Football: Don’t talk about feelings, I’m just an AI

Hodgson took the starting lineups of both teams from his assistant. After taking a glance at them, he was stunned and a big question mark emerged in his mind.

"Di Maria didn't play? What the hell is Lavezzi? Why is it Higuain instead of Aguero?" Hodgson was puzzled.

He knew that Lavezzi was from Paris Saint-Germain, but it was precisely because of this knowledge that he was confused.

Di Maria and Aguero, which one is not stronger than Lavezzi?

As a head coach, not guessing the opponent's starting lineup is like a high school teacher not predicting the college entrance examination questions correctly. You have already lost a hand.

Hodgson laughed at himself: "The media said I was the shortest skater in England. Maybe they are right."

"I wonder if Savilia's change of tactics will affect the children?" Hodgson thought worriedly, looking up at the court.

Then we saw that the English players did not panic, but instead remained constant in the face of change and were adapting to Argentina's tactical changes.

This made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Hodgson turned his head and looked at his opponent - Sabella.

That damn Argentine was smiling secretly.

"Smile! You will cry sooner or later if you keep players who are better at scoring goals on the bench." Hodgson cursed in his heart when he saw Savilia's little pride.

As if knowing that Hodgson would be angry, Savilia looked over.

Seeing Hodgson's unhappy face, as if he was owed money, Sabella chuckled twice. For him, it was just a matter of winning the first game to make England's preparations go to waste.

Argentina vs. England, Argentina wins by half a point first!

...

...

"Higuain! Shoot!"

the Argentine commentator broadcasting the match live shouted excitedly.

In the stands, Argentine fans exclaimed, followed by a sigh of disappointment.

Just five minutes into the game, Argentina completely controlled the offensive rhythm. Higuain's shot was Argentina's third shot after the opening.

Higuain received a long pass from Bigbia in the penalty area slightly to the left. He chested the ball and turned quickly, then shot directly without waiting for the ball to land.

Stop the ball, turn around, and volley all in one go!
The old smoker is still in good shape, no wonder he was able to replace Aguero in the starting lineup.

The shot was so unexpected that England goalkeeper Joe Hart was completely unable to react.

Just as "seeing Hartmon's kick" was about to succeed, the 12th man, the goal post, blocked the shot hole with his body and prevented the football from going out of the bottom line.

"Five minutes into the game, Argentina had three shots, two of which hit the post, and Joe Hart was the busiest man in the England team."

"Argentina relied on the fact that they are a South American team and had the advantage of half of their home court, and played actively after the start of the game."

"From the opening five minutes, Argentina was in better shape than England. Messi, Higuain, Bigbia... were all very active."

"On the contrary, England's midfield couldn't organize the attack, the defense was left with gaps, and the star player Xia Qi was alone in the frontcourt... I think England is in trouble."

Huang Jianxiang's commentary was very objective. Xia Qi was indeed invisible in the first five minutes.

But the truth is not pleasant to hear. In the live broadcast barrage, some fans angrily asked him which side he was from? Some fans shouted: I, Xia Qi, am invincible...

These brainless fans are so cute and annoying!

Argentina's tactics were very clear. They took advantage of the first kick-off and England's unfamiliarity with their formation to launch an attack on England.

Obviously, they had practiced this tactic off the court.

In the final analysis, it was because head coach Hodgson was too lazy and did not change the formation, which led to the loss of the initiative.

"Argentina's offensive is too fierce!"

Huang Jianxiang frowned and tried to help England find a solution. "It's not that terrible, as long as we can withstand this wave of attacks and not lose the ball, we can also let Xia Qi come back."

His partner He Wei comforted him.

On the field, England was still passive.

Luke Shaw committed a tactical foul when defending Messi, and Argentina got a chance for a set-piece in the frontcourt.

As the ball was too far away from the goal, Messi did not shoot directly but instead lifted the ball into the penalty area. Higuain rushed to the front of the goal and headed the ball, but it was slightly higher.

Seeing Higuain scaring himself into a cold sweat again, Hodgson could no longer sit still. He walked to the sidelines to put pressure on the players.
Just like the head teacher standing at the classroom door.

You know what, this trick is quite effective.

Ten seconds later, England finally made its first shot on goal.

Joe Hart took the goal kick and Rooney got the ball in the midfield. After two exchanges of passes with Gerrard, he suddenly passed a lob.

Xia Qi jumped high at the front of the penalty area and passed the ball to Sterling on the wing.

Sterling took his signature duck steps, first passing Zabaleta beautifully, then cutting inside and shooting.
The ball was blocked by Demichelis' body.
Gerrard used his shoulder to push Mascherano away from the penalty area and kicked the ball to Xia Qi.

Xia Qi received the ball, pulled the ball, turned around and shot, all in one smooth movement.

The football ran straight towards the Argentina goal along the grass.
Just as the ball was about to go into the net, a pair of big hands pushed the ball just above the goal line.
The football went wide of the goal post!

"Romero makes a god-level save!"

"The Argentine players were in excellent form tonight and were able to save a shot like this."

Romero's outstanding performance won applause from the Argentine fans.

At the same time, there were harsh boos from the audience. These boos were also made by Argentine fans, and the person they were booing was Xia Qi.

Behind the Argentine goal, Argentine fans held up huge posters.

There are two cartoon players on the poster, one wearing the No. 10 jersey and looks like Messi, and the other wearing the No. 9 jersey and looks like Xia Qi.

In the painting, No. 10 Messi knocks down No. 9 Xia Qi with one punch.

At the bottom of the painting it says in big letters 10＞9!

Ok!

You know math!
"Xia Qi's shot was very threatening. It was his first shot tonight."

"It feels like England have started to adapt to Argentina's tactics."

Amid the commentary of Huang Jianxiang and He Wei, Henderson took a corner kick and Romero used both fists to knock the ball out of the penalty area in front of the goal.

"Romero is in great form! He handled the ball beautifully!"

The ball Romero hit had a purpose, it flew towards Mascherano, who made a long pass and the ball continued to fly forward.

Messi stopped the ball lightly with his right foot at the front point and saw Higuain in the frontcourt rushing towards the England goal like an arrow.

No longer hesitate!

The ball was passed to Higuain in front of him, and at the same time he made a big angle run on the right side of the field and headed towards the penalty area.

In the frontcourt, Higuain stopped the ball with his foot, and then rushed into the penalty area.
When Messi came over, he understood what he meant and knocked the ball away.

After receiving the ball, Messi dribbled in the penalty area and passed Jagielka who was defending him in a small space.

One-on-one goalkeeper!

Instantly, the stadium was boiling with excitement, with the Argentine commentator shouting "Messi!" "Messi!"
Messi kicked the ball down!
The football passed under Joe Hart's armpit as he dived sideways!
1: 0!

Messi gave a warning! (End of this chapter)