Chapter 355 The captain returns, lightning strikes opens the door to victory!

Chapter 355 The captain returns, lightning strikes opens the door to victory!

  Wenger received the news that Martin would return to London today on the day of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. He was ecstatic, but did not show it.

  They lost 1:5 as a guest in the first round. In the second round at home, they had to defeat Barcelona 4:0 without conceding a goal in order to advance to the semifinals with the advantage of more away goals.

  The instant news received by Barcelona is definitely not comparable to its own. It is estimated that the news there is that Martin is still in Porto and has no plan to return to London to compete.

  What he has to do now is to bluff and show as much as possible that Martin will definitely participate in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

  The smart Enrique will inevitably think that Martin will not return to London to compete, so his tactics will tend to be without Martin.

  When Martin secretly returns to London and appears in the starting lineup for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, it will definitely disrupt Barcelona's tactics.

  Time came to the afternoon, and Barcelona coach Enrique was still waiting for immediate news from the club.

  When I found out that Martin was still at home in Porto and hadn't gone out, I suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

  However, Martin has separated from his adoptive mother Clara Anna.

  He had already used the door-to-door housekeeping to complete the trick and headed to the airport to catch the flight to London at [-] p.m.

  Clara Anna and her best friend Emily Sarah took a flight to London at [-]pm later, and Martin could just drive to pick him up after playing the game.

  The game started at [-]:[-] pm, and the Barcelona team planned to take the bus from their hotel to the Emirates Stadium at [-] pm.

  Enrique once again received feedback from club staff in Porto. He has basically determined that Martin will not appear in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, so he is confident that the team will advance to the Champions League semi-finals.

  Especially when media reporters filmed Arsenal taking a bus and did not see Martin.

  Little did they know, Martin had already 'secretly' sneaked into the home team's dressing room at the Emirates Stadium.

  Arsenal fans naturally don't know this, and they behave pessimistically on social platforms.

  Arsenal without Martin and Arsenal with Martin are completely two teams.

  Barcelona fans are very excited. In their view, it is [-]% impossible for Arsenal to complete the reversal at home without Martin.

  However, the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was fanatical. The more than [-] Arsenal fans who poured into the stadium were full of passion and unleashed all their enthusiasm to cheer for the home team who was seeking a comeback.

  "aoaoaooaooooooo——"

  The overwhelming shouts came in waves one after another.

  When the Arsenal players entered the stadium to warm up, the outburst became even more violent.

  When Enrique received Arsenal's starting lineup, he raised his eyebrows slightly.

  Martin's name is on the list!
  Soon, he remembered that the news reported by the staff was absolutely true, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

  "Old senior Arsène seems to be too involved in the drama. Want to follow me and try this trick to fake the real thing?"

  Enrique knew that a certain starting player announced before the game would not necessarily play.

  According to relevant rules, removing a starting player is equivalent to using up one substitution quota, so Arsenal will only have two substitution quotas left in the next game.

  In addition, he also learned through his assistant Unsue that the Arsenal players who were warming up all had solemn faces, not at all the relaxed and indifferent style that Martin used to have.

  All signs indicate that Wenger is bluffing!
  When Arsenal fans on social media saw Martin's name appearing in the starting lineup, they all raised their arms and shouted excitedly, shouting that a big reversal at home would definitely be completed!

  Within a few minutes, the Catalan media "World Sports" analyzed: As far as I know, Martin is still far away in Porto, and there is no Martin on the Arsenal bus. How could he appear at the Emirates Stadium? Is it possible to come in early? What kind of international joke are you kidding? Then there is only one truth, Arsene Wenger wants to confuse Barcelona in this way!
  The analysis was well-founded and was quickly recognized by a large number of media and fans.

  Martin appears in Arsenal's starting lineup just to set off smoke bombs!
  The originally ecstatic Arsenal fans became hesitant and worried about the next game.

  The warm-up time for the players from both sides lasted about forty minutes, and then they returned to their respective locker rooms through the player tunnel to prepare for the second leg of the 2016-2017 Champions League quarter-finals that will kick off soon.

  In the home team's locker room, Martin has completed the warm-up through conventional warm-up methods, but it is just not as complete as outdoors.

  The Arsenal players who returned to the locker room looked at Martin, who had a slicked-back hairdo, and seemed to have lost the dignity he showed during the warm-up. They were all confident about the next game!
  Martin returned, and the players on the team regained their confidence and high morale.

  Head coach Wenger knows that this...is the role of a spiritual leader!

  Even if the total score is still 1:5 behind.

  Although Martin did not participate in the pre-match training, the team's main tactical framework remained unchanged, with Martin as the core, and only minor adjustments were made to local tactics.

  Here's what Wenger focused on before the game started.

  The players listened very carefully.

  They know that the games that will kick off soon will determine which team will advance to the semi-finals.

  As the defending champion and dominating Europe, he must break the curse!

  Can’t defend the Champions League title?

  There is a record harvester, so what are you afraid of?
  Not long after, the game preparation bell rang from the loudspeaker in the home and away team's locker room.

  Captain Martin called his teammates to form a circle, stretched out his right hand, palm down, and the other team members stretched out their hands and folded them up in turn.

  At the end, Martin said provocatively: "Brothers, do you have the confidence to defeat Barcelona at our home court?"

  "Have!"

  "must have!"

  The Arsenal players in the home team's locker room shouted in unison.

  "Definitely!"

  "Definitely win!!!"

  All the players matched up with Martin's passionate chants.

  ※※※※※

  "Wait~"

  The players from both sides of the game standing behind the referee Kuipers were holding the caddy and getting ready, and a voice came from behind.

  There was nothing special about the Arsenal players.

  But for the Barcelona players, their relaxed expressions instantly turned into shock.

  Messi, the star player, even opened his mouth in an exaggerated manner, staring blankly at the familiar figure running to the front of the Arsenal queue.

  The on-site director immediately switched the camera to show Martin receiving the captain's armband from Koscielny.

  "Martin!!!"

  Sky TV commentator Andy Gray's voice suddenly rose an octave higher: "He's back! The King of Arsenal!! I don't know if it's an illusion, but I feel it's entirely possible for Arsenal to complete a huge comeback at home!"

  Henry, who served as the guest commentator, became excited: "Me too!"

  "Martin is back!"

  Central 5 commentator He Wei said impassionedly: "Think about Arsenal's 6:1 home victory over Bayern, the South Korean king. The Gunners with Martin, I personally feel that they are invincible! I can guarantee that the next ninety minutes of the game will definitely be A thrilling battle!"

  It took Andre, a sports TV commentator from Catalonia, a few seconds to recover. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly: "Why do you feel like Arsenal gave us a Thirty-Six Strategies from Dragon Kingdom?"

  "Be confident and get rid of the feeling."

  His commentary partner said solemnly.

  At the same time, the major commentators were very surprised to see Martin, who had already put on the captain's armband, in the broadcast.

  "Martin!"

  "Martin!!"

  "Martin!!!"

  The Arsenal fans in the audience obviously saw Martin on the huge screen hanging in the stadium, and the huge shouts spread from several auditoriums to the entire stadium in an instant.

  Enrique, who was sitting in the visiting team's coaching bench, felt a little depressed when he heard the sound of shouting "Martin" sweeping the audience. He wondered whether calling Martin's name before the game could bring confidence to the team?
  His assistant Wensuey pointed to the hanging TV screen: "Louis, look..."

  Enrique looked in the direction pointed by his assistant, with his mouth half open: "This..."

  At this time, he suddenly realized that he had fallen into Wenger's trick.

  Fake!

  But Martin's appearance in the game has become a reality and he cannot change it, so he can only temporarily tell the players to play according to the original tactics.

  After all, the total score is 5:1.

  As long as it's not particularly wasteful, you can always maintain a huge advantage if you stick to it.

  Maybe you're lucky enough to kill the game in the first half!
  In the tunnel of the Emirates Stadium, Messi's expression of astonishment, standing at the back of the team, was instantly replaced by high morale.

  Deep down in his heart, he thought that only defeating Martin face to face would be considered a complete victory!
  So, Messi wants to beat Martin at the Emirates Stadium!
  ……

  Ce sont les meilleures équipes
  Es sind die allerbesten Mannschaften
  The main event
  ……

  Players from both sides of the match followed the referee team out of the player tunnel, and the emotionally provocative UEFA Champions League theme song "Champions League" sounded from the speakers at the venue.

  The broadcast screen showed Martin again. Not only all the Arsenal fans, but also Arsenal fans all over the world were looking forward to the next game.

  After a series of fixed procedures before the game, both sides of the game stood in half, waiting for the referee Kuipers to blow the opening whistle.

  "Beep~" The whistle sounded.

  "Longguo TV, Longguo TV, what we are broadcasting for you now is the second leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in the 2016-2017 season, the live broadcast of Arsenal's home game against Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium..."

  Central 5 commentator He Wei blurted out the iconic opening remarks: "The one wearing the red and white jersey and white pants is the home team Arsenal. They attack from the left to the right of the broadcast screen. The one wearing the new purple jersey and purple pants It’s the visiting team Barcelona…”

  Arsenal, who had a kick-off advantage, did not rush to launch an offensive, but penetrated the ball forward in a step-by-step manner.

  Taking advantage of this opportunity, each commentator informed the starting lineups of both sides as usual.

  Arsenal is still a 4231 formation.

  Goalkeeper Cech, defenders Monreal, Van Dijk, Koscielny and Bellerin, midfielder Xhaka as Kante who returns from injury, forwards Sanchez, Martin and Gnabry, forward Cavani .

  The visiting team Barcelona adopts the usual 433 formation.

  Goalkeeper Ter Stegen, defenders Alba, Umtiti, Pique and Roberto, midfielders Iniesta, Busquets and Rakitic, and forward three MSN.

  "Martin!!!"

  After multiple passes, the football was handed to Martin's feet, and the audience roared again with deafening shouts.

  Rakitic followed up, and Martin raised his right elbow and adjusted his steps while moving, tricking the opponent into taking two quick steps forward. Iniesta also stepped forward and stretched out his foot to block the ball.

  Unexpectedly, Martin raised his left foot and slammed the football from behind to the right side of his body. Then, without waiting for Rakitic to react, he shot angrily about [-] meters away from the goal.

  Although he was swinging his legs close to the spot, the force of Martin's kick was very strong.

  Boom~
  A crisp muffled sound emerged spontaneously.

  Goalkeeper Ter Stegen was very focused and reacted quickly. He stretched his body to the left and saved the ball outside the right goal post.

  "wowowoowowoo——"

  There was an exclamation in the sky above the Emirates Stadium.

  "Corner!"

  Central 5 commentator He Wei said loudly: "Although Martin's long-range shot did not score, we can see that he is in very good condition. The force of the kick that he almost swung his leg on the spot was so great. The subsequent corner kick attack , well worth looking forward to!”

  Wenger, who was standing in the command area of ​​the home team's coach, called on his players to run to Barcelona's penalty area. The total score was too far behind and they had to race against time.

  If you can score first, score first!

  When it comes to scoring goals, you must not look forward to the next one.

  Seizing the moment is the way to go.

  Martin is the most important player in Arsenal's tactical system. He has attracted the attention of Suarez and Busquets before entering the penalty area.

  The two of them held Martin between them, one on the left and the other on the right. From a distance, the three of them looked like a sandwich.

  You must know that this is Arsenal's home stadium, the Emirates Stadium, and Martin is not a player who can be defended. He also has moves.

  So it quickly attracted the attention of referee Kuipers.

  The whistle sounded, the game was suspended, the three who were making big moves were called together and given a verbal warning.

  The three of them looked like primary school students being scolded by their head teacher, and they all nodded obediently.

  But when Kuipers exits the penalty area, what should be done will still have to be done.

  It's just that the referee has to take care of his emotions, and his actions are no longer as big as before, otherwise the whistle may be blown.

  Suarez and Busquets, in particular, were really worried that when referee Kuipers' home whistle blew, they would have nowhere to cry.

  However, there were several Arsenal players who entered the Barcelona penalty area to participate in the header challenge, and almost all of them were header experts.

  Van Dijk, Koscielny, Cavani, Xhaka...

  He was so tall that he was frightened to look at it.

  Barcelona head coach Enrique stood in the visiting team coach's technical area, feeling uneasy.

  This feeling made him very nervous.

  "beep~"

  Kuipers blew his whistle to signal Sanchez to take a corner kick.

  Martin, who was stuck between Suarez and Busquets, began to move. He first took two steps back. Suarez, who was blocking him, saw the referee out of the corner of his eye and instinctively raised his hands to show his innocence.

  Xhaka, who was originally standing on the left side of the penalty area, retreated diagonally to the right, just in front of Suarez who was chasing Martin.

  Busquets, who was following Martin immediately, panicked. His pace was already slow, and he stayed inside to prevent Martin from running forward. Unexpectedly, Martin instantly used his teammates' pick-and-roll to get rid of Suarez's defense, which resulted in The distance between him and Martin increased.

  At this moment, Sanchez took a corner kick from the left.

  Barcelona's corner kick defense in the penalty area is strictly disciplined, and the players have a strong awareness of covering up defense. Rakitic, who was marking Xhaka, quickly covered up the defense and jumped towards Martin.

  Koscielny at the front of the small penalty area on the left also made a conscious detour when Martin retreated, which happened to block Rakitic's running route.

  Out of body's conditioned reflex, Rakitic braked sharply on the spot.

  Starting from the penalty spot, Martin made a diagonal V-shaped run to the left rib of the penalty area. He made full use of inertia and super jumping power to jump into the air. His hands were naturally opened to maintain his body balance.

  Messi, who was standing outside the penalty area and preparing for a counterattack, looked at Martin, who was like a god descending to earth, and strong uneasiness swept through his body in an instant.

  Martin jumped up high, twisted his waist and swung his abdomen, and used his forehead to push out the football that had just landed on his forehead.

  The football, which was already flying very fast, flew towards the upper corner of the near end of the goal at an even faster speed.

  Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Ste is known for his quick reactions. His body jumped up almost instinctively and he stretched out his right hand.

  But the ball played by Martin was very fast. Before his right hand was fully opened, the ball grazed the inner edge of the upper post of the left goal and entered the net...

  "Goooooooooooooooal—"

  "The ball - it's in! It's in!!"

  "Oh My God! Martin!! Headed the ball in!"

  "Only two minutes into the game, Martin helped Arsenal get off to a fantastic start! Leading 1:0!!!"

  "Beautiful! Wonderful header! The Gunners captain scored first!"

  ……

  The commentators in the live commentary box/live broadcast room blurted out instinctively at this moment.

  "aoaooaoooooo—"

  The Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium also went completely crazy, shouting hysterically.

  Martin, who scored, did not celebrate the goal. He simply high-fived his teammates to celebrate. Then he picked up the football in the goal and called on his teammates to go back quickly and try to kick off the ball as early as possible to expand the score as soon as possible.

  "What brought us a fantastic goal was-"

  On-field announcer Smith's inflammatory voice echoed throughout the Emirates Stadium.

  "—Martin!!"

  More than [-] Arsenal fans shouted in unison.

  Wenger, who was in the technical area directed by the coach of the home team, squeezed his hands tightly in his trouser pockets, looking forward to the possibility of turning defeat into victory!

  The visiting coach at the other end directs the technical area.

  Head coach Enrique spread his hands dissatisfied, obviously dissatisfied with the defensive players' poor marking.

  In his opinion, Martin is Arsenal's most dangerous player and deserves greater attention.

  The results of it?
  In a simple pick-and-roll tactic, he ran out of space and won the chance to take off.

  Everyone knows that Martin is very good at heading the ball. How dare you give him a chance to header the ball?

  I'm so angry that my liver hurts!

  But losing the ball has become a reality, and Enrique did not dare to attack the stars on the field, so he had to encourage his players from the sidelines.

  The total score is still 5:2, as long as they don't concede three goals in a row in the next game time.

  Of course, if there is a chance, away goals must be scored, and Arsenal will have to score more goals to turn defeat into victory.

  The on-site director gave a close-up shot of Wan Martin, and then, in accordance with international practice, gave a replay of the entire scoring process.

  It started with Xhaka suddenly retreating for a pick-and-roll, and then Koscielny continued to block. Moreover, Sanchez's corner kick and Martin's take-off were consistent with passing and running. The header after jumping high was extremely powerful and beautiful.

  The football that was pushed out was not as fast as a cannonball in the early Tang Dynasty, but it was extremely fast.

  "Martin's header skills are, without exaggeration, even better than Ronaldo's!"

  Central 5 commentator He Wei couldn't help but shout: "Arsenal's opening goal has a huge positive significance for their subsequent reversal! Come on Martin!!"

  (End of this chapter)