On the afternoon of June 11, the 2016 European Championship in France finally opened!

In the loud cheers of the "La Marseillaise", the host French team sat at the Stade de France and ushered in the challenge of Romania.

The French team also played the main force in this game, Giroud broke forward, Payet and Griezmann flew on the wings, Pogba, Kante and Matuidi formed a three-man midfield, Rami and Koscielny defended the line, Patrice Evra and Sagna left and right, and Lloris guarded the goal.

It can be said that in terms of lineup, France is definitely superior to its opponents.

However, in this game, the French team was still stubbornly resisted by the Romanian team.

played until the 58th minute of the second half, Payet crossed with his left foot from the right, Giroud grabbed the attacking Tatarusanu and shook his head to break the net, 1-0!

It was Giroud's first goal of the tournament and Giroud's 18th in his 50th appearance for France.

But in the 65th minute, Evra hooked Stan Xiu with his left foot in the penalty area, and the referee decisively blew a penalty, and Stanku calmly shot low into the bottom right corner to break the net, and the score became 1-1!

It was the first penalty of the tournament and Stancu's tally reached 10 goals for the Romanian national team.

In the 89th minute, Kante passed, Payet played a beautiful world wave with his left foot in front of the penalty area, and the ball flew into the upper left corner of the gate like a cannonball, 2-1!

France completes the lore! It was Payet's fourth goal in 20 appearances for France.

In the 91st minute, Payet was replaced by Sissoko amid the cheers of tens of thousands of fans, and Payet was moved to tears, and the whole audience chanted Payet's name.

In the end, with Payet's world wave lore, France got off to a good start!

At the same time, this difficult game also tells everyone that there is no weak team that can enter the main match of the European Cup!

Even a team like Romania, which doesn't have many well-known stars, can still cause huge problems for the star-studded French team!

This was followed by a match between the other two teams from the group, Albania vs Switzerland, in Lens.

Switzerland, who had the upper hand, beat Albania 1-0, with centre-back Fabian netting a goal in the opening five minutes to help the team get three points.

The next day, Sweden's warm-up opponents, Wales in Group B, ushered in the first match of the European Championship, they defeated Slovakia 2:1 to achieve their first main match victory in the history of the European Championship!

Gareth Bale opened the scoring for Wales and after a second-half equaliser, Kanu came off the bench to strike a winner!

Wales' victory, incidentally, also made the pressure on the Swedish national team a little less.

At first glance, Wales doesn't seem to be much of a belly troop......

So being able to draw with Wales also shows that the Swedish team is still a little progressing under the leadership of Pan Yi.

Next, England's 1-1 draw with Russia in Group B once again illustrates the saying that there are no weak teams in the European Championship.

Even with Pan Yi's two disciples Vardy and Harry Kane leading, the English still have no good way to take the Russian team, and in the end they can only shake hands and make peace.

Compared with this relatively dull game, an incident that happened off the field attracted the attention of the world media.

That is, the fans of the two countries clashed outside the stadium, and after a heated exchange of views between the two sides, the end result was 200 Russian fans beating 2,000 English fans.

This incident even shocked Russia's biggest bigwig, Emperor Pu, who said that he did not understand this matter......

In the next few games, there were no upsets.

Croatia beat Turkey 1-0.

Germany 2:0 Ukraine.

Spain 1:0 Czech Republic.

Next, it's the turn of Group E, Sweden vs Ireland match!

——

"I know that Pan Yi is a champion coach and I respect him. However, I've also won the Champions League twice, so I'm not afraid of him. ”

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Irish national team manager Martin O'Neill said.

If you talk about the surname "O'Neal", most people may think of the big shark in the NBA, but in fact, Martin O'Neal has also made a lot of fame in football, but it is a little older, and many people don't remember it.

Between 1971 and 1981, Martin O'Neill played for the ...... Nottingham Forest!

Yes, he was a key player under legendary coach Clough and won back-to-back Champions League titles in 1978 and 1979, as well as the English top flight title in 1978.

In 2013, Martin O'Neill became the manager of the Irish national team.

He was heavily influenced by the traditional English style of play of the seventies and eighties, so the Irish team today still maintains a high-flying and hard-hitting style.

"It's no secret that I don't deny that I'm going to hit Sweden with a solid defence and a sharp counter-attack."

At the end of his press conference, Martin O'Neill said: "Pan Yi has magic, but isn't there an old saying in the Dragon Kingdom, which makes it difficult for a good woman to cook without rice. With the current quality of the Swedish team, they can't play as fluid football as they did at Chelsea! So, I'm confident enough to beat Sweden! ”

And when it was Pan Yi's turn, it was obvious that the topics asked by reporters would become more extensive.

After all, Pan Yi's popularity can be said to be the first in the world, and his news value will naturally be higher, and there will be more people who follow him.

"What do you think of the recent period of time, the outside world has been boiling about the question of you leading the team? Are you worried about the outside world affecting the team? For example, the morale of the players, or the effect of preparation? ”

A reporter from the British newspaper "The Times" asked the first question, which is also a question that most fans on the Internet are concerned about.

Pan Yi smiled faintly and looked at the camera: "I think those comments are normal, anyone, any institution, has the right to express their opinions." All I can say is that everybody, including me and the coaching staff, was very happy with the results. We believe we can be in good form in the European Championship and I'm very confident about that! ”

The Times reporter immediately asked the second question, "When it comes to the European Championship, the first match against Ireland is the opponent. Their manager, Martin O'Neill, is confident of beating you, so what do you think? Have you already decided how you want to fight? ”

This is also a question that many fans are concerned about.

Because everyone can see that for both Sweden and Ireland, the first game is almost a battle of life and death.

If you lose this game, it will be very dangerous against the next two strong teams.

Martin O'Neill has been in charge of the Irish national team for three years, and although the tactical style of play is relatively simple, it also has the advantage that the players are easy to understand and follow.

Coupled with the fact that the Irish players are used to playing this way, there is no need to doubt their tactical familiarity and execution.

Relatively speaking, Pan Yi only took over the team temporarily a week or two ago, and then adjusted the lineup and style of play, and it seems that a stable offensive and defensive system has not yet been built, which is also everyone's biggest concern for the Swedish team.

Ireland are good at rushing and fast attacking, and if Sweden's defence is not dealt with well, they are likely to suffer a black start in the first game.

Then the next two group games will be dangerous, because Belgium and Italy are much stronger than Ireland!

"What the opponent thinks has little to do with me. But it's good to have confidence, and if you don't have confidence before the game, you won't be able to play in the game. ”

Pan Yi replied easily:

"I'll decide on the final line-up before the game and for now, we're still adjusting and revising. The specific style of play, I am not in a position to disclose it now. ”

'Ireland are actually very good, whether it's O'Shea or Robbie Keane, they are famous players and they are players who can make a big difference on the pitch.

"But I have also done a detailed study of them, and when the time comes, there will be corresponding measures to deal with them, and play out our own characteristics."

'A lot of people say I'm not familiar with leading the national team and I don't deny that. But I also know very well that the European Championship is different from the club game, and my coaching staff and I have also adapted and adjusted to it, so I believe there will be no big problem! ”

At this time, a reporter from the newspaper "Swedish Daily" asked:

"Our national team was drawn in the draw to the Group of Death, and we met favourites like Belgium and Italy, so everyone thought it would be a bit difficult to qualify.

But there are also optimistic fans who believe that they can fight hard to beat Ireland, then draw with Italy, and finally allow a narrow defeat to Belgium. In this way, four points can be accumulated to finish second in the group, or the third in the group with a better result. ”

"What do you think about this kind of planning? Or are you confident that you will lead the team out of such a group of death? ”

Hearing these words, Pan Yi almost laughed.

Isn't this the same qualifying routine as the 02 World Cup Dragon Country National Team?

I didn't expect people all over the world to love arithmetic the same.

Pan Yi couldn't help laughing, but still answered this question seriously:

"Since the group we are in is called the group of death, it is naturally very difficult to qualify, and it requires us to put in the best efforts. But such calculations are meaningless, football is never won by calculation. ”

'I've always told my players that they have to be at their best in the three group games, not that they lose by default when they see a strong team like Belgium. I don't have a fight in my dictionary! ”

"Of course, the three opponents in our group are all teams with different styles, and I have drawn up three different tactical plans specifically for them, and I have arranged and arranged them accordingly."

"As for what it looks like, you'll know when you get there."

The Swedish Daily reporter asked a new question: "A lot of people are asking, you have always advocated attacking football, and you have always made it your football credo to promote attack. So now, Sweden is obviously not as strong as Chelsea, and there are a lot of problems at the back, will you continue to play and stick to your football beliefs? ”

After hearing this, Pan Yi couldn't help laughing:

'I have to be clear that I don't have a specific style of play, the tactics I have for the team are all about winning.

'Why did I focus on attacking football when I was at Chelsea? That's because our quality doesn't allow us to give up the ball. ”

"In fact, when I used to play against a team like Barcelona with a lot of control, I would take the initiative to shrink and play defensive counter-attacks."

"So, when it comes to the Swedish team that I'm leading today, I can't guarantee you what kind of football I'm going to play."

"But one thing is guaranteed, no matter what the tactics, it's a football that can win!"

——

On the evening of June 13, the Stade de France.

Built for the 1998 World Cup, this large stadium has been the home of the French national football team since its completion, hosting World Cup qualifiers, UEFA Nations Cup qualifiers and other events, and was also used as a venue for the UEFA Champions League final in 2006.

Today, 80,000 fans gathered here to watch Sweden and Ireland kick off Group E.

Before the game started, the atmosphere at the scene became very intense.

Because everyone can feel that this is a life-and-death battle that starts early, and the vast majority of people think that those who lose the game will be expelled from the European Championship early!

The data shows that the two teams have met 10 times in history, Sweden has 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, scoring 16 goals and conceding 13 goals, with a slight advantage.

The two teams have played each other in World Cup qualifiers and European Championship qualifiers, but have never met in the finals of a major tournament.

The last time the two teams met was in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, with Sweden winning 2-1 away and drawing 0-0 at home.

It can be said that both the strength of these two teams is comparable, both historically and currently.

Martin O'Neill's Ireland starting line-up today is a 4-3-1-2, which is a 4-4-2 variant of three midfielders + one forward midfield.

Goalkeepers: 23-Randolph;

Defenders: 2-Coleman, 4-O'Shea, 3-Clark, 19-Brady;

Midfielders: 6-Whelan, 8-McCarthy, 13-Hendrick; 20-Hulahan;

Forwards: 14-Walters, 9-Shaun Long.

Pan Yi used a similar 4-3-3 formation to Wales in the second half of the game:

Goalkeepers: 1-Isaksson;

Defenders: 5-Olsson, 14-Lindelof, 4-Granquist, 3-Johansson;

Midfielders: 6-Forsberg, 8-Ekdal, 9-Karlström;

Forwards: 19-Isak, 10-Ibrahimovic, 20-Guidetti.

Pan Yi's strategy for the Swedish team is to attack, and attack as soon as the game starts!

With just three minutes to play, Forsberg delivered a stunning diagonal through ball that found Guidetti with precision.

However, Guidetti didn't stop when he got the ball, which led to a missed great chance to score.

As soon as he adjusted, he was already being interfered with by the Irish defenders, so he hurriedly fired low but was saved by the goalkeeper and missed a good chance.

It was followed by a straight pass over the top by Karlström, this time found Isak, but the Swede seemed a little nervous and didn't hold it steady, and the ball was smashed by the opposition defender first.

In the 6th minute, Sweden played a small link up front when Ekdal found Ibrahimovic with a pass, who leaned over from the left side to pick up the ball and fired a long-range shot that went just wide.

After that, the Swedish team took advantage of the momentum after the opening to attack all the way, obviously wanting to win this game in one go.

The live broadcast of the game frequently found Pan Yi sitting in the front row of the Swedish coach's box, and on his left and right were Arteta and Scaloni.

After Pan Yi arrived at the Swedish national team, he also brought all his old players from Chelsea to the coaching staff. And today the Swedish team attacked fiercely, and there was also a kind of Chelsea opening attack. ”

"And there's a big difference with the Swedes under Erik Hamren in that they don't rely entirely on Ibrahimovic in attack, but often push forward with two wingers."

"It's just that it's obviously a double-edged sword. While Ibrahimovic is freed from being deliberately targeted by opponents, other players also have to take on more responsibility. ”

"And whether it's Guidetti or Isak, it's clear that there is still a big gap between their individual abilities and Ibrahimovic. In the first ten minutes, the two of them certainly had chances, but they also made obvious mistakes. ”

Is this the right choice? The competition has just begun, so let's wait and see! ”

In fact, Pan Yi on the sidelines was also a little not calm at this time.

Most of the Swedish players are far behind the Chelsea players in terms of technical level, and Pan Yi is clear about this, as the game against Wales has proved.

It's just that in a regular competition like the European Cup, I feel that such a technical gap has been magnified.

If it weren't for the fact that Ireland on the opposite side was also half-hearted, and Martin O'Neill was obviously a little jealous of Pan Yi and stood on the defense first, maybe Sweden would not have been able to dominate the field at the beginning.

Therefore, Pan Yi quickly stood up and walked to the command area.

"Karlström! You have to run more, pull out more gaps, and pull out space for Olsson's front thrust! ”

"Ekdar, your place needs to be returned a little, give me some peace! Your responsibility is to protect the two brothers in front of you! ”

"Forsberg, you have to get the ball more, break through more, and move forward boldly! What exactly are you afraid of? You're the most skilled player on the pitch besides Ibrahimovic! ”

"Did Guideti not eat today? How do you always stop the ball and make mistakes? If you do this again, I'll replace you!" ”

"Isaac, watch your position! After Olsson stepped forward, you have to cooperate with him in time, and if he can't go back, you also have to pay attention to help him fill in the position! ”

"Lindelof, you pass well, take care to keep ......"

It can be said that among the 11 Swedish starters on the field now, only Ibrahimovic does not need Pan Yi to worry about.

As an experienced world-class star, and as an old partner who has worked with Pan Yi, Pan Yi doesn't need to be too clear with Ibrahimovic many times, and Ibrahimovic naturally knows what to do.

As for the others, Pan Yi is tantamount to letting the Swedish players know what they should do on the field!

Pan Yi rarely did this, but he knew he had to do it now.

In such a moment of actual combat, in such a suffocating atmosphere of the competition, it is possible to correct the mistakes of the players on the field in a timely manner and guide them into their own correct tactical system, which can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Under Pan Yi's incessant shouting, the Swedish players did it one by one, and the scene became more and more fluid, and the tension in their hearts was eliminated a lot.

In the 14th minute, Sweden had another chance on the edge of the penalty area.

Isak and Olsson combined up on the left, and after the pair collided against the wall, Isak won the ball and crossed to Forsberg.

As the defense at the edge of the penalty area was attracted by Ibrahimovic who was pulled behind, Forsberg took advantage of the situation to burst into the penalty area and form a single knife.

However, this guy's right-footed push was saved by the opposing goalkeeper Randolph, and once again missed a good chance to score.

"He still looks a little nervous!" Arteta poked his head out of the back row, shook his head and sighed.

"Hmm." Pan Yi nodded, "But this time their goalkeeper reacted quickly, and we were a little unlucky." ”

The main goalkeeper of the Irish national team has been occupied by Shai Given, but this old Premier League acquaintance who plays for Manchester City, Newcastle and other teams is 40 years old this year, so he can only take a back seat to serve as a substitute.

Ireland's current starting goalkeeper is Darren Randolph from Birmingham, who is not at the top but is still quick to react at the goal-line.

'It was a good chance, but Ireland now look more relaxed than we are and play more composure than we do!' Scaloni also frowned and analyzed, "Now they are playing defensive counterattacks, the three midfielders are too strong to protect the defense and limit the space, and it is difficult for us to create a threat with short passes!" ”

That's one of the best features of Martin O'Neill's 4-3-1-2 formation today.

Unlike the usual four-parallel midfielders, he arranged three midfielders in this formation.

Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, all three of them belong to the kind of midfielders who can't run.

Maybe they are not as good as the Swedish team in terms of ball control ability and passing ability, but in terms of running, interception and tackle, and stalking, the Swedish team is really not Ireland's opponent.

Sweden's three midfielders today, with the exception of Ekdal, like Forsberg and Karlström, are actually more play-oriented.

"It's time to take a break, let the lads adjust." Pan Yi nodded and said.

It's been almost 20 minutes since the start, but the Swedes haven't done anything yet.

Especially after Ireland adapted to the rhythm of the Swedish team, the more they defended, the more confident they became, and the Swedish attack also began to hit a wall.

At this time, Sweden's tempo must also slow down, after all, their physical strength cannot always maintain a fast pace of attack.

However, as soon as the Swedish team collected, Ireland took the opportunity to play a very threatening counterattack.

Striker Sean Lang got the ball and feinted to deceive Victor Lindelof before a cross was met by Walters' header tipped over the crossbar by Isakson.

Isaksson, after all, is also a goalkeeper who has played for Manchester City, and he still shows his general style at critical moments, and his height of nearly two meters also makes him easy to deal with such high-altitude bombardment.

But this time Ireland's attack also showed Sweden's inexperience.

When the order to slow down the pace and shrink the front came down, Pan Yi obviously asked everyone to slow down, to take it step by step, and not to rush to recycle.

But the players still loosened directly like a taut rubber band released all of a sudden, and became soft and hard.

That's why Ireland took the opportunity and hit a dangerous shot on goal.

But now I can only adjust slowly in the game, and I can't rush it.

In Pan Yi's expectation, if the opening attack can't score, then the first half should still focus on stability, first let the players fully adapt to the intensity of the game and the atmosphere of the scene, and fully stretch their bodies, including psychologically.

Of course, it's good to have a chance to score, but if you don't have a chance, you should stabilize the mood of the players first, and then try to make adjustments in the second half and play slowly.

The current European Championship is divided into six groups of 24 teams, and after the group stage, 16 teams will enter the knockout rounds, so the top two teams in each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams, can qualify.

In other words, as long as you don't lose, there's nothing wrong with that.

After all, 4 points are quite stable, and 3 points can theoretically qualify, as long as you don't lose too many goals and the goal difference is not too low.

In fact, in Pan Yi's previous European Cup, the Portuguese team played a three-game draw in the group stage to accumulate 3 points, and finally qualified as the third in the group.

After qualifying, Portugal immediately turned into a superman, overturning Croatia and Poland through extra time and penalties in a row, and then defeated Wales and host France to win the championship!

Therefore, Pan Yi must consider the overall situation.

It is impossible to run out of bullets just because Sweden and Ireland are the most direct competitors.

In case it really played a miserable victory, but the team ran out of ammunition, and the last two big defeats to strong teams Belgium and Italy, and finally accumulated 3 points on goal difference to make a negative number, and it was still difficult to qualify in the end.

In the previous Euro 2016 competition, the four third-place teams that qualified for the tournament had two 4 points and two 3 points.

The three points are Portugal and Northern Ireland, and their goal difference is ......

It's all zero!

Today the article was reviewed a bit, so it's late. Anyway, if you find out that I didn't post one day or was late, it's all for this reason. Ants never procrastinate, and never even ask for leave! ^_^ You can believe in ants as much as you believe in Pan Yi!

(End of chapter)