Saul's timing was quite good, and just when Barcelona thought they were about to beat Atletico's opening three and free up their hands to organize a counter-attack, the long-range shot was like a slap in the face of Barcelona.

Valverde looked a little disappointed, but he didn't think it was his mistake to be lax against Saul, and how many long-range shots like this could be of high quality? He still has enough confidence in the strength of the team, although it is at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, but the one-goal deficit is not a particularly big hole. Andre Gomez, Luis Suarez and Rakitic are all players who can bring huge attacking firepower to the team. Not to mention Messi, the most powerful little man on the field, is a phenomenal existence. Barcelona's nuclear weapons at the offensive end.

Atletico Madrid did not rush back immediately after taking the lead, but organized many counter-attacks in the midfield, Simeone snuffed out the momentum of Barcelona's first counter-attack through exquisite tactical design before the game, forcing Iniesta and Rakitic to pass the ball back to the backline, Barcelona relaunched the attack, and Atletico Madrid got a precious respite to sort out the defense.

The fundamental reason why Atletico Madrid's defense is praised is that even in the face of strong opponents, they rarely put buses in the penalty area, but use the midfield as a fulcrum, accumulating advantages for counterattacks through overall movement and active defense. In other words, Atletico's midfield and back line are linked together in a defensive system, and the defensive tasks of the midfielders are no less. The midfielder is a barrier in front of the centre-backs, and only Atletico Madrid interprets the meaning of this phrase to a high level.

As the game progressed, the audience gradually discovered an interesting thing: Wen Zhihao seemed to be on a par with Rakitic.

Rakitic is an important helper by Iniesta's side, receiving and passing the ball will not be less, and Wen Zhihao is cruising near the midfield, compared to the closeness of his teammates, Wen Zhihao's rhythm seems to be slower, and he does not have the momentum of being a man who is not open, and it seems that he can't defend at all. At first, Atletico Madrid fans still felt that Wen Zhihao's defense on the field was equivalent to one less person, and they had a lot of complaints about Wen Zhihao's completely different attitudes at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, but the game slowly deepened, and they found that it was not that Wen Zhihao did not fight, but that Wen Zhihao's defensive style was different from others. He doesn't force the ball carrier, but anticipates the passer's path and intercepts it the moment it is released.

In this way, Wen Zhihao intercepted Rakitic's forward pass three times in a short period of time, giving Atletico plenty of opportunities to organize counter-attacks in midfield. As for why he chose Rakitic, Wen Zhihao is sure that his passing will not be as weird as Iniesta's, and he is a midfielder with more attacking ability. And with the huge physical exertion, it is difficult for his judgment and technical control to always maintain a high level.

Wen Zhihao calculated correctly, and the timing was also very well grasped. Rakitic was stunned. looked at Wen Zhihao's back as he pushed forward, and scolded the hell while chasing back. By the way, there are also some opinions about Paulinho.

Isn't he your former teammate, why don't you remind him if he defends so well?

Rakitic mentally put two words on Paulinho: cheat.

But Wen Zhihao's defensive skills that he only practiced at Vitesse, how could Paulinho know that he himself was still on the bench with a confused face.

Paulinho initially felt that Barcelona would be the most suitable team for him if Wen Zhihao wanted to join the giants, but through these few breaks, Paulinho finally understood why he could play the main role at a young age under Simeone.

Three mistakes in a row, Rakitic made himself the target of the public, the absolute big man Messi frowned deeply, and Valverde scolded the Spanish state: "bastardo!" He turned and glanced back at Paulinho, hesitated, and continued to look back at the game.

The commentator of Catalan TV has lost patience with Rakitic: "Can't go on! Replacing Rakitic as soon as possible is the only way to win, he was completely sleepwalking today, Valverde had to make a decision early! ”

But Valverde managed to be patient enough to keep Rakitic on the pitch for the full half.

Wen Zhihao and Antoine Griezmann walked off the pitch together, and the two exchanged the few missed chances in the opening period, Wen Zhihao suggested that he could be more calm in the box, and if he could take one chance, a two-goal lead would be a decisive advantage. As the two were chatting and walking to the lounge, Paulinho walked over and shouted, "Wen! ”

As soon as Griezmann turned his head and saw Paulinho, a vigilance rose in his heart, and he instinctively took a step back, Wen Zhihao smiled, took the initiative to turn around and walk towards Paulinho, and at the same time explained to Griezmann: "My former teammate. Well, you can count as friends. ”

Griezmann suddenly reminded Wen Zhihao: "Now in the game, don't be too long." With that, a man walked into the players' tunnel.

As soon as the two came up, Paulinho looked down at Wen Zhihao and said, "The appearance has not changed, but the strength is much stronger than before." ”

Wen Zhihao laughed, and took the compliment: "Then for sure, you have played from Evergrande to Barcelona." Can I be worse than you? Shibei will be impressed for three days, but we haven't seen each other for almost three years, and besides, what you see is not all of me. ”

Paulinho patted Wen Zhihao on the shoulder: "I'm looking forward to fighting you, let me feel your strongest strength." ”

"Chance, aren't you the main substitute? I don't think Rakitic will be big for long, so get ready to play, and hopefully I can meet your expectations. ”

……

In the second half, Paulinho waited for the opportunity he was expecting to play before the opening kick-off, replacing Rakitic, who was widely criticized in the first half.

He Wei said very politely: "Rakitic should have left the game a long time ago." He was completely ineffective today on both ends of the pitch. Of course, Wen Zhihao also contributed to this. His three consecutive tackles should have been a key factor in Valverde's determination to replace Rakitic...... Paulinho came on and he had the opportunity to speak directly with Wen Zhihao on the field. Who is the absolute core of the offensive and defensive ends of the former Guangzhou Evergrande? ”

Most Chinese fans hope that Wen Zhihao will win, while Evergrande fans hope that the two will have a five-to-five fight on the court and shake hands and make peace. After all, both of them have been heroes who have reached the top of Asia, especially in the second year of Wen Zhihao's departure, Guangzhou Evergrande did not qualify for the AFC Champions League group, which makes Evergrande fans miss the championship moment when the two worked together. The feelings are still there.

Paulinho just came on the field for less than a minute, Atletico Madrid kicked a goal kick, Oblak drove directly to the area where Wen Zhihao was, Paulinho saw this and approached the ball as soon as he saw this, which is his duty to enhance the hardness of the midfield.

After waiting for half time, Paulinho finally got what he wanted, and the direct confrontation with Wen Zhihao came so quickly, the first scramble, Paulinho showed his best state, and approached Wen Zhihao with great momentum. I don't know if I want to give Wen Zhihao a dismissal, or if I don't have enough confidence to improve myself......