Football: A late bloomer, starting with Leicester City

Chapter 402: Passionate Mexican fans! Chen Yufeng's exhibition match with Atletico Madrid! (8k chapter)

The night of July 7th was the day when Atletico Madrid players departed on a chartered flight. They arrived in Toluca, Mexico at noon on July 25th.

The opponent in the warm-up match was Tolucaspor, a team in the Mexican Super League.

It's considered a third-tier league in Europe, a team ranked below 200 in the world.

Choosing them is naturally to give Atletico Madrid players confidence and allow them to enter the new season with a better attitude.

Many strong teams do this when selecting their opponents in pre-season, whether it is club or national team.

Of course, it would be difficult for some national teams to choose one to lose...

As time goes by, players lose confidence, fans hate iron, and the vicious cycle becomes worse and worse.

After arriving in Toluca and getting on the bus to the hotel, everyone's expressions were obviously filled with joy.

After training for so long, I finally have time to practice.

"Oh..." At this point, Godin seemed to remember something again, and his heart for gossip gradually started to rise: "I once heard that you had a relationship with Taylor Swift?"

As long as the atmosphere is harmonious, the relationship is almost complete, and everyone can make fun of others, there is no need to put on airs.

"Who knows, maybe I am prone to losing weight?" Chen Yufeng joked.

"So is this true?" Carrasco also came over.

Carrasco and Saul listened with interest. One of them is 22 and the other is 23. They are still in their prime years.

Not to mention, Chen Yufeng arrived with a sky-high transfer fee of 1.5 million euros and the honor of the best player in the Four Crowns.

Chen Yufeng: "..."

In fact, they were also quite curious about what the old team members would say when they got together.

"There is absolutely no doubt, I testify!" Saul, who was next to him, tried to join the conversation and came over with a smile.

As for Godin and Saul, at first glance, they don't seem to have any strong ties with Chen Yufeng.

"Are you married? Or do you have children?" Godin asked again.

He naturally didn't care about such completely nonsense.

Chen Yufeng sat with Carrasco, Saul and Godin.

"I don't understand that, hahahaha." Godin waved his hand and smiled.

As for those reported in the media?

As Chen Yufeng's teammate in the Belgian national team, Carrasco was impressed by Chen Yufeng's skills as early as the European Cup. It was natural for him and Chen Yufeng to huddle together to keep warm.

"I hit it all."

"Don't be in a hurry, men's flowering period is not that short, hahahaha, especially for athletes."

As the defensive iron gate of the back line and the iron-blooded captain of the Red and White Army, Godin is naturally obliged to have a good relationship with his new teammates.

Oh, would you be angry if someone said you didn't know how to eat or sleep?
Will he be angry if people say he is not very good at football?
Isn't this a joke?
If someone said that Chen Yufeng didn't know how to manage money, Chen Yufeng might stand up and argue with reason, expressing his views angrily.

It has always been Godin's dream to build a good relationship with this kind of player, let him identify with Atletico Madrid early, and help the team win the championship!
Now that he has the opportunity, how could he not cherish it?
There is another obvious reason, maybe because they are both older and can chat better...

As for Saul, his motives may be relatively pure.

"Then why...there is no news again?" Godin asked curiously: "Is it related to physical reasons? I see that your physical condition is very poor recently."

"Don't forget, I am the strongest man."

Who would believe it? What if Chen Yufeng secretly had two children?
"None of them, what about you?" Chen Yufeng asked.

But if you think about the past, there are still some.

Everyone was chatting in small groups, very interested in the upcoming game.

He didn't feel angry and even joked with his teammates, making them laugh again.

It's not strange to sit together.

"You mean, you haven't exercised during the entire offseason? But the strange thing is why you are not fat. It is easy for people to develop horizontally as they age." Godin and Chen Yufeng were sitting side by side, laughing and sighing.

Chen Yufeng had just arrived and they had just gotten to know each other, so naturally they had not understood this issue before.

Godin looked embarrassed and waved his hand: "Although you are 32, I still have to say that it is as late as possible."

"Yes."

"If you don't mind some moral or ethical things, you can have a child first, probably, but the later the marriage, the better."

The three of them looked at each other and laughed again.

Godin, who had been speaking seriously just now, suddenly laughed again when he said this, "Hahaha, I was just kidding, I didn't doubt your intention."

"fake."

There must be a reason why I became familiar with them in the beginning.

Maybe he wants to know more about Chen Yufeng, get more assist data, and get more wins?
As the core of the team's midfield, he is naturally very willing to cooperate with excellent shooters.

Besides, he knows best whether it will work or not.

Chen Yufeng said speechlessly: "Give me another month to adjust my physical condition. I can guarantee that I will show you what a fucking fitness exercise is!"

…………

At noon, the players had a brief lunch at the hotel and then went back to their rooms to rest.

They have no intention of stepping on the field.

The players are excited, but certainly not nervous.

After all, Atletico Madrid is one of the top clubs in the world. Is there any need to be nervous when playing against a team with over 200 points?
Relax in the hotel and just head over there when the game is about to start.

After Chen Yufeng returned to the hotel, he lay down on the window and looked at the scene below. Then the more he looked at it, the more something seemed wrong. The more he looked at it, the more something seemed wrong.

Why does it feel like all of Toluca is going crazy?
There were only scattered government vehicles driving back and forth on the streets, and the only ones left were pedestrians wearing green jerseys and various jerseys.

They were shouting downstairs in the hotel holding signs and shouting something with loudspeakers.

It seems that you are here for this game?
They came in by bus, which had curtains and good sound insulation. On the way to the hotel, Chen Yufeng could only hear the looming noise outside, but didn't feel anything else.

They got off the bus after it landed in an empty parking lot. There was already a fence in the distance and no one else could get in.

"For those who didn't know, I thought they were playing in the Champions League final." Chen Yufeng smiled.

Having been among the top three in the world for a short time, he indeed seems to have lost some empathy.

He even said that he seemed to have no heart. Sometimes he couldn't feel the impact that his or the team's arrival would have on a place.

Chen Yufeng has been looking forward and chasing the historical achievements of Messi and Ronaldo.

He really didn't have time to observe the wind behind him.

"Did you go too fast?" He sometimes doubts himself.

But more often than not, he prefers to agree with another perspective, "If you don't go fast, you won't be able to catch up."

Or age...

However, today's small discovery and observation also gradually gave birth to a bud in Chen Yufeng's heart.

He will observe the faces of these fans more and listen to their voices in the future.

"Mexico, although the reputation is not very good, but I like it here." Chen Yufeng looked at the enthusiastic fans downstairs and felt a little warm in his heart.

His starting point is relatively subjective and does not include anything else.

Looking at the time, he found that there were still more than two hours before the game. Chen Yufeng sat on the sofa and prepared to play on his mobile phone.

At this time, there was a knock on the door. Chen Yufeng stood up and opened the door, only to find that the threesome were here again.

"I feel a dull pain in my chest." Saul is the youngest, so he plays the most roles.

"What's wrong?" Chen Yufeng thought something was wrong with him.

"They say Mexico is in chaos. I'm really afraid of the gangs here. Do you think they won't attack us?" Saul let go of his chest and said seriously.

After he raised this point, the others were slightly stunned and fell into deep thought.

This place does seem to be a little bit different.

It seems really dangerous to have so many people gathering down there.

Let's talk about players. They are famous and wealthy. They have considerable influence on the continent and even the entire world. They also have certain resource mobilization capabilities and social status.

But it’s hard for a strong dragon to defeat a local snake, not to mention that the Mexican gangs are extremely rampant and huge. If they were suddenly attacked, they would really be dumb and unable to express their suffering.

"What to do?" Carrasco was also a little panicked. He remembered some news about the country, "These people seem to like to do things that can make them famous."

"Why do I feel like we are presented with an opportunity?"

Chen Yufeng and Godin looked at each other and said nothing.

"Bang bang bang." A knock on the door suddenly sounded.

Godin went to open the door and found Lucas Hernandez walking in.

This is the team's full-back, and he also has a younger brother named Theo Hernandez.

As the famous twin brothers in football, both of them have extremely high talent and strength.

Coincidentally, the two were at Atletico Madrid together before.

But this year, in order to raise money to buy Chen Yufeng, his younger brother was sent to Real Madrid by Atletico Madrid...

When the two brothers meet again, it may be a derby between rivals in the same city.

"I saw a piece of news, which is very interesting." Lucas Hernandez seemed to come to see Chen Yufeng. The two had chatted several times in previous trainings.

"Let me take a look." Godin took the phone from his hand first, took a look and then his eyes widened.

"Mexican gangsters: Whoever dares to touch Chen Yufeng, whoever dares to disturb Atletico Madrid, should prepare to buy a coffin to deal with the funeral for himself and his family." Godin read out, and then looked at Chen Yufeng with joy.

"Another organization said that anyone who touches Chen Yufeng will slap us in the face."

"The comment is that Mexico is extremely peaceful now."

Is this an endorsement?
"So, we are safe?" Carrasco's eyes lit up.

Saul even walked to the window and looked down. "Where are the Mexican police? Why don't they come out and speak? Who has the final say over what these two say?"

No one answered his question. Only Chen Yufeng sat on the sofa and leaned back: "Let me state first that there is no connection or collusion. It's just that I have many fans from all walks of life."

…………

The game started at six o'clock in the evening at the Toluca Athletic Stadium, and a sea of ​​Mexican fans watched the game in a standing posture.

This is a medium-sized stadium that can only accommodate 30,000 people, but it is said that more than 55,000 tickets were sold today.

That's probably why they have to stand and watch the game...

"Hula! Hula!"

"歘!歘!歘...!!"

As soon as Atletico Madrid players walked out of the tunnel, fireworks flashed into the sky on both sides, and there was also a brand-new fire-breathing device on the opposite side of the field.

Dazzling sparks lit up the entire stadium, giving fans a more passionate viewing experience, and the cheers never stopped.

Chen Yufeng did not start the game. There was only one main reason. Simeone wanted to observe whether his opponent in the warm-up match was making big moves and whether his temper was good.

Otherwise, if someone gets injured while putting it on, who will be responsible?

Toluca Sports Club?
Can you afford it?

Chen Yufeng, wearing the No. 9 jersey, walked towards the bench. As he walked, he heard a shocking chorus of singing from both sides.

"Yufeng! Yufeng! Yufeng...!!"

"We are proud of your coming...!!"

Your arrival makes us proud?
It's quite humane, and the singing is in English...

Chen Yufeng suddenly felt ashamed, and he felt goosebumps all over his body. He showed an awkward smile and waved his hands towards them, then returned to his seat and sat down.

Perhaps they were so enthusiastic that Chen Yufeng was a little at a loss.

The game also started at this time. Chen Yufeng slowly adjusted his mentality and observed Atletico Madrid's performance on the field up close. He needed to get familiar with his new team.

Although we have played against each other before, it is completely different to look at a team from the opponent's perspective than to look at it from our own perspective.

One is to find weaknesses, and the other is to maximize strengths.

After watching for a while, Chen Yufeng deeply felt how tough they were when facing others.

"I didn't feel it at the time because... I was the strongest?" Chen Yufeng snickered in his heart. Seeing the expressions of the Toluca Sports players complaining, he suddenly felt a little lucky.

If he didn't have such good physical conditions, he would never have been able to lead the team to reverse Atletico Madrid.

In the 19th minute of the game, the first goal occurred.

After Felipe rushed to the frontcourt with the ball, he cut inside to the middle and volleyed with the instep of his foot.

The Mexican goalkeeper made a wonderful save, but the astute Griezmann quickly stepped forward and fired the ball into the net.

The second goal occurred in the 34th minute of the game.

Tolucaspor took a corner kick. Atletico Madrid made a mistake in marking and was hit by the opponent with a ten-cent header from the back point.

Oblak stood still and looked helpless as he was able to compete for the number one goalkeeper in the world.

"Yeah...!!" This goal ignited the arena. The Mexican fans celebrated with joy, and the voices of people shouting and celebrating when they are extremely excited are the same.

This has nothing to do with language, personality, etc. It is just an emotion that human beings will burst out under extreme emotions.

"Damn it! Lucas! If you couldn't keep an eye on that position, you would have called Godin over earlier. I told you not to underestimate the enemy. There will always be such loopholes!"

"If you play like this, Real Madrid and Barcelona will beat you by three goals, and you will never win the La Liga championship in your life! Do you know how difficult it is for you to score a goal? Why don't you defend well!"

Simeone angrily accused central defender Lucas on the sidelines. He has never made any concessions on defensive issues.

This is actually quite good. This kind of coach who pays attention to defense is often surprised by the arrival of every goal. Because in his prediction, the team's expected goals are not high.

How could we not be surprised and excited if we scored a goal at this time?

It's a kind of contrast.

"Well, with this personality, I will definitely be regarded as a super boss." Chen Yufeng smiled lightly.

After figuring this out, he will become more and more confident to become the absolute core of Atletico Madrid.

He can score goals and doesn't need to worry.

"I hope I can go up early in the second half." Chen Yufeng looked at his teammates with disappointed expressions, and his feet gradually became hotter.

After upgrading his shooting to the full level, he has never had a chance to show off.

As for training?
During training, most people shoot under no pressure or under little pressure. For professional players, this is very simple. Just pull in a youth team player and you can have a good shooting percentage.

"Beep! Beep--!" Not long after, the referee blew the half-time whistle.

Players from both sides returned to the bench and did not return to the locker room.

It would be nice if the warm-up matches were more casual. If there are any arrangements, they can be settled on the field. There is no need to follow the rules.

"They played better than you. If you weren't more experienced and had muscle memory and instinctive reactions in your body, the score wouldn't be a draw!" Simeone started to use his high-pressure words again.

He must do this to ensure team cohesion and fighting spirit.

Chen Yufeng listened on the sidelines, his thoughts gradually breaking down.

The other players lowered their heads with very frustrated expressions. Big drops of sweat flowed from their faces. They gradually began to feel the difficulty of this warm-up match.

Sometimes competitive sports are like this. You always feel that this is an easy game. You laughed and chatted all the way here. You were even discussing how many goals to score and guessing who would score a hat trick.

But as soon as you get on the court, you find that the opponent is attacking with all their strength, everyone is playing hard against you, and their fans are also working hard to cheer them on.

Only then do you want to adjust your status, but it turns out it's already too late.

Suddenly, you find that you have nothing, pressure comes like a tide, and the sense of gap almost swallows you up. The more you want to change, the more chaotic your brain becomes.

"Yes, we have Chen Yufeng. He is very likely to score goals after he comes on the field! But if there is no him today, what are you going to do? Lose to them?" Simeone brought up Chen Yufeng and affirmed the new players. You still have to give enough face.

After all, it was because of trust and love that they spent 1.5 million.

Many Atletico Madrid players cast their eyes on Chen Yufeng. After seeing the latter's usual relaxed expression, they gradually regarded him as the savior of the team.

At this moment, Atletico Madrid players felt a lot.

Chen Yufeng can come up to save them. After he comes up, maybe they won't have to lose face.

No, it’s not that they can’t win on their own.

It's just that after Chen Yufeng comes up, maybe he can score one or two more, so that they can arrive more calmly!
"We have been training with the team for so many days, and we have all seen his level. Why not let him play? I have always wanted to feel the cooperation with him in the game." Griezmann took the initiative to speak out at this time.

What he said is definitely true, but there is also his selfishness in it.

When he went to Leicester to help Simeone lobby Chen Yufeng, he discussed with Torres and others what to do after Chen Yufeng's arrival.

They have long been ready to try Chen Yufeng's depth.

Isn't this an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone?
"Yes, let Chen Yufeng come on and give it a try. I think he is already eager to try." Torres also suggested
Simeone turned his head, hesitated and then said: "Warm up, start in fifty minutes, don't make any big moves, be careful of injury."

"No problem." Chen Yufeng agreed happily, turned around and ran to warm up.

…………

"No.9YufengChen, replace No.7Carrasco!!"

In the 50th minute of the game, the substitution card was raised on the sidelines, and Chen Yufeng stood on the sidelines wearing an Atletico Madrid uniform.

"Oh...!" cheers suddenly erupted at the scene, and the Mexican fans gave Chen Yufeng the most enthusiastic treatment.

Many Toluca Sports players also cast their gazes, and upon seeing that it was really Chen Yufeng, there was a hint of excitement in their expressions.

If you are a boxer, and boxing champion Tyson is willing to have a non-injurious friendly and coaching match with you, you must be very happy.

It must be someone who really practices boxing, not someone who treats it as a hobby and is afraid of being punched to death when thinking about Tyson.

As players who play in Mexico's top league, Toluca's players are naturally true professionals.

And for professional players, how could it not be exciting to face off against Chen Yufeng?

Football is not as dangerous as boxing. As a striker, Chen Yufeng wouldn't be able to knock them down with one kick, right?
"Strengthen the defense. I want to use him to test the team's defensive strength this season." Tolucaspor's head coach quickly made adjustments. He glanced at Chen Yufeng and then looked at Simeone, with a deep look in his eyes. envious.

Carrasco, who was replaced, immediately ran off the field, high-fived Chen Yufeng and sat back.

Chen Yufeng stepped on the court with cheerful steps.

He has been away from the stadium for a long time, and he has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time!

Feeling the soft turf under his feet and the cheers from all around, Chen Yufeng felt relieved. He felt that everything was back.

"Four four two, you stand in the left center position. Don't care where Griezmann stood just now. Play however you feel comfortable." During the game, the team's left back Felipe reminded him.

"Of course I know." Chen Yufeng smiled.

With his appearance, Griezmann, who originally played at the center position, or shadow forward position, returned to the left midfielder position, replacing Carrasco who had just been replaced.

Chen Yufeng and Torres stood in the middle and played as double centers.

The midfield partners behind them are new player Augusto and veteran player Gabi, and the right midfielder is Koke.

The back line lined up, Felipe, Jimenez, Godin, Vrsaljko.

After the start of the second half, Simeone still changed a lot of people. Some substitutes came on, and some of the original main players came on. The strength did not increase or weaken.

It can be said that Chen Yufeng is left with a better space to perform.

"Although it's not my first game in the main match, I can leave a good impression on Atletico Madrid's players and coaching staff, and let them get used to it first by showing them celebrating after scoring a goal." Chen Yufeng smiled.

"Beep!"

As the referee blows his whistle, the game restarts.

Tolucaspor were in control of the ball and were attacking Atletico Madrid.

Similar to Leicester City, Atletico Madrid's football style does not like to control the ball.

They are often the team with a disadvantage in possession of the ball in confrontations, even against weaker teams.

But today, their ball possession rate with Atletico Toluca is basically the same.

The two sides attacked each other for a while. Madrid had more dangerous attacks and more shots, but the conversion seemed not as good as that of Tolucaspor, which was full of blood.

The first time Chen Yufeng received a pass was in the 54th minute of the game.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi found him with a pass that spanned the entire Toluca midfield line. It was a direct pass and there was no difficulty in stopping the ball.

Chen Yufeng glanced before catching the ball and saw a defensive player rushing towards him, so he made a fake move to turn left and then slammed to the right.

"Boom."

This trip is quite big, about three or four meters.

Therefore, even though the Toluca player was very focused, he still did not catch the ball before Chen Yufeng.

On the contrary, in the ensuing confrontation, Chen Yufeng knocked him directly and staggered him.

"Bang!!"

Immediately afterwards, Chen Yufeng saw that the goalkeeper was slightly off-center and sent a volley from a long distance. The power was very real and the angle was also very accurate.

He was very excited when he came up and was already waiting for the chance to catch the ball.

Now I feel good after adjusting others, let’s give it a try first!
The ball missed its target and the ball ended up flying into the stands about an inch and a half from the goal.

"Ah..." the fans at the scene shouted, some were amazed and some were regretful.

Although they are fans of Tolucaspor, as people who love football, they all want to witness the moment when their idol scores a goal.

Chen Yufeng was not depressed. He turned around and ran away, waiting for the next opportunity.

The teammates around him didn't say anything, knowing that this was just an attempt.

Only Simone felt a little uneasy. He was still doubting Chen Yufeng's physical condition, fearing whether he seemed so anxious because of his health.

"Oh!"

In the 61st minute of the game, a wide transfer ball came from the feet of Lucas Hernandez.

The ball was aimed at Griezmann, but because the ball was not fast and high enough, it was intercepted by the Toluca center back early and hit the midfielder.

Fortunately, Gabi reacted quickly, took up position in advance, and threw the ball over.

At the arc of the penalty area, Chen Yufeng quickly looked back, then stepped forward, jumped up, and stopped the ball with his shoulders lower.

He can't stop the ball directly here and play with the players on the opposite side like Ronaldinho did. He doesn't have such a good feel for the ball.

But he can stop the ball.

"Don't turn around! Don't turn around! Jam him." The Mexican defense suddenly panicked. They didn't dare to let Chen Yufeng turn around, nor did they dare to foul.

"I'll do it, I'll do it!" A player rushed up and pressed his body against Chen Yufeng, as if he was on a collision course.

I know I can't fight you, but I stick to you. If you bump into me, I will fall. If you don't bump into me, I will get stuck on you.

Chen Yufeng didn't coddle him, nor did he get on top of him.

He flicked the ball back with his legs while opening his body halfway.

After discovering that the opponent did not give in at all, he roughly judged the location of the goal's dead center through the arc of the penalty area on the ground, and then fired a long-distance volley!

"Oh!"

There was another sound of touching the ball, and Chen Yufeng fired a volley with a crisp kick.

No matter what, he just wants to try the 100 shot!
Just want to try the refreshing feeling of scoring a goal with 100 shots!

This is the instinct of a striker!

Seeing Chen Yufeng turning around and shooting in eagerness again, many Atletico players on the side looked slightly disappointed.

This is not playing seriously...

Otherwise, why would you be in such a hurry?

They know that Chen Yufeng can organize and play football in a systematic way, so he can't be as bad as some black guys say.

But if you take the ball and hit the goal, isn't it too inconsiderate of other people's feelings?

Following the flight path of the football, the football formed a parabola in the air that went up and down quickly, then quickly passed the Toluca goalkeeper, hit the goal frame and bounced into the net.

"Whoa!" A clear voice sounded, and the net trembled violently.

"Ah?" Many Atletico Madrid players were stunned and their eyes almost rushed out of their sockets. Then, they quickly ran towards Chen Yufeng when they realized what he was doing.

"Oh...!!" Toluca fans at the scene burst into cheers, and then they expressed their sincere respect with applause.

Not too excited, but the sound is enough.

"Did the goal go in?" Griezmann ran towards Chen Yufeng with mixed feelings, wanting to give him a high-five to celebrate.

"Huh??" Felipe, who was standing behind him, still had his mouth wide open at this moment, and the two of them ran towards Chen Yufeng together.

They didn't know how many shots Chen Yufeng could hit such a goal.

But if one of the seven or eight shots is a sure hit, then...

"That would be a little too scary."

"Then we won't have any problem with how much you play. We can feed you all the balls. The average is two per game."

The two of them thought so in their hearts.

"No, last season, his efficiency was close to two per game, wasn't it?"

"I don't know if this efficiency can be maintained in La Liga. Today, I will respect you first!"

Their mentality changed drastically because they realized one thing. This moment of watching Chen Yufeng celebrate from behind will happen many times in the future.

Simeone, who was on the sidelines of the court, turned to Mr. Cerezo, who had come to the scene with the team today, pointed at Chen Yufeng and tilted his head and said: "You have to be expensive!"

A sense of surprise hit him, and Simeone suddenly changed from a sad face to a proud one.

It's a bit like Ip Man's action.

Cerezo also nodded and clapped as if he was listening to a lecture on success: "I knew he just hadn't exercised for too long, nothing else has changed."

This goal was like a shot in the arm, injected into the souls of both men.

"Handsome!" Yucasta, the team doctor in front of the medical kit, high-fived her good partner next to her, with a touch of love in her eyes.

Near the corner flag area of ​​the stadium, in response to the shouts of the fans, Chen Yufeng did not hesitate to celebrate.

He pointed at the corner flagpole of Toluca Stadium and compared it to sliding out with two guns, "Boom...Boom...Boom...!!"

Is this an exhibition match?

Yes.

But it's not an exhibition match for Atletico, it's his exhibition match for Atletico.

Is this a letter of nomination?
Of course not, Chen Yufeng doesn't need to pay for this.

It's just that he is preaching to Atletico fans, Atletico players and coaches that a new era is coming.

He represents the champion and the best.

It was before and even more so now.

When the train of time passes by slowly, all members of the Red and White Legion should know that something is waiting for them ahead.

…………

Less than half a chapter will enter the Audi Cup, please vote for me. Happy Arbor Day everyone.

(End of this chapter)