In the battle against Russia, Belgium's strategy was clear, with the intention of taking on Russia through the individual skill advantage between players.
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of the defense to make an impact and keep looking for a breakthrough in the process. This Red Devils of Europe attackers have been key players in the midfield in Europe's top leagues, and Martinez's tactical setup complements their style just fine.
Of the starting three, Mertens contributed the opening goal assist and Lukaku scored twice to give the Eastern European powerhouse a torrid time. Carrasco, who replaced Hazard on the left, did not score or assist, but he showed full individual strength in the game, cleverly dishing out threats on the wing.
In the face of Russia
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The defense, with the Belgian wing needing at least two players to keep an eye on him, was barely effective for Carrasco in one-on-one defense. Nonetheless, he still contributed a game-high five breakaways. He passed a defender on the left, broke into the box and fired a shot that was slightly over the crossbar, but if Carrasco's shot had been more accurate, it might have been the best goal of the first round of the group stage.
Carrasco's performance in this game also continued his excellent season with Atletico. After six months of adaptation following his return to Bedlam last winter, the Belgian has once again adapted to the rhythms of European soccer. Under Simeone, Carrasco has provided the team with invaluable side-breaking ability, while his assisting ability has also improved, contributing 11 assists in all competitions, equaling his career high. Compared to his time at Monaco six years ago, Carrasco has made significantly fewer appearances this season but has been more effective.
Carrasco's kicking style has become more varied, making it difficult for opponents to guard against his intentions on offense and defense. For a wing attacker, the ability to draw a lot of defensive weight and still be able to deliver the ball into the middle gap is a more valuable skill than the ability to break through. Because of this, Atletico sealed the title in La Liga, Carrasco contributed 10 goals in 9 matches, and in the last 4 matches to decide the title, he delivered 1 goal and 1 assist. The only game he didn't get anything was the strong match against Barcelona, but his threat on the side still made it difficult for opponents to defend, and he was awarded the official rating of the best of the match.
Carrasco's steady play on the left has provided the Red Devils of Europe with more confidence as they wait for Hazard to return to form. However, the Belgian winger may not be aware that in China, where he used to play, his name has frequently appeared in the headlines of the sports media in recent days, not because of his competitive performances, but because of an interview that may have been sublime.
Russia
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The team looked passive in defense of Carrasco.
The incident started with an interview translated into Chinese from Sporza, a Dutch-language domestic media outlet in Belgium, in which Carrasco spoke in detail about some of his experiences playing and living in China. As some of the comments were a bit harsh for Dalian fans, some domestic media and Dalian players who had worked with Carrasco got angry and lashed out at the Belgian. It should be noted, however, that despite the fact that Carrasco's life was not a happy one during the two years he played for Dalian, he rarely talked about the details of his time in China every time he was interviewed by the media after he left the country, and basically brought it up in one or two sentences without commenting on it too much.
When European media interviews players who have had experience in the Chinese Super League, they are always interested in what they have seen in the Chinese league, and for them, the relevant remarks are also an important selling point for the interviews. Carrasco's only recent media interviews have been to represent Belgium at a press conference, and on June 9 he spoke to the media on behalf of the Red Devils of Europe, along with Dendoncourt, stating, "My experience in China has matured me." Nothing else is related to China.
If some media outlets are still privy to exclusive interviews, it shouldn't be only the Dutch-language media. Carrasco's so-called "slam" in the
national soccer team
The comments, if they did exist, would have been scrambled for by the Belgian media, but with the exception of Sporza, Carrasco's comments were barely mentioned in the Belgian French-language media, and all things considered, it's likely that some media outlet made a raw deal and made up a segment of Carrasco's interview based on the release, which resulted in the player taking the fall.
In a post on Weibo, a former translator for the Dalian Ren team questioned the media's fabrication of an interview in which Carrasco "denigrated" China.
However, going back to Carrasco's two seasons at Dalianjin, despite the off-field turmoil, his individual performance on the field has been worthy of his high salary, and as a side attacker, he has left behind an average scoring statistic of nearly 0.5 goals per game in the Chinese Super League, which is already very good. Now that he's proved himself on top stages like La Liga and the Europa League, and hasn't suffered a dip in form as a result of playing in China, it's actually good for the image protection of the Chinese Super League.
