The Hexagonal Ancient Behemoth

It can be said that today's match gave Wu Bin a rude awakening.

That's right, you can't play professional football without a good physique.

But physical health alone is not enough!

He could use his strong physique, honed under Rijkaard's guidance, to beat players from third-tier Chinese teams, but it was far from enough against players who had played in the Chinese Super League.

Therefore, he oversimplified the concept of professional football.

The "Beckenbauer Experience Card" back then was obviously supermodel-worthy, making everything much easier for Wu Bin when facing his opponents.

But after it expired, Wu Bin was like someone facing a math problem he had just seen the answer to; he seemed to understand it, but when the question was changed, he couldn't solve it at all.

After all, a football match is like a math problem. Even if the principles are the same, different opponents (problems) may require different approaches!

I still need guidance and training from experts to truly "solve the problem".

At this point, we must seek "off-field support"!

Wu Bin opened the QQ group for football bigwigs.

Still, no one spoke.

But at this point, the only option is to take the initiative.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately sent a message, his tone urgent and humble.

[I'm a football player]: @Franz Beckenbauer @Frank Rijkaard @Luther Gullit @Lothar Matthäus @Franco Baresi, gentlemen, I urgently need your help!

Regardless of whether they've been in the group before, as long as they're a strong defender, tag them.

Maybe some people like diving?

About a minute passed, but there was still no movement.

"Please reply to me soon..." Wu Bin prayed silently in his heart, refreshing the chat box again and again with his fingertips, his eyes fixed on the screen, afraid of missing any message.

Although losing today's game is understandable.

His standing in the coach's eyes will definitely drop, but he can make up for it later through his performance in training.

However, as a key player for the team, facing the attack of a former Chinese Super League-level striker is actually a rare opportunity.

This is also the strongest opponent Fujian Tianxin has faced before the start of the official season.

If Wu Bin can improve his defensive skills through last-minute cramming today and be able to stop a striker of Fan Zhiqiang's caliber, then he will feel more confident.

This at least shows that he will definitely have no problem playing in China League Two!

Another minute passed.

Just when he was about to give up hope, the QQ group notification sounded and a new message popped up.

Wu Bin was overjoyed.

Finally, something's happening!

However, this time, the people speaking in the chat group were not Beckenbauer, Cruyff, or Maradona, who were usually present.

It wasn't Rijkaard either.

Instead, he is a "newcomer".

Ruud Gullit, known as "The Braided General" among the Dutch Three Musketeers!

[Luther Gullit]: @I'm a football player, just logged on, what's up?

It's Gloucester!

A true hexagonal ancient behemoth!

He is tall and strong but has delicate footwork. He can both charge into battle and command the overall situation from the midfield. He is also world-class when playing center back.

In various football games, Gullit is the kind of player who can handle both offense and defense.

If I could get him to give me some pointers on defense, that would be amazing!

After the initial surprise, Wu Bin immediately perked up and his fingers flew across the screen: "Mr. Gullit, hello! I'm currently playing a match, and the opposing striker has an extremely strong dribbling ability. I can't stop him, which has led to my team's midfield being breached. We're down 0-2 at halftime, and I really don't know what to do!"

[Luther Glutton]: Oh. I checked the chat history, didn't my brother Frank teach you that?

[I'm a football player]: Yes, I've also developed my physique and physical strength, but I still lack defensive skills... This striker doesn't directly challenge me, but uses running and technique to get past me.

[Ruder Gullit]: The key to interception is anticipation. Observe the opponent's eyes and center of gravity, and position yourself in advance on the passing or dribbling line.

[Diego Maradona]: Intercept? Intercepting is too tiring! @I'm a football player, listen to me, stop defending, go straight for the attack!

Damn, why did this guy show up again at this time?

[Diego Maradona]: Think about it, if you intercept the ball from the opponent, you still have to pass it, how troublesome is that? It's better to just rush into the opponent's penalty area, take a shot, and turn the score around. Who cares about his breakthrough?

[Ruder Gullit]: @Diego Maradona He is a defensive midfielder, his primary task is defense, not offense.

[I'm a football player]: @Diego Maradona I can't even defend properly now, let alone attack...

[Diego Maradona]: It's okay! If you lack talent, make up for it with confidence! Just imagine that the other side is full of wooden stakes, full of wooden stakes... and then you can dribble all the way over them!

[Ruder Gullit]: @Diego Maradona, don't mislead him! @I'm a football player, don't listen to him, being too greedy with dribbling is a big no-no for a defensive midfielder!

[Diego Maradona]: I'm just being encouraging! Geniuses are nurtured through encouragement, unlike you guys who only know tactics, tactics, all day long—so boring!

【I'm a football player】: @Diego Maradona Can you teach me how to dribble?

Diego Maradona: Do I need to be taught? I was born knowing how.

[I'm a football player]: ... @Lud Gullit, you should teach me defensive techniques instead.

[Luther Gullit]: Alright, you seem to have a pretty good understanding of tactics. I have a few questions for you, and if you can give me satisfactory answers, I might be able to help you out.

[I'm a soccer player]: Please speak, I will answer seriously!

[Ruder Gullit]: First, in a three-center-back system, how should the defensive midfielder's position be adjusted? Should he stay close to the two center-backs, push forward into midfield, or change flexibly according to the opponent's attacking rhythm?

[Ruder Gullit]: Second, when facing fast and strong forwards, how can the defensive midfielder, wing-backs, and center-backs coordinate their defense in a three-center-back system to effectively drive away the opponent and block their breakthrough lines, instead of being picked off one by one by the opponent?

[Ruder Gullit]: Third, when the midfield is broken through by the opponent's short passing combinations, how can the defensive midfielder quickly drop back to cover and intercept the opponent's passing lanes to avoid gaps in the defense?

Wu Bin nodded slightly.

As expected, it fits GRID's "persona".

在古利特执教切尔西时期，就喜欢使用3-5-2或3-4-1-2这样的三中卫阵型，踢着所谓的「性感足球」。

His core idea is that the attack should be fluid, elegant, creative, and based on ground passing, rejecting dullness and blind long passes, and pursuing "good looks and winning games".

Therefore, Gullit in the group will naturally consider the role of the defensive midfielder more in a three-center-back system.

After all, this can be considered the "core" of this formation.

Chelsea, led by Conte at this stage, won the Premier League title precisely because they had a versatile defensive midfielder like Kanté, combined with the running up and down the two wing-backs.

Wu Bin took a deep breath and began to seriously consider the tactical analysis he had seen in his previous life, rapidly tapping the screen to reply to each message.

[I'm a football player]: In response to your question, I believe that in a three-center-back system, the defensive midfielder's position cannot be fixed and must be flexibly adjusted according to the opponent's attacking rhythm. When the opponent presses forward aggressively, the defensive midfielder should close to the two center-backs, forming a de facto four-center-back formation to solidify the backline defense and prevent the opponent from attacking behind the defense. When the opponent is counter-attacking, the defensive midfielder should push forward appropriately to intercept the opponent's passing lanes, slow down the opponent's advance, and buy time for the wing-backs to drop back and cover.

[I'm a football player]: Against fast, dribbling strikers, relying solely on a defensive midfielder is insufficient; a coordinated effort from the defensive midfielder, wing-backs, and center-backs is necessary. The defensive midfielder is responsible for positioning and pressing from the front, preventing the opponent from easily turning; the wing-backs drop back to block the opponent's wing penetration routes, preventing them from cutting inside; and the center-backs cover behind, preventing the opponent from creating a one-on-one opportunity after breaking through the defensive midfielder. The three form a defensive triangle, driving the opponent towards the sidelines and other blind spots, thus eliminating their attacking threat.

[I'm a football player]: When the midfield is breached, the defensive midfielder should not blindly drop back or rush to press forward. Instead, he should quickly judge the direction of the opponent's pass and the route of attack, prioritize intercepting the most threatening pass, and at the same time signal the wing-backs and center-backs to shrink the defensive line and fill the gaps. If the opponent has already broken through the midfield, the defensive midfielder should quickly drop back in front of the center-backs to form a barrier, delay the opponent's attacking rhythm, wait for teammates to return to defense, and then cooperate with teammates to complete the interception or interception.

Wu Bin was unsure if his answer was correct. After sending the message, he was filled with anxiety again, staring intently at the screen, waiting for Gullit's reply.

During this time, Maradona continued to chatter on and on, scoffing at the two men's tactical discussions, but Wu Bin simply ignored him.

Meanwhile, in the locker room, Zhao Qiang had already finished outlining the tactics for the second half. His teammates got up one after another, and no one noticed Wu Bin in the corner.

As Zhang Lei passed by, he glanced at him, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and muttered under his breath, "Still playing on his phone. Looks like he's given up. Let's see how he embarrasses himself in the second half."

Wu Bin ignored him; all his attention was focused on the phone screen.

Time passed second by second, each second feeling like an eternity.

Just as he was about to lose patience, Gullit's message popped up again.

[Luther Gullit]: Excellent! Very good! What you said is fantastic, I find it very inspiring!

[Luther Gullit]: But you talk a good game, so why don't you apply it in your own games?

[I'm a soccer player]: ...This is what they call easier said than done. Not every coach is a good soccer player!

[Luther Gullit]: That makes sense. Okay, I'll just teach you the most practical defensive techniques and help you translate tactical concepts into real-game capabilities.

[Ruder Gullit]: I've compiled the defensive techniques I've learned into a document, which includes detailed training on positioning, chasing, interception, and coordinated coverage. Take a look at it first.

[Luther Glutton]: I'm going to verify what you just said... Bye-bye.

As soon as he finished speaking, a file titled "Defensive Midfielder Skills Training - Gullit Exclusive Edition" popped up in the group chat.

Gullit's image also turned gray.

Wu Bin's fingers trembled slightly with excitement, and he clicked the "Open" button almost without hesitation.

He was acutely aware of the value of this document—with this special training, he could likely make up for his technical shortcomings in a short period of time!