Chapter 29 Starting Lineup

Chen Yingxiong's plan to sneak out of the hotel with Denisov was completely ruined.

Because as soon as dinner was over, they were called to the hotel's conference room for a tactical meeting.

And at this meeting, Advocaat was going to announce the starting lineup.

As soon as he heard this, all thoughts of finding beautiful women disappeared from Chen Yingxiong's mind, as if they had never appeared.

Denisov didn't care about the starting lineup, because he knew he definitely wouldn't be on it. The competition in midfield was too fierce. Arshavin and Captain Radimov were definitely the main players. This hadn't changed when Petrzela coached the team. As for the remaining two positions, that Li Hao was practically Advocaat's brother-in-law. He had started the last three games in a row. Look at him, then look at Panov. They were both newcomers, so why wasn't Li Hao worried about cooperating with his teammates? To put it bluntly, Advocaat simply preferred Koreans...

With so many people competing for one spot, wasn't the competition fierce enough?

Besides, Denisov had only played twice in the league this season, both as a substitute, with one assist. Looking at this data, it was clear that he hadn't been given much importance under Petrzela, and he lacked the capital to prove himself in front of the new coach, Advocaat.

As for the forwards, the competition was much smaller. After Tekke's injury, there were only three available forwards: Kerzhakov, Panov, and Chen Yingxiong. Two starters and one substitute—just enough to solve the problem.

Denisov didn't have much hope of playing in this game, so he was yawning and uninterested in the tactical meeting.

Chen Yingxiong, on the other hand, participated enthusiastically. He could understand most of what Advocaat said. This was because when Yesenin taught him Russian, he prioritized teaching him the words and phrases that were widely used in football. For example, he quickly mastered basic terms like "attack," "defense," "shoot," and "pass."

After explaining the team's overall tactical arrangements, it was finally time to announce the starting lineup for tomorrow's game.

For Chen Yingxiong, this was the moment that would determine whether he could complete his mission.

The mission to "represent the first team" was about to be completed!

"...Goalkeeper Kamil Čontofalský."

Čontofalský's expression didn't change at all. As Slovakia's main goalkeeper, it was only natural for him to be Zenit's main goalkeeper as well.

"Center backs Erik Hagen and Martin Škrtel. Left back Kim Dong-jin, right back Aleksandr Anyukov. Central midfielders Vladislav Radimov and Li Hao, right midfielder Andrei Arshavin, left midfielder Oleksandr Spivak. Forwards Aleksandr Kerzhakov and..."

So far, this starting lineup was exactly the same as the one that had defeated Rostov 3:1 in the previous away game.

Therefore, the only suspense lay in who would replace Tekke.

After watching the last few days of training, many people probably had a good idea.

Advocaat looked up from the list and announced the last name, "Chen Yingxiong."

"Yes!" Unable to contain his excitement, Chen Yingxiong even stood up from his seat as soon as the coach finished speaking.

When he realized that everyone was turning to look at him, he realized that he had lost his composure. He quickly apologized to everyone in Russian and sat back down, but he couldn't hide the excitement on his face.

"Watch out for the chandelier on the ceiling..." Advocaat said to the excited Chen Yingxiong.

The teammates laughed.

Chen Yingxiong was excited about being selected for the starting lineup, while Panov was disappointed. He would have to continue waiting for his chance.

In fact, if he calmly analyzed his situation, he would realize that he was destined to lose this time... His style was almost identical to Kerzhakov's. Both of them were fast strikers. Putting them both on the field would have the same result as in the team training matches: everyone would only choose to pass the ball to the more familiar and coordinated Kerzhakov, not him. Because he could do what Kerzhakov could do, and Kerzhakov was better at it and had a better relationship with his teammates.

Chen Yingxiong was different. He wasn't particularly fast, his footwork wasn't outstanding, he wasn't good at dribbling, and his shooting was also average—but in these aspects, Chen Yingxiong couldn't compete with Panov at all. However, he had the physique and heading ability that Zenit currently lacked. Chen Yingxiong's appearance would make up for this weakness, and the team's attacking methods and tactics could be more diversified.

From a tactical point of view, Chen Yingxiong had an advantage over Panov.

After announcing the starting lineup, Advocaat began assigning individual tasks to each player.

When it was Chen Yingxiong's turn, Advocaat's request was very simple: "Be a wall for Kerzhakov, form an attacking pivot in the frontcourt, and play the role of a bridgehead."

When Chen Yingxiong heard that he was being asked to set up others, he asked, somewhat disappointed, "Don't I need to score goals, coach?"

"Oh, in set pieces, your task is to score goals, just like you did in training. Make full use of your heading advantage."

Hearing that he still had a chance to score, Chen Yingxiong beamed.

Advocaat looked at him and wondered if he would snatch his teammates' chances to score if he insisted on not giving him the opportunity to score, just like he did in training, which made Potter very angry.

The tactical meeting lasted for an hour and a half, and by the time it ended, it was basically time to go to bed.

Denisov's plan fell through, and he wouldn't be starting in tomorrow's game, so he seemed very depressed.

Chen Yingxiong's mind, however, was no longer on going out to see beautiful women. He would be starting in tomorrow's game! That was all he could think about.

Although the Russian Premier League wasn't one of the top five European leagues and lacked recognition in China, the level of the league wasn't low. It was currently ranked sixth in Europe. Besides, no matter what, it was still a country's top league.

Playing in such a league meant that he had officially entered the gates of professional football.

Before, training with the first team didn't matter. Only by participating in official leagues could he see another world.

This world was completely different from the world on the training ground.

It was crueler, more realistic, but also more exciting and more worthy of a lifetime of struggle!

In fact, the most important thing was...

Damn it, if I don't take this path, how can I stand out, become a big star, a football hero?!

Become a great hero, score many, many goals, earn a lot of money, liberate my parents, and let them travel around the world. Change girlfriends every week, European, American, Asian... Uh, forget African...

Become the focus of the media, live in the spotlight, and be chased by paparazzi wherever I go. Buy brand-name luxury goods at will, buy whatever I want, and never ask the price before swiping my card... In short, it's all about the word, awesome!

"Ah—so boring!" Denisov threw himself on the bed, face up, and shouted.

Chen Yingxiong came back to his senses from his daydream and saw Denisov. Only then did he remember what Denisov had said to him before.

"Hey, Igor, does what you said before still count?"

"What?" Denisov turned to look at Chen Yingxiong.

"Hehe, you know?" Chen Yingxiong smiled lewdly.

"Oh, oh, oh! It counts! Of course, it counts! Where do you want to go? I'll take you! Let me tell you, as a St. Petersburg native, I'm familiar with every inch of land here!" As soon as he talked about playing, Denisov got excited. He jumped up from the bed, gesticulating and spitting at Chen Yingxiong.

"Really? You're keeping your word!"

"Who is Denisov? Go ask Anyukov, ask Kerzhakov... My reputation! Humph!"

Chen Yingxiong stood up and pointed at Denisov, announcing, "Okay! From today on, you're the leader!"

"Leader?"

"The leader of the St. Petersburg Zenit Eating, Drinking, and Merrymaking Group!"

"Whoa—cool!" Denisov liked this nickname.

Then, the two of them had a friendly and in-depth exchange on what was good to eat, play, and go in St. Petersburg. The two sides exchanged opinions and temporarily put aside many controversies, such as "Is appearance more important or figure more important?" "Is a mature woman better or a young girl better?" "Is sweet and sour shredded potatoes in Chinese food better sweet and sour or spicy?" After a series of friendly consultations, the two sides reached an agreement.

At the meeting, it was decided to formally establish the "St. Petersburg Zenit Eating, Drinking, and Merrymaking Group," led by the local snake Denisov, with Denisov and Chen Yingxiong as temporary members. At the meeting, Comrade Denisov also proposed to absorb the long-tested and loyal guards, the excellent members Aleksandr Anyukov and Aleksandr Kerzhakov, into the "St. Petersburg Zenit Eating, Drinking, and Merrymaking Group." This resolution was passed by a unanimous vote.

At the same time, after consultation, it was decided that the first event of the St. Petersburg Zenit Eating, Drinking, and Merrymaking Group would be held after the game with Spartak Nalchik, with the location to be determined and the specific time to be determined.

After the meeting, Chen Yingxiong and Denisov shook hands. At this point, the small group within the St. Petersburg Zenit team that would give coach Advocaat a headache in the future was officially established!

"This is a historic moment that future generations will remember forever!" Chen Yingxiong said with a serious face.

"Zenit's glorious history will always have a page that belongs to us!" Denisov announced passionately. "I declare that the St. Petersburg Zenit Eating, Drinking, and Merrymaking Group is officially established!"

"Ura!!"

"Ura!!"

The two of them raised their hands and shouted at the same time.