There is a dream called football

Chapter 183 Super Laco
The competition system of the Champions League is very special, so the third and fourth rounds are very important. The same opponents, but the home and away games are reversed, commonly known as back-to-back. Under normal circumstances, the situation of the group stage is very clear after the fourth round.

Li Qiao knows very well that Deportivo is the last glory at this time, and the team will not be able to survive in La Liga, or even be relegated. Later fans will gradually forget the once powerful La Liga champion Deportivo.

But at this time, Depco is really strong under the leadership of Javier Irureta.

Also a Spanish coach, Benitez still has a deep understanding of Irureta. He is the kind of football player who has spent his whole life in Spain.

He played as a striker when he played football, and he never went abroad in his career, and he spent his whole life in Spain after becoming a coach.

For such a person, some people may think that it is old-fashioned and out of date, but Benitez saw the other side of the coin, that is the craftsmanship, such a person will thoroughly grind a team's tactics.

At this time, Depor's lineup is also very good. On the forward line, there are Italian striker Pandiani and Spanish native Albert Luque. In addition, their midfielder Belleron is very powerful.

The characteristics of Belleron are very similar to Deco, or very similar to the later Xavi. It is a pure Spanish midfielder with average confrontation but a very accurate pass. Benitez actually wanted to introduce Belleron, but later bought Alonso.

When Ilureta led the team to Liverpool, almost all the reporters in the city were dispatched, because the game against Deportivo was too critical.

Liverpool accidentally lost to Olympiacos in the second round. If they lose again, they can almost go out together with Monaco.

"Javier, do you think you can win Liverpool?"

Ilureta just smiled, as we all know that Spaniards' English is very poor, and Spaniards don't like to speak English.

Remember that it is best not to use English when asking directions in Spain, otherwise, even if the other party can speak, they may not answer you.

However, at the press conference, Ilureta still couldn't escape, and there was simultaneous interpretation at this time.

"What do you think of Liverpool's loss to Olympiacos?"

"Hehe, I think it was an accident. If I underestimated Rafael because of this, then I would be too stupid. He is a great Spanish coach."

"Would you stick around in Liverpool?"

"I will stick to my football philosophy. The history of Spanish football is too glorious. I don't think I need to change anything."

"What do you think of Real Madrid's recent poor form?"

Ilureta shrugged with a smile, and pointed to his simultaneous interpreter, "Could it be that this thing is broken? Why do I hear about Real Madrid?"

This is because there have been rumors that Irureta is likely to go to Real Madrid. At that time, Real Madrid changed coaches too frequently and could not find a suitable head coach.

"You heard me right, what I asked was about Real Madrid?"

"Well, I don't know, really."

Ilureta's expression amused the reporters at the scene, and everyone didn't bother, after all, it was an illusory rumor.

When it was Benitez's turn, the Spaniard just said it was a battle of life and death.

"Yes, for Liverpool, the battle of life and death is not in the sixth round, but now, these two games are very important to us."

After the game started, Irureta broke his promise. In this game, he did not play the beautiful football of Spain, but turned into a defensive counterattack.

Benitez knows exactly what his opponent is thinking, that is to score a point away and then overthrow Liverpool at home. In that case, the outcome is basically determined.

In his previous life, Li Qiao never knew where Deportivo was strong, but now he realizes that the team's offensive and defensive transition speed is too fast, even similar to that of a strong Premier League team.

It's no wonder, after all, it is a team that has won the La Liga championship, and it must not be a big fish.

Unable to attack for a long time, Liverpool's defense also had problems. The Italian Pandiani seized the opportunity to form a single-handedly, but fortunately his shot missed.

But this shocked Liverpool fans into a cold sweat, it was too thrilling.

"Treat me like the Italians?"

Benitez was very upset, but when he was in Valencia, he played against his opponent many times, and he was indeed a hard bone to deal with.

At 75 minutes into the game, the opponent had used up all three substitutions, and it felt like they were giving up.

And Benitez also gritted his teeth and replaced Li Qiao and Alonso.

"Is this a retreat?"

"It seems that the head coaches of both sides agree with a draw."

The on-site commentary didn't quite understand Benitez's heart. It stands to reason that the home game must be fought, but Benitez has his own ideas.

Because Spain is not considered an away game for Benitez, after all, it is his hometown, so he dared to do this.

"Well, let's go to Spain for a decisive battle."

Li Qiao sat on the bench, feeling very upset. I remember that Liverpool also stumbled in the Champions League in 2004 in the previous life. It seemed that Gerrard's last-minute efforts reversed the game, so what about now?
To be honest, Li Qiao felt that this Liverpool team did not have the strength to win the Champions League. Looking at Porto last season, the defense was so young, except for the goalkeeper.

As for this Liverpool team, Hyypia is indeed old, and the full-backs are not as strong as Ferreira. The biggest advantage is that Gerrard is still so strong.

Li Qiao wondered whether this time Liverpool would really be eliminated in the group stage.

At the end of the game, the score was 0-0. Liverpool had a flat game at home. After the game, there was no sound of "You will never walk alone" at Anfield, but there were some boos, and the camera was on Benitez's face for a long time.

The Spaniard left silently. He couldn't explain many things, or it was useless to explain. He told everyone his tactics at the headquarters.

So let's prove everything with results, just like when Ferguson first came to Manchester United, his record was actually very bad, but he survived and later proved himself with good results.

Gerrard led the players to the kop stand to pay tribute, but the fans seemed a little excited. They scored 4 points in three Champions League games, which is a bit unreasonable.

This is not a group of death, but the most ordinary group. It seems that the team's results should not be like this.

Gerrard didn't say anything, just applauded silently. He didn't know what the coach was thinking, but Liverpool had to win the next game in Spain.

Gerrard patted his badge and left Anfield.

(End of this chapter)