"Chelsea made a substitution at the start of the second half!" He Hongfa exclaimed excitedly in the broadcast booth. "To force Scolari to make adjustments like this against a Serie B team is a testament to Coach Gao Bo's tactical prowess!"
The halftime substitution clearly indicated Chelsea's struggles in the first half, prompting Scolari to make changes right away.
"Drogba is coming on… replacing Joe Cole!"
"With two center-forwards on the pitch, Luton will face even greater pressure in the second half. Let's see how Coach Gao Bo responds!"
---
Gao Bo was indeed nervous after Drogba's introduction. The Ivorian forward, nicknamed "The Monster," had a fearsome reputation. Gao Bo worried that George Parker and Jeffrey might struggle to contain his physicality.
On the bench, Scolari suddenly realized that, after Abramovich's interruption, he hadn't finalized Drogba and Anelka's positions on the field.
"Chelsea are actually playing with two strikers!"
Drogba, unfazed by Anelka's concerns, instinctively positioned himself centrally. Anelka, unwilling to play out wide, was visibly frustrated.
Lampard had to step in, asking Mikel to move to the right midfield while Deco sat deeper. Lampard himself took up a more advanced role. This adjustment turned Chelsea's shape into a diamond 4-4-2, with Drogba and Anelka at the top.
Gao Bo stood on the sidelines, hands in his pockets, his expression tense. Seeing this, Scolari hesitated to address the players' positioning. If the opposing coach looked so worried about a double striker setup, perhaps it was worth continuing.
Gao Bo's concerns weren't misplaced. With two forwards, Chelsea began exploiting their advantage on the wings.
Ashley Cole and Malouda pressed hard against Kevin Keane and Mitchell Piran, exposing Luton's defensive frailties. While the full-backs were competent at the League Two level, they struggled against Chelsea's world-class lineup.
When Malouda drew Kevin Keane out of position, he released Ashley Cole down the flank. The marauding full-back surged past Mitchell Piran with ease. Piran attempted a tackle but failed, leaving the experienced Kevin Keane to cover.
Ashley Cole, however, crossed early with his left foot.
"Drogba!!!"
In the box, Geoffrey found himself outmatched. The young center-back, despite his decent leaping ability, was no match for Drogba's physicality and positioning.
Drogba rose high and powered a header toward goal. Gao Bo's heart nearly stopped.
Fortunately, the effort sailed just over the bar. But it was a wake-up call for Luton.
Jeffrey, though brave, was struggling against Drogba. He felt as though he were battling a beast. Looking to the sidelines for reassurance, he found Gao Bo giving him a thumbs-up and a smile.
Jeffrey's confidence steadied.
The coach believes I'm doing well!
That's right! I am doing well—at least Drogba hasn't scored yet!
Reassured, Jeffrey resolved to fight on. Gao Bo, however, knew they couldn't let the young center-back face Drogba alone for long.
---
"N'Golo! Watch the wings!" Gao Bo shouted to Kante. The diminutive midfielder, tireless and highly skilled at interceptions, was Luton's most reliable defender.
Chelsea quickly pressed again, with Ashley Cole once more charging down the left. But this time, Kante intercepted the ball cleanly with a precise tackle, even bringing Ashley Cole to the ground in the process.
Gao Bo let out a relieved sigh. Kante's ability to cover ground and patch defensive gaps was proving vital.
Still, Chelsea continued to find space for crosses. Drogba's aerial threat remained constant, keeping Luton's defense under immense pressure.
---
When Drogba headed yet another ball narrowly wide of Luton's goal, Gao Bo made his decision.
"Adam! Warm up!"
Adam White, wearing a training vest, immediately sprinted to the sidelines.
"That's my brother!" Alan White, donning Adam's No. 22 jersey, jumped up from the Luton fan section. "My brother's going to play!"
A few minutes later, Gao Bo pulled Adam aside, wrapping an arm around the 17-year-old's shoulders.
"Once you're on, take the ball and run with it! Move freely—go left or right as you see fit. After breaking through, decide whether to pass or shoot based on the situation!"
Adam nodded, his face glowing with excitement.
"Don't be afraid of them! Ashley Cole can't keep up with you! Got it?!"
"Yes, boss!"
Gao Bo smiled and patted the boy on the shoulder.
"Go get 'em, Adam!"