The Spanish players were stunned by Griezmann's goal.
The opponent played too fast, half a beat faster than the Spanish players every time. It seemed like a pass without much threat, but just half a beat faster, it immediately produced unexpected effects.
When he was a fan, Zhao Yang and his classmates scolded Atletico Madrid all day long for playing too rough and without technical content.
Today's real fight, Zhao Yang discovered that Atletico Madrid's roughness is definitely rough, but it definitely has technical content.
Not to mention the defensive positioning, just this time I scored a goal, several passes, movements and escapes were all very exciting.
Griezmann's last shot was the finishing touch.
The shooting technique is so delicate and the imagination is so rich that even the Brazilians may not be able to do it better than Griezmann.
Atletico Madrid's first goal was a huge challenge for the Spaniard.
As we all know, Atletico Madrid started by relying on defensive counterattacks.
If Atletico Madrid scores the first goal, it cannot be said that it is "sentenced to death", but it is certain that it will enter the difficult mode.
Espanyol head coach Sergio looked helpless. This goal cannot be blamed on the players. The defense was not out of position and the timing of the attack was not a big problem. It's just that Espanyol and Atletico Madrid are not on the same playing rhythm.
There is no way but to let the players adapt to the rhythm of the game quickly and avoid being scored by Atletico Madrid again.
With Atletico Madrid's defensive ability, if Atletico Madrid scores another goal, even if Real Madrid and Barcelona come, they can only wait to lose.
After the kick-off in the center circle, the game continues.
Atletico didn't slow down just because they were ahead. They continued to press hard and forced Espanyol's players to make mistakes.
The Spanish Super League is the Western Super League, and their game rhythm is indeed different from the mid-tier teams in La Liga.
This fast-paced, strong confrontation, and high-pressure style of play makes it difficult for the Spanish players to adapt.
The Spaniard had just kicked off the ball from the center circle, and within a few passes of the ball, he was forced to drive forward.
There was Caicedo in front of the Spaniard. Caicedo didn't win with a header. He simply couldn't get past the wolf-like Godin and Jimenez. The Spaniard's big kick was almost equivalent to giving the ball away.
After Atletico steals the ball, they basically don't pass the ball short, but almost always pass long to the frontcourt, directly attacking the Spaniard's defense.
Atletico Madrid's long passes are accurate and the frontcourt cooperation is smooth. Under Atletico Madrid's continuous attack, the Spanish defense is like a small boat in the sea, which may capsize at any time.
Zhao Yang took control of the ball for the first time in the 10th minute.
This is not because Espanyol players don't pass the ball to Zhao Yang, but because Atletico Madrid's defense is too fierce and decisive. As long as the ball is passed to Zhao Yang, no matter how far it is, he will immediately tackle it.
He would rather commit a foul and be given a set kick than let Zhao Yang get the ball.
Zhao Yang was also a little confused at the beginning. Many times he gave up on getting the ball and asked for a throw-in or set kick, or let his teammates get the ball.
And this is exactly what Atletico Madrid players want to see.
In the Espanyol team, the most threatening players with the ball are Zhao Yang and Asensio, who are also the engines of the Spaniard's offense.
Zhao Yang made a good breakthrough and Asensio passed the ball well.
In response to these two points, Atletico Madrid's strategy was to prevent Zhao Yang and Asensio from touching the ball and let other Spaniard players handle the ball.
Zhao Yang reacted quickly, and he was vaguely aware of his opponent's intentions. If he continued to play like this, he might not be able to achieve anything in the entire game.
You must face the fierce defense of your opponent, and you must have the courage to be willing to be tackled instead of letting your opponent take a card.
This time, Zhao Yang used a change of direction to shake Thiago away. After catching the ball, he boldly smashed the ball and avoided Saul's flying tackle.
In the first ten minutes, the Espanyol team was kept under pressure by Atletico Madrid and had almost no chance to attack. Zhao Yang's two escapes were very beautiful. The Espanyol fans in the stands immediately applauded and encouraged.
After getting rid of two defensive players in a row, Zhao Yang finally gained some space. He immediately dribbled the ball forward and headed towards the thirty-meter area.
When he reached the thirty-meter area, Zhao Yang had more options to choose from.
It can break through and shoot from a distance.
In this position, he is not afraid of fouls by the opponent. Zhao Yang now has two free kick skills. If there is a free kick opportunity, Zhao Yang does not mind giving his opponent a look.
Center back Jimenez quickly came over and Saul followed closely from behind.
Zhao Yang approached Jimenez, stepped on a bicycle, quickly changed direction, and went straight to the upper left corner of the penalty area.
Zhao Yang didn't want to break through, he just wanted to get out of the way.
However, Zhao Yang still thought too much. Jimenez was simply rushing to commit a foul. Zhao Yang changed direction and Jimenez flew sideways and tackled him.
Jimenez is not reckless. The scope of his horizontal tackle is very large. Even if Zhao Yang dodges, it will definitely waste time. Saul who is behind will definitely have time to defend.
If Zhao Yang can't avoid it, just give him a free kick, and it won't get him a yellow card.
As for Zhao Yang's free kick, Atletico Madrid players are not afraid. Their goalkeeper Oblak is not a vegetarian. It is not easy for Zhao Yang to break through Oblak's ten-finger barrier with a kick.
Zhao Yang did not dodge. He wanted to smash the ball and let Jimenez's body slide over, but was brought down by Jimenez's arm.
Beep!
The referee blew his whistle, pointed to the location of the foul, and awarded a free kick.
Zhao Yang did not wait for anyone else and stood in front of the ball himself.
He had just signed in and got the "S-shaped free kick" stunt. He was about to see how it would work, but Asensio was naturally the one to do his job.
Asensio didn't mind either. He even walked to Zhao Yang and reminded: "Oblak's reaction is very fast. I'm afraid your "Falling Leaf Slash" won't fool him so easily."
Zhao Yang nodded, indicating that he understood, and then began to measure the steps and prepare to take the penalty.
Goalkeeper Oblak asked four players to form a wall to block the near corner, and he blocked the far corner himself.
When the referee saw that the wall was lined up and the goalkeeper and Zhao Yang, who was taking the free kick, were ready, he blew the whistle to indicate that Zhao Yang could take the kick.
Zhao Yang took a small step up and pumped the ball toward the goal.
After the ball crossed the wall, it seemed that it was going to fly to the near corner. Oblak moved quickly in this direction and was ready to save the ball after it dropped quickly.
Oblak did not underestimate Zhao Yang's free kick skills and made serious preparations before the game.
But after Oblak took two steps, the ball suddenly changed direction in the air, and the ball turned and flew towards the far corner of the goal.
It's not Falling Leaf! Oblak was caught off guard and exclaimed, but it was too late to go back. He could only watch the ball draw a completely opposite S-shaped trajectory and fly into the gate.
1:1
In the 11th minute of the game, Zhao Yang took his first shot, using a weird S-shaped free kick that broke through Oblak's fingers.