At the pre-match press conference, Zaragoza's manager, Victor Fernández, began by formally praising Sporting de Gijón. "It's a great achievement for a Segunda División team to reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey!"
It was a compliment, but it did not seem so solemn when combined with the gentleman's tone.
Li Ang, who was sitting to the side, glanced at the gentleman. He could feel the man's arrogance and contempt for him and his team.
Some of the reporters at the scene laughed happily. They were happy to see this scene. Some despised Sporting de Gijón, and some gave Li Ang a hard time. Of course, they were happy.
Of course, in the eyes of these reporters, Victor Fernández, as a famous manager of La Liga, was indeed qualified to put on airs in front of the China rookie. Fernández was a famous manager of Zaragoza. Fernández had achieved success at Zaragoza in 1995, when he defeated Arsenal to win the Cup Winners' Cup. This resume was enough for this man to show enough pride when facing Li Ang.
Sure enough, after the formulaic and casual praise of today's game opponents, Fernández began to talk. He talked about Real Madrid and Bernabéu.
"We are looking forward to playing against Real Madrid again at the Bernabéu stadium. The whole of Zaragoza is looking forward to it."
"Real Madrid is really strong, but we are not afraid of them!" Fernández was in a good mood. He was referring to his team's 1-1 away draw against Real Madrid in the league.
It was no wonder that the gentleman was so proud. He definitely did not think that he was an old guy who relied on his experience of leading Zaragoza to the top of Europe in the 1990s to get by. His results now were just as good. Well, although they were only ranked in the middle of the La Liga, they were the giants' killers. Whether it was Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia, they had not been able to take advantage of Zaragoza this season.
*****
Li Ang sneered discreetly as he listened to the home team manager's high spirits. He did not seem to be angry that he and his team had been forgotten and ignored. At this moment, he was also thinking about Zaragoza's performance this season. This team was extremely tough when facing strong teams. They were able to force a draw with Real Madrid in the away game in the league. In addition, in the Copa del Rey, Zaragoza eliminated Barcelona all the way. They were 0-0 against Barcelona at home and 1-0 against Barcelona in the away game! This was the Giant Killer of La Liga!
Here was the problem.
Zaragoza performed so well against strong teams, so why were they only ranked in the middle of the league?
That was the crux of the problem. Zaragoza performed extremely well against strong teams, but this team's performance against weak teams, especially those at the bottom of the rankings, was not flattering. They could beat Barcelona in an away game, but they could also lose to Murcia, who was currently ranked last in La Liga, by a score of 0-2.
"Strong when facing strong opponents, not strong when facing weak opponents." This phrase could completely describe the Zaragoza team.
The Zaragoza reporters at the press conference were also very happy to cooperate with Fernandez. Many of their questions were about the away game that had just ended last weekend and the prospects for the Copa del Rey final. They did not take the other party, Li Ang, and Sporting de Gijón, seriously.
When the local media of Gijón saw this scene, they felt greatly humiliated and were furious.
"Excuse me, is this a press conference between Zaragoza and Sporting de Gijón, or is it a press conference between Zaragoza and Real Madrid?" Mitra, a reporter from the Voice of Gijón, stood up and questioned the host of the press conference, the press officer of Zaragoza. The press officer just looked at his coach bragging with the reporters and did not have any intention of stopping him.
Hearing the protest of the Gijón media, the press officer coughed and said, "Please don't ask questions that have nothing to do with today's game."
The Saragossa people were very unhappy that their party was interrupted, and Fernandez also looked unhappy.
*****
"Mr. Li Ang, do you have anything to say about today's opponent?" A local Zaragoza media reporter seemed to have just thought of the other party at the press conference and asked.
"Zaragoza is a great club. They are a very strong team. Being able to eliminate Barcelona and advance shows their strength," Li Ang said with a smile.
"If, and I'm saying if, Sporting de Gijón advances to the final, it will also be a glorious moment in your career, Mr. Li Ang," another reporter said. These words seemed to be compliments and praise, but as long as one was not a fool, one could hear the ridicule in these words. Sporting de Gijón can eliminate Zaragoza and advance? Hahaha.
Sure enough, after this reporter asked, there were a few chuckles at the scene. These were the sounds of other Zaragoza media reporters.
The Gijón reporters looked at these people angrily.
Li Ang did not seem to hear the sarcasm and ridicule in these words. He seemed to think about it seriously, and then said with a bitter smile, "I just calculated carefully. The situation you mentioned has about a 1.28% chance of occurring."
Hearing that this person actually did the calculation and actually came up with such an accurate figure of 1.28%, the Zaragoza media were also amused. This Chinese man was really too cute, too interesting, too stupid. Hahaha.
"Being able to enter the semifinals is already a great achievement for Sporting de Gijón! For us, the most important thing is how to stay in the Segunda División. As for the Copa del Rey, we have to avoid a big setback for the team, "Li Ang said.
This was equivalent to raising one's hands in surrender. What it meant was, "Great Zaragoza, I can't even protect myself in the Segunda División. How can I dare to be stingy with you in the Copa del Rey? I beg for your mercy."
Zaragoza's manager, Fernández, also laughed. He heard the message from this, which was that Sporting de Gijón would go all out to defend today in order to avoid a crushing defeat. The goal was not to affect the team's morale, and to avoid affecting the Segunda División's survival.
Iron Bucket Formation? This is really a little troublesome. I hate these cowardly and weak teams the most. Fernández pursed his lips.
*****
Hearing Li Ang compliment Zaragoza so much, such a lack of backbone, such a lack of bottom line, the Gijón reporters were a little disappointed. They felt even more aggrieved, but there was no other way. The opponent's strength was really strong. This was a team that could arm wrestle with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Only Mitra, a reporter who had more contact with Li Ang and knew Li Ang better, looked at Li Ang with some doubt. This was not his style.
At the end of the press conference, Li Ang turned and left the press conference.
His face immediately darkened.
He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. His expression was ferocious.
Motherf * cker!
1.28, you idiot!
Li Ang cursed and did not say a word. He silently walked to the away team's locker room and pushed open the locker room door with a gloomy face.
PS: First update, 550 monthly votes plus an update.
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