Grass roots glory

Chapter 236 For the first place in the group
Zhou Tiancheng didn't participate in the team's training for half a day, and everyone was curious about what he did.But most of the teammates could only be curious, and they were too embarrassed to ask, because there was still a distance between Zhou Tiancheng and Zhou Tiancheng in their hearts.After all, they can only make a living in China, and Zhou Tiancheng is already the European golden boy that everyone is looking at.

But Jiang Hao was different. At dinner that day, he walked up to Zhou Tiancheng with a plate, and asked mysteriously, "Brother Cheng, what did you do this afternoon?"

There were a few players around who were also very concerned about this matter. Although they lowered their heads and didn't look this way, their movements of delivering food to their mouths were obviously slowed down, and they were obviously listening to Zhou Tiancheng's answer.

"Oh, it's nothing, I have something to do, let's go out for a while."

"What's the matter? It's not like you to let you put down training for an afternoon... Hey, brother Cheng." Jiang Hao suddenly looked around, pressed his voice next to Zhou Tiancheng's ear and asked in a low voice: "Could it be Do you still have old acquaintances here?"

Jiang Hao had a smirk on his face and blinked his eyes. Obviously, the "old acquaintance" he mentioned did not mean an acquaintance in the general sense.Maybe it's more appropriate to describe it as a confidant...well, a confidante.

Zhou Tiancheng felt that he was bored, so he picked up his chopsticks and knocked him on the head: "Director Gao never asked me, do you think I will tell you? It seems that you are not tired from training, you are full of energy, right?"

Zhou Tiancheng didn't tell the truth to his good buddies. Although it's not something he can't tell, it's not that he doesn't believe in Jiang Hao's character. If it spread to the ears of the coaching staff and caused a gap between him and Gao Hongbo, it would not be a good thing.

"Brother Cheng, do you think the training of the national team is very tiring? Compared with the strength of the devil, it's completely like playing... Don't blame me for being curious, think about how to deal with those reporters tomorrow."

Zhou Tiancheng was very strange. He asked for leave to go out normally. What did he have to do with those reporters?Could it be that he was followed in the coffee shop?
Zhou Tiancheng swiped to the news on his mobile phone and saw the first news from the sports section.

Injuries?Zhou Tiancheng is absent from the national team training!

He smiled when he saw the news.He doesn't even bother to explain this kind of typical speculative news. As long as he appears on the court tomorrow and shows his best state, this kind of pretentious news will be self-defeating.

……

Based on the big victory in the last game, Gao Hongbo has a better understanding of the opponent's strength, and the Chinese team returning to the home court has no reason not to win the game.

Therefore, he made a big change in the starting lineup of this game, replacing a few newcomers who emerged in the league, such as Deng Zhuoxiang, a potential midfielder from Shanghai Shenhua Club, Gao Hongbo in the league is very optimistic about his midfielder Spirituality and free kick skills.When he arrived at the national team, he was told to ask and learn more from Zhou Tiancheng. The young man was also very humble.

Although this cannot fundamentally improve his personal strength overnight, he has learned a lot from Zhou Tiancheng on how to adjust his mentality before the game.At first, he doubted the usefulness of these things. As a rookie, can he represent the national team?What's the use of these things if they can't get out?
Zhou Tiancheng asked him with a smile: "If you are not confident enough, why are you still here? Now that you are here, I don't think you should be willing to sit on the bench, right? What I just said sounds empty, but it is very useful for adjusting the state. Show that you are ready to play so that the manager can give you a chance."

Deng Zhuoxiang thought for a while and felt that it made some sense. He listened to it, and it really showed its effect in the competition.

Gao Hongbo sent most of the main players including Zhou Tiancheng in the second round of the first round.The first threat of the Chinese team in the first half came from Deng Zhuoxiang. After receiving Jiang Hao's header back, he did not stop the ball and took advantage of the long-range shot, which went slightly wide of the goal.

Excited, he was also praised by Liu Jianhong, the commentator of CCTV: "Deng Zhuoxiang from Shanghai Shenhua, the national team's first show is not stage-frightened at all, and his performance is very positive. Good job, young man!"

Deng Zhuoxiang really has nothing to be afraid of.The main purpose of Gao Hongbo this time is to inspect newcomers. Zhou Tiancheng has withdrawn his position as a midfielder. When you lose the ball, you feel very at ease in your heart, so it is easy to play normally.

However, Deng Zhuoxiang has a strong desire to shoot, but he was a bit unlucky. Several attempts to get rid of the defense outside the penalty area missed the goal.The Chinese team's first goal did not appear until the No.308 minute.

Zheng Zhi intercepted the ball in midfield, and then made a long pass to the striker. Jiang Hao broke out from between the opponent's two defenders, glanced at where the ball came from, turned half-turned and volleyed the goal.

"Jiang Hao is very fast, he came out! One-handed, let's see how he will deal with it... volley! Directly, hit-in, in, in, in, in, in, in, in, in, out!!!" Liu Jianhong roared out immediately.

On Sina.com, former CCTV commentator Huang Jianxiang said: "Jiang Hao's characteristics remind me of Li Jinyu, who currently holds the single-season scoring record in the Chinese Super League. They are all physically weak but very spiritual. Once such a striker has The cooperation of familiar teammates is simply a nightmare for defenders, because you can't be a little negligent, and you don't know where he will appear. The old problem of the national team's weakness for many years, this time there is hope for a radical cure!"

This time at the Hangzhou Huanglong Sports Center, Jiang Hao received more than a little cheers for his goal. More than 5 fans in the audience cheered for him collectively.The capacity of this stadium is less than [-], and today it is close to full. Under the condition that the national team can't produce any convincing results in a short time, the fans mainly come to see these new Bundesliga stars, especially those who have just won the gold medal. Tong's Zhou Tiancheng, in a sense, they represent the spiritual sustenance of Chinese fans, and there is a little bit of hope for the national team.

Although I don't know when this little spark of hope will start a prairie fire, but the eyes of the fans are discerning, and they can all see that the Chinese team is changing.The national team full of fresh blood, their changes are on the way.

The Chinese team led 1:0 in the first half, but Gao Hongbo only allowed Zhou Tianchi to play for 15 minutes in the second half. After he assisted Hao Junmin to expand the score to 2:0, he replaced him.

The score of the whole game was fixed at 2:0. The Chinese team ended the task of this international competition day with two consecutive victories. They had 2011 points for all four victories. Syria had [-] wins, [-] draw and [-] loss with [-] points. With four points, the Chinese team has actually qualified for the [-] Asian Cup in Qatar with the top two qualifying in the group.

After the national team match, before rushing back to the club, Zhou Tiancheng and Sina’s signing team completed the signing in Hangzhou, and quickly filmed a short promotional video. Sina.com released the news at the first time. The media did not expect Zhou Tiancheng Flying back to China and doing this, many media responded that Zhou Tiancheng missed half a day of training that day, maybe it is not that simple, right?

But no one broke it. It is a social rule in China. As long as there is nothing to do, no one will mention it again.

After Zhou Tiancheng finished his work, he immediately returned to Gelsenkirchen to prepare for the next Champions League match against Chelsea

After an international match day, most of the international players in the team are very tired. Except for Zhou Tiancheng who is still alive and well, Magath knows that the impact of the national team's game will not disappear in a short time, otherwise the "FIFA virus" will not It made the coaches of countless strong teams change their colors. Sometimes in order to protect the players, they even went to FIFA to file a lawsuit with the National Football Association.In view of the current situation of the team, he can only try his best to make rotations in the lineup, but there are some key positions that no one can replace.For example, Neuer's goalkeeper position, and captain Westermann.Therefore, he is very important to the team's defense in the next game.Even against opponents who have won at home, Magath did not put forward a goal such as "must win".

Currently Schalke 04 has [-] points and Chelsea has [-] points. As long as Schalke does not lose this time, they will be guaranteed to qualify as the first in the group. The goal of not losing does not need Magath to talk about it. Everyone They are all professional players, and no one who works hard is ready to lose.

Facing Chelsea at home, Magath made four personnel adjustments. Rakitic, who played for Croatia, was removed, and the Greek teenager Priatskas, who has a more balanced offensive and defensive ability, started. Si played a game on behalf of the German U21 national team. To be on the safe side, Magath replaced Westerman's partner with the young and strong Matip. He made his first appearance in the Champions League.

In addition, Farfan, who played on behalf of the Peruvian national team, was forced to be on the bench, and Altintop replaced him as a right winger.The last adjustment is on the striker line. Magath observed that Jiang Hao was exhausted after returning from the Chinese team, so he was removed from the initial starting list to be cautious.It was Kuranyi who replaced him as a striker.

Although Magath no longer trusted him as before, he still gave him the full right to fire in this game. Kuranyi clenched his fists for this hard-won opportunity, wanting to prove to him again The head coach looks.I am only 27 years old, and I am in my prime.Although he no longer has any hope of being selected for the German team, he is definitely not reconciled to letting his peak body just sit on the bench like this.

But for Jiang Hao himself, it was a little regretful.Originally, he had gradually secured his main position, but the upcoming Champions League debut had to be postponed due to the state of the national team.

On the other hand, Ancelotti, who came from afar, faced far greater troubles than Magath. Anyway, only half of the main players of Schalke 04 were affected, but what about his team?The entire main force of 11 players went to the national team and were called up by seven national teams.

He doesn't dare to replace all 11 main players. The team's current situation in the group is still unclear. At present, they are only two points ahead of Atletico Madrid, which is third in the group. This game needs at least a draw. He has enough confidence in the Athletic Greeks.Otherwise, if you miss the third place in the group, you can only play in the Europa League.Then he must face the pressure from the top.Boss Abramovich spends hundreds of millions of pounds a season, not to be with those second-rate teams!
Therefore, after the opening of the game, Chelsea had the intention of turning away from the guest. The back and forth passes involved Schalke 04's defense. In the opening game, the French international Malouda made two consecutive passes from the right. Kalou topped the front point, but they all missed the goal slightly.

Carlo Ancelotti replaced Anelka with the Ivorian national team's striker combination today. From the opening point of view, he did create a lot of threats.Judging from Chelsea's fighting spirit today, it is completely impossible to see what impact the national team game has had on these players.

Magath did not expect that Chelsea would be so determined to go down from the wing. He could only widen the distance between the three midfielders and protect the wing in a more timely manner on the defensive end. But this is not a long-term solution, the fundamental way, It's about taking the initiative to attack.

Especially in the current situation where the distance between the midfield positions is widening, Magath will only press forward in the midfield. Otherwise, Zhou Tiancheng will be alone in the middle. In any case, he will not be able to keep an eye on Lampard and Ballack. of.

In the first 5 minutes of the game, Schalke was suppressed. The commentators thought this was the main tone of the game, but in the 6th minute, Schalke's first attack of the game showed that the situation was not what they imagined.

After stealing the ball in the backcourt, Zhou Tiancheng received a direct pass from Holtby and passed the ball to Kuranyi. Aiming directly at the dead corner on the penalty area line, Cech made a world-class save and flew to block the ball.

Three minutes later, Schalke made a comeback. Zhou Tiancheng passed Lampard in the midfield, resisted Ballack's defense sideways, and sent a through ball to the left rib of the penalty area. Asamoah knew how to cut in and shot the ball. With a sound, it hit the outside of the pillar and popped out the bottom line.

Ancelotti stood next to the coach's bench and slammed the handle next to him. He was very dissatisfied with the execution of the midfielder. He repeatedly emphasized that he must try his best to destroy Zhou Tiancheng's center of gravity when he was holding the ball, but Ballack obviously did not do it. to this point.Fortunately, the away goal is enough to save face.

Aofu Schalke Stadium began to be lively, seeing the team start to set off an offensive, the home fans began to sing the team anthem.

At the same time, five Schalke players surrounded Zhou Tiancheng, all of whom were called by Zhou Tiancheng.He felt that the first 5 minutes were not good.At this time, as the core of the midfielder, he should agree with his teammates.

Zhou Tiancheng's idea is very simple: Don't be cowardly, just do it!Continue to put pressure on the opponent and suppress their formation to make up for the lack of overall strength in the midfield.

"Listen to me, brothers, they want to fight us to win this game, but we must also score points, but we must not only defend, they are too strong offensively, we can't defend, we can only attack and fight them, Don't forget, we are one of the most attacking teams in the Bundesliga. Everyone is close to me, press out and attack from the back, this is our home ground!"

Then Schalke showed a different attitude, very positive, and Kuranyi even forced Terry to the point where he could only kick the ball out of the sideline.

Marcel Leff happily said that this is Schalke's attitude: "When Chelsea opened the siege for 5 minutes and felt that Schalke (desire) to win (desire) was not enough, they were wrong. They are letting the slow heat Schalke has entered the state, they have no way out, they must take the initiative to grab points, but Schalke also has the courage to fight against them, and use the double kill of the century-old Blues to secure the qualifying, isn't this the best result?"

Schalke players understand that they have only one task: to fight for the first place in the group.

(End of this chapter)