April 10, 2005, Malaio Training Base.
That afternoon, the Sporting de Gijón team did not have any training scheduled. They gathered in the conference room of the training base. Their current job was to watch the game!
Sporting de Gijón had played the UEFA Europa League in the middle of the week, so their league match was scheduled to be played last. The game was tomorrow.
However, the entire Sporting de Gijón team paid special attention to the game in the afternoon.
Real Madrid's home game against Barcelona!
El Clásico!
The highlight of this round of the league.
Although the relationship between Sporting de Gijón and Real Madrid was not good because of Li Ang, almost all Sporting de Gijón fans did not mind becoming Real Madrid fans for the time being.
If Barcelona lost to Real Madrid and Sporting de Gijón defeated Albacete in tomorrow's game, Sporting de Gijón would overtake Barcelona in the league table!
*****
The game between Real Madrid and Barcelona was known as the El Clásico. It was also known as the battle of the century.
This was the 228th battle of the century between the two Spanish giants. Previously, Barcelona had a slight advantage with 93 wins, 86 losses, 48 draws, scoring 385 goals and conceding 377 goals. This was also the 148th battle between the two sides in the league. Previously, Real Madrid had a slight advantage with 65 wins, 56 losses, and 26 draws. On Barcelona's side, Decaux was suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Iniesta replaced the Portuguese. Barcelona's captain, Puyol, played with an injury. Former Real Madrid striker, Eto 'o, returned to the Bernabéu for the first time since his transfer to Barcelona. On Real Madrid's side, Paven replaced the suspended Samuels as the starting center back. Real Madrid's manager, Luxemburgo, sent out three forwards consisting of Raúl, Ronaldo, and Owen.
"Real Madrid is a little risky," Banderas said. As a lifelong Real Madrid fan, he still loved Real Madrid deep in his heart. Whether it was for public or private reasons, he hoped that Real Madrid could defeat their arch-rival, Barcelona. Seeing Luxemburgo's formation of three forwards made him worried for Real Madrid.
"Not necessarily." Li Ang shook his head. "Real Madrid scored a lot of goals in this game, and the pressure on their rear defensive line was relatively less."
Seeing Banderas's surprised look, Li Ang said a name, "Decaux!"
That's right, it was Decaux!
In Rijkaard's Barcelona team, which player was the most important?
Some would say that it was the Brazilian football star, Ronaldinho.
Some would say that it was the Cameroonian shooter Eto'o!
However, Li Ang had a different view. Maybe Ronaldinho was very important and a very great player. Maybe Eto'o scored a lot of goals, but in his eyes, the most indispensable star of this Barcelona team was the Portuguese Decaux! He was the absolute core of Barcelona's midfield. In this game, without Decaux, Barcelona's attacking power would be greatly affected.
However, Li Ang did not dare to underestimate Barcelona's strength. Barcelona still had the ability to score away goals. Therefore, he said that this was a game with a lot of goals.
The final process of the game also proved the accuracy of Li Ang's analysis and prediction of the game.
*****
Zidane took the lead in the seventh minute, and Ronaldo increased the lead in the 19th minute.
When they saw Ronaldo's goal give Real Madrid a 2-0 lead over Barcelona, the Sporting de Gijón players let out a huge cheer. In the Bernabéu stadium, Real Madrid was leading 2-0. It was difficult for the opponent to make a comeback. Even Barcelona found it difficult to achieve a reversal. In the past few seasons, only Li Ang's Sporting de Gijón had managed to reverse Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
Eto'o's goal in the 28th minute narrowed the gap, which made the Sporting de Gijón players a little worried. However, Raúl's goal before halftime widened the score again. The England striker Michael Owen's goal in the 65th minute widened the score to 4-1 and almost sealed the victory.
"Well done! English, "Ribéry shouted.
There were loud cheers in the meeting room. At this time, everyone was almost certain that Real Madrid had a great chance of beating Barcelona.
In the following game, there was another wave. Ronaldinho scored a direct free kick in the 74th minute and again made the score 2-4. Barcelona was only two goals behind.
During the process of watching the game, Li Ang appeared to be relatively calm. In fact, he was forcing himself to be calm. Real Madrid did not win easily today.
Real Madrid was able to beat their arch-rival Barcelona in this game. First, they had to thank their goalkeeper, Casillas. Then, they had to thank Real Madrid's attacking superstar for being in a good form today. Relying on Casillas's saves and the striker's ability to seize opportunities in front of Valdés, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona, even though the latter had far more chances than the White Army.
If the game between Real Madrid and Barcelona had been changed to another stadium other than the Bernabéu, Barcelona would most likely have won the final victory. Barcelona had no less than ten chances to break the goal in the game, but they did not seize any of them. It was a little unbelievable. The biggest difference between Barcelona and Real Madrid was the individual ability of the players. Barcelona performed better and had more chances, but in the end, they lost the game. Real Madrid performed better in some aspects. In other words, the key to Real Madrid's victory was their goalkeeper. Whether it was a long shot or a single shot, Casillas was always able to keep Barcelona out. With such a magical performance, it was no wonder that the fans gave their cheers to the young man.
The performance of Real Madrid's superstars could be described as perfect. Almost all the superstars scored, and there was still Casillas behind. It was difficult for Real Madrid not to win.
*****
In the end, Real Madrid defeated their century-old rival, Barcelona, 4-2 at the Bernabéu Stadium on their home ground in this El Clásico de España derby.
"Hooray!"
There was a huge cheer in the meeting room. Some people whistled, some clapped, and some hugged their companions excitedly.
Barcelona lost the game!
Now, Sporting de Gijón was down one point behind Barcelona with a game down. However, as long as they could beat Albacete at home in tomorrow's game, they would surpass Barcelona in points and become the leader for the first time this season!
Just imagining this situation made the Sporting de Gijón players excited.
Li Ang chased the excited players out and let the assistant manager lead the training. He stayed alone in the meeting room. He lit a cigarette and his hands were trembling.
He took a deep breath of the cigarette, but choked and coughed again and again.
Nervousness, excitement, worry, and a strong desire to fight. These were the mixed feelings he had right now.
He took a few deep breaths and coughed again and again. He held the cigarette in his hand and the smoke lingered.
Li Ang began to think about the game with Albacete in his mind. He already had a plan for this game and was ready for it. However, he was still not at ease and repeatedly thought about it in his mind. He would not allow any accidents in this game.
Barcelona lost to their arch-rival, Real Madrid.
Sporting de Gijón ushered in a great opportunity to reach the top!
Sporting de Gijón must seize such a good opportunity.
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