Ronaldinho's goal ignited the enthusiasm of the Barcelona fans.
In the stands at Camp Nou, huge cheers rang out. "Barça! Barça! "Cheers rang through Camp Nou.
Although it was only a goal, it gave people hope of equalizing the score. In the most dangerous and crucial moment, Barcelona's biggest star player stood up, which was very morale-boosting.
Gijon people, don't be happy too early. This is Camp Nou, we are Barcelona! The mighty Barcelona! We will not allow you to be rampant!
Barcelona did not celebrate the goal at all. They quickly got into formation and were ready to kick off again.
Li Ang smelled danger. This goal boosted Barcelona's fighting spirit. There were still about 20 minutes left in the game. With a one-goal difference, Barcelona suddenly saw the hope of equalizing the score and even overtaking the score.
Li Ang originally planned to take advantage of the time when Barcelona celebrated the goal to shout on the sidelines and gather the players to give a few words to stabilize the team's morale. However, Barcelona obviously did not give him the opportunity. The game had already resumed.
*****
On the field, Sporting de Gijón's players were obviously affected by the goal concede and were a little flustered.
Barcelona took advantage of this opportunity to put pressure on Sporting de Gijón's goal.
Iniesta and Ronaldinho were the two starting points of Barcelona's offense. They constantly attacked Sporting de Gijón's defensive line, and Decaux became more active.
After Ronaldinho's dribbling attracted Sporting de Gijón's defense, the football was deftly passed to Iniesta's feet. The latter's feet flashed and looked like he was going to pass to Decaux, but he knocked the football back. Harvey followed up and sent a beautiful straight ball. Eto 'o plugged in like a cheetah. If it were not for Hierro's experienced defense in advance and directly kicked the football out, Eto' o would have faced the goal once he got the ball.
Li Ang did not hesitate anymore. He made his first substitution of the game. He replaced Marcos with Modric, who had a yellow card.
Marcos had a yellow card on him. Now, he had some misgivings about defending. When he was marking Iniesta earlier, he did not dare to make a move.
In addition, Li Ang brought on Modric, who was more offensive, instead of Sasstre, who was more inclined to defend. This was an obvious signal that Li Ang wanted the team to attack...
In the face of Barcelona's strong attack, Li Ang chose to respond in a more proactive way. His team did not only know how to defend and counterattack! Sporting de Gijón also had their own set.
*****
After another three minutes, Li Ang made a second substitution. This time, he replaced the team's full back, Grosso, with the young player, the French striker, Benzema.
If everyone could understand Li Ang's first substitution, some people could not understand the second substitution. Replacing a center back with a striker? In that case, Sporting de Gijón only had three center backs. How were they going to play?
At this time in the football world, there were very few coaches who would use the three center backs. Therefore, Li Ang's substitution left them scratching their heads. Their only guess was that Sporting Gihon had changed to a striker. They were going all out.
However, there was another thing that puzzled them. Why did he not replace Hierro? It was obvious that the 36-year-old Hierro could not run anymore, while Grosso looked like he could continue to support himself physically.
This substitution made Rijkaard secretly smile. Although he had not yet figured out how Sporting de Gijón would distribute the defensive line after the substitution, he felt that Li Ang's substitution was a stupid move. Obviously, the Chinese coach valued Hierro too much and chose to believe in the veteran's experience at this time. However, it was obvious that Hierro could not run anymore. What was the use of having experience? On the contrary, the exhausted Hierro could become the point where Barcelona could break through. Furthermore, Sporting de Gijón was short of a center back.
"The Chinese are out of their minds," Rijkaard's assistant, Tenkat, also said.
Rijkaard smiled and nodded.
*****
When Grosso came off the field, he was a little uneasy. He thought that he did not perform well and displeased the manager, so he was replaced.
In today's game, Grosso's performance was relatively quiet because he had a heavy defensive role, so he rarely stepped in to assist.
However, Grosso did not expect Li Ang to take the initiative to hug him and praise him for doing a good job today. This made the Italian left back happy immediately.
The 16-year-old Benzema was a little excited. He did not expect to have a chance to play today. After Barcelona scored a goal, Benzema thought that he would not have a chance to play today because everyone thought that Sporting de Gijón would strengthen their defense in such a situation.
Now, he had a chance to play, which made Benzema very excited. This was a game against Barcelona, and the boss had just told him that the team needed to strengthen their offense and score goals!
Being sent to play in such a situation made the young Benzema feel the manager's trust and expectation!
Benzema ran onto the field as fast as he could. There was not much time left for him to perform, so he had to cherish every second. The French boy was very excited to be given a chance to play in such a pinnacle match at such a critical moment. He was eager to make a name for himself.
*****
Li Ang's substitution also sparked a discussion among the commentators.
"Withdraw a defender and replace him with a striker," Dagestino said. "Although we still don't know how Sporting de Gijón's defensive line will be adjusted for the time being, Manager Li Ang's substitution is a signal. In the face of only a one-goal lead and Barcelona's frenzied attack, he did not choose to continue to be conservative. On the contrary, he was extremely aggressive, even a little risky!"
"This is a person who makes people feel conflicted. When he is conservative, he can be very conservative, but when he is crazy, he will take shocking risks, "González also commented.
"The Chinese are too arrogant. They still want to attack at such a time. Barcelona boys, don't be polite. Show them some colors. Destroy Sporting de Gijón. Hierro can't run anymore. Attack his defensive area and let the Chinese pay the price for their arrogance! The Chinese are out of their minds with this substitution! They have to pay the price! " Catalonia's commentator was sarcastic and provocative. At this moment, their tone was not polite at all to the "old friends of Barcelona." Obviously, Li Ang and Sporting de Gijón embarrassed Barcelona today and aroused the anger of the Barcelona people. They felt extremely uncomfortable, like the king of the forest being provoked by a small animal.
*****
Was Li Ang out of his mind?
Of course not!
At this moment, he was as calm as an iceberg in the South Pole. At this moment, facing Barcelona's strong attack, Sporting de Gijón's physical fitness was declining. It would be very difficult for them to maintain a one-goal lead!
Moreover, strengthening the defense did not necessarily have to be achieved by increasing the number of defensive players. From another point of view, strengthening the offense could, to a large extent, help the team reduce the pressure on the defense.
Li Ang had a certain amount of confidence in his team's offensive ability. With Ribéry, Dinatale, Milito, Modric and Benzema, as well as Mata, who had just come on, Li Ang had a certain amount of confidence in his team's offensive ability. Apart from Mata, who was injured and absent, the offensive energy that Sporting de Gijón's players could erupt on the field would be terrifying!
As for the three center backs playing style, it was rarely used in the current football world. However, Li Ang had also practiced this tactic in training. His players would not be unfamiliar with it.
If Barcelona were afraid of Sporting de Gijón's offense, they would slow down their offense and the defensive pressure on Sporting de Gijón would be reduced.
However, if Barcelona were arrogant and did not care about Sporting de Gijón's offense and continued to attack unscrupulously, Sporting de Gijón would make Barcelona suffer!
PS: First update, to make up for yesterday's bottom line 2.
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