Chapter 63 Defeat Real Madrid!
"It's okay, Jimmy. I know you tried your best."
The first half ended with the score at 0-0, and Yang Hao greeted the Atletico Madrid players as they walked off the field on the sidelines.
Yang Hao especially comforted Hasselbaink, who missed a great opportunity at the last moment.
"Believe me, there is still a chance in the second half, keep going!" Yang Hao encouraged.
Hasselbaink finally perked up and nodded heavily.
Yang Hao stood on the sidelines and observed the situation of Real Madrid players leaving the field.
It can be seen that everyone is panting heavily, and it is obvious that they have consumed a lot of physical energy in the first half.
During Atletico Madrid's counterattack just now, McManaman didn't return to defense much, and Salgado's defense speed was also slow.
These insignificant details all indicate one thing: Real Madrid consumes a lot of physical energy.
"Their physical fitness is starting to show up."
Juanma Lillo's opinion is similar to Yang Hao's. "But if I were Bosque, since I pressed forward in the first half, I would definitely try to score a goal in the second half. If we continue to waste time like this, Real Madrid will suffer."
Yang Hao nodded. He also felt that Bosque would definitely make another attempt.
If Atletico Madrid is allowed to drag on, Real Madrid will be the ones who suffer.
Bosque looks silly, but he is actually not stupid at all.
…
Back in the locker room, Yang Hao quickly gathered all the players together.
He first analyzed some of the problems exposed by the team in the first half, with a focus on Real Madrid's left side.
Many fans born in 2023 probably have no impression of Savio, but this Brazilian winger is now a hot talent in European football. Chelsea is willing to spend a sky-high price of 20 million pounds to sign him, which shows how popular Savio is.
At that time, Real Madrid was competing with many European giants for Denilson, but the Brazilian genius transferred to Real Betis for a record-breaking price. Real Madrid then signed Savio from Flamengo of Brazil.
This can be regarded as a shortcoming of replacing Denilson.
Unlike Denilson who was getting worse and worse at Real Betis, Savio was getting better and better at Real Madrid, mainly because he formed a very coordinated offensive combination with Roberto Carlos on the left.
Even after Bosque took office and changed the formation to five defenders, Savio was still able to get a position.
If Real Madrid plays with three forwards, they will take Savio, but if they play with two forwards, Savio will basically lock the position on the left of Redondo and continue to partner with Carlos.
This attacking left wing can be regarded as the source of Real Madrid's offense, and the entire European football world has to respect it.
But in the first half, Atletico Madrid deployed heavy defense on the right side. Although several opportunities were created, the threat from Real Madrid's left side was basically curbed.
Yang Hao concluded that if Real Madrid wanted to attack, the left side would definitely be the key.
"Reuben, Roberto."
Yang Hao called out the names of two players, Baraja and Fresnedoso.
They are both defensive players on the right side of midfield.
"Savio likes to have the ball. I hope you can create more difficulties for him in the second half and increase the intensity, but be careful about the scale. Do you understand what I mean?" Yang Hao asked.
Baraja and Fresnedoso are both professional players, how could they not understand the head coach's intentions?
Although Savio is a white Brazilian, he is not strong in physical confrontation and is good at technology.
Yang Hao’s meaning was very clear. You can use some small moves when necessary, as long as you pay attention to the scale of the foul.
"Juan." Yang Hao looked at Belleron.
The latter took a deep breath and nodded, "I understand, Boss. I didn't perform very well in the first half."
He was closely guarded by Redondo.
This Argentine defensive midfielder is really strong, with excellent one-on-one defense ability and rough movements. Belleron had no good way to deal with the ball several times.
"I know you tried your best, but I still say the same thing, run more, move more, try to avoid Redondo's defense, get the ball in the open space, pass the ball quickly, and don't let the ball stay at your feet for too long."
This is actually an old problem of Belleron, or rather, a habit of traditional attacking midfielders, who like to control the game.
Yang Hao told him many times that he hoped he could add one more touch of the ball and try not to control the ball too much.
But things like football playing habits are not something that can be changed just like that.
"I believe in you, Juan, come on!" Yang Hao put his arm around Belleron's shoulder and encouraged him.
After saying that, Yang Hao clapped his hands vigorously and motioned everyone to look over.
"Everyone."
Yang Hao faced all the players in the locker room.
The game has reached this point and neither side has anything to hide or cover up.
"This is the last game of the season."
"I know that after tonight, many of us will leave our team, but that's okay. I sincerely hope that you can still have good development after you leave."
"But I also sincerely hope that you can think about whether you are willing to leave something behind for Atletico Madrid, the team you once played for, in this last game."
"We have created a miracle of avoiding relegation, and you have been praised by the media and fans around the world, but are you satisfied? The King's Cup championship is right in front of you, and you only have the last 45 minutes left to win it."
"I believe that all of you here are players who are determined to achieve your goals in your careers. You are all among the best players in world football. As long as you want to, you can achieve it."
"Believe me, give your all in the final 45 minutes, win the championship, and have your names engraved in Atletico's Hall of Fame. That will be the glory of your life!"
"Finally, let's join hands, go onto the pitch and beat Real Madrid!"
The players came over one by one, put their hands on the back of Yang Hao's hand, and finally shouted one, two, three, and cheered in unison.
“Defeat Real Madrid!!!”
…
"The second half of the game has resumed."
"We saw that Real Madrid showed an aggressive momentum from the very beginning."
"Even their players' positions have been adjusted a bit."
"Savior and McManaman's positions are also more inclined to the wing, which is obviously a signal to further strengthen the wing attack. Raul is also active on the left."
“Also, we noticed that Campo’s position would be a little bit further forward.”
"This player is very versatile and can play in deep-lying midfield and as a centre-back."
"In addition, we also saw that Anelka, Guti and Karembeu were already warming up on the sidelines and were ready to play at any time."
…
Yang Hao turned his head and took a look at the movements on the Real Madrid bench. Seeing the eye-catching Karembu, his mind was a little distracted.
Well, his wife is very beautiful.
The classic combination of Beauty and the Beast.
But he quickly regained his composure and began to guess Bosque's intentions.
"He is ready to intensify the attack at any time." Yang Hao said, turning his head.
Juanma Lillo nodded. "He was determined to score first."
"Then let's teach him a lesson!" Yang Hao said harshly.
He has confidence in the team's right side defense.
The right-side defense composed of Fresnedoso, Aguilera and Baraja can freeze Real Madrid's attack on the left.
This was proven in the first half.
Yang Hao also walked to the sidelines as soon as possible and gestured to Balaha, indicating that he should pay attention to the defense on the right, especially Savio, and to use more intensity when necessary and even commit fouls if necessary.
After stealing the ball, they immediately organized a counterattack.
When Real Madrid started to press forward and attack, their defense was weak and problems were exposed.
…
Baraha didn't count carefully, this was the nth time he had experienced relegation.
At the age of 18, he made his La Liga debut for Valladolid.
He still remembers it. It was the third round of the league, the opponent was Sevilla. He played the whole game and scored a goal.
At that time, everyone thought that he would have a bright future.
He scored a goal in his debut, playing on the right side, how eye-catching.
But that season, Valladolid was always fighting for relegation and finally ranked 18th. They defeated Rayo Vallecano in the relegation play-off and successfully avoided relegation.
In his second season, the 94/95 season, Valladolid only finished 19th and did not even qualify for the relegation play-offs. But surprisingly, in the 95/96 season, La Liga expanded to 22 teams. Only the bottom team was relegated that season, and all other teams remained in La Liga.
In this way, Valladolid miraculously managed to avoid relegation.
In the season when Atletico Madrid won the double championship, Baraja began to become the main player of Valladolid, but the team was still fighting against relegation.
Thanks to his outstanding performance in Valladolid, Baraja was able to join Atletico Madrid, the double champions.
But in Atletico Madrid, which is full of stars, it is always particularly difficult for young newcomers.
Baraja spent his first two seasons with the second team, playing in the Spanish Second Division, until Sacchi called him up from the second team.
At that time, he was already 23 years old.
Sacchi is a very thoughtful head coach. He likes players with strong tactical execution capabilities. He uses Baraha as a versatile player. As a result, Atletico Madrid was still fighting for relegation that season.
This season, the head coach was replaced by the famous coach Ranieri in European football. Baraha also became the main force of the team for a time based on his past accumulation, but who would have thought that Atletico Madrid was still fighting for relegation.
Over the past few years, after going around in circles, Baraha found that he had always been in the relegation stage.
Every season he played in La Liga, it was ultimately to avoid relegation.
He couldn't understand why, just like he couldn't understand why he couldn't play in Atletico Madrid .
Confused, uneasy, self-doubt...
The 25-year-old Baraha seemed to have entered the menopause of professional players, and became worried about gains and losses.
This made him completely lose his position and become a substitute, or even a substitute among substitutes.
Until Yang Hao appeared.
Yang Hao is also 25 years old, but he became the head coach of the team.
Baraja longed for the opportunity to play as much as his blood longed for oxygen, so he became the first player to express his determination to the head coach.
"Give me a chance, I will fight for you!"
Yang Hao not only gave him the opportunity, but also gave him enough trust and support.
He became one of the players with the most playing time since Yang Hao coached Atletico Madrid, and he has never been replaced.
And his performance is getting better and better, especially his goals.
Strong La Liga teams began to contact him, hoping that he would join them so that he could get rid of the relegation nightmare forever.
This tempted him, but he hadn't agreed yet.
He needs to devote himself to this final and fight for head coach Yang Hao!
This is his promise.
Not long after receiving Yang Hao's instructions , when he saw Savio trying to start with the ball, he immediately stuck to him, and with a movement of his hands, he pushed Savio from the side lightly.
The Brazilian stumbled and looked like he had lost his balance, and Baraja took advantage of the situation and cut in between the ball and the Brazilian, pushing the Brazilian away completely.
Savio fell to the ground and Baraja successfully intercepted the ball.
The referee did not blow the whistle.
