Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 195

Mexico was clearly aware of their disadvantage in height.

The solution they came up with was speed.

Mexico’s coach Rodriguez knew that even if they put the tallest players in the team, they wouldn’t be able to win the aerial battle against Johan anyway.

Therefore, they deployed players with good speed and man-marking skills on both flanks and in the center.

The most important thing was to block crosses coming from the flanks.

And when Johan catches the ball and turns, they had to catch up with him as quickly as possible.

A fierce battle unfolding on the flanks.

Certainly, Mexico is not an easy opponent.

The side resources have good stamina, speed, and overflowing fighting spirit.

They seem determined to break the endlessly long round of 16 jinx this tournament.

England is unable to advance easily due to Mexico’s quite aggressive pressure.

The Mexican players were expressing their intention not to give up the sides by mixing in appropriate fouls.

It looks like a new breakthrough is needed.

Of course, Coach Lannister had anticipated this response from Mexico.

Therefore, he had a plan prepared for this situation.

It was simple.

If the opponent sets up a tight side defense, then Johan just needs to move to the side.

“Clean them all up, Johan!”

At Coach Lannister’s instruction, Johan nodded and moved to the left.

“…”

Then, the Mexican right line swallowed hard and tensed up.

They could somehow try to deal with the other players, but Johan was suffocating just by standing there.

In fact, when Johan stood in front of them.

Mexican right-back Gabriel Boneta’s vision was blocked, and he couldn’t see ahead.

His huge back felt like a cliff.

“Tch!”

Boneta had no choice but to circle around Johan and take a position one step ahead.

It was an unavoidable choice to secure vision and position, but

‘Hmm?’

That was a mistake.

Thwack-!

Jack Price’s pass went to the left.

A lobbing through pass that slightly cleared the players’ heads and aimed for the space.

Boneta realized it and turned around, but

“Ugh!”

Boneta slammed his face into a huge wall.

Johan’s huge back was welcoming Boneta once again.

Self-inflicted.

Tatatatat-!

Johan and Boneta running towards the ball.

Still, Boneta was a player with agility due to his small size and had a tenacious fighting spirit.

Although he was blocked by Johan’s back, Boneta tried to find a breakthrough and rushed at Johan.

He tried to get ahead on the outside course and pulled on his uniform with his arm.

His appearance was so pitiful that it was almost sympathetic, but it was just annoying for Johan.

Tatatatat-!

To shake off the annoying Boneta, who was like a fly buzzing around, Johan increased his speed.

Johan running with long strides.

Then,

In just a few steps, the distance between Johan and Boneta widened significantly.

He couldn’t even keep up with speed.

Boneta couldn’t help but feel a sense of deprivation.

Johan instantly broke into the left side of the box.

The opposing center backs come out to meet him.

Knowing that Johan would definitely follow through to the finish, the defenders crouched down.

“Take your positions!”

“Left!”

“Center!”

Three defenders blocked Johan.

Two center backs and even a defensive midfielder.

They were mobilized to block Johan, leaving their respective positions vacant.

Each of them was taking on one option.

One in the front.

One on the left, one on the right.

Of course, Boneta was following like a zombie from behind.

Completely surrounded.

However, if it’s Johan in that surrounded situation, the defense should never be mistaken.

That they have completely trapped Johan.

Because once Johan decides on a direction, it’s the same as a 1-on-1 anyway.

Tatatat-!

Johan’s choice was without hesitation.

Straight ahead.

Johan charging straight ahead without hesitation.

The center back Murillo, who was blocking the front, hurriedly stepped back, but it was useless.

Johan’s rushing speed was so fast that he couldn’t hold his ground by stepping back.

Eventually, even the guys blocking the left and right tried to join in late, but Johan had already passed them.

Johan, who broke through the opponent like a ghost.

Johan, who performed a phantom dribble in that short time,

Thwack-!

Lightly attempted a curler, looking at the far post, and

Whoosh-

Thud-!

The shot shook the goal net.

It was very simple.

Strengthen the side defense to block the ball heading to Johan?

Then just send Johan to the side.