After the game officially started, the players of Atletico Madrid and Valencia also played listlessly, and they could not see the energy they had in the past, constantly sprinting back and forth and fighting for victory.
Among them is Qiao Anchen.
He had discussed with his parents before that he would not go to watch any away games in the future, but would only watch home games. After all, when surrounded by a large number of fans at his home court, the probability of an accident would be smaller.
But even so, Qiao Anchen couldn't concentrate during the game. He looked up from time to time to see where his parents were in the stands to see if it was safe there and if anything happened.
Even if his reason told him that after the Port Said tragedy just occurred, the security inspection at Calderon Stadium must be very strict in this game, the number of security personnel has also been increased, the spirit of the security personnel is also very nervous, and the probability of an accident is very small
, but Qiao Anchen just couldn't help the worry in his heart.
Other players are in a similar situation. Many of them are unable to concentrate and devote themselves to the game.
Of course, it is not just the players of Atletico Madrid and Valencia who have this problem, most of the football matches around the world this weekend are like this.
The Port Said tragedy had a really great impact on all those working in world football.
Therefore, neither the coaches nor fans of Atletico Madrid or Valencia criticized or booed the listless games of the players of the two teams.
Let's just treat it as a friendly match.
It was not until half an hour into the game that everyone gradually abandoned their distracting thoughts and focused on the game through constant running and warm-up. They began to actively run and fight, speeding up the offensive and defensive rhythm.
Valencia currently ranks third in the standings, second only to Real Madrid and Barcelona, and their strength and condition are very good.
Although Atletico Madrid performed poorly in the first half of the season, after entering the New Year, it has won four consecutive victories under the leadership of Simeone and Joanchen. This round is another home game, so naturally it will not shrink back, like the last game.
Shrink the defense like Osasuna.
In the 36th minute, Atletico Madrid made its first threatening attack. Arda Turan made a pass from the wing. Falcao followed up in the middle and jammed the opponent's defender before flicking his head towards the goal.
Unfortunately, due to the push and interference from the opponent's defender, Falcao's header failed to hit the goal frame and slightly missed the post.
In the 39th minute, Valencia responded with good teamwork in the frontcourt. No. 22 Mateo made a wonderful pass into the penalty area, and No. 14 forward Piatti completed the shot under the cover of his teammates.
However, the angle of his shot was a bit off, and goalkeeper Courtois jumped directly under him, without even giving the opponent a chance to make a follow-up shot.
In the next few minutes, the two sides did not create any threatening shooting opportunities. After all, the mentality was affected, and even if the game state recovered, the recovery was limited.
After 1 minute 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.
After a 15-minute rest, the two sides changed sides and fought again.
After the start of the second half, it took both sides more than ten minutes to adapt before entering the game.
But just like the second half of the first half, even if the offensive and defensive rhythm is accelerated, it is still difficult to create a threatening shot, and both sides have very few shooting opportunities.
However, Atletico Madrid has an advantage that others do not have, and that is Qiao Anchen's shooting skills.
Qiao Anchen's perfect shooting skills do not require too many shooting opportunities. With Qiao Anchen's shooting skills, any shooting opportunity has a high probability of being converted into a goal.
Valencia also knew this and kept a close eye on Qiao Anchen.
But sometimes luck comes and you can't prevent it.
In the 76th minute, after Atletico Madrid's offense advanced outside the penalty area, Qiao Anchen received a pass from captain Gabi in the gap, but was immediately flanked by two Valencia defensive players and was unable to break into the penalty area.
There was no chance to get out of the way and shoot.
Qiao Anchen did not force his way into Longtan alone. He used his 70% dribbling and good physique to control the ball at his feet for a few seconds. After his teammates ran out of the gap, he passed the ball to Falcao in the middle.
As Atletico Madrid's star player, Falcao was naturally surrounded by the opponent's defenders after receiving a pass from Joan Chen.
But Falcao did not stay. After receiving the ball, he immediately passed the ball to Arda Turan who inserted into the penalty area from the wing. Then he went around the other side of the defender who intercepted him and inserted into the penalty area.
Then, Arda Turan's ball was also passed over. Falcao, who broke into the penalty area without the ball, received Arda Turan's return pass near the penalty spot of the penalty area.
This is a one-two against the wall.
Falcao successfully entered the penalty area through the collision with Turan and got a chance to shoot. Falcao did not hesitate, nor did he stop the ball to waste time. He pushed the ball directly without stopping the ball, pushing the ball forward.
To the lower right corner of the goal.
Although this ball is not very powerful, the angle is very tricky and the threat is still very great.
However, Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves reacted so quickly that he almost judged the direction of Falcao's shot the moment he started to hit the goal. He accurately predicted the direction in advance and moved a step to the right, then jumped.
With one pounce, he successfully pushed the ball out and prevented it from rolling into the goal.
But Alves's save did not completely eliminate the crisis, because although the ball was pushed outward by him, it did not roll out of the post or the bottom line. Instead, it hit the post and bounced back into the small penalty area.
Just when Alves wanted to make a second save and put the ball under his body, Qiao Anchen, wearing the No. 10 jersey of Atletico Madrid, rushed into the small penalty area and appeared in front of the ball. He shot a powerful shot and hit the goal.
The ball was kicked over Alves' body from the first 3 meters, flew into the goal, hit the top net and fell into the goal.
Goalkeeper Diego Alves subconsciously stretched out his hand to try to block the ball, but found nothing and the ball flew past his hand.
In the 76th minute, Falcao's shot in the penalty area was bounced off the post by the opponent's goalkeeper. Qiao Anchen was lucky and missed the shot, helping Atletico Madrid take a 1-0 lead.
At the same time, this is also the fifth consecutive La Liga game in which Qiao Anchen has scored a goal since entering the first team, bringing the total number of goals in the five games to 10.
In view of the Port Said tragedy that just occurred, the commentators in the commentary box did not shout loudly, but explained relatively calmly:
"The ball went in."
"Qiao Anchen's supplementary shot and Falcao's shot was saved by the goalkeeper."
"Atletico Madrid takes a 1-0 lead at home."
"Qiao Anchen scored in his fifth consecutive La Liga game, and the total number of goals has reached 10, breaking the double-digit mark."
"Many forwards have not been able to score double digits in goals throughout the season. Qiao Anchen did it in only 5 games."
"There is no doubt that this year's European Golden Boy Award has been booked by Qiao Anchen."
