Chapter 187 I finally came to you! [Merry Christmas·3rd update, begging for monthly subscription! ]
At night, the Mestalla Stadium is as bright as day.
The annual Citrus Bowl attracts 20,000 fans to the scene.
This is Valencia's first home game of the season and also the last warm-up match of the summer training camp. The same is true for Real Madrid. Everyone is looking forward to what kind of strength these two championship-aiming teams can show. After suffering from the downturn in the forward line last season, Valencia reorganized the forward line this summer, sending away two European stars, Kalou and Salva, and bringing in Su Dong from Sporting Lisbon for a high price of 10 million euros.
During the summer preparations, Su Dong's performance was remarkable, but that was just a warm-up match after all.
When it comes to official matches, especially when facing top opponents like Real Madrid and Barcelona, can he break Valencia's striker curse over the past years?
Real Madrid has also been in turmoil this summer.
Florentino expelled the meritorious coach Bosque and the legendary captain Hierro in an almost brutal manner, which caused him to face unprecedented doubts within Real Madrid. Not long ago, he even let Makelele leave for Chelsea in the Premier League because he refused to give him a salary increase. No one knows how much impact this will have on the overall strength of Real Madrid.
However, under the policy of signing one superstar a year, Real Madrid spent a lot of money to poach Manchester United superstar Beckham this summer.
The joining of the world's most commercially valuable superstar has made Real Madrid a galactic battleship that has never been seen in the history of world football, with a large number of superstars. Especially this summer's Asian tour has caused a huge response.
There is no doubt that Real Madrid has become the most influential top club in world football today.
So can this team be as powerful on the court as he is in the business world?
Will the new coach Queiroz and new player Beckham be successful in Real Madrid? Although this strong dialogue in the Citrus Cup is just a warm-up match, its importance is self-evident. In addition, the grudge between the two teams due to the transfer of Mijatovic in the past makes this game destined to be extraordinary.
…
When the two teams came out on the field to warm up, Valencia fans booed Real Madrid players crazily.
This made everyone clearly feel that this stadium and these fans did not welcome Real Madrid at all.
Even though they are the team with the most superstars, the most luxurious lineup, and the most market appeal in the world.
But there were also many Real Madrid fans at the scene. They made their voices heard amid the boos to support the team they supported, but after all, they were playing away.
There was also a small group of Manchester United fans who came from afar just to cheer for Beckham.
Before the game, this group of Red Devils fans held up a banner that read [Always a Red Devils, Beckham No. 7], indicating their identity. At the same time, they also gave Beckham support and encouragement, hoping that he could perform well in the new team.
This was Beckham's first game in Spain after joining Real Madrid. More than a hundred media reporters gathered on the sidelines. They came from all over the world and all came for Beckham. The scale of the event was unprecedented.
…
"Actually, I don't think Beckham is very handsome."
Seeing the media reporters on the sidelines chasing after the Real Madrid stars, especially Beckham, taking pictures, Aimar said sourly.
Su Dong smiled when he heard this.
In front of strangers, Aimar is an introverted, taciturn and honest man, but once you get familiar with him, it is easy to find that this guy is quite talkative in his bones.
"I think you are more handsome than him." Su Dong replied with a smile.
Seeing Aimar staring at him intently, he nodded solemnly, "Really!"
Aimar's eyes flashed with joy, but soon dimmed again, "I wish I were ten centimeters taller."
This guy has always been obsessed with his height.
Because of his height, he has a not-so-nice nickname, the Joker.
"But to be honest, Su, in my eyes, you are much more handsome than him, and you are also good at playing football, but why don't you have a girlfriend yet?"
Aimar asked sincerely, but Su Dong could only shake his head and smile bitterly in embarrassment.
"How about I introduce you to one someday? We in Argentina are also very famous for our beautiful women."
Is this for the sake of China-Arab friendship?
Su Dong smiled bitterly and speechlessly, then quickly changed the subject and mentioned the game that was about to begin.
Like all 4-2-3-1 formations, Valencia's lineup places particularly high demands on the center forward and attacking midfielder.
It can be said that if the players in these two positions are not strong enough, their fighting effectiveness will be greatly reduced.
During the training camp, Benítez was also consciously cultivating the tacit understanding between Su Dong and Aimar.
It’s interesting to say, I don’t know if it’s a natural connection between the two, or maybe it’s the look in their eyes when they faced the media together during the dinner, that made the two of them play with more and more tacit understanding whether they are in training or warm-up matches.
And when facing Real Madrid later, the connection between the two will undoubtedly be crucial.
"Today is David Beckham's debut in Spain, but also mine."
Su Dong stood beside Aimar, looking at the Real Madrid players on the opposite side from afar, feeling very dissatisfied.
"But everyone, from the fans to the media reporters, to the whole world, they only care about Real Madrid and Beckham. In their eyes, there are only Real Madrid and Beckham. No one knows me at all."
This is a sad story!
But when Su Dong spoke, Aimar felt a hint of reluctance and passion in his words.
Su Dong wants to compare himself with these superstars of Real Madrid.
Of course, this is completely normal, as we are competing on the same field.
"No one knows me anyway, so don't blame me for turning the table over!" Su Dong chuckled evilly.
There is no doubt that in the eyes of the whole world, this is a game that belongs to Real Madrid and Beckham.
But Su Dong didn't mind screwing him up in front of the world! ...
After returning to the locker room and packing up, the players of both teams prepared to go out at the player tunnel.
Real Madrid's starting lineup is 4-4-2.
The goalkeeper is Casillas, the defense is Roberto Carlos, Elguera, Pavón and Salgado, the midfield is Figo, Zidane, Cambiasso and Beckham, and the forwards are Raul and Ronaldo.
Judging from the warm-up matches and the starting lineup, Real Madrid should adopt a small diamond formation, with Figo appearing on the left, Zidane advancing, Cambiasso falling back, and Beckham playing in his most familiar right midfielder position.
Queiroz has also been trying to let Beckham play as a defensive midfielder. After all, Real Madrid's midfield and frontcourt are overcrowded. It was not easy for Makelele to leave, which just made room for Beckham, but he still wanted to be safe in his debut.
Argentine youngster Cambiasso is still too young and it is difficult for him to fill the vacancy left by Makelele.
Valencia still uses a 4-2-3-1 formation, with substitute goalkeeper Palop as the goalkeeper, Carbone, Marchena, Ayala and Curro Torres as the defense line, the midfield still consisting of the double defensive midfielder combination of Albelda and Baraja, the frontcourt consisting of Vicente, Aimar and Rufete, and the single striker being Sudong.
There have been some changes in individual positions, and Benítez is still adjusting and observing the players, but Benítez, who started his coaching career in Real Madrid's youth training camp, is still very motivated when facing Real Madrid.
As the two teams lined up to play, the players from both teams exchanged polite greetings.
Su Dong, wearing the No. 9 jersey, stood in front of Ronaldo, who was also wearing the No. 9 jersey. He seemed a little excited.
"I finally get to you!" Su Dong said with a mixed tone of excitement, excitement and pride.
Ronaldo was particularly impressed by this tall and strong little fan, and immediately looked at Su Dong with a smile, "Then you better be careful, I will not show mercy."
"Me too." Su Dong was very determined.
Once upon a time, he dreamed of playing on the same field with his idol Ronaldo.
Now, his dream has come true.
But he was more eager to defeat his idol and win the game.
…………
…………
Amid the cheers of the fans, the Citrus Cup match officially began.
Benítez's tactics were not to retreat completely as the outside world had speculated, but to adopt a balanced strategy of offense and defense, advocating to play with speed after stealing the ball, quickly tear open Real Madrid's defense, and directly attack from behind.
As we all know, Real Madrid is full of stars, which is their advantage, but also their disadvantage.
Because these superstars basically don't participate in defense.
Real Madrid played to its strength and technical advantages from the very beginning, controlling the ball and the tempo.
Their passing was more fluid. As the core commander in the frontcourt, Zidane's control over the ball, the rhythm of the game, and his grasp of the situation were indeed very unique, which made it easy for Real Madrid to control the situation.
Valencia kept their formation compact.
The four defenders and two defensive midfielders, plus Vicente and Rufete on the wings who actively retreated, formed two defensive chains to resist the waves of attacks planned by Real Madrid.
Real Madrid had an overwhelming advantage in ball possession, but the first shot came from Valencia.
It was a quick counterattack after a backcourt steal.
After right-back Kulo Torres dribbled the ball to the side, he made a cross. Su Dong rushed into the penalty area at the fastest speed, jumped high before Elguera, and headed the ball, but it was slightly off target.
But this shot also boosted Valencia's morale and was cheered and affirmed by all the fans of the Bat Army.
Two minutes later, Su Dong turned his back to the direction of attack, suppressed Pavan with his body, and headed the ball to Vicente on the left.
After Vicente got the ball, he rushed to the left side of the penalty area and made a sudden long shot, which was saved by goalkeeper Casillas.
The ball did not fly far. Su Dong turned and rushed forward, squeezed away Pavan, and chased after him to shoot, but goalkeeper Casillas acted decisively and knocked Su Dong and the ball down in the penalty area.
The fans in the stands shouted for a penalty, but the referee indicated that Casillas had not committed a foul.
Su Dong also quickly got up from the ground and gave Casillas a thumbs up.
The reaction speed of the Real Madrid goalkeeper was indeed very fast. If he had been a little slower, he could have scored a goal in just a few tenths of a second. However, after saving the first shot, Casillas reacted quickly and rushed out to save the second shot.
No wonder people say that Real Madrid's defense depends on this Saint Casillas!
But the game has just begun!
Merry Christmas to everyone! Please subscribe to the monthly ticket!!!
(End of this chapter)
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