Stand by the last line of defense

Chapter 46 Failure
After the fourth game, La Liga took a break temporarily to give way to the Copa del Rey.

In the coach's office, Ranko Popovich frowned.

He sighed and said to his deputy, assistant coach Nekens.

"Alcolia complained to me for the third time and asked to play! He made it clear that if he refused to start him, he would ask for a winter transfer!

In addition to him, the other substitute Okas also vaguely expressed this meaning.Even Atletico youth coach Javier Fernandez pressed.

Said that he wanted to let Okas play some games at the beginning, so he came on loan.If you don't give him a chance.They will ask to send him back, they are on loan to other teams! "

Nekens asked. "But now Zheng Long is in good condition, Alcolia and the others are no match for Zheng Long! The second round of the Copa del Rey is a game that determines who wins or loses! If there is an eventuality..."

Popovich shook his head. "Our team is not equipped to fight on two fronts. The disappointment of winning the Copa del Rey is too slim for us.

Getting to La Liga is our primary goal.But also need to give other players a chance.Otherwise, if Zheng Long is injured, we need a reliable substitute goalkeeper!

Besides, Zheng Long is only 17 years old after all, and he hasn't fully grown yet.It is also necessary to take a break.This is also to protect him from overworking him!
Nekens, go and explain to Zheng Long.Let him not worry.The team values ​​him, and will still give him more chances to start in the future.Let him not think too much! "

Nekens heard it, smiled wryly and shook his head.

I knew it would be like this, but whoever called him the head coach, I am the assistant coach.

"Okay. I will explain to Zheng Long today!"

……

9月10日，西班牙晚上8点。BJ时间9月11日，凌晨2点。

Zaragoza challenged Albacete in the second division B league away.

Although Popovich put Zheng Long in the squad, Zheng Long still sat on the bench in the second round of the King's Cup on September 9.

The stadium, which can accommodate 3 people, was full of seats. In addition to the fans of the home team, there were nearly [-] Zaragoza fans who came to watch the King's Cup.

but……

Seeing that the goalkeeper standing on the goal turned into Algeria, the fans of Zaragoza suddenly exploded.

"Why doesn't Zheng Long play anymore? Injured?"

"Probably not. The team's official website did not say so. If Zheng Long is injured, an announcement should be made!"

"Then why did you send Alcolia on the field? He is not as reliable as Zheng Long!"

"How do I know. Maybe the coach thinks that others should be given a chance!"

"He doesn't want to give up the game, the Copa del Rey?"

"It should be. In fact, if we give up the Copa del Rey and concentrate on dealing with West Second Division, I understand. But they shouldn't tell us in advance. We are here to watch Zheng Long play!"

"Exactly! If I lose, I will go to the team gate to protest!"

"I am coming too!"

"I said. Shouldn't we be praying for the team to win. Wouldn't that get us to the next round as well?"

"This……"

……

Just as the fans were discussing, the game started.

Albacete is only a team in the Second Division B League. Before the game, Popovich thought that this game would easily win the opponent.

but……

In the 62nd minute of the second half, Zaragoza's back line made another big mistake.

No. 32 C Nieto, who started the game in this game, didn't say anything, and even gave the opponent a penalty kick.

Alcolia missed the right direction, and Albacete striker Marca easily scored the ball.

1 to 0, Zaragoza fell behind.

Popovich stood courtside and raged.

His face was red and his neck was a bit thick.

"Attack! Attack! Try to score a goal as soon as possible!"

In the 65th and 70th minutes of the second half, Popovich replaced No. 9 Borja Baston and No. 10 William Jose in succession, making a last-ditch effort.

But when the referee's whistle sounded, the score remained at 1-0.

Zaragoza was eliminated in the second round of the Copa del Rey.

"The game is over! Zaragoza ended their 4-game winning streak in the away game. They lost 0-1 away to Albacete.

Zheng Long, who performed well in the previous league, did not appear in the roster for this game this time.The instability in Zaragoza's rear reappeared, and Alcolia's performance was completely inferior to Zheng Long's.

"Perhaps the head coach of Zaragoza is already regretting that he did not continue to let Zheng Long be the starting goalkeeper!"

When the whistle blew for the end of the game, fans of the home team Albacete cheered in the stands, happy for their victory over Zaragoza.

The Albacete players also celebrated to their heart's content after the game. They surrounded each other and sang loudly.

It's like they've won the Copa del Rey.

But it's no wonder they are so happy.They were a low-level team in the West Division B League before.

Today they even defeated the No. [-] team in the Second Division, how can they not be happy.

In contrast, Zaragoza's players will be extremely frustrated.

Albacete has always been a mid-range team in the B-League of the West Second Division, but they did not expect such a team to let them swallow the consequences of defeat.

He was eliminated early in the Copa del Rey.

Alcolia stood in front of the goal, looking at the Albacete players standing on the field celebrating joyously, with his hands on his hips, his eyes were a little confused.

His performance in this game was not bad, and he made a few wonderful saves.

The main responsibility for the conceded goal is not on him.

But compared with Zheng Long, he has a good performance and is completely convincing.

Alcolia frowned.

This good game gave him a bad feeling...

Losing to Albacete completely disappointed Zaragoza fans.

Without Zheng Long to handle the goal, Zaragoza's defense is simply not at the same level.

It doesn't help that the two central defenders are doing well.Without Zheng Long's high catch and low block, goalkeeper Alcolia couldn't make up for the loopholes brought by the defender.

See the dazzling score on the huge scoreboard.

The fans of Zaragoza were completely on fire.

"That head coach is not qualified to coach Zaragoza at all! If the opponent is a La Liga team, I can't say that I lost. But the opponent is only a team in the second division B, so they lose?"

"Zheng Long is the rock of the team. With him, the team can remain unbeaten!"

"Without him, the rear of the team is a big hole!"

"Algeria can't save the team at all. We need Zheng Long!"

"Let me tell you! Without Zheng Long guarding the goal, Zaragoza is not safe at all!"

"Algeria's performance is not bad, but compared with Zheng Long, it is the gap between top stars and ordinary players. Only with Zheng Long, the goal seems to be blocked by a mountain. The opponent can't shoot at all!"

Now the fans of Zaragoza only believe in Zheng Long, and put their hope of making it to Zheng Long.

After the game, the Aragon Daily commented.

With Zheng Long standing in front of the goal, Zaragoza is the best defensive team in the Second Division.The undefeated league so far is the best proof.

But in today's game against Zaragoza, Zaragoza lost to Albacete, which proves the importance of Zheng Long to Zaragoza.

Without his protection in front of the goal, Zaragoza's rear can't even guard the teams of West Division B!
"Marca" directly criticized Popovich-in Zheng Long, who had an excellent state, he did not entrust him with important tasks, but assigned Algeria.Maybe he felt that even if he was on the bench, he could win.The result of the game really slapped the arrogant Popovich hard.Without Zheng Long, Zaragoza's defense is not reassuring at all.

"Aspen" commented.In the second round of the Copa del Rey, Zaragoza was defeated by Albacete away.

In this game, Algeria returned to the starting lineup, but the result of this game is definitely not a good thing for him.Because of the loss of the game, this is in stark contrast to the performance of the Chinese Zheng Long in the team.This will make him lose the chance to start the next game!

"Daily Sports Daily" commented.

Alcolia finally made his start in this game.But his performance in this game was not good, of course this is compared with Zheng Long.We saw in this game that Zheng Long's handle was missing.Zaragoza's defense immediately dropped to a notch, and anyone could bully them!Only that Chinese man Zheng Long can help Zaragoza!

"Before the game, Ranko Popovich said that he would give other players a chance to perform. He did. But the result disappointed him. Alcolia did not repay his trust. When the game ended, when the ball When the team came back to Zaragoza, we heard the fans denounce Popovich."

"Although Albacete can only play in the Spanish second division B league this season, their performance at home and in Zaragoza is very eye-catching. They successfully defeated Zaragoza and advanced to the next round. Zaragoza Without Zheng Long, Sa seems to be unable to defend. This is not a good thing!"

"Rank Popovich didn't think that Alcolia performed badly after the game. He believed that the loss was the responsibility of the whole team. Of course, the inability to win the ball is not a problem of a certain player, but the failure of this game It also exposed the problems of the team. I think we should all calm down from the previous three consecutive victories. Zaragoza should be down-to-earth and play every game seriously. Maybe they should keep the second division and not be relegated. hope!"

"When Zheng Long was not there, Zaragoza's winning streak was interrupted. Everyone finally realized the level of Zaragoza's defense.

They can't even defend the teams in the Second Division B League.Perhaps Popovich wants not to lose the next game.He has to rely more on that China goalkeeper. "

……

(End of this chapter)