I'm 198cm tall. Are you giving me a Maradona template?

Chapter 72 What the hell is called a Chinese Jiuba! [th update]

Extremely bumpy is not an exaggeration.

But it's what the Monaco players are going through now.

The plane encountered turbulence when it reached Russia.

Then the weather forecast told them that St. Petersburg was experiencing the most severe cold wave in more than 70 years.

The temperature dropped to minus twelve degrees.

This is the second coldest temperature ever recorded for this time of month.

"Damn. So we're going to play in like ten degrees below zero?"

Some Monaco players grumbled.

It is difficult for people from warm areas along the Mediterranean coast to imagine and understand the severe cold in Russia.

Throughout history, the Russians have repeatedly relied on severe cold to repel attacks from Western European powers.

As for teams from Western Europe, especially those from countries along the Mediterranean coast.

Going to Russia to play in such climatic conditions.

That's like sending them to hell.
When the shaking plane finally landed smoothly at the airport in St. Petersburg.

Yalding couldn't help wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

When getting out of the plane.

Each of Monaco's players is wrapped like a rice dumpling.

The moment they stepped out of the cabin, all Monaco players shrank collectively, and many of them coughed due to the cold wind blowing in their faces.

The Russian flight attendants and stewardesses laughed at them.

A Russian uncle whistled at them and spoke in broken French with a local accent that seemed like there was always phlegm stuck in his throat: "Welcome to Russia!"

From the airport to the hotel.

Head coach Jardim seemed a little worried.

There are dark clouds outside.

Large flakes of goose-feather-like snow fell.

It's only two o'clock in the afternoon.

But the street lights were already on.

The whole world seemed to be in a dark hell.

A doomsday scene.

Is it really suitable to play football in such climatic conditions?
"Why didn't UEFA agree to postpone the game under such circumstances?"

Yalding grumbled and complained.

Carlos said helplessly: "It is said that the temperature in St. Petersburg is still a little warmer. Moscow is the real hell right now. The Champions League has not been postponed, so forget about the Europa League."

Yalding was helpless.

Before they set off.

A cold wave warning has been issued for Russia's western regions.

Moscow is closed due to heavy snow.

It was also snowing heavily in St. Petersburg.

Monaco applied to UEFA for a postponement of the match, but was rejected. They then applied to host the match at a neutral venue, which was also rejected.

Now the Russian media are mocking Monaco's "weakness".

"Monaco from the Mediterranean coast can't adapt to the cold weather in Russia. They just eliminated Manchester United, but they are likely to be eliminated by Zenit St. Petersburg!"

"This is an opportunity for Zenit St Petersburg. A heavy snowfall will give us a big advantage at home."

"We have the advantage of advancing at home!"

"God is helping Zenit St Petersburg."

Inside the hotel's restaurant.

The TV was broadcasting sports news in Russian.

The Monaco players who were having dinner turned their heads and stared at the TV.

Although they didn't understand Russian, the TV was broadcasting Monaco's goal highlights, so it was obvious that this news was related to them.

"Danielle, what's that saying on TV?"

Someone asked Subasic, the only player on the team who could understand Russian.

Subasic is Croatian. Croatian is a Slavic language and a close relative of Russian. In addition, many local people choose to learn Russian as their first or second foreign language.

Because it is relatively easy for Croatians to learn Russian - about the same difficulty as it is for Italians to learn French.

Even Croatians who have never learned Russian can guess the meaning just by guessing.

"They said we were unlucky and that God was helping Zenit St Petersburg and that they were going to settle the game in the first round."

Subasic shrugged.

"Damn it, wishful thinking!"

"It doesn't matter if we lose this match, we'll show them how powerful we are in the second round!"

"I thought it was a single elimination system!"

"Isn't it just a little cold? What's there to be proud of?"

The Monaco players were immediately unhappy.

Just now.

"Individual photos" of Monaco players began to appear on TV.

"Hey, look, that's me!"

Seat B pointed at the TV excitedly.

"That's what they said about me, Daniel."

Subasic stared at the TV, then said: "They say you are the core of Monaco's midfield, the offensive organizer, the offensive engine."

"Hehehe, they really know what they are doing!"

Seat B gave a thumbs up to the TV.

That's when.

Sunshine's photo also appeared on TV.

The Russian letters next to it should be his introduction.

"It's my turn, it's my turn. Daniel and the others said this about me."

Sunshine asked.

Subasic was also listening.

Subsequently
He burst out laughing.

"What did you say?"

Sunshine had a bad feeling.

“They say you are Chinese Jiuba.”

"China Jiuba, what does that mean?!"

Not only Yangguang, but other Monaco players also failed to react for a while.

"I know Dzyuba. He's a Russian striker, a center forward who's 1.97 meters tall!" someone explained.

"It's a good explanation. Don't explain it next time."

Yangguang looked depressed.

The Monaco players couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Even the coaching staff members not far away smiled.

"Chinese Juba!"

Someone booed.

Soon the whole restaurant was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Yalding also laughed.

Dzyuba, the main center of the Russian national team.

The header was good and had great impact.

If we only compare heading ability and impact, Dzyuba can indeed compete with Yangguang.

This is the guy that Monaco's defense needs to pay special attention to in this game.

Yangguang returned to the hotel and flipped through the local Russian newspapers, using his mobile phone to translate them using image recognition.

He found that these Russian media all gave him the nickname "Chinese Dzyuba".

This made Yangguang very angry.

What level of striker is Dzyuba?

Call him "Chinese Juba".

It was a great humiliation to him.

These Russians are really swearing.

On the day of the game, there was no snow before the game, but when Monaco players arrived at the stadium, it started snowing heavily.

It seemed as if God really was on the side of Zenit St. Petersburg.

Monaco players changed into long-spiked shoes, and the match balls were changed into red balls specially used for snowball battles.

However, even if you have made sufficient preparations.

Monaco's players also had no experience playing in this kind of weather - at least not as much experience as their opponents.

The game has just started.

Zenit St. Petersburg took advantage of its home field and launched a fierce attack.

The game was in the nineteenth minute.

Monaco lost the ball.

The goal for the home team was scored by Russia's top center forward Dzyuba.

This goal was not a tactical victory, but was due to Monaco's own mistakes - as the game progressed, the snow on the field was trampled and melted, so that the area in front of the penalty area seemed to have turned into a muddy pond.

The Petrovsky Stadium is a very new stadium.

Therefore, unlike most teams in the Russian Super League, they did not use artificial turf, which is easier to maintain. For many European teams, another challenge they face when playing away games in Russia is how to adapt to artificial turf.

But now for Yalding.

He would rather the stadium was a little "backward" and used artificial grass. At least the stadium would not become so soft.

The goal scored by Dzyuba just now was because Monaco's central defender Glick slipped when he jumped to compete for the header and failed to jump up. Dzyuba seized the opportunity and headed the ball into Monaco's goal.

After scoring the goal, Dzyuba celebrated wildly and glanced intentionally or unintentionally at Yang Guang who had not received much of the ball in this game.

The broadcast at the scene was shouting Juba's name.

In the commentary booth, the Russian commentator was very proud: "Dzyuba! Dzyuba scored a goal! He is the best header player on the planet! The Chinese Dzyuba is still doing nothing!"

Yangguang didn't know how the Russians arranged him.

But he knows the team is in trouble now.

The grass was soft and even starting to get a little muddy.

Monaco's technical advantage was fully utilized.

While his opponent was celebrating, he pulled a few teammates on the field to discuss, "Brothers, it's probably unrealistic for us to attack our opponent through ground cooperation now. We must make a change and just hit the ball high!"

He said, patting his head.

His idea coincided with Gang Yaerding's.

Jardim was also explaining tactics to the team's right-back Sidibe.

After Sidibe returned, he also informed the entire team of the head coach's intentions.

Wait until the game restarts.

Monaco adjusted their strategy.

They simply gave up midfield.

Frequent high balls.

Make full use of Yangguang's height and advantages.

"Watch out for his header!"

Zenit goalkeeper Lodkin stood up and pointed at the sun and yelled.

After Monaco changed its strategy.

Zenit soon fell into a disadvantage.

The Russian commentator no longer said anything about "Chinese Dzyuba".

Because Yangguang's impact and heading ability are obviously higher than Juba's.

Zenit's two central defenders were simply unable to compete with him.

Every time he jumped high, he either headed the ball or headed the ball to the wing to create a chance for his teammates to cross the ball.

Although on the field, because the football was flying around, there was a feeling of "equal strength".

But because of the presence of sunlight, every attack by Monaco made the home team's fans tremble with fear.

"Watch out for his header!!"

When another long pass came from the backcourt.

There was a sudden cry of surprise at the Petrovsky Stadium.

But what surprised them this time was.

Yangguang didn't use his head, but instead stopped the ball with his chest, then turned around, passed the defense, and made a long shot about thirty meters away from the goal!
Under such weather conditions, the power of long-range shots is enhanced by the wind and snow.

There was a loud bang, and the fans at the scene couldn't help but choke.

The football broke through the wind and snow and flew towards the goal.

Goalkeeper Lodkin was unable to react.

Just when the fans of Zenit St. Petersburg were about to lose their hearts.

The football hit the post with a bang and bounced back into the penalty area, where it was cleared away by the Zenit defender who was still in shock.

There was a gasp throughout the Petrovsky Stadium.

By this time.

These Russians finally realized
That Chinese person is not "Chinese Jiuba".

If only Juba were that powerful.

Zenit would not have finished third in the Champions League group stage and slipped to the Europa League.
"Zenit must find a way to curb the performance of this Chinese player"

"His headers are so threatening."

"This Chinese guy has a strong impact and excellent jumping ability. Every high point belongs to him."

"It was difficult for Zenit's two central defenders to contain him."

The Russian commentator in the commentary booth no longer had a smug expression on his face, but instead looked worried.

The two central defenders of Zenit St. Petersburg, Belgian international Lombards and Portuguese player Luis Neto, were already panting under the impact of the sun.

But the sun had no mercy on them.

He kept attacking the two central defenders of Zenit St. Petersburg, forcing them to collapse.

Thirty-nine minutes into the game.

His efforts paid off.

Yangguang jumped high and headed the ball to B席 on the wing.

Then after landing, he quickly rushed into the penalty area.

B seat made a slight adjustment and passed the ball at a 45-degree angle!
The football flew into the penalty area.

Yangguang unceremoniously pushed aside Lombards beside him and headed the ball for the goal!
This time.

Lodkin failed to save Zenit again.

Zenit's luck seemed to have run out.

God is leaving them.

boom!
The football was hit hard into the goal.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"

Accompanied by the commentator's shouting.

Yangguang rushed to the sidelines in the wind and snow, waving his fist at the media seats.

You Russians.

translate.

TranslateTranslate what the fuck is called the fucking Chinese Jiuba!

After scoring the goal, Yangguang finally got rid of his anger.

However, his actions were also considered provocative by the fans at the scene.

In the stands of the entire Petrovsky Stadium.

The boos sounded like a whirlwind.

Sunshine didn't care.

Since we are opponents.

Then don't expect others to be friendly to you.

He opened his arms to welcome his teammates who flocked to join in the celebration.

Monaco players celebrated wildly.

For them.

This was a valuable away goal.

With this goal, even if the game ended in a 2-1 loss, we would still be able to win.

Back to his home ground.

They also have full confidence in controlling their opponents.

On the sidelines, Zenit head coach Villas-Boas shook his head slightly.

The gap in strength is there.

All objective factors in this game are in favor of Zenit St. Petersburg.

but.
They have a center forward who is better than Juba in this situation.

What else can you do?

Villas-Boas, once known as "Mourinho II", has experienced an adventure in the Premier League that can hardly be called a successful one.

He left the main league and came to the Russian Premier League to coach Zenit.

Zenit also has some very famous stars.

For example, Hulk, a Brazilian international who has never played in the four major leagues but is very famous.

There is also the talented Belgian midfielder Witsel.

However, these players cannot help Zenit gain much advantage when competing with teams from mainstream European leagues.

Overall.

The level of football in Russia.

It is still a level behind the football powers in Western Europe.

The first half of the game is over.

Both sides scored one goal.

But when the players from both sides walked off the field, it was obvious that the Monaco players were in a much better mood than the Zenit players.

Because they equalized the score and got an away goal.

As the sun moves towards the player tunnel.

Zenit fans surged over to the stands on both sides of the tunnel.

The sun that broke through Zenit's goal became their biggest target of attack.

"Chinaman, go to hell!"

"jerk!"

"Hey! Hey! See this? I'm going to stick this into your pussy!"

Although Yangguang doesn't understand Russian.

But he also knew that these people had nothing nice to say.

He glanced at the stands, pouted, and walked into the player tunnel.

　The tenth update has been completed, with about 45,000 words, which is pretty good.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)