After signing Ribéry, they enjoyed a delicious meal of mutton pie and carrot soup.
Li Ang praised Ribéry's wife, Vasilba's cooking skills, which made Ribéry very happy. This young man with a terrible scar on his face was proud to have such a wife.
Li Ang and Banderas left. Ribéry had already signed the personal contract. When the contract with Brest expired on June 10th, Ribéry would be a Sporting de Gijón player. Li Ang would contact Ribéry then, and Ribéry would only need to report to Gijón at the agreed time.
When he left, Li Ang took out his wallet, took out two twenty-euro notes and a five-euro note, and handed them to Ribéry.
Ribéry was stunned at first, then quickly waved his hand and explained that he was just joking.
Li Ang laughed, "Take it."
Seeing Ribéry's helpless look, Li Ang said, "This is a forty-five euro contract! But in my eyes, Franck Ribéry will be a great star player in the future! "
Ribéry was stunned when he heard this, and then the French young man from a poor town took the forty-five euros excitedly. "Sir, as you wish!"
Li Ang smiled and patted Ribéry's shoulder. Then, he said goodbye to Vasilba and left the old and poor residence in Brest.
After Li Ang left, Ribéry found an old photo album and then carefully put the three notes behind the plastic film.
Looking at her husband doing all this, Vasilba was very surprised. Because of their poor family background, she knew how stingy Ribéry was. When he had money, he would definitely put it in his wallet first. But now, it was only 45 Euros, and he was actually keeping it … Could it be that these three notes had some special meaning?
Ribéry put his arm around his wife's shoulder and told her the story of when he met the China manager from the Spanish club …
At this time, it was already past seven o 'clock in the evening. It was already late at night. Outside the window, the stars dotted the people's dreams.
The next day, Li Ang and Banderas returned to Spain.
On the flight back, the two of them were still talking about Ribéry.
Li Ang was very optimistic about Ribéry, which surprised Banderas. He had never seen Ribéry play. Although he had no right to speak without investigation, he still felt that a 21-year-old player who was still playing in the French Third Division had no future.
"Just wait and see." Li Ang laughed. He was in a good mood. "Ribéry will surprise you."
Banderas glanced at Li Ang, smiled, and didn't say anything. Obviously, he didn't believe it.
Li Ang pursed his lips and thought to himself, 'You'll be surprised when the time comes.'
*****
He took a flight from Paris to Madrid and from Madrid to Gijon.
That afternoon, Li Ang appeared on the training ground of the Maleo training base.
He formally introduced Pablo Banderas to the other members of the coaching staff and the players.
Pablo Banderas became the new assistant manager. He would assist Li Ang with Scottley.
Li Ang was quite satisfied with the arrangement of assistants. Scottley was a veteran of the team. Although his ability was average, he was meticulous. He could handle the work Li Ang gave him well. Banderas and Li Ang had worked well together before. He had a better understanding of Li Ang's football philosophy and was better than Scottley. With Banderas by his side to fill in the gaps, Li Ang could rest assured.
Five days later.
Algeciras, Gades Province, Andarrosia Autonomous Region, Spain.
This port city in southern Spain was on the west side of the Algeciras Bay in the Mediterranean Sea. It was only 9.6 kilometers west of the Strait of Gibraltar. It was a small city that wasn't too big.
When the referee blew the whistle to end the game, Sporting de Gijón's players celebrated heartily on the turf of Algeciras' home ground.
In the 37th round of the Segunda División B match, Sporting de Gijón won the away game against Algeciras by a score of 2-0. This team, which had been relegated early, caused a lot of trouble for Sporting de Gijón. It was not until the 71st minute of the game that Sporting de Gijón broke the deadlock on the field with a header. Ten minutes later, the substitute, Matt Bilic, scored a shot in front of the goal, widening the score to 2-0 and guaranteeing Sporting de Gijón's victory.
When the whistle blew to end the game, Li Ang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Before the game, he did not think that this team, which had been relegated early, would cause so much trouble for them. Li Ang was thinking. He was reflecting. He had underestimated his opponents. As a manager, he had underestimated his opponents. Moreover, this thought did not only apply to the manager. The players had also underestimated the team that had been relegated early.
Under such circumstances, the players of Algeciras, with the cheers of the fans in the stadium, played very well and caused a lot of trouble for Sporting de Gijón.
It was because of the unexpected difficulties that the players were very excited after winning the game. They also felt a sense of relief.
*****
In the post-match press conference, Li Ang praised the opponents of the game. "I know that Algeciras was unfortunately relegated early. However, in this game, they are worthy of respect. They played very well. If I were to grade our opponents today, they would all get full marks! "
Li Ang's words won the hearts of the people of Algeciras. After the game, the local newspaper also specially introduced the Chinese manager of Sporting de Gijón's excellent coaching record at Sporting Gijón. They were not stingy with their praise for Li Ang.
Some of the media who did not like Li Ang could not help but complain. They thought that Li Ang was too despicable. Although it seemed that Li Ang was respecting his opponents and praising them, don't forget that Sporting de Gijón was the winner. If the loser was praised, wouldn't the winner be even better?! You are too naive. You have all been deceived by that Chinese man's flowery words!
Li Ang was really wronged this time. He really did not beat around the bush. He really thought that Algeciras played well. On the contrary, Li Ang was not satisfied with his own players.
In the first training session after returning from Algeciras to Sporting Gijón, Li Ang criticized the players fiercely.
"Do you think that the opponents are easy to bully because they are a team that has been relegated early?"
"Are you all arrogant and complacent? Do you think we can win easily? "
"We are not in any position to look down on our opponents now."
After being reprimanded by Li Ang, the training ground was quiet. No one dared to speak.
Li Ang's authority in Sporting Gijón was growing day by day, especially after leading the team to win the Copa del Rey trophy at the Bernabéu. Li Ang's authority in the team reached a new height.
Seeing Li Ang angry, the players were a little scared.
*****
After venting his anger, Li Ang's face looked a little better.
"I don't think I need to say the significance of the next game. You all know," Li Ang said.
"Yes!" The players, who had been silent after being reprimanded, finally breathed a sigh of relief and shouted loudly. There was an excited expression in their voices.
It was no wonder that they were excited, because the next league game did have a special meaning.
Sporting de Gijón defeated Algeciras 2-0 in the 37th round of the league game and got three points.
At the end of this round of the game, their points reached 58.
Sporting de Gijón's league ranking had risen by two places again and was now ranked tenth in the Segunda División.
Eibar and Salamanca had become the new teams that Sporting de Gijón had surpassed in the standings.
Leganes, who had always been ranked 19th in the league, was the most direct and dangerous opponent of Sporting Gihon when they were ranked 18th in the league. In this round of the league, Leganes and Sporting Gihon were tied 1: 1 with Córdoba, with a total of 44 points.
At the end of this round of the game, Leganés had 44 points and Sporting de Gijón had 58 points. Li Ang's team was ahead of Leganés by 14 points. There were still five rounds left in the Segunda División, and Sporting de Gijón had the advantage in terms of wins and losses against Leganés. Their goal difference was now a lot higher than Leganés'. This meant that Sporting de Gijón only needed to remain undefeated and get one point in the next 38th round of the league to be able to avoid relegation four rounds ahead of time.
The danger of relegation was the sword of Damocles hanging over Sporting de Gijón's head when Li Ang took over the team.
Only by successfully avoiding relegation, and even eliminating the theoretical possibility of relegation, could they truly breathe a sigh of relief.
"The media has been calculating the points we need to avoid relegation …" Li Ang said. "I get annoyed when I see the analysis and the data. After the next round of the league, I hope I don't have to see the analysis reports that annoy me anymore."
"In the game against Malaga B, the media said that a draw would allow us to avoid relegation ahead of time." Li Ang paused and looked at his players. He suddenly raised his voice. "What do you think we need for this game?"
"Victory!" The players shouted in unison.
"Did you not eat? I can't hear you! "Li Ang roared.
"Victory! Victory! Victory! "Everyone's faces were flushed as they shouted.
"Very good!" Li Ang nodded. "I'll put the victory of this game in my pocket ahead of time! I believe you won't let me down. "
No one said anything, but their eyes and facial expressions said it all.
*****
May 23, 2004.
Sporting de Gijón, El Molinon Stadium.
The entire stadium was filled to the brim.
All the Sporting de Gijón fans were clear about the significance of this game for the team. If they won this game, they would be able to avoid relegation four rounds ahead of time.
Three months ago, they were ranked fifth from the bottom and were almost considered to be destined to be relegated by the media. Now, they had the opportunity to avoid relegation four rounds in advance. All the fans of Sporting Gihon were emotional and excited. They knew best what had happened to the team in the past three months!
Moreover, just over half a month ago, they had defeated the powerful "Galácticos" 4-3 at the Bernabéu Stadium and snatched the Copa del Rey trophy from Real Madrid. They had won the first real trophy in Sporting de Gijón's history. The Sporting de Gijón team that dominated La Liga 20 years ago had not been able to win a trophy. Now, this team had done it!
These three months were like a dream for the Sporting de Gijón fans.
Malaga's B team was currently ranked 16th in the league with 52 points.
This team was one of the first teams to be overtaken by Sporting de Gijón in the standings.
Not only had they been overtaken by Sporting de Gijón in the standings, but for Malaga's B team, they were now in danger of relegation.
Including the game against Sporting de Gijón, with five rounds left in the league, they were eight points ahead of Leganés in 19th place. There was still a possibility of relegation.
Therefore, for Malaga's B team, this game was also a battle to avoid relegation. Even though it was an away game, Malaga's B team still showed a strong fighting spirit.
In the entire first half of the game, neither team scored a goal. The score was 0-0.
The game had gone on for 60 minutes, and the score was still 0-0.
Li Ang stood on the sidelines with a calm expression.
However, his heart was tormented. Although a draw could save them from relegation in advance, he still hoped to see the team celebrate their survival with a victory.
Moreover, it was a draw, and Malaga's B team had more pressure to avoid relegation. This team had not given up hope of winning. If Malaga's B team managed to sneak an attack and lost the game, Li Ang would faint from anger.
*****
The Sporting de Gijón fans in the stands were singing loudly and cheering for the players.
The camera captured the faces of the fans, and it could be seen that the fans who were singing had anxious expressions. They were waiting for a goal!
They were waiting for a hero to score!
In the 72nd minute of the game, the hero appeared.
Miguel Copas took a free kick into the penalty area. Miguel Pihra headed the ball into the goal. After the ball was saved by Malaga's B team goalkeeper, Juan Mata nimbly used his knee to send the ball into the net.
The moment the net trembled, the entire El Molinon Stadium boiled over!
Everyone in the stadium was shouting, yelling, jumping, and stomping their feet. The stadium was like an earthquake.
And three minutes later, the substitute Javier Blanco's long shot gave Sporting de Gijón another goal, widening the score to 2-0!
The craziness of the entire stadium went up another level!
From this moment onwards, no one in the entire stands was sitting down to watch the match. Everyone stood up, sang, clapped, and cheered!
They were waiting for the moment to celebrate!
In the last minute of injury stoppage time, Malaga's B team was still looking for a goal. For their survival, an extra goal would be very helpful.
The 20,000 fans in the stands stood.
Li Ang stood on the sidelines.
Beside him were the players and coaching staff who were equally excited.
Finally, as a Malaga's B team player made a mistake in passing the ball, the ball was shoved out of the sidelines by Marcos, resulting in a dead ball.
The referee also blew the whistle at the end of the game at the right time.
When it was time, the active volcano called El Molinon erupted.
The earth shook and the mountains shook!
The camera immediately focused on the sidelines. Sporting de Gijón's manager, Li Ang, raised his arms and rushed onto the field to hug his players. Then he was "grabbed" by his own players, and the players threw their manager into the air …
The camera was shaking!
The stadium was completely in a frenzy …
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