No wonder Jardim is unwilling to announce it in advance. This is a very unexpected arrangement.
Last season, Monaco adopted a 4-4-2 formation in most games.
Even when coaching the Portuguese Super League, Jardim rarely used a 433 formation, but today, Jardim deployed a 433 formation.
Falcao did not start, which was expected by the Spaniard.
Of course, the Spaniard has also made preparations in case Falcao plays.
Neither Moutinho nor Mbappe was chosen, but the 30-year-old veteran Dilard was chosen.
No one would have thought of this.
The other starters were also expected by the Spaniard.
The Spaniard's starting lineup is a 433 formation.
The goalkeeper is former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez, who was just loaned from Milan.
Although Diego Lopez, nicknamed the Octopus, is 35 years old this year, he has only been with Espanyol for two days and has gained the trust of head coach Sergio and started in such a crucial game.
The four defenders are Alvarez, Gonzalez, Oscar Duterte, Ruben Duterte
Four midfielders: Jurado, Diop, Piatti
Three forwards: Zhao Yang, Caicedo Moreno
Monaco coach Jardim frowned when he saw the starting lineup of the Espanyol team.
Diego Lopez's starting start was something he didn't expect at all.
Although the goalkeeper is a very special position, it does not require much coordination with teammates.
But, the transfer only lasted two days!
Jardim really didn't expect Sergio, who had always been tepid, to be so bold.
Diego Lopez's appearance is a big variable.
A good goalkeeper is equivalent to half the team. This sentence is not said casually.
Before Diego Lopez, the Espanyol team did not have a good goalkeeper. No matter Paul Lopez, Algios, or Robert, they were all quite satisfactory, or rather mediocre, and there was no magical performance in a season.
But Diego Lopez is different. At the age of 32, he still beat Santa Cassie to occupy the main goalkeeper position in Real Madrid.
Once Diego Lopez plays brilliantly, he may become a wall of sighs for the Espanyol team.
Except for Diego Lopez, Reyes, Jurado, and Baptista did not start, which was also a surprise to Jardim.
In terms of strength, these new players should be better, but their coordination is definitely not as skillful as that of the old players.
At this point, Sergio showed his steady side again.
Both sides' starting lineups are unexpected by their opponents, which is normal. No one can predict their opponents' expectations.
No matter how thorough the preparations are before the game, the game will ultimately depend on the performance of the players on the court.
At 7 o'clock, the Espanyol team arrived at El Prat Stadium by bus.
The fans had already entered the stadium at 6:30, but there were still many fans outside the stadium. When they saw the Espanyol team bus, the fans rushed over and cheered around the bus.
From the excellent record last season to the unbeaten performance in this warm-up match, the Espanyol team has accumulated a lot of popularity and finally feels like a strong team.
It may be the first time to play in such a big game. After entering the locker room, the players each found their own positions and changed their jerseys. No one spoke, and the atmosphere seemed a bit depressing.
Only Reyes and Diego Lopez have experience in the Champions League, and even coach Sergio has no experience in the Champions League.
However, Reyes and Diego Lopez have just arrived at the team, are not familiar with the players, and have not spoken to them.
Finally, captain Xavi Lopez spoke: "Brothers, don't be nervous. They are younger than us, and they may be more nervous than us. Isn't it, big brother Diego?"
Diego Lopez smiled when he heard this and said: "No one is nervous when playing in the Champions League or the knockout rounds, no matter how old or young they are, no matter how famous they are..."
Diego Lopez's qualifications and abilities are still respected by everyone. When he speaks, everyone looks at him.
Diego Lopez was very satisfied with the attitude of his teammates. He continued: "High-level competition actually depends on performance under huge pressure. Whoever can withstand pressure and perform well is the real strong one."
Xavi Lopez smiled and said: "Well said, who doesn't have pressure? When you get on the field, you have to let go and play. Everyone should be more relaxed. We have all played against Real Madrid and Barcelona. Monaco will not be better than Real Madrid and Barcelona."
Second captain Sanchez said: "The captain is right, Monaco is also strong in Ligue 1. The level of Ligue 1 is far worse than La Liga. We don't need to be afraid of them."
Zhao Yang didn't want to speak at first because it was his first time playing in the Champions League and he was very nervous. However, both captains spoke and Zhao Yang had to remain silent.
Zhao Yang said in his broken Spanish: "The three big brothers are right, the brave will win when they meet on a narrow road, just do it."
The words of the three captains and Diego Lopez made the Espanyol players feel a lot more relaxed. After everyone changed their jerseys, they all started chatting.
After a while, coach Sergio came in. He encouraged the jerseys a few words and asked them to go out to warm up and meet the fans.
When the players came out of the locker room, thunderous applause suddenly broke out in the stands, and tens of thousands of fans shouted together: Victory for the Spaniards!
The Espanyol players waved and applauded the fans, which triggered even more intense applause and cheers.
In the commentary box, China's commentator He Wei was already in place. He was introducing Monaco's history and promotion process to the Chinese fans in front of the TV.
When I saw the players coming out, I immediately introduced the Espanyol players who came out to warm up to the fans.
"...Zhao Yang is out! He is easy to recognize. He is a yellow man with black hair and black eyes. Zhao Yang looks much more comfortable wearing the No. 10 jersey. According to the starting lineup, Zhao Yang plays forward, but Zhao Yang
His position in the frontcourt is very flexible, he may play as an attacking midfielder or second striker."
"I guess many people don't know Diego Lopez. He just moved to Espanyol two days ago. However, he started today. I think the Moroccans will be confused when they see him starting."
"Monaco's strength is equal to that of Spain. Whoever wins is likely to lose. Today's Diego Lopez is a big variable."
"Zhao Yang and Diego Lopez are practicing shooting and goalkeeping. Hahaha, if Diego Lopez can block Zhao Yang's shot, Monaco will not be able to score today."
The Espanyol team warmed up for almost twenty minutes, and the Monaco players also came out to warm up.
Monaco was greeted with deafening boos from the home fans.
Monaco's players didn't pay much attention and were still talking and laughing in the other half left by the Spaniard.