Midfielder Ruler

As the French team defeated Belgium 1:0 to advance to the Russian World Cup finals, the semi-finals between China and England became the penultimate game of the 2018 Russian World Cup.

The Luzhniki Stadium also ushered in the penultimate game of the World Cup. On the day of the game, the already strong football atmosphere became even more fanatical created by Chinese and English fans.

In every street and alley, there are fans wearing Chinese team jerseys and England jerseys.

Compared with the tensions between many teams before the game, Chinese fans and English fans appeared to be much more harmonious, and there was no conflict that the organizers did not want to see.

Of course, this is also directly related to the fact that Russia does not allow registered football hooligans to enter the country.

The fanatical atmosphere of the game permeates the developed city of Moscow, and both Chinese and English fans enjoy it.

What's interesting is that this game is very reportable for the Chinese domestic media, because many Chinese domestic media like to call England the European Chinese team. First of all, because China is the birthplace of ancient football, and England is the birthplace of modern football.

There are also four football association teams with a large number of fans. Every time they lose, they will be scolded by the people across the country.

Of course, the most important reason is that the two football associations often make mistakes and are always hacked.

Closer to home, in addition to the off-field factors that fans talk about, this direct confrontation also attracted a lot of attention.

The Chinese team previously defeated Portugal and advanced to the semi-finals with Tang Zheng's friendly performance, while England defeated Colombia and Sweden successively despite being not favored. This means that both teams performed exceptionally to advance to the semi-finals.

The English Football Association announced early that the team's qualifying result was to qualify from the group and advance to the semi-finals. However, at this stage of the game, it must be a lie if it does not want to advance to the finals, especially when the opponent is the Chinese team.

The Chinese team defeated Portugal and advanced to the semi-finals, tying South Korea's best result for an Asian team in the World Cup in Korea and Japan. Once it defeats England, the Chinese team will create a new record for an Asian team in the World Cup.

It's just that... this possibility is somewhat low.

As reported by many media, the overall strength of the Chinese team is not as good as that of England, and this is because the two main players and the head coach are unable to play.

But China's domestic media and fans don't think so. They think that the enemy will win!

So what if you're not favored?

"Ouch, ouch, ouch -"

Time passed very quickly. When the Chinese team’s bus arrived at the Luzhniki Stadium, the Chinese fans who came in advance created huge cheers and built momentum for the Chinese team.

Most of these lovely fans are fans who don’t have tickets to watch the game.

In order to be able to see their beloved national team before the game, the passion they unleashed is amazing.

The Chinese players, led by captain Tang Zheng, waved to the fans outside the glass windows and thanked them for their support.

Although Yan Junling and Feng Xiaoting were unable to play in this game, the Chinese players were careful enough. They believed that the team under the leadership of Tang Zheng would be able to defeat England, which was not ridiculously strong.

After all, the French team that took the lead in advancing to the World Cup finals only tied with the Chinese team in the group stage.

There is still more than an hour before the start of the game. CCTV 5 has accessed the satellite signal. Fans sitting in front of the TV waiting for the start of the game can see the Chinese team arriving at the Luzhniki Stadium by bus.

Beijing studio commentator Shao Shengyi said excitedly: "The Chinese team has arrived at the Luzhniki Stadium by bus. It is getting closer and closer to the last World Cup semi-final in Russia. Even though we are thousands of kilometers away, we can feel it. There is a fanatical atmosphere at the scene. I wonder if everyone here is as eager as me for the game to start?"

Countless fans sitting in front of the TV and waiting all rolled their eyes. Isn't this... nonsense?

※※※

When the players from both sides of the game came to the Luzhniki Stadium to warm up,

The starting lineups of both sides appear on FIFA's official website.

The Chinese team's starting lineup has made three position adjustments. They are goalkeeper Zeng Cheng replacing Yan Junling who was suspended due to a red card, and Deng Hanwen replacing Feng Xiaoting who was injured and absent. However, Deng Hanwen played as a right back, and the original right back Zhang Linpeng served as a central defender, partnering with Gao Zhunyi. , the left back is still Jiang Zhipeng.

The last change is in the midfielder position. Li Kui partners with He Chao, the three forwards Lu Liang, Tang Zheng and Wu Sanshi, with Sun Jingbo at the front.

However, according to the Chinese team's usual style of play in this World Cup, Tang Zheng is equivalent to a false attacking midfielder, positioned relatively deep, playing a 2B2 midfielder.

England's formation is 352, with goalkeeper Pickford, three central defenders Maguire, Stones and Kyle Walker, and the five midfielders are Ashley Young, Alli, Henderson and Linga. De and Trippier, Harry Kane and Sterling are at the front.

British Sky commentator Andy Gray, who got the starting lineup of both sides of the game, turned to his partner Martin Taylor and smiled: "It seems that the Chinese team is really prepared and knows how to accumulate heavy troops in the midfield, but I believe that the powerful England can Beat any team!”

"That's not necessarily the case!"

Martin Taylor shook his head and said: "The Chinese team's formation is obviously to compete with England for possession of the ball in the midfield. Tang's position is a signal for the Chinese team to strengthen their attack. Don't forget... Tang is recognized by the world. It’s precisely because of his terrifying offensive ability! He can score goals and assists!”

"Having said that." Andy Gray obviously disagreed with Martin Taylor's point of view: "But whether Tang has the extra thought to organize the offense is a big question mark. After all, the overall strength of the Chinese team is significantly weaker than England. Moreover...the two wings of the Chinese team are very deadly,"

Martin Taylor was at a loss for words because Jiang Zhipeng in the quarter-finals was obviously lacking in physical fitness, and Deng Hanwen on the right was inexperienced, so he might not be able to take on the big role.

The warm-up time, which lasted about forty minutes, was over. Players from both sides of the game walked towards the tunnel and returned to their respective locker rooms.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

The Luzhniki Stadium, which can accommodate 81,000 fans, did not lower the decibels because the players returned to the locker room. The fans, led by their respective fan organizations, created a fanatical atmosphere, and the deafening roars came one after another.

So much so that He Wei, the Yang5 commentator in the on-site commentary box, was amazed: "If I hadn't known before the game that this was the semi-finals, I would have felt like the finals! The atmosphere on the scene was really too fanatical!"

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As Madaloni, the former assistant coach and now acting head coach, closed the locker room door, the noise from the stadium stopped abruptly.

All eyes were on acting head coach Madaloni. Because Lippi was suspended for this game, he was not allowed to enter the locker room. Assistant coach Madaloni presided over the pre-match mobilization.

Of course, with the advanced technology of modern times, even if Lippi cannot appear in the locker room, he can still communicate with the players at close range.

Madaloni, who was used to being an assistant coach, didn't know what to do, so he simply opened the tablet and placed it in front of the players.

Accompanied by huge shouts from the scene, Lippi, who was sitting in the stands on the first floor of the Luzhniki Stadium, appeared on the flat screen. He first waved to the players in the locker room, and then shouted in the fanatical atmosphere of the scene. : "Boys, the view from the stands is much better than that from the coaching bench. You still have to perform well. To be honest, England is not much stronger than you. Just like defeating Croatia and Portugal, the final is right in front of you!"

Due to limited time and too much noise at the scene, Lippi did not say much. He only played a role in stabilizing the morale of the military at this time, and the real stabilization of the morale of the military must rely on the Chinese team captain Tang Zheng.

He is the soul of the entire team.

As for the technical and tactical aspects, I have been warned many times before the game, and the tactics are also very simple, that is, defensive counterattack.

There were still ten minutes left before the start of the game. Players from both sides of the game walked to the tunnel one after another. Except for the substitute players who went straight into the court, the starting players stayed in the court and waited to play.

The Chinese players and the English players are not very familiar with each other, but it does not affect their mutual sympathy.

Tang Zheng and Harry Kane were the most watched players of the two teams before the game. In addition, both of them scored six goals in the five games of this World Cup. They are the strongest contenders for the Golden Boot Award of this World Cup. .

Because so far, the second-ranked Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Cheryshev have scored four goals, and they have all been eliminated. Except for Lukaku, there is still a chance to score in the third and fourth place finals. , Cristiano Ronaldo and Cheryshev have both been eliminated and unable to score.

In addition, Griezmann and Mbappe, who scored three goals, also have opportunities, but it is very difficult for them to score a hat trick with one game left.

It's not easy to score in the World Cup final.

In the past five World Cups, only the 1998 France World Cup scored three goals, which means that the winner of the Golden Boot Award of the Russian World Cup will be between Tang Zheng and Harry Kane.

Although Lu Liang only joined Liverpool for one season in the summer of 2017, apart from having fewer playing opportunities in the first half of the season, he started almost every game in the second half of the season and played against England internationals. The core midfielders of England, Henderson and Lu Liang, They are very good friends and know each other very well. They exchanged greetings before this game that concerns the national team's advancement to the World Cup finals.

Not long after, Turkish referee Cakir and his referee team led the players and ball boys from both sides to the Luzhniki Stadium.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

Immediately, fans from both sides in the stands let out a deafening roar, adding to the fanatical atmosphere of the World Cup semifinals.

※※※

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

…

"CCTV, CCTV, CCTV, the game broadcast for you now is the live match between China and England in the last semi-final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The ones wearing red jerseys and red pants are the England team. They started from The left side of the broadcast screen is attacking to the right side. The Chinese team is wearing yellow jerseys and yellow pants. They are attacking from the right side of the broadcast screen to the left side..."

Following a long whistle from the referee Cakir, the central 5 commentator He Wei subconsciously said the opening remarks.

England's attack was very direct. After the ball reached Maguire's feet, he passed the ball directly to captain Harry Kane. However, Tang Zheng, who was paying attention to Harry Kane's running position, jumped high and passed the ball to Lu Liang.

Lu Liang picked the ball back with the tip of his right foot and passed it continuously. By the time Lingard took off to head the ball, it was already too late.

Fortunately, Henderson was very focused on the game. His tackle while running forced Lu Liang to control the football. The Chinese team's quick counterattack opportunity from defense to offense turned into a sideline ball.

"What a pity!" Central 5 commentator He Wei changed his voice and sighed: "Lü Liang's dribbling pass was very exciting. It's a pity that his club teammate Henderson was well prepared and completed this through advance prediction. defense."

Jiang Zhipeng threw a ball from the left sideline. Tang Zheng squeezed his position first, trying to stop the ball with his left foot. When Lingard grabbed the ball, he gave the ball away and turned around at the same time. Ali reacted quickly and jumped out aggressively. .

"Beautiful! The crotch is outstanding!"

Tang Zheng tapped the toes of his left foot. Ali subconsciously stopped and retracted his legs before it was too late. The football passed between his legs and then went around on the other side.

Henderson's defense was timely and prevented Tang Zheng from getting the ball and moving forward. However, Tang Zheng had no intention of dribbling the ball anymore. He picked up his right foot while running and made a long pass to find Wu Sanshi on the right wing.

Tang Zheng's pass was accurate and comfortable, but Wu Sanshi's pass was too far away from his body, and Stones cleared the ball out of the sideline.

"Wu Sanshi's basic skills are still a bit poor. If the ball was given to Lu Liang or Sun Jingbo, the Chinese team's attack would most likely pose a direct threat to Pickford's goal. It's a pity."

He Wei said regretfully.

Commentator Xu Yang nodded lightly: "It's a pity, but the game has just begun and the players' bodies have not fully opened up yet. I hope they can perform better in the next game time."

But in the fifth minute of the game, England took the lead in breaking the deadlock.

Lingard suddenly took the ball and moved forward, causing He Chao to foul in front of the top of the penalty area. Trippier, who took the free kick, hit the ball into the upper right corner of the goal. Chinese team goalkeeper Zeng Cheng made a save but failed to touch the ball.

England leads the Chinese team 1:0!

The English fans at the Luzhniki Stadium were very excited. Every English fan became extremely passionate in this atmosphere and vented their excitement.

The Chinese fans were helpless at this time. It seemed that they were affected by the lagging score and kept their voices to a minimum.

But Tang Zheng, the captain of the Chinese team, was not affected. He stood in the penalty area to encourage his teammates: "Brothers, don't be discouraged. Most of England's goals in this World Cup are set pieces. As long as we score in the next game time, If we don’t give them a chance to set the ball, I think it will be a matter of time before we equalize!”

"The most difficult time has passed. What are we afraid of now?"

After Tang Zheng's emotional incitement, the emotions of his teammates who were affected by the loss gradually returned to normal, especially goalkeeper Zeng Cheng.

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