Grassroots Glory

The opening game of the season is approaching, but the atmosphere of the Schalke U19 training camp is not very dignified and tense, even though the first opponent Borussia Mönchengladbach is also a strong youth training team, who relied on Heynckes in the 1970s , Vogts, Effenberg, a group of self-trained stars have shaken Bayern's dominance over the Bundesliga. But now and then, as a Schalke U19 who only cares about the championship, facing a strong enemy, there is no tension but excitement.

The day before the game, Elgort found Zhou Tiancheng and Jiang Hao alone to communicate with each other, especially Zhou Tiancheng. Although his performance in training reassured Elgort, Elgort was still worried that he would have psychological fluctuations in the face of real confrontation, so he chose to chat with Zhou Tiancheng alone. This was not a precautionary measure. Needle, but a kind of psychological decompression, and at the same time let Zhou Tiancheng understand his current position in the team.

Zhou, for tomorrow's game, you still need to wait on the bench...Your performance is beyond doubt, but this is a professional-strength confrontation, and you still need to slowly adapt. This is for your future career considerations.

Elgort was worried that Zhou Tiancheng would think too much, so he explained a few more sentences.

Zhou Tiancheng nodded with a smile: I understand. I don't expect to be the main player right away. To be honest, even if you let me start tomorrow, I'm not sure I can play well.

Elgort narrowed his eyes and smiled relievedly, he was very satisfied with Zhou Tiancheng's mental state. At this age, it is not uncommon to have such a sense of normalcy and overall situation awareness, but it is also precious. Of course, this also has something to do with Zhou Tiancheng's previous captaincy in the school team. After tempering, the mentality will naturally mature.

As for Jiang Hao, there is no need for Elgort to say too much. He knows it in his own mind. He has just begun to familiarize himself with the team's tactical system. In addition, Schalke's striker configuration is already relatively complete. He now wants to come off the bench. Neither are mature, let alone starters.

...

That night, Zhou Tiancheng was lying on the bed and unexpectedly suffered from insomnia. Although Elgort told him to ensure that he must rest well tonight, so that he will have enough energy to face the game tomorrow, but he was lying on the bed, thinking over and over again of his first professional league opponent Borussia Mönchengladbach .

For the first time in everything, there is some tension and anticipation. But Zhou Tiancheng thought about it, and suddenly snapped: Hey! I'm really confused. What are you thinking about? Ask the system, don't you know everything?

Zhou Tian established the horse and summoned the superstar growth system to help.

Host Zhou Tiancheng, what information do you want to know?

Zhou Tiancheng asked: Can I find information about the youth team? I want to know about tomorrow's opponent Borussia U19.

Fabio Nesta replied: No problem. This system is an upgraded version of the ordinary live football system, compatible with the data of the FM Football Manager series. Everything is aimed at serving the host. No matter which platform the host is on, as long as it belongs to a professional Fields, can be viewed through the system. Are the hosts sure you want to view the data of Borussia Mönchengladbach U19?

Yes.

Wait a moment, please, Fabio Nesta responded.

Then Zhou Tiancheng felt a ticking machine sound reading data, and a few seconds later, the data sheet of all Borussia U19 players appeared in Zhou Tiancheng's brain.

Fabio Nesta continued the voice prompt: The data has been displayed. The opponent's core players are highlighted in red data. Please pay special attention to the host during the game.

Zhou Tiancheng was overjoyed. These aspects of the system are still very humane. After all, he has never paid attention to this level of competition before. If he just presents a bunch of data in front of him dryly, his eyes will be completely darkened and he will not be able to grasp the key points.

Zhou Tiancheng focused on the red data, which showed that Borussia Mönchengladbach's U19 most threatening player is their No. 11, right winger Marco Marin.

Zhou Tiancheng glanced at his stats by the way, speed 79, dribbling 78, shooting accuracy 77, these three stats are the most prominent. Zhou Tian made a rough judgment immediately, the opponent's skills and breakthrough ability should be quite good.

Among the opponents he had fought against before, Zhou Tiancheng was the first to think of Jiang Hao's youngest Chen Pengfei, but his characteristics were quite similar to this Marco Marin.

Fabio Nesta reminded at the right time: The host needs to pay close attention to the No. 11 player. In the first half of the year, he was called up by the German U21 national team and has already begun to receive the attention of Borussia's first team. His strength should not be underestimated.

This is interesting! Zhou Tiancheng thought to himself, and at the same time asked another question: By the way, I may switch to midfield in the future. What changes will be made in the system simulation?

Fabio Nesta replied: The system will automatically detect the host's debut performance in the new position, and if the performance is qualified, corresponding system changes will be made.

...

Well, Zhou Tiancheng had already guessed that it was useless to ask, this is very systematic!

On August 10th, the day before the first-team match, in the first round of the Western Conference, Schalke U19 ushered in the debut of the new season.

Both Zhou Tiancheng and Jiang Hao entered the squad, and both sat on the bench waiting for instructions to play.

Zhou Tiancheng was on the bench, and soon found Marco Marin, whom the system reminded him to focus on. Like all wide players, he was not tall, but he was quite outstanding with his golden curly hair.

However, having seen short-legged tigers like Chen Pengfei before, Zhou Tiancheng was quite curious, how strong could his abilities be?

As the game started, Zhou Tiancheng's expression kept changing, first he supported his cheeks, then slowly sat up straight, his brows began to frown.

This guy's abilities are really strong, and his combination of man and ball and disguised breakthrough ability are also outstanding. His characteristics seem to be similar to those of Chen Pengfei, who he has fought against, but his skills and physical fitness are obviously much better than Chen Pengfei. With him playing with the ball at will The left back of the team can be seen when breaking through the wing as if entering no one's land.

In just six minutes of the opening, Schalke U19 suffered a big loss on Marin. Borussia launched a counterattack directly from the side. The Schalke left back had appeared in a key position in time, thinking that he could contain the counterattack momentum in the cradle, but Marin's reaction was unexpected, forcibly overtaking and stealing the ball from behind, and at the same time After completing the change of direction breakthrough, it is impossible for the defender to use fouls to make up for it. He can only watch him dribble the ball into the defensive hinterland.

At the same time, the opponent's striker appeared between Hewedes and Matip in time, attracting the defensive attention of the two. The defense area of ​​the two did not expand in time. Opened the shot angle.

But just at this time, Schalke U19's No. 8 defensive midfielder Jappa chased back. He saw Marin kicking up, and in a hurry, he raised his right leg and stepped on the foot of the other supporting leg!

Seeing this scene, Zhou Tiancheng lowered his head in disappointment, and Elgort was also surprised.

The premonition of the two was correct. The referee pointed directly at the penalty spot and showed Jappa a red card!

It was only six minutes into the game, and Schalke U19 got off to a bad start.