Chi Meiya
Chapter 103 The Darkest Hour, A Leader is Born
After that, Sevilla's formation remained deep, actively compressing space and playing a counter-attacking style.
In the second half, Sevilla suddenly changed their approach.
They actively sought change, and both their attacking speed and intensity increased significantly.
This is the foundation of a strong team, being able to drag their opponents into their own rhythm!
Norwich's defense was quite good, but this was the Europa League final, and the team's defenders' mentality had changed somewhat.
When the team fell behind, they became somewhat impatient, trying to quickly steal the ball to find Zhao Gang and launch a quick counter-attack to equalize the score as soon as possible.
As a result, the defenders started to have problems frequently.
Sevilla, having been tempered by two years of Europa League finals and ultimately winning two championship trophies, had a very stable mentality.
Their attack was delicate yet fierce, always able to find the subtle weaknesses in Norwich's defenders.
In the 68th minute of the match, Banega and Vitolo, who had not contributed much throughout the game, played a very wonderful one-two pass.
Faymann, who had gone up to assist, had already chased back to the limit, filling the gap left by Mendy, but still couldn't stop Banega's cross.
Almost in the same position, Koke took a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The ball went straight into the top right corner!
1:3!
Sevilla captain Koke completed a brace!
Wow...
The Olympic Park stadium was plunged into a frenzy of celebration.
Sevilla fans began to sing loudly.
Europa League, three consecutive championships!
Right before their eyes!
Norwich, after all, was just a Championship team, and couldn't handle this kind of situation at all!
Koke slid on his knees to the sideline, opened his arms, and welcomed his teammates' celebration.
Yes, I can't retreat in time to defend, but what's the problem?
I can use my best attacking skills to defeat the opponent!
I am who I am! The unique Koke! The one and only Koke!
Faymann lay on the ground, hitting the turf hard.
Disappointment.
Annoyance.
Shame!
It was his problem again.
It was his over-zealous attacking that led to a defensive void!
Banega and Vitolo seized the opportunity, and Koke finished it off in one fell swoop!
He was the culprit for the team's loss!
In the Olympic Park stadium, Norwich fans stood there, staring blankly at the pitch.
They had come full of confidence and passion.
They never expected that it would end like this.
The Norwich team that had been invincible before, continuously eliminating Manchester United and Arsenal, seemed lost today.
Did the importance of the final affect the players' mentality?
Did the previous mistakes make the defense more sensitive?
Or was Sevilla really that strong?
Was La Liga really starting to dominate European football?
Barca eliminated Manchester City and easily defeated Juventus to win the Champions League.
In the Europa League, Sevilla, also a La Liga team, was about to lift the trophy again.
La Liga was indeed that strong.
Some Norwich fans had already closed their eyes and covered their faces.
Olympic Park stadium, Carrow Road.
Norwich fans were plunged into silence.
"Sevilla's attack, Koke scores another goal. Seventy minutes! This is a huge blow to Norwich! Norwich played their own style in the first half, firmly suppressing Sevilla.
But before the end of the first half, Sevilla used a sharp counter-attack to equalize the score.
In the second half, Sevilla increased their attacking intensity and pressing! Norwich's defense doesn't seem to have fully adapted yet.
Koke scores twice, Sevilla leads 3:1!" Henry said, commentating while looking at the score on the field.
In his heart, he hoped that Norwich could defeat Sevilla.
Not only because he favored English teams more.
But also because Norwich represented grassroots teams, representing the common people's teams!
If they could continue their dark horse run and defeat Sevilla, it would bring surprise, even hope, to football fans!
On the field, Norwich's players were facing their darkest moment.
Their hearts were half cold.
Faymann couldn't help but blame himself, tears welling up in his eyes.
Hull squatted on the goal line, sighing.
Mendy closed his eyes, raised his head, and almost went crazy.
Ospina was even a little dazed, not knowing what he should do.
Hillo looked at his teammates who had lost their fighting spirit, as if Norwich's spirit had suddenly disappeared.
Farke was shouting on the sidelines, and Hillo regained his fighting spirit.
No, he never admits defeat.
Opponents can defeat us, but we will never give up!
"Hey!!!"
Hillo was about to awaken his teammates' fighting will when he suddenly heard a loud shout from not far away.
He was the first to look over.
Then it was Hull, squatting on the goal line.
Then the dazed Ospina.
Philip.
One by one, his teammates looked at the young man who usually didn't make promises easily.
The team's true core player.
The undisputed King of Norwich.
Zhao Gang clenched his left fist and raised his arm.
"Champions." Zhao Gang didn't make a sound, but the shape of his clenched teeth let all the players know what he was saying.
Hillo was the first again, clenching his fist, raising his arm, and nodding heavily.
Making the same movement as Zhao Gang.
The Norwich players stood up one by one.
They raised their arms, their eyes becoming firm.
Only silently chanting in their hearts.
Champions.
"Norwich's players, encouraged by Zhao... whoa..." Henry hadn't finished speaking when the fans in the stands, who had been somewhat desperate, suddenly erupted into earth-shattering cheers.
As if they were already leading and about to win the championship!
"The fans are chanting... it's hard for me to hear anything else!
The fans are chanting Zhao's name, chanting the names of the Norwich players!
When the team was two goals behind in the seventy-second minute, when the players were weak, when the fans were desperate, Zhao awakened their fighting spirit and hope!
Everyone is saying that Zhao is not good at expressing himself, not good at encouraging his teammates, and cannot become a true leader!
But at this time, head coach Farke can't do it, team locker room leader Hillo can't do it, only Zhao can!
Only he can make the players and fans believe that Norwich hasn't lost yet!" As a neutral commentator, Henry was now infected by the excited fans on the scene and truly became a supporter of Norwich.
"The game is definitely not over yet! Norwich!"
Zhao Gang ran to Faymann, who was blaming himself, exhaled, and said in a low voice.
"Win it back, attack! Norwich needs your assists, I need your help! Hmm??"
Faymann wiped away his tears, hesitantly looked at Zhao Gang, and saw Zhao Gang's hopeful eyes, he nodded hard.
Farke gave up the choice of making a substitution.
He was worried that Faymann had already lost his composure and had to be replaced to strengthen the defense.
Now, he chose to believe in Zhao Gang.
Koke glanced at Zhao Gang, he was really something.
But, let's see the real deal on the pitch!
Since you've rekindled your fighting spirit, that's great.
Score another goal and let you feel the despair completely!
Beep!!
Norwich kicked off from the center circle.
Hull hit his hands hard, bent over, and stared ahead, go on, my beloved teammates.