Thank you to "kylz" for the tip!
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Qin Xiong's performance in the game attracted Ancelotti's attention.
Ajax did not score, and he did not even hit the goal.
However, Qin Xiong used different ways to attack AC Milan's defensive line in the game several times in a row.
This kind of constantly changing thinking in football itself surprised the top coach.
In a short period of time, Qin Xiong tried to break through individually, tried to divert the attack from the east and attack from the west, and tried to switch positions with his teammates before making a cross cut for a long shot.
In the constant changes, Ajax's offense also seemed to be constantly improving!
He was not afraid of the opponent's attack, but he was afraid of the opponent's attack in different ways!
That was creativity!
However, at present, Ancelotti did not panic. Qin Xiong did not get enough support, which was the main reason. The gap between the strengths of the two teams was obvious. AC Milan's overall strength was stronger, so Qin Xiong could only carefully create opportunities in the cracks, which in itself suppressed him. If Maxwell and Grygera could assist and provide more variety in the offense, then what else could Qin Xiong do?
No one could predict.
Now, it was just so-so.
It looked threatening, but it was not painful.
Ancelotti thought so.
However, an attack in the 40th minute of the first half made Ancelotti completely change his assessment of Qin Xiong's threat level!
Qin Xiong still launched an attack in Pirlo's area with Snede. It seemed that Qin Xiong had chosen the weakest point of breakthrough. Compared to Gattuso and Seedorf, Pirlo's weakness was obviously more obvious. There was absolutely no problem with his thinking. On the football field, knowing that there was a tiger in the mountain, it was not bravery, but stupidity!
The first element of an attacking player was to look for openings. Wherever there was no one, that was where they would run. However, the opponent had deployed their forces in all areas, so they could only look for the easiest places to break through and launch their attacks. They could concentrate their forces on attacking the opponent's weak spots!
Qin Xiong and Snede switched positions again. He looked like he was going to copy the trajectory of the previous long shot, cutting horizontally into the middle to make the opponent panic.
This time, Gattuso decisively rushed forward. Nesta also consciously blocked Qin Xiong's path.
However, to everyone's surprise, after Nesta took a step forward, Qin Xiong decisively dunked the ball into the penalty area!
He rushed into the penalty area at a 90 degree angle!
In terms of physical fitness, he couldn't go head-to-head with Nesta. Nesta's reaction was also very fast!
However, Nesta's speed was actually not fast. In order to avoid contact with the opponent's body, Qin Xiong had to forcefully spike the ball to ensure that the football rolled behind Nesta and had enough space to accelerate!
Under the stunned gaze of the entire audience, Qin Xiong single-handedly charged into AC Milan's penalty area!
He passed by the world-class center back, Nesta!
Nesta was expressionless and did not show any signs of panic. He was so calm that Qin Xiong was frightened!
When he rushed past Nesta, Qin Xiong's and Nesta's eyes actually met and collided. The two men looked at each other tacitly, observing each other!
Nesta was calm. He was bypassed by Qin Xiong. However, Qin Xiong paid a price in order to bypass him. The football was rolling out of the end line. Qin Xiong would regain control of the football, but he would definitely not have an angle to shoot. If the angle was lower than 20 degrees, Qin Xiong could beat Dida, who had blocked the near corner of the goal. Then, such a goal would be Dida's disgrace. He did not even do the most basic defense for a goalkeeper to diagonally attack: seal the near post!
Nesta's judgment of the situation was very accurate. He retreated and did not chase after Qin Xiong. Instead, he observed Qin Xiong. Then, he blocked the connection between Qin Xiong and Ibrahimovic, who was flanking in the middle.
After Qin Xiong regained control of the ball, he would not be given a second chance to break through. The range was too small!
To break through Nesta, he could only rely on speed. To rely on technique to get rid of him in a small range and shoot from an angle was really wishful thinking.
There was not much time left for Qin Xiong to make a choice.
Nesta blocked the angle of the cross pass. He was too close to the goal. His shot would be purely based on luck, and the probability was extremely low. Dida's body had already filled up the narrow gap in the goal. Qin Xiong could not shoot!
But Qin Xiong was also calm. Nesta had unknowingly prevented him from cooperating with Ibrahimovic. Gattuso stuck close to the Snede, who was plugging in from the back. It seemed that everyone was gathered in the left area of the goal.
Qin Xiong caught up with the football, stopped it, and no longer hesitated. He lifted the ball with his left foot and passed!
The nimble football flew over the heads of Nesta, Dida, and Ibrahimovic, and fell slightly behind the goal!
Qin Xiong raised his head to look, his heart filled with fervent anticipation.
Van Der Vaart!
Where are you?!
No one would have thought that Qin Xiong would first break through Nesta in the fast-paced and intense game. Then, he passed such a light pass over the top. Everyone turned their heads to look. Fear had already risen in the hearts of many AC Milan players!
Dida went to the left side of the goal to block the near corner. The middle and right sides of the goal were completely open!
If an Ajax player attacked the goal from the back, the ball would definitely go in!
Van Der Vaart ran into position and watched the football fall. He did not jump or do anything else. Instead, he was stunned.
Someone had jumped before him. Someone had predicted the threat he would pose at the back of the goal.
That person was majestic. After he jumped, it was as if he was declaring the inviolable hegemony in the air!
He headed the falling ball out of the end line. After landing, he raised his head and exhaled gently. Without changing his expression, he waved to his teammates and prepared to defend the corner kick.
He was the captain of the Rossoneri, Paolo Maldini!
Separated by a goal, Qin Xiong and Van Der Vaart looked at each other through their teammates and opponents. The Dutch golden boy's eyes were full of helplessness and struggle!
He had no choice!
He had shaken off Seedorf and Kaladze, but he could not get past Maldini!
AC Milan's strength and stability had really pushed Ajax to the brink of despair in this game!
Qin Xiong was already trying his best to create opportunities as he staggered forward between the gaps. However, AC Milan was always able to resolve the danger in a way that was as stable as Mount Tai!
Qin Xiong clenched his teeth, his face filled with determination.
This was the most depressing game he had ever played in his life.
It was as if no matter how much effort he and his teammates put in, they would appear insignificant in front of their opponents.
Perhaps it was because Ajax was a gathering of geniuses that made their pursuit higher. It also made it harder for them to accept when they had to lower their arrogant heads.
In fact, they did very well. At least, Qin Xiong did very well under everyone's gaze!
This had already made Ancelotti's heart pound, and his chewing expression became slightly nervous.
No, no, I can't let him go on like this any longer!
Ancelotti finally understood. He subconsciously looked at Comain, who was standing on the sidelines with a frown.
The substitution of Sikora was definitely not a decision made on the spot, at least not completely!
It must have been premeditated.
Qin Xiong, a stranger to the European football world, was the key player in Comain's bet on this game!
Fortunately, AC Milan was the king. They showed the king's attitude and took the lead to suppress Ajax. Otherwise, Ancelotti could not guarantee that if Comain had used Qin Xiong at the perfect moment in the plan, what kind of strong impact this young player would have on AC Milan?!
Ajax's corner kick attack was neutralized by Nesta, and then the whole team retreated. There was not much time left in the first half. If they could not equalize the score, they must not concede another goal.
The last two minutes of the first half ended in a peaceful state.
The players of the two teams exited the field and walked into the players' tunnel.
Ajax's fans in the stands applauded the team. At least after the goal concede, Ajax's offense improved a few times, and there were a few seemingly threatening attacks.
Back in the locker room, Comain began to formulate the tactics for the second half based on the situation in the first half. Ajax's players listened carefully.
Ajax tried to equalize the score in the second half with a brand-new offensive routine.
But what about AC Milan?
In the visitors' locker room, Ancelotti was also laying out the tactics for the second half.
A new round of battle between the two managers began again!
Back on the field in the second half, Ajax's players were particularly serious. They certainly would not give up, surrender, and admit defeat, even if the opponent was the king's coach!
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