Football: Starting from the Ronaldinho template

Chapter 25: The Curse of Chinese Players Scoring Zero Goals in European Competitions
As the game was about to begin, Zhan Jun introduced the starting lineups of the two teams.

"Everton chose a 4-2-3-1 formation, goalkeeper:."

"Lukaku is the fulcrum of the front line, with McGeady, Naismith and Mirallas lined up behind him, Barry and McCarthy continue to partner in the defensive midfield, and Baines and Coleman are the left and right gates responsible for opening up the width for the team's attack."

"As for Barkley and Deulofeu on the bench, they may well be the ones who change the situation in the second half."

"Let's take a look at Wolfsburg's starting lineup. They also have a 4-2-3-1 formation. The goalkeeper is:"

"The starting right back was replaced by Vieirinha from Sebastian. The Portuguese can not only play as a winger, but is also a good full-back."

"There are no major changes in the other positions. Qin Ming is still the left midfielder."

The barrage of comments in the live broadcast room fell like snowflakes.
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[It's true. Judging from the strength on paper, Everton is stronger. ]
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[In addition, Lukaku and Barry, who were on loan last season, both played very well and were directly bought out by Everton. ]
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[Wolfsburg is not weak, right? 】
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If Olic could be replaced by Dzeko, I think Wolfsburg would be even stronger.
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In fact, Olic is more suitable for the current Wolfsburg team. His nickname "The Legend of Running" is not for nothing. He can put pressure on the opponent's defense and create space for his teammates behind him.
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[Come on, Qin Ming, score a goal and try to set a new record!]
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[In 2003, Sun Jihai scored for Manchester City in the Europa League qualifiers, and in 2013, Wang Chu scored for Young Boys Esch in the Europa League qualifiers. There was a full decade between the two goals, and neither was in the finals. I hope Qin Ming can break the curse of Chinese players not scoring in European finals!]
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[Alas, Japanese and Korean players were already scoring goals in European competitions 40 years ago, but we fell behind long ago!]
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【.】

The crowded Goodison Park Stadium.

Beep! ! !
As the referee blew the whistle, the game began.

Wolfsburg has the ball.

Olic kicked the ball across to De Bruyne, who passed it diagonally without even looking up.

Everton fans were shocked.

And you still want to start like this?
Isn't it always about passing the ball back first to organize and then seek offensive opportunities?
However, the surprise attack has a special effect. Qin Ming was running at full speed on De Bruyne's passing route.

With a light movement of his right foot, he dribbled the ball across the center line in an instant.

The first one to rush over and press was Barry.

Born in Hastings, he is very fierce. In the 2007-08 season, he broke the record of Frank Lampard and became the youngest player to reach 300 Premier League appearances.

Not only that, he was also favored by Benítez at the time, who believed that he could completely replace Xabi Alonso.

However, the negotiations failed and he was bought by Manchester City for a huge price.

Barry then won the Premier League title with Manchester City.

Gerrard's evaluation of him is: a typical Liverpool player.

So, Qin Ming was tackled to the ground by Barry as soon as he made a fake move.

Beep! The referee's whistle sounded in time, preventing the conflict from breaking out.

On the court, Qin Ming rubbed his right ankle and glanced at Bari without saying anything.

He knew what the other party meant. Wasn't it just a show of force?
"He truly deserves to be the first player in history to receive 100 yellow cards."

Qin Ming jumped on the spot, and after making sure that everything was fine, he went straight back to his seat.

Barry raised his eyebrows in surprise.

In the past, when he tried to intimidate young players, the responses he received were either curses or hard shoves. This was the first time he was ignored by others.

"Sir, watch your tackle. If you had raised your toes half a centimeter higher, you would have received a yellow card."

The referee warned seriously.

The penalty standards in European competitions are relatively strict and certainly cannot be compared with the Premier League.

"I know." Barry nodded.

He was also consciously trying to weaken the opponent, otherwise it would not be a show of power, but an attempt to cripple the opponent.

"Luckily, Qin Ming is fine. I thought his European debut was going to be..."

"Let's take a look at Wolfsburg's free kick in the frontcourt."

"We still chose to keep the ball first and didn't move forward easily, but Everton began to intensify the pressing." The worry between Zhan Jun's brows remained unchanged.

On the field, Everton's formation changed to form a highly layered pressure style.

Barry and McCarthy, who guard the middle, cover the midfield and backfield areas with their strong running ability, and their teammates beside them can form a multi-person double team at any time.

De Bruyne found it difficult to pass the ball forward in the middle and could only use lateral shifts to stretch Everton's formation.

The 29th minute of the game.

Caligiuri's personal breakthrough on the right was blocked by McCarthy and Baines.

The large open space behind the Italian winger instantly became the stage for Baines to gallop.

"Everton's counterattack is coming!"

"Advance quickly on the left!"

"You know, in Martinez's tactical system, the two full-backs Baines and Coleman are given great offensive responsibilities!"

"They are also the main driving force behind the quick counterattack!"

The cheers that erupted from Goodison Park hit the players on the green field like a wave.

Facing Vieirinha's defense, Baines did not do it himself, but passed it to Mirallas.

With Spartan blood flowing in his veins, he has a resounding nickname: The Belgian Speed ​​Racing King!

He pushed the football hard and it shot out like an arrow.

Gustavo next to him didn't even have a chance to foul.

Then, when Naldo stepped forward to block, he completed the pass with extreme force.

Who are you looking for?

The King of Punching - Lukaku!

Lukaku stuck out his butt and held Knoch back.

Without stopping the ball, he directly passed it to the right rear.

Mirallas passed Naldo and quickly caught up with the rolling football.

"The Belgian winger and center forward have great coordination!"

"Want to shoot directly?"

"Shot to the near corner. This ball goes in!"

"Everton opened the scoring in the 29th minute, with Belgian winger Mirallas scoring!"

"Looking back at this wonderful goal, the tactical discipline demonstrated by Everton players in the midfield, as well as their smooth and natural transitions between attack and defense, made them look like a top-notch team!"

As a neutral commentator, Zhan Jun will evaluate the game objectively even if he likes Liverpool.

"Hehe. It seems my guess is correct. Everton has a higher chance of winning."

Zhang Lu changed the subject: "But from an emotional point of view, I want to see Wolfsburg and Qin Ming's goal more."

At Goodison Park, the deafening cheers and fluttering flags weave into a beautiful picture.

Mirallas, Lukaku and others ran to the corner flag area to celebrate wildly.

Qin Ming and his teammates stood there, looking a little depressed. It was really unexpected for them to concede a goal so quickly in the first European game.

(End of this chapter)