Unlike the high-spirited atmosphere in Sporting de Gijón's locker room, the atmosphere in Barcelona's locker room was a little depressing.
Before the game, they had looked down on their opponents. Many people even thought that victory would be easy. For example, Eto 'o had even joked with everyone about how many goals they would score in the game.
No one thought that the situation would be like this at the end of the first half of the game.
They, the powerful Barcelona, the leader of La Liga, the most popular team in Europe, Barcelona, were behind their opponents by a score of 0: 1 in the first half of the game. Of course, a score of 0: 1 was not the end of the world. It was not like they had never been behind before. However, compared to the score, what they could not accept the most was that the smooth offense they were so proud of was gone. They did not get any decent offensive opportunities in the entire first half of the game. Faced with Sporting de Gijón's high-intensity defense, they felt like they were trapped in a swamp. They had strength but could not use it. It was very uncomfortable.
This was just like a martial arts expert. His proudest and strongest weapon was suddenly useless. He would feel incomprehensible, depressed, and even a little confused.
Rijkaard went to the bathroom to smoke a cigarette. When he returned to the locker room, he did not speak immediately. Instead, he kept thinking.
"Actually, this game came at the right time," Rijkaard suddenly said.
Everyone raised their heads and looked at the manager. They did not understand.
"We are the powerful Barcelona. We have a big goal. Our goal is to be the champion. On the way to the glory of being the champion, we will encounter a lot of obstacles and difficulties." Rijkaard said, "Sporting de Gijón's conservative tactics are giving us a headache. However, there is nothing to worry about. It's only a goal behind. It's not a problem at all. This is a good training for us. We want to use victory and goals to tell everyone that nothing can stop us from moving forward!"
*****
When he said that, everyone's eyes lit up again.
That's right, it was only a goal behind. It was just that the first half of the game was not smooth. What was the big deal? We are the mighty Barcelona. We want to use this game to tell everyone that nothing can stop our Barcelona from moving forward!
Rijkaard was happy to see the light in the players' eyes. He believed that as long as his team went all out, as long as the players regained their confidence, as long as they took the game seriously, with Barcelona's strength, winning the game would not be a problem. He always had the greatest confidence in his team. Because they had strong confidence.
"In the second half, we will continue to strengthen our offense." Seeing that the atmosphere in the locker room had improved a lot, Rijkaard began to lay out the specific tactics. "Other than attacking, we have no other way out. Sporting de Gijón's defense is very tight, so we need to use our brains more. Their full-court press consumes a lot of energy, so we'll have more chances in the second half compared to the first."
Rijkaard originally considered simplifying the team's offense, changing the attacking routine, or directly attacking from the side and passing from the bottom. However, he gave up in the end. On the one hand, Barcelona's tradition was not suitable for high balls. On the other hand, Rijkaard believed in the team's strength. As long as Barcelona persisted in their offense, he did not believe that they could not tear apart Sporting de Gijón's defense. As Rijkaard himself said, this game would be Barcelona's touchstone. He wanted to see if his Barcelona's passing and cutting tactics could cope with Sporting de Gijón's full-court press and defensive tactics.
He said that this game came at the right time, not just to encourage the players. Barcelona's current tactics were not perfect, and he also needed to improve. This game could be used as a reference.
*****
After that, Rijkaard called out Decaux's name, and the latter looked up at him.
"Albertini is old. His stamina will be a big problem. You need to run more actively to attract Albertini's running and consume his stamina. He is Sporting de Gijón's metronome. If Albertini can't do it, Sporting de Gijón's counterattack will be completely useless."
Decaux was drinking water. He nodded and twisted the bottle. He was a player with strong tactical discipline and was very professional. The manager would like such a player.
"And Eto'o, if you have a chance to shoot, shoot decisively. Don't waste it for me. Seize the opportunity and score! "Rijkaard criticized Eto'o.
In the scoring opportunity at the end of the first half, if Eto'o had directly volleyed the ball when facing an empty goal, instead of choosing to gently push the shot, Hierro would not have had a chance to stop the goal no matter how hard he tried.
Eto'o's expression was not good, but he still made a sound to show that he understood. At this time, although Eto'o's temper was not small, it was not to the extent that he dared to fight and quarrel with the manager.
Now, he was furious. Milito, whom he despised, had scored a goal. As for him, he had finally broken into the penalty area with great difficulty and was faced with an empty goal, but he had been saved at the last moment. This made Eto 'o angry, and he felt that he had lost face. He swore that he must score, he must score!
"In the first 15 minutes of the second half, attack with all your might! Try to score early to equalize the score! " Rijkaard said, "As long as we score a goal, Sporting de Gijón's defensive tactics will be useless!"
*****
On the other side, Li Ang was also making the final tactical arrangements.
"Now we are in the lead. When the second half starts, Barcelona will definitely launch a crazy counterattack. They will not tolerate losing to us. So, do your best to defend! " Li Ang knocked on the table. "Then … follow the old rules. On the basis of not conceding a goal, wait for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack."
Li Ang had a clear understanding of the situation in the second half of the game. Barcelona's offense would be unusually strong. The proud Barcelona people would never accept defeat.
Li Ang was mentally prepared for the possible pressure in the second half of the game. He clearly knew that as long as the team could hold on at the beginning of the second half, as time passed, the other side would inevitably become more and more anxious. The trailing score was like a big stone, pressing on the hearts of the proud Barcelona stars, making them depressed and impatient.
Once they were impatient, it meant that there were loopholes, and Sporting de Gijón was best at grasping loopholes and fighting back.
"… It can be foreseen that the key to the second half of the game is not to concede a goal in the first 15 minutes. In these 15 minutes, the team will be very difficult, so stabilize the defense … "Li Ang raised his index finger. "In these 15 minutes, you have to hold on. After this stage, the opponent's offense will weaken. At that time, it will be time for us to catch our breath."
"Then, it's to seize the opportunity and score another goal. One goal is not safe!"
"Barcelona people have been boasting that they beat Real Madrid by three goals. We beat Real Madrid by four goals. Have you seen me go around shouting?" Li Ang sneered.
There was a burst of laughter in the stadium. Even Hierro did not know whether to laugh or cry at this time. The coach's mouth was really sarcastic.
*****
"Finally, remember one thing!" Li Ang raised his voice and looked around at everyone with firm eyes. "Victory must belong to us!
"Victory!" Captain Hierro raised his right arm and roared.
"Victory!" Everyone shouted together. Everyone's eyes were shining with excitement.
Li Ang watched all of this quietly. At this time, he vaguely heard sounds in the corridor outside. The Barcelona players had set off to return to the stadium.
Li Ang subconsciously looked at his watch. Barcelona people came out two minutes earlier than he expected. It seemed that Rijkaard had a card up his sleeve. Had he found a solution to the problem?
Li Ang smiled. It was a confident smile. No matter what special tricks Rijkaard had in the second half of the game, he could use them all. He would take it!
In this pinnacle of the game, the victory could only belong to him and Sporting de Gijón!
"Go!" Li Ang waved his hand. "Don't forget that the Barcelona people are waiting anxiously."
Hierro straightened his face and directly opened the locker room door. He waved his right arm and said, "Let's go!"
Everyone let out a low roar and rushed out.
PS: Second update, and guaranteed second update.
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