Chapter 75 Conquering All Real Madrid Fans with a Solid Performance, It’s Time to Talk About some Big Contracts

After winning two consecutive league games at home in the new season, the focus of the entire Real Madrid team is on the upcoming Champions League.

This season, Real Madrid is divided into Group D of the Champions League.

In the same group are Lyon, a strong team from Ligue 1, Ajax, the Dutch champion last season, and Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatian A-League champion last season.

The strength of these three opponents of Real Madrid is not particularly strong, and two of them are old acquaintances.

There is no need to introduce Lyon too much. This team, Benzema's home team, dominated the entire Ligue 1 from 2001 to 2008 and was once a regional hegemon.

In the 2009-2010 season, Lyon sank the new generation of Real Madrid's Galaxy Battleship with one win and one draw in two rounds of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Now Real Madrid meets Lyon again, and they also have a chance for revenge.

It's a pity that Lyon's strength is declining year by year. Although it lost the league championship last season, it is still the second in the league.

Last season, Lyon dropped to third place in the league, and they have to play a round of play-offs to enter the Champions League this season.

Playing in the group stage with such a Lyon, even if they win both games in two rounds, Real Madrid players may not feel very happy.

As for Ajax, the Real Madrid players only have enthusiastic feelings.

"What a coincidence, Jiafu brother, it's you again?"

When the Ajax players saw that they were drawn into the same group with Real Madrid during the draw, they were probably dumbfounded.

The scene of being slaughtered 4-0 by Real Madrid in the second round last season is still vivid!

This season, they met a stronger Real Madrid again?

The whole Ajax team almost suspected that the club's top management had a feud with UEFA's top management.

Fortunately, they didn't meet Real Madrid in the first round, and Lyon escaped.

In the first round of the Champions League, Real Madrid had to go away to test the quality of Dinamo Zagreb.

Ajax and Lyon, two powerful teams that are likely to qualify as the second team in Group D, will have to fight hard first.

Real Madrid players don't know much about Dinamo Zagreb.

After studying, the Real Madrid coaching staff has roughly figured out how this team plays in the Champions League.

In the previous two seasons, this Croatian A-League champion fell before the play-offs.

When playing in the Champions League qualifiers, they all wanted to rely on relatively stable defense to pass.

But obviously, they didn't succeed.

This season, Dinamo Zagreb obviously adjusted its playing style in the qualifiers.

Take the initiative first, and then defend the half after gaining the lead.

Well, this tactic

I don't know if the head coach of this team learned from Allegri before the start of this season's Champions League qualifiers.

That embarrassing taste is simply too strong.

But, don't worry about whether the scene is good or not.

Dinamo Zagreb really made it to the Champions League this season and got a chance to play against Real Madrid.

Just for this result, the fans of Dinamo Zagreb were overjoyed.

On the afternoon of September 13, when the Real Madrid players arrived at the hotel in Zagreb, they packed their luggage and went to the Maksimir Stadium, the home stadium of Dinamo Zagreb.

There were too many Croatian fans watching the Real Madrid bus on the road.

And most of them had no ill intentions, they just came to see the Real Madrid stars.

Finally, after greeting the fans outside the stadium and signing autographs for several obviously younger fans, the Real Madrid players stepped into the Maksimir Stadium with a relaxed look.

Li Ang is still very interested in Dinamo Zagreb.

It's not because this Croatian dominant club has produced football stars such as Kranjcar, Suker, and Boban.

But because of a midfielder who is currently a teammate of Bale at Tottenham Hotspur whose strength is far higher than his fame.

Luka Modric.

As if he remembered something, Li Ang asked Brother Long next to him again.

"Teacher, is there a young player named Kovacic in this team now?"

Before Alonso came, he specifically took notes on the current players of Dinamo Zagreb. After thinking about it for a while, he nodded to Li Ang.

"There is such a midfielder. I heard that he is also the best young midfielder in Croatia. Why do you ask this?"

"Nothing. I see that he is much younger than me and I am a little curious about him."

"Why, do you want to give him some leniency in the game tomorrow?"

"No, that's definitely not possible. I want to increase the intensity of the Champions League as soon as possible!"

Brother Long was amused by Li Ang, but he didn't question what Li Ang said.

If nothing unexpected happens, Li Ang will face the Croatian kid in the game tomorrow.

Now Li Ang is holding a midfielder who is not yet 18 years old.

Alonso just hopes that the young player named Kovacic can hold on for a few more minutes tomorrow.

After the game, the Real Madrid team spent a peaceful night in the hotel in Zagreb.

Since the morning of September 14, the atmosphere before the Champions League has completely enveloped the capital of Croatia.

Mourinho and Karanka took advantage of the last period before the game to make the final tactical preparations and deductions.

However, most of the Real Madrid players seemed to be a little too "relaxed" at this time.

Li Ang felt a little uncomfortable about this.

Dinamo Zagreb is indeed a Champions League team, and Real Madrid does not need to be 120% vigilant against it.

But like now, before the game even starts, you already have the idea of ​​"defeating your opponent". Isn't it a little too optimistic?

However, when seeing Ronaldo and Brother Long remaining calm before the game as always, Li Ang gradually felt relieved.

"Maybe I'm overthinking it and I'll watch it after the game starts."

Li Ang, who sighed in his heart, said nothing in the end. He just took the time to read the report on the playing habits of Dinamo Zagreb's main players before the game.

20:45 pm local time in Croatia.

After a whole day of final preparations, the two teams started the first round of this season's Champions League Group D match at Maximir Stadium.

Today, Uncle Psy still arranged a deformed lineup of 442.

Dinamo Zagreb carefully arranged a starting lineup of four, two and three one.

Ante Cacic, the Croatian coach, is still very pragmatic. He didn't use any tactical thoughts that shouldn't be used. He just came up with a bus.

Real Madrid's players also understood what the opponent meant after seeing their opponent use five midfielders and still shrink for half a game.

Mourinho expected the style of play that Dinamo Zagreb would adopt before the game, but he did not expect that Ante Cacic would be so determined and did not intend to compete for the ball with Real Madrid from the beginning.

Then, since the opponent has retreated, let's attack!

Mourinho gave tactical instructions, and Real Madrid's frontcourt players excitedly crossed the center line and headed straight to the hinterland of Dinamo Zagreb.

When Li Ang saw Shui Ye Ramos on the right, he followed him across the half court excitedly, and quickly moved deeper into his right half court.

There are enough people attacking in the frontcourt now, and there is no shortage of him. His first priority is to defend first.

However, Dinamo Zagreb seemed determined to give up the attack in the opening stage.

After being on guard for a while, looking at Dinamo Zagreb being crushed, Li Ang and Brother Long could only press forward to maintain communication with the attacking echelons at the moment.

And the game scene that should have been like a hot knife cutting through butter did not happen.

On the contrary, Real Madrid pressed hard in the opening game, but after being forced into a positional battle, their offensive efficiency plummeted.

On the one hand, it was because Dinamo Zagreb had shrunk the space so much and made so many fighting moves, which did not give Real Madrid too many opportunities for vertical breakthroughs.

On the other hand, it's because Real Madrid has too many offensive players.

After all, how big can the half-court space be?

The defender first gathered ten people to set up the bus, and the attacker killed six or seven more people.

Sometimes Real Madrid's offensive players can't even find the passing route, so they can only pass the ball back and let Long Ge reorganize the offensive direction.

Real Madrid's quick counterattacks and side advances that they were proud of in the past were no longer working. Mourinho was seen frowning on the sidelines.

Logically speaking, this would make it difficult to penetrate Dinamo Zagreb's defense even in a positional battle.

Real Madrid's players can also carefully stretch the opponent's defense on the outside of the defense.

After all, the gap in level and strength between the two teams lies there.

As long as Dinamo Zagreb reveals a defensive gap, with Kaka's passing ability and Ronaldo Benzema's cutting level, it will be time to launch one or two threatening attacks.

But looking at the slightly impetuous and anxious offensive mode of Real Madrid's offensive players on the field at this moment, Mourinho knew.

Many people in the team have ideological problems!

Uncle Bird was a little angry and wanted to scold those Real Madrid players who had ideological problems at this time.

But the game will not be interrupted here, and the top priority is to solve the problem of the team's offensive chaos first.

So Mourinho quickly made a decision after a brief observation.

"Leo Ang! Le Ang! Step up! Let Sergio and Marcelo stop interfering so frequently. You rush forward to seize the ball. After seizing the ball in their hinterland, you and Kaka initiate a quick on-the-spot attack. Fight back.”

While Li Ang was still staying calmly near the midline, Mourinho stepped forward and gave him some new tactical instructions.

After listening to it, Li Ang quickly repeated it to Brother Long, and then started to step forward to call Ramos and Marcelo.

Soon, Real Madrid fans saw Li Ang rushing forward to clear the interception.

The commentators from all over the world who are commentating on this game at the moment are also applauding Mourinho's on-the-spot adjustments!

Didn’t Dinamo Zagreb not press forward and give them a chance?

Then Mourinho will move his team's ball-grabbing machine!

In this way, even if Real Madrid loses the ball after the attack fails, Li Ang's large-scale coverage and interception will prevent Dinamo Zagreb from calmly conducting in the backcourt.

Correspondingly, Real Madrid's time to regain the ball will be shorter than before, and the number of offensive rounds will also increase.

Without Marcelo and Ramos actively setting up sides, Real Madrid's number of attackers in the frontcourt has been reduced, but correspondingly, the space for several attackers to move has also become larger.

When the ball is mainly concentrated on Kaká and Di Maria, it is paired with Li Ang who can actively respond and transfer the ball.

Real Madrid's passing ability against Dinamo Zagreb's defense has been greatly increased.

The opportunity was created when Dinamo Zagreb's defensive players continued to move left and right.

Just as Mourinho thought, with the gap in the defense, the threatening passes from Kaka and Di Maria came soon.

Benzema completed a header in the 19th minute of the first half after receiving Di Maria's sudden 45-degree diagonal lob.

The ball was slightly off target, but it was a good sign for Real Madrid to gain momentum on the offensive end.

At this point, Mourinho signaled Ramos and Marcelo to find opportunities to overlap again.

But they were still not allowed to cross the ball blindly after getting the ball.

Again, to tear open the tight defense of Dinamo Zagreb and create a gap in the defense, Ronaldo and Benzema, who were the end points in front, would have more and better opportunities to kick.

Three minutes later, Li Ang simply snatched the ball back from Kovacic, who wanted to protect the ball and pull to the side.

Ignoring Kovacic, who was still looking immature, sitting on the ground and raising his hand to appeal to the referee, Li Ang quickly passed the ball to Kaka on the right side of the front court.

Kaka also sent the ball straight to the right without stopping.

Shui Ye, who was much more clear-headed, calmed down after getting another chance to advance.

He pretended to continue to cross the ball from the bottom, but suddenly stopped after advancing five or six meters.

Looking at the Zagreb Dinamo defenders moving towards him, Ramos quickly passed the ball back to Kaka who was following behind him!

Kaka had already observed the running position of his teammates in the Zagreb Dinamo penalty area.

He stopped the ball and adjusted his pace, and then sent a long arc pass to the back point of the Zagreb Dinamo penalty area!

Li Ang, who had followed forward at some point, followed Benzema's side.

Seeing Kaka kick the ball, Li Ang quickly patted Benzema's waist and back.

And Guo Feng, who understood, also rushed to the front point first!

Benzema turned back to the front point, and Li Ang followed up in the middle of the penalty area. The two directly involved a lot of defensive attention from the Dinamo Zagreb defenders.

So when Ronaldo rushed out from the back point and smashed Kaka's cross into the goal with an exaggerated jump height, the Dinamo Zagreb defenders were dumbfounded!

Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Klava, who was also tricked, stared at Li Ang who was celebrating with Ronaldo.

"This insidious kid and Benzema deceived us!"

Real Madrid broke the goal less than 25 minutes into the first half, and the Dinamo Zagreb players, who had no hope of scoring points in the game, showed signs of a crack in their mentality.

But for Real Madrid fans, from this moment on, their slightly depressed mood finally improved.

Soon, after watching the replay of Li Ang's small action to remind Benzema, Real Madrid fans and commentators from various countries all smiled and praised Li Ang for being smart.

And Mourinho's previous tactical adjustments once again conquered fans who liked or disliked him.

Speaking of adjusting tactics on the spot, there is probably no coach in the current football world who can confidently say that he can compare with Mourinho.

"Well done! Next, lock their central advance for me. We have to get at least a decent number of goals in this game. You must keep your mind clear at all times, grab the ball back, and give it to Angel or Kaka. We have to play their quick counterattack, understand?!"

After finishing the celebration, Li Ang, who was jogging to his own half, was pulled to the sidelines by Uncle Bird again.

Mourinho said a word, and Li Ang nodded once, and the two of them almost communicated head to head.

"Don't worry, boss! Today, not a mosquito from Dinamo Zagreb can fly to our penalty area!"

Li Ang winked at Uncle Bird and made his promise.

Of course, he also received Uncle Bird's satisfied laughter and a heavy slap on his back.

At this time, the fans of Dinamo Zagreb, who saw Mourinho and Li Ang communicated again, couldn't stand it and booed in uneven manners.

With no retreat options, Dinamo Zagreb was forced to start pressing forward after the game resumed.

Kovacic seemed a little dissatisfied with Li Ang's previous steal.

As a newborn calf, he was very brave to challenge Li Ang on the way forward.

As a result, he was forced to jump away in embarrassment by Li Ang's face-to-face tackle the first time and lost the ball.

The second time, he was squeezed out of the sideline by Li Ang and lost the ball.

The third time. Well, there was no third time, because at the request of Ante Čačić, the head coach of Dinamo Zagreb, Kovacic and his teammates switched positions.

Kovacic, who was confused by Li Ang's defense, was remembered by countless Real Madrid fans in a tragic way.

He was replaced by Ante Čačić during the halftime break.

After all, he is the most talented midfielder of the new generation in Croatia, and Ante Čačić still wants to protect him responsibly.

As for the fact that Kovacic was completely suppressed by Li Ang, Ante Čačić didn't care.

Just as Mourinho felt that it was normal that Li Ang could not completely restrict Messi.

At this moment, Ante Čačić also felt that it was normal that the 17-year-old Kovacic could not pass Li Ang.

"It is worthy of being a defensive midfielder who can restrict Messi's performance on the defensive end at the age of 20, which is amazing!"

Ante-Chachi looked at Li Ang destroying his own offensive opportunities again and again, and couldn't help but sigh with envy.

As for the final result of the game, Ante-Chachi also knew very well that he was no longer able to save the defeat.

In the end, with Ronaldo's double goal and Di Maria's long-range shot, Real Madrid got the desired Champions League start at the Maximir Stadium.

Li Ang also conquered almost all Real Madrid fans with his stable performance on both offense and defense.

As soon as the game ended and he returned to the hotel, Li Ang received a congratulatory call from Mendes.

In the end, in a brief exchange with Mendes, Li Ang also knew.

Before, he deliberately asked Mendes to hold back and not rush to discuss the new contract, which had won him a very valuable initiative.

At least, after watching this game, Mendes received another invitation from Real Madrid to discuss Li Ang's new contract.

In addition, Mendes now has a mountain of commercial endorsement offers from China.

Li Ang finally smiled with satisfaction.

"It's time to negotiate some big contracts"