Translation of the article content into English:
A seemingly inconspicuous training roster has stirred up a storm within and outside the circle of China's women's football. Zhang Xin and Zhang Rui, two veterans who had already announced their retirement, have been selected again, sparking heated discussions among fans. However, Yang Lina, the midfielder who performed well in Serie A, was surprisingly excluded, causing even greater controversy.
This makes people wonder: What is coach Milicic really up to? Is the return of the veterans meant to be a "last resort," or are they covering for the young players? And what considerations led to Yang Lina's absence? Let's delve into this list to uncover the logic and strategies behind it.
"Zhang Rui is back?" Many fans reacted similarly when the match roster was announced. This veteran women's football player over thirty years old once assisted her teammates with a precise long pass from midfield at last year's Asian Cup, leaving a deep impression. But after the news of her retirement was released, many thought she would no longer be seen on the field in the future. However, her name reappeared on the training roster this time, which was somewhat unexpected.
In fact, Zhang Rui's comeback is not entirely an aggressive move. Compared to other young midfielders, Zhang Rui's role is more about stabilizing morale and providing guidance based on experience, rather than being the sole defender in the game.
After all, her ability to control the field, especially her strategic vision in critical moments, is something few young players can replicate. It is not ruled out that coach Milicic wants to use her return to play a bridging role in both competitive and spiritual aspects. Having veterans in the lineup is not necessarily because of their physical prowess, but because there is a need to ignite the potential of the young under the "spark" of experience.
The return of another veteran, Zhang Xin, is even more dramatic. This player once distanced herself from professional fields but maintained high-intensity training after retiring. When she continued to deliver outstanding performances in the Women's Super League, she was mentioned again. This selection may be seen as recognition of her perseverance. However, there are also many controversial opinions that such a "resurrection operation" may not be entirely convincing, as there are only six months left before the major competition, and there are fresh blood available for the midfield position, especially as the reserve of youth training gradually deepens today.
If the return of veterans is an inspiration from "Ma Liang, the Magical Brush," then Yang Lina's omission is an unavoidable "pit." Yang Lina, who played for Serie A during the 2022-2023 season, is almost regarded as the "pillar" of the Chinese women's football team's defensive midfield. She not only occupies a key position in defense but also completes quick transitions from defense to attack through her excellent vision, especially impressive in matches against top international teams. However, such a hot overseas player disappeared from the list, leaving people puzzled.
This makes fans speculate whether the reason for her omission might be the coach trying out a more flexible midfield tactical combination? Or is he "adventuring" to find new talent, trying to temporarily fill this position with domestic league players? But the question is, with the major competition approaching, is this "experimental roster" safe enough? Looking back at several key defeats of the Chinese women's football team in recent years, such as the 2-8 defeat by the Netherlands at last year's Tokyo Olympics, the collapse of the defensive midfield was a crucial factor leading to the defeat. Now, with Yang Lina's absence, will this pain point once again hurt the hearts of Chinese women's football fans?
When discussing the bold move of "veterans returning," we might as well look further. Similar examples are not uncommon in world football, such as American women's football legend Carli Lloyd. At the age of 35, she was still active in the World Cup and turned the tide of the game multiple times in a substitute role. The logic behind this strategy is that experienced veterans can stabilize the situation in high-pressure games and provide the possibility of flexible deployment.
However, the key issue is whether a suitable "balance point" can be found. Zhang Xin and Zhang Rui do have unique advantages in terms of experience, but how can their physical fitness adapt to high-intensity competitions? Will their return compress the growth space of young players and even affect the renewal and replacement of the women's football team? These questions may need to be answered one by one in future games.
If there is any name on the list that seems the most "stable," it must be Wang Shuang. As the core figure of the women's football team, her selection is almost without suspense. From her breakthrough ability on the field to her decisive moves at critical moments, Wang Shuang is undoubtedly the absolute "big sister" of the current Chinese women's football team.
Since joining the Premier League, Wang Shuang's technical system and combat ability have significantly improved. Her performance in matches against top teams not only excited the fans but also made her the backbone of the team. For coach Milicic, no matter how other positions are adjusted, Wang Shuang's role is the most reliable part of the game.
The biggest controversy in the entire list actually focuses on Milicic's approach to selecting players. He seems to be trying a combination of new and old players, but whether it is practically feasible can only be answered by time. The reactivation of veterans seems like a stroke of genius, but if newcomers do not have enough time to adapt in major competitions, this balance could easily collapse.
It is worth noting that Milicic's approach is not entirely without method. He might be taking a gamble, trying to find a "test field" for the women's football team beyond the pressure of major competitions. However, behind the adventure, there needs to be sufficient follow-up plans, especially when facing the Netherlands women's football team, which values overall fluidity, the Chinese women's football team must find a viable counter-strategy.
At the Tokyo Olympics, the scene of being crushed 2-8 by the Netherlands is still haunting Chinese women's football fans. The emptiness of the midfield, the loss of control in the defensive midfield, and the vulnerability of the defense were the real portrayal of the tactical scheduling mistakes of the women's football team. The difficulty of the current major competitions has only increased, and Yang Lina's absence has obviously magnified the concerns of the fans.
From experience, Milicic's list does seem to have a bit of a gamble, but whether it can turn the tide and allow the whole team to "make a comeback," no one can say for sure.
The announcement of a "miraculous list" has made controversy the buzzword for the Chinese women's football team. Perhaps this turmoil is just an inevitable adjustment, but the upcoming matches are the only way to test everything. Whether it is a desperate struggle or a surprise emergence of new hope, everything will be decided on the field.