Although the strength of the Brazilian team is no longer as good as before, this does not mean that the Chinese team can easily win.

In fact, Lippi was fully prepared.

On the one hand, it would be great if the battle could be resolved during regular game time.

On the other hand, we must also consider what to do if the game is dragged into overtime or penalty shootout?

Especially the penalty shootout.

So after entering the knockout round, penalty training became a retention program for every training class of the Chinese team.

Of course, penalty kicks are a test of psychological quality, but at the same time, active training is required to improve the ability to shoot penalty kicks. People often ignore the impact of technology on penalty kicks. The importance of psychological quality does not mean that they only need good psychological quality, and other abilities are not required.

If you usually shoot and shoot, how can you guarantee that you won’t shoot under heavy pressure?

In addition, psychological qualities can be trained.

Continuously conducting penalty practice to let Chinese players understand and familiarize themselves, and it will be much better when they really face penalty shots.

After the last training session before the game, Lippi told his players: "We are not afraid of Brazil, but we cannot underestimate them. After all, this is their home court. Don't underestimate their determination to win the championship at home. We must continue to cause trouble for them in the game, but we must also be prepared to bear huge pressure. This will not be an easy and easy game... In fact, when we come to the World Cup, no game is easy and easy to play. I believe that through the first three group matches, you have fully realized this."

Lippi stood in the middle of the stadium, while the Chinese team players and staff formed a circle, surrounding him.

Outside the training ground, a large number of media from China were shooting the last training session of the Chinese team before the game.

"Some people say we met the hosts after entering the knockout stage, which was really bad luck. But I don't think so. I think this is an absolute good opportunity for us. What is more exciting than eliminating the hosts in front of fans? If you do it, you will be engraved in the history of the World Cup forever. I firmly believe that we have this ability, and if the outside world doesn't believe it... that happens, let's give them a surprise."

"Everyone has a good rest tonight, we will not have any tactical meetings anymore. Everyone must ensure full sleep and rest, good physical strength and spirit. Then prepare for the game. OK, disband!"

※※※

Outside the training ground, Zhou Yi was stopped by reporters. Everyone wanted to hear what prospects or plans he had as the captain of the Chinese team for tomorrow's game.

"We will strive to win with all our might, and this will definitely not be our last game in the World Cup." Zhou Yi said very seriously.

The aggressive attitude that Zhou Yi showed surprised the reporters. Most of the time, Zhou Yi, who appeared in front of the media camera, spoke in ambiguous manner, making you unable to find fault, but he also felt that he had said a lot of correct nonsense.

But this time, he did not continue his usual image in front of the media, but was very aggressive.

The victory was announced in advance so firmly, which made a few Brazilian media feel a little harsh in their ears.

One of the Brazilian journalists asked Zhou Yi in unskilled Mandarin: "Sorry, I don't know if I understand it wrong. What you meant just now was that you will eliminate Brazil?"

Zhou Yi spread his hands: "What if it is? Do I want to say we will be eliminated by Brazil?"

The Brazilian reporter did not ask any more questions, but instead showed a strange smile on his face.

He seemed to not believe Zhou Yi's statement.

Of course, Zhou Yi saw his expression, but Zhou Yi didn't say much and smiled at him.

In addition to this question, Zhou Yi also talked about the referee issue in a tactful manner: "I know this is Brazil's home court, and they are the hosts. Why did many people think we were sure to lose before the game? Because they knew that we met the host, what are the specific advantages of the host? I don't need to say more about this?"

Chinese journalists understand that Zhou Yi is talking about the referee issue. After all, Brazil is the host, so there will inevitably be a situation where referees favoritism.

Why did Zhou Yi say that?

As the captain of the Chinese national team, he certainly has the obligation to say these words that may anger the host, remind the referee to create public pressure, and avoid the referee being too biased towards the host in the game.

This is an offensive thing, and it doesn't fit Zhou Yi's usual character setting, but at this time he only stands up and says.

After Zhou Yi left, media reporters had a heated discussion on Zhou Yi's words and attitude just now. Some reporters believed that Zhou Yi said this to boost the team's confidence and morale. You can't be afraid before the battle, right? It's quite normal.

But some people have different opinions on this.

"Zhou Yi rarely makes such a statement, but it has never been." A reporter reminded everyone. "Just this season that just ended, do you remember what Zhou Yi said to the reporter? He said they would win the league championship. At that time, everyone thought Zhou Yi was a fool, and some people were surprised that Zhou Yi made such an offensive speech. But what happened? Dortmund won the league championship and the Champions League."

The reporter spread his hands, and the others were silent.

Zhou Yi is not the kind of big mouth full of fireworks. Most of the time he smiles and is kind to others. But because of this, when he occasionally reveals his fangs, it probably means that he is really determined to achieve it.

※※※

On the night before the game, Brazil's major TV stations were paying attention to the match between Brazil and China.

The words Zhou Yi said in an interview with a reporter before the game were naturally the focus of attention.

"...Zhou Yi, the star of the Chinese national team, said in an interview with our reporter before the game that they will definitely defeat Brazil and advance to the quarterfinals... Our reporter confirmed with him, and he also confirmed this meaning in person. I think that the Chinese team has indeed made history when they can enter the knockout stage, but the group stage and the knockout stage are completely different. Maybe because the Chinese team has never played the World Cup knockout stage before, they have such an idea about the knockout stage..."

"Chinese team? Brazilian fans must be very unfamiliar, right? But in fact, we have really played against them in the World Cup. What is the score of that game? Let me think about it...ah, it's 4:0, of course, the winner is us... Now the two sides meet again in the World Cup, let's relive the history of the Brazilian team and the Chinese team in the World Cup..."

"Zhou Yi said they want to eliminate the host? Sorry, let me laugh for a while... We are the hosts, our goal is to win the World Cup, not to reach the quarterfinals... Of course, if it is the World Cup in Table Tennis now, I am not surprised at all as a Chinese person to say this... Then again, is there a World Cup in Table Tennis?"

"In the past season, Zhou Yi has performed well and helped Dortmund win the league championship and the Champions League. Perhaps this honor made him feel a little proud and forgot that his teammates at Dortmund are completely different from those of the Chinese team. The strength of other Chinese players is completely incomparable to other Dortmund players..."

"The Chinese team does have several players playing football in Europe. In addition to Zhou Yi, He Ying and Sun Pan are also worthy of attention. But I still don't think that with such a lineup, the Chinese team can compete with us in Brazil. We are the kingdom of football!"

"We are the hosts, we are a world-class football team... So, can you imagine that a first-class host will stop at the top 16?"

"Zhou Yi is still worried about the referee's problem? It's really a villain's heart... We Brazil do not need to rely on the help of any referee, and Brazil has never won a game in history because of the referee's care!"

...

In addition to Brazilian media, Chinese media and netizens are also paying great attention to this game. The videos Zhou Yi was interviewed are not sensitive videos that cannot be played. Everyone can see them and know what Zhou Yi said.

This time, both the media and the fans naturally stood by Zhou Yi, although their reasons may vary.

Some people are a brainless fan of Zhou Yi. He thinks that everything Zhou Yi says is right and needs to support it without reservation.

Some people rationally analyzed that Zhou Yi, as the captain of the national team, can only say this at this time. Perhaps he may not agree with his words in his heart, but for the sake of the team's morale and confidence, he puts the overall situation first, and he cannot express his true thoughts casually.

But no matter what the reason is, this approach is correct and is normal. Any statement that ridicules Zhou Yi and the national team will be immediately overwhelmed by the saliva of netizens and fans as long as it appears on the Internet.

There are indeed such people who are blinded, but these people are people who don’t watch football very much, and they are not even "pseudo-fans", so they don’t understand what the situation is now. The reason why they participate in the World Cup topic discussion is purely to gain popularity and want to be popular but do whatever they can.

In the past, ridiculed the Chinese national men's football team to make a profit without losing money and no risk. It can not only increase popularity but also receive a lot of support.

But now, those who do this will immediately break into the corpse and die miserably.

They are indeed popular, but everyone has to add a comment like "Idiot" when they mention their names.

※※※

On the eve of the game, Zhou Yi held a simulated competition in the virtual world for the last time.

He simulated eight games in total. In eight games, the Chinese team won three games, tied one game and lost four games.

A little bit of a disadvantage.

But Zhou Yi did not think the result was bad.

This ratio is almost the same as the results he simulated in the previous few days.

This shows that the Chinese team can play a draw similarly to the current Brazil team. This conclusion is very stable and has no ups and downs.

So if the Chinese team's winning rate is not as good as Brazil, does it mean that the Chinese team cannot win?

Of course, Zhou Yi doesn't think so.

Deciding the outcome of a game, strength is very important, performance is also very important, and even luck is very important.
Chapter completed!