vncnus Chapter 43 The player Simeone fears most is actually Chang Huan?
Chapter 43 The player Simeone fears most is actually Chang Huan?
The Champions League final symbolizes the highest level of football competition in the world, and the Champions League is also known as the most prestigious competition.
The first midweek after the end of the September international match days.
The first round of the 2017-2018 UEFA Champions League group stage will begin.
Three group stage matches are highly anticipated.
Two of these matches were from Group C, the "group of death," and Group H, the "group of death."
Roma vs Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund!
The remaining match is La Liga champions Barcelona vs. Serie A champions Juventus!
If we're talking about the most watched Champions League match globally, then it's undoubtedly Barcelona vs. Juventus.
But in the hearts of Chinese fans, the most anticipated match is still Roma vs. Atletico Madrid.
After all, there are too many "old" Roma fans in China who have been fans for thirty years.
The first round of Group C matches between Roma and Atletico Madrid, held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, took place on Tuesday evening local time.
According to international practice, the away team arrives in the match city the day before the game.
Monday evening.
The entire Atlético Madrid team arrived at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome by bus.
Head coach Simeone and Godin attended the pre-match press conference.
A reporter from *La Gazzetta dello Sport* asked a pointed question: "What's your opinion of Roma as a team? What are their threats?"
Simeone paused for a moment: "Roma is a favorite to advance from Group C, a very strong opponent. Their most threatening aspect is their powerful midfield and highly aggressive wing play. They are one of the most attacking and entertaining teams in Serie A."
"Are there any Roma players who deserve the most attention?"
When her name was called, CCTV-5 reporter Wang Nan asked impatiently.
"Are you a Chinese journalist?"
Simeone saw Wang Nan, with his black hair, black eyes, and yellow skin, nod and laughed, "I don't want to fall for your tricks, but what can I do? I'm an honest person. Chang is a fantastic young player. If he starts tomorrow night's game, I'll have the players give him special attention."
A burst of cheerful laughter filled the press conference hall.
The live interviews, which were transmitted back to China almost simultaneously, quickly made headlines on football communities and sports category websites.
[17-year-old Chang Huan is actually the Roma player Diego Simeone fears the most!]
At 7:30 p.m. local time in Italy the following day.
There is one hour left before the start of the first round of the 2017-2018 UEFA Champions League group stage.
The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome was electric.
Chinese fans thousands of miles away felt an urge to curse when they saw the starting lineups for both sides announced.
To hell with Di Francisco!
because……
Chang Huan didn't start!
8:45pm.
Eight Champions League group stage matches kicked off simultaneously in their first round.
The most anticipated match is Barcelona vs. Juventus, followed by Roma vs. Atletico Madrid.
Chinese fans are very realistic.
Chang Huan didn't start, so...
Go watch the Barcelona team clash with Juventus!
The Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Both sides were cautious in the early stages, focusing on aggressive pressing to prevent the other from establishing an advantage in midfield.
Chang Huan sat on the bench, crossing his legs just like his teammates El Shaarawy, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and others.
Watch the game attentively.
He has many ideas and often incorporates them into the game.
As for tonight's game, I was sitting on the bench and didn't think too much about it.
The start of the Champions League group stage means the arrival of two matches a week.
For a team to achieve consistent performance across all competitions, scientific player rotation is essential.
Secondly, female fans on social media platforms are too unrestrained; the revealing photos they send via private messages are simply too eye-catching.
As a result, he suffered from insomnia that night, which affected his preparations for the Champions League the following day.
So he made the tough decision to disable the private messaging function for strangers.
In fact, the coaching staff placed Chang Huan on the bench largely for tactical reasons.
Atletico Madrid's four midfielders are known for their tough playing style, and all of them are stamina monsters who average over 1.2 meters per game.
Chang Huan's health is suffering, and he will most likely go to jail if he starts.
Rather than forcing yourself to endure hardship, it's better to wait for an opportunity to act as a surprise weapon.
The two sides, each with their own offense and defense, continued their physical battle in the midfield.
The home fans and visiting fans in the stands thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with huge cheers creating a frenzied atmosphere.
17 minutes.
Both sides had just completed their first shot on goal.
Nainggolan made slight adjustments to the pass Dzeko had laid off, and his long-range shot was incredibly powerful.
Unfortunately, under pressure from Gabi, his shot was too straight and was caught by Oblak.
Four minutes later, Atletico Madrid retaliated.
Griezmann's shot from a tight angle on the left side of the penalty area was saved by the focused Alisson.
Time ticked by, and soon the first half was coming to an end.
Playing at home, Roma gradually took control of the midfield, and their attacks beyond the 30-meter attacking zone began to increase.
Fearing Atletico Madrid's counter-attacks, the two full-backs took turns moving forward to ensure that there were four to five players near the center circle.
This is precisely why Atletico Madrid, when transitioning from defense to attack, was unable to use the speed of their counter-attacks to break through Roma's defense.
The game ended after 45 minutes, with both sides scoring no points.
0:0
The game resumes after switching sides.
The away team, Atletico Madrid, took the lead.
In the 48th minute, left-back Felipe's long-range shot was punched away by Alisson.
Atletico Madrid controlled the second ball, and through a series of passes, Juanfran on the right wing delivered a high-quality low cross.
Vietto's direct shot from just outside the right side of the six-yard box was once again blocked by Alisson.
Three minutes later, Roma's attack across the 30-meter attack zone was squandered by Perotti.
Atletico Madrid immediately launched a counter-attack.
Saul received the ball on the right flank of the attack and made a quick run before delivering a through pass.
Vietto has a one-on-one chance!
Alisson stepped up at the crucial moment!
He miraculously blocked Vietto's shot with his leg, sending it wide of the far post.
Simeone, who was all ready to celebrate his goal, immediately knelt on the ground.
Meanwhile.
With a sigh of relief, Di Francisco turned to his assistant, Tome, and said, "Call Chang over, get him ready to go on!"
In the 58th minute, Roma made the first substitution.
Chang Huan stood out in the substitution area on the sidelines. His red number 99 jersey was tucked into his shorts, and his socks were shorter than those of the other players on the field, barely covering his soleus muscle.
"I believe many fans watching on TV are just as excited as I am, thinking, 'Finally, we've been waiting for you!' and I'm so glad I didn't give up..."
"Chang Huan!"
"17 years and 254 days!"
CCTV-5 commentator He Wei immediately perked up: "This marks the youngest appearance by a Chinese player in the Champions League!"
Chang Huan replaced the underperforming Lorenzo Pellegrini, and El Shaarawy moved to the left wing.
Seeing Roma make adjustments, Simeone took advantage of the substitution ceremony to call left-back Felipe aside.
In-person instruction.
His answer at yesterday's pre-match press conference wasn't flattery; he genuinely believed Chang Huan was the most threatening player in the Roma team.
Aside from his poor shooting skills, his other abilities are top-notch.
Dribbling, ball control, vision, long passes, breakthroughs, and creativity can always threaten the defending team's defense.
After making tactical adjustments, Simeone returned to the command area, hands on his hips, his bright eyes fixed on the field, his mind racing.
Kolarov throws the ball out of bounds from the backfield.
Atletico Madrid's defensive core has undergone a significant change compared to before, shifting from a dense, locked-down central defense and high-intensity confrontations to a low-block, dense defense with a compact formation.
The objective is clear.
They do not give Chang Huan, who is good at making threatening passes to the flanks, the opportunity to make surgical passes.
Switching to the highly flexible 5-3-2 formation provides ample security for the defense on both flanks.
but……
Chang Huan's positioning is unpredictable and difficult to control.
He was seen jogging slowly along the right flank, following the overall forward-pressing formation.
With no space available for attacks down the left flank, the midfield trio quickly transitioned through passing and movement.
De Rossi, who was trailing behind, passed the ball to Chang Huan, who suddenly stopped and retreated.
His lightning-fast feet deftly dribbled past Kirk and Felipe, who were attempting to steal the ball.
He dribbled the ball diagonally inward with the outside of his left foot, drawing Thomas and Griezmann, who was covering for him, to double-team him.
Chang Huan outwardly looked up to observe Kolarov making a run into the far end, but in reality, he had already spotted a better passing route thanks to his wide field of vision.
He sent out a reverse through ball with the instep of his left foot.
Right-back Bruno Perez made a high-speed run down the right flank and delivered a pass directly into the penalty area without needing to adjust.
Dzeko, who has an aerial advantage, is very clever. Instead of trying to outwit Godin, who is experienced at the near post, he actively seeks out the Montenegrin center-back Savic.
Bruno Perez's crosses were intentionally aimed at the far post.
Dzeko's jump header during the run was of very high quality!
Oblak clearly didn't want Alisson to perform a one-man show, so he stepped to the right.
He lunged forward like a tiger pouncing on its prey, his long right arm swinging out, his outstretched fingertips forcefully flicking the ball as it headed towards the far corner.
It was during this scramble that the football grazed the crossbar and went out of bounds...
The home fans in Rome's Olympic Stadium erupted in instinctive gasps of amazement.
"How many times have I told you? Focus on the game!"
Where's your brain?
"Don't rush in and grab it!"
"Do you even know what a double team is?"
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was furious. Standing on the sidelines, he first loosened his tightly tied black tie, and only after feeling a little better did he roar at Filipe Luis and Koke, who had been easily beaten by Chang Huan!