Southampton is indeed a little bit worse than traditional veteran teams in terms of physical strength.

The score on the big screen changed to Sheffield United 2:1 Southampton, and the mentality of the Southampton players became anxious.

Entering the third round of the knockout stage, it turned out to be not that easy.

Although they had Gu Ran's wonderful shot at the beginning, their overall physical confrontation level and frontcourt attacking ability were still not as good as Sheffield United.

If Lallana was there, many opportunities in the early stages wouldn't have been wasted.

Alternatively, if Gu Ran plays as a central midfielder instead of a straight pass, the effect will be better.

But the Southampton team is in a bit of an awkward situation now. They need Gu Ran not only in offense, but also in defense.

Coach Adkins stood in the visiting team's technical area with a frown on his face. He knew that he had to make tactical adjustments as soon as possible.

Southampton's problem now is that their frontcourt is not physically strong enough and their forward line is weak.

Therefore, Gu Ran must be granted higher rights as a free man.

Coach Adkins then raised his right hand and pointed one finger toward the sky.

This is a tactical signal that has been practiced many times during normal training!

As soon as the Southampton players on the field saw Coach Adkins' gesture, their morale was immediately boosted!

Gu Ran also ran to Chamberlain's left forward position, put his arm around Chamberlain's shoulders, and said in a low voice, "Change positions."

Chamberlain's face was full of bitterness. "Gu, don't switch with me. Why don't you switch with Jarod? It would be more fun for you to play as a striker directly."

Gu Ran said unhappily, "I'm a striker, who will organize the game? Who will pass the ball to me?"

Chamberlain said, "Leave it to me! I have learned all your moves!"

Gu Ran said: "Get lost!"

Chamberlain begged, "Gu, I need to improve my stats. How can I do that if you're like this? Besides, I can't play as a left-back. That little Jamie is very strong. If I play as a left-back, I'll be exposed like fishnet stockings!"

Fuck, we're already 2:1 behind, and you're still thinking about fishnet stockings? Gu Ran said in a deep voice: "Stop talking nonsense, I'll make up for it if I get a chance. As for defense, don't worry, if I play as a left midfielder, I can even put a dog on the left back."

Chamberlain nodded in conviction.

Gu Ran patted Chamberlain on the shoulder and said, "Why don't you go now?"

"Okay..." Chamberlain then ran to the left back position with his head down. After he stood there, Chamberlain suddenly realized, "Wait, what do you mean it's okay to put a dog here? Huh?"

The game continues.

Jamie Ward on the opposite side was shocked to see that the person facing him turned out to be Gu Ran.

Garrod kicked off and passed the ball directly to Gu Ran.

After getting the ball, Gu Ran immediately started at high speed and dribbled forward!

The change happened so quickly that Sheffield United's defense had no time to react, and Michael Doyle was unable to rush up in time to form a joint defense with Jamie Ward.

Jamie Ward had no choice but to step up and defend Gu Ran alone.

Gu Ran was not polite to Jamie Ward at all. He used an enhanced reasonable collision and a Marseille turn, and knocked Jamie Ward to the ground while turning around to protect the ball.

This is pure physical force, a forceful crushing visible to the naked eye!

The Saints fans cheered excitedly. The offensive scene they had been waiting for the most finally came! Jamie Ward, who was knocked over, had no time to get up, and he slid on the spot to retaliate! However, Jamie Ward's legs were too short. After Gu Ran's Marseille turn, he sprinted at a high speed with violent aesthetics! Right-back Nosworthy quickly came up, and midfielder Michael Doyle also tried his best to intercept Gu Ran.

Gu Ran decisively dribbled the ball inside, and Michael Doyle seized the opportunity and charged fiercely with his shoulder.

Gu Ran predicted in advance, stopped suddenly and stepped on the ball, then turned quickly, accelerated again, and passed easily from behind Michael Doyle.

Michael Doyle quickly turned around and reached out to pull Gu Ran's arm.

But Gu Ran was too fast and Doyle couldn’t catch him at all!

In a hurry, Doyle made a scissor kick and slid! Gu Ran was hit on the heel and staggered - but with his strong sense of balance and flexibility, Gu Ran just staggered and did not fall. He stabilized his body almost instantly and continued to dribble the ball to the middle.

Doyle was stunned! With his strength and ferocity, if he tackled the opponent, he would be seriously injured, or at least fall down and scream while holding his ankle.

However, his all-out scissor-kick sliding tackle failed to knock down Gu Ran! Sheffield United's defense was immediately paralyzed.

Gu Ran's world wave, that is a very sharp killer! Sheffield United's defensive players immediately double-teamed Gu Ran, and the front of the penalty area was almost like an iron barrel! Southampton's players actively moved and tried to penetrate to help Gu Ran become the fulcrum in the frontcourt.

Even Chamberlain, who was originally playing at left back, rushed to the 30-meter area on the left side, waiting for Gu Ran to pass the ball to him.

Chamberlain just wanted to prove that he, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - was better than a dog!

Faced with the almost impenetrable arc defense, Gu Ran calmly pushed the ball to the left side of his body, anticipating and avoiding Phyllis Coker's sliding tackle. Then, while the Sheffield United defense line moved to the left, Gu Ran dribbled the ball directly into the middle!

No passing, no cutting or pulling, just cutting in!

Passing the ball and cutting horizontally are both used to create space for the front line, but now Southampton's two forwards, Gully and Garrod, are both under close guard. Even if they can pass the ball to them, they may not be able to hold it. Even if they are helped to create space, they may not be able to complete the shot under the opponent's highly aggressive and high-pressure defense.

At this moment, Gu Ran is the hidden center!

Although Sheffield United's curved defense looks solid, it is actually just a decoration.

Sheffield United's defensive players never expected that Gu Ran could go into such a dangerous situation alone.

By the time they reacted, Gu Ran had already used the force of violent aesthetics to push away the central defender Shane Lowry and entered the penalty area! In the face of absolute power, the seemingly strong Shane Lowry was as fragile as paper! Sheffield United's defense was gnawed away, and the shooting path was opened!

The Saints fans in the north stands all stood up spontaneously and cheered for Gu Ran at the top of their lungs!

Taylor Swift in the VIP box was jumping up and down wildly, screaming: "Ahhh! Gu! Shoot, shoot!"

Shane Lowry, who was carried away, was not willing to be outdone. He slid directly in front of Gu Ran, trying to block Gu Ran's shooting path with his body.

The other central defender, Sheffield United captain Charles Morgan, aggressively used his body to squeeze Gu Ran's space and disrupt Gu Ran's center of gravity.

Left-back Joe Mattock also followed suit and double-teamed Gu Ran, as if he was going to trap him in the penalty area.

I have to say that Sheffield United's defense is really good, and their level is definitely higher than Southampton's. Even if their curved defense line is bitten off, they can complete the second blockade in the first time.

but……

They picked the wrong opponent.

Gu Ran, who had already broken into the penalty area, did not use any fancy moves. He just endured the physical pressure from three defensive players and continued to advance while protecting the ball!

That's right! He just forced his way in! In just ten seconds, Gu Ran was tackled 4 times, pulled 5 times, and violated 9 times! But Gu Ran never fell! Such an intense scene, such a head-on confrontation, only makes people's adrenaline full! Seeing that the three defenders couldn't hold Gu Ran back, the attacking goalkeeper Richard Wright immediately rushed up and confronted Gu Ran head-on!

Wright is 188cm tall and weighs 88kg! He has a strong impact and a strong sense of oppression!

What was even more troublesome was that Wright's timing of attack was very good, and Gu Ran was blocked almost from all sides, unable to break through or pass the ball to his teammates.

Facing such a dead end, Gu Ran was very calm and shot a powerful shot directly! This shot was very sudden and powerful, but the angle seemed too straight -

Wright reacted quickly, moved to the right and raised his hand to save the ball.

Wright thought he could easily score the goal, but he never expected that the power of the shot would be so great in such a small shooting space and short time! Wright only felt his wrist go numb, and then the ball slipped out of his hand and bounced back into the small penalty area!

But Gu Ran was well prepared for this!

God-level running: The king of picking up leaks! Wright has lost his position, and Gu Ran is facing an empty goal——

Sheffield United captain Charles Morgan desperately pulled Gu Ran's arm from behind!

Gu Ran's body lost balance, but the sprinting power of violent aesthetics was still there!

Before Gu Ran was pulled backwards, he used his hips to push the football, and using inertia, he slid into the goal with the ball in his testicles!

The whole scene was suffocated!

Waterfake???

Isn’t it too...cool?

In the VIP box, the little diva Taylor Swift covered her chest with her hands. Her clear eyes showed both excitement and worry. "Oh my God, this is the first time I've seen a goal like this! Is Gu's... still usable?"

Beep! Amid the astonishment, the referee blew the whistle and gestured to the center circle!

Dandan’s goal is valid!

Gu Ran broke through Sheffield United's entire defense with just his own strength... just a single egg! 2:2 tie! (End of this chapter)