Chapter 412: Meet Barcelona again in the Champions League
Barcelona coach Martino hopes to stay in the Champions League: "Although the hope of winning La Liga is slim, we will get it back in the Champions League."
After the Champions League quarter-finals, the quarter-finals draw was held, and Barcelona's opponent was Atletico Madrid.
What Martino meant by this was to eliminate Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and advance to the semi-finals.
Barcelona pins its hopes on the Champions League, but Atletico Madrid is different. They are determined to win the most important championship of this season.
Defeating Athletic Bilbao can win the title one round ahead of schedule. Simeone's team conducted a detailed study of Athletic Bilbao, and Simeone was rarely involved in this process.
The coaching team is so nervous and serious, but the players seem very relaxed.
In Costa's words, "It's just the La Liga championship. Our goal is to win the double crown! The most important thing now is to eliminate Barcelona and advance to the Champions League semi-finals!"
In order to win the La Liga title, Atletico Madrid selectively gave up the Copa del Rey and lost to Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, allowing Real Madrid to advance to the final.
Costa's words represent the voice of many players. They believe that the La Liga championship is not difficult. In the remaining two games, they only need to win one game to win the La Liga championship.
The La Liga championship is only a matter of time.
Simeone didn't see it that way, and said when communicating with the players: "Although we only need to win one of the remaining two games to win the championship, we must know that the last game is against Barcelona.
If we don't win Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona will definitely fight us at Camp Nou.
By that time, we won’t know who wins and who loses.
So we must win Athletic Bilbao to avoid long nights and long dreams.
If we can win the championship early, we can selectively give up the last game and lose to Barcelona at Camp Nou to paralyze the next opponent and prepare for the Champions League."
Simeone is ready to play a big game.
The players looked at each other and thought that what Simeone said made sense. There was no doubt that Barcelona was strong, and it was still at Camp Nou.
Li Chuanqi also agrees with Simeone's point of view. Last year, Malaga left the suspense until the last round.
That title battle at the Camp Nou was thrilling, and Malaga almost regretted it for the rest of their lives.
"I agree with the coach's plan to win Athletic Bilbao, give up the last round, and shift my energy to the Champions League as soon as possible."
Last year, Li Chuanqi was hurt when he failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid's overall strength is stronger than Mara, and he certainly hopes to make up for last year's regrets this year.
To end the suspense of the La Liga title as soon as possible and shift the focus to the Champions League, Simeone has a strategic vision and is also ambitious.
The moment he gave up the Copa del Rey, he had already set his sights on La Liga and the Champions League.
Making such a decision is difficult and requires the approval of the club's senior management.
"We already won the Copa del Rey last year, and I hope we can go one step further this year and win a more important championship. Our current ability is not yet able to fully blossom in the third line. I think we should focus on the league and the Champions League.
"
This is how Simeone convinced the club's top brass, who finally agreed to his strategy.
In fact, the biggest challenge Atletico Madrid faces now is not the championship battle with Athletic Bilbao, but the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals.
If Atletico Madrid wants to achieve the great feat of winning the double crown, Barcelona is the first obstacle they encounter.
And it’s a powerful stumbling block!
Time has entered April, and the Champions League war is ignited.
The quarter-finals between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are about to take place!
The game between the two teams at the Calderon Stadium attracted more than 500 media to the scene for interviews, replacing the "El Clasico" as the game that attracted the most media this season.
This time they meet again in the Champions League, what kind of sparks will the two teams create?
Will Barcelona regain their face in the Champions League, or will Atletico Madrid maintain their hot streak in La Liga and advance to the semi-finals?
Can Messi return to his best form? Who is in better form, him or Li Chuanqi?
The first leg of the match between the two sides will be played at Camp Nou, which will be a severe test for Atletico Madrid.
At 8:45 pm on April 2, Camp Nou was packed with people, and the match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona started on time.
Atletico Madrid continued to implement the strategy they used to defeat Barcelona at home last time - creating chaos and making the stadium even more chaotic!
Barcelona's advance is very difficult.
The game entered into a fierce fight from the beginning.
Barcelona adjusted its defense against Li Chuanqi, and Mascherano kept a close eye on him.
Once he gets the ball, the other closest players will immediately double-team him.
In this case, Li Chuanqi moved the football to the feet of other teammates most of the time in order to gain possession of the ball.
Barcelona, playing at home, has improved its offense through faster passing.
Simeone responded immediately, giving up the high post press and shrinking the defensive line.
Taking the initiative to abandon the midfield and frontcourt, Atletico Madrid hoarded most of its forces in the backcourt and set up lines of defense.
A fierce battle unfolded in the hinterland of Atletico Madrid.
With few offensive opportunities, Li Chuanqi took the initiative to retreat and mark Messi to reduce the team's defensive pressure.
In the 37th minute of the first half, Barcelona finally had its best chance to score. Xavi, Iniesta, and Neymar played a wonderful pass and pierced Atletico Madrid's defense.
The reason why there is no Messi here is because Li Chuanqi is standing next to Messi.
Iniesta made a pass from outside the penalty area, and Neymar entered the penalty area with a low shot!
The football flew towards the lower left corner of the goal!
Kurdeva, who had made many wonderful saves before, could not react in time and could only watch the football fly into the goal!
One to zero!
Barcelona, playing at home, leads by one goal!
The Camp Nou resounded with cheers like a roaring tsunami!
Barcelona ended the first half with a one-goal lead.
After a fifteen-minute break, players from both sides returned to the court.
What surprised reporters and commentators from major TV stations was that after the game started, Li Chuanqi focused most of his energy on marking Messi, as he did in the second half of the first half.
"Nima, Simone is committing a crime!"
"Li was indeed very successful in marking Messi, but this suppressed his offensive talent. Is it worthwhile for Atletico Madrid to do this?"
"Simone hopes to lose fewer goals in the away game and defeat Barcelona when he returns home?"
"Although this strategy is good, wouldn't it be better to score away goals?"
Journalists expressed their opinions one after another.
Barcelona continued to control the situation on the field with its strong passing and control ability, frequently putting pressure on Atletico Madrid's defense, which made Atletico Madrid fans very uncomfortable and filled with dark clouds.
In the 19th minute of the second half, Li Chuanqi was like a bolt of lightning, sweeping away the dark clouds in the hearts of Atletico Madrid fans.
Godin intercepted Xavi's diagonal pass at the penalty area line and quickly transferred the football to the feet of Felipe on the wing.
Li Chuanqi left Messi, who was marking him, and moved into the open space as quickly as lightning to meet Felipe.
After receiving Felipe's pass, Li Chuanqi got rid of Messi's pressing and advanced with the ball at high speed!
Costa leaned on Pique and was ready to receive the ball.
Taking advantage of the change in rhythm, Li Chuanqi broke through Alves and cut inside to the middle!
"Pa!..."
With a diagonal kick, Li Chuanqi moved forward like lightning!
Costa forcibly hugged Pique, stretched out his right foot, and lightly rubbed the outside of the instep.
Li Chuanqi stretched out his right foot to control the football, used his speed advantage to break through Mascherano, and pushed the ball in the penalty area!
The football flew into the goal from the lower left corner of the goal!
The ball went in!
One to one!
Li Chuanqi helped Atletico Madrid equalize the score!
