What is an attacking defensive midfielder?

Chapter 4, Second Beginner Quest

Is this RB Leipzig vs. Getafe preseason friendly Hao Ren's last chance to play this season?

With less than four hours to go before Leipzig's second friendly match, Chinese fans have already started their discussions on online forums.

There are several posts in the Overseas Study column specifically for tracking Hao Ren's real-time situation.

[76th floor: I feel like this is going to be a cheater. I saw Hao Ren's account; he was playing LOL again last night, and I caught him red-handed.]

[77th floor: What's the big deal? He's only played two games, and he's already quite disciplined. The main thing going forward is talent. The German second division and the German third division are not on the same level.]

[Post #78: I really hope Rangnick will let Goodman play today, please, Rangnick!]

[Post #79: Maybe he should just leave before the new season starts. If he can't get playing time, it'll be a wasted season. I, Goodman, can only make a huge profit, not a huge loss!]

[Post #80: I'm going all in on Getafe, I'm going to do the opposite of Rangnick]

This friendly match was played away, and the Leipzig players traveled all the way to Spain specifically for the game.

Hao Ren sat in the locker room, slightly nervous.

"Good, are you alright?"

Kimmich noticed Hao Ren's nervousness.

"fine."

"Didn't you tell me yesterday that you'd cover C in today's game? What happened now?"

Hao Ren raised his hand and pulled on Kimmich's jersey, gesturing for the latter to sit down first.

"It mainly depends on how much playing time they get."

The starting lineup for today's match was announced well in advance, and Hao Ren is expected to be a substitute player.

Once the template reaches the "Proficient" level, Hao Ren is confident he can play well, but if he doesn't get enough playing time, then playing well won't help.

"Don't be nervous. I saw online that Ralph prefers young people."

"Our team is full of young people..."

"Well, that seems to be true."

Kimmich touched his nose, somewhat embarrassed.

However, his meaning was clear: Hao Ren needed to adjust his mindset before officially taking the field.

[Makelele's Precise Interception Template (Senior)]

Proficiency: 11/150

Since obtaining the template, Hao Ren has gained 8 attribute points. According to the numbers, he should be much stronger than before. He just doesn't know how it will be in an actual match...

You have received a new mission.

[New Player Task 2]

[Mission Objective: The new season is about to begin; please secure a victory in a warm-up match as soon as possible.]

[Task Reward: Newbie Treasure Chest II]

really!

The difficulty level of this season is absolutely hellish. It would be unfair of the system to only give me a beginner's treasure chest.

There are also rewards!

However, judging from the task description, if I lose or draw today's match, I won't get the reward?

……

"Roar!"

"Brothers!"

"I was directly following RB Leipzig's matches!"

Wang Chao remained as excited as ever.

In the last warm-up match, Hao Ren made a very good steal, and Chinese fans are best at highlighting the strengths of their own players.

"Brothers, Hao Ren will most likely play today. Actually, if he plays well, I think he can still play in the German second division. After all, my Hao Ren's defense is indeed something to be proud of."

"Well, anyway, as long as Rangnick is willing to give Hao Ren a substitute position, I'll broadcast all of Leipzig's matches this season!"

6666, let's go!

[Brothers, let's go! Getafe 2-1 Leipzig, anyone want to join me? I'll carry you to victory!]

[Holy crap, Hao Ren isn't in the starting lineup? This Rangnick doesn't understand football at all, he should be sacked!]

The match had just begun, and under Rangnick's direction, RB Leipzig quickly launched their high-pressing attack.

Poulsen, Vlaan, and Demme form a triangle with these three forwards, simultaneously pressuring the player with the ball.

"Hey, there's a reason behind Rangnick's statement!"

"Leipzig's attack has been consistently 3-on-2!"

"Getafe had absolutely no chance; their two defenders were being dribbled around like dogs!"

Leipzig played very strongly throughout the first half, and ultimately took the lead thanks to a penalty from Poulsen.

Halftime.

"pretty!"

Rangnick was pleased with his players' performance in the first half, feeling the team had found their rhythm with high-pressing: "We'll continue playing like this in the second half; we need to gradually make this tactic our style!"

"Poulsen, you need to move up even further!"

"Joshua (Kimmich) should remember to move to the middle to provide support."

"And Goodman!"

"……what?"

When Rangnick suddenly called his name, Hao Ren almost didn't react: "Sir, I'm here."

"Are you still half asleep? Get ready to warm up! Get ready to substitute Khedira!"

Hao Ren clapped his hands, his heart racing; he was now in competition mode.

I had thought Rangnick would give me a chance in the second warm-up game, but I didn't expect to have such a long playing time.

As Kimmich emerged from the locker room, he stood next to Hao Ren, gazing at the seemingly endless corridor ahead: "Go for it, my Mr. Goodman."

Hao Ren patted his friend on the shoulder: "Take it easy, wait for me to go on stage."

"Ha ha!"

……

In the 54th minute, the score was 1-1.

Taking advantage of Getafe's adjustment after scoring, Rangnick began his substitutions.

Hao Ren's familiar face also appeared in the live broadcast.

Holy crap!

"They're here? So fast?"

"Rangnick is ruthless."

Wang Chao's eyes widened: "I felt that Hao Ren performed quite well in training a few days ago, and he's given a chance today."

The young anchor stared intently at Hao Ren running towards the field on the screen, feeling as if he himself had come on as a substitute.

"No bragging, guys, if we play well today, I feel Hao Ren has a chance in the first game of the 2. Bundesliga!"

[Hao Ren is on the field? Holy crap, I'm immediately betting on Getafe to win outright!]

[Send 5 yuan to support Hao Qiuwang, keep it up!]

Is Hao Ren still playing as a defensive midfielder? Isn't that position too far forward? It seems risky.

The viewers in the live stream were all veteran sports fans, so they were quite professional.

In their memory, Hao Ren, the defensive midfielder, had never been positioned so far forward before.

Rangnick is certainly bold!

But let's not start cursing yet. Since you're willing to let our Hao Qiuwang play, then you're doing a great job!

"Goalkeeper, pass it directly to Kimmich!"

Kimmich dribbles the ball himself!

"Hao Ren is in the middle lane, and he's closing in now!"

"Holy crap, Kimmich is seriously terrible! Pass the ball! Damn it, why aren't you passing it?!"

Kimmich didn't follow Wang Chao's plan; instead, he chose to pass the ball directly to Poulsen in front of him.

The next second, Rangnick's voice came from the sidelines: "Be decisive, get to the byline!"

Poulsen needs to go to the byline...

Hao Ren thought for a moment and began to move towards the top of the arc.

Snapped!

Poulsen executed a triangular cut from the baseline!

coming!

Hao Ren glanced at the defender next to him.

[Makelele's Precise Interception Template (Senior)]

Proficiency: 12/150

Use the steal template to attack!

Hao Ren used the positioning characteristics of the template to gain the best position and successfully controlled the ball.

"Holy crap, Hao Ren!"

……