Before the start of the game, the stadium broadcast began to introduce the starting lineups for both sides. The home fans would also add a repeat and cheer after each Liverpool player's name. Then, under the accompaniment, the entire audience would hold up their scarves and sing the famous team song, "You'll Never Walk Alone." The game's opening whistle was blown in a high-spirited atmosphere.
Li Ang sat in the technical area and observed Liverpool's starting lineup today.
For this game, Liverpool lined up with a two-striker lineup, with Torres and Kuyt partnering in the front line.
However, according to Liverpool's previous games this season, Kuyt's position was not absolutely fixed in the front line. From the midfielder to the defensive midfielder to the fullback, as long as the team needed him, Kuyt always worked hard without complaint. He was a revolutionary brick that needed to be moved there. This also gave Kuyt a nickname, "Model Worker."
Kuyt was famous in Feyenoord in the Eredivisie. Beside Gerrard and Torres, Kuyt, nicknamed "Model Worker," always seemed low-key and simple. Sometimes the fans might only see the brilliance of Torres and Gerrard but forget Kuyt's existence. However, when he was not on the field, the team seemed to have lost its soul. From the center forward to the winger to the midfield, the Dutch Model Worker was competent in all positions on the field except for the goalkeeper.
He had no proud talent and no gorgeous attributes. He was an atypical Dutch player. If Robben, van Persie, Sneijder, and the others were proud and blooming tulips, then Kuyt was the "green leaf" hidden under the vast sea of flowers. However, Kuyt had used his own diligence to write a beautiful story of his own.
Speaking of which, Li Ang still appreciated a player like Kuyt. Although Kuyt was not a killer who could end the game, nor was he a metronome who could control the game, a team with such a hardworking fighter could often show explosive fighting power and iron will.
Such a player could inspire the fighting spirit of the whole team through his own efforts.
During the tactical analysis before the game, Li Ang specifically asked his players to pay attention to Kuyt. Some players did not seem to understand, but out of trust and respect for Li Ang, they would strictly implement the manager's tactical deployment.
Of course, if Kuyt was the "Model Worker," then Torres was Liverpool's most threatening weapon. He was the key player Inter Milan needed to guard against!
Then, the midfield was Gerrard, Lucas, Harvey Alonso, and Babel. The defensive line was Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, and Aurelio. The goalkeeper was Reina.
Other than Mascherano's absence due to suspension, Benítez had already selected the strongest lineup in his mind for this match.
Among them, Gerrard, Lucas, and Harvey Alonso, these three players, had a certain interception ability and a strong tendency to move forward. They were players who could attack and defend well. Benítez obviously studied Inter Milan very much. He wanted to contain Inter Milan in the midfield.
As for Babel, Li Ang knew that the Dutch player was very fast. He was a product of the Ajax youth camp and even had the nickname "Little Kluivert" in the Netherlands. The legendary Dutch player, van Basten, commented that Babel had the shadow of Henry. This young man's speed and skills may pose a threat to Inter Milan in the flanks.
*****
Li Ang was observing Liverpool's starting lineup. In Liverpool's technical area, Benítez was also observing Inter Milan.
Inter Milan's starting goalkeeper was César.
In the right-back position, Mai Kong sat on the substitutes' bench. The starting Inter Milan Team captain, Zanetti, was the left-back position was the Frenchman, Evra, and the center-back combination was Samuels and Chivu.
Inter Milan's rear defensive line had top-notch players. Moreover, after nearly three seasons of practice, their cooperation was very tacit. It would not be easy for Liverpool to tear apart Inter Milan's defensive line.
Benítez glanced at Zanetti. Mai Kong was not in the starting lineup. The Argentine veteran was in the starting lineup. He was considering whether Zanetti would be a breakthrough for Liverpool.
In the midfield, Juan Carlos was in the middle and was Inter Milan's defensive barrier in the midfield. If Juan Carlos was mainly responsible for defense, the other defensive midfielder, Luca Modric, was more responsible for organizing the offense.
In the left midfield position, the starting player was the Spanish star player, Juan Mata, which did not surprise Benítez.
What surprised Benítez was that in the right midfielder position, Li Ang did not choose David Silva. Instead, he used the Russian player, Arshavin.
This was a change that Benítez did not expect. He looked at Inter Milan's technical area with some confusion. He did not understand why Li Ang did not choose Mata and Silva, who were very familiar with and had a tacit understanding between the two sides, but instead gave the Russian player, Arshavin, a chance to start.
In addition, in the forward line, Li Ang's choice also somewhat surprised Benítez. Adriano was not in the starting lineup. The starting player was Diego Milito. The Argentine and his young compatriot, Aguero, formed a forward partnership.
Arshavin replaced David Silva, and Diego Milito replaced Adriano. These two changes became a question mark hanging over Benítez's head. He needed to continue to observe to see what this change meant for Inter Milan.
*****
The game had been going for fifteen minutes. Both sides were in a state of strangulation in the midfield. Situations of people being thrown off their feet and horses being thrown off their feet appeared from time to time.
Inter Milan's strongest point was their front and center field. Benítez was clearly aware of this, so he chose to fight in the midfield.
Both sides invested heavily in the midfield and even fell into a hand-to-hand battle, which also made the game a little quiet.
In the eighteenth minute of the game, Zanetti suddenly stepped forward to defend. He and Samuels worked together to intercept Gerrard's pass. Samuels did not pass the football to Modric, who had retreated to receive. Instead, he passed it to Arshavin, who was rushing forward.
Modric saw Arshavin receive the ball and also turned to run forward. Almost at the same time, Aguero and Mata both began to plug forward quickly.
Inter Milan quickly switched from defense to offense!
Liverpool's side midfielder, Babel, was a little hesitant at this moment. He did not know whether he should keep up with Arshavin, who was dribbling the ball, or mark Modric. Benítez gave him an important task today, which was to help the team's defense and contain Modric. He did not want the Croatian to comfortably organize the offense.
In the end, Babel decided to intercept Arshavin. A player with the ball was always the most direct threat.
But when he pounced on Arshavin, the running Arshavin made a sudden stop and change direction to avoid him. Then, the Russian passed the football to Modric, who had been following to receive.
Arshavin, who had completed the pass, did not continue to run forward. The football went through a transition at Modric's side. The Croatian passed the football to Aguero, who had been plugging forward at high speed.
*****
Aguero continued to dribble the ball forward. When Aurelio closed in to defend against him, the Argentine suddenly made a sudden stop and spiked the ball!
Almost at the same time, in the penalty area, Diego Milito suddenly sped up and rushed to the goal, ready to snatch the ball.
On the left side, Mata suddenly ran in from a diagonal line, ready to snatch the ball!
"Stop him from passing!" Liverpool's old defender, Hyypia, shouted at Aurelio.
"Watch out for Milito! And Mata! "Liverpool's goalkeeper, Reina, shouted almost at the same time.
Aguero passed the ball, but not to the goal. Instead, he passed the football back.
Arshavin, who had previously completed the pass, rushed up again and received the football.
Liverpool's defenders were marking the suddenly active Diego Milito, Mata, and Aguero. As a result, there was no one to defend Arshavin, who plugged in from the back. There was a large space in front of the Russian for free movement.
Arshavin cut inside after receiving the football. He did not hesitate and directly kicked a long shot from the top of the penalty area arc! ,
Li Ang not only unexpectedly arranged for Arshavin to start today, but also gave the Russian a special privilege to try to cut inside and shoot more. This could also be understood as a certain extent of the right to fire!
Benítez was somewhat unprepared for Arshavin to start and did not make a targeted deployment. This caused Liverpool's players on the field to be clearly out of position in front of the Russian!
*****
Arshavin directly swerved his foot in an arc!
The football bypassed the cheek of Carragher, who rushed to intercept, and bypassed the other people in the penalty area. It flew straight to the top left corner of the goal.
The Liverpool goalkeeper, Reina, reacted very quickly. He threw his body's weight out and flew to pounce on the ball. However, the angle of Arshavin's shot was very tricky. Before Reina's right hand touched the football, the football had already bypassed it and flew into the net!
“Goooooaaaaal！”
"The ball is in! Inter Milan has scored! Arshavin's goal! The Russian scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in his career! One to zero! Li Ang's team is in the lead! "
"Inter Milan played a wonderful rapid attack. Mata, Aguero, Modric, and Diego Milito. The Inter Milan star players' passing and positioning were all to create opportunities for Arshavin to shoot! This was a beautiful offensive coordination. Arshavin's shot was wonderful, and the whole process of the goal was equally wonderful! "
In the visiting fans' stands at the Anfield stadium, the Inter Milan fans jumped up from their seats with their hands raised high.
In the 19th minute of the game, Inter Milan played a wonderful rapid offensive coordination, and finally, the Russian national footballer, Andrey Arshavin, who joined the team during the winter break, scored a long shot. The Italian powerhouse team took the lead in the away game!
Li Ang's change in player selection in this game was effective. Liverpool clearly did not have enough preparation for Arshavin to start. Benítez was also not able to see through Li Ang's intention for starting in the first place. Inter Milan's goal came as expected!
On the field, Arshavin was celebrating the goal excitedly. His teammates also came over to hug him and congratulate him.
The camera gave a close-up of Arshavin, who scored the goal, and then the camera panned to the sidelines. Li Ang was applauding, and the Chinese player had a slightly excited and proud smile on his face. Then, the camera switched to Liverpool's technical area. Benítez's expression was a little dignified. He turned back to communicate with his assistant, then took out the tactical board and bowed his head to write and draw.
"There's no doubt! Li Ang's use of Arshavin as a starter, and the importance of the Russian in the attack can be seen from the process of this goal. It has caught Liverpool off guard! In this meeting between Li Ang and Benítez, Li Ang has won the first round! "
"Benítez seems to finally understand Li Ang's intention of arranging the Russian to start. I hope it's not too late for Liverpool. After all, the game has only been going on for 20 minutes!"
*****
Li Ang gestured to his players. He asked his players to seize the opportunity after the kickoff in the center circle and suddenly put pressure on Liverpool's goal.
Even if Benítez saw his tactical intention, it was not easy for Benítez to complete a targeted deployment in the shortest time possible to contain Inter Milan.
Li Ang wanted to fight for the time difference so that he could finally give Liverpool another gouge!
Lucas took the ball in the midfield and dribbled the ball forward. Harvey Alonso followed and motioned for Lucas to pass the football to him. However, 'Brazilian Gerrard' looked ahead and chose to continue dribbling two steps forward. Then he was about to lift his leg to try a long shot!
Then, the Brazilian saw the night sky of Anfield!
It was Carlos!
He rushed up directly and intercepted the ball very accurately. He beautifully snatched the football from Lucas' feet. At the same time, when the two sides passed each other, Carlos used his strong body to make close contact with Lucas, who missed the shot and lost his balance. 'Brazilian Gerrard' looked like he was hit by a heavy truck. He fell directly to the ground on his back and let out a scream!
Boo! Boo!
The boos in the stands of the Anfield stadium were deafening.
The Liverpool fans were angry. They thought Carlos had fouled Lucas.
However, the referee on duty for the game, the Belgian Debre Keir, made a gesture. There was no foul and the game continued!
*****
Inter Milan quickly launched a counterattack amidst the frenzied boos in the stands of the Anfield stadium!
Carlos directly passed the football to Modric, who immediately pulled the ball and turned around. Then he looked in front and directly passed a wide-range transfer ball!
On the left flank, Mata, who plugged in at high speed, rushed to the landing point of the football.
"Beautiful!" The commentator exclaimed excitedly.
Mata stretched out his left foot as he ran and pushed the falling football forward. The football flew again and passed over the head of Finnan, who came to intercept it. At the same time, Mata very elegantly turned around and narrowly avoided Finnan. Then he exerted strength under his feet and continued to run forward to chase the football in the air.
He did not stop the ball and ran past the opponent at high speed. The whole movement was done in one go, and it was so beautiful that it made people jump up and scream!
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
