Leverkusen with possession.

Kießling kicks off, passing back to Li Kang.

Roma's players don't press or put on any pressure.

Pjanić and Džeko move further back instead.

Li Kang taps the ball to Son Heung-min.

The latter dribbles a few steps, observes briefly, and flicks the ball back to Hilbert, who's cutting in from the flank.

The ball begins to move horizontally back and forth across the pitch.

The pace of advancement is extremely slow.

From a God's-eye view.

Roma's formation is arranged in two "chains."

De Rossi, Nainggolan, Pjanić, and Keita form the first midfield defensive line.

The four players on the back line form the second line of defense.

Džeko, a top striker, is active at the very front of the defensive line.

Salah constantly roams near the center circle.

They move in unison, following the path of the ball.

The distance between each pair of Roma players is extremely subtle.

"The pace of the game is slow, but it's not dull!"

"As modern football has developed, Simeone once led a period of discussion in European football regarding the sense of defensive layering!"

"Judging from Roma's formation, it has nothing to do with the word 'layering'!"

"Chain defense! Garcia is carrying forward this ancient tactic on today's Champions League stage!"

"Pay attention to the changes in their two lines of defense!"

.........

Brandt and Son Heung-min sprint forward at high speed on both flanks.

Kießling passes the ball back to Li Kang again.

From a God's-eye view!

The "first chain" of Roma's formation begins to contract! The "second chain" begins to expand.

The spacing and positioning between players.

A clear change has occurred!

For a moment, Li Kang simply can't find any space to pass the ball forward at medium or long range.

He tries to dribble forward.

Džeko and Salah quickly come to interfere!

Salah, who hasn't fully matured, isn't much to fear.

But Džeko's "forward-defender" ability is a bit abnormal.

Li Kang decisively passes the ball to Borges, who's cutting in from the right flank.

The latter starts pushing forward like crazy after receiving the ball!

Roma's formation doesn't become chaotic in any way.

Salah turns around and gives chase.

The "first chain" begins to tilt!

Nainggolan and Keita block Leverkusen's full-back's path forward!

At the same time, they lock down the space for him to pass the ball forward!

"There's no way, with Salah behind him, Borges can only pass the ball back to Kramer, who's supporting him."

"Roma achieved good results in Serie A last season with this tactical style!"

"Garcia preferred offensive football when he coached in Ligue 1. After arriving in Rome, his coaching team and players went through a season of adaptation before creating this retro defensive system."

In the Dragon Country broadcast room.

The barrage gradually decreases.

-【Too boring! What is this they're playing? Leverkusen, attack quickly! Stop dawdling! Push forward! Advance!】

-【As long as Roma uses this main lineup for these two seasons! Even if they play the universe team, they can maintain a 50-50 chance for a while! Too conservative!】

-【The nickname "Roma the Flat" isn't for nothing! Pay attention to the positioning of the midfielders and defenders! It changes depending on which Leverkusen player has the ball! Tightening and loosening, stifling Leverkusen's forward runs and through-ball long passes.】

-【Roma's and Atletico Madrid's defenses are two extremes. One emphasizes width and positioning, the other emphasizes depth and pressure. Roma uses non-stick pans for various screens, while Atletico Madrid uses cleavers to block a few moves and then frantically chop at you.】

-【I'm spitting blood! Watching this kind of game is a waste of time! A waste of life!】

.........

The dullness doesn't last too long.

The 6th minute of the match.

Li Kang receives a pass back from Kramer in Roma's half, forty meters from the goal.

A strong, orange figure suddenly crashes into him!

Nainggolan!

Džeko had already retreated to the midfield position, releasing this good boy who likes to smoke, get tattoos, and perm his hair!

A robust physique.

A fierce appearance.

Invisibly.

This Roma midfielder exudes the aura of a wild boar!

He crashes straight into Li Kang!

At the same time, he stabs his right foot at the ball!

"A duel between Roma's tough guy and Leverkusen's genius!"

"Too fierce!"

"Leverkusen might lose the ball here!"

Clang!

Advanced close-range sound equipment transmits the sound of a physical collision to the ears of the audience in front of the television!

Old Man Toppmöller's expression is solemn.

Garcia crosses his arms in front of his chest, relaxed, gently rubbing his thumb and forefinger, ready for the team to counterattack at any moment!

The Olympic Stadium.

Roma fans also erupt in deafening cheers!

Leverkusen fans can't help but worry:

Although Li Kang's physical confrontation ability isn't bad!

But his opponent is Nainggolan, who's a whole size bigger!

It's not surprising that he can overturn a weak little Jap, but want to overturn this European tough guy?

....

There's no unexpected collapse!

Li Kang leans back!

His knees are slightly bent!

He withstands Roma's tough guy!

He pushes hard with the arch of his left foot!

The ball hugs the turf, instantly piercing Roma's midfield defense!

The "first chain" is broken!

The breakthrough is precisely Džeko, who hasn't fully retreated into position!

Son Heung-min cuts into Roma's thirty-meter zone!

After receiving the ball, he shakes off Keita!

Goes outside!

Sprints at high speed on the right flank!

"Beautiful!"

"It's really hard to see how Li Kang withstood Nainggolan, who's a whole size bigger than him?"

"Morata was bumped by a Roma midfielder last season and called for the team doctor on the spot!"

.....

Nainggolan smooths his colorful rooster hairstyle.

His eyes sweep over Li Kang's feet.

Is this kid ambidextrous?

No wonder he can adjust his center of gravity so quickly?

On the sidelines.

The two head coaches don't have the mind to worry about the confrontation just now!

They're constantly directing their respective players!

....

Son Heung-min dribbles the ball forward like crazy on the right flank!

Roma's defensive formation quickly returns to its original state!

The right end of the "two chains" simultaneously pinches towards Son Heung-min!

Like a pair of pliers!

Wanting to seize the Korean winger!

Florenzi, De Rossi, and Keita's three-man double-teaming positioning is extremely tacit!

One goes outside.

One goes inside.

One directly slides in for a tackle.

Kießling pulls to the left!

Brandt switches to the middle, he raises his right hand high!

Son Heung-min decisively lobs the ball!

At the moment the three-man double-team is completed!

Lobs the ball towards the edge of the penalty area!

"Beautiful!"

"Brandt!"

"One-on-one!"

"Huh?"

The linesman raises his flag!

The referee blows his whistle.

Signaling Brandt is offside!

Son Heung-min shakes his head and gives Li Kang a thumbs up.

Brandt wants to argue with the linesman, but Kiessling hugs him away.

Li Kang is stunned.

He grasped all the information about the offensive phase just now from the God's-eye view.

Roma's defensive system.

Is even harder to deal with than in the recordings.

No wonder they can create a nine-game draw record.

....

On the sidelines.

Old Man Toppmöller looks at the Roma coach in the distance and says angrily, "This guy is too disgusting and too wretched! Does he want to get a draw at the Olympic Stadium?"

Dino carefully looks at the well-dressed Garcia and says blankly, "Boss, are you talking about his tactics?"