Chapter 1 Chen Hero Meets Skrtel
Chen Hero ran into Skrtel as he walked out of the players' tunnel. Skrtel was now Liverpool's main center-back.

In this game, Skrtel was responsible for defending Chen Hero.

However, the two didn't clash much in the first half because Chen Hero lacked support and didn't have much of a performance. He didn't put any pressure on Skrtel. Skrtel even had time to run over and intercept an attempt by Arshavin to break into the penalty area.

In a good mood, Skrtel looked at Chen Hero with a smile.

"You did well in the first half, Hero. Keep it up in the second half, and I'll treat you to a big meal!"

Chen Hero rolled his eyes.

"In the second half, I'll destroy you!" Chen Hero retorted.

"Hey, then let me see it," Skrtel said with a smile.

Arshavin walked up and punched Skrtel. "Win or lose, you're buying tonight!"

※※※

Napoli kicked off in the second half, and from the kickoff, the ball remained under Napoli's control.

Hamsik ran much more actively than in the first half, and he was also more purposeful and targeted.

He connected the team's attack and defense. De Jong and Blasi swept back and forth in the midfield and backfield, helping Hamsik clear obstacles so he could concentrate on organizing the attack.

At the same time, Maggio and Aronica also received instructions from Mazzarri during the halftime break to frequently push forward and participate in the attack. What about the gaps behind them?

De Jong and Blasi could retreat and temporarily fill in as full-backs until Maggio and Aronica returned.

Meanwhile, Cassano and Arshavin were also actively getting the ball and switching positions on the field.

Only one person looked no different from the first half, and that was Chen Hero.

He didn't run much, and he didn't withdraw from the heavily defended penalty area. He just stayed up front.

It was as if the whole team had recovered, but he was still the same.

But outsiders didn't know that this was Coach Mazzarri's request.

Since Liverpool was going to shrink back, then Napoli would push forward and fight them in a positional battle. Napoli wasn't afraid, because they had a very powerful center forward!

Chen Hero was at the forefront. He had the ability to get the ball in the penalty area, and his header was excellent. These were all very suitable for positional warfare.

So Mazzarri had Chen Hero stay at the forefront, like a nail, firmly pinning the opponent's defense in the penalty area, preventing them from providing any support for Liverpool's counterattack. In this way, the pressure on Napoli's defense was also reduced.

In fact, Chen Hero's condition was not bad in the first half, but this kind of center forward needs the whole team to provide support. If the people behind him are not in good condition, then naturally he will not have much performance. Now that Cassano, Arshavin, Hamsik, Maggio, Aronica and others are performing actively, he will naturally have more opportunities.

※※※

Liverpool initially followed their impression from the first half and maneuvered with Napoli. They passed the ball back and forth in the backfield, looking for gaps behind Napoli.

In the second half, they did shrink their formation, wanting to launch a counterattack against Napoli.

So when Xabi Alonso received a pass from his teammate in the backfield with his back to the attacking direction, he didn't immediately kick the ball out, but planned to turn around and send a through ball forward. He kept turning his head to look in that direction. There was a gap there, and Liverpool striker Torres was also wandering there. As long as his pass went through, it would be a fatal blow!

But he was so busy looking at this side that he forgot to look at the other side...

Behind him, De Jong was approaching silently like a wolf.

When the two reached a suitable distance, De Jong suddenly exerted force and charged forward, pouncing on him!

"Careful..." Skrtel reminded Alonso in English. But before he could finish speaking, he saw De Jong suddenly crash in from behind, sticking out his foot and poking the ball away from Alonso's feet.

As for Alonso, he had just raised his right leg to prepare for a long pass. Now he lost his balance and fell headfirst.

"Alonso lost the ball!" the commentator exclaimed.

After De Jong intercepted Alonso's ball, he quickly passed the ball to Hamsik on the side.

Hamsik received the ball, turned around, and passed the ball to the wing. Mascherano came up to try to intercept the ball again, but it was too late...

Cassano used his chest to stop Hamsik's diagonal long pass, and then pretended to break through, tricking Liverpool defender Glen Johnson, who was defending him, into retreating sharply, creating space for a pass.

Cassano crossed the ball directly!

Although Skrtel had argued with Chen Hero before the start of the second half, saying that he was not afraid of Chen Hero, when the ball really flew over, he still mobilized all his nerves and stared at Chen Hero.

Chen Hero jumped up!

He also jumped up.

The two met in the air.

But this time, based on his understanding of Chen Hero, Skrtel took the lead in taking up a position. He originally wanted to just flick the ball away, but just as he was about to do so, he suddenly felt a huge impact...

He knew that Chen Hero had crashed into him!

So he no longer hoped to head the ball out of the danger zone. He just wanted to prevent Chen Hero from heading the ball...

Under Chen Hero's pressure, Skrtel headed the ball directly out of the baseline.

"Corner kick!"

※※※

When Chen Hero jumped up and realized that Skrtel had taken up the position, he knew that he probably had no hope for this ball, but wouldn't it be good if he could get a corner kick or something? So he simply crashed into Skrtel.

Sure enough, under his pressure, Skrtel headed the ball out of the baseline.

The two landed at the same time, and Chen Hero gave Skrtel a hand.

"Be careful, be careful, don't fall, otherwise the referee will call me for a foul!" He joked with Skrtel.

Skrtel chuckled. "Don't think of me as so weak!"

Chen Hero laughed. "That's good. It would be boring if you fell down as soon as I bumped into you!"

"Chen Hero and Skrtel were very good friends during their time at Zenit St. Petersburg, and they have a deep personal relationship. But in this game, they have to play for their respective teams and face each other on the field!" The commentator also noticed the contest between Chen Hero and Skrtel.

Currently, the Liverpool player closest in height to Chen Hero on the field is Skrtel.

Originally, there was another player with the same height as Chen Hero—Greek defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos, who was 1.93 meters tall and weighed 88 kilograms, but he was injured and unable to play in this game. So now the only center-back who can compete with Chen Hero is Skrtel.

His center-back partner is Carragher, whose height and weight are not as good as Chen Hero's, so he will suffer some losses in terms of physicality.

The corner kick was taken, but Chen Hero was held tightly by Skrtel and was unable to squeeze to the front of the goal to grab a point. The ball was directly picked off by goalkeeper Reina, who came out.

※※※

Napoli suddenly increased their speed, which made Liverpool a little uncomfortable.

But just when they finally began to gradually adapt, Napoli's attack changed again.

When attacking in the frontcourt, Mazzarri very much hoped that the trident could have more impromptu cooperation, which would bring difficulties to the opponent's defense and also create some opportunities.

So his requirements for the team's attack were very free. Players like Cassano and Arshavin, who were outstanding in skill, could freely display their talents without having to stick to tactical requirements.

In addition, the degree of tacit understanding between the three of them was indeed very high.

There were often some combinations that were not practiced in training...

Like this time!

Cassano got the ball on the wing. When everyone thought he would choose to break through to the bottom and cross, he suddenly pulled the ball back to the center, deceiving Glen Johnson, who was defending him.

At the same time, Liverpool's entire defense was pressing outside the penalty area, a very neat line, wanting to create an offside trap.

But Chen Hero was not stupid enough to rush over in one breath and fall into the offside trap.

He had been wandering in front of those defenders, not intending to insert inside, as if he was going to watch Cassano perform alone. At the same time, Arshavin moved from the other wing to the center, seemingly to respond to Cassano.

However, everyone's eyes were still focused on Cassano, who had the ball. He stopped, not intending to continue the breakthrough.

At this moment, Chen Hero suddenly started, rushing diagonally into the penalty area!

Almost at the same time, Cassano flicked his wrist and lifted his leg to lift the ball into the air on the spot!

"Cassano chips the pass—"

Skrtel almost turned around and chased after Chen Hero passed by him, but he was still thrown behind Chen Hero.

He saw Chen Hero open his arms and stop the ball with his chest.

※※※

"Hero! Not offside! This is a great opportunity for Napoli!!"

The Italian commentator shouted excitedly.

The thousands of Napoli fans at the scene also cheered, but their voices were quickly drowned out by the boos of the Liverpool fans.

Amid the boos, Chen Hero used his chest to stop the ball towards the goal. The stop was not very good, because the ball bounced away slightly, but Chen Hero intended to make the best of it and shoot directly.

But at this time, the corner of his eye caught sight of someone behind him!

※※※

Although Skrtel was slow to turn around, he did not give up defending. Sure enough, he saw that Chen Hero's chest stop was not perfect, and the ball bounced a little far away...

His body was unable to protect the ball. This was his chance!

Skrtel suddenly exerted force and kicked forward, heading for the ball.

He planned to clear the ball before Chen Hero could react.

Just as he was staring at the ball, he suddenly saw an extra figure in his vision. By the time the figure appeared in front of him, it was too late to brake!

Skrtel crashed into him!

Everything went black!

※※※

Chen Hero glanced at someone behind him, and regardless of who it was, he quickly cut a step sideways, took a big step with his long legs, and moved his body horizontally, placing the ball back under his protection. At the same time, he leaned back slightly, ready to receive the impact.

Then he felt someone bump into his back.

His body swayed, but he finally stabilized his center of gravity. At the same time, the ball fell down. He didn't bother to pay attention to the situation behind him and shot!

Powerful shot!

The ball flew past goalkeeper Reina like a cannonball and into the net!

"Goal——!!!"