Chapter 165: Difficulties

Zhou Tiancheng has never experienced such severe weather conditions as in Moscow.

Walking out of the Moscow airport, a gust of cold wind hit his face, making his face ache. I couldn't help but sneezed and complained, "I'll go, what the hell is this place!"

From Germany, which has a Mediterranean climate and warm winters and cool summers, to Moscow, where winter is cold for nine months a year, my hands and feet feel frozen. Thinking of playing an important Champions League knockout match in such weather, Zhou Tiancheng felt that the challenge was quite big, but he was not afraid in his heart, he was eager for a challenge, and such an experience was rare.

On the contrary, the assistant coach Hollerbach heard Zhou Tiancheng sneezed, and ran up nervously to care: "Zhou, is it okay?"

Zhou Tiancheng shook his head lightly: "My body is not that weak, Bernd."

When Hollerbach heard this answer, he looked at him with a half-smile, nodded and said: "That's good, pay attention to your body, Zhou, the team doesn't want any accidents."

February is the time when Moscow snows as usual, and the impact on the upcoming Champions League game is that the home turf is completely covered by layers of snow. UEFA and Moscow can only frequently dispatch snowplows to clear the snow on the turf, but compared to this weather, this is obviously a drop in the bucket. The snow near the goal and the sideline is the thickest. When I stepped on it during training, what I stepped on was not the green turf, but the soft snow.

Based on such weather conditions, Magath can only reduce the field training and focus on indoor training instead. At the same time, this also gave the coaching staff more time to teach the players game strategies.

Magath adapts to local conditions. Such weather conditions are naturally not suitable for short-pass penetration in the game. Therefore, the basic tactics he established are simple and direct long-pass attacks, and at the same time require long-range shots to be decisive. . In bad weather, threaten the goalkeeper as much as possible, and the chances of scoring are greater.

On the other hand, at the home team's pre-match preparation meeting, CSKA Moscow coach Slutsky asked the same thing. In his eyes, such weather is an opportunity he wants to seize.

"Gentlemen, today is our chance! Although the Germans are stronger than us, I believe that the group of monkeys who came from a long way from the warm area must not be as familiar with the heavy snow as we are. The group of reporters said that we This is the first time to play in the knockout round of the Champions League, and I have no resistance. Then let everyone see what we are like in pursuit of victory!"

The 44-year-old Russian marshal Slutsky asked the team to play offensive football at home. For the Russians, who have a warlike gene in their bones, they will never shrink back and defend unless they have to. What's more, this is CSKA Moscow - the club with the longest history and the most brilliant achievements in Russia. The four words "CSKA" can easily connect them with the invincible Soviet Red Army. All players on this team have been instilled with the belief of active offense.

With this belief, CSKA Moscow won the UEFA Europa League in the 2004-05 season. Slutsky, who just took over the team a few months ago, has received rave reviews in China for his historic record in the Champions League. This team has the largest fan base in all of Russia, so now the whole of Russia expects them as it did for the Russian national team in 2008. Slutsky also hopes to make a difference in this game, which is It became an opportunity for him to gain extra points in the hearts of fans.

At the same time, he knew in his heart that Schalke 04 was stronger than himself, so he decided to take a risk in the formation of troops.

...

The capacity of the CSKA Arena is not large, and the full capacity is only 30,000 people, but today the stands on all sides are covered with red ax signs.

This is the logo of the CSKA fan group,

He has the largest group of "Red Army" fans in Russia. The team represents the history of Russian football, and the "Red Army" fans represent the wildness of Russian fans. All impressions of Russian fans can be most directly reflected in them. . Under the heavy snow, fireworks started to light up in the surrounding stands, accompanied by wild cheers from the Russian fans. For the visiting team, it was really a big test.

In the opening game, CSKA formed a 4-2-3-1 formation. The right midfielder Zagoyev broke through from the right at the beginning of the game and penetrated the defense of the left defender Pandel. Fortunately, Westerman made up the defense in time, and the opponent opened the attack It did not threaten the hinterland of the restricted area.

However, this greatly encouraged the home team. Russian state television commentator Liukov made a long sound of "Ah-ha!", reflecting the characteristics of his passionate commentary: "Alan Zagoyev! His speed is amazing. Hurry up! Pierce Schalke 04's defense line! The roar of the Russians has begun!!"

Magath stood up and expressed his dissatisfaction with the hands on the field. Today he replaced Bordon with Pandel at the left back position, just to prevent this situation, but this time the left defense was still easily penetrated.

The opponent was coming fiercely, and the team had expected it before the game. Seeing this situation, Zhou Tiancheng decided to change his strategy appropriately. The opponent pressed heavily, and the defense must have an opportunity. He signaled Rakitic to move forward and use consecutive kicks Pass the ball layer by layer. He was not in a hurry to press forward, and he tested his opponent at the beginning of the game.

Schalke's team's technical ability is definitely higher than that of the opponent, but CSKA's defense is also pressing forward as a whole today. Slutsky hopes to cut off Schalke's firepower from the source, and the defensive midfielder and central defender are in the middle circle. A pocket was formed around the arc, and Rakitic was snatched from behind by the opponent without even touching the ball. At the same time, he was pushed down, without even a chance to return to defense.

CSKA Moscow's counterattack quickly advanced to the front of Schalke's penalty area. Ivory Coast striker Doumbia tested Neuer with a low and long shot.

Zhou Tiancheng threw his hands at Rakitic helplessly. No matter how strong he is alone, he can't see the opponent's forward and midfielder advancing at the same time.

He has no intention of blaming Rakitic, but now Schalke is facing a very real problem——

"Judging from the current situation, although I really don't want to say this, Schalke has indeed encountered a lot of trouble. Such weather conditions limit them to play their own advantages. CSKA Moscow is completely based on defensive counterattack. Maybe this problem needs to be solved. Leave it to Magath to answer. If he just wants to guarantee not to lose in the away game, it is not difficult for Schalke, but if he wants to win, he has to bear the risk of being counterattacked by the opponent-and Magath Not a tactically conservative guy, but he has to weigh whether he can afford the price."

PS: For the relatives who came with my hometown today, this chapter is coded by mobile phone, and it will be changed the next night.