As the match was about to begin, Zhan Jun introduced both teams’ starting lineups.
“Everton has lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In goal: …”
“Up front is Lukaku as the central striker, with McGeady, Naismith, and Mirallas lined up behind him.
Barry and McCarthy partner as the double pivot, and Baines and Coleman on the flanks will be responsible for stretching the attack wide.”
“On the bench, Barkley and Deulofeu may serve as second-half game changers.”
“Now let’s look at Wolfsburg’s starting XI.
They’re also using a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In goal: …”
“One notable change is at right-back—Vieirinha starts instead of Sebastian.
The Portuguese can play both winger and full-back positions effectively.”
“The rest of the lineup remains mostly the same.
Qin Ming retains his role as left winger.”
In the livestream chat, comments poured in like snowflakes:
[On paper, Everton looks stronger.]
[Lukaku and Barry did great on loan last season—they were both signed permanently.]
[But Wolfsburg isn’t exactly weak, either.]
[If only they had Džeko instead of Olić, they’d be even stronger.]
[Actually, Olić fits this Wolfsburg better.
They don’t call him ‘the tireless legend’ for nothing.
He pressures defenders and opens space for teammates.]
[Let’s go Qin Ming!
Score a goal and break the curse!]
[Sun Jihai scored in Europa League qualifiers for Man City in 2003.
Wang Chu scored in 2013 for FC Aarau in qualifiers.
That’s a full ten years between Chinese players scoring in Europe—and neither was in the main tournament.
Let’s hope Qin breaks the curse of zero Chinese goals in European competition proper!]
[Sigh.
Japanese and Korean players were scoring in Europe 40 years ago, and here we are still waiting.]
[…]
At the packed Goodison Park—
BEEP!!!
The referee’s whistle signaled kickoff.
Wolfsburg started with the ball.
Olić tapped it sideways to De Bruyne, who, without looking up, slotted a diagonal pass forward.
Everton fans gasped.
That kind of opening play?
Weren’t teams supposed to recycle possession and build slowly?
But surprise has its advantages.
At the end of De Bruyne’s pass, Qin Ming was already sprinting at full throttle.
With a slick right-footed touch, he controlled the ball and accelerated past the halfway line.
First to challenge him was Barry.
Born in Hastings, Barry had made waves in the 2007–08 season by becoming the youngest Premier League player to reach 300 appearances—breaking Lampard’s record.
Benítez had even eyed him as Alonso’s replacement at Liverpool.
Though the deal fell through, City snapped him up, and he later won the Premier League with them.
Gerrard once called him “a typical Liverpool-style player.”
So the moment Qin tried a feint, Barry took him down with a sliding tackle.
BEEP!
The referee’s whistle cut in, stopping a potential scuffle.
Qin rubbed his right ankle, glanced at Barry, and said nothing.
He knew what that meant—it was an early warning.
“No wonder he’s the first player in history to get 100 yellow cards,” Qin thought.
He hopped in place a few times, then returned to his position, seemingly fine.
Barry raised an eyebrow.
Usually, when he gave young players a hard welcome, they either cursed or shoved back.
This was the first time he’d been completely ignored.
“Sir, watch your tackles.
If your boot was half a centimeter higher, you’d be seeing yellow,”
the ref warned firmly.
UEFA officiating was stricter than the Premier League—no comparison.
“I know,” Barry nodded.
He had made sure to go low—it was a message, not an attempt to injure.
“Thank goodness Qin is okay.
I thought he might…”
“Let’s look at Wolfsburg’s free kick in the attacking third.”
“They choose to hold possession instead of pushing forward recklessly, but Everton’s pressure is ramping up.”
Zhan Jun still looked a bit concerned.
On the pitch, Everton’s shape shifted, forming a layered pressing trap.
Barry and McCarthy patrolled the central channel with their high work rate, and teammates were ready to collapse in support.
De Bruyne had no room to pass forward, resorting to horizontal switches to stretch Everton’s shape.
29th minute.
Caligiuri tried a solo run down the right, only to be stopped by McCarthy and Baines together.
The space behind him opened up into a runway for Baines.
“Everton launches the counterattack!”
“Down the left flank at full speed!”
“In Martínez’s system, full-backs like Baines and Coleman carry a huge burden in attack!”
“They’re the main outlets for quick transitions!”
The roar at Goodison Park surged like waves crashing against the pitch.
Faced with Vieirinha, Baines passed sideways to Mirallas.
The Belgian, nicknamed “The Speed Demon,” had Spartan blood in his veins.
One touch—and he exploded forward like an arrow from a bow.
Gustavo didn’t even have time to foul him.
Next, with Naldo closing in, Mirallas released the pass at the last moment.
Who was it for?
The “goalpost king”—Lukaku!
Lukaku used his broad frame to hold off Knoche.
He laid it off instantly.
Mirallas, having sprinted past Naldo, caught up to the ball.
“The Belgian duo—striker and winger—working in perfect sync!”
“Is he going to shoot?”
“He smashes it low to the near post—it’s in!”
“29th minute—Everton strikes first!
Mirallas scores!”
“Looking back at this goal, the tactical discipline Everton showed in their midfield press and the fluidity of their transitions give them the aura of a true top-tier club!”
Though Zhan Jun was a Liverpool supporter, he remained objective in his analysis.
“Hehe… looks like I was right.
Everton really did have the edge.”
Zhang Lu added, “But emotionally, I still want to see Wolfsburg—and Qin Ming—score.”
At Goodison Park, cheers thundered and blue flags fluttered like waves, painting a stunning scene.
Mirallas, Lukaku, and the rest sprinted to the corner flag to celebrate wildly.
Qin Ming and his teammates remained in place.
He looked a little deflated.
Conceding so early in his European debut—it was something they hadn’t expected.
(END CHAPTER)