Chapter 285: Pressing! Pressing!

Words : 1451 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

The entire stadium was rolling with roaring cheers. Accompanied by the stirring UEFA Champions League anthem, the flashes from photographers' cameras on both sides never ceased. The deafening noise rushed past the ears. In front of them was the iconic UEFA Champions League arch. Both teams emerged from the players' tunnel, passing through the honor-symbolizing arch, leading their ball boys onto the pitch. The players stood facing the stands in formation. On one side were Arsenal in their trademark red and white kits, and on the other side AC Milan in their gray away second kits. The stadium DJ loudly announced the names of the players. Arsenal players naturally received cheers and applause. But AC Milan's players were met with hostility. Especially when Suker's name was called, a wave of 'boo' sounds filled the arena. Booooooooooooooooo!—— Aside from boos, there were also intense jeers from Arsenal fans. "Cesc is better than Suker!" "Cesc is better than Suker!" "Cesc is better than Suker!" The Arsenal fans loudly taunted Suker, trying to put pressure on him. Suker remained unmoved. But in the VIP box, was not pleased. "Bullshit! What a bunch of blind idiots, how can that Spanish kid be compared to Suker!" Giselle stood up in the box, flashing a rude gesture toward the stands. "Go eat shit!" Not satisfied with just the words, Giselle even wanted to storm out and curse them all. But her assistant quickly pulled her back. On the field, both teams returned to their halves. Maldini and Henry prepared for the coin toss. Suker warmed up on the left side. Meanwhile, Fabregas was staring intently at Suker. Suker noticed this and turned to glare. "What are you looking at?" Fabregas snorted and turned away. Suker arrogantly lifted his chin. The coin toss decided Arsenal would kick off first. AC Milan was ready to start. "This is the 2005/2006 season, UEFA Champions League semifinals, Arsenal hosting AC Milan!" "The Emirates Stadium is packed with 60,000 fans, one of the highest attendances in recent years!" "For Arsenal fans, the importance of this semifinal is undeniable—they're on the verge of making history!" "But in front of them stands a giant called AC Milan!" "Arsène Wenger's Arsenal, a team known for beautiful attacking football and possession play, can they deliver an outstanding performance against the Italian giants? Will their passing game be smooth enough to tear apart Milan's proud defense?" "And how will AC Milan respond to this Arsenal challenge?" "All these questions will soon be answered!" Commentators worldwide broadcast in various languages, but the excitement in their voices was the same. This English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal versus Italian Serie A giant AC Milan match was undoubtedly one of the most thrilling clashes of the Champions League. Arsenal boasted stars like Henry, Pires, Yobo, Gilberto Silva, Hleb, and Fabregas. AC Milan fielded a full-strength squad led by Maldini. Both sides had star-studded lineups. Arsenal's bench included veterans like Bergkamp. Milan's substitutes featured veterans like Inzaghi and Costacurta. The players stood ready on their respective sidelines. The match was about to begin. The cheering from Arsenal fans grew louder. The game was on. After the referee confirmed with both goalkeepers, he stepped back to the center circle. Whistle blew. The match started! Right from the kickoff, Arsenal immediately began their characteristic possession play rhythm. "Arsenal kick off. Wenger's team is known for beautiful, attacking, possession-based football." "If you've watched Arsenal before, you know this team can always use fluid passing to tear open defenses, even threading the ball into the opponent's net!" "But how will AC Milan respond?" AC Milan gave an answer quickly. "Go! Charge!" "Sprint! Sprint!" Suker shouted wildly as he dashed forward. At the same time, Shevchenko and Kaka also rushed forward, the three charging toward the passing hub. Pirlo and others pushed their positions forward, further blocking Arsenal's passing lanes. "High pressing!!!" Italian commentator Aldo serena exclaimed, "AC Milan is using high pressing!!" In Serie A, chain defense is key; you rarely see all-out attacking or full-pressing strategies, let alone high pressing. But Ancelotti is an imaginative coach, always capable of surprising tactical changes. Like in previous Champions League matches, Suker has alternated between striker and midfielder. Depending on the opponent and situation, the tactical system changes. For this match, Ancelotti actually deployed the hallmark Dutch-style high pressing. Shevchenko charged at Arsenal's ball-carrying defender Campbell. Shevchenko rushed fiercely. Campbell hastily passed sideways to center back Touré. Touré wanted to play a pass to the defensive midfielder, but Suker suddenly appeared in the passing lane. "Don't even think about passing!" What made it worse was Suker was accelerating toward him. Touré helplessly passed sideways to fullback Ashley Cole. Ashley Cole just received the ball and looked up. Suker turned and sprinted at him. At the same time, Shevchenko had reached Campbell's side, and Fabregas was being tightly marked by Seedorf, who had moved up in position. Ashley Cole had no short passing options and could only glance toward the far side. "Hurry and clear it!" Fabregas shouted anxiously. Ashley Cole then realized Suker had closed in. The two collided heavily. Suker pressed fiercely. "Suker is pressing hard, right from the start, Suker is going all out, and Arsenal's prized possession game is disrupted!" Suker kept squeezing Ashley Cole while looking for support. "Seedorf! Come up! Come up!" Seedorf abandoned marking Fabregas and rushed over. Pirlo moved to mark Fabregas. On the wing, Yobo tried to retreat, but Maldini tracked him closely. "Oh no!" Wenger, on the sidelines, saw this and was shaken. AC Milan's plan! They never intended to let Arsenal play their comfortable passing game. Bang! Ashley Cole, under pressure, could only kick the ball against Suker's lower leg and send it flying out of bounds. "Run into the space to receive!" Ashley Cole shouted in anger. He was frustrated. Mainly because he could find no passing lanes—AC Milan had blocked them all. "Arsenal wants to control the ball and the tempo, but I will never give them that chance!" Ancelotti chewed gum calmly and said, "Press! Keep pressing! Disrupt their passing rhythm and pressure their midfield passing core, force mistakes." Ancelotti smiled slightly: "After all, he's just a 19-year-old kid. He won't hold up under such pressure!" Assistant coach: "But that consumes a lot of energy." Ancelotti nodded: "So, I'll use the substitutions on defenders, or rather, on two fullbacks!" "I'll only give Maldini and Cafu 55 minutes each!" Assistant coach understood: "That will work!" On the pitch, Fabregas rushed to the wing. "Throw it to me! Throw it!" Ashley Cole quickly threw the ball in. Fabregas was about to trap the ball with his chest when he felt a light bump. The ball was stopped off, landing three meters away. AC Milan's veterans are masters of experience. They know exactly how and when to apply pressure. Just like Pirlo's nudge. "Oh no!" Fabregas rushed to the ball to shield it. But Suker had already raced back along the sideline, reached the ball first, and turned with it. "Take it back!" Fabregas dashed after Suker fiercely. But Suker lightly passed to Pirlo on the side. As Fabregas turned to Pirlo, Suker had already slipped past. Pirlo passed forward. Suker received the ball near the ribs. A quick one-two pass instantly bypassed Fabregas. "Beautiful!" Italian commentator Aldo serena couldn't help but praise. AC Milan's performance after kickoff was excellent. Their tactic had worked well. Suker attacked in the half-spaces. Seedorf overlapped on the wing. Shevchenko stuck tightly to the defense, eager to break through. Kaka was also in support on the far side. Suker charged straight at Touré. Touré was on high alert. When they were close, Suker feinted left with his left foot over the ball and dropped his shoulder. Touré instinctively shifted his weight that way. Suker's eyes lit up. He flicked the ball right with his left foot, pushed it forward with his right. A quick step-over move. "Suker!! Got past him!!" Whoosh!!!!!!!!!!!!—— Arsenal fans gasped. Their bodies stiffened. Watching their defense torn apart instantly made them anxious. Fortunately, Campbell had tracked back. But Suker suddenly stopped and passed diagonally backward. Shevchenko and Eboué rushed in together. The former went down with a sliding shot. The ball bounced off Arsenal goalkeeper Lehmann's shin and went out for a corner. "Hey! What are you all doing? Get your spirits up!" Lehmann shouted angrily. Seeing their defense torn apart so quickly made him uneasy. AC Milan earned a corner from their first attack.

Chapter 285: Pressing! Pressing!

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