Volume 1: Heroes Come and Go, People Pay Attention. Chapter 60: Only Lasted Twenty-Three Minutes (Second Update Guaranteed)

Chapter 60: Only lasted twenty-three minutes (Second update guaranteed)

Napoli hosted Zenit St. Petersburg in a game that received attention from the Russian media.

Because this is a battle between two former Zenit St. Petersburg players and their old club.

Before the game, many Russian media rushed to Naples to bring back first-hand reports for Russian fans. For example, what is the status of Chen Yingxiong and Arshavin...

In addition, in Russia, Zenit, which has not yet left, has also received a lot of attention.

When interim head coach Davydov is interviewed, he is always asked questions related to Chen Yingxiong and Arshavin.

"So, I always feel that Naples only has heroes like Shava..." Davydov joked. "They are not the only two people in Naples. Naples is a very strong team and we are playing away from home. I think we will be very cautious..."

Regarding the issue of Chen Yingxiong, Davydov was unwilling to talk more.

He was not stupid enough to tell the media everything.

Although he behaved very modestly and low-key during the interview. But that doesn’t mean Davydov has to admit defeat early.

Zenit's performance in the domestic league this season is very poor. It didn't start when he took over the team. It was like this when Advocaat was still there.

Tymoshchuk's departure is just a sign of the team's poor performance.

The Russian League has reached the final third of the schedule. It is very difficult for Zenit St. Petersburg to participate in the Champions League next season due to its current league ranking. Therefore, Davydov’s current goal is to ensure that the team can go further. A little bit, at least we can qualify from the group, right?

After two rounds, the team had one draw and one loss, accumulating only one point. The outlook is not optimistic.

Naples is classified as a fourth-tier team entirely because they did not have any European war points before, but in fact, in terms of strength, they do not belong to the fourth tier at all. Before the group stage, everyone felt that they were at least on the same level as Zenit, right?

Unexpectedly, after the group stage started, they discovered that they had completely miscalculated! Naples is a team on the same level as Lyon and Liverpool!

Two group matches, one win and one draw, no loss yet, currently with four points, ranking first in the group!

It is very difficult for Zenit to defeat this team on the road.

Davydov's idea is to maintain a draw on the road and then return home to win. As time goes by, it has entered the end of October. The next time the two sides play against each other will be in November. By that time, it has already snowed in St. Petersburg and the temperature is very low. Their home court can become the devil's home court by virtue of home court advantage. A team like Naples located on the warm Mediterranean coast will definitely not be able to adapt to that kind of climate. It is also possible for Zenit to win.

In addition, he knows Arshavin and Chen Yingxiong very well, which may also be able to help the team, whether it is an away draw or a home victory...

※ ※ ※

Head coach Davydov had other ideas, but Zenit’s players didn’t think so much. They were full of expectations for this game, especially Anyukov and Denisov, the two former St. Petersburg Zephyrs. Member of the NEET band.

"Let me tell you, hero! When we get there, no matter what the result of the game is, you will treat us!" Denisov said in a phone call to Chen Yingxiong.

"I know, I know, leader. Even if you don't say it, I will invite you! And it just so happens that, as you know, we went to Liverpool to play a while ago, and then got together with that kid Martin, so we will get together with you this time. Once again, I want to introduce a few friends to let you get to know each other..."

"You guys have a skittles band in Naples?"

"Haha! Exactly!"

"That's good! You make the arrangements, and it's your treat anyway!"

Competition is competition, friendship is friendship. Such things are normal.

Reporters obviously also know about the friendship between Denisov, Anyukov, Chen Yingxiong, and Arshavin. That was something everyone knew during the Zenit St. Petersburg era.

So during the interview, they also mentioned the friendship between the four people.

"No, no, no, we won't be merciful just because they are our friends. I won't hesitate at all when it's time to take action!" Anyukov shook his head during the interview.

"Shovel the hero? Your suggestion is very interesting, I will consider it. But I think if I go to shovel, maybe I will be injured in the end... Haha! Just kidding! But no matter how good our relationship is in private, This is just a game, and we will do our best to achieve our goals, and I think Hero and Shava must also think so."

※ ※ ※

On match day, the San Paolo Stadium was once again packed, and Naples police mobilized a large number of police officers to maintain order.

Now every Champions League home match day is a festival for Naples fans and a Good Friday for the Naples police...

But everyone enjoyed it.

In the players tunnel, you can clearly hear the shouts and singing coming from the stands outside.

Napoli's players stood in the tunnel, flanked by their rival Zenit St. Petersburg.

Chen Yingxiong did not stand in the team honestly. Taking advantage of the time before playing, he and Arshavin were chatting with Anyukov, Denisov, and other Zenit players. A group of people used I had a lot of fun chatting in Russian.

They greeted each other, chatted and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Although this Zenit team has lost many players, there are still many players who are teammates of Chen Yingxiong and Arshavin.

Chen Yingxiong was making a joke about Denisov and Anyukov: "Let me tell you, the St. Paul's Stadium is a hellish home ground. The last team Lyon came here was so scared that they were completely out of shape! Don't do it then. Legs are weak."

Denisov dismissed it: "Do you think I'm scared?"

Chen Yingxiong didn't reply anymore, just smiled and said nothing.

Other Zenit players lamented the current situation of Chen Yingxiong and Arshavin, and also talked about what others are doing now. Kerzhakov left Zenit and went to Sevilla, but he couldn't find the rhythm at all in Spain and performed very poorly. There is already news that he may be sold back to Russia by Sevilla, but Zenit has no intention of taking it back, so he might go to... CSKA Moscow.

Chen Yingxiong was a little emotional after hearing this. He didn't like CSKA Moscow, but he didn't expect that one of his good friends would go to that team one day...

"It's good that I went to CSKA Moscow. At least they can participate in the Champions League next season...it's not like us." Anyukov curled his lips next to him.

Zenit St. Petersburg is in a bad situation, and Chen Yingxiong and others also know this. The pillars of the team left one after another, including the head coach. The powerful Russian team that once dominated Europe and became king in the UK no longer exists.

Suddenly the scene became somewhat silent and awkward.

At this moment, the referee came up from behind holding the football, and everyone knew it was time to go out.

So Chen Yingxiong and Arshavin said goodbye to their teammates during Zenit and returned to the Naples team.

"Okay, guys!" Captain Paul Cannavaro said to his teammates behind him in Italian with a strong Neapolitan accent: "It's our turn!"

"Oh——!" Chen Yingxiong shouted.

Although he feels sorry for Zenit's fate, he is indeed a Napoli player now.

※ ※ ※

Zenit St. Petersburg's head coach Davydov seemed very low-key and extremely humble no matter what interview he gave before the game. He emphasized that he was only the interim head coach and that even if the team eventually advanced to the top 16, he might not be able to stay. He had nothing but praise for Chen Yingxiong and Arshavin.

It looked as if he was preparing to lose on the road.

Actually...

To outsiders, it looks like he just came to lose on the road!

"Naples! Beautiful! They took the lead at home! 1:0! The scorer was Hamsik!"

The Sao Paulo Stadium was roaring like a tsunami, and the entire stadium seemed to be shaking.

The enthusiasm of the southerners seems to be endless. Lyon has seen it here last time, and this time it is the turn of the Russians!

Hamsik, who scored, clenched his fists and waved to the stands. He was greeted by the fanatical shouts of the home fans.

"The game has only started for twenty-three minutes. What a smooth start! Napoli takes the lead again! Last time they took the lead at home and then won the game easily. Their opponent was Lyon, who was even stronger than Zenit. It looks like... …Today is not Zenit’s lucky day!”

Chen Yingxiong and Arshavin went to celebrate the goal with their teammates, while Zenit's players seemed a little frustrated. It's not always a good thing to be ahead of others.

Denisov raised his head and looked at the Napoli fans who were waving their arms in the stands. After Hamsik hit the football with a long shot, the volume of the scene suddenly rose to a peak. At that moment, his My heart really stopped for a second.

This is the atmosphere of Naples' home court. It's a completely different feeling to get up and experience it than to listen in front of the TV... No wonder the hero said don't be scared to the point of weakness.

Just kidding, I'm a professional player!

Denisov suddenly thought of another thing. Did the hero fight against the home fans for an entire season in such a fanatical home atmosphere?

This kid... is really amazing!

I don't know why, but even though I know very well that now is not the time to have these thoughts, Denisov is sincerely proud of his good friend.

"Naples often has huge energy at home, and they are always in very good shape when they play here. I think this may have something to do with their fanatical fans... Now they have taken the lead at home and are on the way to winning. On the path of the ball. Zenit St. Petersburg as a guest is in danger! Davydov behaved particularly low-key before the game. Now it seems that he is not trying to confuse his opponents, but really knows the difference between his team and Naples. That’s why they are so low-key - as I said, it is really difficult to beat Naples in an away game. With the current state of Zenit St. Petersburg... I am not optimistic about it anyway!"

When the commentator said this, he gave Zenit St. Petersburg head coach Davydov a close-up shot.

Davydov looked calm in the camera, as if he had expected such a scene.

But actually...

His heart is bleeding!

Twenty-three minutes!

My careful arrangement only lasted twenty-three minutes!