The European Cup schedule is halfway through, and the third round of group matches has officially started.
The starting lineup for Italy has revealed their strongest hand.
Ancelotti, Perrotta
Lu Yang
Pellegrini, Drake, Morici
Praxedes, Bernulin, Chiavich, Canyes
Audi
Among them, Morici and Canyes successfully gained starting positions.
They can bring new vitality to Italy in their offense.
Portugal and Italy were in a tense draw during the first twenty minutes of the match.
But the turning point came in the twenty-fourth minute.
Barça’s right back Canisell and Real Madrid’s right winger Madeira continuously cooperated, bringing the football to the front field.
Pellegrini and Drake were both passed, and after receiving Canisell’s pass, Madeira began to cut inside from the right side, facing Praxedes one-on-one.
Madeira’s footwork was magical, but his continuous cycling and Fried Meatballs couldn’t shake off Praxedes.
Just when the Italian fans thought it was stable for their team.
Madeira suddenly stopped and started rapidly, creating a speed difference.
Not competing on technique anymore.
Competing on eruption!
In an instant, Madeira pulled away from Praxedes by a position.
Bang!
Madeira took an outside-of-foot shot from the right edge of the penalty area, the football carved out a beautiful trajectory straight into the corner.
Portugal leads one-zero.
Such a scene can’t help but make people sigh, "The old warrior has grown weak."
Praxedes’ overall strength is still among the world’s best left-backs, but some of his statistics are already declining, and the decline is quite apparent.
For example, eruption and speed.
Considering that once an old player starts declining, it’s as if they’re sitting on a skateboard, next season will likely be when Praxedes falls from top-tier to first-tier.
Just three minutes later, Drake and Pellegrini were pressed by the opponent at the back field, leading to a passing error.
The ball was intercepted by Madeira, who made a straight pass, playing behind Chiavich.
Portugal’s young left winger accelerated and skillfully shot the ball in!
Two-zero!
Portugal scored two goals in just three minutes, almost ending the suspense prematurely.
Portugal’s state is excellent!
If the match ends at this point, then the teams advancing will be Portugal with 6 points, and France Team with 5 points.
France Team is currently at zero-zero with Russia.
However, just when Italian fans were feeling anxious, good news unexpectedly came from next door.
Russia Team scored the first goal!
Tsar Olic struck hard against France Team, breaking through the French defenses, leading Russia one-zero.
As a result, in real-time standings, France Team and Italy both became 4 points, but Italy has the advantage in goal difference, ranking second in the group.
Who said those eliminated have no impact on the overall situation?
Russia Team used their actions to prove what is called "impacting the battle", almost replicating the National Team’s mentality during every tournament. From crucial fight to life-and-death fight, to theoretical match, and then to a battle for honor.
With a dead ball, Portugal’s defender Laveran naturally approached Lu Yang.
"I just heard from our coaching staff that even if you lose, you can still advance. What good luck!" Laveran laughed, as if he were Lu Yang’s friend.
"I don’t have many merits, but I’m definitely lucky," Lu Yang wasn’t angry at all.
It’s less than thirty minutes in.
He currently has the Moment Pack and Peak Card, if it really came to a life-and-death moment, he wouldn’t worry about the latter matches.
"But if France Team overtakes the score, you will be eliminated," Laveran gloated, "I think France Team can recover, after all, they’re the favorites to win the tournament."
"Have you ever thought that we, Italy, can also overtake the score?" Lu Yang looked at Laveran, "It’s only thirty minutes, and you already started messing with my mentality, I only delivered two threat balls, is it necessary for this?"
"Or did those two balls just now make you desperate enough to clasp your hands together and pray, showing you my threat level? So you specially came to me just to tell me, are you afraid?"
Laveran froze for a moment, not expecting anyone to be so shameless.
Too many things were twisted into absurdity.
That’s called praying with hands behind? That’s clearly the standard blocking stance for a center-back!
But to be honest, he did feel the threat from Lu Yang.
For a center-back like him, when Lu Yang inserts, his defensive pressure increases significantly.
"Would I be afraid of you? I’m just here to ask you, when are you going to score in front of me? You said it in front of so many media, if you swallow your words, wouldn’t that be so embarrassing?" Laveran was also a master at trash-talking.
Knowing that you can’t be led into the opponent’s rhythm, he avoided discussing "praying" and instead used the public to pressure Lu Yang.
"The goal will come, the comeback will happen, Italy will definitely qualify this European Cup, as I said, no one can stop it!" Lu Yang friendly collided with Laveran and returned to the midfield.
"Such a tough bone!" Laveran grinned, surprised that Lu Yang was so unscrupulous to take such a petty advantage.
Lu Yang smiled after turning around.
Laveran didn’t dive!
This is a very important signal.
For a "shameless" veteran like Laveran, when trying to truly set someone up, the first step is to provoke them, and the second step is to feign a dive.