In the home team's locker room at Bernabéu, Guti sat there expressionlessly, watching his teammates come in.
Through the large projection television in the locker room, he saw the team's performance after he was sent off. If not for his good luck and the referee's mercy, Sporting de Gijón was likely to score another goal to expand the score to three to zero.
This made Guti extremely angry and annoyed. He was annoyed that he was sent off for his foul. Of course, it was not because he was ashamed of his bad foul, but because he now calmed down and thought that he would be more helpful to the team if he stayed on the field!
Guti's talent was recognized by the Spanish football world. As the vice-captain of Real Madrid, he and Real Madrid's captain, Raúl, were the two sides of Real Madrid. This person had used his personal experience to tell everyone how brilliant talent could be, and how frustrating it could be to squander it. The biggest obstacle that restricted his development was his temper!
Of course, a person's temper and character could not be changed. This was Guti!
For Real Madrid, Guti meant a lot. For the football world, Guti's fame and influence might not be great. But this was football. Even if a player had many flaws, he could be as perfect as a god in the eyes of some people.
In the current Real Madrid team, the captain was Raúl, but because of the problem of character, the arrogant Guti took on more of the captain's role.
Perhaps when Real Madrid was mentioned, people would not think of him first because there were too many great names in the history of Real Madrid that were worth remembering and looking up to, but Guti would not be left out. In his football world, winning for Real Madrid was the core of everything, regardless of the means.
For such a person to face Real Madrid, who was now two goals behind in the first half of the game, Sporting de Gijón, which he hated, was indeed a great shame and anger!
Raúl came over to comfort Guti, but it seemed to have no effect.
Raúl sighed. He knew that unless they won the game, his friend would not be happy.
At the same time, Raúl was a little confused. Real Madrid was so strong, and to be honest, they did not play badly today. The statistics showed that Real Madrid had 65% of the ball in the first half of the game. They had 12 shots on goal, while their opponents only had six shots. However, the result of the first half was that Real Madrid was behind 2-0. This made the Real Madrid captain confused, puzzled, and resentful.
The other superstars of Real Madrid felt the same way as Raúl. For them, who were determined to take revenge, the first half of the game was too sullen.
*****
Luxemburgo's expression was serious as he looked at these superstars. He did not speak immediately. He was still thinking about the tactics for the second half of the game.
Real Madrid could not afford to lose this game, and neither could Luxemburgo.
A rich and powerful family like Real Madrid was proud and arrogant. Of course, they had the right to be proud! The glittering gold and silver trophies in Bernabéu's Hall of Honor were their pride!
Last season at Bernabéu, Sporting de Gijón, who were still in the Segunda División, snatched the Copa del Rey trophy at their doorstep. In the end, it caused the Galácticos to lose all four trophies in the season. This was Real Madrid's shame!
And this season, when they met again at Bernabéu, Real Madrid vowed to take revenge. Now, they were beaten 2-0 in the first half of the game by their opponents. Their vice-captain was also sent off with a red card. This was simply adding new hatred to the old hatred.
If Real Madrid lost this game, then the resentment accumulated from Real Madrid's staggered state after the start of the season would completely explode. Whether it was their manager, Luxemburgo, Real Madrid's players, or even the senior management of Real Madrid, the president of Real Madrid, Florentino, they would all face tremendous pressure!
In this game, the Galácticos had to defend the dignity of a century-old powerhouse!
*****
In the away team's locker room, Sporting de Gijón's players were talking and laughing. Although they were passive for most of the first half of the game and were under great pressure, the 2-0 score made everyone happy!
And Javier Blanco sent Guti off the field, which made everyone extremely happy. Awesome!
"Well done! Javier! "
"That's right, this is awesome!"
"Seeing that guy go crazy with anger, I'm so happy!"
Everyone came over to praise Blanco and gave him a thumbs up, cheering for his excellent performance.
The team was a collective. If one fell, the whole team would fall. If one fell, they would all fall. If one fell, they would all rise. Guti broke the rules and injured Mata, and showed an arrogant attitude, which angered everyone in Sporting de Gijón. Blanco successfully sent Huang Ma's vice-captain off the field with a red card, which helped the whole team vent their anger!
Only the veteran, Hierro, smiled awkwardly. No matter what, he was Real Madrid's old captain. His heart would always love Real Madrid. In such an occasion, it was more awkward.
Of course, on the field, Hierro did not relent at all. This was a professional attitude!
Li Ang looked at all of this with a smile. He arranged for Blanco and the other players to find a way to get rid of Guti. On the one hand, it was out of tactical necessity. On the other hand, it was precisely because he expected the current situation, which could make him, the other coaches, and all the players feel happy! It could be said that it was very morale-boosting!
Li Ang was very happy to see this scene. It showed that the atmosphere in the locker room was very good. Everyone consciously regarded this as a collective and was willing to protect their teammates!
However, Li Ang still decided to cool the players down a little. A two-goal lead did not guarantee victory in the game, not to mention that they were facing Real Madrid, a Galácticos.
*****
"We have a two-goal lead. That's good, guys. It stands to reason that I should praise you and congratulate you at this time, because you did really well. But I'm sorry, I can't do that at the moment. "Li Ang shook his head and said. "I thought about the crisis we might face in the second half. I hope you know that against an opponent like Real Madrid, a two-goal lead definitely does not mean that victory is locked in the safe!"
The players quieted down and looked at their manager.
Assistant coaches Banderas and Scottley also looked at Li Ang. The two coaches, who were much older than Li Ang, admired Li Ang. Li Ang grasped the sense and timing of adjusting the team's state and morale very well. Before the start of the first half of the game, he used hot-blooded and passionate words to stimulate the players and let them erupt with great energy in order to get a good result in the first half of the game. Now, with a two-goal lead in the first half, when the whole team was very happy and relaxed, Li Ang was able to sound the alarm to the players in time to prevent anyone from relaxing too much.
Li Ang saw that everyone was listening to him quietly and was satisfied. He continued, "I don't need to say more about Real Madrid's strength. This is also a very experienced team. It's not that they don't have the ability to reverse the game with a two-goal deficit! Let me give you an example. In last season's Champions League game, AC Milan defeated Deportivo La Coruña 4-1. Who would have thought that Deportivo La Coruña would make a comeback in the second leg, but they did it. They made a 4-0 comeback! "At this point, Li Ang paused.
"The 2-0 score in the first half of the game can be regarded as the first leg of the game. The second half of the game is the second leg. So, if anyone thinks that a two-goal lead is safe, it's very stupid."
"So, I want everyone to pay attention. We can't be satisfied with this score. In the second half, if possible, I want you to try to seize the opportunity to score … "
*****
On the other side.
"Look at the jerseys you're wearing, gentlemen." Luxemburgo was in the locker room and said to his players, "I'm not being sarcastic. I just want to say that you're the best players on the planet. You're wearing the jerseys that all players in the world dream of. Two goals behind is not the end of the world for Real Madrid. Our opponents had good luck in the first half of the game, but their good luck ends here!"
"In the first half of the game, our offense lacked efficiency." He glanced at Zidane and Raúl. These two players would be the key to Real Madrid's comeback in the second half of the game.
"Zidane, you have to continue to put pressure on their defensive line in the second half of the game. Suppress them!" Luxemburgo said. "Raúl, your position is slightly withdrawn to support the midfield."
In the face of Sporting de Gijón and Real Madrid's strangling and tearing in the midfield, Luxemburgo's strategy was for Raúl to work harder and come back to support the midfield.
In the visitors' locker room.
"Helguera and Roberto Carlos! Their two flanks are very close to the top. In the second half, we have to take advantage of this when we attack. Ribéry, you have to be more active on the flanks in the second half of the game so that you can get more opportunities. Di Natale, your position is slightly back. We need you to support the transition in the middle and create more opportunities in the midfield. "
Ribéry and Di Natale both nodded. Di Natale's footwork was very good. If he came back to support the midfield, it would attract the attention of Real Madrid's defensive line to a certain extent. Ribéry's speed would give Helguera a headache.
In the home team's locker room.
"Ronaldo, you need to run more. The team needs your speed and breakthrough." Luxemburgo's words were tantamount to a disguised criticism of Ronaldo. "You're the greatest striker on the planet. The team needs you!"
Originally, Ronaldo was slightly unhappy after being criticized. However, Luxemburgo's last sentence made him feel a lot better. At the same time, Ronaldo secretly gritted his teeth. He had to teach the Gijon people a lesson in the second half of the game. Ronaldo's play in the first half was very average. It could be said that he barely played in the first half. Some people even suspected that he did not play at all. For him, the forty-five minutes in the first half was a kind of torture. He urgently needed to perform in the second half. No matter what, he was still one of the greatest strikers on the planet. His team was actually kicked by Sporting de Gijón with a score of 2-0. This made Ronaldo lose face.
*****
"In the second half of the game, we will continue to defend and counterattack." Li Ang said on the other side. "I just emphasized that we have to score goals. This means that our counterattack needs to be efficient!"
When Li Ang said this, no one was surprised. Because this was one of Sporting de Gijón's tactical plans. Try to score a goal in the first half of the game, then gradually shrink the defensive line in the second half and start to play defensive counterattack. They did their best to not let Real Madrid score. At the same time, they could take advantage of the opponent's pressing offense and eager to equalize the score to wait for a sneak attack to widen the gap.
This was Li Ang's wishful thinking. In fact, their tactic worked well. The score of 2-0 at the end of the first half was proof.
"When you counterattack, you have to be fast …" At this point, Li Ang looked at Di Natale again.
"Antonio." Li Ang called his name. "In the second half, you have to move the ball to the two sides more. When you pass, try to pass the ball in front of you to give Ribéry and Blanco space to run. However, if the counterattack is blocked, immediately stabilize and control the ball under your feet. Don't waste the opportunity to attack. Of course, if you have the chance, you can also dribble the ball to break through and shoot! "
This was equivalent to giving Di Natale a heavier task. At the same time, it also meant that he had more freedom!
Di Natale nodded. He could feel the coach's trust in him. The Italian grassroots striker was in high spirits at this time. To be able to score such a wonderful goal at Bernabéu was like a dream. The manager's trust made him even more motivated.
In Sporting de Gijón's midfield, Di Natale's footwork was the best. Li Ang even thought that Di Natale's footwork was better than that of Mata, who later grew up. This was also the reason why Li Ang let Di Natale have more control of the ball. He trusted this 27-year-old veteran who came from the grassroots. This trust moved Di Natale very much. He had a feeling of gratitude that a gentleman would die for his bosom friend!
In the locker rooms on both sides, the managers were making the final tactical arrangements.
Finally, it was time to start the second half of the game.
*****
"Go, the dignity and honor of Real Madrid and Bernabéu need you to protect. In the second half of the game, let everyone see what the real Real Madrid is like!" Luxemburgo said with a serious face.
None of the Real Madrid star players spoke. Everyone walked out of the home team's locker room with serious expressions.
"Go, give Real Madrid a good kick in the ass!" Li Ang waved his hand. "Tell the Real Madrid people that we have been here, that we have conquered!"
"Kick Real Madrid's ass!" The Sporting de Gijón players roared in unison. Then, they almost rushed out of the locker room with red eyes.
PS: Dear Big Boss, starting from the 29th, it's time to repay the debt and explode.
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