"The above is the conclusion I've drawn after studying the recordings."
"Team V is a team that is very good at counter-attacking."
"Mikage Reo has scored a total of 6 goals in three matches so far. Although he's not the team's top scorer, he is indeed the brain of Team V. Most of Team V's goals are directly related to him."
"Then there's Tsurugi Zantetsu. He is the fastest winger we have encountered so far, and he has scored 5 goals in three matches."
At this point, Team Z's temporary strategist, Iemon Okuhito, specifically glanced at the "young lady," Chigiri Hyoma.
"What are you looking at me for? Do you think I'm going to get angry?"
"When the match starts, I will prove to everyone that I am the fastest one."
"I have fewer goals than him only because I've participated in fewer attacks!"
"Don't forget, I got 1 goal and 1 assist in a single match!"
Before anyone had even said anything, Chigiri Hyoma couldn't wait to speak, his words coming out as fast as a machine gun.
Aren't you very angry right now?
Everyone was speechless. Before the "young lady" had his awakening, he was like a sealed bottle, always staying away from the team and squatting in a corner. Now, he had directly shown his true colors, proud as can be.
"That's for the best. If all goes as expected, you two will have many direct confrontations on the wing," Iemon continued.
"Finally, there's Team V's arrowhead, Nagi Seishiro."
Hearing this, everyone's expression became more serious. They had already watched the recordings of Team V's matches many times and, of course, knew that this listless-looking guy was Team V's top scorer. He played the same center forward position as Tendou.
His height was at the 190cm level. He didn't look particularly strong, but his physical stats were very high. Considering that he found even eating a steak too troublesome because it required chewing, he probably wasn't the type of player who trained hard on a daily basis. To still have such physical data under these circumstances could definitely be called exceptionally talented.
Of course.
The most terrifying thing about Nagi Seishiro was his ball-trapping ability.
Iemon paused the screen. In front of the goal, Nagi received a cross from Zantetsu on the left wing. With a gentle touch of his right foot, he stopped the ball in mid-air, then turned and shot it into the goal.
"His legs are like a black hole. No matter how powerful the pass is, he can stop the ball exactly where he wants it with his own will."
"To be honest, I've been playing football for so long, and this is the first time I've seen someone who can trap a ball so artistically."
Hearing this, everyone deeply agreed. As a center forward, Nagi Seishiro had sufficient physical quality to compete with opponents. This was the prerequisite for establishing a foothold in the penalty area. And then there was his trapping. His black-hole-like trapping ability allowed his teammates to recklessly kick the ball in his direction. They didn't need to worry about the power or angle of the pass; just smashing it towards Nagi was enough.
Anyway, no matter what type of pass it was, Nagi could trap it perfectly and then use a flash of creativity to send the ball into the goal.
Compared to most forwards, his running distance in each match was not long; it could even be said to be quite low. His dribbling ability was average, and his passing ability was also average. He looked like just a "tap-in merchant." But this was also where Nagi Seishiro was amazing; he could always kick the ball into the goal. For a forward, being able to score is enough; that is the most important thing.
"Team V's most common attacking pattern is the counter-attack."
"Most attacks are initiated by Mikage Reo. In Team V's three matches, most of the time, Reo will choose to pass the ball to Zantetsu, using his speed to tear open the opponent's defensive line, then cross from the byline to Nagi."
"In addition, he is extremely good at playing the ball in behind. He has torn open the opponent's defensive line many times with a single long pass, accurately delivering the ball in front of Nagi, who then finishes the job."
Iemon simply drew a few of Team V's attacking routes on the tactical board. His ability was limited; this was already his limit.
"So, in the upcoming match against Team V, how should we play?"
In the world of football, tactics have a considerable impact on a match. That's why coaches are such an important existence in the world of football. Their importance is comparable to the superstar players on the team and can directly affect the outcome of the match.
Of course.
There were no famous coaches in Blue Lock; the coaching aspect was non-existent. So the match tactics of each team were the more common and simple ones. In such a contest, the performance of the core players becomes particularly important.
"Tendou, do you have anything you want to add?"
Everyone looked at Tendou. By now, Team Z was used to playing around Tendou and naturally wanted to hear his thoughts.
"I don't have anything special to add."
"Just a slight change in formation. We'll play a 4-5-1 in the next match."
Hearing this, everyone showed a surprised expression. Tendou's meaning seemed to be to target Mikage Reo, the brain of Team V, rather than their top scorer, Nagi Seishiro.
The group thought for a moment and then understood his intention. Nagi's talent was indeed the highest in Team V. But compared to Tendou, his ability was too one-dimensional and easy to target. As long as he didn't have the ball at his feet, Nagi couldn't display his advantage.
"Isagi, you'll be the one to mark Mikage Reo. Can you do it?"
"Me...?"
Isagi hadn't expected Tendou to call him out by name. For a moment, he was a little pleasantly surprised. After taking a deep breath, he patted his chest and guaranteed, "No problem. I'll keep an eye on him."
"Then that's settled."
Isagi's spatial awareness was very strong. He could always find the most dangerous areas on the field. This spatial awareness could help him find Mikage Reo's passing lanes and destroy them.
The pre-match meeting thus ended.
...
"Hey, Tendou! Why did you specifically give Isagi a task for the match? Am I not stronger than Isagi?"
After the meeting, on the way to the training ground, Chigiri Hyoma chased after him to "demand an explanation." He felt that Tendou had not respected him enough. The person who should bear more responsibility was him, not Isagi.
"Are you a child? Isagi's spatial awareness is obviously more suitable for defending against Mikage Reo. What you need to do is to run with all your might at the right time."
"Also, your crosses are really terrible. Hurry up and practice them properly, little red horse."
Tch!
Chigiri was displeased but didn't pester him further.
"You just wait, Tendou! Next time, I'll definitely deliver a pass that will make you applaud!"
After saying that, he shot a glare at Isagi, pushed past him, and ran into the training ground first.
Isagi: "..."
...
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