Ground football: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him

Alvadra Stadium.

Although the fans were not very enthusiastic, those who were supposed to come still came.

After all, it was the team's first game of the new season, and it was at home.

Even if it's not to watch the game, I'd come even if it's just to criticize Triglav.

The fans were indifferent as the commentators read out the players' names as they entered the field.

I don't know them.

Didier Drogba, John Terry, Andrea Barzagli, José Fonte...

Fonte: I've been playing for Sporting Lisbon since I was a kid, and you don't even recognize me?

The atmosphere in the stadium only really picked up when Viana, Quaresma, and Schmeichel came out.

Then it was Deschamps' turn, and the fans began to applaud continuously, just like the warm welcome and courtesy shown to Schmeichel when he first joined the team last season.

The atmosphere reached a fever pitch with Matthäus's arrival.

People kept chanting Matthäus's name; this is the eternal special treatment afforded to the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or winner.

After all, they were once the strongest people in the world in a certain year!

Cristiano Ronaldo!

The cheers that had reached their peak fell silent with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

For the first time, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to receive the support of his home fans.

Even today, many fans still believe that the end of Ronaldo and Jordana's relationship was the main reason for Jardel's departure, and therefore they are angry with Ronaldo.

"Deng Kai!"

The narrator then reads out another name.

This time, there were even boos from those around.

Several players subconsciously glanced at Deng Kai at the back, worried about his condition.

Deng Kai raised his hands and walked forward while rotating and scanning his surroundings, greeting the fans who were cheering for him.

This resulted in even louder boos from the audience.

Most of the fans who booed Deng Kai were provoked by his actions.

Although they knew this was Deng Kai's usual pre-game tactic when playing at home.

"Why did you have to provoke them?" Matthäus, who was close to Deng Kai, asked as the team took a group photo on the lawn.

While standing on tiptoe, Deng Kai maintained a smile and said, "I'm not provoking anyone. I'm just greeting my supporters. They take time out of their busy schedules to watch my game, not to see me give them a hard time."

"If I were to be influenced by those who criticize me and take action or make statements in response, it would be unfair to those who support me."

"I was one against many, and I might have thought I was only attacking those who were criticizing me. But the fans were one against one, and they would just think I was inexplicably giving them a hard time, even though they had been cheering me on the whole time."

"Therefore, my responses are always only for those who support me!"

Matthäus paused for a moment, noting that few stars could do what Duncan did.

No, in European football, very few stars even think of this.

Matthäus: "But now it seems that you have very few supporters, we can't even hear their cheers... amidst this huge booing."

Deng Kai shrugged and walked towards the center circle: "Even if only one person supports me, it's not a loss for me to respond to them. Besides... I know that there are definitely more than one person who supports me."

"I should have met you sooner, so that my relationships with my teammates, coaches, and fans wouldn't have turned out like this," Matthäus remarked with emotion.

"No, no, no, your problem has never been these things. Your main problem is that you can't control your lower body." Deng Kai covered his mouth.

Mateusz was taken aback.

What the hell!

How does this kid know everything?

"But I suggest you don't do anything bad at Sporting Lisbon." Duncan gestured for Matthäus to step back. "Maxa is very particular about the moral character of his opponents when he teaches them tactical skills."

"He thinks highly of you and seems willing to share all his knowledge with you. Don't let him down."

"After all, you probably want to coach the national team in the future, right? There's nothing cooler than making those who dislike you envious!"

Matthäus's eyes lit up; he had to admit that Deng Kai had guessed his thoughts perfectly.

He enjoys the feeling of others disliking him but being unable to do anything about it.

drop!

With the sound of a whistle, the competition officially began.

Sporting Lisbon indeed adopted a 3-2-2-3 formation, which surprised many commentators.

I initially thought it was a ruse by Maksa, but it turns out that a top tactical master like Maksa would never stoop to lying about military intelligence.

Nine shallow and one deep, oh dear, nine true and one false, make the false appear real, and the real appear false... Warfare is based on deception!

Sporting Lisbon's opponent today is Beira-Mar, a team fighting relegation in the Portuguese league.

In terms of player strength, despite Sporting Lisbon fielding so many young faces, they are still clearly superior.

After three minutes of probing, the ball remained with Sporting Lisbon.

However, five minutes later, Beira-Mar, who had been pushed back to the edge of the penalty area, gradually broke out again, and the game became evenly matched with Sporting Lisbon.

"Sporting Lisbon has made too many mistakes lately. And their attack relies heavily on Quaresma, but Beiramar has clearly studied this future Figo extensively!"

Whether in football or basketball, there have been many players who had a great first season but then fizzled out.

The NBA calls it the Rookie Wall.

This refers to a situation where a young player who is performing well loses their threat and is unable to perform at a high level after being targeted by specific defenses.

Quaresma dominated the Portuguese league for a season, and his characteristics have been thoroughly understood by everyone.

The crucial point is that Jardel is gone, which allows Bellamar to target him with complete confidence.

Quaresma's ability to handle the ball under intense pressure had improved to some extent.

However, they changed their formation this season.

He's fine when played slowly, but once the pace quickens, his unfamiliarity with teammates, formations, positioning, and teamwork leads to frequent passing and receiving errors.

Once the opponent steals the ball from him, they can immediately launch a counterattack.

Fortunately, Deng Kai was on this side, and he and Deschamps behind him had excellent interception skills, resolving most of the crises.

The most dangerous moment was when the ball pierced Deschamps' defense, and it was also thwarted by Barzagli when the Beira-Mar striker was in a one-on-one situation with Barzagli.

For the first thirty minutes, neither side's offense or defense was very effective.

The problem with Beira-Mar is the lack of player ability.

Sporting Lisbon is in disarray.

But in the 35th minute, Deng Kai, who had a clear understanding of the team's situation, made the first change.

He launched a long pass, breaking the team's long, circular passing pattern and finding a large gap behind the opponent's right-back on the left flank.

Cristiano Ronaldo made a high-speed forward run, engaging in a fierce battle with the opposing right-back, ultimately getting to the ball first before being caught by the opponent.

drop!

The referee awarded a free kick.

This position is not far from the corner flag, making it a very threatening set piece.

Deng Kai ran over and gestured for his teammates to come and contest the header.

I like playing football on the ground: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him.