Chapter 173 The Great Crisis from Ukraine, Part
就在欧洲冠军联赛16强淘汰赛第二回合结束后的第二天，2007年3月8日晚间，06/07赛季欧洲联盟杯16强淘汰赛首回合也开始了8场激战。
Among them, Sevilla will face the Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk at home; Sevilla, who just finished a big battle with Barcelona at the weekend, still uses a 4-4-2 starting lineup, but many positions have been rotated.
First, Ricardo Richie will miss a week due to a groin strain, and Adriano and Paulson will also be on the bench. However, Marti, who was suspended for a red card in the league, can be released and return, and Korzakov and Puerta will replace the above three. In addition, Navarro and Fabiano have also returned from injury and entered the game list.
Ricardo watched this game at Eva's home, but the one who stuck to Ricardo was not Eva, but Sofia. The little girl has begun to slowly adapt to life away from her grandparents. Recently, she has tried to transfer to the kindergarten affiliated to a private elementary school to adapt to life. Naturally, she would help her godfather play in the evening.
Ricardo was going to watch the game tonight, so Sofia naturally stuck to her godfather, asking Ricardo to explain why so many older brothers were fighting for a ball on the field? Why couldn't grandpa and grandma buy them a few more balls to share...
Eva was helplessly waiting on the two of them to eat fruit, watching Ricardo doting on Sofia. She could only wait until Sofia got tired and went to sleep before she could do anything bad...
However, this game was played... well, it was full of ups and downs, and the plot was so full that Ricardo in front of the TV didn't even have the character of doing bad things.
Originally, the home team Sevilla was doing well at the beginning, although the whole team was a little out of shape. It might be that the big battle with Barcelona last weekend not only consumed their physical strength, but also their energy, especially the celebration after the game...
But in the 8th minute after the kick-off, Korzakov received a direct pass from Renato and rushed into the penalty area, but was tripped by the attacking goalkeeper Shuster! The referee decisively gave the home team a penalty kick opportunity, and then Marty, who was released from suspension, scored the penalty kick. The home team led 1-0. At this time, Ricardo was still winking at Eva, telling her to put Sofia to sleep quickly so that she could do something bad later...
But not long after, the visiting team equalized the score in the 19th minute. Defender Habsmann took advantage of a corner kick and shot the ball into the net from close range in the melee; both sides returned to the same starting line.
Then the home team missed golden opportunities one after another, which made Ricardo nervous. After all, wasting opportunities will be punished. Sure enough, in the second half, not long after Korzakov's shot hit the post and went wide, the visiting team took the lead.
In the 60th minute of the game, it was Alves' turn to foul the visiting team's attacker Bailik in the penalty area, and the referee sentenced him to death. Then the visiting team's Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem scored from the 12-yard spot, helping the visiting team to change the score to 2-1!
At this time, Ricardo in front of the TV no longer cared about Eva who was leaning beside him and hinting wildly after coaxing Sofia to sleep...
The home team continued to put pressure on the away team, but the away team did not give the home team too many opportunities after regrouping. Juan Ramos also frequently deployed his players, with Maresca, Duda and Fabiano taking the field one after another; but for a while, the home team's offensive was loud but ineffective, and they did not create a great scoring opportunity, let alone break through the opponent's defense.
However, just when Ricardo was about to turn off the TV in despair, the game took another turn. The game came to the 88th minute, and there were only a few minutes left before the end of the 90-minute game.
Substitute Maresca fought his way into the goal, but was brought down in the penalty area by fellow substitute Gay, and the referee again awarded a penalty. Maresca took the penalty he won himself and volleyed it into the top corner to return the favor.
The two sides are back to the same starting line again. Perhaps this statement is not quite appropriate. After all, Shakhtar Donetsk won two valuable away goals and it was a draw in the away game.
Sevilla naturally knew that the score was not good and was trying to score another goal against all odds, but there was not enough time. The referee ended the first round of the match between the two sides this season shortly after the Colts scored the penalty kick.
In the end, Sevilla drew 2-2 with Shakhtar Donetsk at home; and 4 of the 3 goals in the game came from penalties.
Although they did not lose the game at home, which made Ricardo breathe a sigh of relief in the final moments, but as mentioned above, Shakhtar Donetsk took away two away goals and an away draw, which is a huge advantage: back at home, Shakhtar Donetsk does not necessarily need to win, only a 0-0 or 1-1 draw is needed to eliminate the defending champion and send them home!
Ricardo, who was finally aroused by Eva, was a little absent-minded when doing bad things: Could it be that I am on a sinking ship? The king of the European League was dragged down by me? Will I not win the UEFA Cup this season? This shouldn't be the case...
This made Eva look resentful!
On the weekend, Ricardo, who accompanied Eva and Sofia to a resort hotel, also experienced the test of joy followed by sorrow.
在2007年的3月10日，06/07赛季西班牙足球甲级联赛第26轮一场焦点战在诺坎普球场率先展开争夺，是由西超双雄巴萨与皇马进行的世纪德比！
Both teams were eliminated from the quarterfinals of the Champions League in the middle of the week. Barcelona's victim was Liverpool, while Real Madrid lost to Bayern.
在此前的230场世纪对决中，巴萨稍占上风，取得94胜49平87负。但在其中的150场联赛中，皇马65胜28平59负战绩更佳。双方在诺坎普的76次联赛交手中，巴萨44胜15平17负明显占优。
Barcelona still sent out the same starting lineup as the trip to Anfield in the middle of the week, while Real Madrid replaced Roberto Carlos and Emerson with Salgado and Guti respectively.
Seeing Barcelona stick with the same starting lineup, Ricardo was relieved: Fortunately, I left early, otherwise you guys would be exhausted...
Both sides seemed cautious after the opening, but despite playing away, Real Madrid seemed to be in better shape, while Barcelona seemed a little overwhelmed.
As expected, Real Madrid broke the deadlock in the 5th minute. In a quick counterattack, Higuain's cross from the left was barely blocked by Thuram, and Van Nistelrooy pushed the ball into the right side of the goal from 19 yards inside the penalty area. The Dutchman scored in both of his two games against Barcelona this season, helping Real Madrid lead Barcelona 1-0 away.
Barcelona, which was behind, launched a frantic counterattack, but was exploited by Real Madrid, which frequently created set pieces in the frontcourt.
However, Barcelona's geniuses will not let Real Madrid run wild at home. Although Ronaldinho played with an injury and his condition was affected, the little flea Messi stood up and played his most brilliant masterpiece since his debut.
Messi helped Barcelona equalize the score in the 11th minute. Eto'o made a straight pass in the middle, and Messi, who successfully got past the offside, broke into the penalty area from the right side and pushed the ball into the far corner with his left foot from 12 yards.
However, just two minutes later, in the 13th minute of the game, Real Madrid took the lead again.
Guti broke into the penalty area and was tripped by Oleger, and the referee gave him a yellow card and a penalty; Van Nistelrooy's low penalty shot went into the net on the right side of the goal, scoring his second goal. This was his 14th league goal this season, helping Real Madrid to change the score to 2-1.
Then both sides attacked and defended each other until the 28th minute of the game, when Messi helped Barcelona equalize the score again.
Ronaldinho and Eto'o cooperated in the penalty area, and the Brazilian's shot from the left edge of the small penalty area was blocked by Casillas's heroic dive. However, Messi followed up smartly and volleyed the ball into the empty goal with his left foot 10 yards in front of the goal without being marked. He also scored twice and brought the two sides back to the same starting line.
The two sides then fell into a stalemate. Although Barcelona's offense was more threatening and they had a higher ball possession rate, Real Madrid's defensive formation was also very solid and their counterattacks also created opportunities.
However, when the time came to the last minute of the first half, the game took another dramatic turn. In the 45th minute, Oleger fouled Gago from behind without much need when he was in the midfield. Then, with an innocent look on his face, he accumulated two yellow cards and was dismissed early. In the entire second half, Barcelona had to play with one less player to face their old rival Real Madrid...
In order to keep Barcelona's defense intact, Sylverinho replaced Eto'o in the second half.
However, Real Madrid, who had one more player in the second half, naturally took over the game, had more control of the ball, pushed Barcelona back into the half, and began to gain the upper hand.
However, facing the extremely brave Valdes, Higuain and Van Nistelrooy's shots were repeatedly just a hair's breadth away... until the 73rd minute of the game, when Real Madrid took the lead for the third time.
Marcos fouled Robinho, Guti made a free kick from the left, Puyol made a mistake in marking, Ramos jumped high from 7 yards in front of the goal and headed the ball into the far corner! This was Ramos' second league goal of the season, and Real Madrid once again led the score 2-3, especially at this time with one more player...
However, after taking the lead, Real Madrid was arranged by the conservative Capello to play a defensive counterattack and once again gave up possession of the ball; so the iron-blooded Italian coach had to pay for his conservatism and stubbornness this time.
Having regained control of the game, Barcelona did not care about playing with one less player. After all, they were at their home ground and could not lose momentum, especially when facing their old rivals. So, with the cheers of more than 9 spectators, the ten-man Barcelona launched a desperate charge on the visiting team's defense. At this time, Barcelona showed determination and belief that they did not have in the first two games!
After Barcelona continuously besieged Real Madrid's goal for about 15 minutes and the game entered injury time, their hard work paid off and Barcelona finally equalized the score again in the 91st minute of the game!
Ronaldinho's father made a wonderful pass from the left rib, Messi passed the ball diagonally, stopped the ball, dribbled past Elguera, went straight into the penalty area from the left rib, and shot into the top corner of the goal! The Argentine genius scored a hat trick in this game. This was his sixth league goal this season, and he helped Barcelona tie the score at home for the third time!
In the end, the two sides drew 3-3. Barcelona, who only got one point, temporarily caught up with Sevilla, who had one game less, and ranked first again with the advantage of goal difference, while Real Madrid achieved four consecutive draws in the league.
Ricardo, who was watching the game with Real Madrid fans in the resort hotel bar, was extremely excited after the game. This was God's help for Sevilla. The two biggest rivals in the league lost points at the same time, and Sevilla was facing newly promoted Tarragona, who was deep in the relegation zone, in this round.
Although it is an away game, the gap between the two teams is huge. If Sevilla wins, they will have a points advantage in the league! Although the situation in the UEFA Cup is unfavorable, there are still opportunities in the away game. Ricardo has already begun to imagine the beautiful scene of turning the tables in Ukraine in the middle of the week and finally winning the treble at the end of the season!
With this thought, Ricardo couldn't help but feel even more anxious. He naturally didn't need to pay attention to those green tea girls who kept flirting with him in the bar. He sent a message to the former stewardess and model to ask her if she had put her baby to sleep. She was so tired from playing during the day, so she should have gone to bed early, right? Hurry and come to the next room...
However, the next day, Ricardo was shocked by his teammates who went to the away game. His dream was shattered before he could recover from injury and return to the team.
2007年3月11日晚间，06/07赛季西班牙足球甲级联赛第26轮继续展开8场争夺；塞维利亚远赴客场，挑战和巴萨一样同处于加泰罗尼亚地区的升班马塔拉戈纳。
This season, Tarragona returned to the first division after 56 years. Although they had fully anticipated the difficulties of La Liga at the beginning of the season, they added 11 new blood, including many strong players who have been in La Liga for many years, such as former Real Madrid star Portillo and former Getafe main defender Matelan...
However, Tarragona is currently ranked only 19th in the league, second from the bottom, and is deep in the relegation zone.
Therefore, despite the poor form in the UEFA Cup home game in the middle of the week, the Sevilla team still believes that it will be no problem to win this round and overtake Barcelona again to activate the top experience card.
Juan Ramos also took advantage of the weaker opponents in this round to make major rotations in the team. Needless to say, the injured Ricardo has not returned to the team yet. Even Alves, Poulsen and Navas did not travel with the team, but stayed in Seville to prepare for the life-and-death battle in the UEFA Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk in the middle of the week.
Sevilla fielded a starting lineup that rotated with the main lineup:
The goalkeeper is veteran No. 1 goalkeeper Palop;
The left and right fullbacks of the back line are No. 16 Puerta and No. 24 Hinkel, and the double central defenders are No. 19 Dragutinovic and No. 2 Navarro. Osio was suspended for a red card.
The left and right wings of the midfield are No. 5 Duda and No. 25 Maresca, and the double defensive midfielders are No. 11 Renato and No. 18 Marti;
The two forwards are No. 10 Fabiano and No. 12 Kanoute.
Players such as Korzakov, Alfaro, David and Adriano were on standby on the bench.
However, both the head coach's deployment of troops and the opponent's strength level made Sevilla, who played away from home, relatively relaxed. It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that they took it lightly, after all, most of the rotation players were still very serious about their performance, but it was certain that the whole team was not excited or nervous.
In the 16th minute, Sevilla had a good chance to score, but Fabiano's shot from the left side of the penalty area was saved by the home team's goalkeeper Biaza. What Sevilla's coach, fans and players did not expect was that Biaza's miraculous save opened up his superb performance throughout the game...
One minute later, Maresca missed another good chance in the penalty area, and Biaza once again kept the goal intact. Afterwards, Marti, Navarro, Kanoute and Puerta tested Biaza one after another, but except for those that were blocked or deviated from the target, all 1 shots on target were successfully saved by Biaza...
In contrast, Tarragona only had two shots from Pinilla in the first half, neither of which posed a threat to Palop.
In the second half, Sevilla continued to attack the home team and practiced shooting one by one, but it seemed as if they didn't have shooting boots. They could only give the home team goalkeeper Biaza continuous statistics and merits...
Juan Ramos was also helpless, but there was no effect after two substitutions. Although Korzakov and Alfaro, who came on as substitutes, strengthened the breakthrough, they still could not break through the home team's gate guarded by Bizzarri.
Sevilla couldn't attack for a long time, so they naturally pressed forward. Although Tarragona's previous counterattacks were not dangerous, didn't this make Sevilla's defense relax its vigilance?
However, watching his teammates squandering opportunities, Ricardo could already smell the danger through the TV screen...
