This was Simeone's first game, and the fighting style he showed was very different from the team coached by Manzano.
Not to mention that almost every fight is a scene of people falling on their backs. Just look at the number of yellow cards Atletico Madrid received in this game and you will know what they did on the field:
In the 12th minute, center back Alvaro Domingos received Atletico Madrid's first yellow card for elbowing his opponent while fighting for the top of the penalty area.
In the 28th minute, captain and defensive midfielder Gabi made a flying shovel to knock Maraga's player Isko to the ground with the ball, earning Atletico Madrid's second yellow card.
In the 39th minute, another defensive midfielder Thiago Mendes also received Atletico Madrid's third yellow card for a foul.
Before the end of the first half, in the 44th minute, Falcao retreated to the midfield to participate in an aerial ball competition. He jumped up and kneed someone in the stomach. Without any suspense, he received Atletico Madrid's fourth yellow card.
Of course, under the influence of Atletico Madrid, Malaga was also emotionally unstable and received two yellow cards.
In many games, after 90 minutes, the two teams only have two or three yellow cards combined. As a result, this game only ended in the first half and already had 6 yellow cards, and Atletico Madrid got 4.
It can be seen that the competition is fierce and the people are on their backs.
After 2 minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half, and the two sides entered the halftime break with a score of 0-0.
Throughout the first half, neither side scored a goal. But Simeone's first game in La Liga was indeed impressive.
During the halftime break, Simeone praised everyone's performance in the first half in the locker room.
He said:
"You played very well in the first half. Although you didn't score a goal, you played the game I wanted."
"Your mission is to implement my tactics."
"If we lose the game, it's my responsibility."
"But if you don't implement my tactics, that's your problem."
"Everyone take a good rest and continue playing like this in the second half."
…
After a 15-minute rest, the two sides changed sides and fought again in the second half. Neither team made any substitutions and continued to fight.
The second half of the game was exactly the same as the first half. The two sides played more fiercely than excitingly. The game was broken into pieces by constant back-and-forth scenes, and neither side could produce any decent offense or opportunities.
Occasionally, players on both sides failed to take advantage of shooting opportunities.
Seeing that the time had reached the 60th minute and he had not yet scored, Diego Simeone finally decided to make a change.
He turned to look at the bench and did not immediately make a substitution decision. Instead, he waved his hand and asked all seven players on the bench to warm up.
Domestically, Chinese fans who stayed up late in front of the TV to watch the live broadcast, but never saw Qiao Anchen play and didn't score a goal, looked a little listless and suddenly became energetic.
TV-5 commentator Guan Jianwen also became louder:
"We saw that all the players on the bench were called by Simeone to warm up, including Qiao Anchen."
"It seems that Simeone is preparing to make changes. I don't know if Qiao Anchen will get a chance to play, make his La Liga debut, and break the record for the youngest player in La Liga."
"The youngest appearance record in La Liga was set by Celta Vigo Sanson in the 1939/1940 season. The appearance record he set at that time was 15 years and 255 days old. It has been more than 70 years and no one can break it."
"As for Qiao Anchen, who was born on July 16, 1996, his age as of today is 15 years and 175 days."
"If Qiao Anchen can be replaced by Simeone today, he will set a new record for the youngest player in La Liga after 72 years."
"let us wait and see."
In front of the TV, Qiao Binyi and Xiao Wenxiu also stayed up late to watch football.
His son may set the record for the youngest appearance in La Liga in his La Liga debut, so they will naturally not miss it.
There are tens of thousands of fans across the country staying up late to watch the game, paying attention to the game in Spain, praying that Simeone can make Qiao Anchen make his debut and create a record in Spain for the youngest Chinese player to play.
In the 68th minute, Simeone made the first substitution adjustment. Unfortunately, it was not the Qiao Anchen that everyone expected. Instead, No. 11 frontcourt versatile Arda Turan came on, replacing No. 8 winger Eduardo Salvio.
Malaga also made substitution adjustments, with No. 9 Ruud van Nistelrooy, the king of the small penalty area, coming on to replace No. 26 Juanmi.
Obviously, both sides want to strengthen their offense and give their opponents a fatal blow.
It's a pity that in this game, everyone used their strength to fight, and no one was wearing shooting boots during the foul, so the goal still didn't come.
In the 73rd minute, Malaga made their second substitution adjustment. No. 17 Duda came on and replaced No. 20 Bonanotte.
Simeone glanced at the several substitutes warming up on the sidelines, and then said to assistant coach German Borges: "Call Qiao Anchen over."
Borges nodded, waved to Qiao Anchen who was warming up and shouted: "Qiao Anchen, come here."
Qiao Anchen's heart skipped a beat and he ran over excitedly. He was patted by Borges and pushed to Simeone's side.
All the Huaguo fans waiting in front of the TV late at night suddenly became excited. Xiao Wenxiu even grabbed her husband's arm and said anxiously: "Is there going to be a substitution? Is An Chen going to play?"
Qiao Pingyi nodded excitedly and said, "Yes, Qiao Anchen must be replaced."
CCTV-5 commentator Guan Jianwen also shouted excitedly:
"We saw that Simeone called Qiao Anchen to his side."
"Atletico Madrid is about to make its second substitution, and it may be Qiao Anchen."
"Qiao Anchen will soon be on the stage of La Liga and set a new record as the youngest player in La Liga."
"It's so exciting."
…
On the sidelines, Simeone stretched out his hand, put his arm around Qiao Anchen's shoulders, and said in his ear: "Qiao, you come on the field later and replace Diego. Then you play as a shadow forward and wander around Falcao. Whenever you have a chance,
Just give me a firm shot."
Qiao Anchen nodded.
Simeone added: "Boy, once you play, you will create the record for the youngest player in La Liga and wear the No. 10 jersey. If you score, you will become famous with one goal. I hope you seize the opportunity."
Qiao Anchen nodded fiercely again. He had already decided that he would use the skill card when he came on the field. If he couldn't score in the last few minutes, he would use the lucky card that must score.
In the 75th minute, Malaga's attack was disrupted by Atletico Madrid, resulting in a dead ball. Atletico Madrid requested substitutions, No. 10 Joan Chen came on, and No. 22 left midfielder Diego came off.
Seeing the fourth official's substitution card, Diego did not deliberately delay the time. He immediately ran all the way to the sidelines, hugged Qiao Anchen, said "Come on", and then returned to the bench.
Qiao Anchen, who was already very excited, rushed into the field and officially entered the La Liga match.