"Tweet!"
Elland Road Stadium.
The referee blows the whistle to start the match!
Leeds United, playing at home, kicks off the ball.
Immediately, the stadium erupts with a deafening roar from the fans!
Ever since the last round, where they had a "taste of success,"
combined with the training and drills over the past few days,
Holloway has thought it over and carefully deployed a five-defender formation.
He has unconditionally pinned all of Crystal Palace's attacking hopes on Kai's orchestrated counterattacks!
On the other side, Leeds United is playing a highly unorthodox formation:
3-3-1-3!
This is the favorite setup of their head coach, the "madman" Bielsa!
It shares similarities with Crystal Palace's formation in that:
Bielsa's 3-3-1-3 involves three center-backs in a horizontal line when attacking,
with two wing-backs pushing forward aggressively.
When defending, the wing-backs drop deep,
and the formation contracts into five defenders!
Bielsa's teams are especially good at relentless attacking and defending.
His tactics emphasize intense high pressing and tireless running!
Whether in attack or defense,
every player is expected to participate.
All-out attack, all-out defense.
It's somewhat reminiscent of Cruyff-era Dutch football.
This style is extreme, but it has influenced an entire generation.
Simeone's Atlético Madrid was heavily inspired by it and built an ironclad team.
Guardiola also understood it deeply and developed Barcelona's iconic high-pressing "Dream Team."
From the very start,
Leeds United goes all in, pressing fiercely.
They quickly gain the upper hand on the field!
Leading the charge is Leeds' striker Gradel,
who has already scored 9 goals this season!
Nine goals in eleven rounds — if he keeps it up,
he's a strong contender for the Golden Boot!
"Leeds' playing style is absolutely unique across the entire Championship."
"They play like rabid dogs."
"Everyone attacks, everyone defends. Their only weakness is stamina!"
Chinese commentator Zhan Jun spoke eloquently.
And sure enough,
just as Zhan Jun said,
facing Leeds' aggressive onslaught,
Crystal Palace's defense is under siege from the very first minute!
Especially the flanks.
Bielsa's 3-3-1-3 heavily emphasizes wing play!
Leeds' two wing-backs are fast, versatile, and relentless.
In these opening stages — when players have the most energy —
Leeds attacks with maximum firepower!
With possession, they use long balls and aerial plays without restraint.
If they lose the ball, they press immediately to win it back.
Palace's traveling fans are on edge.
The defense looks like it's about to collapse.
Leeds' players, trained by Bielsa, go all-in —
trading stamina for an unceasing offensive rhythm.
Of course, this style has significant drawbacks,
but once they get close to the goal, it's devastating!
20 minutes in —
the shot count is 5–0 in Leeds' favor!
On the sideline, Holloway is fidgeting nervously.
At this rate, they're going to concede sooner or later!
Even a six-defender formation wouldn't help!
Leeds' individual player quality is clearly higher than Norwich's!
"Every time Kai gets the ball, his passes and switches are clever, insightful — they open up the field...
But Leeds' pressing is just too intense.
Our players can't even hold the ball!"
On the bench, assistant coach Millen wears a face of worry.
All around Elland Road, the crowd is filled with chants and roars from the home fans.
"Damn it! Same story again — completely suppressed!"
"The eagles just started flying and now they're chickens again!"
"No one can hold the ball! The moment we get it, we lose it!"
Crystal Palace fans are frustrated.
The match situation looks grim!
In the commentary booth, the Chinese broadcasting team continues to cover the match.
A fan sighed:
"These two teams aren't even in the same league.
Kai has brilliant passing vision, but he rarely even gets the ball.
Leeds' frontline pressing is too aggressive — like bulldozers.
If this keeps up, it's only a matter of time before they concede…"
Meanwhile, the livestream chat is flooded with comments:
[Told you, Kai is just a system player. Good for flourish, but useless in real fights!]
[System player? Don't joke! What "system" does Crystal Palace even have? Last match was against Norwich — a Championship powerhouse! Kai got a hat-trick of assists!]
[That was just a fluke. Look at this game — silent as a ghost. He's been exposed!]
[Anyone who bet on a Crystal Palace away win is heading for the rooftop. At this rate, they'll concede within 20 minutes!]
[After last match, people actually compared Kai to Xavi or Iniesta? What a joke!]
Elland Road is in full frenzy!
23rd minute!
Leeds' wing-back Horson charges forward with the ball.
He links up with striker Gradel on the same side for a classic overlap.
Palace's full-back Ambrose gets confused — who to defend?
Horson makes a slick move with his toe and bursts towards the byline!
"OHHHH!!"
Leeds fans erupt with cheers!
"Damn it, Ambrose! Lost your man again!"
On the sidelines, Holloway curses under his breath, brows tightly furrowed.
Horson, sprinting with the ball, glances toward the penalty area.
"Leeds attacking down the flank!"
"Will Horson cross or cut in?"
But seconds later —
a sudden groan of disappointment from the crowd!
"Horson plays a low cross into the box!"
"Oh no, intercepted!"
"A black-haired figure miraculously appeared on the passing lane — and cut it off!"
Even the English commentator is shocked!
On the sideline, Bielsa scratches his bald head, expression sour.
"He tracked all the way back into the box? Isn't that guy playing #10?"
"But his anticipation of the passing lane was spot on."
Bielsa curled his lips, but didn't make a fuss.
On the pitch —
Kai, with full vision of the field,
timely retreated into the box and plugged a major hole in the defense!
The Crystal Palace backline let out a collective sigh of relief.
But no time to celebrate!
Horson, who had just crossed, immediately pressed again!
Gradel also charged in!
In Bielsa's Leeds, forwards and defenders are no different —
they all press, they all intercept!
This is mad-dog football at its finest!
"Run!!"
Kai suddenly shouted,
calling out for his teammates to move!
Facing Gradel's aggressive pressing,
Kai switched on his God's-eye view,
and decisively sent the ball toward an open area on the flank!
Full-back Clyne received and settled the ball.
Leeds' defensive line instantly shifted!
Their transitions were lightning-fast!
Bielsa didn't even need to shout from the sidelines.
Leeds players knew exactly how to rotate and keep the pressure on.
"Hold the ball — don't panic!"
Kai quickly made an off-the-ball run to the wing,
offering a passing option to Clyne!
Clyne didn't hesitate —
he passed the ball to Kai right away.
Looking at the black-haired figure about to receive the ball,
Crystal Palace fans suddenly saw a glimmer of hope!