Born to be a coach [soccer]

Chapter 13

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez looked concerned in his pre-match press conference.

This season, Liverpool's personnel changes are relatively large. The team sold the core tactical player Harvey Alonso, and the state of the head striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard has been somewhat ups and downs, and they have been somewhat affected. Plagued by injuries, the team's state is quite sluggish.

But Benitez maintained his poise in the press conference.Speaking of the Sunderland team, Benitez said: "We are very familiar with Sunderland. After all, Sunderland has always been a Premier League team. So we met such a team in the third round of the FA Cup. A very strong opponent."

The tactician also looked a little tired, and he was a little reluctant to say more.This is very different from the momentum he had with Chelsea coach Mourinho back then, fighting with each other.

People are polite, and Anton's answer is very "official": "We respect such an opponent very much, and the Stadium of Light welcomes the Red Army. Of course, our players will go all out to strive for a victory. I hope that the players on both sides can reconcile Together, the fans, enjoy the game."

The reporters looked at Anton in distaste: Does that mean you didn't say anything!

So Anton had to add another sentence: "In fact, some fans have reflected on social media that they want to go to Anfield. As a coach, I just want to say that Sunderland hopes to win this game at the Stadium of Light .”

--very good!The reporters memorized, feeling that the smell of gunpowder began to overflow.

The competition system of the FA Cup is a knockout match. The home and away games of the participating teams are determined by drawing lots.If the game is tied within 90 minutes, a replay will be postponed and the game will be played at the away team's home court.If the battle still cannot be resolved within 90 minutes, overtime will be played, or even a penalty shootout will be used to decide the winner.

For Sunderland, their best result, of course, is to win the game at the Stadium of Light.Because if this game is tied, the two teams will move to Anfield to fight again in the next game-Anfield, that is the home of the devil.

Sunderland shouldn't expect them to win at Anfield!

But Benitez's counterattack was weak. He only said "hmm" twice and said, "We also hope to win this game at the Stadium of Light."

Everyone thought of going together.

In the Stadium of Light, players from both sides have completed their pre-court warm-up, and the starting players entered the field hand in hand holding the little caddy.

The starting lists of both sides were loudly broadcasted on the radio.The announcer dragged out the tone in order to mobilize the atmosphere of the scene.When he read the home team's leading shooter's name: "Darren Vincent—"

There was a burst of cheers from the stands, followed by a rhythmic sound as the fans chanted, "Darren Darren Darren—"

Vincent had a smug smile on his face. Being loved by so many people was obviously something that could satisfy his vanity.

Wait until the goalkeeper's name is called: "Hannes Ha...Haldosson—"

Obviously the Icelandic name is not easy to pronounce, and the announcer was also taken aback.The fans present were stunned: Who is this!

When it was realized that this was a new aid, the fans at the Stadium of Light quickly responded with warm applause: Their children come all the way to play football, we can't just snub someone because their name is hard to pronounce, right?

Halldosson's always serious and expressionless face finally showed a smile.

When it came time to broadcast the guest team's starters, the fans responded enthusiastically.Liverpool and Sunderland are not mortal enemies. In recent years, Liverpool has performed well and appeared frequently in European competitions. Liverpool players have many "fans" all over the world.When the announcer called out Steven Gerrard's name, the Stadium of Light responded with cheers and applause.And when the announcer announced the name of Fernando Torres, there was even more screaming in the stands.

——My God, this is the Spanish golden boy Torres who is so handsome in 360 degrees and has no dead ends!The female fans cheered together, obviously Sunderland also has a lot of Tommy.

Immediately the two teams dispersed, captain Garner stepped forward to shake hands with Gerrard.After the two teams selected the venue and kick-off order, Halldosson put on the goalkeeper's gloves and walked towards his own goal.

This FA Cup game is explained by Phil Fletcher, the commentator of the BBC Sports Channel.He stared at the very unfamiliar name "Haldosson" on the starting list, and said: "New head coach, new goalkeeper-it seems that Sunderland's head coach Anton is determined to replace him as soon as he takes office. The main goalkeeper, Gordon, used this goalkeeper from Iceland."

He stared at Halldorsson's slender figure and said half-jokingly: "So today, will we also feel the chill from Iceland in Sunderland?"

Just looking at the strength gap between the two teams on paper, it is more likely that Sunderland will be cool!

"Apart from that, we also noticed that another new player entered the Sunderland squad - Eriksen, 17 years old, from Denmark. To be honest, I really admire Sunderland's signings. Efficiency, after all, today is only January 1nd. I guess they must take the opportunity of this FA Cup to inspect new players and run the team. Now Sunderland’s focus is obviously on the league. Will be downgraded again to be worthy of those who support them."

"However, if you want to talk about the outcome of the current game, it does not mean that Liverpool will definitely win. Everyone should know that the FA Cup has always been hailed as a 'hotbed of unpopularity'. Perhaps the Stadium of Light, which has seen the dawn of victory, can give the home team What about good luck?"

With the whistle of the referee Atkinson, the game began.

Sunderland kicked off and Garner cautiously passed the ball back to Henderson.Torres and Liverpool's other winger, David Ngogo, stepped forward aggressively.Henderson kicked the ball back to goalkeeper Halldosson.Halldosson took two steps back, and then drove out with a big kick——

The fans turned their heads along with the trajectory of the ball: This big foot drove so far!

Looking at the point where the ball landed, Sunderland's right winger Nubel has thrown off the defender Aurelio who is in charge of defending him, and rushed towards the point of the ball quickly.

The commentator Fletcher shouted in the commentary room: "He just glanced at it and sent such a precise pass. The first time this new goalkeeper touched the ball, he already showed his value."

It's a pity that before Nubel completely stopped the ball, the experienced Liverpool deputy Carragher rushed up and destroyed the ball out of the sideline.Sunderland's first chance created by the goalkeeper this season was destroyed in this way.

"Ginger is still old and hot - this is a Chinese proverb I have heard. I don't know if Anton, the new head coach of Sunderland, is thinking about this sentence now." Fletcher said.

Not to be outdone, Liverpool waited until Sunderland threw the ball out of bounds, Aurelio immediately stepped forward to steal the ball, sent it forward without hesitation, and the ball had already reached the feet of captain Steven Gerrard.Sunderland fans have become nervous, but Liverpool fans have become excited-their captain is the offensive engine of Liverpool's midfield.

Garner immediately stepped forward to press, trying to interfere with Gerrard's ball.Gerrard did not choose to send the ball forward, but knocked horizontally.Beside him, without anyone noticing, Didier Dirk suddenly inserted, dribbling the ball towards the penalty area.He was extremely fast, and Henderson and another defender, George McCartney, chased back together. Unexpectedly, Dirk's feet stopped and the ball had been handed over to teammate Lucas.

"Lucas dribbled the ball into the box and he tried to get past Turner who was guarding him. Turner stretched his foot at him and Lucas fell to the ground. The referee whistled and his finger pointed to the penalty spot - Ah Tkinson awarded a penalty."

"On the 9th minute of the game, Liverpool won a penalty."

The place where Lucas fell was very close to the die-hard Sunderland fans area. The fans watching the game nearby all stood up, raised their hands and shouted at the referee.It was clear to them that Turner hadn't touched Lucas' leg, that Lucas had lost his balance and fell.

The commentator Fletcher also watched the slow-motion replay and said: "This is an obvious misjudgment! Sunderland did not foul in the penalty area. It's just that their luck may not be very good, and they met Atkinson."

"Atkinson's penalty cannot stand the trial of slow-motion playback!" ①

When he saw Atkinson's finger pointing to the penalty spot, on the Sunderland coach's bench, assistant coach Russell had already fried the pot first, jumped up, and almost jumped out of a word starting with "F" in his mouth .Before he could stand still, he saw that Anton had slipped to the side of the fourth official, spreading his hands and saying something loudly.

Italians prefer to use gestures when they speak, Anton usually does not like this.But at this moment in front of the fourth official, Anton seemed to be very excited, all kinds of gestures flew together, and he could almost throw them in the other's face.The fourth official took a step back, for fear of being "influenced" by him.But it is easy to be misunderstood by those who see that the referee team is also "guilty" under Anton's complaint.

"This kid, usually looks polite, but at critical moments, he is willing to let go." Russell thought.However, it seems that Anton is still restrained. If it were him, nine out of ten he would be fined in the stands for his rude words.

In fact, Anton is very clear that Atkinson has already made a penalty. Whether it is the players or the coaching staff, there is no other way and must be respected.But he still chose to protest to the fourth official: "I respect the referee's penalty, but please convey it during the intermission. He had better watch the replay of the so-called Sunderland'foul" just now—— This was a very clear miscalculation. We reserve the right to appeal to the FA."

Forced by Anton's aura, the fourth official took another step back, wondering why the young coach, who had just looked at him quietly and quietly, looked tough and difficult now.What he said is obviously reminding Atkinson that he must grasp the law enforcement standards in the future.

The author has something to say: to save character for the home team, to those who leave a message under this chapter, the author will offer red envelopes with both hands.

Note time:

①This sentence is said by Zhan Jun, the famous commentator and the guardian of Liverpool.Atkinson is one of the "Fantastic Four", but he has no major problems with the two teams in his impression.