Reverse.

Chapter 51 Opening Minute
When Wang Lie, wearing the Tyne blue home jersey, an orange captain's armband on his left arm and holding the Tyne team flag, turned into the player tunnel, there was a cameraman in front of him, using the Steadicam stabilizer on his back to carry a camera and shoot him.

The cameraman kept his eyes fixed on the viewfinder, filming attentively, and retreated step by step following Wang Lie's footsteps.

Beside him, there is an assistant who supports him and escorts him, just like a co-pilot navigator in a rally, to prevent the cameraman from being tripped by obstacles and losing balance when he is concentrating on shooting, thus affecting the shooting work.

Wang Lie, who was used to it, ignored the two people and the machine in front of him, walked towards his position with his head held high.

At the same time, TV viewers around the world can see this scene through live broadcast signals.

Wang Lie was walking towards them.

The camera lens was always facing Wang Lie's upper body, following Wang Lie's steps as he moved backwards.

After retreating halfway to the player's tunnel, the cameraman did not retreat. With the help of his assistant, he leaned against the wall, with the camera still aimed at Wang Lie.

Wang Lie walked through the broadcast camera.

The camera moved with him, from the front to the side, and finally to his back.

In the broadcast, he passed by his Tyne teammates and patted their shoulders and backs one by one, and encouraged them loudly:

"come on!"

"come on! Come on!"

He just walked to the front of the line, put his hands behind his back, and stood there.

Waiting to appear.

He passed not only the players of Tyne, but also some of the players of Scouse.

But he ignored any of them.

Of course, the Scouse players ignored him.

After Wang Lie stood in his position, the cameraman who was leaning against the wall turned the camera to the Scouse team's lineup and found their number seven player.

Chi Zhen appeared in the close-up shot of the broadcast.

He looked straight ahead, his expression... fairly calm.

Because of Wang Lie, Chinese football now has some influence in European football.

This can be proven by the pre-game chat between guest commentator Joe Wesley and commentator Connor Cowley.

In Wang Lie's 21-season career, he almost single-handedly raised the influence and popularity of Chinese football in Europe, a region where football is developed, and made more Europeans willing to turn their attention to Chinese football, a country they once considered a "football desert".

After all, who wouldn’t be curious about what the football world of the country that produced “China Wang” is like?
As a result, more and more Chinese players appear in European football leagues.

Wang Lie is not the first Chinese player to study abroad. There were some players who went abroad before him.

But they are all sporadic and intermittent, not a big deal, let alone large-scale.

It was after him that a mature and stable system of studying abroad was established, and as a result, a large number of Chinese players came to Europe to play football, including both young players and adult players. Chinese players can now be seen in both the traditional five major leagues and some unpopular leagues.

Such a large-scale overseas study trend also provides a wider range for the Chinese national team to select players. This is also one of the important reasons why the Chinese team can make it to the World Cup finals every time.

There are currently three Chinese players in the English Premier League, where it is the most difficult league to play abroad.

In addition to the two players in this game, there is also Feng Qiyuan, a 27-year-old central defender who currently plays for Witton Hill in the Premier League and is the main player of this team.

When the two Chinese players meet, the TV broadcasters naturally understand the ins and outs of the game.

"China Derby" is finally no longer just a fantasy created by Chinese media and fans for their own amusement, but a term recognized by European media.

After the close-up of Wang Lie, the broadcaster immediately gave a close-up of Chi Zhen. The broadcaster's meaning was very clear:

This is a civil war between two Chinese players, and everyone should focus on their performance in this game.

As for Wang Lie ignoring Chi Zhen before the game, and Chi Zhen not taking the initiative to greet Wang Lie, it was actually normal.

Except for some unscrupulous self-media and marketing accounts that spread stupid rumors such as "Wang Lie and Chi Zhen's conflict intensified and they treated each other as air", the vast majority of people, as long as they watch and understand football, know what is going on:
Given the deep hatred between Wang Lie and the Scouse team, if Chi Zhen dared to show goodwill to Wang Lie before the game, it would definitely be seen as a betrayal of his team. Unless the Scouse team won the game in the end, Chi Zhen's actions before the game would definitely be criticized by the Scouse team's die-hard fans - extreme fans are not unique to China, and it can even be said that in terms of extremeness, English fans are ahead of Chinese fans.

So since the first day Chi Zhen joined the Scouse team, he never greeted Wang Lie every time he competed with Wang Lie.

Wang Lie also talked about this to the media: "(Before the game) I won't look for him, and he won't look for me. This is good... Before the game, we still have to focus on the next game itself... At this time, he and I are not teammates on the national team, we are opponents who must decide the outcome."

The words were very clear, and anyone with normal IQ, as long as they did not have ulterior motives, could correctly understand what Wang Lie meant.

However, it was eventually used by extreme fans to spread rumors that the two had a bad relationship.

They cut Wang Lie's words into this: "I won't go looking for him... He and I are not teammates on the national team. We have to fight it out."

People who don't know the truth only read this passage and think of Wang Lie's unpleasant personality and temper, and they will definitely think that Wang Lie is deliberately suppressing his junior Chi Zhen.

After conscious dissemination and control of comments, the truth was gradually submerged in rumors.

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The scenes in the player tunnel can be seen on site through the TV screens hanging above the stands. If you are in the VIP box, you can also watch TV broadcasts.

At this moment, He Zhenyong saw these two meaningful scenes through the TV in the box.

He felt as if the director was showing this video just for him...

Then he realized that during the live broadcast of this game, the broadcaster should give him a shot, so he had to manage his expression well, and he couldn't be forced to become a hot topic after the game because of his expression...

So he looked calm, like an old monk in meditation.

※※※

As players from both teams lined up in the tunnel, waiting to play, the on-site DJ was announcing the starting lineups for the game in coordination with the images on the big screen in the stadium.

This is a regular ritual before all home games.

Almost every home team player whose name is called will be cheered, but the volume of the cheers will vary. After all, not all players are loved to the same degree.

Although Tyne's nickname "Mercenaries" is well known, Tyne fans still give this team enough support.

"Number 1, Elliot--" DJ shouted in a long voice.

"Goetz!!!" Tyne's fans responded with unison shouts.

Tang Lin didn't catch up with the rhythm. He thought the DJ would call out the name in full...

Mr. Berg next to him reminded him: "Follow us and shout next time!"

Tang Lin was a little embarrassed: "But I don't know them..."

This is an excuse. In fact, the main reason is that he felt a little embarrassed about this kind of collective activity where he followed a large group of excited people and shouted slogans together. He felt he couldn't let go.

He likes to think calmly and look at the world objectively. But in the football field, he feels powerless as if he is swept up in a frenzy. Every person and every voice here seems to be tempting him to throw away his rationality and laugh, shout and curse along with the people around him. His emotions are completely out of his control and he is led by others... or by some kind of group consciousness.

He felt as if he had lost himself, that he was no longer himself, but a part of the collective term "Tyne fans" at Leeds Park, a cell, a brick.

This feeling made him instinctively resist and fearful.

Mr. Berg was unaware of Tang Lin's inner struggle. He pointed to the big screen and said, "It doesn't matter! There will be the names of the players there, just read them out!"

As he was speaking, another person's name and photo appeared on the big screen.

DJ shouted: "Number 5, Ma Jie——"

Mr. Berg pointed at the big screen to remind Tang Lin, and at the same time he demonstrated it himself and shouted along: "Katich!!!"

This time Tang Lin opened his mouth, but no sound came out...

He was a little embarrassed.

Mr. Berg saw his embarrassment and patted his shoulder to comfort him: "It's okay, take your time, you will get used to it. After all, this is your first time to watch a game live, and your performance is much better than mine. It was my first time here... I couldn't even speak!"

Tang Lin asked curiously: "When was your first time here?"

"Oh, when I was a little over one year old. My father brought me here..."

Tang Lin: “…”

Mr. Landlord, it would be a miracle if you could speak at that time!

When the DJ announced Dean's song, the atmosphere was different from before.

"Number 11, Sonny—"

"Dean!"

The fans still shouted the name together, but the sound was not as loud as those of the Tyne players before, and there was also a lot of booing.

Even Robbie Dixie, who was beside Mr. Berg, booed and gave the middle finger to Dean's picture on the big screen.

Tang Lin was very curious: "Why do you hate him so much?"

"A traitor!" Before Mr. Berg could speak, Dixie answered Tang Lin's question first.

Mr. Berg then explained to Tang Lin: "Dean is a native of Newcastle. He has been in the Tyne Club since the youth team. It can be said that we have all watched him grow up. The club has trained him and has never treated him unfairly..."

Dixie interrupted Mr. Berg's slow narration: "Not only have we treated him well! He is also the highest paid player in the team! But he announced in the winter transfer window that he had signed a contract with Kensington in advance! He will go to London at the end of the season! At the critical moment when we were trying to avoid relegation, he abandoned us! Just booing him is already very polite! Damn it!"

"We all loved him very much and thought he could take over from Goetz and become the team's captain and legend. Who would have thought that this would be the final result..." Mr. Berg shook his head and sighed.

Theo Collins, owner of the Miner's Bar, said: "In fact, we all know that Tyne's strength is not strong enough, so it is difficult to retain talents. If Dean must leave to pursue a bigger stage, we can understand. But the way he left did anger everyone. He shouldn't be so ruthless to the place where he was born and raised..."

The atmosphere suddenly became a little heavy, but everyone soon regained their spirits.

Because the man's figure appeared on the big screen!

"No. 99, WAAAAAAAAAANG——" "LIEEEEEEEEE!!!"

This time Tang Lin finally shouted out loud.

He felt that the shame and resistance in his heart seemed to have weakened a little bit...

※※※

After the thunder outside stopped, the referee appeared. He led the two linesmen through the two teams, walked to the front, and took the football from the caddy.

Then he turned around and said to the players of both teams: "Gentlemen, it's time to go on the court!"

Wang Lie reached out his hand to the caddy next to him, and the caddy quickly grabbed it.

From the caddy's strength, Wang Lie felt that he seemed a little nervous, so he lowered his head and gave the child an encouraging smile.

When he raised his head again, his expression was serious, even... a little ferocious, and full of murderous intent.

His caddie happened to be looking up at him, and was frightened by the horrible expression.

Wang Lie did not bow his head to appease her at this time, because he had already stepped onto the stairs and appeared on stage!

"Players from both teams walked out of the tunnel under the guidance of the referee team! They are about to go on the court!"

"As the captain of Tyne, Wang led the team out of the tunnel! It's really sad. What he didn't get from Sofia, Tyne gave him everything..."

"This 'China Derby' is about to begin!"

※※※

The captain of the Scouse team, Mason Harper, was really not used to the guy Wang Lie standing opposite him and picking sides.

They also had to exchange team flags and shake hands.

When he was in Sofia United, Wang Lie never had the chance to wear the captain's armband.

Although Goetz said that he gave up the armband voluntarily, who knows if Wang Lie forced Goetz to give up the armband... Given his personality, he might really do such a thing.

But he was not here to meddle in other people's "family affairs". He didn't really care how Wang Lie got the captain's armband.

It doesn’t matter whether there was internal strife before the game.

Anyway, once they lose this game, even if there was no internal strife before, there will be in the future.

Taking his eyes off Wang Lie, Harper looked at the side picker in the referee's hand - a special coin. He first chose the side with the words on it.

After the toss, Harper won the right to choose sides. He pointed to the half where the team was now, indicating that they were on this side.

Tyne naturally got the right to kick off.

The two sides shook hands very perfunctorily, and after shaking hands with the members of the referee team respectively, they ran back to the coaching seat, handed the team flag to the staff, and then ran back to the field.

The Tyne fans in the stands have already sung a round of songs, and now the game is finally about to begin!

※※※

Wang Lie stood alone in the center circle of the field with his hands on his hips, a football under his feet.

Seeing this scene, CCTV commentator Luo Jin was extremely moved: "How long have we not seen this scene? This is the first time this season! Wang Lie, who just celebrated his 38th birthday, started in the game!
"After he moved to Tyne, he came on as a substitute in the two games, scored two goals and assisted once, and performed very well. I wonder if he will continue this outstanding performance in today's game against the Scouse..."

Zhao Chuanfeng, the guest commentator of this game, said with a smile: "I think it should be possible, after all, the opponent is the Scouse..."

It is well known that Wang Lie gets excited when he beats the Scots.

It feels like the Scouse people are there specifically to buff Wang Lie.

While the two were chatting and laughing, the referee raised his wrist and then blew the whistle!
As the whistle sounded, Wang Lie turned around and kicked the football behind him.

Vitini and Dean on the center line also rushed into the Scouse half.

Luo Jin explained very quickly: "CCTV! CCTV! Good morning, dear viewers, welcome to watch the live broadcast of the 2036th round of the 2037- Premier League on the sports channel, where Tyne will face Scouse at home! With the referee's whistle, the game has begun! In the first half of the game, the home team Tyne attacked from the left to the right of the screen, wearing blue home jerseys, white shorts and blue socks! And the visiting team Scouse attacked from the right to the left of the screen wearing white away jerseys, black shorts and white socks! This game will be commented on by me, Luo Jin, and Coach Zhao Chuanfeng..."

※※※

Wang Lie passed the ball to the team's starting attacking midfielder Van Ginkel at the back, and the Dutchman then passed the ball back to center back Matej Katic.

After getting the ball, Katic did not continue passing the ball back and forth in the backcourt to attract the Scouse players to come up.

Instead, he made a long pass to Vitini on the left side of the field.

Vitini stopped the long pass steadily before the sideline.

Scottish right-back Patrick McGowan did not dare to kick the ball easily, as he knew that the Brazilian Vitini had a very fast pace.

If he dared to kick the ball, the opponent would be able to poke the ball directly behind him and complete the breakthrough.

So he was just stuck in the direction that Vitini was going to break through.

Vitini did some fancy moves with his feet, nimbly moving the ball around with his right foot, and seeing that McGowan was unmoved, he passed the ball back.

Coming up to meet him was Tyne left back Charlie Cohen.

After passing the ball, Vitini ran forward and took McGowan with him.

Wang Lie moved closer from the middle to support Cohen.

So Cohen passed the ball to Wang Lie.

Along with the football, two Scouse players immediately pounced on Wang Lie.

As soon as Wang Lie received the ball, he was double-teamed.

And it was the kind of defense that was violently attacked right from the start - by the Romanian defensive midfielder Mihajta Radu of the Scouse team.

Wang Lie was knocked off balance and couldn't stand at all.

Fortunately, he hooked the ball with his feet and kept it in front of himself, so that the opponent did not snatch the ball from him right away.

In this situation, Wang Lie was unable to pass the ball to Vitini who was making a forward run, so he could only pass the ball back to Charlie Cohen.

After receiving the ball, Cohen encountered the same situation as Wang Lie, except that there was only one Scouse player defending him, not two.

Cohen was afraid of losing the ball, so he planned to move the ball horizontally.

However, his intention to pass the ball was discovered by Scouse's attacking midfielder Ryan Boissier.

Boissier was originally one of the two Scouse players who went to press Wang Lie.

When he saw Charlie Cohen turning towards the middle, he started decisively, leaving Wang Lie behind and rushed forward.

At the same time, Wang Lie also realized the danger. He pointed to the backcourt and shouted to Cohen: "Pass the ball back to the goalkeeper!!"

But it's too late.

Cohen still passed the ball to his center back teammate Hugo Guenduzzi.

Then the ball was intercepted by Bouissier halfway through!
"Boissier stole the ball! It's dangerous!" Luo Jin in the studio at the back saw this scene and exclaimed.

There was also a huge booing sound above the Lize Park Stadium.

Amid the boos, Boussier ran with the ball and passed in front of center back Guendouzi.

At this time, Tyne took advantage of the kick-off opportunity and pressed forward. Most of the players had already crossed the center line. However, Cohen lost the ball at this time. There were almost no people in the back half of Tyne!
Even if everyone returns to defend, it's too late!
Chi Zhen at the far end saw his teammate steal the ball, so he immediately started and shook off Tayne's right-back Barnabas who had not yet reacted.

However, he did not rush forward in a straight line, but ran diagonally towards the middle.

After being thrown away by Boissier, Gunduzzi turned around and saw Chi Zhen, so he immediately left Boissier behind to defend against Chi Zhen.

As for Boissier, it’s up to his central defender partner Matej Katic…

Katic was indeed the first to react. He retreated first and rushed towards Bouissier diagonally from the middle.

"Ahhh! The game has just begun! Tyne made a mistake in passing the ball in the midfield! The Scouse people have a great opportunity to counterattack!"

Commentator Connor Cowley shouted excitedly, he didn't expect that there would be such a good show right from the start of the game!

His guest commentator Joe Wesley was also excited: "Chi's movement is very smart! Right! Go and press their middle lane!"

In a blink of an eye, Bouissier dribbled the ball to the line of the attacking third zone, where Katic was defending him.

Chi Zhen pressed in the middle, with Tayen central defender Gunduzzi following him.

Seeing Bouissier slow down, Chi Zhen did not stop, but suddenly accelerated, rushed diagonally to the front point, and at the same time made a gesture for Bouissier to pass the ball to his feet.

Gunduzzi could only barely keep up.

Boissier passed the ball.

But instead of passing the ball to Chi Zhen who was making a forward run, the ball was passed diagonally to the back point!

After Chi Zhen took Gunduz away, there was a huge gap there!

"Delmora!!"

Scouse's main striker Victor Delmora appeared in the empty space at the back post, met the ball from Boissier, turned sideways, swung his right foot, and kicked the ball towards the far upper corner of the Tyne goal!
Goalkeeper Goetz, who was rushing over from that direction, was caught off guard. He could only wave his arms reflexively while rushing over, but he caught nothing except air...

The football made an arc and flew into the Tyne goal from the back point!

Just one minute into the game, the visiting team Scouse broke through the Tyne goal and took the lead!

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PS, the first update is here, the second update will be at 6pm!
(End of this chapter)