The first leg of the semi-final match between Sporting de Gijón and Aravés was broadcasted live on the free-to-air channel throughout Spain.
Previously, some of the live broadcasts of Sporting de Gijón on the free-to-air channel were broadcasted live. Although such matches were also broadcasted live throughout the country, only paid subscribers could watch them. Only the matches broadcasted live on the free-to-air channel would have more viewers.
The first leg of the semi-final match between Sporting de Gijón and Aravés attracted the attention of many Spanish fans.
This was mainly because their home team, the Spanish national team, had been eliminated from the group stage in the UEFA European Championship in Portugal. In the third match of the group stage, the Spanish team lost to the host team, Portugal, 0: 1. In the end, they had the same number of points as the Greek team, but they had one goal less than the Greek team. They could only return home in this sullen manner.
Spain had been eliminated from the UEFA European Championship. Now that the La Liga had ended long ago, the new season was still far away. Looking at the entire Spanish football world, only the Segunda División promotion playoffs were still in progress. Those Spanish fans who were unwilling to watch other European teams in the UEFA European Championship turned their attention to the promotion playoffs.
"Aravés midfielder Natezio has recovered from his injury and will be able to participate in the promotion playoffs against Sporting de Gijón. This is good news for Aravés."
"Aravés striker Navarro refuted the idea that the team is afraid of playing against Sporting de Gijón. He said that although Aravés were eliminated by Sporting de Gijón in the Copa del Rey, in this season, Aravés have met Sporting de Gijón four times in the league and cup. They have won three of the four games, including the 6-0 away victory against Sporting de Gijón in the league. Therefore, he thinks that Aravés have a psychological advantage against Sporting de Gijón."
On the day of the match, in the afternoon, the television news was already broadcasting some news about the two teams before the match. The Aravés players who had already arrived in Gijón also spoke out to express their confidence in winning the away game.
"Aravés manager Macarona expressed his determination to surpass Aravés and advance to the final of the promotion playoffs."
On the other hand, Aravis's manager, Macdonald, also stood up to express his confidence in the team's advancement.
Li Ang was sitting in the hotel lobby, watching the rear-projection television in the lobby. The bald head manager of Aravis was speaking with fervor and assurance.
"What are you thinking about?" Banderas asked.
"I'm thinking that if we eliminate Aravis, will this old man lose his job as well?" Li Ang said with a smile.
Banderas laughed out loud. Even though he had just arrived at Sporting de Gijón as an assistant manager, he knew about the grudge between Li Ang and Aravés. The first game that Li Ang led was in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. They defeated Aravés 3-0 at home and eliminated them with the away goal advantage. After Aravés were eliminated, their manager, Olić, was fired by the club.
In a sense, Macarona, the current manager of Aravés, had to thank Li Ang for being able to become the manager of Aravés.
"I also just heard that you have the nickname 'Coach Killer'," Banderas joked.
Since Li Ang coached Sporting de Gijón, or more accurately, since he coached Sporting de Gijón B team, he had made three of his peers, including the former manager of Aravés, Olić, lose their jobs.
"It's my honor." Li Ang grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.
*****
At this time, the players also appeared in the hotel lobby one after another.
Everyone gathered around the manager.
About five minutes later, Li Ang looked at his watch. Everyone had arrived, ten minutes earlier than the agreed time. Everyone's discipline was now very good, and he was very satisfied.
"Let's go, let's go!" Li Ang stood up and said.
Under his leadership, everyone filed out of the hotel lobby.
Almost at the same time, the Aravés players also left the hotel and set off for the El Molinon stadium.
When Sporting de Gijón's bus arrived at the stadium, the fans who had been waiting outside the stadium burst into loud cheers.
They shouted the names of Li Ang and some of the players over and over again, cheering them on.
They could not help but be excited. After sinking into the Segunda División for many years, they finally saw the opportunity to return to La Liga.
The players were also very excited. A few months ago, they were very likely to be relegated. The morale of the team was lax, and there was a feeling of precarious situation.
Now, they were going to play in the promotion playoffs, and it was very likely that they would be promoted to La Liga. The feeling of going from hell to heaven was great.
The bus drove all the way through the home team's dedicated tunnel, and then stopped at the entrance of the tunnel.
The players filed out and did not accept the interviews of the reporters who had been waiting there for a long time.
Li Ang was the last to get off the bus, and he was immediately surrounded by the reporters. In fact, compared to interviewing the players, the reporters were more interested in hearing what the manager had to say.
In a team, the media and fans were most interested in the important players of the team, especially the number one star player. However, Sporting de Gijón was an exception. The biggest star of the team, the most eye-catching, and the most influential person was their manager.
"Seth (the manager of the Spanish national team) refused to resign. What do you think about this matter? Manager Li Ang. "
"You should ask Mr. Vera (the president of the Spanish Football Federation) about this matter," Li Ang said as he walked.
"Manager Li Ang, can you tell us why you are optimistic about Greece? You have to know that their strength is quite average. "
"The Greeks' football is very unique."
"Mr. Torres (the president of Getafe) said that he would prefer his team to meet Sporting de Gijón in the promotion playoffs. What do you have to say about this?"
"He might get what he wants. Of course, it depends on whether they can get past Huelva."
"So, you are very confident that Sporting de Gijón will eliminate Aravés?"
"We have already eliminated them once. Naturally, there will be a second time."
"But, the Aravés manager, Mr. McCullough, said that his team will definitely advance. What do you think?"
"Everyone has the right to pursue victory and dreams," Li Ang said as he walked.
He walked to the entrance of the tunnel, then stopped and said to the large number of reporters who had been following him, "Well, gentlemen, see you later."
Then, the reporters watched as the Chinese man waved at them confidently and then disappeared into the tunnel.
*****
In the home team's locker room at El Molinon Stadium.
Li Ang looked at his players. He had already explained the tactical issues once again. Now was the final pre-match mobilization.
Assistant manager Scott Terry had already reminded them repeatedly that it was time to play.
"Okay, guys." Li Ang clapped his hands. "I won't say anything else. I only have one last thing to say! "
The players looked at their manager.
"The Aravés said that this season, they have played against us four times and won against us three times. They are not afraid of us," Li Ang said, and then he paused.
"What I want to say is, f * ck them!" Li Ang suddenly raised his voice. "I only know that my team taught them a lesson last time! Now, since some people don't learn from their mistakes, then you know what to do?! "
"Get rid of them!" Everyone shouted together, their blood boiling. In fact, the Aravés said that they had played against Sporting de Gijón four times and won against them three times. This did make some players anxious, but at this moment, they only had strong confidence in defeating their opponents because they understood the meaning of the coach's words. The previous Sporting de Gijón team's poor record against Aravés was nothing. In the first game when Manager Li Ang took over the team, they defeated their opponent by three to nil. Now, they were invincible in the league. Now, the ones who should be afraid should be their opponent, Aravés!
Li Ang nodded, very satisfied with the current atmosphere.
"What are you waiting for?" Li Ang waved his hand. "Go! Go and teach the Alavis a lesson! "
With a wave of his hand, all the players rushed out of the locker room.
The studs of their shoes stepped on the floor, making a thumping sound like the beat of a drum …
The drumbeat of the battle had already sounded …
PS: First update. This is the compensation stamp. Thank you to the Guardian of the Stars for the reward.
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