Chapter 38

Assistant coach Boas raised a question: "Rуни has recovered from his injury, and Owen is in top form. Who will be the lone striker in this 4-1-4-1 formation?"

Jowan Xian laughed and handed Boas a small piece of paper with only 11 players' names: Cech, Bridge, Terry, Cannavaro, Ramos, Makelele, Joe Cole, Lampard, Kaka, Rуни, Owen.

"I've already sent this to The Times. It should be published soon," Jowan Xian said with a casual smile.

Boas's eyes widened in surprise, and he murmured, "Rуни and Owen starting together... Xian, are you planning to revive the classical 3-attacking-midfield formation?"

Jowan Xian waved his hand and said mysteriously, "How can it be called classical? This is a new reform of modern football by me, Jowan Xian! Nowadays, the trend of double defensive midfielders is becoming more popular, and the utilitarian football philosophy is rampant. Even top clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, AC Milan, and Real Madrid favor this style. Isn't this a tragedy for football? What does football value?"

"Attack..." Boas, influenced by Jowan Xian, said instinctively.

"Exactly! What excites the fans is not how solid your defense is, but the continuous offensive waves! Although I know it's difficult to change the direction of world football with my own strength, I am willing to try!" Jowan Xian said with determination and enthusiasm.

Boas, still holding the starting lineup, hesitated and said, "Xian, the 3-attacking-midfield setup might cause positional conflicts, making the front field overly crowded, which could be less effective than a balanced position. Moreover, we've never practiced this 4-1-3-2 formation. Is it appropriate to change the formation on the spot?"

Jowan Xian replied nonchalantly, "We still have one day of training. For a weak team like Paris Saint-Germain, it's enough! After a big win against Paris, this new tactical system will naturally win the players' recognition and support. As for the three attacking midfielders, I will arrange their responsibilities and positions like this: Joe Cole on the left, acting as an inside forward, supporting the left side; Lampard in the center, as a traditional attacking midfielder, a playmaking attacking midfielder; Kaka, with his speed, skill, and excellent shooting, can be the main attacking point, leading the midfield's offensive core, which will surely be more efficient."

Seeing Boas frowning, Jowan Xian explained patiently, "Neither Rуни nor Owen is tall, so we shouldn't rely on high balls for them to head to the second point. We can only use precise, quick, and short ground passes. Both forwards must participate in running and passing, and they must not wait for the ball in the penalty area. We don't play with a tall striker!"

"Pass, run, find opportunities; pass, run, and find more opportunities. Use the talents of the five attacking players to crush the opponent's defense. I understand your point," Boas nodded thoughtfully and laughed, "Our defense is unstable, so we just aim to score one more goal than the opponent, right?"

"Ha ha..." Jowan Xian extended a thumb and praised, "Exactly. However, we might concede many goals this season, but once the entire formation is well-practiced next season, with mutual support between the front, midfield, and defense, it will be an invincible tactic!"

Jowan Xian was so confident because his Source 1 was limited this season, and he could only use it on key attacking players like Kaka. After this season, he was determined to go to China to get enough Source Grass, and then his cheating career would reach its peak!

For Kaka, any fan would love him. Young, handsome, and skilled, most importantly, he is humble and has an excellent professional spirit! Jowan Xian had already planned to make Kaka a top star early. Once Kaka won the World Footballer of the Year under his guidance, such a beautiful memory would be unforgettable for Kaka, who values kindness.

Just thinking about earning the lifelong respect of a star like Kaka made Jowan Xian happy.

Following Jowan Xian's tactical requirements, the team flew to Paris, France, after a day of simple training to prepare for the first match of the UEFA Champions League.

After selling stars like Ronaldinho, Heinze, Arteta, and Okocha, Paris Saint-Germain's strength had significantly declined. Therefore, Jowan Xian did not hold back before the match and used all 3 milliliters of Source 1, applying it to Owen, Rуни, and Kaka.

Favored players must get special treatment.

On September 14th, at 20:00, the match officially began, with German referee Van der officiating. Terry, the Chelsea captain, chose the goal with the favorable wind after winning the coin toss.

After the match started, the Paris players, with the advantage of playing at home, fearlessly engaged in an offensive battle with Chelsea. With Chelsea's defense clearly understaffed, Paris Saint-Germain created many opportunities. Especially the left winger Rothen, who fiercely attacked the young Ramos. If not for the tight defense of Terry and Cannavaro, the forwards Cisse and Pauleta might have scored first.

Paris Saint-Germain's goalkeeper Letizi performed heroically, blocking many of Chelsea's shooting opportunities and even saving a one-on-one shot from Joe Cole.

Cisse, Rothen, and Letizi were the backbone of the team after the departures of many players. To resist Chelsea's attack, they had to take on more responsibility, so their performances were particularly vigorous.

However, Jowan Xian on the sidelines was calm and relaxed, watching the game. Players like Cisse and Rothen would be at most substitutes at Chelsea! Besides, the entire Paris Saint-Germain team had only a few standout players. A team is made up of 11 players!

What Jowan Xian couldn't understand was why Paris Saint-Germain's coach Harry Redknapp was thinking of engaging in an offensive battle with Chelsea.

Watching the Paris "warriors" playing with enthusiasm, he couldn't help but glance at Harry Redknapp, wondering, "I don't know what this guy is thinking. Does he really think that with the home advantage, a group of second- and third-tier players who can't even survive in the Ligue 1 can sink the Chelsea aircraft carrier? Do you think you're Ding Ruchang from the First Sino-Japanese War?"

Even Manchester United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, had to kneel before Chelsea. What capital does Paris Saint-Germain have to play an offensive game?

In fact, Harry Redknapp dared to arrange such tactics because he saw the Chelsea starting lineup published in advance in The Times. He believed that Chelsea's formation was strong in attack but weak in defense, with a vulnerable backline. Rather than waiting to be defeated, he decided to fight to the death!

Harry Redknapp was bitter. Look at the first five rounds of the Premier League. Wasn't every Chelsea match a one-sided affair? Could they defend? With no hope of survival, it was better to die a glorious death. The brave win in a narrow path, and even if they lose, they must show their fighting spirit at the Parc des Princes!

Although Chelsea's defense was understaffed, every player was a defensive expert. Makelele, Terry, Cannavaro, Bridge, and even the young Ramos, if focused on defense, could be impenetrable.

After Paris Saint-Germain's initial three attacks, Chelsea, with the midfield coordination of Lampard, Joe Cole, and Kaka, quickly turned the tide, and the game entered the track Chelsea had planned.

At the 20th minute, a Paris Saint-Germain mistake in the front field was seized by Chelsea's right-back Ramos, who passed the ball to Kaka. Kaka took the opportunity to sprint, dribbling past two players and cutting into the Paris Saint-Germain penalty area. After a brilliant one-two with Wayne Rуни, he was about to enter the penalty area but was fouled by Paris Saint-Germain's central defender Yepes...

"Beep!"

German referee Van der immediately stopped the game, showed a yellow card without hesitation, and awarded Chelsea a direct free kick from about 20 meters away!

A perfect distance, as long as the shot goes through the wall and hits the goal frame, a goal is almost guaranteed!

For this free kick, Lampard, Kaka, Joe Cole, Rуни, and even Ramos were confident in taking it. After a brief discussion with captain Terry, three players stood in front of the ball—Lampard, Kaka, and Rуни.

Who would take this free kick? The Paris players didn't know, but according to Chelsea's tradition in previous matches, free kicks were usually taken by the vice-captain Frank Lampard.

In fact, Paris Saint-Germain's goalkeeper Letizi also believed this. After setting up the wall, he focused all his attention on Lampard, watching his feet and guessing the technique he would use.

"Beep!"

Referee Van der blew a long whistle, signaling that Chelsea could take the free kick. Then he saw Lampard take a step, lean forward, bend his knee, and sprint towards the ball.

Letizi sneered to himself, "A simple trick, are you going to use your powerful shot again? The wall is already blocking the left side of the goal, and I will cover the right side. What chance do you have? I've heard that Chelsea has had countless free kicks in the first five matches but few goals. This free kick tactic is too rigid and simple..."

Letizi had already spread his arms wide, his eyes sharp, and based on his years of experience, he had already judged that Lampard would kick the ball to his right!

Lampard's running speed increased, and as he approached the ball, he swung his right leg and... stepped over it!

"Oh no, this is bad!"

At this moment, Letizi's back was drenched in sweat.