Was Li Ang tempted by Inter Milan's invitation? He was tempted.
Had he made up his mind to leave Sporting Gijón for Milan? Not yet!
Tempted was tempting. Any manager, even those famous managers, would be tempted by Inter Milan's invitation, let alone a young manager like Li Ang. However, Li Ang still had some regrets in his heart.
Sporting de Gijón could be said to have been built by him single-handedly. He had already laid a solid foundation for the team. Now, he was going to reap the rewards of building a skyscraper from the ground. Was this season's possible championship the fruit of his harvest? No, far from it. In Li Ang's ambitions and grand plans, he hoped to lead his team to greatness. He hoped to build a dynasty, not just a flash in the pan.
He had deep feelings for this team that he had put in a lot of effort and effort into. This was the first team that he had coached. He wanted to start and finish well. He wanted to create glory and leave behind a legend.
Li Ang shook his head. He really wished that the boss of Sporting de Gijón was that old man Moratti. It would be perfect to have such a selfless boss.
Unfortunately, Manuel Arango was not Massimo Moratti. Li Ang did not doubt the old Arango's love for Sporting de Gijón. As the boss of a team for more than 20 years and did not let go when the team was relegated to Serie B, it was impossible that he did not have true love for the team. However, for Li Ang, the old Arango's vision was too small. The old Arango wanted to cash in on Sporting de Gijón because he thought that losing a few players would weaken the strength of Sporting de Gijón, but it was not a big deal. In the old Arango's view, as long as Sporting de Gijón could become a strong team in La Liga, or for example, a team like Athletic Bilbao or Sevilla, he would be satisfied.
Obviously, this did not satisfy Li Ang. The dynasty in his grand blueprint should be the leader. He wanted his team to be like a mighty army passing through. The rolling torrent swept through and the entire league would tremble under his deterrence.
Obviously, Sporting de Gijón's financial strength and the old Arango's boldness and vision were not worthy of Li Ang's ambition.
The cigarette butt was hot, and it brought Li Ang back to his senses. He temporarily put these troublesome matters aside. The team had entered the final stage of the sprint. He had to put all his energy on the team and the game first. As for the future, he would think about it after the end of the season.
*****
Now, the whole of Spain was talking about the upcoming showdown in the 32nd round of the league: Sporting de Gijón's home game against Barcelona!
At present, Sporting de Gijón led Barcelona by two points in the standings. The lead of less than a game made the direct confrontation between the two teams particularly crucial. If Barcelona succeeded in taking revenge on their away game, they would regain their lost position only a week after losing the league lead for the first time this season. However, if Sporting de Gijón beat Barcelona in this game, then they would directly widen the lead and lead Barcelona by as much as five points. With six games left in the league, even those who were not optimistic about Sporting de Gijón had to admit that Sporting de Gijón was very, very close to the league title.
Of course, even if Sporting de Gijón and Barcelona played to a draw at home, it would be acceptable for the home team. In this case, Sporting de Gijón would still lead Barcelona by two points. They would still have the initiative. As long as they kept winning, Barcelona would not be able to catch up with them.
On April 16th, Barcelona's team bus arrived in Gijón.
Barcelona took this game very seriously. They even booked the entire floor of the most luxurious hotel in Gijón to ensure that Barcelona's team could rest and not be disturbed.
According to Mundo Deportivo's investigation and prediction, about 5,000 Barcelona fans would travel with the team to Gijón. Sporting de Gijón's El Molinon Stadium only had 30,000 seats. The visiting Barcelona fans could only get two or three thousand tickets at most. This meant that there were two or three thousand Barcelona fans who could not enter the stadium to watch the game. However, they still chose to come to the away game. This showed that the Barcelona fans attached great importance to this game, or rather, they were a little worried.
Yes, they were worried. Sporting de Gijón defeated Barcelona in the first round of the league tournament in Camp Nou. Now that they were at home, the Barcelona people were very confident that they would succeed in their revenge. Although the Barcelona people had a certain level of confidence in the team, they were not that optimistic.
*****
Barcelona's team bus turned into the entrance of the hotel. The reporters had been waiting there for a long time.
Sporting de Gijón, the dark horse, was now the leader of La Liga. It was very likely that they would become the first team in the history of La Liga to win the title. This round's top battle against Barcelona would greatly affect the ownership of the league title, which also made this game attract the attention of fans all over the world.
Reporters from all over the world would gather in Gijón, a port city in the north of Spain, in the next few days to bring first-line reports to fans all over the world.
Barcelona's players, who were used to big scenes, did not care about the reporters. After they got off the bus, they went straight to the hotel. Some of the more popular and popular players were stopped by the reporters for a few interviews.
Barcelona's Cameroonian striker Eto 'o, Barcelona's Brazilian star player Ronaldinho, and Barcelona's captain Puyol were all the media's favorites.
"Score? Of course, I hope that I can help the team win the game. "— Eto 'o.
"Sporting de Gijón is an admirable team. Manager Li Ang? He is simply amazing. However, I still think that the victory of this game will be ours. This will be a wonderful game. "— Ronaldinho.
"(Losing the position of the leader) This is a reminder to us that we have to give it our all! Today's game is especially important. The opponent is very strong and their performance is shocking. However, Barcelona is stronger. We have led the whole season. There is no reason not to pick up the final title. "— Barcelona's captain Puyol.
Barcelona's manager Rijkaard, who was the last to get off the bus, was surrounded by the reporters.
"Mr. Rijkaard, Barcelona lost the first leg at home. Does this mean that the away game will be difficult?"
"Sporting de Gijón is a difficult opponent. The game will not be easy, but we are prepared for everything."
"Can you predict the result of the game?"
"Sorry, I never predict the result or score of a game before the game."
Rijkaard did not seem to want to be interviewed by the media. He squeezed out of the reporters' encirclement and entered the hotel lobby. He was a little annoyed and helpless. When he played against Sporting de Gijón in the first half of the season, the opponent was just a dark horse. He did not expect this newly promoted team to pull Barcelona down from the position of the leader and create so much trouble for Barcelona's league title.
*****
Sporting de Gijón also checked into the hotel before the game. Although the team's financial situation was not very good, with Li Ang's insistence and Sporting de Gijón's good results and the game against Barcelona at such a crucial time, the old Arango was generous and let Sporting de Gijón stay in the best hotel in Gijón. This was also a coincidence. Barcelona stayed on the eighth floor of the hotel and Sporting de Gijón stayed on the seventh floor.
"We're really unlucky." A player complained. "Barcelona are on the eighth floor and we're on the seventh. They're on top of us."
This resonated with some players who thought that the club's arrangement was not appropriate. Some superstitious guys even suggested contacting the hotel to change to the ninth floor.
"It seems that the highest floor in this hotel is the eighth floor," someone said.
Everyone was unhappy when they heard this. Ribéry even shouted that he had fallen into Barcelona's trap.
"What's the fuss about?" Li Ang snorted. "This is a good thing. You don't know shit."
Everyone looked at their manager in surprise. They did not understand why Li Ang said that.
Li Ang popularized the theory of up and down and down to the players. "There's a saying in China called up up and down and down. We'll be favored by Lady Luck if we stay on the seventh floor. Do you understand?"
Li Ang did not want to pay attention to these guys' complaints, but he knew that they were facing Barcelona in this game. The players were now under a lot of psychological pressure. Any little thing could affect the game. He could only play the role of a psychiatrist and a Feng Shui master.
Some people nodded to show that they understood. Some people felt that it was too mysterious. An Eastern saying? Did it work in Spain?
"I understand," Ribéry shouted. "The highest floor in the hotel is the eighth floor. Barcelona are staying on the eighth floor. They can't go any higher. If they continue, they'll go downstairs. We're on the seventh floor. If we go further, we'll reach the top. This is the same as the situation in the last round of the league tournament. This is a good thing."
Ribéry's voice grew louder as he spoke. His saliva flew everywhere and his eyes lit up.
Li Ang looked at Ribéry in surprise. He did not expect Ribéry to make such a connection. This explanation was a perfect interpretation of what he had just said. Looking at everyone's expression, he knew that they agreed with Ribéry's explanation.
*****
At the entrance of the hotel, Li Ang was also surrounded by reporters. Media reporters from all over the world were interested in Li Ang, even more than the Barcelona manager, Rijkaard. The young China Young Marshal led Sporting de Gijón, a newly promoted team, to counterattack in the La Liga. It had become one of the most popular topics for football fans all over the world.
"Manager Li Ang, can you predict the result of the game?" A reporter asked the same question that he had asked Rijkaard before.
"Sorry, I don't want to predict the result and score of the game before the game." Li Ang gave a formulaic answer that was almost the same as Rijkaard's.
Li Ang avoided the reporters' questions, which made the reporters a little dissatisfied. They did not like such formulaic answers. They liked the big-mouthed Li Ang. They hoped that he would be more flamboyant and arrogant. Li Ang did not seem to be willing to cooperate with them, but they had their own way of getting Li Ang to say what was on his mind.
"Mr. Li Ang, first of all, congratulations to Sporting de Gijón for now being the leader of La Liga. Sporting de Gijón has never won the league title in history, and there has never been a newly promoted team in the history of La Liga. Now Sporting de Gijón has the opportunity to make history. Are you confident that you can lead the team to do this?"
"Since we are already in first place, we naturally hope to have the last laugh." Li Ang spread his hands and said.
He had just said that he did not want to predict the result of the game before the game, but wasn't this answer the same as answering that question? It was even more powerful than the answer to that question! The reporters laughed with satisfaction.
"What do you think of Barcelona? They have been leading the table this season … "
"Barcelona is very strong. They are the strongest team in Spain. The fact that they have been leading the table shows this. "Li Ang replied. It seemed that he had shown enough respect for Barcelona.
"Barcelona is so strong. Does this mean that you are under a lot of pressure now?"
"Pressure? Every manager has pressure. Some have the pressure to stay in the league, some want to enter the European competition, and some want to enter the Champions League. In comparison, in the sprint of the season, having the pressure to win the title is not necessarily a kind of happiness. "Li Ang shrugged.
"You are not under pressure. Then, are you worried that your players will not play well?"
Li Ang smiled. "I am indeed a little worried. I am worried that they will be too excited. This is not good. We are now first in the league. If we win the game, we will be closer to the championship … Well, I am not worried at all. Yes, I am not worried. Play poorly? What is that? "
The reporters laughed again. This person had just said that he would not predict the result of the game before the game. This was the second time he had expressed his ambition and confidence to win the title and the game.
*****
Li Ang's Sporting de Gijón had actually reached the top of the La Liga. This had already caused a sensation in China. The focus of the game against Barcelona could be said to be very focused in China. There was an uproar. Central TV had also sent a film crew to Gijón. The game against Barcelona would be broadcasted live on Central TV Sports Channel.
At this moment, the reporters from Central TV were crowded by many of their peers. They were very excited to see Li Ang being surrounded by so many reporters. They felt that this person was too cool. In fact, this was indeed the case. Central TV's news footage from the scene was broadcasted on the sports news channel. The director was very confident. He even made subtitles for the reporters' questions and Li Ang's answers. Seeing Li Ang so confident and calm in the "battle of words" was simply amazing. Some of Li Ang's female fans in front of the TV even screamed excitedly.
"Show-Off! Bastard! "In front of the TV, a person named Gao Bo almost smashed the TV.
"This is our live report from Gijón. Sporting de Gijón VS Barcelona, the pinnacle match that will determine the winner of the La Liga championship. Everything is ready. Smoke is everywhere … The game is about to start." On the TV, Duan Xuan shook his head and said excitedly.
Gao Bo gritted his teeth and turned off the TV. Then, he slumped on the sofa. "Pinnacle match." He muttered this phrase. His heart was filled with anger and regret. He did not expect Li Ang to have reached such heights. If he had known, he would not have dared to slander and offend Li Ang. Instead, he would have tried his best to curry favor with Li Ang and build a good relationship with him. That way, if Li Ang was popular now, he would also be able to benefit from it. Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret in this world.
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