Chapter 32 Asian Derby

Marseille, which was overtaken, wanted to fight hard in the second half. They took the initiative to fight hard in the midfield. Slomka sent Zhou Tiancheng and Rakitic to play a more important role It is vividly reflected. Rakitic has an excellent sense of rhythm when he has the ball, while Zhou Tiancheng wins in running and confrontation. Rakitic is the main passer, and Zhou Tiancheng runs around him frequently, looking for the opponent's overall high pressure It is not difficult for Schalke 04 to completely control the ball, and it is not difficult for Schalke 04 to pass the ball in such a patient way, as long as they break the opponent's siege in the midfield, the striker In fact, there are more opportunities.

Marseille's aggressive performance is actually forced by the situation, but it is also a double-edged sword. Facing a stronger opponent, they have to bear the risk of being hit by the emptiness of the defense at the same time.

Schalke just seized such an opportunity. In the 60th minute, Farfan made a strong cross from the side, and Kuranyi snatched a spot in the middle and dive-bombed a strong goal to seal the victory for the team.

Surprised and won two consecutive Champions League victories, the team returned to Germany and immediately set their sights on the weekend league.

In the seventh round of the Bundesliga, Schalke 04 played an away game against Hamburg. Zhou Tiancheng was suspended for an additional game due to a red card in the last round and was unable to travel with the team. Schalke 04, lacking an important axis in the midfield, inspired the team instead Zhou Tiancheng's absence made Rakitic, who was more responsible, explode in adversity. One pass and one shot helped the team win 2:1, which proved that Slomka's vision for introducing him also temporarily suppressed the outside world. doubts.

The following week is not a match day for the Champions League. It is rare for the team to play once a week. However, in the eighth round of the league, Schalke 04 will face Wolfsburg, the top four in the standings, at home. Although Zhou Tiancheng's return from the ban is a great benefit, Slomka still feels the pressure and cannot afford to lose.

At present, the top four of the Bundesliga standings are in a melee. Schalke 04 lost to Cologne in the fifth round, Wolfsburg also lost 1:2 to Karlsruhe in an away game. Standing second place. The top four in the standings are Schalke 04 with 16 points, Borussia Dortmund with 15 points, and Stuttgart in third place. This youth team, which won the championship two seasons ago, scored 14 points and squeezed into the championship group again. Forsborg had accumulated 13 points before and slipped from second to fourth.

However, the gap between the top four is only one game, so no one dares to be careless in direct dialogue with each other. In particular, Schalke 04 has to hold on to this tone to keep the top position. Slomka said very directly about the preparations for this game: "Strong dialogue is the real test. Prove it to those who doubt us. , we can win the match against strong teams, Schalke's determination to fight for the championship is unstoppable by opponents!"

...

The match between Schalke 04 and Wolfsburg was not only identified as a focus match by the German media, but what is more interesting is that the media in China and Japan, two East Asian countries, paid close attention to it.

Zhou Tiancheng's wonderful performance in two lines made him a person who could not be ignored in the Schalke 04 team, and the main defensive midfielder in the Wolfsburg team is also an Asian player, the captain of the Japanese national team, Makoto Hasebe.

In the official pre-match press conference, most of the focus was on Magath and Slomka, the two head coaches. Their coaching styles are similar, and the game's strategic rivalry It will also have a direct impact on the results.

However, the Chinese media and the Japanese media were not very interested in this formal press conference. They found Zhou Tiancheng and Hasebe Makoto in their own ways, and at the same time asked their opinions on each other.

Zhou Tiancheng smiled lightly: "Is the captain of the Japanese national team? That should not be weak! After all, the Japanese team is also a top Asian team. But football has never been played by fame. If I were in the Japanese team, I might be able to do the same." It's a captain! Isn't it? So,

Whether it is worthy of the name, you have to fight against each other on the field to know. "

The first half of the sentence made the Japanese reporter very comfortable, but after listening to the whole sentence, it was not meant as a compliment at all, and Makoto Hasebe was ignored. The Chinese reporters secretly gave Zhou Tiancheng a thumbs up.

If it were me, I could be the same as you. What's so awesome about you?

What is the most direct disregard? This is!

The Japanese media can't stand the captain of their national team being belittled like this, but they won't talk about it like a rogue like the Koreans. Inductively asked: "Mr. Chang Gu, China Zhou seems to have a lot of confidence, what do you think?"

Makoto Hasebe's answer even surprised the Japanese reporters, and he was very forceful: "Is it Zhou Tiancheng? I don't know who he is. Our only goal is to capture the Schalke Stadium!"

These words are purely (naked) provocations. Makoto Hasebe was able to say Zhou Tiancheng's name all at once, which proves that he is very familiar with Zhou Tiancheng at all. It is impossible for Magath not to Focus on analyzing the characteristics of Zhou Tiancheng for these main players. It is obvious that Zhou Tiancheng is now Schalke's most important offensive and defensive transition hub. Then the implication of Makoto Hasebe's statement is obvious, Zhou Tiancheng still can't catch his eyes!

The Chinese reporters were naturally very uncomfortable, but they were very smart and faithfully reported the mutual pinch between the two sides, especially Makoto Hasebe's wild words, and the domestic fans immediately stopped doing it.

In the past, Chinese fans have always looked at the outstanding performance of Japanese players in the five major leagues with envy and jealousy. The national team has repeatedly entered the World Cup. There is a feeling of aggrievedness. Although everyone wants to look down on the Japanese team, they don’t have the confidence. Zhou Tiancheng’s The appearance just made up for the lack of confidence of Chinese fans in this regard, so everyone has the confidence to make jokes.

"Leave this post to prove it. This guy has to apologize after the game. Little Japan has such virtues, and he won't be convinced if he doesn't teach him a lesson."

"Hasebe sincerely thinks that I don't know that Zhou Tiancheng is very strong? What can I do in front of my country's media? Don't forcefully brag about it?"

...

When queuing up in the player tunnel on the day of the game, Zhou Tiancheng stood at the back, glanced at the opposite side, and immediately found Makoto Hasebe standing in the Wolfsburg queue. He has never watched Makoto Hasebe's game, but from the first impression, Zhou Tiancheng feels very confident, and his height and body are not considered strong. Even if he has a good awareness in the midfield, Zhou Tiancheng himself should not be weaker than Him, if he's the kind of midfielder who can't run to death with excellent physical fitness... how can he be stronger than himself?

Zhou Tiancheng kept staring at his back, slowly calculating him in his mind, Makoto Hasebe probably felt eyes staring at him from behind, and when he turned around, he happened to collide with Zhou Tiancheng's eyes.

Makoto Hasebe’s intuitive impression of Zhou Tiancheng in the video is that he is tall, but when he sees the real person, his eyes are still slightly condensed. Zhou Tiancheng’s figure looks a bit scary, and his muscles are full of explosiveness.

Makoto Hasebe is very clear about his strengths. As an Asian player, he has high muscle density, and he may not necessarily win against some black and hard midfielders. This is why he can compete in such a championship. The foundation of the team's foothold, but now he faintly smells a sense of crisis.

He didn't know why, but he had participated in many competitions, and his subconscious mind as an old player told him that the opponent in front of him, who was also of the yellow race, would be very difficult.