Before the start of the second half, the broadcast gave a close-up of the VIP box at Camp Nou.
Barcelona's president, Laporta, appeared in the camera with a slightly dignified expression on his face. Obviously, he was not satisfied with his team's halftime deficit against Sporting de Gijón.
"Laporta certainly has a reason to be dissatisfied. He has just boasted. If his team loses, he will lose face," the Madrid commentator said sarcastically.
The people of Madrid were happy to see Barcelona suffer, even though they also did not like Sporting de Gijón.
And the Barcelona president's previous words had completely angered the people of Real Madrid.
After Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-0 and won the 227th El Clásico in history, Barcelona president Laporta vowed that this Barcelona team would change the history of football. He said to the camera at that time, "Today is the greatest day of all. Not only because we won this game, but also because of the level of football we showed in front of the whole audience. Real Madrid had no resistance in front of us. Our team is very strong and full of motivation. All the players know what to do in the game. We have formed a set of fixed tactical systems. We play the best football. Barcelona has no opponents this season. Our biggest enemy is ourselves. "
After Laporta said those words, the Madrid media attacked the Barcelona president with shame and anger, saying that he was too complacent.
"The season is still long. Let's wait and see. I don't believe they can keep winning." Real Madrid president Florentino said angrily.
However, even Florentino did not expect that after he said those words, the first team to stand up and be Barcelona's obstacle was Sporting de Gijón, whom he disliked very much.
*****
At this time, in the live camera, the person next to Laporta said something in a low voice. The Barcelona president seemed to have a smile on his face.
Then, an ordinary-looking bald old man appeared in the camera.
"Moggi came to the president's box at Camp Nou before the start of the second half." Dagestino recognized the person next to Valdano. It was Juventus' general manager, Moggi.
Obviously, this Juventus general manager was really famous and immediately attracted attention.
This gentleman was like a top boss in a Wuxia novel. Wherever he went, there would be a rain of blood.
Moggi, Italian, general manager of Juventus Football Club. He was the ruler of Italian football for more than a decade, but at the same time, he was also a "sinner." Those who liked him called him the "King of Transfer" or the "Richelieu of Football"; those who disliked him called him a despicable schemer, the representative of the Serie A underworld. In any case, from a competitive point of view, Moggi was worthy of being called the "transfer king" in the history of Serie A, and he had created too many miracles when he was the general manager of Juventus. He was a strange combination of evil and wisdom, greed and simplicity. Mystery was his identity card, meanness was his coat, and the cheque was his silent pistol. He was like a ninja, never showing his emotions. He was also like the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, whose influence was in every corner of the football world. "The Cardinal of football", these were the words that some media used to describe Moggi.
In the late period of AC Milan's Three Musketeers dynasty, Moggi returned to Juventus and started an era. Whether it was called the "Trident" or the "Three Giants," in short, Giraudo, Bettega, and Moggi worked together to build Juventus, a once-glorious but troubled boat, into an invincible warship. Giraudo had a shining example in business, Bettega could use his reputation as a player to expand his influence, and Moggi was the one who understood the market best and had the most tricks.
"Barcelona is trying to bring in Tacchinardi from Juventus." González said the reason why the Italian giant was at Camp Nou.
González was right. Moggi's trip was for Tacchinardi's transfer. Barcelona wanted to bring in Tacchinardi, and Juventus also had ideas about some of Barcelona's players.
However, at this moment, the eyes of the Juventus general manager in the chairman's box had been fixed on the young player of the visiting team, Juan Carlos.
Moggi had heard that AC Milan had taken a fancy to a young Spanish player and had asked Sporting de Gijón to buy this big boy named Carlos. He did not pay much attention to it at the time. However, this trip happened to coincide with the game between Barcelona and Sporting de Gijón. When he saw Carlos's performance, this discerning Juventus general manager immediately became interested.
"This is a good seedling!" This was Moggi's first thought.
"A player like this should be brought to Juventus." This was the man's second thought.
*****
Li Ang did not know that Carlos had been targeted by the Juventus general manager, Moggi. At this moment, his attention was all on the field.
After the start of the second half, Barcelona launched a siege on Sporting de Gijón from the beginning. During the first attack, they still held back, observing and guarding against Sporting de Gijón's counterattack. However, when they saw that the opponent was still using conservative tactics and had no intention of attacking, Barcelona was relieved. They began to bombard Sporting de Gijón's penalty area.
"Manager Li Ang is so conservative …" The commentator, González, complained. If he were the manager, he would definitely let the team and Barcelona have a soul-stirring battle. They would win happily even if they won! He did not like to be conservative. Of course, he also knew why he was only a commentator and Li Ang was the manager. No manager dared to arrange tactics like that when facing an opponent like Barcelona. It would be a joke to their coaching career.
In the face of Barcelona's bombardment, the Sporting de Gijón players did not panic. The manager, Li Ang, had repeatedly instilled in them the difficulties they might face in the second half during the halftime interval. They were mentally prepared. Outside the field, Sporting de Gijón's players had experienced such a situation of being besieged by their opponents in the first half. They knew how to deal with the enemy's attacks.
"This is a standard half-field attack and defense," Dagestino said.
Barcelona's offense was like a tide, while Sporting de Gijón's defense was unhurried.
They contracted their defensive line and did not give Eto'o the space and opportunity to play his speed and break through. Then, their players ran there tirelessly, using the full field press to contain Barcelona's midfield organization.
*****
"Sporting de Gijón's response is very correct," Dagestino said. "Their defensive counterattack isn't simple. It requires the entire team to work together and work together. It also requires tacit cooperation."
The commentator was right. Li Ang's defensive counterattack seemed conservative, but it was more active and proactive. It was completely different from most people's impression of a defensive counterattack. They did not passively defend the penalty area and then endure there, enduring round after round of Barcelona's attacks.
Rijkaard thought that Sporting de Gijón would still insist on defensive counterattack in the second half of the game. However, he never thought that after half of the game, Sporting de Gijón's defensive counterattack would still be so dynamic, so active, and so diverse …
Sporting de Gijón's defensive counterattack, if it was a whole, could be divided into two parts. The rear defensive line did not move and firmly held their position. They would never rush out.
It was like the cornerstone of the defense. The cornerstone was firm. Then, their midfielders simply pressed like crazy, tearing and cutting Barcelona's midfield organization. Barcelona's players were in a mess.
Even Ronaldinho, who had the best foot technique, had difficulty holding the ball comfortably.
Rijkaard was not without a way to deal with it. He asked Ronaldinho to control the ball more to attract Carlos's defensive attention and create opportunities for the other players. However, the effect was not great because the entire Sporting de Gijón's midfielders, including the Argentine striker Diego Milito, were engaged in the passionate pressing defense. From the perspective of Barcelona's side, there were people everywhere. It was difficult to find a way to attack and score.
*****
Li Ang issued a warning to his players. The 15 minutes at the beginning of the second half was the most dangerous time. It was easy to not get into the game in time at that time. The opponent would seize the opportunity to counterattack successfully. He asked the players to be fully focused from the beginning of the game until the end of the game.
As he expected, Barcelona launched a fierce attack on Sporting de Gijón's goal. This time, it was even fiercer than in the first half. Barcelona burst out with their greatest offensive energy. It could even be described in one word: general attack!
At the beginning of the second half, Barcelona blew the horn for the general attack.
Obviously, it was only a one-goal difference. This stimulated Barcelona. They wanted to equalize the score as soon as possible and then continue to score goals to win the game.
Harvey took the ball. He made a slight adjustment and then observed the situation in front of him, hoping to find a way out of the ball.
Albertini followed Harvey closely. The team's task now was to defend. The 33-year-old Italian veteran also put all his energy into defense. Although he was not good at defense, don't forget that he was an Italian player. "Italian players are born to defend." This was a very famous sentence in football.
This time, when he saw Harvey looking up to observe the situation, Albertini took the opportunity to decisively intercept the ball without hesitation! He directly tackled the ball to the ground and shoveled the football out. Judging from his resolute and brave actions, it was easy to tell. You could not tell that he was a veteran in his thirties at all.
*****
Barcelona's sideline ball.
Márquez threw the football out. After Decaux stopped the ball with his chest, he passed the football to Larsson, who pulled out to receive. The latter knocked the football to Harvey with his heel. Barcelona's midfield brain then knocked the football to Decaux again.
After a series of passes, Barcelona passed the football to Ronaldinho's feet.
Carlos immediately entangled Ronaldinho.
He tried to protect the football and let Carlos continue to attack from behind. Ronaldinho knocked the football forward. He made a move to break through. It caused Pepe, who was blocking in front of him, to tilt his body and immediately flashed a gap.
This was Pepe's shortcoming of inexperience. He was too easily fooled into making a move.
Ronaldinho immediately lifted his foot when he saw the gap flashed.
Carlos, who was behind him, saw Ronaldinho lift his foot. He knew he was going to shoot. The Brazilian's shot was extremely threatening. Li Ang once said that Ronaldinho must not be allowed to easily lift his foot to shoot when he was facing the goal head-on.
Carlos decisively fell to the ground. He shoveled with his foot, hoping to be the first to shovel the football out.
He was still half a beat slower. Ronaldinho's leg swung faster than he thought.
"Bang!"
The football drilled in through the gap that Pepe dodged!
Carlos's shovel missed.
"Ronaldinho! Long shot! "
The football sprang up and flew straight to the goal.
*****
It was a high-quality shot.
The power and angle were good.
Sporting de Gijón's goalkeeper, Valencia, was highly focused. He did not dare to hold the ball. He directly hit the football out with a single fist.
The football was hit back, startling the stands into a gasp.
Outside the penalty area, Decaux stopped the ball with his chest. He was going to kick again, and then he saw a man rush over and cleverly separated him from the football in mid-air!
"Ribéry!"
"This is Sporting de Gijón's chance to fight back!"
Decaux subconsciously counterattacked, but Ribéry's beautiful change of direction directly broke through.
Then, Ribéry directly accelerated forward. Faced with Harvey, who came up to intercept, he once again dribbled the ball at a high speed and changed direction, bypassing the interceptor.
Then, he still did not pass the ball. He continued to dribble the ball forward at high speed!
"Return to defense!" Barcelona's defensive midfielder, Márquez, immediately realized that the French player did not intend to pass the ball at all. He intended to use his personal speed to complete an individual breakthrough and counterattack!
Realizing this, Márquez shouted as he quickly retreated, trying to delay Ribéry from getting the ball. At the same time, Puyol had led all the Barcelona defenders to rush back.
When faced with Márquez's frontal interception, Ribéry pretended to change direction to the left to break through. When Márquez made his move, he caught a glimpse of the slightly larger gap between Márquez's legs. He immediately stretched out his leg and the football went through Márquez's small door. Then, he used the explosive power of his body to the extreme, accelerated again, and bypassed Márquez's side!
"Through the crotch!"
"Here it comes! Here it comes! This is Sporting de Gijón's counterattack! They've been waiting for this opportunity to fight back! "
After bypassing Márquez, the only professional defensive player in Barcelona's midfield, Ribéry now had a flat field in front of him. He continued to dribble the ball at high speed and galloped away!
*****
Barcelona's full back, Belletti, came out to intercept Ribéry.
Ribéry faced Belletti, who rushed out to intercept him, and suddenly passed the ball!
"Mark him!" Puyol roared and pointed at Di Natale!
Barcelona's other center back, Oleg, pounced on Di Natale in horror. He did not expect this man to have rushed here.
This was the efficiency of Sporting de Gijón's counterattack. The attacking players pressed forward at an extremely fast speed!
Oleg pounced on Di Natale!
Di Natale's right leg swung up, looking like he was going to do a long shot.
Oleg immediately fell to the ground to block!
However, when Di Natale's right leg came down, he easily knocked the football behind him.
*****
Carlos caught up. He knew that his footwork was not good. The football was just a transition for him. He passed the football diagonally to the left!
Albertini, who caught up, was panting. However, his footwork was not careless. He directly lobbed the ball into the penalty area!
"A beautiful pass!" The commentator roared, "The Gijón people have played Barcelona's football at Camp Nou!"
Barcelona's defensive line was completely penetrated.
Di Natale's heel hit the ball was the essence. Barcelona was fooled and their defense completely collapsed.
In front of the goal, Diego Milito jumped high. The Argentine striker beautifully swung his head and headed the football into the corner of the goal!
Barcelona's goalkeeper, Valdés, had no way to deal with this ball …
PS: A chapter of nearly five thousand words.
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