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Chapter 359 Defense and Killing Time

The lagging Fiorentina launched a fierce attack on Hoffenheim like an enraged lion!
Originally, Hoffenheim was unwilling to retreat to defend once they took the lead, but Florence's counterattack came so fiercely. After the habitual retreat of all members, Hoffenheim was immediately suppressed by Florence, and it was difficult to counterattack again.

Rangnick looked at the situation on the field expressionlessly. Although Fiorentina had an absolute advantage on the field immediately after taking the lead, Rangnick was not too worried.

No matter how good the physical fitness is, it is impossible for the whole game to be able to sprint for 10 minutes, and all players sprint for 10 minutes—unless it is the South Korean team in the 02 World Cup.

Rangnick was calm on the surface, but he was extremely happy in his heart. Long Bisheng’s opening goal gave Hoffenheim a considerable advantage. If Fiorentina wanted to eliminate Hoffenheim, they had to score two goals.

Thinking of this, Lannick couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Hoffenheim's luck is quite good today. The steal in the frontcourt was a bit of a fluke. Then Long Bisheng's long-range shot hit Gamberini and flew into the goal.

Sure enough, after onslaught for a while, Fiorentina's offensive slowed down, and began to slowly try to tear through Hoffenheim's defense, while Hoffenheim played steadily, slowly advanced to the frontcourt after gaining possession of the ball, and then used the impact of the two centers to create a threat.

Hoffenheim attacked very cautiously. Once the offensive was frustrated, the players immediately returned to the defense and erected a solid fence in front of the goal. There was a huge booing from the stands at the Frankie Stadium, but the Hoffenheim players were unmoved. In our home court, Florence is even more powerful!Who made us lucky and scored a goal at the beginning of the away game.

Amid the huge boos at Frankie Stadium, Hoffenheim gave Fiorentina a taste of what Hoffenheim felt at home. At the same time, Fiorentina was under even greater pressure.

The first half ended with Hoffenheim's steady play. When Hoffenheim's players left the field, there was a huge booing in the stands. The Fiorentina fans were angry at Hoffenheim's strict defense. Lannick sneered at this-you Fiorentina didn't do this in our home court?
"In the second half, we need to concentrate more and pay attention to defense." Rangnick said to the players in the locker room: "Lee, you follow Gilardino and stare him to death. Dragon, you return to the midfield to help defend, leaving Iby alone in front is enough. Jovetic is a big problem, but his physical fitness is not very good. No matter how good his skills are, it is difficult to play in our penalty area. A striker with too much impact... Also, pay attention to fouls, especially fouls at the front of the penalty area, their No. [-] free kick is very good, don't let him seize such an opportunity."

Hearing what Lannick said, Li Jie and Long Bisheng glanced at each other. They didn't expect Li Fang's free kick to be famous now.

"In short, after the last 45 minutes, we will be able to enter the semi-finals!" Rangnick said loudly: "After entering the semi-finals, the next step is the final! No one can stop our progress! Europa League, our goal is the championship!"

Hearing such a cheering slogan at this time, all the players were refreshed. What is the goal of the players playing football?In addition to the huge income, it is nothing more than honor!Although Hoffenheim has reached the final of the German Cup and won the first national championship in the club's history, it is close at hand, but the importance of the German Cup is far less than that of the Europa League, one of the two major European cups!If you can win the Europa League championship, not only will there be huge benefits, but also the players' names will be engraved in the history of the Europa League!

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After the start of the second half, Fiorentina attacked more fiercely, while Hoffenheim defended more steadily. Even if the opponent broke through, they would immediately catch up without giving up. In order to destroy the opponent's pass, even risking injury.

The game in the second half quickly became intense. The players of both sides began to fight their lives on the court. In order to advance their own side, the players of both sides on the court began to slowly increase their movements.

Hoffenheim counterattacked after stealing the ball in midfield. Li Fang knocked down Marin who was holding the ball and broke through, and received the first yellow card of the game. Two minutes later, he made the second yellow card of the game.

As the minutes passed, Prandelli also seemed very anxious on the sidelines. If he could not recover a point as soon as possible, the closer the end of the game was, the greater the pressure on Fiorentina, and the victory would be farther and farther away from them.

Prand used Montolivo to replace the veteran Zanetti. Montolivo's playing can bring technical supplements to Fiorentina's center, and at the same time allow Jovetic to play a higher position, giving full play to his technical and personal abilities.

"Lee! Keep an eye on Jovetic, Gilardino to Comper!"

Rangnick gave instructions that Jovetic was very active in this game, and he needs to pay close attention when he gets closer to the penalty area, while Gilardino's performance in this game so far can only be said to be mediocre. In this case, Li Jie, who has better marking ability among the defenders, is more suitable to defend Jovetic.

"Pay attention to defense! Push them out!" Hildebrand yelled loudly, 10 minutes had passed in the second half, as long as the 25 minutes passed, Hoffenheim would be the winner of the two rounds!
The Fiorentina fans in the stands shouted loudly, cheering for Fiorentina, and Fiorentina's running on the field became more active. They no longer care whether this game will consume too much energy after the game, whether it will affect the final match of Serie A, or whether it will affect the qualification for the Champions League next season. There is only one thing in their minds now, and that is to get back a goal first and then take the lead!
Long Bisheng, who returned to defense, knocked down Montolivo who was holding the ball in the midfield, and the stands immediately booed. The Fiorentina fans were dissatisfied with Long Bisheng who scored their goal at the beginning of the game.

Perhaps because of the loud booing in the stands, the referee showed Long Bisheng a yellow card. This was Hoffenheim's fourth yellow card in this game. Fortunately, only Simunić and Comper had a yellow card in the back, which made Hoffenheim not have too much concern in defense.

Ning Xi sat with a group of Hoffenheim fans who had come from afar. Enduring the unfriendly gazes of Fiorentina fans in the stands, they cheered loudly for Hoffenheim.

Lu Xiaoshan stood with the team doctors. They were not allowed to make loud noises on the field. Lu Xiaoshan could only hold his hands together and silently pray for Long Bisheng and Hoffenheim.

"Don't worry, we will definitely win." Seeing Lu Xiaoshan's nervous look, Doctor Bex comforted her with a smile.

Lu Xiaoshan did not answer. At this time, a sharp whistle sounded on the field, and Long Bisheng who was holding the ball on the field was kicked down from behind by Dainelli.

Several nurses rushed to the field and carried Long Bisheng off on a stretcher. This was a rare thing for them, because Long Bisheng was rarely carried off the field. It took a long time to get Long Bisheng onto the stretcher, and then slowly walked off the field.

Lu Xiaoshan was so anxious that his eyes were red, he squeezed in to see how Long Bisheng was hurt, but as soon as he squeezed in, he saw Long Bisheng winked at himself, and said softly, "It was Yibi who asked me to come down, he said it would delay the time..."

Lu Xiaoshan couldn't help but blushed, and walked away with a bah. Long Bisheng sat up from the stretcher, and then ran to the sidelines to ask to play.

Compo kicked the ball out of the sideline with a big kick. The referee signaled that Long Bisheng could play. Long Bisheng immediately ran onto the field. When he passed by Li Fang, he heard Li Fang mutter: "You kid, you have also learned how to flop!"

"I didn't flop." Long Bisheng said seriously, "That defender of yours did make a foul. He kicked my heel."

Long Bisheng was still talking to Li Fang. Rangnick looked at his watch off the court. After the time Long Bisheng had consumed just now, 25 minutes had passed in the second half of the game. Even with stoppage time, there were still 25 minutes left for Florence at most!

"Everyone defends!" Rangnick shouted into the field, and then called over midfielder Vorsa and Swedish defender Nilsson: "Get ready to warm up!"

(End of this chapter)