After the first leg of the UEFA Cup quarter-final against Benfica, Borussia Dortmund was criticised by the German media and fans throughout the team.

Although Benfica is also a well-known powerhouse in the world, Dortmund, as one of the top five leagues and the top team in the Bundesliga this season, should not concede so many goals even away from home.

Even Cheng Hai, this game was also overdrawn, he played for more than 40 minutes in the second half, and collapsed directly at the end of the game, and was helped off the field by his teammates, but he was not well received.

Cheng Hai's performance of averaging more than 1 goal per game in the early stage has nourished the eyes of the media and fans, and Cheng Hai only had one assist in this game, and he did not hit the ball, so he was regarded as a poor performance by the media and fans.

"Dortmund lost 1-3 away to Benfica, Cheng Hai fought until he collapsed and it was difficult to save the defeat! 》

"In the first leg of the League Cup quarterfinals, Dortmund did not play well and lost 1-3 to Benfica away! 》

"Cheng Hai was defended by the opponent without temper, and Dortmund defeated the Lisbon Stadium of Light 1-3! 》

"Cheng Hai's continuous goal pace was stopped by Benfica, and the Hornets defeated Portugal! 》

"Dortmund lost 1-3 away to Benfica in the first leg of the League Cup quarterfinals, and the prospect of advancing to the second leg is unpredictable! 》

Most of the media have played such a similar headline to show that Dortmund's performance in this game is indeed poor, and it is difficult to predict whether the second leg can be turned around at home and advance to the quarterfinals.

Even if Dortmund has an ace like Cheng Hai, it is useless, because everyone does not know whether Cheng Hai will play poorly in the second leg like the first leg and not score a goal.

If Cheng Hai still can't score in the second leg, it is entirely possible for Benfica to defeat Dortmund in two legs to advance to the quarterfinals.

For Borussia Dortmund, their lead in the Bundesliga table this season is very large, and the probability of winning the Bundesliga is getting higher and higher.

Although theoretically, the bottom two or three teams still have the possibility of overtaking, but in fact, everyone knows that as long as Dortmund does not die on their own, the probability of winning the championship this season can basically be called nine out of ten.

In such a situation, both the media and the fans, as well as the club at large, naturally hope that Dortmund can achieve something in the UEFA Cup this season, in addition to the Bundesliga.

If we can win the double of the Bundesliga and UEFA Cup, it will definitely be a glorious season.

The same is true for manager Jurgen Klopp himself.

Therefore, after returning to the station the next day, Klopp gave the players a day off, but he and the coaching staff did not take a day off, and still reviewed and studied the first leg of the game at the base, considering how to improve the possibility of winning the second leg and advancing to the quarterfinals of the League Cup.

After studying the replay of the game, we found out the reasons for the team's poor performance in the first leg, analyzed it, and prepared for the targeted training tomorrow when training begins.

In addition, Klopp had other thoughts about Cheng Hai himself replacing Cheng Hai on the field in the 50th minute, and Cheng Hai insisted until the end of the game.

Although Cheng Hai was completely paralyzed to the ground and supported by his teammates when he left the game, Cheng Hai insisted on playing the 43-point game after all.

Under normal circumstances, the first half is only 1 minute of stoppage time, and a total of 46 minutes of play, which is only 3 minutes more than Cheng Hai's game against Benfica yesterday.

Looking at it this way, Cheng Hai gritted his teeth again, and it was entirely possible to persevere.

If Cheng Hai is allowed to start at half-time, insist on playing for 46 minutes, let Cheng Hai fall asleep and recover quickly at halftime like he played in the Asian Cup, and play another one or two minutes in the second half, then the probability of Dortmund winning is quite high.

For Dortmund to advance to the quarterfinals, it really needs Cheng Hai to play a huge role.

Therefore, Klopp asked the fitness coach to analyze whether it was possible for Cheng Hai to start the first half like he did when he played the Asian Cup in the national team, and after playing the first half, he used the halftime to quickly fall asleep to make up for his fitness, and then continue to play in the second half.

The difficulty here is to ensure that Cheng Hai can hold on to the game for at least 46 minutes without cramps.

Once Cheng Hai collapsed with a leg cramp before the end of the first half, he naturally couldn't play in the second half, and even if he had a deep sleep at halftime, it was useless.

After analyzing Cheng Hai's performance in a game, the physical fitness coach said that according to Cheng Hai's current physical condition, the League Cup, where the level of playing skills and tactics is much higher than that of the Asian Cup, encountered a strong team like Benfica, and it was not easy for Cheng Hai to persist for 43 minutes in a game.

With him starting the full first half, it's hard to guarantee that there won't be accidents or cramps.

The only way to do this is to focus on the next second leg of the UEFA Cup, and not to go to the Bundesliga game away to Hoffenheim in the middle, and concentrate on preparing for the second leg against Benfica at the base.

In this way, the certainty is slightly greater, but it is not 100% guaranteed.

In case Cheng Hai runs too much distance under the pressure of the opposing player, it is also possible that he will cramp and fall down before the first half is played.

But with this answer, Klopp is already satisfied.

Because this not only involves this League Cup match, but also involves the use of strategy by Dortmund against Cheng Hai in the future.

Once the attempt is successful, Cheng Hai's playing time in a game will be increased from more than 30 minutes to 60 or 70 minutes, which will be a qualitative leap for the team's offensive strength, and Dortmund will have a better chance of completing the double this season.

In addition, in addition to making a special reserve of Cheng Hai's physical fitness, some coaches also suggested that Klopp throw smoke bombs for the second round of the match.

When announcing the starting list to the media before the game, don't list Cheng Hai, so that Benfica thinks that Cheng Hai is still a substitute in the second half.

Then, when the game was about to start, he was replaced with an accident in the starting striker and changed to the sea to start.

This can catch Benfica off guard, make Benfica's response a major deviation, and give Dortmund more chances to win.

Although this method is a bit shady, it is normal for professional football to use all kinds of means in order to win the championship and win.

Klopp is not so pedantic either.

Therefore, he finally accepted the advice of his men.

In the days that followed, Cheng Hai cancelled all other technical and tactical training to prepare for the second leg of the League Cup quarter-final against Benfica.

During the 26th round of the Bundesliga on March 12, Dortmund challenged Hoffenheim away in the Bundesliga, Cheng Hai did not even enter the squad, but continued to stay in the training base and continued to reserve physical strength for the League Cup with the help of a physical coach.

Without Cheng Hai and the rest of the players distracted and focused on the UEFA Cup, Borussia Dortmund lost 1-0 away to Hoffenheim.

But for Borussia Dortmund, who still have a lead of more than 10 points, the away defeat in the league doesn't really matter.

Now you can focus on preparing for the game against Benfica.