Ground football: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him

England announces their semi-final lineup, Wayne Rooney finally gets a starting spot, ready to go toe-to-toe with Duncan and Ronaldo!

Wayne Rooney, the youngest goalscorer in Euro 2016: Reaching the semi-finals was only natural; England has always been a contender for top-level competitions!

Beckham speaks again about Figo: We got along very well at Real Madrid, there was no competition between us!

Figo addresses the issue of Beckham replacing him in the club: David is a very nice person, we have a good relationship, and as for positions, we can both play multiple positions, so there is no question of replacement!

Owen speaks about his club teammate Gilchuck: "He's a very good center-back, and I hope his injury isn't serious."

Gillopp: "Owen and Fowler are both very strong strikers. I don't know if I'll be able to play; I'm still waiting for the final test results. I hope we can both perform at our best!"

Lampard: I admit Manchester City this year has been disappointing, but club and national team are different. Duncan's strength comes from the Premier League, but it won't surpass the Premier League!

Gary Neville: I understand Ronaldo's playing style, so I have unique insights into defending against him, and I believe we can achieve the final victory!

Ashley Cole: "At Arsenal, Dunkay has left us bewildered. We didn't know how to beat Manchester City. I hope to find the answer in this game. I want to tell my teammates, and Professor Wenger, that Dunkay is not invincible!"

Scholes: "You can't believe that the little boy who firmly believed Manchester United could win the treble has completely conquered England and is about to dominate all of Europe. It's a dream, it's a nightmare, and I hope this dream ends soon."

The English felt this match very deeply.

The UEFA Cup is, after all, a second-tier European competition below the Champions League.

Therefore, other European players cannot truly feel the helplessness of the English this season.

They won the league title undefeated.

They won four titles for England this season, including the Community Shield.

This is really...

It's fair to say that the English are now both afraid and apprehensive about Duncan!

This match was their last lifeline.

If they still can't stop Deng Kai's undefeated streak in this match.

Regardless of what will happen to the clubs and players next season.

But England fans will definitely all side with Manchester City.

Even die-hard fans of other teams, while not necessarily switching sides at the last minute, will certainly feel "inferior".

So this England team is fighting for the dignity of all English people next season!

June 30, Porto, Estádio do Dragão.

The last time Deng Kai came here, he could only sit idly in the stands and watch helplessly as his team lost to Greece.

This time, he finally appeared on the field wearing the captain's armband for the Portuguese team.

"The England team's lineup hasn't changed much today."

"Up front, Irving will partner Wayne Rooney. Heskey will miss the remainder of the game due to injury. Robbie Fowler will likely come on as a substitute in the second half."

"The midfielders, from left to right, are Joe Cole, Scholes, Lampard, and Beckham."

"The midfield duo of Gerrard and Gerrard is currently troubling the England team, and it seems that Gerrard has chosen to step back. If necessary, he will likely come on as a substitute."

"The back line, from left to right, consists of Ashley Cole, Terry, Campbell, and Gary Neville. The goalkeeper is Robinson."

Clearly, England's style of play is still the same old thing.

They don't need complicated tactics.

If they can bring these star players together, they will be a championship contender.

In contrast, the Portuguese team seemed somewhat... unsure about the game.

Because they made significant changes to their roster this time.

The forwards are Deng Kai, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Figo.

Midfielders: Deco, Costiani, Viana.

The goalkeeper is Baya.

Nothing has changed.

However, the defenders from left to right are Veloso, Fonte, Gilop, and Carvalho.

Almost everyone on this list is unexpected.

Portugal switched from a three-center-back system to a four-back system.

Veloso primarily plays as a defensive midfielder. He played as a center-back in his early career, but his height didn't keep up.

Moreover, he is now playing as a full-back.

Fonte's position should have belonged to Pepe, but Pepe was suspended and Portugal had no other options, so they had to use Fonte.

Kilop was hit in the face by a football and suffered a serious injury.

His comeback this time, wearing a mask, will definitely affect his performance in the game.

Carvalho, who had previously played as a center-back, appeared at right-back this time.

Although he can play this position, it's not his primary comfort zone.

This is a very risky move.

This is how it is arranged.

The Portuguese team must have had special considerations.

Before the match began, reporters asked Maxa, who was standing next to Trigár, about this issue.

Maxa smiled knowingly.

Maxa: I'm just a FIFA Manager of the Year nominee and Premier League Manager of the Season winner, what do I know about tactics?

However, as I, Kai, once said.

The main reason for playing Veloso at left-back was to counter Beckham's crosses from the wing.

Because Veloso is more mobile than Carvalho.

We don't expect to shut down Beckham completely, just limiting him is enough.

Carvalho has stronger individual defensive capabilities, and limiting the two Coles on the right flank is the best option.

Whoever comes up first, we'll take them down.

If they both come at me, I'll take down whoever I can.

In short, he stayed behind the right flank, essentially acting as a full-back.

The reason for activating Fonty was mainly for air defense considerations.

Portugal's two center-backs are both 1.91 meters tall, and they are there to defend against England's crosses from the wings, long balls, corner kicks, and free kicks.

The airspace must be completely sealed off.

In response, Scholes (1.70m), Irving (1.73m), Joe Cole (1.75m), Rooney (1.78m), and Lampard (1.83m) all said, "You're so mean!"

It has to be said that losing the 1.9-meter-tall Heskey is actually a very bad thing for the England team.

Because their biggest reliance on Beckham as a threat has thus been halved.

Don't underestimate Heskey's goal-scoring ability.

But its tactical threat and containment capabilities are still top-notch.

Soon, the players from both sides officially entered the field, and the match was about to begin.

The camera gradually focused on the players from both sides, and the commentators tried to introduce them.

Rooney scored twice in the second round of the group stage, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the European Championship.

Duncan is two months older than Rooney and is the youngest player in this tournament to score both a goal and an assist, etc.

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