Godfather of national football

Chapter 267 The Miracle No Longer
After getting Senegal's starting list, one name caught Li Guo's attention, and that was Mane.

Li Guo knew that this guy later became famous in Southampton and eventually joined Liverpool. He will be a fast horse on the wing of the Premier League in the next few years.

"Damn, the Olympic Games will be more difficult,"

Because of the youth level, African teams have always had an advantage, especially in the Olympics.

After the game started, as expected by Li Guo, the Chinese team was completely suppressed and could only retreat to defend. The Senegalese players had a comprehensive advantage in physical confrontation and speed, which was really difficult for young Olympic players.

The game was broadcast live on the BBC, and Martin Taylor pointed out that the Chinese team had regressed—the players were not as good as the previous one, their physical confrontation was not good, and the most important tactics were much more rigid.

Chen An was also frowning, and he asked Li Guo: "If you met Senegal in the National Olympics four years ago, do you think we have a chance?"

Li Guo nodded, "The Chinese team has Zhou Dun at the back and Chen Gelin in front. Even if they suffer a loss in the midfield, it's okay. But in the current National Olympics, there is no sharp knife like Chen Gelin in the front, and there is no Zhou Dun in the back. If you rely on the bus, you will definitely lose your energy in the second half."

This is also the shortcoming of many Chinese coaches. In the past, the Chinese team always thought that when encountering a strong team, I would play 5 defenders, which is amazing!
But modern football requires pressure on the opponent in the midfield, and returning people back is a way of self-destructing the Great Wall.

Senegal's number one star Mane broke through easily on the wing. He ran like a small tank and disrupted the Chinese team's defense.

Finally, at 17 minutes into the first half, Senegal scored a goal. The goal came from an inverted triangle cross after a breakthrough from the wing, and the central player outflanked the goal, 1-0.

After the goal, the fans in St. James' Park gave a standing ovation. Many people were already discussing whether their home team, Newcastle, should buy the Senegalese No. 10.

As soon as the goal was lost, the Chinese team's confidence in setting up the bus was frustrated, and they were hit by two counterattacks in a row. Fortunately, the opponent shot in front of the goal and failed to score.

The score of 1 to 0 was maintained until the intermission. Thinking of the Japanese team beating Spain a few days ago, the South Korean team also played well, and the Olympic players were under a lot of pressure.

After the start of the second half, the Chinese team changed 3 players in a row to maintain their physical advantage. This move was really good. Senegal also had a good start, and the substitute lineup was not strong. The Chinese team's "battery change" tactic worked well.

However, due to the lack of good strikers, the Chinese team failed to equalize the score in the end. At St. James' Park, the Chinese team lost 0 to 1 to Senegal, losing the most critical battle to qualify for the group stage.

After the game, the players left the court with their heads down. Although in theory, the Chinese team can qualify as long as they beat Mexico in the final round, everyone knows that Mexico is stronger.

*****
After the game, the Chinese media did not criticize the players, but the South Korean media were overjoyed. This time their Olympic performance was good. They felt that it was time to finally see the Chinese team suffer.

Li Guo didn't pay attention to the South Korean media who was a villain. He came to the Olympic residence and chatted with everyone.

"Actually, you performed well. In this age group, it is difficult for even the Brazilian team to beat the African teams. In the youth stage when the tactical execution is not so mature, the physical advantage is very great."

Li Guo also cited Rivaldo, the sinner in the history of Brazil's Olympic Games. He was the biggest sinner in Brazil's defeat in the 1996 Olympics. It was his two goals in midfield that made Nigeria reverse Brazil.

But everyone knows the story later. Rivaldo not only mixed with European giants, but also formed the terrifying 2002R combination of the Brazilian team in 3, helping Brazil win the fifth World Cup championship.

"I mean, no matter what the final result is, you guys have to keep your faith, it's just one Olympics."

After listening to Li Guo's speech, everyone was indeed a little more optimistic, and there were smiles on their faces. Li Guo even promised for the first time that in the third game against Mexico, he would stand on the sidelines and watch everyone play.

*****
The third game was played at Hampton Park, home of Queens Park Rangers and one of the most modern grounds in the world.

As a time traveler, Li Guo knew a lot, but no matter what, he acted as if he didn't know anything in this match.

After the start of the game, Mexico still suppressed the Chinese team with its excellent skills. Except for the first game, in this Olympic Games, the Chinese team has a relatively low ball possession rate.

But at 25 minutes into the first half, a miracle happened. The Chinese team scored first. This goal made Li Guo start to think about life. Is history different?
After scoring the goal, the Chinese team became more and more courageous and continued to attack, but after several failed attempts, the Chinese team began to withdraw, because if it ended with this score, the Chinese team could advance to the top 8.

Mexico has already qualified ahead of schedule because of its two consecutive victories in the first two games. This game was played very loosely, which is also the main reason why the Chinese team can get a chance.

But after the second half, the head coach of Mexico replaced several main players. Li Guo saw that there was someone he was very familiar with, and that was Peralta. In his previous life, in the final against Brazil, it was his lightning goal that finally helped Mexico win the Olympic gold medal.

After Mexico became the main force, the boys of the Chinese Olympic Games couldn't hold on anymore, and the defensive space became more and more wide. Facing Mexico's quick and flexible cooperation, the role of the bus seemed to be ineffective. Finally, in the 70th minute of the game, Peralta shot a low shot in front of the goal, and the ball went into the near corner of the goal.

In another game, news came that Senegal led Honduras 1-0. If it ends with the current score, the Chinese team will be out with regret.

In the last 20 minutes, Li Guo had taken full power and Fu Bo had stepped aside. Li Guo shouted and shouted at the sidelines, but there was no way to arrange tactics, because everyone couldn't understand his gestures and couldn't understand his intentions.

More importantly, football tactics need to be practiced, and it takes a long time to practice, so it is useless for Li Guo to be possessed by Ferguson at this time.

In the end, under Li Guo's "dancing hands and feet", the Olympic teenager did not create a miracle. The Chinese team drew with Mexico 1-1, and the group scored 4 points and was eliminated.

After the game, Li Guo hugged every player, which may be more beneficial to their growth, just like Rivaldo back then.

"If you want to cry, just find a place where there is no one to cry, but it can only be tonight, starting tomorrow, raise your head, and start on the road again."

This is what Li Guo said to the Olympic teenager.

(End of this chapter)