Chapter 90: For the Champions League, We Have to Take Turns Sitting on the Bench?
Real Madrid opened the scoring just eight minutes into the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and used their home advantage to launch a tidal wave of offensive attacks that left Wolfsburg as a guest without any room to fight back, even if it wasn't there yet. After scoring the second goal, the Real Madrid fans in the stands were still cheering, as if Real Madrid had advanced to the semifinals of this season's Champions League.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti rarely appears at ease. He sits on the coaching bench with his legs crossed, teaching chewing gum mechanically and leisurely.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sitting a few seats away, had his arms folded across his chest, his brows furrowed, and his face full of sadness. He really couldn't figure out why his teammates performed so sluggishly when he was on the court, but were so good when he was not there.
Could it be that... they are all squeezing themselves out?
Thinking of this, Cristiano Ronaldo was annoyed.
But if you think about it carefully, Tang Zheng has an outstanding ability to unite the team and can score goals and assists. In the past two seasons, many goals were assisted by Tang Zheng.
Thinking back to the few seasons when he first joined Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo is not stupid. He knows why he can score so many goals is entirely because of the sacrifice of the whole team. Now Tang Zheng can let every teammate play his best. With their strength, they can play very comfortably, but it is understandable that they play like a duck in water.
But Cristiano Ronaldo has such a character that he does not give up easily.
If you really can't stay at Real Madrid, it's time to change your environment...
During this period of time when Cristiano Ronaldo was brooding, Real Madrid extended the lead and equalized the total score.
It was not Tang Zheng who scored the goal, but it was his assist.
Compared with the assist that opened the scoring, this assist was more entertaining. He, Isco, Modric and James Rodriguez played consecutive wonderful kicks at the front of the penalty area, and finally with their backs to the goal He knocked the ball into the penalty area with his left heel. Isco slipped out of the gap, took the ball into the right rib of the penalty area, and then completed a kick on the ground. The football rolled into the net against the far goal post.
2:0
Only fifteen minutes into the game, Real Madrid had already equalized the total score.
If the game ends with the current score, the two sides will enter overtime.
But almost no one at the scene thought so. Real Madrid, which was playing so smoothly at home, would slow down its offensive pace in the next game and give Wolfsburg a chance to breathe.
Obviously impossible!
Schalke youth player Draxler was completely restricted on the offensive end.
There was no way to give forward Schürrle enough support, so that Wolfsburg had to retreat to its own half defense.
Of course, this is directly related to the adjustments made by head coach Heijing.
Black Gold believes that Real Madrid are so powerful that they should stay away from the edge for the time being. The total score is 2:2 and they can play overtime. Once the total score is exceeded by Real Madrid, it basically means that the possibility of the Champions League semi-finals is reduced to the minimum.
Wolfsburg began to focus on defense. The iron triangle midfielder composed of Tang Zheng, Modric and Toni Kroos constantly changed positions during the game, observing the situation, hoping to find Wolfsburg's defensive floor. Give a fatal blow.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"
The Real Madrid fans in the stands were full of passion and made deafening shouts to cheer for the players on the field.
Although Real Madrid has not yet ushered in the third goal half an hour into the game, they firmly believe that it will come!
The team that advances to the semi-finals of the Champions League must be Real Madrid!
Until the end of the first half, Isco's breakthrough helped Real Madrid get a direct free kick about 28 meters away from the goal.
Tang Zheng stood in front of the football without hesitation.
Wolfsburg goalkeeper Benaglio chose a five-man wall in order to show 'respect' for Tang Zheng.
"Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang——"
Despite this, under the cheers of Real Madrid fans in the audience, Tang Zheng hit the net in the upper left corner of the goal with his iconic kick.
No one thought that Real Madrid, which was beaten by Wolfsburg in the first round as a guest and had no power to fight back, would turn into a dragon at home and overtake the total score in less than forty-five minutes.
The Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu cheered for joy, their voices elongated hysterically, creating a huge roar like a mountain roaring and a tsunami: "Ooooooooooo-"
Ancelotti in the home team's coaching bench breathed a sigh of relief. It only took half a game to exceed the total score. There was not much time left in the first half. It was a bit difficult to score again, but if he could seize the opportunity to score another goal in the second half, he could basically do it. Kill the game and advance to the semi-finals of this season's Champions League.
※※※
When the whistle sounded at the end of the first half, the scoreboard displayed at the Bernabeu Stadium was 3:0
The home team goes first and the away team goes last.
The close-up shot of the on-site director showed Real Madrid No. 10 Tang Zheng, who performed very dazzlingly in this game. Anyone with a discerning eye knows that Real Madrid's ability to reverse the total score in the first half was all thanks to Tang Zheng, with one shot and two passes.
Immediately, the on-site director gave a meaningful close-up shot.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who appeared on the broadcast screen with no expression, walked onto the court with his substitute teammates, scored goals and warmed up with the ball.
This is one of the few humiliations in his Real Madrid career. He missed out on the starting lineup for the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals...
However, not many people care about what Cristiano Ronaldo is thinking at this time, because Real Madrid's offense without Cristiano Ronaldo is very smooth, and the total score is reversed in less than half the game. They believe that Real Madrid in the second half can directly kill the game in one go. !
as expected!
In the second half, the game changed sides again. Less than five minutes into the game, Real Madrid scored again.
Tang Zheng received a direct pass from Modric outside the penalty area, passed Gustavo and Arnold, and then fired furiously.
The football was like a cannonball, hitting the upper right corner of the goal. Wolfsburg goalkeeper Benaglio basically had no reaction and could only watch the football hit the net...
This... was his fourth inability in this game.
4:0!
In less than 50 minutes, Real Madrid leads Wolfsburg by four goals at home, which means that as long as Real Madrid does not take the initiative to make mistakes, it is certain to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League this season.
A 3:0 lead at home is not safe for Real Madrid, because once Wolfsburg scores a goal, they can squeeze out Real Madrid and advance to the semi-finals of this season's Champions League with the advantage of more away goals.
But 4:0 is different. Even if Wolfsburg scores a face-saving goal, Real Madrid will still advance to the semi-finals.
If Wolfsburg wants to come back and advance, they must score two goals in a row without conceding a goal.
Facing Real Madrid, which has high morale and is in excellent condition, is it easier said than done?
Real Madrid, already leading by four goals, chose to slow down the offensive pace and control the rhythm of the game.
Immediately, Ancelotti made adjustments to the lineup and strengthened the defense in the middle.
Casemiro replaces Modric.
In the 65th minute, Jesé replaced Isco to increase the counterattack speed while maintaining a stable rhythm.
After two substitutions and adjustments were used up, Cristiano Ronaldo's face became very ugly when he was sitting on the bench.
Logically speaking, if adjustments are made, Ancelotti should send himself.
Now Hesse has come on as a substitute, but he is still sitting on the bench without even a warm-up reminder.
The on-site director repeatedly called Cristiano Ronaldo when Real Madrid's basic overall situation was determined. It was not until the 70th minute of the game that Cristiano Ronaldo went to the warm-up area under the reminder of assistant coach Zidane.
In the 83rd minute, the scoreboard still showed the score 4:0. Cristiano Ronaldo stood reluctantly on the sidelines, waiting to come out.
He was supposed to be the hero of Real Madrid's promotion. He was waiting to appear at the end of the game, and there was not much time left. In addition, the injury time was only ten minutes at most. Anyone with a little bit of brains can guess why Ancelotti wanted to play. Cristiano Ronaldo was sent out during this period.
Aren't you worried that Cristiano Ronaldo's premature appearance will affect Tang Zheng's performance?
It is precisely this possibility that makes Cristiano Ronaldo look very reluctant.
Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo's professional attitude is still quite good. He did not fail to work because of his dissatisfaction.
At this stage of the game, Wolfsburg players no longer have any fighting spirit, so the problem of Cristiano Ronaldo and Tang Zheng not cooperating has been minimized, so as not to affect Real Madrid's qualification.
Until the end of the game, the score displayed on the scoreboard did not change.
In the end, Real Madrid defeated Wolfsburg with Tang Zheng's two goals and two assists, advancing to the semi-finals of this season's Champions League with a total score of 4:2.
In another Champions League quarter-final held at the same time, Manchester City defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1:0 at home and advanced to the semi-finals with a total score of 3:2.
The next day, the mainstream media in Europe basically focused on Real Madrid's four-goal home victory over Wolfsburg. The result was no surprise. The surprise was that Cristiano Ronaldo did not start and did not come on as a substitute until the end. When the overall situation has been decided.
It would be okay to say that Cristiano Ronaldo is injured. After all, the body is the capital of revolution. As a Real Madrid superstar, it is understandable that Cristiano Ronaldo is placed on the bench when his physical condition is not good. The problem is that Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo is healthy and has no problems.
Real Madrid, which lost by two goals in the first round, must win at home and must win by three goals to ensure advancement to the semifinals.
In such an important game, Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in the starting lineup. How come the media with great imagination can't take advantage of the situation?
Besides, the fans are not stupid and can see some clues.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo affects Real Madrid's overall performance in the game, he is a top star who is famous all over the world. He has a great influence on both Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo personally.
Real Madrid has missed out on the Copa del Rey and League titles this season, and its only hope is to win the Champions League. Therefore, many well-known media made reasonable use of this opportunity to put pressure on Real Madrid, thereby affecting the subsequent Champions League semi-finals.
In the two Champions League quarter-finals that night, Benfica drew 2:2 at home with Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with a total score of 3:2.
The last spot fell to Atletico Madrid. They defeated Barcelona 2:0 at home and eliminated Barcelona with a total score of 3:2.
One day later, in the Champions League semi-final draw held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Real Madrid drew Bayern Munich and Manchester City drew Atletico Madrid.
The four semi-finals will be held at 8:45 pm on April 26/27 and 8:45 pm on May 3/4 respectively in Europe. The final will be held on May 28 at 8 pm. It takes place at Milan's San Siro Stadium at 1:45.
Since the two La Liga teams were not drawn together, it also means that the 2015-2016 Champions League final may become a replica of the 2013-2014 Champions League final. However, representatives from Bayern Munich and Manchester City were very confident in interviews with the media and both believed that their goals were The team can advance to the finals.
Manchester City has been crazy about buying stars since Sumaner took over, causing a financial crisis. After accumulating strength in recent seasons, it has gradually become a force that cannot be ignored in Europe. Even if Atletico Madrid has rich experience in the Champions League, Manchester City still has absolute strength. Arm wrestling with it.
Bayern Munich is the most successful team in Germany, having won the Champions League four times in team history, second only to Real Madrid, AC Milan and Liverpool, and tied for fourth with Barcelona and Ajax.
The local media in Munich are very direct, believing that Real Madrid has experienced civil strife this season, and the best evidence is that they missed the league championship early and were eliminated from the Copa del Rey early. As the Champions League reaches the semi-finals, this situation is likely to continue.
Cristiano Ronaldo has a solid foundation in the Real Madrid team. There is no problem in not starting him for one or two games, but can it continue?
The answer is obviously impossible.
Real Madrid is different from other clubs. Sometimes the stars have more power than the head coach, not to mention Cristiano Ronaldo is a top star.
Chairman Florentino also hopes that Cristiano Ronaldo, who may leave this summer, will be sold at a good price. Now that Real Madrid has advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, Cristiano Ronaldo can definitely play.
From an investment perspective, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for consecutive seasons is a waste.
…
At the end of the season, players' physical fitness is an issue. Ancelotti made corresponding adjustments to the team in the weekend league. Tang Zheng, Modric and Benzema played the entire game in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at home. Waiting for others to make rotations, captain Ramos and Marcelo, who were slightly injured, were not even included in the eighteen-man roster.
Despite this, Real Madrid, which had the home advantage, still won the game with a score of 4:0. It is worth mentioning that Cristiano Ronaldo, who was quite frustrated in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals four days ago, shined and scored a hat-trick. Magic is the biggest contributor to Real Madrid's defeat of Iba.
As a result, Ancelotti had a headache. There were still ten days left in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals at the Allianz Arena. Cristiano Ronaldo was in such good condition that he would be under huge pressure if he was put on the bench again. , and Chairman Florentino did not agree...
This time in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals as a guest at the Allianz Arena, he had a hard time making a choice.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo continue to be on the bench, or will it be Tang Zheng's turn to sit on the bench?