The Sevilla manager, Mr. Caparos, smiled. His wishful thinking was to score again as soon as possible. It would be best if they could establish a victory in the first half of the game so that the second half of the game could become garbage time ahead of time and his players could rest.
After the end of the winter break, the games were very intensive. After this round of the league tournament, there was the first leg of the Copa del Rey in the middle of the week. Then there was the league tournament on the weekend. Then there was the second leg of the Copa del Rey in the middle of the next week. Then there was the league tournament on the weekend after that. In other words, there were two games a week for two weeks in a row. This was not a small challenge for the team that had just finished the winter break. Therefore, if they could easily beat Sporting de Gijón without breaking a sweat, Sevilla would be able to get a breather in this devil of a competition schedule.
The game had just started and they had already taken the lead with a penalty kick. The opponent had also had a player sent off. Obviously, in Caparos' eyes, God was helping Sevilla.
If they could not finish the battle as soon as possible, Caparos himself would not forgive himself and these players.
*****
In the nineteenth minute of the game, Sevilla's young right back, Sergio Ramos, actively plugged in to assist. After he passed the football to Alves, he immediately rushed to the middle. Alves adjusted and knocked over Grosso, who came up to intercept, and then passed from the side.
Alves was looking for Ramos. This young teammate of his had a good header ability.
Ramos met his match. He and Pepe competed for the header. The two men did not manage to grab the football under the interference of each other. Instead, Marti, who was at the back, directly headed the ball. The football was blocked by Valencia's hand. Modric did not kick far to break the siege. Baptista, who was outside the penalty area, directly shot a cold shot.
The football hit Ivanovic's leg and changed direction. It went straight to the near corner of the goal. Fortunately, Valencia was just about to get up after completing the save. When he saw the football flying over, he immediately fell to the ground and pounced on the football under his body.
Sevilla's attack shocked Li Ang so much that he broke out in a cold sweat.
He did want to take advantage of the possible gap after Sevilla's large-scale attack to sneak an attack. However, if Sevilla scored first and the score became 0: 2, Sporting de Gijón would basically have no chance in this game.
"The third center back's defense is too weak," Banderas said worriedly. He was reminding Li Ang to make a substitution. He wanted to take off a player in the middle and front field and replace him with a defender to make up for the defensive line.
"Wait a little longer." Li Ang shook his head. He was still hoping to ensure an equal number of people in the middle and front of the field. He wanted to fight back against Seville.
Even though he knew that this decision of his was somewhat risky, he still persevered.
In Li Ang's eyes, the midfielders, whether it was the veteran Albertini, Ribéry, Modric, or Di Natale and Diego Milito on the frontline, he was reluctant to replace any of them. This was because Sporting de Gijón's counterattack in the frontline was practiced very skillfully. The combination of these players could produce the greatest effect. Once a player was replaced, it was like a precision machine. If a part was missing, it could jam!
"It's time for a change," Scottley said.
"Wait a little longer," Li Ang said without turning his head. He gritted his teeth. Five minutes! He set a time limit for himself to hold on for another five minutes. If he still could not find a good opportunity to counterattack after five minutes, then he would have to make a substitution. He had to stabilize the defense first.
*****
The game had been going on for twenty-two minutes, and Sporting de Gijón still had not found a chance to counterattack. Instead, they were suppressed by Seville to the point that they could not breathe.
Li Ang sighed. He turned to Scottley and said, "Let Vermaelen warm up."
Scottley quickly ran to the substitutes' bench and shouted at the Belgian, "Thomas, hurry up and warm up."
Vermaelen stood up immediately. Ever since Hierro was sent off with a red card, he had been waiting for the manager's call. However, the manager Li Ang had no intention of making a substitution, so he had been anxious. At this moment, the manager's words excited the Belgian lad. This would be his first official appearance since his transfer to Sporting de Gijón. It would also be his first appearance in La Liga.
Li Ang's gaze was fixed on the field. Time passed by.
In the twenty-fifth minute, Carlos fouled Karlitos in the backfield. Seville had a good position to set the ball in the front field.
Vermaelen had finished his warm-up and returned. Li Ang glanced at the nervous Belgian lad, pointed to the field, and told him what to pay attention to later on.
On the field, Baptista took the free kick.
The Brazilian star's kick was blocked by the human wall, and then Renato shot again. He did not have the strength to kick, and the ball was caught by Sporting de Gijón's goalkeeper, Valencia.
Li Ang stopped talking and his eyes lit up.
*****
"Counterattack! Hurry up! "The captain on the field, Albertini, shouted at Valencia.
Valencia did not hesitate and directly threw the ball vigorously to launch a counterattack.
Grosso got the ball and then passed it forward. After Ribéry, who had retreated to his own half to receive the ball, he turned and kicked the ball to Modric. Then he sped forward.
After Modric got the ball, he directly passed the ball forward.
As soon as Albertini got the ball, Jesuli came up to entangle him, trying to delay Sporting de Gijón's counterattack.
After the Italian veteran, who desperately protected the ball, quickly observed the situation on the field, he gave up the idea of turning around and dribbling the ball directly to Modric, who came over to receive.
Modric did not stop the ball. Instead, he passed it directly to Di Natale in front. The latter did not stop the ball either. Instead, he received the ball and passed it. The ball drew an arc in the air and turned to the right side.
Ivanovic had already appeared in that position. As a full back, he rarely assisted in today's game because Hierro was sent off. However, this time, he realized that it was a good opportunity to counterattack. Ivanovic was very determined to plug in.
After he stopped the ball with his chest, Ivanovic strode forward and dribbled the ball along the side at high speed.
*****
Sevilla's full back, Pablo, rushed up from the side and directly slid.
Ivanovic suddenly stopped and let Pablo pass. Then, he raised his leg to pass.
Diego Milito had attracted the attention of both Castedo and Navarro in front, but he was caught off guard by Di Natale's sudden attack. The small Italian striker directly made a powerful dive to the top!
Fortunately, the Sevilla goalkeeper, Esteban, reacted quickly. In addition, Di Natale's header was a little too direct. He directly slapped the ball back.
The football was slapped back and flew to the other side of the goal.
There, Diego Milito, Castedo and Navarro huddled together, all wanting to head the football. In the end, no one managed to head it.
The football bounced up on the ground, and the three men could only watch helplessly.
At this time, someone appeared like a ghost.
It was Ribéry!
The French youth beautifully unloaded the football. Then, before anyone could react, he directly raised his leg to shoot!
At such a close distance, the football flew straight to the goal and suddenly appeared in front of Esteban. In the face of this shot, he was helpless!
The Sevilla goalkeeper did not even have time to wave his hand. The football swooshed past him and flew into the goal behind him!
PS: First update. February was about to pass. Regardless of the reason, the fact was that the February update was not very impressive. March's rise began at this moment.
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