In the VIP box of honor at the Estadio Alvalade, Luis Figo jumped up and cheered when Liedson scored.
Figo was full of enthusiasm and confidence for the UEFA Europa League final. He believed that Portuguese football would not lose two finals in a year. He believed even more that his parent team, Sporting Lisbon, could write history at the Estadio Alvalade.
Figo never hid his love for Sporting Lisbon's green jersey. He played there until 1995, when he transferred to Barcelona. A year ago, in the UEFA Europa League final, the Portuguese team lost to Greece at the Stadium of Light. Portugal's number seven was in tears on the field. A year later, his parent team, Sporting Lisbon, reached the UEFA Europa League final. This made Figo very happy. He wanted to see Sporting Lisbon stand at the top of Europe.
Figo took a private jet from Madrid to Lisbon on the day of the game. His wife, Helen, a Swedish supermodel, accompanied him throughout the journey. From time to time, she gave him warm comfort and accompanied him with humor. The Portuguese citizens all knew that Figo was likely to be eliminated by Real Madrid at the end of the season. At this critical moment, his wife, Helen, gave Figo the greatest support to keep him calm.
Real Madrid's number 10 treated this night as his own holiday. He wrapped the Portuguese team's red and green scarf around his waist. In the stands of honor, he hugged the Portuguese president and his wife, the national team manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, the president of the Portuguese Football Association, and the others. Figo's return to the Portuguese national team was good news for everyone. Sporting Lisbon's manager, Peseiro, was a good friend of Figo's. They had worked together at Real Madrid for a year in the 2003-04 season. At that time, Peseiro was Queiroz's assistant. He had also followed the team to China for a visit. Figo, Roberto? Carlos, Ronaldo, and the other players still kept in touch with Peseiro.
*****
After Liedson's goal, Sporting Lisbon intended to continue their efforts. If they could score another goal and take a 2-0 lead, it would be wonderful.
However, they soon realized that they had thought the competition would be too easy.
Li Ang adjusted in time, and Carlos focused on Liedson. The Brazilian player still wanted to use his skillful footwork to overtake others, but Carlos would never give Liedson a chance to break through. When it was time to shovel, Carlos would never let his feet go soft. If there was no chance to shovel, he would stick to the Brazilian like glue, which annoyed the latter to no end. However, Carlos was smart. This kind of tugging and pulling was suspected of foul play, but it was within the referee's tolerance range. Even if the referee blew the whistle for a foul, he would not draw a card.
Sporting Lisbon's manager, Peseiro, frowned. Liedson seemed to be locked in with the opponent's number 14, Juan Carlos. The Brazilian had tried to break through several times, but he had not been very successful. Even if he managed to break through, he had already lost the element of surprise. Sporting de Gijón's defensive line was already ready.
This gave Peseiro a headache. Sporting Lisbon's offense relied heavily on Liedson's breakthroughs, shots, and passes. The Brazilian was Sporting Lisbon's number one scorer. This was partly because Liedson's individual ability was impressive, but it was also because Peseiro's tactics revolved around Liedson. The entire team gave him great support.
It was not an exaggeration to say that, unlike Sporting de Gijón, who had the ability to pose a threat on both sides, Sporting Lisbon seemed to be walking with a limp. Their offense relied heavily on Liedson's right flank.
Peseiro thought for a moment and decided to wait and see. He would not make any adjustments for the time being. Sporting Lisbon was in the lead anyway, so there was no rush.
He had confidence in Liedson. As long as the Brazilian got another chance and seized it, it would be done!
*****
An excellent manager would take the initiative to change according to the situation on the field. As for when to change and how to make adjustments, that was a reflection of the manager's ability.
Clearly, after taking a 1-0 lead, even though the team's offense had been curbed, Peseiro did not dare make any adjustments easily.
Sporting Lisbon did not react in time, while Sporting de Gijón's offense began to improve.
Ribéry began to become active. The Frenchman, stimulated by the manager's words, was like a tightened spring. He began to go berserk. He constantly dribbled the ball to break through on the left flank. He spiked the ball, went past people, accelerated, cut inside, shot, and passed. To a certain extent, this also put pressure on Sporting Lisbon's right flank. Their midfield's support for Liedson was also weakening. This was another factor in the Brazilian's inactivity.
Albertini passed directly to the left flank. Ribéry took the ball and dribbled.
Rochemback rushed up.
Unlike the traditional style of Brazilian players in people's minds, Rochemback did not have flashy footwork or outstanding dribbling ability. Instead, he was an engineer-type player. His style of play was simple and solid. Previously, some people had even called him "the Brazilian player with the roughest footwork." However, Rochemback actively fought for the ball on the field. His fighting spirit was high. Sometimes, it could even be said that this Brazilian's style of play was very rough.
In Rochemback's career, the most exciting moment was when he was recruited by Barcelona for nine million US dollars in 2001. Therefore, Barcelona was his "entrepreneurial experimental field" that doubled his value. In his two seasons at Barcelona, Rochemback made a total of 35 appearances. After 2003, Barcelona was rebuilt, and Rochemback left the La Liga powerhouse.
Rochemback was also selected for the Brazilian national team in 2001. He followed the team to play in the Confederations Cup and the Copa América that year. He was also selected for the Brazilian Olympic team to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, these glorious numbers could not hide Rochemback's failure. In the Brazilian national team, he was rated as the worst national footballer in Brazilian history. In Barça's selection of the worst player in 20 years, he was also selected in a high-profile manner.
Before the game, Li Ang reminded his players to be careful of Rochemback. In short, this was a guy with a rough style of play, and even a little dirty. They had to be careful of this person's sneak kicks.
*****
When Ribéry saw Rochemback rush up, he passed the football out. His target was Di Natale, who had already come to support him.
Then Ribéry quickly jumped up and dodged Rochemback's flying tackle. Even though Ribéry had already passed the football out, the Brazilian did not pull back his foot.
This also drew cries of surprise from the Sporting de Gijón fans.
Li Ang was furious on the sidelines. He complained to the fourth official.
Rochemback's flying tackle did not touch Ribéry, and Ribéry was also annoyed. However, the Brazilian's flying tackle was self-inflicted. It gave Ribéry a chance to quickly get rid of it. Before Rochemback could get up from the ground, Ribéry had already sped up and cut forward, leaving the former behind.
Di Natale looked like he was going to break through from the middle.
"Stop him!" Sporting Lisbon's goalkeeper, Ricardo, shouted as he pointed at Di Natale.
Sporting Lisbon's captain, Beto, rushed towards Di Natale.
However, Di Natale hooked the football back. With a flick of his ankle, the football flew over Beto's head and towards the side.
Franck Ribéry, who had already shaken off Rochemback, received the football.
It seemed to have been planned long ago. The football was launched from Sporting de Gijón's backfield. Albertini — Ribéry — Di Natale — Ribéry. The football was completed after three passes. It perfectly demonstrated Li Ang's pursuit of efficient and fast football.
*****
At that moment, Rochemback was left behind by Ribéry. Sporting Lisbon's center back, Beto, was attracted by Di Natale. The other center back, Roosevelt Ncacere, was also restrained by Diego Milito. Therefore, their full back, Rogerio, rushed up to intercept.
Ribéry did not tangle with the opponent's full back, Rogerio, on the side. He did not give the opponent a chance to press up and defend. The moment he stopped the ball, he sped up and broke through, directly breaking through Rogerio, who rushed up.
"A sharp breakthrough. It's from Frank Ribéry!" Dagostino shouted.
Roosevelt Ncacere wanted to rush up to intercept. At that moment, Milito suddenly ran diagonally.
Ribéry immediately looked like he was going to pass the ball.
This made Roosevelt Ncacere hesitate for a moment. He was not sure whether to continue to pounce or return to mark Milito.
This was the worst situation. Whether he decisively pounced on Ribéry or directly turned his head to pounce on Milito, it was better than this. Because no matter which option he chose, there would be a teammate to help fill the other position.
Roosevelt Ncacere's hesitation affected his teammates. No one else came up to help in time!
This also gave Ribéry the space to shoot!
The Frenchman suddenly raised his leg to shoot from about 23 meters away from the goal!
*****
With this shot, Scarface deliberately pursued the angle. The football flew up, swept past Roosevelt Ncacere's side, and flew towards the goal in a beautiful arc.
The football bypassed Roosevelt Ncacere and the other people in the penalty area, drawing an arc in the air that was clearly discernible to the naked eye. It then bypassed the left fingertips of Sporting Lisbon's Portuguese national goalkeeper, Ricca, and hit the inside of the far goalpost. Then … everyone saw it:
After the football rebounded, it rolled into the net.
"Boom!" In the away team's stands at the Estadio Alvalade, the Sporting de Gijón fans burst into loud cheers, as if a pile of explosives had been detonated.
“Goooool！”
"The 23rd minute of the game! The 23rd minute! Sporting de Gijón equalized the score! Sporting Lisbon's defensive line was torn apart by Sporting de Gijón's few passes! Franck Ribéry! He successfully broke through Ricardo's ten fingers with a long shot from 23 meters away from the goal! One to one! Ribéry's goal pulled both sides back to the same starting line! "
“Goooool！” Dagestino roared excitedly. "This is a historic moment, Sporting de Gijón's historic entry into the European finals! And this goal is their first goal in the finals of the three UEFA European Cups! "
"What a wonderful goal! Ribéry stepped up at the crucial moment! Sporting de Gijón showed their confidence in winning the title with their actions! Franck Ribéry, at this moment, is the hero in the hearts of the Sporting de Gijón fans! "González also stood up and roared with his fists.
Seeing Ribéry's long shot bypass everyone and hit the inside of the goalpost before entering the net, Sporting Lisbon's manager, Peseiro, gloomily spread his hands.
At the same time, on the other side, Li Ang rushed out of the technical area and vigorously waved his fists in celebration. His confidence just now was all for show. Now that the goal had come, it was a release under great pressure.
*****
In the stands, Sporting de Gijón's chairman, Manuel Arango, excitedly raised his arms and cheered.
If his team could win the UEFA Europa League, it would be the most important championship in the club's history. This was the championship of the three UEFA European Cups. If they won, they would be the kings of Europe!
On the other side, Sporting Lisbon's executives were depressed and regretful.
The Portuguese president and his wife, the national team's manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, and the Portuguese Football Association's chairman, Mader, were all Portuguese celebrities. They could not help but feel regretful.
"Luiz, do you think we can win the title?" Portuguese president Sampaio asked Figo.
"The title belongs to Sporting," Figo said. However, when he said this, he was not without worry. After all, Sporting Lisbon's opponent was Sporting de Gijón. Others did not know how good this team was, but as a Real Madrid player, Figo knew. This season, Real Madrid and Barcelona had both been defeated by Sporting de Gijón. It would not be easy for Sporting Lisbon to win and lift the championship trophy. Perhaps it would also require luck.
A football match was influenced by many factors, and luck was a very important factor.
*****
Figo thought that Sporting Lisbon needed the blessing of the goddess of luck. Sporting Lisbon's good luck came at the forty-first minute of the game.
Liedson and Carlos were entangled. This time, Liedson chose to pass back. Pedro Balbosa received the ball. After a feint, he swung his leg and passed.
The football drew a beautiful arc and fell straight to the back!
Sporting Lisbon's midfielder, Rodrigo Tayló, jumped up to compete for the header.
Sporting de Gijón's Portuguese defender, Pepe, also jumped up with him.
Pepe headed the football. The football hit the back of his head and flew straight up.
Sporting de Gijón's goalkeeper, Valencia, did not dare to receive the ball. He chose to use his fist to hit the football out.
Grosso and Sporting Lisbon's veteran forward, Sa Pinto, rushed to the football's landing point. Grosso took the lead and kicked the football out of the end line. At the same time, Sa Pinto fell into the penalty area after making contact with him.
At that moment, no one could see clearly whether Grosso had touched Pinto or whether Pinto had fallen to the ground. But they all heard the referee's whistle.
Was it a dive or a penalty?
The referee's finger pointed to the penalty spot!
PS: Weakly asking for support.
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