In the main stage of the UEFA Champions League, a total of 32 participating teams will be divided into eight groups of four teams in each group according to the UEFA points level.

The rules of the group stage are that each team and the other opponents in the group play two games, home and away, and the final points are used to determine the group standings, with the top two teams qualifying for promotion and the third place slipping down to the main stage of the Europa League (UEFA Cup).

So each team has to play six games.

The group stage is to be played by December, from September to early December, with an average of one or two games per month, with the first game in mid-September.

Newcastle United are heading to Milan, Italy, to challenge Inter Milan at the Meazza Stadium.

Newcastle United were last season's Premier League champions and entered the Champions League for the first time in the new century, with almost no European experience, but the club's hierarchy, or Michael Ashley, still set a big goal: the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

As the defending champions of the Premier League, the minimum goal is also to be in the quarter-finals.

In the past few seasons, the knockout rounds of the Champions League are about to be dominated by Premier League teams!

Newcastle United are the reigning champions of the Premier League, the reigning champions of the Premier League, the 'boss' team, even if they lack a lot of European experience, they have to play decently.

Michael Ashley doesn't care about 'Newcastle have no European experience', 'Newcastle are new to the Champions League' or 'Newcastle are in the Group of Death', he's not a professional footballer, he just thinks the team should be able to do it and sets the target accordingly.

Ashley and Keegan said the same thing.

If Keegan can't do it, there is probably only one way to get rid of him.

Ashley doesn't care about the name of 'Newcastle legend' or 'Newcastle legend'.

At the same time, Ashley has also set a league goal, he did not say that he will continue to win the title, but the minimum goal is to reach the last four, "It is difficult to compete for consecutive titles, but we need to reach the last four to qualify for the Champions League. ”

"Kevin, you should know that playing in the Champions League is very important for any team!"

Of course!

The Champions League equals exposure and prize money.

The Champions League is the most watched club competition in the world, and participating in it is sure to add huge exposure.

The prize money of the Champions League is also quite generous, playing one more game will cost millions more euros, and every team participating in the Champions League will get a lot of money.

But......

It's too hard to target!

When Ashley and Keegan talked about the goal, Keegan agreed to work hard to complete it, but then they both regretted agreeing because he felt that Newcastle United simply did not have the strength to fight for it.

During the summer preparations, Keegan had an understanding of the strength of the team, and then the first three rounds of the league without a win, all made him feel that Newcastle United should be more targeted, the league to strive for a top six, Champions League participation is to learn experience.

Fortunately, Zhen Shaolong is back!

After seeing Zhen Shaolong's performance, Keegan had a little confidence, but he always thought that it was very unrealistic for the team to rely on the performance of a single player if they wanted to achieve good results.

Of course.

Whatever Keegan's verdict, Newcastle United will have to prepare for the game.

Now it's time to prepare for the game against Inter Milan.

Newcastle United entered the Champions League and participated in the first group stage, which will definitely attract huge attention from fans, not to mention winning Inter Milan away, it is also good to be able to play the strength and style of the team.

————

Keegan organised tactical sessions, which lasted up to an hour and a half, and most of the content was to introduce the players to Inter Milan and let everyone know more about the opponent.

This is important.

Many teams with little European experience will encounter a big problem when participating in European competitions - not adapting to the style of their opponents.

It's not about the quality of the team, it's all about experience.

The styles of various European leagues are different, for example, La Liga is very focused on technology and cooperation, and the overall defense of the teams in Serie A is impressive.

Other leagues also have their own styles.

If you can't adapt to the opponent's style, the player doesn't know how to play when he arrives on the field, and even if he is stronger, he may be pinned down by the opponent and lose the game.

Here's an example.

A magician who is very experienced in fighting against warriors, suddenly becomes an assassin who has never met before, and suddenly he does not know what to do, and he can be defeated if he is very strong.

Newcastle United is like that.

Keegan detailed the style of Serie A, Inter Milan's style of play and what he knows, the changes that Mourinho has brought about since his arrival, and what to do about the players.

But what Keegan didn't notice was that he was just an inexperienced player, listening very seriously.

Everyone else is not too serious.

Because of experience.

Newcastle United have no European experience overall, but most of the main players have a lot of experience, such as Owen, Grami, Smith and Bart, who have played in many European competitions.

Zhen Shaolong is a little different.

The reason why Zhen Shaolong didn't listen carefully was not because he had rich experience in European battles or anything like that, but because tactics had little to do with him, and he would definitely be carefully targeted by the other party.

————

Newcastle United have been preparing for a few days in a row, but they have one more league game ahead of Inter Milan's game, West Ham in the fifth round.

Before the game.

Zhen Shaolong suddenly remembered the team-building skill - "Football Spirit".

The effect of "Spirit of Football" is still good, allowing players to enjoy a tenth of the "Calibration" effect, the ball that bounces off the goal will also correct the course towards the nearest player, and there is also an effect that reduces the chance of injury.

Newcastle United's competition pressure is still relatively high, especially to participate in the Champions League, it is not easy to get good results, and it is too wasteful to have skills without use.

"So ......"

"The 'Super Boy Group' needs to be reorganized!"

Zhen Shaolong had a discussion with Smith, Enzobia, Barton and others, and talked about his own thoughts and asked for the opinions of others.

Of course.

Adopted unanimously.

Smith and Barton are still second, while N'Zogbia and Milner are very positive.

Milner said, "Yes! We're going to play in the Champions League. We want to take the opportunity to spread the handsome moves of the 'Super Boy Group' to the world! ”

"Makes sense!"

"I'm joining! I absolutely support! ”

Jean, who was listening next to him, was a little dazed, his English level was a little worse, and he didn't understand what a few people were discussing, so he asked Zhen Shaolong, and Zhen Shaolong explained carefully.

Jean gave advice, "The 'Super Boy Group' doesn't seem to have any characteristics, I think the name could be changed to 'Newcastle Boy Group'. ”

"Newcastle boy band?"

"Yes, we are Newcastle United, so naturally it should be called Newcastle Men's Team!"

“……”

Zhen Shaolong consulted several other people about Jean's suggestion, and everyone voted in favor of changing the name to 'Newcastle boy band'.

Eventually, the name was changed again.

The 'Newcastle Men's Team' was reorganized, and the selection of personnel became a problem, and many teammates rushed to sign up and expressed strong protest against the fixation of personnel, and finally Zhen Shaolong was very helpless and decided to be the No. 1 substitute, the No. 2 substitute, and the No. 3 substitute......

N sub.

Wait a minute.

Zhen Shaolong didn't know how many substitutes there were, and the ones behind them were all lined up to receive the number, and even Jean and Koloccini, who had just joined the team, each lined up for a number.

However, Zhen Shaolong felt that he should be a little more dictatorial, and he wanted Jean to be Barton's chief replacement, because Jean's voice was loud enough and the slogans he shouted louder would make the shouts of the Newcastle men's team more imposing.

In short, in the chaotic discussion, the Newcastle men's team was reorganized and immediately made its debut in the game.

But the process is a bit awkward.

Because of the 'disbandment' for several months, Smith actually forgot the words halfway, and Patton started with a shocking start, and Smith was not able to connect coherently.

That's embarrassing.

Zhen Shaolong stood on the playing field, glanced at the cheering fans around him, and then looked at his teammates who were stunned left and right, as well as the stunned opponents on the opposite side, he regretted reorganizing the 'men's team' a little.

It's a shame!

Milner's last reminder to keep the shouting of slogans going.

After shouting the slogan, Zhen Shaolong felt very embarrassed, and the other team members were also a little embarrassed, after all, in front of tens of thousands of fans, the slogan of 'middle two' was a huge test for the face.

After that, they put their energy into the game.

West Ham United is a mid-table team in the Premier League, the overall strength is neither strong nor weak, their strength lies in the back, conceding an average of only 1.1 goals per game last season, which is enough to prove their defensive ability, in contrast, the offensive ability is relatively weak.

Under Kevin Keegan, Newcastle United's style has changed somewhat and is more inclined to play flashy attacks.

The game is a battle of offense and defense.

This is the second game of the new season that Zhen Shaolong has participated in, and he scored a hat-trick in James Park in the last game, and the performance can be described as perfect, and many people are also paying attention to this performance.

Ultimately.

Zhen Shaolong scored a goal.

In the full 90 minutes, Newcastle United also managed to complete only one goal, while opponents West Ham United did not score.

The score was 0-1.

Newcastle United beat West Ham United away to secure a fifth-round win in the league.

Zhen Shaolong's goal was a free-kick.

The rest of the game he was bogged down in the opposition defence, with West Ham taking the defence very seriously as a whole and the rest of the midfielders doing little either.

In a word.

The whole game was lethargic.

After the game, Kevin Keegan couldn't help but complain, "West Ham made the game unenjoyable. ”

"When I'm watching the game from the sidelines, my mind is hockey, a big group of players running after the ball, and the occasional one-on-one fight."

"It was fun, much more fun than this game."

Kevin Keegan was unhappy with West Ham's defensive performance and felt it affected the spectacle of the game, but the game was over and there was no point in discussing it.

Two days later.

Newcastle United flew to the Italian city of Milan and settled into a hotel near the Meazza Stadium.

The Champions League is about to begin.

————

Newcastle United's opponents were Inter Milan, and the clash between the Premier League champions and the Serie A champions attracted a lot of attention, and the game became the focus of the first round of the Champions League.

Focus battles, always accompanied by a lot of news.

As the new manager of Inter Milan, Mourinho, known as the 'big mouth', will definitely not keep his mouth shut, he likes to use saliva to hit opponents.

It's the same now.

The night before the game, Inter Milan held a press conference, Mourinho talked about the situation of C, and he expressed his disdain for the 'Group of Death' comment, "The draw is just a draw, and it doesn't make any sense to discuss whether this is a simple or difficult group before the game starts. ”

'Our first goal is to secure a place in the round of 16 and then we try to win the group.

'Of course, we're confident we're off to a good start in the Champions League, Newcastle United are a good opponent, yes, they have never had European experience, but I think there's something to be said for them to win the Premier League miraculously.'

"Everybody can think of Zhen Shaolong, me and my players have thought of it, and we will pay attention to his defense."

"Zhen Shaolong is a pretty good goalscorer, but I don't think he can't defend, there is no opponent in the world who can't be limited, and his shortcomings are obvious."

"For example, his dribbling skills are very poor, and I rarely see him able to break through with his dexterous legs in a match."

“……”

Mourinho said a lot, and by the way, he pointed out a technical flaw of Zhen Shaolong.

He has a purpose.

Zhen Shaolong is an opponent that Inter Milan must pay attention to, and Mourinho is not full of confidence that he can successfully limit him, he said that Zhen Shaolong's technical flaws, in fact, are laying a trap -

If the opponent cares a lot about what he says, maybe he will make more breakthroughs in the game to prove his breakthrough skills, and Inter Milan will be able to make a few more tackles.

An hour later.

Zhen Shaolong knew what Mourinho said, and his reaction was very indifferent, because he had many technical flaws, what was the big deal if he was pointed out to one?

He doesn't defend well!

What's the point of saying this? No player can be all-powerful.

And then.

Zhen Shaolong suddenly felt that he liked a coach like Mourinho very much.

Look!

Daily quests are activated again--

"Hint: A new system task is triggered.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho, pointed out your technical shortcomings.

This is a mockery of you!

You need to fight back hard with your performance.

Mission requirements: 1. Lead Newcastle United to victory by more than two goals.

2. Goal after completing the breakthrough twice in the game.

(Note: Obtain the special skill "Forced Breakthrough" during the mission.)

"Forced Breakthrough": You can choose to activate the use of skills to obtain the status of 'Dribble Immunity'.

'Dribble Immunity' allows you to ignore the defence and dribble to a designated position within five metres, which must be outside the six-yard box.

Forced Breach has a five-minute cooldown. ）

Rewards: Strength index increased by one point, appearance evaluation increased by one point. ”

————

PS: Weak begging for a monthly ticket, it's the last day.