In the away locker room at the Bernabéu.
Li Ang was lecturing the players.
"Now, after the first half of the game, how do you guys feel?" Li Ang asked.
"Real Madrid is not invincible." Juan Mata, who scored a goal for the team, stood up and said.
"Yes, they are not as terrible as we thought." Juan Carlos also stood up and said. He was now angry. The team was leading 1: 0 for half an hour, but the opponent scored two goals in a row. Moreover, the two goals conceded had something to do with him.
The first goal was conceded because Carlos failed to defend against Zidane, and the French superstar sent a beautiful overhead assist. The second goal was conceded because Carlos fouled Zidane, giving Beckham a chance to score with a direct free kick.
"It may be more convincing to say this after you defended against Zidane." Li Ang looked at Carlos seriously and then said.
Carlos did not speak. He just clenched his fists.
When the others, including the team's captain, Miguel Cobas, saw this scene, they all felt that the manager was too harsh on Carlos. In fact, Carlos's performance in the first half of the game today was quite wonderful. If it were not for Carlos running all over the field to intercept Zidane, Figo, and Guti, Sporting de Gijón would have conceded more than two goals. Moreover, Sporting de Gijón's goal was also credited to Carlos's interception of Guti.
"Coach, Carlos has already done well in the first half of the game …" Captain Miguel Cobas stood up and said.
"Well …" Li Ang glanced at Carlos. "What do you think of your performance?"
"I didn't defend against Zidane. That's my responsibility." Carlos said loudly.
Li Ang glanced at Cobas, smiled, and then nodded with satisfaction.
Cobas also glanced at Carlos a little speechlessly. This kid usually had a good temper and had a good relationship with everyone. However, as long as it was a game state, he was one-track minded.
Was Li Ang harsh on Carlos? Maybe. However, he was the one who understood Carlos the most. This kid was always full of energy and was always unwilling to admit defeat. He believed that the first half of the match where Zidane suffered a loss was tantamount to teaching Carlos a good lesson. It would be beneficial for this kid's growth.
*****
"I'm satisfied with your performance." Li Ang pointed at them and gave them a thumbs up. "We did a good job. At one point, Real Madrid couldn't find a way to score! From a tactical point of view, we did very well, but we didn't handle the details well. Of course, this is also my fault! "
Li Ang raised his voice and said, "Now is not the time to talk about responsibility. The lesson of the first half is that among the Real Madrid players, some of them can change the game with their own strength. We have to pay attention to these people."
Hearing Li Ang say so, the players nodded. Ronaldo and Beckham's goals explained everything. In fact, Real Madrid did not get many threatening offensive opportunities in the first half of the game. However, they scored two goals, which was very telling.
Li Ang turned around and wrote a name on the tactical board — Zidane.
"The Frenchman is Real Madrid's midfield core. He must be marked tightly. As long as he can't play a role, Real Madrid's offense will be paralyzed by half. "
At this point, Li Ang called out Carlos again. "Carlos, tell me your impression of Zidane."
"He … is very strong!" Juan Carlos was silent for a few seconds and said.
Li Ang smiled. To be able to make this stubborn kid say the word "very strong," it showed that Zidane's two wonderful performances in the first half of the game made this kid fearful and shocked.
In the long run, this was the situation Li Ang wanted to see. Carlos was only seventeen years old. He was still very young and became famous too quickly. Half a year ago, he was still a "waste" who was expelled from the team by Getafe. Now, he was the main midfielder of Sporting de Gijón. He even had the nickname "Sporting de Gijón's Gattuso." He was very popular among the fans. There were also some clubs who began to ask for Carlos. This kid was a little arrogant and looked down on the heroes of the world. Li Ang did not specifically go to talk to Carlos. He was waiting for the opportunity to play against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. He believed that Zidane and the Figos would teach Carlos a good lesson. Now it seemed that it was true. This kid knew that there was always someone better out there!
Li Ang was not worried that Carlos would be discouraged or unable to recover after the setback. This kid's character was not like that. After he suffered a loss, he would only look for his own shortcomings and swear to get back to the game.
*****
After that, Li Ang focused on talking about some of the details that needed to be paid attention to.
There was no problem with the team's tactics. It was just that they needed to be more careful and pay attention to some of the details. Real Madrid's star players were too strong. Some of the details that seemed to be very small could lead to disastrous consequences.
For the second half of the game, Li Ang's intuition told him that Real Madrid would still strengthen their offense.
A score of two to one was definitely not enough for this super powerhouse team.
Li Ang was very confident about this. Before the match, he had made a lot of comments about Florentino's' Zidane + Pavin 'policy. This Real Madrid boss was not happy about it. Real Madrid would definitely use practical actions to support their president. Florentino would definitely not be satisfied with a one-goal lead.
"As for Ronaldo, even though he's a little plump now, you should be clear about his strength! This Brazilian is still the most threatening striker on the planet. Don't give him space to shoot. Defenders, you can stick to him and defend. His current size is not as flexible as before. Take advantage of this and pay close attention to his position. Be careful of long passes and overhead shots from Real Madrid! "
"If there is an opportunity to attack, continue to attack Pavin! Make him collapse! "
"In the midfield, press Guti! Let Guti pass the ball under pressure. Everyone else, get ready to intercept the ball, just like what you did in the first half of the game! "
Li Ang paused for a moment and thought if there was anything else to add.
It really made him think of one thing.
*****
"Guti and Zidane, these two people have bad tempers. You can use your brains in this regard." Li Ang said.
This surprised the players. They knew that Guti had a bad temper. But Zidane? The Frenchman was recognized as a refined and modest gentleman. He had a bad temper?!
Li Ang saw that the players did not believe him, so he began to speak with assurance.
"September 18, 1993, Marseille beat Bordeaux 3 to 1. In the 37th minute, because he could not stand the insults of his future national team teammate, Desailly, the 21-year-old Zidane punched Desailly in the eye and was directly sent off. "Li Ang raised one finger.
"August 22, 1995, Bordeaux drew 2 to 2 with Karlsruhe. In the game, Zidane was violated several times by Fink. After being tackled again in the 24th minute, Zidane slapped Fink in the face and was directly sent off. "Li Ang raised two fingers.
"January 5, 1997, Parma beat Juventus 1 to 0. In the 66th minute, Zidane punched Dino Baggio. Bajo, both of you are penalized. "Li Ang raised three fingers.
"October 25, 1998, Juventus beat Inter Milan 1 to 0. Zidane maliciously stepped on Paulo Sousa. Sousa is directly sent off. "Li Ang raised four fingers.
"October 24, 2000, Juventus lost to Hamburger SV 1 to 3. Ginz used his knee to hit the back of Zidane, who had just finished his suspension, and tackled Zidane in a scramble. Zidane got up and attacked his opponent. He was sent off with a red card and was suspended for five games. "Li Ang raised five fingers.
His players looked at their manager in shock. On the one hand, they were surprised that Zidane, who was in the public's impression of a gentleman, actually had so many "dark history." At the same time, they were even more surprised by their manager. Manager, you are so knowledgeable. How do you know such things so clearly in your head?!
*****
"Do you still need me to continue?" Li Ang asked. It was as if he was saying: Hurry up and say it, you still want to hear it.
Everyone subconsciously shook their heads. It meant that the manager was dirty, and we knew it.
This seemed to make Li Ang a little disappointed. It was painful to not show off one's knowledge. He was going to talk about Real Madrid's game on February 11, 2004, in which Sevilla beat Real Madrid 1 to 0. In the 45th minute, Alfaro elbowed Zidane, and Zidane retaliated with a provocative action similar to a slap in the face. The assistant referee witnessed all this and notified the referee. Zidane was directly sent off.
Li Ang knew Zidane very well. Li Ang had his own understanding of the French Heavenly King. Zidane was easily angered. This was his character weakness. This had to be acknowledged. It did not need to be whitewashed. In fact, Zidane's red cards were basically straightforward revenge after he was angered, such as head-butting, stepping on people, slapping people, and so on. It was not the kind of useless person with shiny soles.
It was not a problem to say that Zidane had a bad temper, was irritable, and violent, but it was not related to "dark" or "dirty."
This was Zidane's character weakness. It was just that few people were aware of the magical Zidane's fatal weakness until a man named Materazzi did something …
"So, Guti and Zidane have bad tempers. You have to be careful," Li Ang said half-jokingly.
He did not notice that Juan Carlos's eyes were as bright as light bulbs. The child from the slums of Madrid was even trembling with excitement. He could not wait for the second half of the game to start. Compared to playing football, he had another strong point.
PS: Second update, begging for a monthly ticket, asking for a reward, all kinds of begging.
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