Hierro struggled to stop Eto'o's shot that was about to enter the net. Sporting de Gijón's morale was greatly boosted. This kind of rescue was no less important than the goal.
Barcelona, on the other hand, suffered a certain blow and impact.
In the following two minutes of injury stoppage time, Barcelona was unable to create any more offensive opportunities. As Decaux's long shot went over the crossbar, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.
"The halftime whistle sounded! The first half of the game completely belonged to Sporting de Gijón! In these 45 minutes, Barcelona had the upper hand in terms of ball possession and time of possession. But it was Sporting de Gijón who created and seized the scoring opportunities. To be fair, Barcelona should have deserved a goal, but Sporting de Gijón refused to concede a goal because of Hierro's outburst at the crucial moment! "Dagestino said.
"Objectively speaking, the away team is leading 1-0. This is a more fair score." González had a different opinion. "Barcelona may have the initiative, but their players were caught in Sporting de Gijón's impenetrable defense. Other than Eto'o's counterattack, the home team did not get any other decent scoring opportunities! Li Ang's tactics were right. After getting a fantastic start, he decisively adopted a defensive strategy. Sporting de Gijón cut off Barcelona's offense, and Li Ang's tactics suppressed Rijkaard. In the confrontation between the two managers, Li Ang is temporarily in the lead. "
"This wasn't an exciting first half. Other than the goals and rescues from the front and back that were exciting, it was a little dull." The Sky TV commentator was also commenting on the first half of the game. "However, although it lacked entertainment value, this kind of game was more realistic. The managers and players on both sides fought with wits and courage, and the competition was fierce. This is a game that deserves a lot of attention from researchers. "
The commentator was right. Matches where three or four goals were scored in the first half of a match were rare. On the contrary, it was this kind of tit-for-tat match that had more research value. In the 20022003 season's UEFA Champions League final, AC Milan and Juventus finished with a score of 0: 0 in the 120-minute game. In the end, through a penalty shootout, the Rossoneri reached the top of Europe. Many fans later complained that the game was too boring. Both sides were aiming for the penalty shootout from the beginning, and the game was not exciting at all. However, in fact, in the notebooks of many managers, this game was repeatedly studied and hailed as a classic. Such a real game, from the tactics to the details, the performance of the players on the field, and the substitutions on the spot, were all very exquisite. The confrontation between the two famous managers, Ancelotti and Lippi, was a classic of European finals.
In today's match, Sporting de Gijón's manager, Li Ang, and Barcelona's manager, Rijkaard, started from the very first second of the match. The process seemed dull, but there were many subtle aspects to it.
"I'm looking forward to the second half of this game. If there are no accidents, this game will become this season's most classic peak showdown in La Liga. Although Barcelona's opponent is only a newly promoted team, at this moment, we have to say that Manager Li Ang's team is enough for any team to take seriously, because they have the qualifications! "The commentator said in a very serious tone.
*****
Rijkaard's expression was dignified. He lowered his head and quickly walked into the tunnel. The team missed a goal at the last moment of the first half, which made Rijkaard extremely regretful. It also made the Dutch manager worried. He once again realized the difficulty of this opponent.
Li Ang's face was full of smiles. The team did not concede a goal and entered the halftime interval with a score of 1: 0. This made him very satisfied.
He was not in a hurry to return to the locker room. Instead, he stood not far from the entrance of the players' tunnel and said a few words to each player who came over. He patted them on the shoulder to express his reward and satisfaction. Finally, he walked back with his own people.
The atmosphere in the away team's locker room at Camp Nou was good.
Everyone was excited and emotional about the first half of the game. They scored early and stopped the opponent's goal in the end. It was great from the beginning to the end.
This showed the effect of Hierro's rescue. If Barcelona had equalized the score at the last moment of the first half, the atmosphere in Sporting de Gijón's team would not be so good now. Instead, it would be more depressing. In that case, the ones with smiles on their faces would be the home team, Barcelona's players.
Leading their opponents by a score of 1: 0 in the first half of the game gave the whole team a lot of confidence.
They were leading the league leader, Barcelona, who was now the most popular team in European football. Moreover, throughout the first half of the game, they did not give this strong opponent many chances.
Li Ang did not stop the players from being excited. Although he was strict in his management, he was not the kind of old antique who always kept a straight face. The players needed to release their emotions. In Li Ang's view, this was normal.
*****
After waiting for about two or three minutes, Li Ang felt that the time was right. He coughed. He signaled that he had something to say. The locker room immediately quieted down.
"I'm proud of your performance in the first half!" Li Ang's first sentence caused applause and whistles in the locker room.
"The start was very smooth." Li Ang raised a finger. "That attack surprised me. I didn't expect you to do so well. I applaud you."
The players cheered.
After the players finished cheering, Li Ang pressed his hands down. "After the goal, our defense also did well. Barcelona's proud pass and cut offense was cut off. They did not get any chances. This was thanks to the efforts of the whole team. I see that Ribéry, Dinatale, and Milito are actively participating in the defense. I'm very relieved."
There was another round of cheers. Everyone liked to hear praise, and so did the players. After fighting hard for half of the game, to be recognized and praised by the manager was the greatest encouragement for them. Even their fatigue seemed to have disappeared.
"However, now that everyone is here with a smile, we should thank one person!" Li Ang said.
"It's the captain!"
"Captain!"
"That's right!" Li Ang nodded. "In the final stage of the game, the gap after the counterattack reminded everyone that our opponent is the powerful Barcelona. We need to be vigilant at all times, because a moment of relaxation can lead to accidents."
Everyone's faces showed a serious expression.
"Fernando." Li Ang called Hierro's name. "Although this is your job, I still have to say that you did a good job! These guys should buy you a drink after the game. "
"Yes, it's my treat," Ribéry shouted.
"It's rare to be able to get Ribéry to buy you a drink," Li Ang joked.
There was another burst of laughter. Hierro's face was also smiling. Although he was tired, he was in a good state, better than ever.
"However, the treat will only happen after we win the game." Li Ang clapped his hands. "After the whistle at the end of the game, we will have the last laugh if we win the game."
"Win the game, and I'll buy you a drink," Li Ang said.
"Hooray!"
"Okay!"
"That's great!"
There was another round of cheers and whistles in the locker room.
*****
After the players finished cheering, Li Ang pressed his hands again and said, "But don't be happy too early. After all, our opponent is Barcelona. You should have experienced their strength in the first half of the game. Although they did not score, they put a lot of pressure on us. The second half of the game will be more difficult and we will need to put in more effort! "
After being warned by the manager, everyone nodded secretly. Li Ang was right. Barcelona was indeed very strong. It seemed that Barcelona did not get any chances in the first half of the game, but Barcelona did put a lot of pressure on them. There was even a period of time when they could not hold on and were worried that they would lose the ball at any time. Under such circumstances, captain Hierro's rescue was precious. Therefore, the manager was right when he said that the whole team should thank Hierro for his efforts.
"In the second half, we will still adhere to the tactics of defensive counterattack and full field pressing. If the ball is lost in the front field, we will counterattack. Immediately organize an attack when we get the ball. However, when we counterattack, we have to protect the backfield well. I don't think anyone wants to experience the crisis at the end of the first half again. "
"Don't hesitate when there is a chance to counterattack. Be more precise and don't waste the opportunity. The team that wastes the opportunity will inevitably be punished. Again, what I want is offensive efficiency! "
PS: First update, and guaranteed first update.
Looking for a monthly ticket.
Looking for a recommendation ticket. This week's recommendation ticket hopes to be on the ranking list. Thank you.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
