Chapter 1016 Because they want to attack
Before the game started, to be honest, the Catalan United players basically didn’t pay much attention to the game.
Although the players were substituted early during the Barcelona derby last weekend, it was obvious that they were preparing for this Champions League group stage.
But it's just preparation for an ordinary level.
This is done before any game.
That doesn't mean they take the game seriously.
After all, facing Leeds City at home, which they had defeated 3:1 away from home, what suspense could there be?
As long as Catalonia performs normally, it will be no problem to win Leeds City at their home court.
These three points have basically been booked.
Therefore, if the players of Catalonia United want to underestimate the enemy, that is definitely not the case. But to say how much attention is paid to Leeds City, it is not necessarily...
If the opponent is the Madrid Kings, they must take it very seriously.
But Leeds City is just their loser, so there is no need to be too nervous.
At most, it's a snack when defending Hu Lai.
It was precisely because of this mentality that they were caught off guard by Leeds City at the beginning of the game.
It was completely unexpected that the defeated player would dare to choose to attack Catalonia United at the Sagrada Familia Stadium.
Fortunately, their self-regulation ability is super strong. Although they lost a goal, they quickly organized an effective counterattack, scored two goals in a row, reversed the score and took the lead in the first half.
At this time, the Catalan players' inner "not caring" about Leeds City has been greatly reduced.
After the head coach's adjustments at halftime, the Catalan United players believed that the game would enter their rhythm in the second half.
In the attack just beginning in the second half, Catalonia's offense was indeed more threatening. Whether it was Campuzano or Salado, their shots were just a hair away from scoring.
It looks like the game is finally back on track...
Just when the Catalan United players were thinking this, Leeds City's second goal came out of the blue.
All Catalan United players were caught off guard.
So much so that after the goal was conceded, most of the Catalan United players looked confused.
It seemed that he was unprepared for this conceding goal.
As the captain, Rosas had to stand up at this time. He clapped his hands and walked to his teammates and shouted to them:
"Don't panic, this is our home court!"
Then, perhaps seeing that the effect was not particularly good, he added: "Just treat them as the kings of Madrid!"
Considering Leeds City as Catalonia United's main competitor in La Liga, the Madrid Kings, this can be regarded as a very high-level treatment for Leeds City.
But no one in the Catalan United team felt that their captain was making a fuss.
Because after this nearly 60-minute game, the Catalan United players realized that the Leeds City in front of them was definitely not someone they could look down upon.
The Leeds City team they defeated 3:1 away from home seemed to be two completely different teams from today's team.
※※※
"Obviously... they have grown in just a few Champions League games..."
Catalan United head coach Bernal lamented to his assistant coach Alberto Vazquez on the sidelines.
When he was feeling this way, Leeds City was continuing to attack Catalonia United on the field.
Leeds City, who equalized the score, did not choose to shrink their defense, hoping to keep the point. Instead, they actively attack, as if they want to defeat Catalonia United away from home...
This idea is ridiculous, but people can't help but think in this direction.
"But it's only two games..." Assistant coach Vazquez frowned. "And they all lost."
There were actually only two Champions League games between Catalonia and Leeds City, both of which were against Vesuvius. Leeds City lost both of these two games, and they lost miserably:
The first away game was 0:4. In the second game back at home, although they scored two goals, they were defeated in the end and were defeated by Vesuvius 3:2.
After only two games, they were both losses. What growth can be achieved?
"Alberto, haven't you heard that saying? 'Even failure is a kind of growth'."
After hearing this, Vazquez looked at Leeds City who were attacking the Catalan United goal on the court and was silent for a while, and then said: "They are indeed different from when we played against them. Now their offense can temporarily suppress us. ...Maybe we should avoid its edge..."
Bernal interrupted: "No, Alberto. If we choose to defend temporarily, we will fall into their rhythm. The more times like this, the less we can defend. This is our home court, if If we face a new Champions League team and are forced back into the penalty area... our morale will collapse.”
"But they are obviously making a fuss about the space behind us..."
"Of course. But we can also target the space behind them. Now it's very simple, it just depends on whose attack is sharper, Alberto."
After speaking, he personally walked to the sidelines and gave instructions to his players - press forward!
※※※
"Bernar wants to compete with us in attack!" Clark said excitedly.
Landil saw him gearing up and complained: "Isn't this normal? This is their home court! Do you expect them to shrink their defense after we score a goal? I have never seen Catalonia United at home. Shrink the defense, but the opponent must not be Leeds City..."
Catalan United is a well-known wealthy team throughout Europe, and offense is integrated into the team's DNA. Even if their defensive strength is not bad, from a team tactics perspective, offense is more respected.
This is not just a habit of José Bernal as head coach, but a tradition of this team.
Because "pleasing football" is the motto of the Catalan United team.
No matter who is coaching this team, if they can't promote offensive football, then get out of class.
No matter how good the results are, fans will not tolerate such tarnishing of Catalonia's tradition.
Even when Catalonia was at its lowest point thirty years ago, the team never gave up on their football philosophy. After persisting for ten years, the team's performance improved again.
"Offense" is always the supreme pursuit of this team.
In this respect, they are very similar to Leeds City.
It's just that Catalan United now has the qualifications to do this, and when Clark insisted on doing this in Leeds City, he almost got himself fired.
Had it not been for the efficient shooter Hu Lai, who was introduced from Anton Shining Star during the winter break, there would be no Leeds City today.
"Actually, I'm really afraid that they will be pushed back by our attack." Clark covered his grinning mouth with his hand, for fear of being seen smiling so happily.
※※※
Both coaches off the field wanted their teams to continue attacking, and the two teams on the field played wildly.
This game was very enjoyable for the neutral fans to watch, and it also made the Leeds City fans excited, shouting and roaring desperately in the bar.
Only the Catalan United fans were extremely nervous.
Neutral fans are watching the excitement, eager for the two teams to attack.
Leeds City fans are now in a good mentality and were able to push Catalan United into such an embarrassing situation at the Holy Family Stadium. They no longer care whether the final result is a win or a loss. They just hope that Leeds City will continue to attack like this and use the best way to fight against Catalonia.
Catalan United fans are not as free and easy as their rivals.
Before the game, they never considered that they would not be able to defeat their opponents, but now there is a dark cloud gathering in the hearts of many of them, shrouding them.
They can't help but think - we can't even win against Leeds City at home, right?
If Catalonia really cannot win, they will be giving up their hope of ranking first in the group to their opponents.
After this game is over, another Champions League group match will blow, with Vesuvius challenging Bay Lighthouse away.
If the former wins, it can reduce the difference to two points.
This is a very dangerous point difference, enough to stimulate Vesuvius to face Catalonia United at home in the final round...
Under this kind of fear, every attack by Leeds City can make the Catalan fans in the stands scream and boo.
They are considered experienced fans. What kind of opponents have they not seen at the Holy Family Stadium?
But today's Leeds City still gives them a different feeling.
When those other teams attacked Catalonia at the Sagrada Familia, it was because they wanted to win the game.
In order to win, he made a desperate move and attacked at all costs.
If they were given a choice, they would probably not choose to fight Catalonia at the Sagrada Familia Stadium.
But after watching this game, Catalan United fans have a somewhat absurd idea in their minds:
Leeds players attack not because they want to win, but because they want to attack.
They attacked at the beginning of the game, and after taking the lead, they still insisted on attacking.
They attacked when the Catalan United equalized the score, but they still had to attack when they fell behind.
Attack at the beginning of the second half, grab a ball to equalize the score and then continue to attack...
Attacking seems to be their life, or the only thing they can do:
They didn't know what to do except attack.
So... let's attack!
It was precisely because of the madness shown by Leeds City that the Catalan United fans in the stands were so nervous that they were shaking.
Because they always feel... if the game continues like this, maybe Leeds City can score another goal!
※※※
PS, the second update is here, please vote for me! (End of chapter)