It was getting closer and closer to Christmas, but Liverpool F.C. could not relax at all.
The conclusion of the Champions League group stage was coming. Perhaps the profit estimate made by the Star Newspaper was not enough for the Liverpool players to take seriously: if Liverpool lost at home and missed the Champions League knockout stage, they would lose more than 25 million pounds!
The Red Army players cared more about glory. As for the financial loss, it was the club's responsibility. Although it would affect their individual bonuses and income, they could not delve into this issue.
On the night of December 9th, Anfield was full.
Prandelli brought the Purple Lily Fiorentina, who had won the first two rounds of the group stage and climbed back to earth from the gates of hell with three consecutive victories, to the Red Army's doorstep aggressively!
Liverpool was ready and the players were in high spirits to welcome the Champions League battle!
When the majestic theme song of the Champions League reverberated throughout Anfield, the players of the Red Army and the Purple Lily walked into the stadium together.
A big battle was on the verge of breaking out. The players of both teams had a resolute look on their faces. Everyone was stirring up the excitement in their hearts. Perhaps the Fiorentina players, who were the visitors and one point behind Liverpool, were in a stronger mood.
"Welcome to Anfield Stadium. The last round of this season's Champions League group stage matches will end today. Liverpool, who have obtained 10 points in the previous five rounds, will face Fiorentina, who are only one point behind them, at home.
For Fiorentina, they only have hope of advancing to the knockout stage if they win today's game. Liverpool only need a draw to advance.
We need to tell the Purple Lily fans some bad news. Liverpool has just passed their darkest period of the season so far.
Before October and late November, Liverpool had not won a single game in the Champions League and the league. If Fiorentina had met Liverpool at that time, perhaps their chances of winning would have been much higher.
But at the end of November, when Liverpool's superstar, Qin Xiong, returned, Liverpool quickly won two consecutive league games. The team jumped out of the trough, which was not good news for Fiorentina.
But today, Fiorentina could only fight with their backs against the wall. They were in Liverpool's territory. If they wanted to eliminate Liverpool, they must defeat Liverpool!
It is a difficult task, but we hope that Fiorentina can show a spirit that we admire.
Alright, let's introduce the starting lineup of both sides.
Liverpool starting 4231.
Goalkeeper: Reina.
Defenders: Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio.
Midfielders: Kuyt, Alonso, Gerard, Mascherano, Qin Xiong.
Forward: Torres.
Fiorentina started 4-2-3-1.
Goalkeeper: Frey.
Defenders: Silvestri, Natali, Krodrup, Felipe.
Midfield: Marchionni, Zanetti, Jovetic, Montolivo, Vargas.
Forward: Gilardino.
Alright, the battle between the two sides is about to begin. Fiorentina will kick off first. "
With the referee's whistle, Gilardino kicked the ball to Jovetic and the game officially began.
Fiorentina launched a fast attack with momentum at the start of the game. Jovetic passed the ball to Vargas, who rushed forward from the left side.
Vargas received Jovetic's pass after rushing past Kuyt. He dribbled the football forward and immediately passed in front of Johnson.
Fiorentina wanted to play fast!
Carragher did not let their plan succeed. He headed the ball out of the penalty area and rushed forward to head Vargas's pass out of the siege!
The football that was headed out flew towards Jovetic, and the Black Mountain's new star shot directly at the goal without any scruples!
Forty yards away from the goal!
The football flew into the stands and deviated ridiculously.
The Liverpool players turned their heads to look at the football that flew into the stands and suddenly realized.
It was hard to say that Fiorentina's mentality became anxious from the start. They obviously came prepared and wanted to seize every opportunity to shoot at the goal!
Even if it created chaos for the goalkeeper to make a save.
Liverpool was naturally calm because they were one goal ahead of their opponent in points.
They calmly passed the ball in the midfield to create a situation. In the fifth minute of the game, Qin Xiong suddenly moved to the middle. Here, Zanetti defended him. Alonso passed Gerard's return pass straight to Qin Xiong's feet.
As soon as Qin Xiong touched the ball, he felt the pressure from Zanetti's close tackle. He knew that his opponent was trying to stick to him, so he did the opposite. He took a step back to dribble the ball and then passed the ball horizontally. Then he circled to the right half of the middle with Gerard as a cover.
At this time, the man in front of Qin Xiong to defend him became Montolivo.
The artistic youth who was bullied by Qin Xiong the last time they played against each other and had a psychological shadow. Qin Xiong really wanted to hug Montolivo's head and kiss him, telling him loudly, "I missed you so much!"
Of course, he did not miss Montolivo taking off his pants.
Montolivo's face sank when he saw Qin Xiong. His heart was beating like a drum. He was really not sure that he could completely block off Qin Xiong.
Just as he hesitated whether to go forward and snatch the ball, Qin Xiong's foot went straight out.
The football rolled quickly past Montolivo. Montolivo could have blocked it with a stretch of his leg, but he had so much baggage that he did not react at all.
Montolivo looked back and saw Torres block the ball sideways in front of the penalty area. He took the opportunity to pass the ball horizontally in front of Krodrup and flashed out of the shooting angle before he lifted his leg to shoot!
The football blasted toward the right half of Fiorentina's goal. Frey made a wonderful save, flying sideways to block the ball with one palm!
Felipe was just about to rush to the rescue when Kuyt took the lead to shoot!
Unfortunately, Kuyt did not do a good job of his technical movements in order to grab the shot. The football deviated from the goal and flew out of the end line.
Even if they did not create a goal, the red waves in the Anfield stands were still rolling.
The Red Army fans cheered excitedly for Liverpool!
Just by looking at Liverpool's momentum, they knew that Liverpool was in a good state today!
"The game has just started. Although Fiorentina's young player Jovetic made an unreliable long shot, Liverpool's offense is obviously more vigorous. Qin Xiong fed Torres the cannonball. The Spanish striker's shot quality is very high. Unfortunately, it could not break through Frey's ten fingers.
Kuyt's shot lacked some luck and the angle was not very good. In any case, it is an indisputable fact that Liverpool's offense is more aggressive. "
When Fiorentina saw that Liverpool's offense was a threat, the players' hearts sank, especially Prandelli on the sidelines. In fact, he also felt that Fiorentina's luck was a little bad.
If they had met Liverpool earlier instead of at the end of the group stage, they might have been able to take down the Red Army while Qin Xiong was still recovering from his injury!
But now?
Fiorentina still could not solve the problem of how to restrict Qin Xiong, especially on the premise that they had to work hard to attack in order to score goals.
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