As kickoff approached, James Zhan introduced the starting lineups for both squads.
"Everton has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal..."
"Romelu Lukaku serves as the spearhead and focal point of their attack, with McGeady, Naismith, and Mirallas deployed in a line behind him. Gareth Barry and James McCarthy continue their partnership as the double pivot in defensive midfield. Meanwhile, the full-back duo of Baines and Coleman carry the heavy responsibility of providing width for the team's offensive maneuvers."
"On the bench, Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu could be potent wildcards to change the game in the second half."
"Turning to Wolfsburg, they mirror the 4-2-3-1 setup. In goal..."
"Notably, the starting right-back position sees Vieirinha replacing Jung. The Portuguese international is not only a capable winger but also a highly skilled fullback. The rest of the lineup remains largely unchanged, with David Qin once again occupying the left midfield role."
The live stream's comment section began to fill with scrolling messages.
"True, on paper, Everton looks stronger."
"Plus, they made the moves permanent for Lukaku and Barry this summer after their stellar loan spells. They've built real chemistry."
"Wolfsburg isn't weak, though!"
"If only they could swap Olić for someone like Džeko, I think they'd be terrifying."
"Actually, Olić fits this system perfectly. They don't call him the 'Tireless Legend' for nothing. He hounded defenders, creates gaps for the midfielders... he's a workhorse."
"Go for it, David Qin! Get a goal and set a new record!"
"Sun Jihai scored in the UEFA Cup qualifiers for Man City in 2003; Wang Chu scored in the Europa League qualifiers for Jeunesse Esch in 2013. That was a ten-year gap between Chinese goals in Europe, and neither was in the main tournament. I hope David can break the curse of the zero-goal tally for Chinese players in the European main stages!"
"Sigh, Japanese and Korean players were scoring in Europe forty years ago. We've been left behind for too long!"
At a packed Goodison Park.
Tweet!
With the referee's whistle, the battle commenced. Wolfsburg had the opening possession. Olić tapped the ball to De Bruyne, who, without even looking up, threaded a diagonal ball forward.
The Everton fans were momentarily taken aback. Starting like this? Usually, teams play it back, organize their shape, and slowly probe for an opening. But the unexpected move had a visceral effect. Charging down the flank along the path of De Bruyne's pass was David Qin.
With a light touch of his right foot, he controlled and drove the ball forward in one motion, crossing the halfway line in an instant. The first to launch a challenge was Gareth Barry.
A native of Hastings, Barry was a fierce competitor. Back in the 2007-08 season, he had broken Frank Lampard's record to become the youngest player to reach 300 Premier League appearances. He was once targeted by Benítez as the perfect replacement for Xabi Alonso before eventually moving to Manchester City for a massive fee and winning the title there. Steven Gerrard once described him as the "typical Liverpool-style player."
David had barely initiated a feint when Barry went to ground, sliding in with a crunching tackle that sent the teenager sprawling.
Tweet! The whistle blew immediately, preventing the tension from boiling over.
On the turf, David rubbed his right ankle and glanced at Barry. He didn't say a word. He knew exactly what that was: a "welcome to England" greeting intended to intimidate.
"Truly the first player in history to earn 100 yellow cards," David muttered. He hopped in place to test his ankle, and once satisfied he was unharmed, he simply walked back to his position.
Barry raised an eyebrow in surprise. Usually, when he gave a youngster a "welcome" tackle, he was met with either a barrage of curses or a violent shove. Being completely ignored was a first.
"Sir, watch your challenges. If your toes were half a centimeter higher, you'd be looking at a yellow card," the referee warned sternly. European officiating was traditionally much stricter than the lenient standards of the Premier League.
"Understood," Barry nodded. He had intentionally kept his lead foot low; otherwise, it wouldn't have been a warning—it would have been a career-ender.
"Thank goodness David is okay. I thought his European debut was over before it started," James Zhan breathed a sigh of relief. "Let's see this Wolfsburg free-kick. They're choosing to maintain possession now, not rushing forward, but Everton is cranking up the pressure."
The worry etched on James Zhan's face didn't fade. On the pitch, Everton's formation shifted into a highly structured, layered press. Barry and McCarthy used their immense work rates to blanket the midfield and defensive zones, while their teammates were ready to swarm any ball-carrier. De Bruyne found it difficult to find passing lanes through the center, forced instead to use lateral shifts to try and pull the Everton shape apart.
In the 29th minute, Caligiuri's attempted individual breakthrough on the right was snuffed out by the combined efforts of McCarthy and Leighton Baines. The vast open space behind the Italian winger suddenly became Baines' personal highway.
"Here comes the Everton counter!"
"Accelerating down the left flank!"
"In Martínez's tactical system, the two full-backs—Baines and Seamus Coleman—are granted massive offensive license. They are the primary engines for the transition!"
The roar of Goodison Park hit the players like a tidal wave. Facing Vieirinha's defensive cover, Baines didn't take him on directly. Instead, he slipped a horizontal pass to Kevin Mirallas. The man with Spartan blood in his veins possessed a famous nickname: the "Belgian Speedster." He knocked the ball forward and took off like an arrow from a bow. Luiz Gustavo, covering nearby, didn't even have a window to commit a tactical foul.
As Naldo stepped up to block the path, Mirallas executed a pass at the very limit of his reach. The target? The "Anchor Man"—Romelu Lukaku!
Lukaku planted his frame, using his sheer bulk to hold off Robin Knoche. Without stopping the ball, he cushioned it back toward the right. Mirallas, having bypassed Naldo, sprinted onto the rolling ball.
"The chemistry between the two Belgians is sublime!"
"Is he going to hit it?"
"A low drive to the near post... IT'S IN!"
"The deadlock is broken in the 29th minute! Everton takes the lead through Kevin Mirallas!"
"Looking back at that goal, the tactical discipline Everton showed in the midfield swarm, combined with the fluidity of their transition, gives them the aura of a truly elite side!" James Zhan, despite his personal ties to Liverpool, provided an objective appraisal.
"Hehe... looks like my prediction was right. Everton has the edge," Zhang Lu noted. Then he changed his tone: "But emotionally speaking, I'd still love to see Wolfsburg—and specifically David Qin—find the net."
At Goodison Park, the deafening cheers and the fluttering blue banners woven together into a vibrant tapestry of victory. Mirallas and Lukaku raced to the corner flag in a wild celebration. David and his teammates stood in place, looking slightly dejected. Conceding so early in their first European fixture was a blow they hadn't fully anticipated.
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