Chapter 496： The hairs stand up

Chapter 496 The hairs stand on end

The World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England has attracted great attention from all over the world.

From the history of the war between the two countries, to the record of the two teams fighting; from Maradona's hand of God, to Beckham's red card.

In addition, two years ago, the two teams competed for Chen Ran.

And now, England coach Southgate was Chen Ran's assistant coach.

It can be said that there are too many grievances and hatreds between these two teams, which also makes the heat of this game completely overshadow another semi-final between France and Belgium.

The current England team is no longer as star-studded as it used to be. Except for the main striker Harry Kane, who is barely considered a top star, everyone else is almost meaningless.

It’s not that Southgate doesn’t want to choose stars, but that he has worked at the Crystal Palace Club for a long time and stays with the top stars from all over the world every day. His vision and standards have been greatly improved unconsciously.

So that in Southgate's eyes, most of these English players are actually at that level.

A few young players with a little bit of personality are still struggling.

The ability has not yet reached that level, but he has already begun to regard himself as the king of the ball. I just wanted to express myself in the game, and often left Southgate's tactical requirements behind, which made Southgate very annoyed.

The key is that Southgate does not have the qualifications as Chen Ran, so in desperation, he can only use more methods of appeasement.

Compared with Argentina, which has a top superstar like Messi, it is still trained by Chen Ran to be docile. Southgate is full of worries about the next game.

By watching the videos of Argentina's previous games, Southgate knows very well how powerful this Argentina counterattack is now.

Any small mistake on your own side may be seized by the opponent and converted into a goal.

Southgate, who has worked with Chen Ran for many years, firmly believes in this point.

After thinking about it, Southgate finally decided to adopt his former colleague Simeone's best defensive counterattack tactics. Stability is the main priority, and the fence must be erected first.

Forward Harry Kane, Forward Sterling

Central midfielder Lingard, Central midfielder Henderson, Central midfielder Ali

Left back Ashley Young, center back Maguire, center back Stones, center back Cahill, right back Trippier

Goalkeeper Pickford

"Gareth, isn't your starting lineup a little too conservative?"

Although assistant coach Steve Holland understands that Southgate is afraid of the counterattack of Argentina coached by Chen Ran, he still thinks Southgate is too cautious.

"Steve, I'd rather be conservative than lose the ball first. Based on my observations of Mr. Chen for many years, once the team he coaches takes the lead, almost no one can come back."

"Even at the expense of offense?"

"Yes, I think it's worth it!"

Looking at Southgate's unwavering eyes, Steve Holland could only shake his head secretly in his heart.

Gareth has been with Chen Ran for too long and has been affected too much. He has already developed fear from the bottom of his heart.

However, Steve Holland is only an assistant coach after all. Since Southgate, the head coach, insists on his decision, he can only shut up.

In Argentina, as the owner of the Crystal Palace Club, although Chen Ran has been away from the Premier League for a long time, it is still easy for him to obtain detailed information on these English players.

In the Crystal Palace club, there is a special database to save the performance of the main players of each team in each season, for the reference of the head coach Guardiola when formulating tactics.

This time, after Chen Ran found out that he might meet England, he had already called Fatty Louis in advance.

"Louis, go and send a summary of the performance of the England national team players last season to my email. Note, this matter is handled by you yourself, and don't let the third person know, especially Stephen, understand?"

"Hey, Chen, you are so bad!"

Over the phone, Little Fatty Louis had a smirk on his face.

"Stop talking nonsense, and hurry up to do things!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Early the next morning, a very detailed summary of the England international's performance appeared in Chen Ran's mailbox, which even included Guardiola's comments.

"Luis, why is Guardiola's comment? He didn't comment on all the players in the file, did he?"

Chen Ran curiously called Little Fatty Louis.

"Ahem, Chen, I'm sorry. Actually, I was bumped by Guardiola when I was sorting out the information, so he deliberately added his views on these England internationals, saying that he hoped to help you."

"knew."

Chen Ran curled his lips helplessly, Louis is still so unreliable.

"Oh, by the way, Chen, Guardiola specifically asked me to tell you that he can focus on Maguire. He said that this guy's turning speed is as slow as an aircraft carrier, which is just right for Argentina's small striker to break through and play. Fight back."

"Also, we must pay attention to that guy named Lingard. Guardiola said that this guy is a bit crazy, and no one can stop him when he goes crazy."

"Understood. Luis, thank Guardiola for me."

"OK."

As a reborn, Chen Ran is no stranger to the situation of these England internationals who basically play in the Premier League.

The reason why he asked Little Fatty Louis to compile the information of these players again was just to verify whether these guys have undergone huge changes compared with their previous lives, just in case.

Facts have proved that Chen Ran was overthinking.

Because since Chen Ran was reborn, except for bringing Vardy to the Crystal Palace Club, he has not bought any of the other active England internationals.

The growth trajectory of these guys is basically the same as in the previous life, so naturally there is no chance of genetic mutation.

However, details determine success or failure, and Chen Ran is still meticulous in the preparation work that should be done.

Considering that the England team also has many tall players, Chen Ran once again resorted to a defensive counterattack formation of three central defenders and five defenders.

Forward Aguero, Forward Messi

Central midfielder DePaul, Central midfielder Paredes, Central midfielder McAllister

Left back Acuna, center back Otamendi, center back Romero, center back Mascherano, right back Molina

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez

On July 12, in Moscow, the Luzhniki Stadium, which can accommodate 80,000 spectators, was packed.

The number of England fans present far surpassed that of Argentine fans.

However, today's England fans are very honest, because the Argentine fans got on their thighs, and they mingled with the Russian fans to sing and dance together.

Moreover, the Russian military and police have long been standing aside in full armor and watching, all their attention is on those England fans, and there are signs of doing nothing if they don't agree with each other.

Seeing this situation, not to mention ordinary fans, even football hooligans dare not make mistakes. Fans from both sides finally entered the stadium in peace.

"Another Anglo-Arab war, I'm really looking forward to it!"

"That's right, the Anglo-Afghan war can create classics every time, and I hope this year will be no exception."

"Hahahaha, don't worry, today's England team is different from before. With the blessing of Emperor Lin, they are invincible!"

"Ahem, don't forget about the upstairs. Although you have the Emperor Lin in England, you also have an aircraft carrier. The positive and negative balance equals nothing."

"Pfft! Hahahaha, you're the one upstairs!"

"From the perspective of size and tonnage, the danger of aircraft carriers is obviously greater than the blessing of Emperor Lin, so generally speaking, England is still in danger this time."

"What you said upstairs makes sense. With the turning speed of an aircraft carrier, when you meet small Argentine strikers like Messi and Aguero, you will probably be fooled around in all likelihood."

"That's right. With Chen Ran's coaching ability, it is impossible for him not to know the weakness of England's defense. Argentina will definitely focus on Maguire's attack."

"I guess Southgate is also mentally prepared for this, so he formed a formation of five defenders and three central defenders."

"I think Southgate may not be able to achieve the effect he wants by doing this. The other two central defenders in England, Stones and Cahill, are both 188cm tall. Although the turning speed is better than that of an aircraft carrier, but want to Guard against Messi and Aguero, I see enough!"

"Haha, it depends on how Southgate responds. This is his first time as a head coach against his former boss, looking forward to it."

When the referee Cakir from Turkey blew the whistle to start the game, everyone noticed it. Like the last match between Argentina and Russia, both teams also formed a 532 defensive counterattack formation.

Whether it was Argentina or England, they played very cautiously at the beginning.

It was nothing like the previous Anglo-Afghanistan war, which was full of sparks.

Even Maguire, the weakness of England's defense, Chen Ran didn't let Messi and the others start to attack now.

Because the game has just started now, the players are very physically fit.

Although Maguire's turning speed is slow, other players around him can help him defend and fill in time.

Launching an attack too early will only expose one's intentions in advance, making the opponent wary, and the effect will not be good.

So, while the two teams of Argentina and England were trying to test, the referee Chuckel finally blew the whistle for the end of the first half.

Throughout the dull and uninteresting first half, neither team scored a goal, and there were few threatening shots. The score on the field remained at 0:0 without any change.

"Damn it! Why is it like this again? Damn I almost fell asleep again."

"Yes. In the last game between Argentina and Russia, the first half was so boring. I didn't expect it to be like this today."

"Ahem, this is the semi-final of the World Cup after all. It is normal for the two teams to play conservatively."

"The teams coached by Chen Ran were not like this. The games were played with passion, and even the World Cup finals could be turned into a goal shootout by him."

"I can't help it. Who made the shortcomings of the current Argentine team too obvious? Chen Ran doesn't dare to act like he used to."

"Compared with the World Cup championship trophy, whether the game is good or not is not important to the head coach at all."

"That's right. Hold on, as long as one of the two teams scores first, the second half of the game will definitely be good, just like the last game."

"Upstairs, who do you think is likely to score first?"

"Emperor Lin!"

Intermission, Argentine locker room.

Chen Ran did not make any substitutions and adjustments other than giving the players blood.

After watching for a long time, Simeone couldn't help but leaned over to Chen Ran and asked in a low voice, "Boss, why don't we do it now?"

"Diego, don't worry, just wait."

Chen Ran reached out and patted Simeone on the shoulder.

"England's left back Ashley Young is 33 years old this year, and he is the most likely player to help left center back Maguire in defense."

"After Ashley Young's physical fitness drops sharply, we will attack England's left with all our strength. At that time, he will not have the energy and stamina to help Maguire defend."

In the England locker room, Southgate was very satisfied with the situation in the first half of the game.

However, knowing Chen Ran very well, he also knew that the second half of the game was the most dangerous moment for Chen Ran's team.

So, Southgate kept emphasizing defense to the England players in the locker room.

After Southgate finally finished speaking, Steve Holland couldn't help leaning over and asking, "Gareth, are you really not going to take the initiative to attack?"

"Steve, believe me, waiting for change is the best option to deal with this Argentine team. At worst, delay until the end to kick a penalty kick. At that time, it depends on luck. I believe God will be on our English side."

Looking at Southgate helplessly, Steve Holland even wondered, is this guy already in a daze because he keeps talking to Chen Ran?

As soon as the second half of the game started, all fans around the world who followed the game had to accept the fact that the game continued to be dull and uninteresting.

Fifty minutes, fifty-five minutes, sixty minutes.

"Diego!"

When the game reached the 65th minute, Chen Ran suddenly called Simeone to his side.

"Boss, do you want to do something?"

Simeone rushed over with a "whoosh", and his deep voice revealed unconcealable excitement.

"That's right. You now inform Di Maria and Higuain to warm up. Do you understand?"

"Got it, boss!"

The movement on the Argentine bench immediately alarmed Southgate, who had been paying attention secretly.

Seeing Di Maria and Higuain being called up by Simeone from the bench, he knew that his former boss, Chen Ran, was about to launch a general attack.

In an instant, Southgate felt the hairs on his back stand up.

(end of this chapter)