Chapter 157 Free kick
After the 34th round of the league ended, the atmosphere in Monaco's training ground was a bit depressing, and the pressure was two-way. Paris Saint-Germain was under tremendous pressure, and Monaco was not the same.
Especially when the league comes to the end, after the thirty-four rounds, there are only 4 rounds of games left in the Ligue 1, and these four rounds will completely determine the championship of this season.
"Go for a little while, guys," even though Ranieri has been trying to relieve this stress, the effect is not obvious.
In this atmosphere, the 35th round of the league kicked off. Monaco will be a visit to Ajaccio in this game. The first team to be relegated this season. After the 34th round, Ajaccio only scored 20 points.
Logically speaking, Monaco should win this game steadily, because Ajaccio has been confirmed to be relegated. Not to mention the player's status, even morale has fallen to the bottom. Perhaps for Ajaccio players, they need not to play, but to find their next player to continue to stay in the top league.
But even facing such a team that has been relegated, Monaco played quite poorly at the start, the midfield was unorganized, the forward was like a headless fly, and the only thing else was the defense line.
Li Shou's ability to withstand pressure is undoubtedly much stronger than his teammates. Even in Li Shou's heart, pressure can be turned into motivation, which can make him more focused on the game, because this guy is eager to become the protagonist and become a hero.
In addition to Li Shouwai, Carvalho and Abidal also performed relatively calmly. After all, these two players have seen strong storms and waves. Before coming to Monaco, they have been playing for European football against top giants.
In the first thirty minutes of the first half, Monaco could be said to have played quite badly, but it should be very bad, because Monaco was suppressed by Ajaccio in the first thirty minutes. If Monaco had not performed well in the defense line, Monaco might have conceded the ball.
Especially in the 25th minute, Monaco was intercepted in the frontcourt, and Ajaccio made a quick counterattack. Fortunately, it was Li Shou standing in front of the goal.
Facing Ajaccio's counterattack, Li Shou made a decisive attack, relying on his strong start speed and explosive power to complete the clearance before Ajaccio striker Taro touched the ball.
Thirty minutes later, Monaco's performance began to improve. After all, Monaco's players were in strength. As time went by, the players slowly adjusted.
But this only made the scene look better. Monaco still made no achievements before the end of the first half, and the score was still 0:0 at the break.
"Monaco needs someone to stand up in the offensive," Barr expressed the voice of all Monacos.
But who can stand up? Rodriguez? Or Berbatov, who scored the only goal in the last game, continued to start in this game?
"If you can't do it, then create a direct free kick opportunity for me in the second half." When he returned to the locker room, Li Shou spoke.
Obviously, Li Shou was very dissatisfied with Monaco's performance in the midfield in the first half, but he was also dissatisfied with this qualification because Li Shou did impeccable defense.
"Li, are you sure" said nothing without taking other players, Ranieri looked at Li Shou straight.
Ranieri was also very dissatisfied with Monaco's midfield and frontcourt in the first half. Although there was some improvement in the future, the performance was still difficult to satisfy people.
"Confirm" Li Shou felt a little hesitant in his heart. His original answer was "I can try", but in the end he gave a positive answer.
If you don’t believe it, it will be just a joke in the end. Since you have said it, then hold on to the determination and confidence that you must do it.
"Okay, strengthen the breakthrough in the second half and create a free kick opportunity for Li." Ranieri chose to believe Li Shou.
As the team's head coach, Ranieli has always known that Li Shou practices free kicks. Although he does not support Li Shou in doing so, as a head coach, Ranieli has always felt that the goalkeeper should be standing by his goalkeeper rather than thinking about scoring goals.
But in the current situation, Ranieri has no choice. Instead of looking forward to the players in the frontcourt in this game, it is better to give Li Shou a chance. After all, Li Shou has always used miraculous saves to ensure the goal is not lost.
Ranieri was actually very clear that if Li Shou had not had the incredible saves again and again, Monaco would have fallen behind long ago, especially after Falcao was reimbursed for the season.
With Ranieri's tactical order issued, everyone's eyes were once again focused on Li Shou. As a teammate, Monaco players also knew that Li Shou had been practicing free kicks in the past month, but Li Shou had never really played in training.
Therefore, the only one who knows Li Shou's free kick level is goalkeeper coach Pellizaro. Although Pellizaro does not accompany Li Shou to practice every day like before, he often helps Li Shou and even makes records.
"George, what level does Lee's free kick reach?" Ranieri found Pellizaro immediately after coming out of the locker room.
"The hit rate in training is good, but it remains to be seen in the game." Pellizaro gave a well-behaved answer.
Although Ranieri decided to gamble on Li Shou again, he was worried about gains and losses in his heart when he made a real decision.
However, Ranieri could not regret it because the players on both sides had already made their debut again, and the second half of the game began.
Ajaccio launched an attack, but soon found Tularan's interception. The French midfielder can be said to be the only player with a normal performance in Monaco's entire midfield.
Although Tularan failed to intercept the ball, it also created opportunities for his teammates. Tularan's pressing forced the opponent to pass the ball, and Condobia seized the opportunity to slide and tackle the lower ball.
Monaco's offense and defense were converted, and Moutinho made a straight pass from Rodriguez, who rushed into Ajaccio's hinterland with the ball, and was about to rush towards Ajaccio's penalty area. The whistle sounded.
Then all the players of Monaco turned to look at Li Shou in front of the goal. To be honest, Li Shou himself was a little stunned for this situation. Less than a minute before the second half, Ranieri's tactics were actually implemented. Ajaccio himself gave a direct free kick first.
"This is a free kick opportunity at a long distance, 31 meters away from the goal~~~What's the situation, why do you look back?"
"Oh~~ God~~ Li walked up. Should he take the free kick?" Although the opportunity came unexpectedly early, Li Shou still walked forward.
"What the hell is going on? Li really wants to take the free kick?" Barr still didn't believe this fact.
Or almost all Monacos don't believe it because Li Shou never took a free kick, and no media has reported that Li Shou would still have a free kick.
Chapter completed!