Chapter 194 Raising Your Hands? (Fifty-Four/One Hundred and Thirty-Six)
In the seventh round of the league, Valencia took the first league game after being traded at the top of the league. (This chapter was uploaded by netizens m)
Although Valencia is playing at home, their opponents are tough - Athletic Bilbao from the Basque Country.
This team from the Basque country is not only a very distinctive team in Spanish football, but also in world football, because their team only allows players of Basque descent to play, and they insist on not buying any players. Players of non-Basque origin.
Because the scope of player selection is limited, it stands to reason that the strength of this team should not be strong. But in fact, this team composed of all Basque players is one of the most powerful teams in the history of Spanish football. In the history of Spanish football, there are only three teams that have never been relegated. The first two are the giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, and the third is Athletic Bilbao, which can only use players from the Basque Country.
Valencia had been relegated in 1931, and since then when they were promoted back to the First Division, they have never been relegated.
When the two teams met for the first time last season, it was at the San Mames Stadium, home of Athletic Bilbao.
That game often won the first time I saw the tenacity of this Basque team. In the end, Valencia only narrowly won 2:1.
After one season, Valencia is now much more calm when facing Athletic Bilbao.
In the end, at their home court, Valencia beat Athletic Bilbao 5:1.
This may be proof of increased strength.
Of course, this is just the home game. The real touchstone is the away game against Athletic Bilbao.
But at present, with the victory of this game, Valencia continues to sit at the top of the league.
The league has played seven rounds, and the gap has gradually widened.
Real Sociedad and Valencia share 17 points, and they are at the top of the standings.
The third place, Real Madrid, has 12 points, five points behind them.
The league is like a marathon.
At present, the leading first group has emerged from the main force.
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After the match against Athletic Bilbao,
Midweek is the Champions League group stage.
This time, Valencia continued to play away games. Their destination is Anfield.
Whether it is Liverpool or Valencia, this game is actually very easy. It's just that they don't know each other.
Valencia is easy because they basically qualify early, no matter how they play the last two games, there is no problem. So they can face their opponents in the last two games with a relaxed mood. (.)
Liverpool's ease is because their current group qualifying situation is very good. After four rounds, they have seven points. Ranked second in the group. Two points ahead of third place Basel.
In the last two rounds, they still have the opportunity to talk directly with Basel, so they also take the initiative.
Of course, to take fate into their own hands, Liverpool must first beat Valencia at home in this round.
In this way, they have the same points as Valencia, and it will be easier to play Basel away in the last round of the league.
The Liverpool people think they have a chance to beat Valencia at home, because in this round of the league, Valencia has almost qualified ahead of schedule. They have no reason to give it their all in this game.
If Liverpool is lax, they will have a chance to take advantage of it, let alone they are fighting at home. Anfield can provide them with a combat bonus.
The game between the two teams has attracted much attention. Basel is also paying close attention to this game.
Basel's coach Gross expressed in an interview that he hoped that Changsheng would abide by professional ethics, and that he would not let Liverpool down when it was basically confirmed that he would qualify.
As the central figure in the incident, Chang Sheng did not make a statement.
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The day before Liverpool's home game against Valencia. Basel and Spartak Moscow played a game first.
Spartak Moscow hosts Basel.
As a result, Basel defeated Spartak Moscow 2:0 away!
Basel's points suddenly changed from five points to eight points.
Temporarily surpassed Liverpool and became the second in the group!
This change was unexpected.
Because no one thought that Basel would beat Spartak Moscow by two goals in the ice and snow of Moscow!
As a result, the originally relaxed atmosphere suddenly became tense.
If Liverpool can't win Valencia at home, they will have to slam Basel in the final round. In that game, Basel was at home and Liverpool was away. The difficulty was different from the current home game against Valencia.
Liverpool's "Echo" after the last round of the group stage. He once gloated and said that Chang Sheng's caution made it impossible for Basel to qualify theoretically.
They also vigorously praised Chang Sheng's prudence as the basis of a head coach's success... His calmness is hopeless.
But now their rhetoric is about to take a 180-degree turn. They wrote an article euphemistically expressing the hope that Valencia can release water, and can use less main players and more substitutes. They cited many factors and analyzed why Valencia was on the bench. What kind of league, what kind of injury, what kind of state... In fact, they have one idea, hoping that Valencia will release water, so that Liverpool will have a chance to take advantage of it.
They didn't say the word directly, but they meant it. They hope that Valencia can hold their hands high and show mercy.
As the central figure in the incident, Chang Sheng still did not make a statement.
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until the game comes.
Chang Sheng did send some substitutes in the game against Liverpool, but he did not put them as thoroughly as the "Echo" hoped.
He kept half of his main force.
Seeing this starting list, the Liverpool media cheered happily, and the Liverpool fans also breathed a sigh of relief, and the stone in their hearts fell to the ground. Even Houllier himself felt a lot easier in his heart...
But if they knew how Chang Sheng mobilized his players before the battle in the locker room, they might not think so.
"My rotation is not really to let you rest, nor is it to make you give up this game. I think we should cherish this opportunity and not waste it easily! The outside world is rumored that we have to release water, and we must It is an insult to us to be merciful and think that we don't need to work so hard! Tell the other party with practical actions, let the fuck go!"
There were various rumors before, basically saying that Chang Sheng would release the water. These rumors have brought a lot of pressure to both Changsheng and Valencia.
After all, if Valencia really releases water, this is definitely a stain on them.
Chang Sheng kept silent, just intending to prove their innocence with practical actions.
In this game, Liverpool is dead!
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When the Liverpool people looked forward to this game full of expectations, hoping that the team could beat Valencia at home, they were hit in the head.
Valencia played very actively in the away game, and it was not at all obvious that they wanted to show mercy.
And in the 24th minute, Valencia scored a goal for Angulo, who started for Villa, and took the lead!
The lagging Liverpool seemed a little flustered, and as time passed, this panic and impatience became more obvious.
In the second half, Liverpool pressed heavily to equalize the score. Unexpectedly, Valencia saw Liverpool began to press heavily and played a defensive counterattack with them.
In the 69th minute, they took another shot.
This time it was Mista, who had been brought on three minutes before, in place of Angulo.
Leading by two goals, the suspense of the game was completely lost.
No one would have thought that Valencia, with only half of the main force, would be as effective as their full main lineup...
So Liverpool, who were unprepared for this, naturally lost even their underwear at home...
As a result, there is still the last round of the group stage, and Valencia qualified ahead of schedule with 13 points.
Liverpool are third with seven points, followed by Basel with eight points.
Liverpool, who were in a good situation before qualifying, will need to beat Basel in the final round in a blink of an eye.
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At the press conference after the game, Chang Sheng was very happy that the team qualified for the group round ahead of schedule.
Then he didn't comment on the bloody Liverpool and Basel who fought for the second place in the group.
No reporter ran to ask him how he would comment on the voices that wanted him to hold his hands high before the game.
Because after watching this game, everyone knows that Valencia did not release the water, so what is Chang Sheng's attitude towards this matter, isn't it clear at a glance?
Valencia returned to Spain with victory, leaving Liverpool alone to lick their wounds...
In Basel, Switzerland, those Basel fans who were also paying attention to the game gave out huge cheers.
And excited Basel fans unfurled a "Thanks to Valencia" banner.
They thanked the ever-victorious team for not releasing water, but upholding the spirit of fair play and beating Liverpool away.
At this time, the Basel fans obviously don't care how they were defeated by Valencia 6:0 in Mestalla...
With the relationship between Valencia and Basel, a 6-0 game is not enough to turn the two teams into mortal enemies. So it should come as no surprise that they thanked Valencia.
On the Liverpool side, the mood is complicated. On the one hand, I feel that Valencia is still fighting so hard after confirming that they have qualified for the group, which is a bit unkind. On the other hand, I feel that there is no reason to blame Valencia. After all, they have withdrawn the general main force. This can't win. It can only show that Liverpool's strength is too poor...
In this way, Valencia took the lead and qualified ahead of schedule, but left the suspense to the final round of the group stage.
Liverpool challenged Basel away, the direct dialogue between the two teams, no matter who it is, as long as they want to qualify, they must beat their opponents.
This is bound to be a fight between dragons and tigers.
And Chang Sheng didn't even have the leisure to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. His eyes had already been set on the second round group match.