NOVEL NEXT Chapter 291: Dribbling Past 3 Players and Straight to the Goal! Are You Really Playing as a Defensive Midfielder?
Dong Fangzhuo actually doesn't hold much prejudice against Tang Long.
If he has to have any, it's that Dong Fangzhuo once prided himself as the first Chinese player in the Premier League, using this to gain massive exposure.
Even though his performance declined after leaving Manchester United, and his play wasn't outstanding;
after returning to China, he could only play for teams at the China League One level.
Yet, this overseas experience still brought him many benefits, making him a guest of honor at various events.
But ever since Tang Long transferred from Serie A to the Premier League, Dong Fangzhuo's spotlight was completely taken by Tang Long!
Therefore, when discussing Tang Long, Dong Fangzhuo inevitably adopts a deliberately senior tone to lecture this junior player, revealing a kind of annoying superiority, saying, "I was playing in the Premier League seven or eight years ago, when I was playing, you didn't know what you were doing yet?"
In fact, compared to Tang Long, what Dong Fangzhuo truly dislikes is the club Manchester City.
Although his entire career amounted to less than 50 goals, he only played 4 times for Manchester United, without any outstanding statistics;
but in his heart, he is deeply branded with the Red Devils' mark, considering himself a true Manchester United person!
(Netizens exclaim, Dong Fangzhuo has turned into Dong Zhuo!)
When Dong Fangzhuo was playing, Manchester City hadn't risen yet, and really was just that noisy neighbor in Manchester United fans' mouths.
Although both situated in Manchester, Manchester United's glory far surpassed Manchester City.
Back then, Dong Fangzhuo wouldn't have imagined that when Middle Eastern oil money waved its checkbook, the scales of power between the two would actually reverse!
In recent years, in the Premier League, after Sir Ferguson's retirement, Manchester City completely overshadowed Manchester United.
Not only did Blue Moon win its first Premier League title led by Mancini in 2012;
but in the following years, it became the strongest contender for the Premier League title, consistently high on the odds list for winning the championship each year!
Meanwhile, Manchester United's situation deteriorated rapidly, becoming a team struggling for Champions League qualification.
This troubled Dong Fangzhuo greatly, as if Manchester United gets worse and its former glory is hard to recreate, his "United Legend" traffic and aura will become increasingly diminished.
Currently, he doesn't expect to make a name for himself in football; if the aura boost from being a former Manchester United player weakens, what will he rely on to survive?
Fortunately, this season, Manchester United is making a strong comeback, securing notable stars like Icardi and De Bruyne in the transfer market, streaking ahead on the scoreboard.
This has boosted Dong Fangzhuo's confidence, his popularity is warming up again, and he even signed merchandise promotion agreements with many live-streaming platforms in China~
Dong Fangzhuo sees the dawn of his second spring, ready to make a great effort in the second half.
And because of this, his animosity towards Manchester City has become even stronger.
"Manchester United's goal this season is far beyond just the Premier League title; it's likely to replicate the treble triumph of the 07-08 season. The Red Devils are destined to revive, they will always be the dominators of England and Europe!"
He firmly believes Manchester United will make a strong comeback this season, overshadow the cross-town rival Manchester City, and restore its former glory.
Therefore, when Dong Fangzhuo is commentating on this Manchester City vs. Borussia Monchengladbach match, he is actually biased, wishing for Manchester City to lose thoroughly at home, preferably in a crushing defeat, hehe~
During commentary, he often uses the Premier League top stars in the 2007-2008 season Manchester United team to compare with Manchester City's current midfield.
He even uses Giggs' famous Cruyff move to imply the big gap between Tang Long and Giggs when handling the ball with his back.
However, just now, facing tight defense from Zaka, Tang Long pulled off a test version Cruyff move, completely shedding off this tall Swiss midfielder.
"Coach Dong, would you say Tang Long's Cruyff move was identical to Giggs'?"
"Ah, basically similar," Dong Fangzhuo's throat moved, paused, and said again, "basically similar, basically similar."
Dong Fangzhuo is indeed being stubborn.
Tang Long's Cruyff move this time faced greater pressure compared to Giggs' move.
Because Zaka's defense was fiercer, and Giggs was on the wing, while Tang Long was at the top of the penalty arc, at a position daring to turn around the opponent who must intercept the ball, would require great skill and courage, without absolute confidence, such a move is impossible to make.
Just as Dong Fangzhuo and Zhan Jun were still in awe, the next scene made their jaws drop even more!
Tang Long, after using Cruyff move to turn past Zaka at his penalty area arc, chose not to pass, but instead dribbled forward directly, sprinting towards the opponent's half!
Boom, boom, boom—
Boom, boom, boom—
He quickly infiltrated a vacuum zone in the Borussia Monchengladbach full court.
Historically, such direct sprints starting from the penalty area arc were completed by his teammate, center-back Ranocchia.
Because Ranocchia is tall with long legs and large strides, and in the center-back position without targeted defense from opponents, he can quickly dribble into the open space.
But Tang Long is different, he is positioned as a defensive midfielder, a target under tight opponent marking.
Although Zaka was passed, another Monchengladbach midfielder, Dahud, immediately rushed forward, filling Zaka's position, and shouted to wing-back Herman in the 4-4-2 formation: "Come over! Help me defend him together!"