Chapter 48 Champions League Debut

After two reductions, the Russian Premier League has become the current 16 teams.

But only six of them have won the championship, and they are the most competitive clubs in the Russian Premier League.

Moscow, as the largest football territory of ELS, includes 4 teams and contains too many stories and emotions.

It is also the away ground that major European clubs are most reluctant to visit.

In addition to the long journey and cold weather, the hot atmosphere created by local fans is naturally an important reason.

After all, when their own players were shivering on the bench wrapped in heavy down jackets, the home team's fans were cheering with their bare chests in the stands, and even fighting.

Such a huge contrast will bring people a great sense of oppression.

At this time, Chu Feng and his teammates had just walked out of the airport hall when they saw the Baroque-style buildings nearby and suddenly became very interested.

He basically stayed in Manchester before and rarely had time to travel.

But the Manchester United players were not very interested. Herrera shrank his neck and cursed: "Why is it so cold here?"

Matic smiled and replied: "It's not bad now, just a little colder than Manchester. If we wait until December, it will be freezing to death."

"Are we going to the Luzhniki Stadium, the stadium that hosted the Champions League final?"

Chu Feng suddenly asked in confusion.

He was so busy training before the game that he forgot to learn other information in advance.

"No, last season CSKA Moscow moved into a new stadium, I think it's called CSKA Arena."

Carrick looked around at the familiar scenery, his tone full of emotion.

Nine years ago, the Champions League final was held at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Whether it is Manchester United, which returned to the final after nine years of dormancy under the leadership of Ferguson, or Chelsea, which reached the Champions League final for the first time in team history, both have an immense desire for that trophy.

And he played as Manchester United's starting midfielder.

On that ruthless rainy night, Ronaldo and Lampard scored a goal each, the two sides tied 1-1 and then went into a penalty shootout.

What happened next is well known.

Cech saved Ronaldo's penalty and Terry accidentally slipped from 12 yards.

When Van der Sar saved Anelka's penalty, Manchester United once again reached the top of Europe after nine years.

And they truly conquered Europe, going 25 games unbeaten in the Champions League that season.

Time seems like a cycle, but my former teammates have long gone, leaving me alone struggling to hold on.

Thinking of this, Carrick sighed silently.

Chu Feng recalled the game carefully, and it was indeed thrilling.

And at that time, Manchester United seemed to have a 100% winning rate in finals.

But the following story was tragic. They also reached the final the following year, but were defeated 2-0 by Barcelona.

A year later, they reached the final again, but were defeated 3-1 by Barcelona.

Then the team's performance in the Champions League plummeted and they never made it to the semi-finals again.

Barcelona is the pure nemesis of Manchester United! Chu Feng's mouth twitched slightly, wondering if he would have a chance to meet his old rival in the Champions League this season.

Soon, everyone arrived at the hotel where they were staying.

Mourinho first held a meeting to emphasize the tactical approach of the game and the main responsibilities of each person.

Today he suddenly realized that the attitude of the Manchester United players towards him seemed to have changed slightly.

After thinking about it, it might be related to Chu Feng, but given his personality, he definitely wouldn't ask proactively, so he could only bury his doubts deep in his heart.

After the meeting.

Chu Feng had a simple meal, said hello to his teammates, and returned to his room. He turned on his tablet to watch the video of the last round of the Champions League group match in which CSKA Moscow defeated Benfica 2-1, and then carefully analyzed the data provided by the coaching staff.

The former intensified the frontcourt pressing in this game and disrupted the rhythm of the game with 14 fouls, thus covering up the weaknesses of their own defense line's slow speed, rough technique and lack of passing ability.

This is the biggest reason why they were able to win.

Therefore, Mourinho's arrangement is very targeted, and he also strengthens the pressing in the midfield and frontcourt to magnify the opponent's weaknesses.

However, this tactic requires Mkhitaryan to move to the middle to organize the attack, so he can no longer move to the side without thinking, but must move inward to form a double striker with Lukaku.

Equivalent to size nine and a half.

Logically speaking, he should be able to better display his strength, because during Daluo's peak period, due to his strong strength and wide coverage area, he could take on the responsibilities of both the nine and nine-and-a-half positions by himself.

Advance, end, organize. Of course.

The most important thing is how you use it.

Time passes.

September 28th.

CSKA Arena.

There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!

There are huge crowds of people.

More than 20,000 local fans crowded into the home stands, singing team songs loudly, their naked bodies forming a spectacular wall of muscle.

They also hid red and blue smoke sticks in their pants, ready to light them to celebrate after scoring a goal.

As for the Manchester United fans in the away stands, there are much fewer of them.

It may be because of the European Cup held last year, during the group stage match between England and ELS.

Some notorious English football hooligans not only make physical attacks, but even openly burn other people's national flags.

Fans of both teams fought on the spot, and of course the ELS fans won in the end.

And something very interesting happened after the game.

The two thousand British fans seemed to see that the other side had fewer people and prepared to go up and get back their ground.

But they are known as the "fighting nation". Two hundred people, holding wine bottles in their hands, staggered and beat the British fans, making them flee in all directions.

Perhaps the shadow left by that incident was too great, which led to them not choosing to go on the expedition with the team.

At this time, the players from both sides had finished warming up and returned to the locker room to make final preparations.

"I'll reiterate that the opponent's defense is not strong, and the average age is even over 33 years old."

"So we have to seize the start, build an advantage in the early stages of the game and expand the score as soon as possible."

"Chu, your mission is..."

Mourinho pointed to the tactical board and explained the tactics tirelessly.

Chu Feng nodded gently, "Coach, I remember it."

Soon, led by the staff, the players from both teams left the locker room.

Chu Feng stood in the middle of the queue, listening to the thunderous cheers in his ears, and subconsciously took a deep breath.

His Champions League debut is coming soon, and he can only succeed and not fail.

Herrera had the same idea as him. After he transferred from Athletic Bilbao to Manchester United in 2014, he thought it was the starting point of the peak of his life.

But who knew that after Pogba came, he almost sat on the bench all the time. Today he finally got the chance to start. He must gain more trust from Mourinho.

The CSKA Moscow players on the other side cast a provocative look at Manchester United, as Manchester United had never lost a game at their home ground before.

But now is different from the past. They will play the role of "giant killer" and let the other side see what the "Red and Blue Army" is.

(End of this chapter)