The news media made such a big fuss over a nameless player like Maikoor Pihra. It was mainly because of the bad relationship between Li Ang and the media. In the beginning, the media looked down on Li Ang and the Chinese coaches. They ridiculed, ridiculed, and were unfriendly. Li Ang was not a kind person either. He used his tough attitude towards the media to deter disobedient players, which created a grudge between him and the media.
The last game against Aravis was Li Ang's first game as coach of Sporting de Gijón. Due to the strength of Aravis, the media thought that Sporting de Gijón would lose, and possibly lose miserably. Therefore, the media was extremely sarcastic and ridiculing of Li Ang before the game. However, they did not expect Li Ang to lead Sporting de Gijón to stage a comeback. He led Sporting de Gijón to a three-nil victory over Aravis and advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with their heads held high!
For the media who had sentenced Li Ang and Sporting de Gijón to death before the game, this was a slap in the face. Not only was it a slap in the face, but because Sporting de Gijón had advanced, the media still had to pinch their noses and say good things about Li Ang. This made them even more unhappy.
The media held their breath and swore to keep an eye on this Chinese man. If he did anything wrong, they would immediately rush up and bite him a few times. This also caused Li Ang's decision to renew his contract with Maikol Pihela to attract attention. The poor veteran Maikol became a "media sensation" for the first time, but he was also unlucky and was belittled by the media.
Li Ang read all the articles in the media. To be honest, Li Ang was very annoyed. These words from the media were too much. For an honest player who had not given up on his dream for nearly 20 years and had been working hard, these words were too much! Moreover, Li Ang was a little worried. He was worried that McGurk would be affected by such criticism and doubts. Such overwhelming criticism and belittling of a person was undoubtedly a disaster for a player. A player with poor psychological quality may collapse directly.
Li Ang really valued Maikol Pihela. On one hand, he regretted that this veteran's career was not used. On the other hand, he was glad that God had sent him such an old center forward. If Maikol Pihela's persistence was destroyed by the media's words, Li Ang would have the intention to kill him.
*****
On March 7, the 27th round of the Segunda División B game, Sporting de Gijón was going to play against Salamanca in an away game in the evening.
Because it was an away game, the team had to gather this morning and then take a bus to Salamanca. They would arrive at Salamanca at noon and rest for a while. In the afternoon, they would go to Salamanca's Hermandique Stadium for training to adapt to the venue. The game would kick off at 10 p.m. local time in Spain. Therefore, for the financially strapped Sporting de Gijón, they did not go to the away game a day in advance in order to save on the hotel costs for one night. Instead, they set off on the day of the game. Fortunately, the game would kick off at 10 p.m., so there seemed to be plenty of time and they could barely cope with it physically.
When Li Ang first came to Spain, he was surprised by the kick-off time of the Segunda División B teams, especially for some games that started at 10 p.m., which was simply against the human body's physiological exercise and activity cycle. However, he was not surprised later. In Spain, it seemed that such a late kick-off was normal. As a fan, it was very exciting because the Spanish's schedule was different from that of other European countries. The Spanish had lunch at 2 p.m. local time and dinner at 9 p.m. local time. After dinner, they would set off to the stadium to watch the game or sit in the bar, drinking and enjoying the game in front of the television.
However, for the team's manager, the team's game would kick off at 10 p.m., which was really a complaint.
At the Maleo training base, Li Ang came very early in the morning. He had to personally supervise the players' assembly, departure on time, and set off for Salamanca.
On the training ground, Li Ang saw a figure in the distance who was undergoing self-training. It was the veteran player, Michael.
The early morning sun shone on the 35-year-old veteran player, and there was a special kind of charm and beauty.
"Good morning, Michael." Li Ang walked over and took the initiative to greet the veteran player.
"Good morning, boss." Michael stopped training and picked up the white towel around his neck to wipe his sweat.
"How are you feeling today?" Li Ang asked with a smile.
"A little nervous," Michael said with an embarrassed expression. Such an expression on the face of a 35-year-old veteran was indeed very interesting. Seeing this, Li Ang wanted to laugh; however, he couldn't because it really made him feel sad. Li Ang wanted to laugh at this, but he couldn't because it really made him feel sad.
Li Ang had told Michael Pihra yesterday that Michael would be on the squad list for today's game against Salamanca. As for whether there would be a chance for a substitute to play, it could only depend on the situation.
Although Li Ang did not guarantee that he would be given a chance to play, it was already a great surprise for Michael Pihra. The veteran player was so excited that he even had some insomnia. When a dream that he had pursued for 20 years could be realized, a person's spirit would fall into extreme pressure and excitement.
*****
"It's a pity that this is an away game and not at El Molinon Stadium." Li Ang joked. He was referring to Michael's dream to wear Sporting de Gijón's uniform and play in the team's home stadium, El Molinon Stadium.
McGull grinned from ear to ear. Li Ang sighed with emotion. What a simple old general.
"Have you seen the media's evaluation of you?" Li Ang finally asked. This was the topic he wanted to talk about when he saw Michael.
Megul Pihra nodded. "I've seen them all. I've seen all the newspapers."
"You've seen them all?" Li Ang said in surprise. "All the newspapers?"
"Yes." Michael Pihra said, "This is the first time they (the media) have recognized me as a Sporting de Gijón player. So, even if they say that I'm not good, I still want to thank them."
Li Ang heard the helplessness and anger in Michael Pihra's words. He was mocking himself.
"How do you feel?" Li Ang asked.
"Boss, I know what you're worried about," Michael Pihra said. "But you can rest assured that I have no problems. I've heard too many of those words in my life. They're all the same words. It's just that this time, because I'm in Sporting de Gijón, there are many more people who say that I'm not good. The media's background is even bigger."
Li Ang smiled. He had almost forgotten that this was a veteran who had been tested. Although the media in Gijón now would praise and be moved when they talked about Michael's story, this was the result of 20 years of perseverance that did not come easily. In the more than 10 years before this, when people talked about Michael's dream, they would probably say that he was a fool who overestimated himself. There would be more sarcasm and sarcasm. Therefore, Michael Pihra could be said to have walked all the way through criticism, doubts, and belittling. He was a veteran who had been tested countless times.
It was not easy to still persist in his dream under such circumstances.
Li Ang also secretly sighed. He was indeed an old player with a red spirit attribute!
In any case, Li Ang saw that Michael Pihra was not affected by the media's words, and he was slightly relieved.
"Will I play? Boss. " Although he felt that the possibility of him playing was very low, and although Li Ang had previously said that he might have a chance to play, at this moment, Michael Pihra could not help but ask again. The anxiety and anticipation of the veteran at this time was indescribable … 20 years of hard work.
"I can't give a guarantee." Li Ang said truthfully, "But, if the opportunity is right, I'll let you play." Li Ang patted Michael's shoulder and said, "If, I mean, if you play, Michael, I hope you work hard! I hope you work hard! Release these 20 years of hard work at this moment! Because, I hope you can score! McGuire! If possible, go and score goals! Give those guys a good slap in the face for me! Use your actions to tell them what kind of person Michael Pihra is! "
Li Ang had already thought about it. If the opportunity was right, he would consider letting Michael Pihra play. There was no better and more exciting way than to use practical actions to slap the media in the face.
Hearing Li Ang's words, Megul Pihra didn't say anything. He just nodded forcefully. He was not good with words. He held great gratitude and respect for Li Ang. For an honest person like him, actions were more practical than words.
At this time, the other players also arrived one after another, and the red and white Sporting de Gijón team bus had already stopped at the entrance of the Maleo training base.
They would set off for Salamanca from the northern port city of Gijón to Salamanca, a famous tourist city in the interior of Spain.
The team would also officially embark on the road to avoid relegation under the leadership of their manager, Li Ang.
PS: Second update. Thank you for everyone's support. Zhu Tou is very touched. Thank you, thank you.
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