Chapter 53 Tang Zheng Is in Excellent Comeback Condition
No one thought that Real Madrid would suffer a half-time reversal from Juventus after making a fantastic start. When the referee Atkinson blew the first-half whistle, the huge LCD screen erected at the Bernabeu Stadium showed The score is 1:2.
The home team goes first and the away team goes last.
"Ouch-ouch——"
The enthusiasm at the Bernabeu was reduced to a minimum as players from both sides of the game entered the tunnel one after another. However, the enthusiasm of the Juventus fans who accompanied the team on the expedition was high. Even if the players had returned to the locker room, they were still happy to make loud noises and fully demonstrate themselves. sense of presence.
In the first round, Real Madrid took away an away goal at the Juventus Arena. Juventus scored two away goals after halftime of this game, which also means that overtime is impossible, and Real Madrid wants to get it at home. To have a chance of promotion, scoring two more goals in the next game will not work, you must score three.
Scored three while the defense kept clean sheets.
Juventus has only conceded six goals in the Champions League this season, and only three in the knockout rounds, two of which were against Real Madrid.
From a defensive perspective, Juventus did very well.
If you want to score three goals against Juventus who have done a very good job on the defensive end, the difficulty level is not generally high.
Therefore, Liu Jianhong, the commentator of Beijing Studio Central 5, said worriedly: "Real Madrid must score three goals in a row without conceding a goal in the 45 minutes of the second half. This is very difficult for the current Real Madrid."
At this point, the broadcast screen in the studio showed substitute player Tang Zheng. He and assistant coach Zidane entered the player tunnel together. Liu Jianhong changed his voice: "It is normal for Real Madrid to think of Tang Zheng in difficult times. It's just that Tang Zheng is injured, so it is still unknown how much of his strength he will be able to exert, but Real Madrid has no choice but to send Tang Zheng!"
British Sky commentator Andy Gray looked at Tang Zheng who disappeared from the broadcast screen. He turned to his partner Martin Taylor and said: "Hey, old man, Tang will definitely come on as a substitute at the beginning of the second half. Do you... think Real Madrid may be there?" To score three goals in a row in forty-five minutes of the second half while the defense kept a clean sheet?”
"certainly!"
Andy Gray thought Martin Taylor would hesitate for a moment, but what he didn't expect was that his old partner Martin Taylor said it without any thinking.
"Why?"
Martin Taylor's tone was extremely firm: "Because... I believe in Don! He is a very magical player!"
The fifteen-minute intermission passed quickly. Players from both sides came to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium from the player tunnel one after another. The seats that originally seemed a little empty were slowly filled to a full house.
However, the fanatical atmosphere that appeared at the beginning of the game has never been restored, and it is completely unclear that this is a crucial second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
It is worth mentioning that Real Madrid took the lead in making substitution adjustments before the start of the game. Tang Zheng, who had been absent from the game for half a month, stood next to the fourth official holding up the electronic substitution board.
The teammate he replaced was Khedira, who had little role on the defensive end. First of all, it was because Khedira himself was in poor condition, otherwise Real Madrid would not have conceded two goals in a row in the first half. Secondly, in the second half, Real Madrid had no way out. There is only one option left to attack, and leaving Khedira as a defensive midfielder is of no use.
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In the visiting team coach's command area, Allegri stood on the edge with a frown.
Looking embarrassed.
Although Juventus relied on Morata's two goals to lead Real Madrid 2:1 as a guest, the venue for this game was the Bernabeu Stadium, and Tang Zheng, whom he was worried about, also came on as a substitute, even though Tang Zheng was injured.
But many times the role of stars is very obvious, especially players who have reached Tang Zheng's level.
Any negligence may cause irreparable damage, and then a season's hard work will be in vain...
Before halftime, his assistant noticed that Tang Zheng did not warm up on the court, but went to the locker room, which also meant that Tang Zheng would come on as a substitute at the beginning of the second half, so he made corresponding tactical adjustments during the halftime break.
But tactics are dead and people are alive.
Tang Zheng is currently recognized as the most powerful offensive midfielder in world football. In addition to his astonishing number of personal goals, his assist ability has also reached the pinnacle.
The team's overall defensive tactics in this game were very effective in limiting Cristiano Ronaldo's performance, but with Tang Zheng coming off the bench, Cristiano Ronaldo's defense must have been neglected.
In addition, if Cristiano Ronaldo performs well, he will not take enough care of Tang Zheng.
"Why……"
Allegri sighed until his eyes looked at the huge LCD screen erected at the Bernabeu Stadium. The 1:2 displayed gave him a certain degree of confidence.
Even if Real Madrid scores two goals in the second half, the team he coaches can advance to this season's Champions League finals with the advantage of more away goals.
So Allegri turned around and discussed with his assistants to see if he should strengthen the defense in the middle and increase the level.
Regardless of whether Tang Zheng, who has been out for half a month, is in excellent condition, the first thing he has to do is himself.
"Ouch-ouch——"
During the discussion, the second half of the second-leg match between Real Madrid and Juventus in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals of the 2014-2015 season officially began, and there was a burst of cheers above the Bernabeu Stadium.
At the same time, the on-site commentator Xiyang 5 commentator He Wei said loudly: "The much-anticipated Tang Zheng finally replaced before the start of the second half. In the past 45 years, Real Madrid's creativity in the midfield has not been as good as Juventus. I With Tang Zheng playing, Real Madrid's midfield offensive organization will become more delicate and threatening."
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he frowned and said: "However, Tang Zheng has just returned from injury, and his competitive status is still a big question mark. But one thing is for sure, Real Madrid must increase their offense in the second half, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo will also It is very likely that after Tang Zheng plays, he will get a lot of pressure relief."
Indeed, with Tang Zheng's appearance, the defensive end of Juventus, which is leading the score, focuses its attention on the midfield, so the defensive pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez on the forward line is greatly reduced. .
Tang Zheng, who returned from injury, received special care from Juventus.
Tang Zheng took the ball and turned around for the first time in the first minute of the second half. His Dortmund teammate Pirlo did not look at him to defend, but put a shovel directly behind the side. Although he did not kick the ball, it hit Tang Zheng. The referee on duty Turkinson blew the whistle decisively: "Beep~"
Pirlo, who committed the foul, was very honest and took the initiative to admit his mistake. He even pulled Tang Zheng up with a smile and said with a smile: "Sorry, I am old and my speed is slow."
As the saying goes, don't hit someone with a smiling face.
Facing his former teammates, Tang Zheng rolled his eyes: "You are really merciless."
Pirlo shrugged his shoulders and said: "Hey~ Who makes you still as strong as ever? I know you very well. I can't even touch the surface of football without fouling."
"..."
Real Madrid took a free kick from the backcourt and the ball accurately found Tang Zheng who had penetrated into the Juventus penalty area.
Tang Zheng was still stuck in his position under the defense of Bonucci and Pogba. He jumped high and completed a header. Benzema kept knocking the ball across to Cristiano Ronaldo who was diagonally crossing the ribs. The latter He stopped the ball forward with the outside instep of his right foot, and then completed a powerful and heavy long-range shot from outside the penalty area before Chiellini came out to block it.
"Oh oh oh——"
Suddenly, there was a burst of exclamation at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Cristiano Ronaldo's long-range shot was of very high quality, forcing Buffon to make a key save to keep the goal.
Although the shot threat was completed by Cristiano Ronaldo, most commentators in the on-site commentary box still attributed the credit to Tang Zheng.
Central 5 commentator He Wei was full of passion: "Tang Zheng caused a foul on Juventus with his first touch of the ball in the second half, and he defeated Bonucci and Pogba in the first duel. It is not difficult to see that he is returning from injury. Tang Zheng's condition has been adjusted very well, maybe... Real Madrid really has a chance of making a comeback!"
British Sky TV commentator Martin Taylor even held his hands on the commentary box with excitement and shouted: "Incredible! Don, who has returned from injury, can actually beat Leonardo Bonucci and Paul Pogba! It seems that Don The recovery situation is very good!”
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Tang Zheng, who had finished fighting for the landing spot, consciously raised his right leg after landing. The feeling seemed to be better than expected, so he couldn't help but grin.
This scene was caught by the on-site director. He Wei, the commentator of CCTV5, changed his voice and raised his voice an octave: "I think this smile no longer needs an explanation. Tang Zheng feels that his body is very good! Sitting on the TV Fans in front of the machine, let us look forward to Tang Zheng's performance in the next game!"
At the same time, the two Italian coaches, Ancelotti and Allegri, standing in front of the home and away team's coaching bench, had different moods.
Ancelotti is full of expectations and confidence for the next game, while Allegri is worried.
Although the team can still concede two goals, once Real Madrid at home plays smoothly, it is very likely to achieve a major reversal.
This season, Real Madrid scored four goals in a row after conceding three goals first, which means that any possibility is possible, especially seeing that Tang Zheng's competitive state is better than expected.
Being proactive is the most basic quality of a head coach.
So Allegri didn't think much and decided to make defensive adjustments for the midfield.
In terms of selection, Allegri decided to withdraw Pirlo.
Pirlo is 36 years old this year, and it is inevitable that his physical fitness will decline. Moreover, the main theme of the next game is defense. Pirlo, who lacks defensive ability, is likely to become Real Madrid's breakthrough point.
As for who to replace, Allegri has not thought of a better choice.
Modric took a corner kick, and it was Tang Zheng who grabbed the spot amid heavy siege, leaped high, twisted his waist and swung his abdomen, forcing Buffon to make a key save again.
Seeing the football blocked by Buffon and out of the right goal post, Tang Zheng pulled his hair with both hands and muttered: "I'll go!"
A minute later, Real Madrid's offense came back, and the football came to Tang Zheng's feet after multiple passes.
I saw Tang Zheng sticking his butt back. Pirlo, who was trying to grab the ball, was blocked by Tang Zheng. Then he sent a very imaginative through ball. James Rodriguez received the ball in the right rib of the attack. Then he passed the ball to the left, and Marcelo, who came in at high speed, made a direct pass without stopping.
Benzema, who was outflanking and following up in the middle, failed to adjust his sight due to Chiellini's interference, and the football missed the outside edge of the left goal post and went out of the baseline.
Although the shot did not hit the goal, Allegri in front of the visiting team's coaching bench reacted as violently as captain Buffon. He stood on the sidelines and pointed at his temples with both hands and said: "Focus on the game!"
Immediately, he turned to his assistant and said: "Go to the warm-up area and call Andrea over and prepare to play."
In the 51st minute of the game, Juventus made its first substitution adjustment.
Barzagli replaces Pirlo.
Pirlo, who was substituted, seemed particularly depressed, but he had no choice. The two dangerous situations in front of the goal were opened from his defensive area. If Allegri did not make targeted adjustments, it might be easy for Real Madrid. equalize the score.
Many times, it is impossible to accept old age.
Especially looking at the lively Tang Zheng, all he could see was the shadow of himself in his twenties.
Before the substitution ceremony, Tang Zheng took the initiative to run to Pirlo and gave Pirlo a big hug: "Andre, have you really decided to go to the American Major League?"
"I haven't decided yet." Pirlo nodded lightly and patted Tang Zheng's right shoulder with his right hand: "I will be thirty-six years old soon. Many times I feel powerless, just like how I defended you before. I realized it, but my body movements were half a beat slower. It was time to change to a more relaxed environment and end my career."
The referee Atkinson urged from the side, and Pirlo said briefly: "Come on! My good friend!"
"I wish you good luck too, my good friend!"
Tang Zheng shook hands with Pirlo who was standing side by side, and then suddenly thought of something and said, "Do you want to play in the Chinese Super League?"
"Chinese Super League?"
Pirlo turned and raised his eyebrows.
"Yes."
Seeing Tang Zheng nod, Pirlo stood there and thought for a while, then said meaningfully: "Think about it."
Tang Zheng didn't know what Pirlo meant, so he smiled and pushed Pirlo's back: "Get off the field quickly, don't delay the game."
The conversation between Tang Zheng and Pirlo attracted a lot of commentators' attention and a lot of speculation, but their attention quickly returned to the game, because Real Madrid's offense organized another wave before Barzagli could adapt to the rhythm of the game. A very threatening offensive.
Tang Zheng, who was feeling good physically, took advantage of Modric's forward pressure to take away Barzagli's defensive attention. He raised his left foot 30 meters away from the goal and shot directly from a long distance. The football was like a cannonball, not spinning in the air.
Buffon, who was fully prepared, flew as far as he could but failed to touch the football. However, the extremely fast football also missed the right post of the goal and hit the billboard, making a crisp collision sound: "Bang~"
"Don is in great shape!"
British Sky commentator Andy Gray couldn't help but marvel.
"Oh oh oh——"
The Real Madrid fans in the stands held their heads with their hands, feeling sorry for Tang Zheng's long-range shot that he was sure to win.