Lin Feng stood on the field, his gaze firm and confident, having just successfully limited Vietto's attack. However, Escribá, on the sidelines, knew that the next attacker the team would face, Sarabia, was completely different in style from Vietto. Sarabia's long-range shooting ability was well-known in the League, which made Escribá feel a hint of anxiety.
He understood that although Lin Feng had performed excellently, the defensive strategy had to be adjusted to face attackers with different styles. So, he walked towards Lin Feng without hesitation, quickly and accurately conveying information about Sarabia's attacking characteristics and style.
"Sarabia is good at finding opportunities outside the penalty area, and his long-range shots are very accurate. You need to maintain distance and not be easily faked out by him," Escribá's voice was serious and full of guidance, his words like a key, opening the door for Lin Feng to defend against Sarabia.
Lin Feng nodded in understanding, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He knew that the upcoming defensive task would be even more challenging, but he was ready. He quickly adjusted his stance and posture, preparing to meet the new challenge.
Lin Feng deeply understood the importance of Escribá's reminder; he knew that to prevent Sarabia from taking long-range shots, the key was to keep him away from the goal and prevent him from turning. This defensive trick gave Lin Feng a clear plan, and he decided to go all out in the upcoming match, tightly marking Sarabia.
In early football tactical systems, players specifically assigned to mark an opposing forward were called man-marking center-backs. But as time went on, zonal marking gradually became mainstream, and nowadays, defenders rarely specifically mark one forward. However, Lin Feng decided to challenge this tradition; he was determined not to give Sarabia any opportunity to take a long-range shot.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened, and his body seemed to instantly become more agile and flexible. He followed closely behind Sarabia, trying to maintain an appropriate distance with every step. His footwork was light and quick, always keeping a tight distance from Sarabia.
The atmosphere on the field became tense and intense, with both teams' players fully focused on this duel. The fans' breathing seemed to pause for a moment, concentrating on what would happen next.
Lin Feng's marking put pressure on Sarabia. He tried to shake off Lin Feng by turning and changing direction, but Lin Feng remained like a shadow, clinging tightly to him. No matter how Sarabia tried, Lin Feng was always able to accurately judge his intentions and take appropriate defensive actions.
As the match progressed, Lin Feng's marking became tighter and tighter. Under Lin Feng's close marking, Sarabia found it difficult to get opportunities for long-range shots, which greatly limited the Sevilla Team's attack. Although Sarabia still tried to find opportunities, Lin Feng's excellent performance prevented him from making a breakthrough.
Escribá's gaze closely followed the fierce confrontation between Lin Feng and Sarabia. Lin Feng's strong defensive awareness and skill made him light up. He keenly realized that Lin Feng's excellent performance was not only a nightmare for his opponent Sarabia but also a defensive weapon for the team.
At this moment, a completely new idea quickly flashed through Escribá's mind. He began to imagine transforming Lin Feng into a specialized man-marking center-back, a role that would play a crucial part in the team's defensive system. The boldness and uniqueness of this idea made his heart race, and also made him feel a hint of excitement.
As an experienced coach, Escribá deeply understood the importance of an excellent man-marking center-back to a team's defense. They play a key role on the field, requiring excellent marking skills, keen observation, and quick reaction speed. The abilities Lin Feng displayed seemed to make him the ideal candidate for this role.
However, transforming Lin Feng into a man-marking center-back was not easy. It required Lin Feng to make comprehensive improvements in defensive skills and tactical understanding. At the same time, it also required Escribá to provide careful guidance and arrangements in training.
In today's rapidly developing modern football, the tiki-taka tactical trend led by Guardiola has profoundly changed the role and responsibilities of center-backs. Traditional man-marking center-backs seem to have gradually disappeared into the long river of history, replaced by center-backs with better ball-playing and zonal marking abilities.
Guardiola's football philosophy emphasizes control and passing, requiring center-backs to possess excellent passing technique and the ability to read the game. They must not only be able to intercept the opponent's attacks but also be able to organize the team's offense through precise passes. This tactical change has made the role of center-backs more diversified, placing higher demands on players' technical and tactical literacy.
Against this backdrop, traditional man-marking center-backs seem somewhat outdated. Their one-on-one defensive approach is becoming increasingly ineffective in modern football. Instead, zonal marking and team collaboration have become mainstream, requiring center-backs to have broader defensive coverage and the ability to work together.
In the broader context of modern football, the role of man-marking center-backs is becoming increasingly scarce, with many teams preferring to adopt a zonal marking tactical system. However, it is precisely against this backdrop that Escribá, with his unique insight, saw in Lin Feng the potential for a long-lost man-marking center-back.
In Escribá's mind, he had already outlined a perfect blueprint for Lin Feng. He imagined Lin Feng, with his excellent marking skills and strong physical qualities, firmly restricting the opponent's forwards outside the penalty area. He believed that Lin Feng's addition would inject new vitality and confidence into the team's defense.
Throughout this process, Escribá will closely monitor Lin Feng's progress and changes. He believes that in the near future, Lin Feng will become a man-marking center-back feared by opponents, bringing a revolutionary improvement to the team's defensive system. And all of this stems from Escribá's deep understanding and trust in Lin Feng, as well as his unique insights into the art of modern football defense.
As the whistle blew, the match against Sevilla officially ended. Players from both teams shook hands on the field, showing mutual respect. For Villarreal, this draw was not a bad result, especially when playing with ten men.
After the match, the players returned to the locker room one after another. The Villarreal players had a hint of fatigue on their faces, but more so, a sense of relief. They knew that facing the strong Sevilla, being able to keep a clean sheet and secure a draw was already a pretty good result.
As Lin Feng walked into the locker room, he could feel gazes sizing him up. He knew that these gazes contained curiosity, anticipation, and even the strict scrutiny of the first-team veterans. He lowered his head slightly, but his steps were firm, each one revealing an unyielding stubbornness.
Captain Bruno Soriano was sitting in the center of the locker room at this moment; his gaze lingered on Lin Feng for a moment, then he slowly walked over. His demeanor was serious, but a hint of admiration flickered in his eyes.
"Lin Feng, your performance today was very good," Bruno's voice was low and powerful, his words echoing in the locker room, "Especially in the backline, your several crucial interceptions and coverages were spot on."
Lin Feng looked up, meeting Bruno's gaze. His eyes sparkled with a determined light, as if saying, "I will continue to work hard and not let everyone down."
"Thank you, Captain, I will continue to work hard," Lin Feng's voice, though not loud, was full of determination and confidence.
Bruno nodded, his demeanor softening, a slight smile appearing on his face: "Very good, I look forward to you performing even better in the upcoming matches. Remember, we are a team, and only by being united can we achieve better results."
As Bruno's words fell, the atmosphere in the locker room became more relaxed and harmonious. The first-team veterans came forward to shake Lin Feng's hand or pat his shoulder in encouragement; their faces showed smiles of approval and acceptance.
Lin Feng knew that at this moment, he had truly integrated into the team. He was no longer that lonely Chinese youngster but an important member of the Villarreal defense. He took a deep breath, his heart full of gratitude and anticipation. He knew that the road ahead was still long, but he was ready to face all challenges.