The final score was 2-1, with Southampton leading at home. This was not a big lead. However, in games like the Champions League semi-finals, one goal can often determine the final outcome.
"We continued to maintain this state in the second half of the game. No matter whether Atletico Madrid wanted to counterattack or not, we had to attack and increase the rhythm of the entire game. Do you understand? They will not defend on the counterattack because they know that even if they defend on the counterattack,
Counterattack, in the end, can't compare with us, our powerful offense is enough to tear apart their defense!"
Noriya waved his fists in the locker room, and the Southampton players also waved their fists and cheered. They had no doubt that the final victory of this game was theirs!
In the visiting team's locker room, the atmosphere among Atletico Madrid players was more solemn.
"We're going to attack in the second half."
Simeone said in the locker room. The players looked up one after another and looked at him with some surprise. The meaning in their eyes was obvious-Boss, did you take the wrong medicine?
Simeone could only smile bitterly at this. In the past two seasons, he has trained Atletico Madrid's defense to the bone. When he said that he wanted to attack, the players obviously didn't react.
"Southampton will definitely attack in the second half. Of course we can also defend and counterattack. However, when we take the lead, Southampton will be more patient in their ball-control offense. At the same time, we are not sure that we can keep them through defense.
If we don't score a goal, we will have to counterattack and sneak up on one... Although this tactic is very logical, the opponent will definitely be able to guess it, so we can only attack."
Simeone explained a few words in detail. This is no longer the time to be pretentious. The players must understand the situation they are facing so that they can perform better on the court.
In fact, Atletico Madrid has many offensive players. Turan is their midfielder and offensive core, Costa is the main scorer, and Adrian can use his skills and speed to create opportunities and disrupt the opponent's defense.
, the two full-backs are not bad at all when it comes to assisting. In the midfield, there are players like Thiago and Koke who are not weak in controlling the ball and passing the ball. The only real pure defensive player is Mario?
Just Suarez.
So after unifying their mentality, it would not be difficult for them to launch an attack at that level.
After the start of the second half, Atletico Madrid's offense suddenly became fierce!
Only three minutes into the game, Turan created an opportunity on the left side of the penalty area. He passed Klein beautifully, and then shot hard before Otamendi came up to defend. Navas made a wonderful save and pressed the ball sideways.
Underneath.
Two minutes later, Atletico Madrid played a beautiful cooperation at the front of the penalty area, which opened up the defense at the front of the penalty area. Mario Suarez stepped forward and shot hard. Navas once again made a separate save. He first blocked the ball steadily.
, when the ball slows down, reach out and press the ball firmly under your body.
Thiago also had a long shot a few minutes later, but Navas successfully saved it again.
"Navas was not to be outdone! Perhaps he was stimulated by the opponent's goalkeeper's outstanding performance. The Costa Rican goalkeeper's consecutive saves allowed Southampton to maintain the lead!"
After being suppressed by the opponent for nearly ten minutes, Southampton did start to counterattack. Lukaku forced a breakthrough from the wing and passed the ball. Suarez grabbed the first shot and shook his head to attack the goal, but was blocked by a very poor position.
Good Courtois saves the ball.
Then the two sides entered a stalemate stage. Although they were constantly attacking, the goalkeepers and defenders of both sides performed very well and failed to create decisive opportunities.
However, in such a confrontation, opportunities will always appear.
The game reached the sixty-minute mark.
Atletico Madrid launched a fast break. Turan received the ball and passed it into the penalty area. Costa stopped the ball on his chest and was about to take a shot. At this time, Luke Shaw, who returned to the penalty area, was knocked down in a hurry.
He, Costa fell to the ground, the referee's whistle sounded, penalty kick!
The Southampton fans in the stands booed loudly. In their opinion, Costa was completely diving, but the referee upheld the penalty. Costa took the penalty kick himself, and the ball was close to the ball.
The far post flew into Southampton's goal!
Two draws, two draws! Atletico Madrid evened the score again and took the lead in two rounds!
The Southampton fans in the stands began to boo loudly, because after the game restarted, Atletico Madrid began to gradually recover.
This approach of holding on immediately after gaining an advantage may seem very despicable, but it is quite effective!
Southampton launched a wave of offensive.
Noriya made no substitutions, but Southampton's offense was not affected.
Luke Shaw, who wanted to take advantage of the situation, started dribbling the ball forward along the left wing and was brought down by Juanfran. Southampton won a free kick close to the wing. Both central defenders rushed forward.
Browne passed the ball into the penalty area, and Wundt got the chance to hit the goal with his head!
The ball hit the inside of the post hard and popped out. Courtois dived and raised his hand to hit the ball far away!
"Wonderful save! It's really surprising. Courtois made several almost gorgeous saves in this game!"
As the commentator shouted, Southampton fans began to dislike the Belgian goalkeeper more and more. This guy jumping around is really annoying...
As Southampton's attack became more and more fierce, Atletico Madrid's forwards also began to defend. Adrian tackled De Bruyne in the midfield and received a yellow card, and then he was quickly defended.
Midfielder Raul Garcia was substituted, and Atletico Madrid began to shrink further.
Looking at the situation on the field, Ji Ya frowned and thought for a while. There were actually a lot of attackers on the field now. All they needed was a goal. It seemed that it was not time to make substitutions yet.
And whether Vardy or Klose is replaced, it is nothing more than multiple points in the penalty area, or Coutinho is replaced to make him a greater threat at the front of the penalty area.
However, no matter how this approach is done, it will make the current situation on the court unbalanced.
Now that Atletico Madrid has started to defend, it will actually be difficult for them to attack.
We continue to attack patiently. There are still more than 20 minutes left before the end of the game. I don’t believe we can’t score a goal!
With this thought in his mind, Noriya chose to stand still, and what happened two minutes later made him even more determined in this idea.
Costa collided with Font and Otamendi during a scramble in the frontcourt. Then he fell to the ground injured and was replaced by midfielder Jose Sosa.
