can make some adjustments at halftime, otherwise these guys might really lose the courage to continue playing."
"San Remo is too strong, is the gap between the seventh and tenth on the scoreboard really this big? They might truly have a chance to enter the promotion playoff zone."
During halftime, Sotu praised everyone in the locker room.
Then he emphasized the issues with the defensive line.
On one hand, he instructed Lu to help the defense more. On the other hand, he advised Rondo not to play too aggressively, especially not like the fierce challenges in the first half.
The team can't afford to lose Rondo.
And Rondo acknowledged this.
The second half commenced.
In the seventy-first minute, Rondo, just returning from injury, was substituted by the team's backup central defender, Naji.
Sotu truly values Rondo's physique.
After seeing Lu in the defensive midfield position, no one would miss having Lu in central defense again.
Men are just so fickle.
But soon, San Remo's defensive time bomb exploded.
Even with Lu covering, they were still breached by Foggia's players.
The difference in a defensive line with or without a leader is massive.
Like Manchester City in the 21st season, with the addition of Dias to the defense, the previously discarded Stones was reinvigorated, delivering an impressive performance.
So when San Remo's defense had neither Rondo nor Lu, they really couldn't stop the opponent.
Conceding 46 goals in the first half of the season is no joke.
"Hey, mate, we need to have a chat." Morici actively sought out Lu, "I enjoy partnering with you, I don't want to be the one defending, organizing, and also careful of being double-teamed."
"We need to help the team's defenders, make them appear reliable."
"'Appear' being the key word," Lu nodded. After playing in free positions, no one wishes to play fixed roles anymore; it's human nature.
Longing for freedom and the open air.
"Strengthen the attack, blow them away!" Morici said.
Lu acknowledged.
Subsequently, Lu frequently pushed forward, launching offensives.
Although this might make it seem like San Remo's defense was exposed, Foggia simply couldn't capitalize on these weaknesses.
They were left baffled by Lu and Vedian's forward surges.
In the seventy-ninth minute of the match.
Lu made another advance, but as there had been so many such moves before, Foggia was somewhat slack.
Moreover... Morici sent a pass to the right forward, who, after attempting a dribble breakthrough and finding no opportunity, passed back to Morici.
Morici, proficient with both feet, this time laid it off to Vedian.
Vedian found an opening and crossed the ball.
The opponent's right back got a foot on it, but the ball's trajectory remained unchanged, sailing high into the air.
And Lu, already stormed into Foggia's penalty area.
The opposing center-back engaged in a physical battle with Lu, but being in the penalty area, didn't dare to be too aggressive.
This gave Lu an opportunity.
Simultaneously, San Remo's central forward and right forward also charged into the penalty area, drawing some defensive pressure.
Lu seemed to start controlling the ball with his foot.
This made the opposing center-back more confident.
Unlike the team's forward, as a defender, there are many defensive techniques available.
The moment Lu controlled the ball, providing slight contact would ensure the ball steers away from Lu's feet.
Although Lu's foot-backed control moment left a strong impression earlier, no one believes this is a regular ability of Lu's.
If even Morici can't manage it, why should Lu be able to?
"We see that Lu wants to control the ball, which is irrational."
"Opportune moments in attacks often happen in the blink of an eye; where is the time in an opponent's penalty area for you to control and adjust?"
"This might be the difference and gap between Lu and forward players. Previously, someone mentioned wanting to see Lu play as a forward. This moment directly shows us that that is impossible."
The commentator didn't mean to look down on Lu, but the choice Lu made was indeed not optimal.
Now, going for a header to flick the ball to teammates outside the penalty area is the best option; even a fool knows it, so why doesn't Lu?
Lu was bewildered.
You just said it, only fools know, and I, Lu, am no fool, so why should I know?
But soon, history repeated itself.
The ball landed directly on Lu's foot, with no bounce at all.
This is like expecting something to fall and then bounce back, but there was no such "then".
This split-second timing allowed Lu to nudge the ball to a nearby open space.
Then Lu turned, took a powerful shot...
The Foggia center back, experienced as ever, missed the chance to disrupt Lu's reception, but didn't miss blocking Lu's shot.