Chapter 100: Battle of Benfica (1)
As a match related to the championship of the last league and the competition for European places, the Portuguese Football Federation moved the two matches to the same time in order to prevent the birth of tacit balls. Leiria, which has always played the role of playing soy sauce in the Portuguese Super League, and on this day the city was flooded with what is probably the largest number of matches in history. The day before the start of the tournament, the local hotels and hostels in Leiria were declared empty.
The arrival of Benfica and neutral fans, as well as journalists, has generated a lot of money for hotels and hostels in Leiria. Everywhere, you can see reporters or fans in groups of two or three, discussing the upcoming game. Sometimes it even causes controversy, and Leiria's epigram has already arrested a few Benfica and Leiria fans who drank and made trouble. Based on this situation, the local police in Leiria have decided to upgrade the security warning for the game again and will send more police force.
When the outside world was discussing and arguing, the whole team of Leiria was not very easy. One reason is that this game gives a crucial game in the title race, and the Leiria players, who have not won the league title alone, are naturally a little nervous. In the past few days, even players like Ben and Laio have lost their usual relaxed atmosphere and become very dull. And although Lao Lei has a big nerve, it is not so big, and to an incomparable extent, this game can determine whether a season of hard work is worth rewarding.
In the past few days, Lao Lei has also been more focused on training, and he has spoken less than usual. However, compared to the nervousness, Lao Lei's excitement is almost the same, and the two are almost half and half. At this time, it is a player who needs a big scene, and Lao Lei just happens to have a big heart.
Another reason is that although Leiria has won 3 wins and 1 draw in 4 matches with the top 3 of the Portuguese Super League this season, the difference in strength is not so obvious. Many of them, it is the performance of Lao Lei who is always trying to turn the tide, otherwise there is a danger of defeat or a draw. As a result, Ray's performance is widely seen as a key factor in Leiria's victory. Therefore, Lao Lei's burden in the game is not light. Benfica itself is known as Portugal's Real Madrid, and for that reason it is an opponent that cannot be taken lightly at any time, even if this season Benfica fell into a slump caused by the departure of the golden generation Nuno Gomez.
Before the game, the managers of both sides began to play psychological warfare, wanting to gain the first step advantage off the field. Benfica's Toni said: "Leiria lacks the experience and DNA at this critical moment, they are not us. Even on their home turf it won't be easy, and the pressure to beat us will crush them. "Tony's meaning is obviously to use the pressure to win the championship and put pressure on Leiria's players.
Mourinho also responded without showing weakness: "We are better than Benfica. I've never heard of the absurdity that the weak can dictate to the strong. As for winning the title, that's our business, not Benfica's. Let them compete for third place with the experience and DNA to win the championship. Mourinho's words are also very vicious, directly pointing out the current position of the two, don't care if I can win the championship, or think about whether I can go to Europe, you don't have to worry about mine.
The increasingly fierce war of words between the head coaches of the two sides inevitably pulled the players of both sides in. Among them, the speeches of the main core players of both sides are perhaps the most representative. Martins said: "We're Benfica and we're going to beat Leiria. This kind of moment is a moment that belongs to a wealthy family. ”
Lao Lei's response was: "Did he really say that? Well, I wish his giants a third-place finish. I'm kidding, I prefer them not even to finish third. Giants? I'm a big guy! "When Lao Lei said this, he felt so good, the wealthy family has a fart, we are a people's war in the ocean, and the words of the grandfather are really uplifting.
As soon as Lao Lei's words came out, when the good news media surveyed Benfica fans about "who is your least favorite player", Lao Lei successfully stood out. This can be regarded as a record, after all, he is compared to those who are about to retire or have already retired, Benfica's famous sworn enemies in history. The reason of the fans is that this Leiria's No. 13 has no respect for Benfica's historical status and honor, and they feel that their status as a giant is despised by Lao Lei.
Before the start of this game, Lao Lei received a call from Kayla to apologize, because it was still the promotion period of the movie, so she couldn't make it, but she said that she would watch the live broadcast and fight side by side with Lao Lei. Originally, when Lao Lei heard the previous words, he still had some emotions in his heart, but when he heard Kayla's assurance, he was immediately relieved. Alas, nothing will be said about it. Ray's family will also be there to watch the game in person, and they also got box tickets from Leiria Club, saying that the club takes care of the players' families. Regardless, Lao Lei felt fulfilled and had the full support of his family and girlfriend.
On May 6, at 6 o'clock in the afternoon, at the Magalhayes Stadium, the match between Benfica and Leiria is about to blow. Although it was an away game this time, there were also many Benfica fans who came to Leiria to support the team. In the blue and white phalanx, a small patch of red appeared, which was out of place.
With a "beep", the game officially sounded. "Hello audience friends, this is the national sports station, we ......", "This is the Portuguese national television ,.............", "We are Chris and Mendeno, we will bring you ............" This battle of national attention has officially begun.
In the pre-match coin guess, Ben chose to take possession of the ball first. After the start of the game, Leiria took the lead in controlling the football at her feet. At the beginning of the game, Lao Lei felt the difference in this game. In the midfield, as long as you receive the ball, 2 or 3 players will surround you and pinch you, so that you can only pass the ball backwards. So that Lao Lei can only slowly and unconsciously position the post-test, in order to be able to better organize the ball.
Lao Lei was at the back, looking at the Benfica players in front of him, and he could feel their strong hostility. Just about 5 minutes into the opening game, Lao Lei could already feel that there were several black greens on his body, and Benfica's players were very decisive and ruthless, but the movements were not obvious. Let the referee not show them a yellow card.
In these 5 minutes, Lao Lei and Andre were the safest "protection". Between the two of them, Benfica erected an insurmountable wall. The two people were also the most violated, and in just about 5 minutes, Andre had already fallen to the ground twice. Leiria's fans, who have erupted into loud boos, have expressed their displeasure. Mourinho on the sidelines angrily made a slap gesture at the fourth official, indicating that his player had been violated at least five times.
Benfica set the tone for this kind of game as soon as they started, and it was a hand-to-hand fight. Seeing the momentum of his own side, he was temporarily suppressed by Benfica's side, and his teammates were a little constrained. Lao Lei decided that he could no longer be passively "beaten" like this, and he had to take the initiative to attack, and he could not weaken in momentum.
After Martins won the ball in midfield, Ray's anticipatory defense came into play at this time. Lao Lei greeted him, and Martins also wanted to break through Lao Lei. Old Lei Zhilu said that he would go to his left, a precise position, and cut off the football. Lao Lei felt Martins actively pulling himself behind him, wanting to fight back. Lao Lei showed a smug smile on his mouth, and immediately pouted his duck buttocks, pushed it back, and made a ball protection action. However, looking at Martins' level of reaction, this is obviously not the strength of a ball protection action.
Lao Lei's strength is very sufficient, although Martins is not weak, but he can't stand Lao Lei's moment, especially the part that touches his abdomen. With a "beep", the referee's whistle blew, not a foul, just to see what was the situation of Martins who fell to the ground like a lobster. Lao Lei didn't pretend to go up and comfort him, but just stood aside with his hands on his waist, with a gloating smile on his mouth. Mourinho was also off the field, smiling and clapping, I don't know if he encouraged Lao Lei to continue. This made Tony, who was on the side, almost crooked his nose, and forced the urge to swing his fist at Mourinho.
The camera gave Lao Lei's facial expression, which was so obvious and proud, without concealing it, that it appeared on the big screen of the stadium. At this time, a Benfica midfielder finally couldn't help but rush in front of Lao Lei and yelled at Lao Lei: "Do you want to fight, boy." Looking at the Benfica players in front of him, who were obviously one size smaller than him, Lao Lei sighed in his heart, if you don't bully you, it's intolerable.
Lao Lei didn't go away, raised his hands, and signaled that he didn't move, but he found me, and then looked up at the sky, as if he had seen a UFO, the only thing that remained unchanged was a smug smile on the corner of his mouth. I don't see what you mean. This made the Benfica player even more excited, and he was almost on top of Lao Lei. At this time, the players and referees on the field also saw the situation here.
At this moment, Lao Lei's footsteps moved forward almost invisibly, sticking to the Benfica player's body. Then keep your posture still and walk forward as if you want to leave. Lao Lei squeezed forward, this Benfica player doesn't seem to be able to compete with Lao Lei in terms of strength, you must know that Lao Lei's strength has reached the level of 85 after training, even if he doesn't turn on the devil's muscles, it is enough.
Slowly squeezing forward like this, it looks like the Benfica player is reluctant to give up, especially after seeing the look in front of him. And this Benfica player also knows that Lao Lei suddenly moved forward, and he could only involuntarily retreat in small steps. This made the anger erupt, and instinctively pushed his hands forward.
At this time, Lao Lei suddenly fell backwards as if he had no strength. The Benfica player suddenly looked at his hands and was stunned, and said in his heart that I was played. Now the players of both teams rushed over and squeezed together here again. What remained in the eyes of the referee was that he fell to the ground and raised his hands, very innocent old Lei. In the ears are the Leiria fans, crazy boos, this is Magal Hayes, and Old Ray is the only darling here.
The referee eventually showed the Benfica player a yellow card. This naturally caused dissatisfaction among Benfica's players, and Tony also rushed to the fourth official to complain. And Lao Lei, who had already stood up, patted his buttocks, indicating that the performance was successful. He also took the time to stretch out a big finger to Mourinho off the field and winked. At this time, Mourinho also knew who the chief director and the leading actor of all this just now, and with a big smile, he returned to the coach's seat, and lifted Erlang's legs, which was comfortable.
Leiria's players also know that there is a cat in the road, and joke that the little man can push down Reima, you should be a vegetarian in Reima. Just now I just cooperated with Lao Lei's performance, what a tacit understanding.
After this incident, Leiria's players finally slowly let go of the tension in their hearts, and Benfica, who had a strong opening game, was also reduced.