Zhao Yang has also scored headers, but the number is very small. He has only scored 3 headers this season.
Therefore, both the players and goalkeepers marking him are wary of his long shots when taking corner kicks.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yang rushed directly into the penalty area to fight for a header.
Moreover, Zhao Yang jumped the highest because he had a run-up. No one could compete with him for this point, allowing him to reach the summit comfortably.
Seeing the ball hit the net, Zhao Yang raised his arms and roared, venting his excitement.
Espanyol players came from all directions, hugged Zhao Yang, and celebrated the goal together.
The Spanish fans at the scene finally waited for the goal. They were all excited, roaring, cheering, jumping, and applauding... The stands were as lively as a carnival.
Espanyol head coach Sergio was even more excited than the players. He even wanted to run to the stadium to celebrate with the players. After being stopped by the fourth official, he went over and hugged the substitutes one by one.
Athletic Bilbao players are very upset.
Before the game, the head coach had emphasized that no matter who scored, it would be fine, but Zhao Yang must not be allowed to score.
However, Athletic Bilbao's players didn't even defend half-time, and Zhao Yang completed the goal.
Bilbao coach Valverde was still squatting quietly on the sidelines with a calm expression on his face. In fact, he was already furious.
Before the game, everyone warned Zhao Yang that he had already scored 33 goals and he must not be allowed to score again.
However, the first half was not over, and Zhao Yang scored again!
Whether the defender is distracted or Zhao Yang is too aggressive, it is not a good thing for Athletic Bilbao.
When playing against a strong team like Espanyol, I am afraid that they will score first.
If a weak team loses the initiative, it will be difficult to win the game.
Angry as hell, Valverde had no intention of making a change for the remainder of the first half.
In Valverde's view, being able to prevent the Spaniard from scoring for 35 minutes shows that his tactics are correct.
There are less than ten minutes left, and it is not appropriate to change players or tactics. It is better to finish the first half like this and make adjustments in the second half.
Valverde was right, but he underestimated the Spaniard's desire to win.
After the game restarted, Athletic Bilbao still played according to the original tactics and rhythm, but the Spaniard suddenly pressed forward and accelerated the pace of the game.
Towards the end of the season, the main players of the Espanyol, whose bench was not deep enough, were actually very tired. This is also an important reason for the decline of the Spaniard's performance in recent times.
Encouraged by Zhao Yang's goal, the Espanyol players seemed to have forgotten their fatigue and pressed Athletic Bilbao full-court.
Athletic Bilbao is a very passionate and paranoid team, but lacks flexibility. They are most afraid of this sudden change of pace.
Athletic Bilbao was in a hurry and made a mistake in the rush. The central defender made a big kick, but it didn't start and went directly to Asensio's feet.
Asensio is the core of the Spaniard's midfield. He has the best passing skills and awareness.
Although he accepted a free gift package, Asensio had already seen the loopholes in Athletic Bilbao's defense after stopping the ball.
Just now, Athletic Bilbao was controlling the ball. Athletic Bilbao's offensive players were running forward, and the left backs all ran in front of Spanish winger Cheryshev.
Asensio did not hesitate to send a long pass to Cheryshev on the wing, and launched an attack from the left of Athletic Bilbao.
Cheryshev deserves to be from Real Madrid, and his ability is also very outstanding in the Spaniard's main lineup.
Asensio's long pass was urgent and fast, but Cheryshev easily removed the ball with his instep, moved forward, and smoothly dribbled the ball straight into Athletic Bilbao's bottom line.
.
Athletic Bilbao's entire defense was there, and the only gap was when the left back pressed forward.
After this point was torn open, the Athletic Bilbao center back had to cover the wing to prevent Cheryshev from cutting inside.
As a result, there was another gap in the middle.
Zhao Yang, who drives forward in the middle, must not be left unguarded, or even guarded by himself, so that Caicedo, who plays the role of center forward, will be left unattended.
Cheryshev saw the center back coming to cover him and immediately passed the ball to Caicedo.
Caicedo stopped the ball with his chest. What's funny is that Athletic Bilbao's midfielder and another central defender were guarding Zhao Yang. They just watched Caicedo stop the ball, but no one went to defend him.
Obviously, this is an instant communication problem between the midfielder and the defender.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Caicedo.
Caicedo removed the ball from his chest, bumped his thigh again, and before the ball hit the ground, he volleyed sideways.
Caicedo is the second goalscorer in the Espanyol team, second only to Zhao Yang in goals, and his shooting skills are also excellent.
Although the angle of Caicedo's shot was not tricky enough, it was powerful enough that goalkeeper Elisos did not dare to hug the ball, so he could only fly and hit the ball with both fists.
Elisos didn't dare to hit the ball in the middle and hit the ball to the side with both fists.
However, at this time, Spaniard's other forward Moreno saw Caicedo's shot and actively came over to make a follow-up shot.
Opportunity favors those who work hard, and the ball flew right to Moreno.
Facing this flying gift package, Moreno certainly would not turn away the goal. He barely had to jump up and directly headed the ball forward, easily heading the ball into the empty goal.
2:0
In the 42nd minute of the game, Moreno added a header and scored another goal for the Spaniard.
Moreno was surprised and delighted. He was almost like a rabbit that had been hit by an arrow. He jumped up suddenly and rushed to the sidelines, shouting at the stands with his arms raised.
The surprise came too quickly. Before the applause of the Spanish fans celebrating Zhao Yang's goal had completely stopped, Moreno scored again.
Cheers and applause surged like a tide again, and every corner of the stadium was filled with joy.
The joy of the Spanish people is based on the pain of the people of Athletic Bilbao.
In less than ten minutes, the opponent scored two goals in a row. This was a huge blow to a proud team like Athletic Bilbao.
But the most painful thing is head coach Valverde.
Because this goal conceded can be said to be caused by his inaction.
In fact, after the Spaniard scored, Valverde should have made adjustments, but Valverde reacted too slowly on the spot and his tactics were too conservative. He thought about making adjustments after the half-time break, which resulted in the current goal conceded.
Although I realized my mistake, it was too late to make adjustments now. The time had already reached 42 minutes. After the celebration, there were only three minutes left, and it was impossible to make adjustments.
Valverde still didn't make any statement and was ready to finish the first half.