Tang En did not dare to underestimate Villarreal, even though the team used to only be in the middle and lower reaches of the Spanish Football League. But Tang En knew how strong Villarreal was this season.
The 05-06 season was Spain's "Yellow Submarine" Villarreal's most glorious season. From the start of the Champions League qualifying round, they defeated the English Premier League's fourth-placed team, Everton, and then began their surprising journey as a dark horse in the Champions League. In the end, they eliminated Celtic and AS Roma to fight their way into the Champions League semifinals. However, they lost to Wenger's Arsenal in the semifinals and regrettably stopped in the top four.
Villarreal's lineup this season was not the strongest. In fact, Villarreal might be stronger after a season, but the strength of this team could indeed be considered the strongest in the club's history.
Riquelme did not receive any trust from Van Gaal or Frank Rijkaard in Barcelona, but he found this core feeling at El Madrigal Stadium, Villarreal's home ground. Villarreal established him as the core, and the entire team's tactics revolved around him. The team's offensive rhythm was controlled by him alone, moving fast or slow according to his movements.
Nottingham Forest had already suffered at his hands in the UEFA Europa League last season. In this game, Riquelme was listed as a key target to guard. Of course, the person to guard him was still George Wood.
Wood appeared a little excited about this task and was eager to give it a try. He had been looking forward to this day from the moment he knew that Forest's opponent in the Champions League qualifying round was Villarreal.
He did not care what Riquelme's position was in the world of football, or in the world's strongest team, Argentina. He only knew one thing: he had once lost to this man, and now he was going to win it back.
Of course, as the manager, Tang En had to consider more than just the problem of Riquelme. He knew very well that the key to Villarreal CF being able to achieve such astonishing results this season was not Riquelme's ability to act as a go-between in the midfield, nor was it Diego Forlan's attack on the frontline. Instead, it was the Argentinian lying in ambush behind Riquelme — Sorin.
The Argentine captain's active running, interceptions, and assists on the field were the driving forces that allowed the submarine to continue sailing.
If Fran and Figueroa were the submarine's torpedo launchers, and Riquelme was the submarine's main control room, then Sorin was the yellow submarine's engine.
Marcos Senna, the Brazilian defensive midfielder, was also protecting Riquelme like Sorin. Although he was a Brazilian, he had no hope of being selected for the national team in Brazil, which was full of experts. However, his outstanding performance in La Liga had attracted the attention of the Spanish manager, Camacho. At the end of this year, Senna would obtain Spanish citizenship. It was said that Camacho intended to recruit the Spanish Brazilian to the Spanish national team. Senna could play in multiple positions. Not only was he a defensive midfielder, but he could also play as a full back. He was a useful addition to Spain's defense.
The Chilean manager, Pellegrini's Villarreal CF, was a team that not only had first-rate star players, but also emphasized on the team's integrity and tenacity.
Such an opponent was not easy to deal with. That was why it was no surprise that Everton had fallen to them.
This was what Tang En remembered happening at the same time. Now, here, in the City Ground stadium, Tang En did not want history to develop according to his memory.
Making use of the time before the game, Tang En reviewed their tactics for the entire team in the locker room. How to contain Riquelme's performance, how to cut off Sorin's path forward, how to prevent Senna from supporting Riquelme, how to make it difficult for Fran to do anything alone …
These tactics had already been implemented in their usual training, but Tang En still had to repeat them before the game. He was also under a lot of pressure for this game. The club had spent so much energy and money, and the fans had high hopes for the Forest team in the new season. If they failed in the first game, then Tang En really did not know how to face the faces in the stands after the game.
After reviewing all the tactics and letting everyone be clear about what they should do, Tang En took out the vice-captain's armband from his shirt pocket.
Ever since Albertini's injury, no one had worn the armband. It did not matter if they wore the captain's armband during normal training, but now it was an official game. How could they not have a captain on the field?
He scanned the locker room. In terms of age and experience, Edwin van der Sar was probably the best candidate. But … Tang En remembered Evan's hope, so he waved. "George, come here."
Wood stood up from the corner and walked forward.
Tang En raised the captain's armband and wanted to put it on Wood. Wood dodged out of reflex, which caused a burst of laughter in the locker room.
Tang En glared at the group of boys, then grabbed Wood's left arm and put the captain's armband on without any explanation. He then slapped Wood's arm hard. "From now on, when Demetrio is not around, you're the captain."
Of course, Wood also knew what the captain's armband represented and what a Team Leader did. He looked at Tang En with some surprise.
"Why are you staring at me?" Tang En looked back. "From now on, you have to work harder than before. And it's not just about burying your head in hard work. There are still many things you need to consider. Take your time to learn, boy."
After lecturing Wood, Tang En turned to ask the players in the locker room, "George Wood will be the team's second captain. During Demetrio's injury, he'll temporarily be the acting captain. Does anyone have any objections? "
Not everyone was interested in being the captain. Some people might think that wearing the captain's armband made them look awesome and had status. But most people only saw endless responsibilities and could never relax their demands on themselves. In short, it could be summed up in one word — tiring!
Besides, Boss had already confirmed that George Wood would be the captain. Everyone had always seen Boss's affection for Wood. Wasn't it suicidal for someone to stand up and say "I have an objection" at this time?
So, it was very much in line with Tang En's expectations. No one had any objections to this decision.
"What's left …" Tang En heard footsteps coming from outside the locker room. It should be the away team, Villarreal CF, getting ready to go out. He raised his hand to look at his watch. "There's still three minutes. We're not in a hurry to go out. Let them wait. Everyone, do whatever you want. In short, don't just sit there like idiots. Look at me, look at me. "
There was a burst of laughter in the locker room.
(To be continued. If you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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