Levante scored three goals in the first half and was only one goal away from equalizing the score. Everyone was very optimistic about Levante's promotion.
Santa Malaga's performance at both ends of the offense and defense in the first half was disappointing. This was not the same magical Santa Malaga team.
In the home team's locker room, Levante head coach Ignacio Martinez came to the middle of the room. After everyone calmed down, he loudly said: "We did a very good job in the first half. As long as we work harder, we can make it better."
Get the total score back!”
Core midfielder Farinos responded: "Coach, don't worry, we have regained our form!
Let alone four goals, we can come back even with ten goals!"
His words made the locker room burst into laughter, and the haze that enveloped their hearts had been swept away at this moment.
After two consecutive games without a win after the winter break, the entire team was under a lot of pressure.
Especially when they played with all their main players, they were defeated miserably by Santa Malaga, a D-level team, making them a joke throughout Spanish football.
"Everyone just needs to have confidence. After the start of the second half, we will put strong pressure on them, and the two full-backs will boldly participate in the attack. Without that kid on the court, Liage alone is not a big threat!"
The players nodded, and goalkeeper Munua said: "The two full-backs can indeed press boldly. If that kid is on the court... none of us can keep up with his speed. Fortunately, he is injured!"
A D-level player was recognized by the top four teams in their top league, which would have been impossible at other times.
But Li Chuanqi left a deep impression on them in the last game and penetrated their goal three times.
…
The atmosphere in the visiting team's locker room was depressing.
Before the game, they had slowly digested the negative impact of Li Chuanqi's absence. Who knew something unexpected would happen, and center back Barris Addo was carried off the field not long after the game started and is still in the hospital for emergency treatment.
What is even more tragic is that Levante took advantage of their wavering hearts and attacked three cities in just five minutes.
Almost completed the feat of four goals at the end of the first half.
Their advantage now only remains one goal.
And if the situation in the first half continues, the advantage of this goal may be lost at any time.
Before the game, they thought that this game was just a simple process and promotion was just a matter of time for them.
However, the reality is so cruel.
Antonio broke the rare silence and said: "We have created a historical record in Spanish football!
I'm proud of you for being able to get to where we are today, because in the more than 100 years of Copa del Rey history, no D-level team has gotten to where we are today."
There was a strange look in the players' eyes.
“Although we built a four-goal lead in the first leg, our opponent was a top team in the top league!
It is the team that once defeated Barcelona and Real Madrid in two rounds and occupied the top spot in the La Liga standings!
So, they are powerful!
And we also know that in the first round, if their condition was better, it would not be like that score!
They have regained their form tonight and let us deeply understand the strength of a top team in a top league, so we don't have to feel too sad!"
Liag said unconvinced: "If Li had not been injured, if Barris Addo had not had an accident, the score would definitely not be this now!"
Li Chuanqi opened his mouth wide, but he didn't know what to say.
Juan rarely spoke: "Liag is right.
But, are we going to be completely defeated tonight just because Lee and Baris Addo are absent tonight?
Are we going to ruin the huge advantage we built in the first round like this?"
He glanced at the players: "You asked to fly, I did it, you asked to stay in a five-star hotel, I did it too!
I have fulfilled my promise to you, and now it is time for you to fulfill your promise!
I hope I can still take you on a plane to play games, and I hope I can still take you to stay in a five-star hotel to play games!
I hope that the long-lost cheers of our supporters can be heard in the stands, and I hope that we can continue to be the hope of Spanish D-level football!
Because we are Santa Malaga!”
The locker room was eerily quiet, and everyone's expressions were struggling. Juan's performance today was completely different from usual.
Liag broke the silence and shouted: "Well said! We are Santa Malaga!"
He looked at his teammates and said loudly: "Don't you want to continue flying on planes and staying in five-star hotels to play games?
Don’t you want to continue to be the hope of Spanish Serie D football?
We are Santa Malaga, the Santa Malaga that rewrote Spanish football history for more than a hundred years!
When we grow old, when we look back on today, we will sigh, 'If I had tried my best in the second half that night, we might have been able to continue to write a more glorious history!'
Brothers, we can't do that, we can do it now!
Because we are Santa Malaga!"
Li Chuanqi suddenly felt excited. MiG next to him shouted loudly: "If you don't fight, you will die. Maybe if you try hard, you can create a miracle! We are good at creating miracles, because we have created many miracles!"
Captain Pablo nodded and said: "Liag said it very well, condensed into one sentence..."
The players looked at Pablo, at the spirit of Santa Malaga, and listened to his next words.
"Because we are Saint Malaga! Saint Malaga who is good at creating miracles!"
Yes, we are Santa Malaga, the Santa Malaga who is good at creating miracles, and the Santa Malaga who rewrites the history of Spanish football!
The crowd roared loudly: "We are Santa Malaga!"
The locker room war is on fire.
…
After a fifteen-minute intermission, players from both sides returned to the court.
"Beep!..."
As the referee blew his whistle, the decisive battle of the second half began. Liag moved the football to the backcourt, and the Levante midfielder and frontcourt players pounced on it like a pack of hungry wolves!
As soon as the second half of the game started, the two sides started a fierce fight on the court.
What excites the Santa Malaga supporters in the stands is that the tenacious Santa Malaga team seems to be back!
Although they did not have any offensive, Levante was unable to organize a decent offensive.
There was a scuffle on the field.
Ten minutes have passed and Levante has not even taken a shot!
This makes Ignacio Martinez no longer able to sit on the bench and come to the command area to command.
The atmosphere on the field suddenly became tense, with loud cheers coming from fans on both sides.
The commentator of Valencia TV said: "Santa Malaga seemed to be a different team in the second half. They have a tenacious fighting spirit. Coach Antonio is a person who is good at boosting morale!"
The Malaga TV commentator loudly said: "Ten minutes have passed in the second half, and neither side has completed a shot. Santa Malaga has created a lot of difficulties for Levante, preventing them from organizing a decent attack! This is a welcome change.
