It was terrible for Sporting de Gijón to have a player sent off shortly after the start of the match.
However, the worst part was that the opponent had also scored a penalty kick.
This directly caused Sporting de Gijón to fall behind in the score and had the most far-reaching impact on the match.
If they were only short of one player, Li Ang could make conservative tactical adjustments and get the whole team to concentrate on defense. If they could rely on defense to force a draw with Sevilla in this away game, it would not be unacceptable for Sporting de Gijón. Moreover, Sevilla had one more player, so they would definitely want to win the match. They would raise the flag of offense high, which gave Sporting de Gijón the possibility of a counterattack.
However, now that Sporting de Gijón was behind by a score of 0 to 1, Sevilla was not in a hurry. They could take their time at their own pace. On the other hand, Sporting de Gijón was behind in the score. If they wanted to retreat from the Pis Juan Stadium unscathed, they had to try to attack. They were already at a disadvantage in terms of numbers. If they took the risk to attack again, it was possible that the gap in the rear defensive line would be further enlarged, which could cause them to concede another goal.
Attack or defense? In addition, Li Ang had to make a decision as soon as possible as to whether they should make an adjustment to make up for the gap in the center back after Hierro was sent off with a red card.
*****
"Do you want to make a change?" Scotty asked Li Ang. What he meant was to change a player in the front field and replace him with a center back. This was also the manager's normal adjustment method when a center back was sent off with a red card.
Li Ang shook his head and did not say anything. Instead, he walked straight to the sidelines and shouted Albertini's name.
After Hierro was sent off with a red card, the captain's armband was put on the arm of the team's vice-captain, Albertini.
"The third center back!" Li Ang said to Albertini.
"Tell Carlos to expand the interception area. He has to work harder."
"Gerosso has to be more careful when pressing. Let Ribéry withdraw more to provide support."
"Modric, retreat. You, move forward."
Li Ang did not say a word, but Albertini nodded. Then, after Li Ang patted him on the shoulder to signal that the arrangement was complete, the Italian veteran ran back to the field and conveyed the manager's latest tactical adjustment instructions.
*****
In the end, Li Ang decided not to replace him.
The gambling instinct in his bones was reflected at this time. It was already 0: 1. There was no difference between losing one goal and losing two goals. He did not choose to weaken the power of the offense. Instead, he chose a more risky tactic.
Grosso, Pepe, and Ivanovic, the three defenders, played the three midfielders formation.
At the same time, Modric moved back to his position and formed a double defensive midfielder with Carlos. Carlos was mainly responsible for sweeping the area, while Modric was responsible for defending and organizing the offense.
On the other hand, the veteran Albertini moved forward and used his experience to ensure the operation of the midfield. Once there was a chance to counterattack, Albertini would be the most important instigator.
Ribéry was also asked to retreat to provide support, which maximized the offensive ability of the side defenders under the constraints of the full backs' assists.
Especially for Carlos, Li Ang could only use one word to describe his new task: destroy!
That's right, destroy!
Use Carlos's powerful sweeping ability to destroy Seville's offense and form a protection for the penalty area.
Assisted by Modric, the two defensive midfielders each had their own roles.
*****
Renato sent a diagonal pass. Alves had just stopped the football when Carlos rushed in front of him.
The Brazilian player's footwork was very good. He nimbly dodged and spiked the ball, intending to bypass the aggressive opponent. However, Carlos's tackle was very decisive and directly knocked Alves to the ground along with the ball.
The referee's whistle sounded. Carlos had fouled.
There were boos in the stands. They were dissatisfied that the referee did not give a card to Carlos. The Seville players also complained to the referee that they should have given a card to Carlos.
Li Ang nodded off the field. With Hierro already sent off, although the referee could not say that he would favor Sporting de Gijón, the visiting team, at least he would not be so harsh on them. Carlos had tackled both the man and the ball. It was possible to say that it was a foul, but it was also possible to say that it was not a big foul. After all, he had tackled the football.
Later, Seville's several attacks were always interrupted by the joint efforts of Carlos and Modric. This also made Seville's plan to take advantage of the recent goal and the momentum of the opponent having one less player to launch a new wave of offensive climax fall through.
Seville paid attention to the speed of their advance, but their attacks were repeatedly broken and interrupted by their opponents. By the time the momentum of their attack was stopped a few times, their momentum was already affected.
*****
This time, Baptista beautifully used his personal ability to get rid of Modric and lure Carlos to intercept him. Then, he sent a beautiful pass. In the end, Renato, who received the ball, was hit by Albertini's shoulder from behind. A very small foul had ruined Seville's attack. Seville's manager, Caparos, sat in the technical area and glanced at Li Ang not far away. This was the Chinese's response?
Using foul tactics?!
Caparos revealed a smile. If the opponent only used foul tactics, so simple and crude, then Li Ang and Sporting de Gijón would not be a concern. Even though Seville's offense had been destroyed and contained during this period, Sporting de Gijón's foul tactics were not without a price. Modric received a yellow card, and Carlos had been verbally warned twice by the referee. Looking at the situation, it was only a matter of time before he received a card.
Caparos was sure that if Sporting de Gijón continued to use foul tactics, Sporting de Gijón might have another player sent off in this game, or even more.
They did not strengthen the rear defensive line and only relied on interceptions in the midfield. They used foul tactics to make up for the disadvantage of having one less center back. Deep down, it was a conservative defensive strategy. They wanted to ensure the number of players in the midfield, but they were also burdened by the defense and had no ability to attack. Such a decision was incompetent and conservative. How stupid!
Sporting de Gijón was the biggest dark horse in La Liga this season. The media also praised Li Ang a lot. Caparos, as a veteran representative of La Liga, had long wanted to fight against Li Ang, the most popular representative of the "young generation." Now, it seemed that this Chinese man was just so-so.
At this time, Li Ang walked to the sidelines again. He seemed to be a little impatient as he waved his hand and shouted something. Then, he walked back to his seat with a resentful face.
Caparos pursed his lips in disdain.
Then, he also walked to the sidelines and made a gesture. It was a gesture for the entire team to press on and attack. He felt that he had seen through the methods of the Chinese man. This opponent was really too weak to withstand a single blow. Since that was the case, he would use all his strength to take him down.
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