At 20:00 on the evening of January 10, the opening match of the first China Cup International Invitational Tournament was staged at Nanping Sports Center as scheduled.

According to the pre-match arrangement, Li Liang will play in the second half

There is a certain disagreement within the coaching staff about this: Madanilo and Pezzotti both believe that Li Liang should be allowed to start and take advantage of this rare opportunity to fully run in the lineup.

De Rosso believes that this training camp is mainly to inspect newcomers, not the strongest squad of the national team, and it is not appropriate to expose the strength too early.

He even suggested that since the purpose of the investigation had been achieved, Li Liang should simply be excluded from the lineup against Iceland.

Lippi finally decided to let Li Liang play around 20 to 30 minutes.

He judged that the Icelandic team, which has three players who have participated in the European Cup, should be above the Chinese team.

At that time, when Li Liang played, there was a high probability that the game would be completely at a disadvantage, and it was even possible to fall behind by a large score.

Lippi believes that since it is a friendly match without the pressure of qualifying, such a moment is more valuable for Li Liang and the young players.

Li Liang sat on the bench and paid full attention to the field.

The strength of the national team teammates is already known, and there is no overall rating of 70 or more.

Half of the players in the opposite team have an overall rating of more than 70, but the highest is only 73.

In the early stages of the game, the national team played proactively, trying to open up the situation with constant possession and passing.

The Icelandic team started with a steady counterattack, giving Li Liang the intuitive impression that the Chinese team was faster and more flexible at the feet, and the Icelandic team had a better overall sense on the field, and the teammates were taller and stronger.

Soon, Li Liang found that the situation on the field was changing rapidly.

After some experimentation, the Icelandic team, which was stronger overall, began to move forward gradually. Obviously, the opponents already have a good idea of the strength of the Chinese team.

He also found that the Chinese team's center forward, Meng Jianqing, who is also from Haicheng, has a very good running position.

When Li Liang was still a keyboard warrior, his favorite domestic player was Meng Jianqing, who once beat Geng Lin in the national youth team and firmly occupied the main position, and was once regarded as the forward hope of the national team in the next ten years.

Sadly, too much negative rumours have caused the 30-year-old genius to sink in, and only in recent years has there been signs of recovery.

Li Liang remembered that Da Xiong said that Xiao Meng was one of the most regrettable teammates of the national team, and he should have a good future.

……

At the beginning of the game, Meng Jianqing's position selection and movement were ideal in several attacks of the national team, but unfortunately the midfielder could not deliver the ball to his feet in time.

Madanilo on the side sighed: "Lee, you must have seen it, right?"

This ball, and the two times just now, what would you choose if you were on the field? ”

Li Liang replied: "At the same time, I will remind my teammates to try to take the central defender away when attacking to reduce the defensive pressure on Meng Jianqing."

Then in attack, he passed the ball to him when he moved closer to the box. ”

Madanilo secretly gave a thumbs up in his heart, Li Liang's analysis and assumption were impeccable, and he believed that Li Liang could do what he said.

Iceland gradually took the initiative on the field. Since it wasn't an international break, they weren't fielding the strongest squad.

Despite this, Li Liang could feel that the Icelandic players were starting to hold up.

Indeed, the magical summer trip to the European Championships has given the country a population of only 330,000 people a lot of confidence in football.

At this point, it is what the young Chinese team on the field lacks the most.

Despite this, Meng Jianqing, who once singled out the Spanish youth team defense of the current La Liga Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves, Benfica central defender Luiso and Atletico Madrid fullback Felipeba, in the Toulon Cup, and finally scored successfully with a stunning volley, still showed his power in front of the Icelanders.

Meng Jianqing became more and more courageous. In the 26th minute, Yin Bo volleyed on the opposing player in front of the penalty area, Meng Jianqing made an astonishing prediction, he was the first among the people to start early, and appeared alone at the landing point after the ball bounced.

He swept in from a tight angle on the left side of the penalty area before the Icelandic defenders could make a move, but no one realised the perfect opportunity and no one was on track.

Seeing that the national team missed this golden opportunity, Li Liang couldn't help but sigh on the bench.

At the same time, he noticed that Meng Jianqing, who had a total rating of 66 before, had "jumped" to 71!

Li Liang's spirits were lifted, he understood that Meng Jianqing's state had reached his peak, but he didn't know how long it would last.

Madanilo on the side said as if unintentionally: "It's a pity. Meng's awareness, technique, ability to break through and get out, and finishing ability in front of the goal are more than a notch above everyone else.

It's a pity that Lee, he's not as physically fit as you now! ”

Li Liang said helplessly: "Claudio, I really want to go up and pass the ball for Meng Jianqing!" ”

Madanillo whispered: "Marcello will not reuse a player like this.

Unfortunately, the probability of both of you being on the field at the same time in an official match is close to zero. ”

Li Liang sighed secretly and continued to watch the game intently.

In the 30th minute, Yin Bo took a free kick on the left side, and Meng Jianqing hit the top of the goal with a header near the line of the small penalty area.

In the 33rd minute, Cheng Zhongguo's midfield was plugged straight, Meng Jianqing flicked the imaginary outside instep sideways in front of the penalty area, and Yin Bo followed up to form a single shot that was blocked by the Icelandic goalkeeper with his foot.

The audience was amazed, and within 10 minutes, Meng Jianqing kicked his head and feet, creating a great threat to Iceland and the gate three times in a row.

Li Liang was even more regretful, he saw Meng Jianqing's 10-minute highlight performance, and the total rating dropped to 65.

Not only that, Meng Jianqing had a significant decline in physical strength in the frontcourt.

At half-time, neither side found the back of the net.

At halftime, Lippi decided to replace Meng Jianqing, who had exhausted his physical energy.

At the beginning of the second half, after losing the most threatening attack point in the attack, the Chinese team played more and more passively, and finally in the first place

In the 60th and 65th minutes, the opponent seized the opportunity in a row and easily scored two goals.

Li Liang was anxious to find that everyone didn't seem to be able to kick at all.

The fans at the scene were still cheering for the national team, and the stands began to sound "Change Li Liang!" Gradually, this shout became louder and more neat.

In the 70th minute, Li Liang was finally ready to play.

Seeing Lippi facing Li Liang face to face, the audience resounded with huge cheers.

Lippi said undoubtedly: "Lee, you go to play center, be careful not to dribble, avoid injury!" ”

This was specifically communicated before the game, and Li Liang will not appear in the position he is most familiar with in this game.

Li Liang is a major tactical alternative for the national team, and Lippi does not want to be exposed to the opponents in the round of 12 too early.

After Li Liang came on the court, he was still conscientious and worked hard in the center forward position that he had never played.

He strictly followed the coach's instructions and did not play in the way he was most accustomed to playing.

The Icelandic players knew about Li Liang and immediately strengthened their defense against him.

The position is higher, which makes Li Liang extremely uncomfortable.

What made him even more uncomfortable was a very unexpected discovery.