As the team's performance improves this season, the attendance at the Rose Garden Stadium has increased significantly, and it is said that it is now hard to get a ticket.
The loss to Athletic Bilbao in the last round left Málaga fans holding their breath. They hope that their team can defend their home honor again tonight.
"I heard that Li's state has been ups and downs recently, which is not very good. Do you think he can get back to his form tonight?"
Li Chuanqi has become the one that Malaga fans care about the most, and is called the "King of the Rose Garden" by them!
In the long history of Malaga, there has never been such a talented forward, and this forward comes from the Malaga youth team.
"After the last game against Porto, he said that his ability to seize opportunities was not very good and he scored two goals in that game. Therefore, his so-called 'up and down state' is different from others."
"Before the last game against Porto, Pellegrini also said that he might miss the game due to injury, but he started!"
"You mean...the two of them are setting off smoke bombs again?"
"Oh, why are you worried about this? I believe that even if he is not in good condition, he will still be the best performer in Malaga!"
"Yes, yes, look, how many games has he not scored? It seems that he has only failed to score in one game so far, so your worries are unnecessary!"
Facts speak louder than words, so Malaga fans who are worried about Li Chuanqi's poor condition can relax.
At 7:45, the starting players from both sides entered the stadium, and cheers sounded like a roaring tsunami!
The commentator of Malaga TV loudly said: "The game is about to start, now I would like to introduce the starting lineups of both sides!
Pellegrini arranged a 4231 formation, goalkeeper: Caballero; four defenders: Sergio Sanchez, Demichelis, Willigton, Monreal; double midfielder: picture Lalan, Camacho; three midfielders: Joaquin, Isco, Lee; lone forward: Saviola!
Simeone arranged a 4-4-2 formation, goalkeeper: Courtois; four defenders: Juanfran, Luis, Godin, Miranda; four midfielders: Suarez, Rodriguez, Turan, Koke ;Dual forwards: Falcao, Costa!
Falcao is in excellent form this season and currently ranks third in the scorer list. He is the biggest contributor to Atletico Madrid's third ranking.
Some people say that one of the highlights of tonight is the showdown between him and Li."
The commentator of Madrid Sports TV loudly said: "This time there is a match between the first and third ranked players. I hope they can give us a wonderful game!"
Simeone walked to the Malaga bench, hugged and shook hands with Pellagrini. As South Americans, they have a common language.
The two briefly chatted for a few words.
"I heard that you are going to the Premier League?"
"I have this idea."
"Are you planning to take Li with you?"
"I have this idea."
"I want to steal someone from you!"
"With this...it won't work!"
Simone smiled at Pellagrini and left happily.
Pellagrini thought for a few seconds, then shook his head slightly, "Are you trying to disturb my mood?"
"Beep!..."
At eight o'clock on time, the referee blew the whistle to start the game.
Saviola moved the football to the backcourt, Atletico Madrid's entire formation pressed forward, and the midfield and frontcourt launched a crazy press.
Under Simeone's careful tactics, Atletico Madrid's tactical style has undergone significant changes. They are more active on the court and often use frontcourt pressure to disrupt the opponent's offensive rhythm.
The biggest drawback of this style of play is excessive physical exertion, but under Simeone's devilish training, they have not had any major problems so far.
The game entered into a fierce struggle at the beginning, and Malaga found it very difficult to operate and organize an effective attack.
The scene became tense for a time.
In the fourth minute of the first half, Li Chuanqi touched football for the first time. Because Atletico Madrid strictly guarded him, he was usually surrounded by at least three players.
In this case, his teammates did not pass the ball to him for the safety of the football.
After receiving the pass from his teammate, Li Chuanqi made a beautiful feint and turned around to get rid of Juanfran behind him!
Cheers rang out in the Rose Garden.
When Li Chuanqi was about to dribble the ball forward quickly along the sideline, he found that he was surrounded by three people and there was no way for the ball to be released.
Then force a breakthrough!
The scene that made the Malaga fans excited appeared. Li Chuanqi moved around in a flash, and his left foot pulled, flicked and buckled the football like lightning, breaking out from the circle of three people like a loach!
Before he could speed up, Juanfran stretched out his right foot and tripped him down.
"Beep!..."
The referee blew his whistle and rushed to the center of the incident.
"Yellow card!"
"Yellow card!"
"Yellow card!"
There was a loud noise in the Rose Garden. The Malaga fans were not satisfied with the foul.
Damn Juanfran!
You interrupted a great performance!
What the referee was worried about did not happen, Juanfran pulled Li Chuanqi up from the turf.
The referee gave him a verbal warning.
Scenes like this happened frequently in the following time. Li Chuanqi was frequently brought down by Atletico Madrid defensive players, and he was pulled up by the opponent in a friendly manner.
Pellegrini's face turned gloomy. Has he already gone to this extent?
Simeone cheered loudly for his players and encouraged them to continue chasing and blocking Li Chuanqi.
In the 19th minute of the first half, Malaga launched an attack from the right. Joaquín made a pass from the right. Li Chuanqi rushed into the penalty area, jumped high and hit the goal with a fierce header!
However, the header that was close at hand was miraculously saved by Courtois over the crossbar!
"coax!……"
There was a huge cry of regret in the Rose Garden Stadium, followed by thunderous applause.
The Malaga TV commentator loudly said: "This is Malaga's first threatening attack! Lee's header almost broke through the gate guarded by Courtois!"
The commentator of Madrid Sports TV said: "Li was tightly guarded by Atletico Madrid. Malaga could only attack from the right. Joaquin's cross this time was very beautiful, and Li's grab was also very exciting!
Courtois magically lifted the football over the crossbar!
This is a wonderful offensive and defensive battle!”
Li Chuanqi patted his forehead. Among various shooting techniques, heading has always been his weakest point.
If you add a head shake this time, you will definitely be able to score.
As time went by, Atletico Madrid gradually adapted to the rhythm of the game and launched a counterattack against Malaga.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, Rodriguez created an opportunity on the wing and passed an inverted triangle. Falcao followed up and shot directly!
The football hits Demichelis' leg and misses the goal!
Rodriguez took a corner kick, Costa beat Willigton and headed the ball over the crossbar!
Four minutes later, Malaga launched an attack from the left. Isco made a diagonal pass. Li Chuanqi got rid of Juanfran and controlled the football. Then he lightly buckled with his left foot and got rid of the blocking Luis.
In this case, a long shot!
The football drew a wonderful arc in the air and flew towards the upper right corner of the goal!
