Because AC Milan and Crystal Palace are the two strongest teams in this group, their head-to-head results will probably determine who can qualify first in this group.

Whether you can qualify first in the group is directly related to whether the opponent in the knockout rounds is strong or weak.

Therefore, not only the AC Milan club attaches great importance to this Champions League group stage, but also AC Milan fans.

Today, the San Siro Stadium, which can accommodate 80,000 people, is packed with seats.

Crystal Palace's first group match was played at Highbury Stadium, the home stadium that the players are relatively familiar with, so everyone didn't feel uncomfortable yet.

But today, when they walked onto the turf of the San Siro Stadium, they were surrounded by the cheers and cheers of nearly 80,000 AC Milan fans.

That kind of atmosphere, that kind of aura, is completely different.

Not to mention those players, even Chen Ran on the sidelines couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Some nervous, some excited, some excited, some apprehensive...

"call!"

Chen Ran took a deep breath and calmed down.

My goal is to build Crystal Palace into the world's top wealthy club.

This kind of big scene will have to be experienced sooner or later.

I just don't know if those bastards under me who have never seen the world can adapt as soon as possible.

Chen Ran's worries are not unreasonable.

Looking at his starting lineup, apart from Vieira and Simeone who have experienced this kind of scene, even captain Southgate is just an English bumpkin.

Things in this world are often like this, the more you fear something, the more it will come to you.

As soon as the game started, Chen Ran found that his team members were in a panic.

Many simple mistakes that would not have been made in the past also appeared one after another.

Fortunately, Chen Ran adopted Simeone's defensive counterattack tactics, and the entire formation shrank in his own half.

The gaps between the players were very small, and it was more convenient for each other to help defend and cover their positions. This prevented AC Milan from seizing the opportunity to score.

"Diego, these guys are a little panicked now. You and Patrick need to shout and remind them not to make mistakes!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity of a foul ball, Chen Ran quickly called Simeone to the sidelines to explain.

There is no other way. As the captain, Southgate is a little confused now and has no hope for the time being.

Carlo Ancelotti is naturally aware of the situation at Crystal Palace.

He is not unfamiliar with this situation. Many teams that suddenly appear to participate in the Champions League for the first time often have such an unsuitable stage.

Usually, by the time most teams get used to it, they've been eliminated.

It seems that Crystal Palace cannot avoid this unadapted stage.

Thinking of this, Ancelotti felt happy.

Taking advantage of Crystal Palace's unstable position, it was AC Milan's perfect opportunity to attack aggressively and win the game in one fell swoop.

So, Ancelotti immediately walked to the sidelines, waved his hand, and began to call on the players to attack with all their strength.

Speaking of AC Milan's current field lineup, it was specially designed by Ancelotti for offense.

Among the four players in the diamond-shaped midfield, except Gattuso, who is a full-time defensive player, even midfielder Andrea Pirlo is an advanced midfielder, and his offensive ability is much stronger than his defensive ability.

AC Milan pressed forward across the board and immediately trapped Crystal Palace in their own half.

And this kind of scene only happened when Crystal Palace was dealing with others.

Kaká, Seedorf and Pirlo, some dribble the ball to break through, some use tandem transition to coordinate, and some organize attacks.

Coupled with the powerful center Vieri and the nuclear warhead Shevchenko on the front line.

The entire midfield and backcourt of Crystal Palace suddenly fell into a state of turmoil and turmoil.

Fortunately, AC Milan's offensive was mainly concentrated in the middle. Chen Ran deployed Vieira, Yaya Toure and Simeone early on. This allowed Crystal Palace to not be defeated by AC Milan's overwhelming offensive.

Huge waves rolled over.

Ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes...

The cheers from the San Siro Stadium that Ancelotti expected never came.

Although he was a little panicked at the beginning, Chen Ran had Simeone repeatedly practice defensive counterattack tactics every day in training, and the effect finally showed.

Even though it was a little hectic, even though it was a little embarrassed, the Crystal Palace managed to survive in the end.

"This Crystal Palace is indeed a tough nut to crack."

Ancelotti muttered secretly.

"Carlo, how about letting Maldini and Cafu also attack?"

At this time, assistant coach Tassotti walked up to Ancelotti and came up with an idea.

Although they don't want to admit it, Crystal Palace still defends very tenaciously as they discussed before, and it is difficult to break through their defense.

Upon hearing Tassotti's suggestion, Ancelotti shook his head.

"Don't worry, let's take a look later."

It's not that Ancelotti doesn't want to increase his offensive power, but that these two players, Maldini and Cafu, are already 37 years old and the other is also 35 years old.

As full-backs, these are absolutely senior players.

If AC Milan's offensive strength was not so strong, most teams would have been overwhelmed and unable to fight back.

Otherwise, given the current physical condition of Maldini and Cafu, if they repeatedly attack the half-court, they probably won't be able to run.

Therefore, the way Ancelotti uses Maldini and Cafu now is to stay behind and take charge of defense.

As for the offense, AC Milan's superior midfield and frontcourt strength is enough.

Ancelotti did not adopt Tassotti's suggestion to continue to strengthen the offensive, which is naturally good news for Crystal Palace.

On the other side, Chen Ran was relieved to see that Crystal Palace had slowly adapted to AC Milan's offensive rhythm and gained a firm foothold.

He picked up the mineral water at his feet and drank half the bottle.

He had been shouting at the top of his lungs just now to remind the players to help defend and cover their positions, but now his throat was so dry that he was almost on fire.

"beep!"

The referee on duty finally blew the whistle to end the half-time game. Chen Ran wiped the sweat from his forehead and could finally take a breath.

The screen at the San Siro Stadium still read 0:0 as it did at the start.

Half-time, in the dressing room of Crystal Palace.

Looking at the soaked team members, Chen Ran felt the same way.

He was covered in sweat while standing on the sidelines, not to mention the players who had been on the court for forty-five minutes.

"Guys, you played great in the first half. AC Milan's attacking power is the best in the world, but you successfully resisted their attack. I'm proud of you!"

"The AC Milan players are much older than you. This means that their physical fitness is definitely not as good as yours."

"Guys, as long as you persist for another twenty minutes in the second half. When the AC Milan players' physical fitness declines, it will be our opportunity to launch an attack."

"So, whether you can win the game depends on your performance in the second half. Do you have confidence?"

"have!"

The deafening reply echoed through the entire locker room.

Looking at the pair of eyes full of fighting spirit, Chen Ran nodded with satisfaction.

Military spirit is available.

During the halftime break, there were no substitutions on Chen Ran's side and no adjustments on Ancelotti's side.

At the beginning of the second half of the game, the situation on the field was still the same as the first half, and it was another half-time offensive and defensive drill.

Fortunately, after the test in the first half, Crystal Palace's defensive players are now more experienced in dealing with AC Milan's offense.

Although AC Milan was still suppressed within half-court, AC Milan was never allowed to break through the goal guarded by Cech.

Fifty minutes, sixty minutes, seventy minutes...

Looking at the AC Milan players who were gradually showing signs of fatigue on the court, Chen Ran felt that the heat was almost there.

"Little Luca!"

Chen Ran called Modric over from the bench.

"After you come on the field, you will play as an attacking midfielder, and then notify other teammates that we are going to start attacking. Do you understand?"

"I know, boss."

Modric nodded solemnly and waited on the bench for a full seventy minutes. Now it was finally his turn to show off his skills.

Seeing movement on the Crystal Palace bench, AC Milan assistant coach Tassotti, who had been staring at this side, quickly walked to Ancelotti's side.

"Carlo, Crystal Palace is going to make a substitution. It looks like Modric is going to be replaced. This player is the core organizer of Crystal Palace. It seems that the Chinese guy is going to launch an attack."

After being reminded by Tassotti, Ancelodi turned his head and glanced at the Crystal Palace bench.

"Mauro, do you think we still have a chance to win Crystal Palace in this game?"

Although Ancelotti didn't know the principle of "one big rush, then another, then three and three", AC Milan stormed for most of the game and still failed to break through the Crystal Palace goal.

This way he had a bad premonition.

As head coach Ancelotti is very aware of AC Milan's shortcomings.

That's because of their age, his players are unable to fight for a long time.

Why did there happen that night in Istanbul? Apart from underestimating the enemy, wasn't it because the AC Milan players' physical fitness declined and they could no longer run?

Ancelotti knew very well that the Chinese man in Crystal Palace also wanted to delay the game until the AC Milan players could no longer run before launching an attack.

Not only did Chen Ran find that the physical fitness of AC Milan players began to decline, as the head coach, Ancelotti knew his players better.

That's why Ancelotti asked Tassotti this question.

He already had the idea in his mind to accept the draw, but he still needed someone to help him make this decision.

"Carlo, are you worried about a situation like the one against Liverpool happening again?"

"Um."

Ancelotti responded inaudibly, and in the noisy environment of the San Siro Stadium, Tassotti almost didn't hear it.

"Then let's shrink the formation. Anyway, it will be no problem for our group to show up. And with our strength, we won't be afraid of anyone. After we show up, we will be the same with everyone. There is a league game on the weekend, and these players on the field are a little tired. Now, aren't they?

Can I make a substitution?"

Tassotti is indeed a qualified assistant and has considered every aspect for Ancelotti.

Soon, Chen Ran discovered that within two minutes of replacing Modric, AC Milan had also made a substitution.

Ancelotti replaced Seedorf with Ambrosini and Vieri with Inzaghi.

Moreover, Chen Ran also discovered that just after the substitutions, AC Milan's formation began to retreat as a whole.

Let me go, is this guy Carlo Ancelotti a sperm?

Chen Ran was also a little dumbfounded. Just as he was about to launch an offensive, AC Milan immediately replaced defensive midfielder Ambrosini and shrunk the formation. This was obviously to defend against his own attack.

What's even more insidious is that Ancelotti also replaced Inzaghi.

This guy is known as a man who lives on the offside line.

If when Crystal Palace presses the attack, Inzaghi succeeds in countering offside and scores, then he will fall short.

You must know that in this era without video referees, Inzaghi's anti-offside skills are extremely lethal.

There are also Shevchenko and Kaká. Their speed and scoring ability are very deadly if they fight back.

Damn it, Ancelotti was sure that he was going to attack, and he wanted to take it back to counterattack.

So cunning!

Chen Ran is in trouble now.

Shevchenko, Kaka and Inzaghi, these three are all good counterattackers.

When Crystal Palace pressed the attack, Chen Ran had to send someone to keep an eye on them.

But if someone is specially sent to mark these three guys, and the frontcourt is very high, and the backcourt is very deep, then wouldn't Crystal Palace's formation be out of touch?

Chen Ran scratched his hair vigorously. It seemed that it was impossible to attack as a whole. Ancelotti was obviously prepared.

Then we can only change our tactics.

After making up his mind, Chen Ran turned his head and looked at the Crystal Palace bench.

"Yang, go warm up quickly!"

"Okay, boss."

Hearing Chen Ran's call, Jan Kohler immediately stood up excitedly.

"Yang, after you come on the field, you will partner with Luka as a double center. Then let Luka retreat and play as a double midfielder with Patrick. Do you understand?"

"I understand, boss."

Damn it, since you want to resist, then I have no choice but to take advantage of you.

Chen Ran glanced at Ancelotti in the distance. Fortunately, he had already prepared three different tactics for Crystal Palace just to deal with this situation.

Therefore, shortly after replacing Modric, Chen Ran replaced Yaya Toure with Jan Kohler. The Crystal Palace's playing style on the court also changed to a 442 twin tower strategy.

The back line and the two defensive midfielders stayed in their own half, using long passes to pass to Ronaldo and Ribery on the wing, and then taking advantage of the height advantages of Toni and Jan Kohler to blast directly into AC Milan's penalty area.

Seeing Chen Ran quickly make new adjustments to his substitutions, Ancelotti also frowned. This Chinese is really difficult to deal with.

Thinking back to the Crystal Palace player information I had read, Tony was 193.

Think about the situation of the two central defenders under his command, Stam is 191CM and Nesta is 187CM.

Although it is not impossible to defend, it will definitely be very difficult. Ancelotti suddenly felt a little uneasy.
Chapter completed!