"Oh, that's right." Li Ang seemed to have just remembered something and his tone suddenly softened. "Yesterday, I went to visit Mata."
Mata was the youngest player in the Sporting de Gijón team. Everyone liked this little guy. Even Modric, who had a 'competitive relationship' with Mata, had a good relationship with Mata. When they heard the manager mention this name, everyone felt a sense of familiarity.
"Ah! That little guy — "
"That little guy is very impatient. He doesn't know that we envy you. We envy that you can play in the game and take revenge personally." Li Ang winked and everyone burst into laughter. The manager was right. Mata, that little guy, was probably envious of them on the television now. That must be it.
Li Ang was very satisfied. He had aroused the fighting spirit of the team and added some warmth.
Li Ang spread his hands. "Mata has a wish. I can't help him fulfill it. Only you can help him."
Then, his eyes narrowed and focused. "They want you to help him score a goal! He's not satisfied with one goal. He hopes for two, three, the more the better! Tell that little guy, can this wish be fulfilled? "
"No problem!" Everyone responded loudly.
"Dad!" Mata was lying on the hospital bed. The head of the bed shook and he asked his father, "Can we win today?" Then, without waiting for his father to answer, he clenched his fists. "We definitely can!"
*****
"The players from both teams have come out! Wow, we saw that kid Carlos. He's shaved his head. What does that mean? Shaving his inventiveness? This kid is really interesting. " Dagestino did not hide his preference for Carlos at all. The gold-medal commentator had once written a post praising Carlos in his column. He felt that this type of player was what the Spanish national team lacked the most. Spain needed such a fierce player in the midfield. He even called on the Spanish national team manager, Aragones, to call up Carlos to the senior national team. If his suggestion was accepted, Carlos would be the youngest player in the history of the senior national team. However, at present, this possibility was very low. The media still had doubts about Carlos's age and ability. However, Dagestino did not think that was a problem. Carlos was now Sporting de Gijón's absolute main force. Sporting de Gijón's results and league ranking said everything!
However, there was also good news. Aragones had come to the El Molinon Stadium for the game. Although the main purpose of the Spanish national team manager's visit was to observe the many Spanish national players in the defending champion Valencia, if the Spanish players in Sporting de Gijón performed well, Aragones would definitely take note.
"It's a pity that Mata is injured!" González said. If the kid was not injured and had a good performance in the game, he would have attracted Aragones' attention. Attacking players were always more likely to shine and attract more attention.
After all the players had entered the stadium, Sporting de Gijón's main manager, Li Ang, led his coaching team out of the locker room and walked to the technical area.
When they passed by Valencia's technical area, Li Ang took the initiative to shake hands with Ranieri. The two of them exchanged a few pleasantries. It looked like the two coaches, who had a huge age gap, were like old friends. This surprised many people. When had Li Ang ever been so polite to his opponents?!
On the field, the players from both teams lined up and shook hands. This was a necessary procedure.
The television broadcast captured the scene of the two managers shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries and sent it to thousands of people. Dagestino said, "They are like old friends. This scene is so harmonious … "
González interrupted, "After the game started, it was not harmonious."
Then, the two commentators laughed happily in front of the microphone. They all knew Li Ang's nature. He was a person who was very fanatical when he was working. He did not recognize anyone. In this match, behind the tender feelings, was Li Ang's determination to take revenge!
At this time, the starting lineups of both teams were displayed on the television screen.
Valencia's starting lineups (4-4-2): 1 – Canizares; 15 – Carboni, 23 – Torres, 5 – Marchena, 17 – Navarro; 6 – Albelda, 8 – Baraja, 19 – Ruffalo, 21 – Aymar; 10 – Angulo, 11 – Di Vaio;
Sporting Gijón Lineup (4-2-3-1): 1 – Domenech Valencia; 26 – Braniskov Ivanovic, 3 – Pepe, 4 – Fernando Hierro, 15 – Fábio Grosso; 14 – Juan Carlos, 6 – Demetorezio Albertini; 21 – Luca Modric, 11 – Franck Ribéry, 10 – Antonio Dinatale; 22 – Diego Milito; 2 – Lugo Milito; 3 – Pepe, 4 – Braniskov Ivanovic, 3 – Pepe, 4 – Fernando Hierro, 15 – Fábio Grosso; 14 – Juan Carlos, 6 – Demetorezio Albertini; 21 – Luca Modric, 11 – Franck Ribéry, 10 – Antonio Dinatale; 22 – Diego Milito
*****
Just as the commentator had predicted, the match entered a highly confrontational and fast-paced situation from the very beginning.
Ranieri and Li Ang's Earth team did not do any probing and directly confronted each other. In fact, there was no need to probe. Valencia and Sporting de Gijón had faced each other in the Supercopa de España before the start of the season. They had defeated their opponents and thought that they knew their opponents very well. Sporting de Gijón, on the other hand, was still brooding over their loss in the Supercopa de España. This game was about revenge!
Sporting de Gijón lost the right to pick the side in the coin toss before the game, so they were awarded the right to kick off. This made Li Ang very satisfied because it meant that they had control of the football from the beginning!
From the moment the referee blew the whistle for kickoff, Sporting de Gijón directly launched an attack. They sent the football to Valencia's goal in a few passes.
Modric's curling shot was lofted into the penalty area. The starting center forward for the game, Diego Milito, headed the football, but he was disturbed by Torres, who was closely marking him. He was unable to head the ball in the right spot. The football went slightly over the crossbar and shocked the Valencia people into a cold sweat.
The stands applauded and cheered for the team's first attack.
"The home team, Sporting de Gijón, has threatened Valencia with their first attack! Sporting de Gijón has shown a strong desire to attack. They are eager to score goals and seek revenge … "Dagestino praised Milito." This Argentinian striker who came to Gijón from Serie B is now Gijón's number one striker. He has eight goals in the league and is currently second only to Eto 'o on the goalscoring list! What a surprising player! "
*****
Soon after, Valencia's attack arrived.
After Aimar's pass was blocked, Albelda passed the football to him again. The latter took the opportunity to do a long shot and the football went slightly over the goalpost.
"Valencia's first shot also arrived quickly. Both sides did not test each other and got into the rhythm of the game right from the start!"
"Yes, that's right. This game will be an exciting game to watch!"
"That's right, that's right. It will be very exciting and intense … Both sides' transition between offense and defense is very fast. Sporting de Gijón immediately launched an attack and Albertini directly made a long pass! Ribéry! Breakthrough! It's over! Cut inside and shoot! It's blocked! Di Natale shoots again —! The crossbar! Oh, oh, oh, oh! "
Di Natale held his head. He could not believe that his shot could bypass Canizares's ten fingers but failed in front of the crossbar.
.
In the stands of El Molinon Stadium, there was a loud sigh of regret.
The game had entered a white-hot stage right from the start!
PS: Eighth update. Desperate for monthly votes, the distance has been pulled apart. Old Lin's chrysanthemum! Right in front of my eyes, I'm drooling three feet long.
I've been sitting in front of the computer for seventeen or eighteen hours. I was originally very tired, but now I'm getting more and more energetic. Brothers, can you help me fulfill this wish? The goal, Old Lin's chrysanthemum!
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