Pan Yi on the sidelines was expressionless.
It's not that he regrets his move to let the players press for assists. After all, both sides had opportunities, but Croatia seized them first.
He was just thinking about what to do next.
And then just two seconds later, he had made up his mind.
Pan Yi raised his hand and shouted to the court: "Don't panic, it's just a draw now, don't affect your mentality, continue to stick to our tactics!"
Stick to tactics, which is to continue attacking.
Yes, Pan Yi is not worried that Croatia will shrink its defense after equalizing the score, because the Croatians also have offensive blood flowing in their bones, and Dalic is not a coach who only knows how to be conservative!
Under such an attack, Pan Yi actually had great confidence in his players being able to break through the opponent's goal.
Keep attacking! Under Pan Yi's shouting, the Italian players only had this thought in their minds.
After the restart, they were not greatly affected by the equalization of the score. As expected, Croatia did not give up the attack just because the score was equalized. When the Italian players poured into the Croatian half, the Croatian players also Welcoming him immediately.
Balotelli dribbled past Perisic and Modric, but Kramaric intercepted the ball with a frontal tackle. The ball rolled out and fell to Varela's feet.
Barrera immediately gave the ball to De Sciglio who came in from the right. De Sciglio dribbled the ball forward. With Chiesa's support, he rushed to the opponent's penalty area before stopping, and then turned around and passed the ball to the opponent's penalty area. The ball is handed to Tonali who follows behind.
Tonali raised his foot and made a pass into the penalty area. The forward Balotelli had already pressed the opponent's defense into the penalty area, but Tonali directly passed the ball to the ambushed Balotelli. Behind Barrera's feet.
Barrera raised his right foot, and Brozovic rushed over to block Barrera's shot with his body, but Barrera immediately passed the ball crosswise, and Verratti, who came in from the back row, caught the ball. If you have enough energy, you can take a long shot!
"Beautiful save! Subasic saved Croatia again! He has made at least three wonderful saves! Although the ball possession rate is worse than Croatia, Italy has created more opportunities than Croatia! If this game If Italy's situation is not good, it can only mean that there is a certain gap between their goalkeeper and the opponent's goalkeeper..."
Donnarumma watched from a distance as Subasic saved the shot from the bottom line and was waving his fists and yelling. The young goalkeeper bit his lip.
He is only 19 years old this year. Although he is rated as "mature", he is still a young man under the age of 20 after all.
After Pan Yi took office, Donnarumma was promoted as the main goalkeeper of the Italian national team. This is actually a bit controversial in Italy.
After all, although Buffon is old, he still maintains a good condition. Many people believe that more experienced goalkeepers should be allowed to play in competitions such as the World Cup.
Donnarumma is still too young!
Even if he became the main force of AC Milan at the age of 16, after all, he only played in the professional league for three years. Compared with Buffon, who has played in Serie A for more than 20 years and has always been the main goalkeeper, it is indeed A bit tender.
However, due to Pan Yi's authority, and more importantly because of the Italian team's excellent record, many doubters had to shut up.
But some people will still say that the Italian team's defense is relatively stable now because the entire defensive system created by Pan Yi is very complete and the performance of the defenders is also very good. It actually has little to do with goalkeeper Donnarumma.
Of course, the young Donnarumma will see such comments on social media and is determined to prove himself in the game.
Today, Subasic, who was standing on the opposite side, obviously performed much better than himself.
If it weren't for Subasic, the score on the court would never be 1:1. The Italian team should have taken the lead again long ago!
People are afraid of comparison.
In front of such a superb goalkeeper, Donnarumma can even imagine that some reporters are already making reports like "Subasic beat Donnarumma" and "We need Buffon to play". Manuscript.
Although compared with Subasic, a 34-year-old veteran goalkeeper who has been in Ligue 1 Monaco for many years and has won the Ligue 1 championship, Donnarumma seems to be at a bit of a disadvantage, but he does not admit defeat.
"I'm no worse than him!" Donnarumma yelled fiercely in his heart.
Pan Yi on the sidelines is actually scratching his head a little now.
Subasic's performance is indeed wonderful!
This is simply the same plot as what happened in the previous life.
At that time, the Croatian goalkeeper, who saved 4 important penalty kicks during the team's promotion process, also became the key player in the team's best record in the World Series in team history.
As a coach, I'm actually most afraid of seeing the opponent's goalkeeper being amazing.
You have arranged your tactics properly, and your players have created shooting opportunities, but the goalkeeper cheats and prevents you from scoring. How can you reason?
In the group stage, we failed to win against Mexico. Isn't it because Ochoa contributed so many amazing saves?
There’s no way we’ll do this again in the semi-finals...
Judging from Subasic's current state, it is simply amazing. If he loses to such a goalkeeper...
"Damn it, I'm not so unlucky." Pan Yi couldn't help but cursed, "I encountered two goalkeepers cheating in one cup?"
However, the Italian players on the field did not think too much. Subasic's outstanding performance made them unconvinced.
Especially a player with a stubborn mind like Balotelli, who just wants to shoot with all his strength, just to break the door guarded by such a goalkeeper!
However, the next Italy got a corner kick, and this original offensive opportunity almost brought disaster to Italy.
Italy's central defenders all rushed up, and De Sciglio also moved into the midfield, ready to participate in the attack at any time. Only Verratti and Spinazzola were left in the backcourt, while Croatia arranged for Perisic. The men stayed behind to fight back.
Tonali took a corner kick, and Bastoni in the middle tried to jump and head the ball towards the goal, but Lovren headed the ball away first.
Barrera, who was guarding the outside of the penalty area, once again hoisted the ball into the penalty area, but Subasic attacked and knocked the ball out. Modric got the ball before Chiesa, and then suddenly made a through kick!
Kramaric started and caught up with the ball!
Kramaric's dribbling speed was definitely not slow. De Sciglio's flying tackle was deflected by him with a beautiful turn and smash, and then he started to dribble the ball forward.
"Return to defense! Be careful!" Pan Yi yelled loudly from the sidelines.
De Sciglio quickly got up from the ground and ran back as hard as he could. However, there was still a long distance between him and Kramaric.
Now, apart from his teammate Perisic, who is always ready to respond, there are only two defensive players left in front of Kramaric, Verratti and Spinazzola.
Croatia's quick counterattack! Two on two in the frontcourt!
In a hurry, Spinazzola and Verratti could only quickly divide the work. Spinazzola turned and pounced on Kramaric, while Verratti ran towards Perisic, wanting to have a one-on-one defense. .
But after approaching the top of the center circle, Kramaric raised his foot and sent a beautiful through ball before Spinazzola got close to him.
At the same time, Perisic started quickly and immediately rushed past Verratti and then chased the ball!
Perisic also has the reputation of "Saber". His speed and his performance at critical moments in competitions never disappoint.
Now, he used his speed to wipe out Verratti, forming a single sword!
Perisic dribbled the ball straight into the Italian penalty area. Seeing that he could no longer catch up with Perisic, Verratti took the risk and made a flying tackle from behind, but Perisic dribbled the ball and deflected it. He easily dodged Verratti's tackle!
No one can stop Perisic's progress!
Oh, no.
In front of Perisic, there is another person, and that is Italy's goalkeeper, Donnarumma!
At this time, Donnarumma tensed his body and stared at Perisic who readjusted his direction and rushed towards the penalty area.
Behind Perisic, De Sciglio was slowly catching up, but Perisic was not far away from the penalty area and was still able to complete the shot before De Sciglio returned to defense!
Donnarumma clenched his fists and without thinking much, rushed out of the penalty area without hesitation.
Even if no one can help him now, he still has to maintain the door behind him!
Boss Pan Yi insists on being the main goalkeeper of the Italian national team, and he must repay him with his best performance!
We can't let him down, nor can we let all Italian fans down!
However, when the Italian fans in the stands saw Perisic facing Donnarumma alone, most of them were already blinded and felt that the goal was probably lost.
After all, although Donnarumma has performed fairly well since becoming the main goalkeeper of the national team, very stable to say the least, he also lacks the kind of amazing saves that can make people talk about the previous week.
He can perform well under the strict protection of Italy's excellent defense, but now that he can only rely on himself, everyone feels that there is no chance.
After all, he is just a 19-year-old kid, not the experienced Buffon!
At this time, the kid had already rushed out of the penalty area. His eyes were fixed on Perisic who was dribbling the ball, and his feet quickly faced the opponent.
Perisic looked at Donnarumma rushing out of the penalty area, and his brain was spinning rapidly.
Donnarumma is close to two meters tall, has a long wingspan, and he strikes out in time, so when he opens his arms and rushes to a place less than ten meters away from Perisic, Perisic There aren't many shooting angles anymore.
Since the two sides can't work, then... the top!
In the blink of an eye, Perisic had already made his decision.
So while running, Perisic first made a realistic fake shot into the far corner.
Donnarumma immediately lowered his body and prepared to block Perisic's shot angle.
Seeing that Donnarumma had lowered his body, Perisic showed a smile, then stretched out his foot to pick under the ball!
Squirt!
The ball drew an arc and was about to fly over Donnarumma's head and into the empty goal behind him.
De Sciglio had just rushed behind Perisic at this time, but still could not interfere with Perisic's shot, and it was too late for him to make up the shot.
The ball flew into the air, and anyone with a bit of vision could see that at this arc, as long as it passed over Donnarumma's head, no one would have the chance to destroy Perisic's third goal in this World Cup. Goal!
Many Italian fans covered their mouths, their hearts suddenly lifted.
However, at this time, a scene that they will never forget appears in front of them.
Donnarumma, who had already lowered his body to pounce on the ball, adjusted his center of gravity in an instant, and then soared into the sky like a rocket!
Although he was very tall and heavy, at this moment, he seemed to have escaped the gravity of the earth, lifting his entire body up like a little goalkeeper!
With a height of 1.96 meters and a wingspan, Donnarumma completed this wonderful save.
When the ball was about to pass over Donnarumma's head, Donnarumma had already jumped to the highest point, reached out and tried his best to hold the ball under the ball. The ball slowed down and fell downwards, followed by Donnarumma. horse body.
Perisic was stunned and immediately rushed over to take a follow-up shot.
But of course De Sciglio, who had already returned to defense at this time, would not just watch him run over like this. The two of them entangled and ran towards the ball that was still bouncing on the lawn, fighting for control of the ball in this dangerous area. right.
And neither of them could grab it.
It was a pair of gloved hands that grabbed the ball!
Donnarumma, who had fallen down, got up on his hands and knees and held the ball firmly under his body before the two caught up with the ball.
De Sciglio braked suddenly, stopped in front of Donnarumma, and then opened his arms to block Perisic from behind.
Perisic bumped into De Sciglio's back, and then he also saw the ball being pressed by Donnarumma. He helplessly helped De Sciglio and stopped.
At this time, the almost suffocating Italian fans in the stands suddenly burst into cheers like a storm.
"Well done, Donnarumma!"
"The reaction was too fast, our main goalkeeper!"
"Holy - Donnarumma!"
The Italian fans cheered one after another in the stands, and De Sciglio also leaned over and patted Donnarumma on the head: "Great save, you saved us!"
Donnarumma let out a sigh of relief, took De Sciglio's hand and climbed up, while his other hand was still holding the ball tightly, like holding a beloved girl.
Only in the thrilling training of games can young players grow up rapidly!
Pan Yi, who was on the sidelines, also clapped happily, expressing his appreciation and congratulations to Donnarumma for this save.
Well, this is only fair, you have a goalkeeper, and I also have a goalkeeper!
Of course, it is not enough for a goalkeeper to make one or two great saves. This special position requires them to perform stably all the time.
Fortunately, Donnarumma's showman moment is far from over, either.
First, Modric's long shot from outside the penalty area was saved by Donnarumma with one palm.
Then came Rebic's cross from the wing, and Donnarumma, who was accurately struck, picked the ball over Kramaric's head in advance.
Donnarumma, who continuously saved the opponent's threatening shots, became more energetic as he played.
In the previous games, due to Italian tactics, he actually did not receive too much pressure. The Italian defenders who paid more attention to defense intercepted most of the attacks. He only needed to concentrate and not make mistakes.
In this game, one aspect was the fierce offensive firepower of the opponent, and another aspect was that Italy played more openly. He faced many more threatening shots than before.
However, it is precisely because of this harsh environment that Donnarumma received more training than in the previous games.
After once again saving Kramaric's threatening volley from outside the penalty area, Donnarumma threw the ball hard.
After being suppressed by Croatia for such a period of time, it was Italy's turn to launch a counterattack!
Donnarumma's footwork is indeed lagging behind that of top goalkeepers, but launching an offense by throwing the ball by hand is one of his best skills!
This time, the ball he threw fell directly to Barrera's feet. Barrera did not choose to pass the ball, but began to dribble the ball from the center and break through!
Among the "non-lineage" players that Pan Yi reused after taking office, Donnarumma is one, and Barrera is also a very important one.
In the current Italian national team, Barella plays a role somewhat similar to Kante's at Chelsea - and they happen to have similar bodies.
He will defend and organize attacks deeper in the midfield, and he has always done a good job. The occasional forward attack can also play a big role, and his long-range shooting skills are not even worse than Kanter.
Now, he is fulfilling the responsibility of pushing the ball forward that Pan Yi asked of him.
Only after seeing Rakitic and Modric attacking him at the same time did Barrera hand the ball to Tonali in front.
Tonali directly handed the ball to Chiesa on the right, and then rushed forward. Chiesa dribbled the ball along the side and suddenly stopped when he was about to break through to a place parallel to the penalty area line. He raised his foot and passed the ball across to Tonali, who had already received the ball.
Tonali made a posture of hitting the goal hard, and Lovren rushed over to block the ball with his body. However, Tonali's shot was another feint, and then he raised his foot and passed the ball sideways. !
At this time, Barrera, who followed up a little later than Tonali, immediately hit the ball with a powerful volley!
With the help of running and swinging legs, Varela's shot was extremely powerful. The ball made a dull sound and then flew quickly to the left side of the goal!
Although the shot was very fast, Subasic still made a timely judgment.
Shooting directly without stopping the ball makes the shot more powerful, but the angle is more difficult to control. The same is true for Barrera's kick. It is powerful but the angle is left of the center. Subasic has time. to react.
However, at this time, Lovren was not helpful.
When the ball flew past him, he subconsciously raised his foot. The ball hit the outside of his thigh, changed direction slightly, and flew directly to the center...
Subasic, who had already made a save, twisted his body and planned to change his center of gravity again. However, the shot was too fast. He failed to make a correct judgment at the first time and could not make a second reaction at all!
The ball flew past where Subasic had just been standing, and then hit the net!
Two to one! Italy overtakes the score again!
Barrera clenched his fists and shouted to the sky!
He once again used his long-range shot to contribute to Italy!
The Italian players on the field began to congratulate Varela from all directions. Donnarumma also turned to face the Italian fans behind him and raised his arms high!
"Italy takes the lead again! Barrera's long shot hit Lovren and flew into the goal..."
"Unlucky Subasic, but Italy deserves this goal! They had no less than three excellent chances to score before, but they were all miraculously resolved by Subasic!"
"Now it seems that even the magical Subasic cannot save Croatia, and lady luck is finally on Italy's side!"
(End of chapter)
