Chapter 207: Reluctance to Study Abroad
Mrs. Wu and Helena were still jealous when Fiorentina scored a goal on TV.
In the 3rd minute, new signing Cabral broke into the penalty area and fell to the ground. After watching the VAR for a long time, the referee determined that Zalewski kicked Cabral and awarded a penalty.
Fuzato wanted to play some psychological warfare and copy Chen Xiaoliang's magical shot, but Fiorentina's experienced captain Biraghi did not hesitate at all. He aimed at the lower left corner of the goal and shot. Although the speed of the ball was not fast, the angle was very tricky. Fuzato could only sigh and the score became 1-0.
Chen Xiaoliang and Cesco frowned, but they were able to sit together for a rare time and use the camera's "eye in the sky" to analyze the situation on the field in the first place.
This is very different from the parallel perspective of sitting on the bench on the sidelines.
Slow motion showed that Cabral broke into the penalty area and made a breakthrough to the left in front of Zalewski. Zalewski saw the opponent passing the ball and subconsciously stretched out his right foot to intercept the ball, which happened to collide with Cabral's right foot.
But because the action was very subtle, the referee watched the VAR many times before making a decision.
Cesco asked Chen Xiaoliang, how would he defend if it were him?
Chen Xiaoliang said that Cabral was aiming for a penalty in this game. As soon as Zalewski touched his leg, he immediately fell to the ground as if he had been electrocuted. The blocking action was very slight, which formed a sharp contrast with the exaggerated fall. This is why the referee watched for a long time before awarding a penalty.
From a bird's eye view, pretending to stretch your legs to attract him to dive is the best solution. With the existence of VAR, the video referee team and the referee will definitely be able to spot the opponent's diving unless they are deliberately blind.
But this is a God's perspective after all, and it may not be possible to think of it in a split second on the court.
The most thorough way is to retreat in the direction of his breakthrough, and then use your body to block the opponent. After all, Mancini was next to Cabral at the time. Once he blocked him with his body, Mancini would come up to double-team him, and the power of this attack would be greatly reduced.
Unexpectedly, before the two of them finished their discussion, Fiorentina scored another goal...
Not to mention the two of them, even Mrs. Wu and her sisters, who had just finished fumigating vinegar and were making dinner nearby, looked unhappy.
In the 11th minute, Fiorentina quickly advanced from the backcourt. Bonaventura dribbled forward on the right. Zalewski, who had made an assist before, did not have time to return to defense. Ibanez faced Bonaventura from a distance, trying to block his route, preventing both breakthroughs and crosses.
Imagination is beautiful, but reality is cruel.
When Chen Xiaoliang saw this scene, he kept shouting "It's broken! It's broken!"
When Bonaventura rushed into the penalty area, Ibanez was still waiting 2 meters in front of him.
Since you are so polite, of course they won't be humble. The Fiorentina midfielder shot directly with his left foot, and the ball hit the lower left corner of the goal.
Just like the penalty kick just now, the speed of the ball was not very fast, but the angle was very tricky.
In addition, the distance was very close and Fuzato's vision was blocked by Ibanez. By the time he reacted and made a save, it was too late.
In 11 minutes, Fiorentina was already leading 2-0 at home.
At this time, the camera was on Mourinho. He was very, very angry. Even the local Italian commentator said that Mourinho's eyes looked like he wanted to kill someone...
Although they were separated by a TV screen and hundreds of kilometers away, Chen Xiaoliang and Cesco couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts when they saw this look...
The two "bang bang" hammer strikes at the beginning completely woke up the Roman generals.
In fact, the people on the field were also holding their breath. Many of them knew that they were no longer the first choice, while some knew that the usual victories and the second place in the league this season were all due to other people.
But they also want to prove themselves in a game where many main players are unable to play.
Abraham wants to prove that his goal-scoring ability is no worse than Cesco;
Pellegrini wanted to prove that he was a bigger contributor to the team's offense than Chen Xiaoliang;
Veretout wanted to tell his opponents in France through his performance in the league that the reason why he was chosen by Deschamps was not just because Chelsea's Kante was injured repeatedly and his form was greatly reduced, so he was selected like a spare tire;
Cristante wants to prove that he is definitely no worse than the 33-year-old Matic;
Fuzzato has been trying hard to prove recently that he also has the ability to play as the number one goalkeeper. At least Patricio is 34 years old. Even if it is too late this season, there is hope that he can gradually replace him next season.
Even Mourinho wants to prove that Roma's performance this season is not due to the signing of those new players, but that he really has the skills and can lead the team to victory even in adversity.
Everyone had good ideas and everyone worked hard, but in the eyes of Chen Xiaoliang and Cesco, the bodies of their teammates were so tense that they seemed frozen.
Precisely because we care too much, we become timid and dare not let go.
After the two goals, everyone woke up from their dream, realizing that if they continued like this, not only would they not be able to prove anything, but it would further prove that Roma, without Chen Xiaoliang, Cesco, Patricio and others, was just a second-rate team.
In the 14th minute, Abraham actively fought for the ball in the frontcourt, intercepted Biraghi's cross pass, and made a cross from the bottom right. Unfortunately, Pellegrini in the middle did not come forward in time to intercept.
This ball made Cesco scream "Ouch!" and he wished he could rush over on the court and shoot.
In the 19th minute, Fiorentina midfielder Amra Batra brought down Veretout and received a yellow card, giving Roma a free kick in a good position.
Pellegrini shot a free kick from about 29 meters away, and the quality of the ball was very high! Chen Xiaoliang and Cesco's buttocks left the sofa and were about to stand up!
The ball had a strong arc, bypassing the wall and heading straight to the right side of the goal, but was saved by Fiorentina goalkeeper Terraciano.
This time, one person's loud "Ouch" turned into two people shouting "Fuck!"
After spending half a year with Chen Xiaoliang, Cesco can speak Chinese swear words fluently...
In slow-motion replay, if the ball was closer than 3 meters, Terraciano might not have been able to catch it in time.
While the two were still immersed in regret, Bonaventura scored another goal in the 24th minute.
He ran into the middle of the penalty area at high speed, received a low cross from Piatek on the left, and shot the ball directly into the goal. The ball was shot cleanly and without any delay.
But just when Chen Xiaoliang and Cesco were feeling completely disappointed, the female linesman of the game raised a flag.
Offside!
The slow-motion footage was replayed repeatedly, with an offside line drawn on the screen, showing that just before Piatek received the ball on the left, a quarter of his body passed Smalling, who was lagging behind in Roma .
Chen Xiaoliang couldn't help but sigh: "There are still good referees in Serie A!"
Cesco nodded and asked, "Brother, last time Brother Lei Zi told me that women are more sensitive to offside. When men appear in places where they shouldn't be, women can always find out immediately. It seems he is right."
Chen Xiaoliang didn't think about it: "Well, Brother Leizi is right."
At this time, Mrs. Wu, who was serving dishes to the table, said to them, "Is Leizi on stage? Why did I hear you mention him?"
Oh shit!
Chen Xiaoliang then remembered that his wife was still in the room. Fortunately, the two of them were speaking Italian, and except for the three words "Brother Leizi", Mrs. Wu couldn't understand a word of the rest...
But Helena gently pushed Chen Xiaoliang with her hand, then rolled her eyes at him: "You know a lot..."
Chen Xiaoliang waved his hands quickly. He didn’t understand… he didn’t understand… he was led astray by others…
I almost said something wrong, so I quickly collected my attention and continued watching the game seriously.
Roma's attack became more and more threatening, but it was always a little short of scoring a goal. After Fiorentina's three-pronged attack paid off, they began to consciously retreat to their formation to resist Roma's counterattack.
In the 35th minute, Bonaventura kicked down Ibanez who was passing the ball in the midfield and received a yellow card.
In the 38th minute, Mancini made a long shot from behind, but it was directly confiscated by Terraciano who was in excellent form in this game.
In the 42nd minute, Pellegrini took the ball one step outside the penalty area and cut inside, but was pulled down by Fiorentina's main central defender Milenkovic, but the referee did not make any comments.
Even Erica couldn't stand it anymore and yelled "It's too dark!"
The game entered halftime with the score still 2-0, with Roma trailing by two goals.
It was already 7 o'clock in the evening and everyone started to eat. Mrs. Wu called her three children who were playing in the yard to come in and eat with them.
Mrs. Wu, who had been busy for a while and finally had some time to take a break and pay attention to the game, was inevitably disappointed when she learned that Wu Lei still did not get a chance to play.
Seeing that several other people were chatting, he whispered to Chen Xiaoliang in Chinese that she and Wu Lei had discussed this privately several times. Their parents were both in the country, and although they had no worries about food and clothing, they still needed someone to take care of them, and they always wanted to reunite the family.
After all, in the culture of the Red Country, family reunion and sharing of family happiness is always a sign of a happy life.
The three children are growing up day by day. The living experience in Barcelona and Rome is certainly good, but wandering around all the time is not good for the children's growth.
Moreover, Wu Lei has signed a loan contract with Roma. He knows very well that if Roma can maintain its current state, they will enter the Champions League next season.
By then, the club's season goal will be to compete for the Serie A title and strive to go further in the Champions League.
Obviously, for Wu Lei, who will be 31 years old by then, he knows that with his ability, it will be difficult for him to get a starting position in Espanyol, let alone in a Champions League team that aims to win the league title.
After all, he had played in the Europa League with Espanyol, and he was younger at that time and had not yet "wasted" a year with Espanyol in the Spanish Second Division.
Mourinho's use of him this season also indirectly confirms that the team and level of the Europa League are more in line with his abilities.
If there is no major change, even if you force yourself to stay, it may just be a waste of time.
It would be better to give it a try with Roma, achieve a good result, end his overseas experience with a relatively good season, return to the Red Country, and make more contributions in the later stage of his career.
When Chen Xiaoliang heard what Mrs. Wu said, he felt a little sad.
But he understood that this was the result of careful consideration by the two and was also a consequence that conformed to objective facts.
Moreover, he also knows that once the team really makes it to the Champions League next season, with a significant increase in revenue and expected income, the team will definitely make another lavish purchase in the summer window that is no less than last year.
By then, there may be more than just "Georgian Messi" Kvaratskhelia as the forward line.
Each of them is a big challenge for the 31-year-old Wu Lei.
Moreover, compared with the somewhat "useless" Europa League, Mourinho will definitely not take the initiative to send substitute players to "practice" in the Champions League. Starting from the 6 group matches, every game must be fought for and as many points as possible must be scored.
This is not only the wish of the team, but the board of directors will also give clear requirements to the coaching staff.
But everything is not over yet. There are still more than two months to the end of the season. The important thing is to seize the present.
Not long after the meal, the second half began.
Roma took the lead and won a free kick in the frontcourt in the 46th minute.
This time Pellegrini chose to cross the ball, but Abraham failed to catch up at the back post. However, two Roma players fell to the ground among the people fighting in the penalty area, but the referee still did not make any comment.
In the 50th minute, Fiorentina left midfielder Duncan stepped on Veretout's ankle and was shown a yellow card.
In the 54th minute, Roma had the best chance of the game. Bigna made a cross from the right, Abraham touched the ball in front, Terraciano had no reaction, but the ball hit the post and hit the side net!
"well!"
Chen Xiaoliang sighed.
Compared to Cesco, who is hardworking and only has football in his mind, Abraham may look a little silly, but he has so many elements to fill his heart.
He pursues fashion, likes dressing up and buying famous brands, likes the latest electronic products, and also watches Japanese anime.
Considering his age of just 25, it is understandable that he likes these things, but these things have reduced his commitment to football.
He likes to do things he likes and resists doing things he doesn't like.
This is not wrong from a human perspective, but when everyone knows that he is not good at competing for high balls, especially heading balls, he also shows a mentality of not liking to train heading balls, which is very inappropriate.
Chen Xiaoliang was not in a position to publicly say anything partial or praising one over the other, so he directly told Cesco, "If it was you, you would have definitely headed the ball in."
But he really thought so in his heart.
After all, talent requires self-discipline, hard work and opportunity to realize.
Even if there is a system like this that defies nature, the above three points are indispensable.
In the 62nd minute, Veretout's long-range shot was slightly off target.
In the 74th minute, Carles Perez, who came on as a substitute, broke into the penalty area and his low right-foot shot was saved by goalkeeper Terraciano. Abraham, who was covering the middle, shouted and spread his hands, questioning why the former did not pass the ball.
Seeing that the fierce attack was fruitless, Chen Xiaoliang and Cesco were ready to accept the outcome of the team's loss.
But what was gratifying was that in the 89th minute, Spinazzola, who had been absent for eight months due to injury, came on and replaced Zalewski who had fought for the entire game.
With the outcome already decided, more than 40,000 spectators at Fiorentina's home stadium, the Stadio Franchi, gave a long round of applause to the hero who helped Italy win the European Cup.
Wishing him the best of luck in his comeback from serious injury.
Although he only played for 4 minutes and touched the ball 4 times, all of which were safe returns, and his movements and pace were obviously slow and he has not yet fully recovered, he is a new hope for the team.
At the end of the game, the score of the first round of the Italian Cup semi-final was fixed at 2-0.
This means that in the second leg in Rome, the team must score 2 goals to remain undefeated and 3 goals to advance to the final.
Chen Xiaoliang patted Cesco on the shoulder and said, "Practice well, Cesco. The coach will definitely give you a hard time when he comes back."
Cesco nodded vigorously: "Okay, Brother Liang! Who shall we play next?"
"Kick who?! Kicking Lazio, a city derby!"
"Oh! Okay! Just do it!"
