The Spanish media was optimistic that Deportivo La Coruña would win the match on their home ground. However, what was interesting was that Deportivo La Coruña had one point less than Sporting Gijon in the current La Liga standings. They were two places behind Sporting.
Since the start of the season, Deportivo did not have a good start. Their current record was two wins, two draws, and two losses. They even lost to the defending champion, Valencia, 1-5. However, in the last two rounds, Deportivo's form began to improve. They drew with Real Betis in the fifth round of the league, and then defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in the away game in the sixth round of the league.
On the day of the game, countless people came. There was a sea of people outside the Riyaso Stadium, and the lights were bright. The Riyaso Stadium, which could accommodate 34,611 people, was more than 90% full today.
Deportivo's opponent, Sporting de Gijón, was not a strong team, and this match was not the focus of attention. Even the commentator was surprised that so many fans came to watch the game.
"The Riyaso Stadium is almost full. This game is surprisingly eye-catching," the commentator, Dagestino, said as he looked at the noisy team.
"Defeating Real Madrid in an away game has ignited the passion of Deportivo de La Coruña's fans. The Deportivo de La Coruña fans are eager for an exciting victory against the newly promoted Sporting de Gijón," González said.
"Coach Li Ang will not be happy to see this," Dagestino said with a smile, and then his partner laughed.
*****
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As the fans entered the stadium and took their seats, both teams sat in the locker room and prepared.
"I don't think I need to say more about what kind of team Deportivo is. Deportivo's offensive ability is very strong. In the face of such an opponent, there is no way out. " Li Ang stood in front of the players. "So, I plan to attack in the away game. Modric, are you ready for this game?"
His teammates looked at the Croatian. After Mata's injury, everyone was guessing who would replace Mata. However, in the past two days of training, everyone could see that Modric would replace Javier Blanco in the starting lineup.
Modric held back his excitement and nodded vigorously. This would be his first start for Sporting de Gijón. Mata's injury was a headache for Li Ang, but for the other players, such as Modric, it was a good opportunity to perform.
Li Ang drew out the midfield positions on the tactical board and wrote Modric's name on the right flank.
"In this game, your defensive role will be more important. Marcos needs you to provide defensive help. Your main task is —" Li Ang pointed at Albertini's name on the tactical board.
"Protect Demi?" Modrich asked. Before this, Carlos's mission was to protect Albertini. Seeing Li Ang nod, he nodded as well. "I understand, coach!"
Li Ang hesitated for a moment before adding, "Also, if … there's a chance, you can join in and attack. As for the timing, you can grasp it yourself!"
Modric nodded.
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Li Ang sighed in his heart. With Carlos on the field, this kid's defensive coverage was very large and could provide protection for the offense in the front field. Mata did not need to take on too much defensive responsibility. Now that Carlos was suspended, Li Ang could only send Marcos. However, a defensive midfielder like Marcos would conscientiously defend the middle and cover less ground than Carlos. At this time, Sporting de Gijón needed Modric's help to defend. This would inevitably reduce Sporting de Gijón's offensive power.
In a sense, Carlos's absence had a greater impact on the team than Mata's absence.
"Well, I mean if there's a chance … under the premise of defending well. Do you understand, Luca?" Li Ang thought for a moment. In the end, he had to remind Modric. He was worried that Modric, who was in the starting lineup, would be too engrossed in killing and only care about participating in the offense.
Luca Modric nodded. "I understand, coach."
"Also … Marcos." Li Ang called out Marcos's name. With Carlos suspended, Marcos would be Sporting de Gijón's biggest barrier in the midfield.
"Protect the midfield! I understand, boss! "Marcos said.
Li Ang looked at him and nodded. "Yes, your job is the same as before. You'll have to work harder in the midfield defense."
Then, Li Ang looked at Albertini again. The latter nodded, indicating that he understood what to do. Li Ang smiled. This was the role of a veteran. Sometimes, you did not need to say anything and they would understand.
Li Ang called out Franck again. "Franck, you're on the left side. I want you to be extra active today. Don't you like to pass people? Today, you can pass people to your heart's content. Your task is to mess up Deportivo's right side."
"Mess up to what extent? Mess it up to a pulp? "Ribéry asked.
"Ah?" Facing a strong opponent, Deportivo La Coruna, the atmosphere in the locker room was a little tense. Li Ang was stunned at Ribéry's sudden words, and then he burst out laughing. "That's right. Just do it. You can do whatever you want. Don't you think you're a bird in a cage? Fly it today. "
"I'm not a bird. I'm a big bird," Ribéry muttered.
There was a burst of laughter in the locker room.
*****
Compared to the slightly solemn atmosphere in the Sporting Gihon locker room, the atmosphere in Deportivo La Coruña's locker room was relatively lively. Although their performance at the start of the league season was relatively average, the team's recent recovery, especially the 1-0 away win over Real Madrid in the last round, had brought Deportivo La Coruña's spirit back. Their players' confidence had risen, and they told themselves that they were still the Super Laco team that made many European powerhouses tremble!
Irueta stood in the middle of the players. The players had changed their jerseys.
Irueta's time as a player was not outstanding, but as a coach, his performance was quite amazing. Excluding this new season, Irueta had been coaching Deportivo La Coruña for seven years, which was very rare in the very utilitarian modern football circle. In these seven years, Irueta had become the "godfather" of the team. His words carried weight in Deportivo!
Of course, Irueta was also entitled to such special treatment. Before Irueta came to Deportivo de La Coruña, Deportivo de La Coruña was just a strong team that shocked Spain. Irueta, on the other hand, turned the team into a Super Team and even a Championship Team. He led the team to win the first Primera División title in the history of the team, as well as a Copa del Rey and two Supercopa del Rey.
Irueta once said to the reporters that if it were not for Bellerón, he would not have played 4-3-1.
This sentence not only showed his affection for Bellerón, but also showed the man's conceit.
Because in fact, he had Bellerón, so he firmly played 4-3-1.
Deportivo's 4-3-1 was a typical 4-3-1. Two wingers who were good at breaking through, a classic attacking midfielder, a strong center forward, and two defensive midfielders to escort. This lineup became tacit and stable after the initial adjustments. Mauro in the middle had a good positional sense, mainly acting as a screen for the rear defense and connecting the team. He usually passed the ball to the attacking midfielder, Bellerón. Sergio ran all over the field to fill in the gaps and provide support. The attacking midfielder, Bellerón, often returned to the center circle to get the ball, and then stuffed the ball to both sides, or helped the assisting full-backs and midfielders to cooperate. Bellerón, who did not seem to run, inadvertently counterattacked in the front field and often created excellent opportunities to kill.
On the left side, Luque preferred to enter the penalty area to look for opportunities, leaving the space to assist to Romero. Victor, on the right side, wandered on the sidelines and cut inside less.
In addition, Laco's defense was stable. The flanks were almost impenetrable because there were always two players entangling each other. The middle was also very stable. At least two players protected the middle position together. Coupled with the team's steady and tacit control of the ball, the opponent could get very few chances.
It was worth mentioning that counterattacks were also one of Laco's main offensive routines. With two sharp flanks and Bellerón's strange passes, the quality of Laco's counterattacks had always been very high. The team had three players that were almost indispensable: Andrade, Mauro Silva, and Bellerón. In the second leg of the 2004 UEFA Champions League semi-final, Andrade and Mauro were absent for the first time. Laco's defense was no longer unbreakable.
Now, Andrade, Mauro Silva, Bellerón, and other star players were healthy. Deportivo's lineup was complete and their condition had recovered. It could be said that their morale was at its peak.
Therefore, Irueta was very confident in his team.
The team's performance in the new season was not good. Irueta was also angry. After a small 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the away game, he felt relieved. However, in Irueta's view, in order to let everyone remember the horror of Super Laco, they still needed to establish their power. They needed to use a big victory to establish their power.
Now, the newly promoted team, Sporting de Gijón, had become the target of Irueta's Sporting de Gijón to establish their power!
At this moment, Irueta looked at his players. His cold eyes swept over everyone. "In the first half of the game, my request is that by the end of the first half of the game, the balance of victory has been completely tilted!"
Sporting de Gijón, if you want to blame someone, blame it on your bad luck. Irueta slightly raised his head and left his players. He walked toward the players' corridor and toward the technical area.
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