Chapter 142 FA Cup Semi-Final
The 33rd round of the 2016-2017 English Premier League ended. Chelsea still ranked first in the league. Liverpool, who played one less game, ranked second with a difference of two points. Tottenham ranked third, Manchester City ranked fourth, Manchester United, who won the game, ranked fifth in the league, and Arsenal naturally fell to sixth.
Liverpool is only two points behind Chelsea with one less game, which makes Liverpool's local media "Echo" and "Post" see Liverpool's hope of winning the first league championship since the establishment of the Premier League, and they report it everywhere.
However, the two media also reminded Liverpool not to take it lightly. Liverpool will play against Crystal Palace in the next round at home. Due to the automatic postponement of the FA Cup semi-finals, it will be equivalent to two less games. Once Chelsea beats Southampton at the weekend, the gap between them will be widened to five points.
It seems that six points can be obtained with two fewer games, but those two games did not happen after all. The biggest feature of football games is that they are full of uncertainty. Burnley and Crystal Palace are currently under pressure to avoid relegation. The Premier League often stages the good drama of relegation teams fighting for survival and overthrowing giants, which makes many Liverpool fans feel terrified.
Chelsea coach Conte is very smart. He launched a fishing reel war when the team was relatively passive, trying to influence Liverpool, who were preparing for the FA Cup semi-finals, so as to extend the pressure to the future league.
Liverpool won ten consecutive league victories, and the whole team was immersed in great joy. Li Qing, who became a professional player, had a certain inflated mentality.
Coach Klopp has won too many runner-ups, and his vigilance is N times more than that of the players. Although the atmosphere in the team is very good, this atmosphere will turn into self-doubt once it encounters a loss in the game. At that time, it will collapse, and it is not impossible to achieve a big collapse at the end of the league.
Assistant coach Buvac raised his eyebrows: "Jurgen, are you thinking too much?"
"Zeljko, to put it in a language, it's better to be safe than sorry. Now we are at the end of the league, and we can't make any mistakes. The FA Cup has also reached the semi-finals, and the next step is the final. We can't let go of both ends. You and I are aware of the problem of insufficient bench depth in the team."
Klopp looked at the players in the cheerful atmosphere and said in a deep voice: "Antonio Conte is a cunning guy. He keeps setting the pace in order to make My players let down their guard. We can't predict the outcome after all with two games less. If we can't win a game, will the team's relaxed and cheerful atmosphere still exist? "
Bovać suddenly understood Klopp's intention and nodded solemnly: "Find a time to call everyone to a meeting?"
"Let's do it today."
...
Li Qing didn't practice after today's training. It wasn't because he was lazy, but because the head coach Klopp suddenly called the whole team to the rehabilitation room for a meeting.
Li Qing, who was sitting in the co-pilot seat with Captain Henderson, fastened his seat belt. He couldn't help asking, "Captain, have I become arrogant during this period?"
Henderson turned the steering wheel slowly, stepped on the accelerator, and smiled casually: "Jurgen is right. We are just keeping the huge pressure on Chelsea now. We are only one step away from the league championship and the FA Cup championship. Too much confidence will not bring heaven, but very likely hell."
Li Qing put his hands behind his head, thinking. He has been blessed by God since he crossed over, and obtained the Green Legend System. From then on, he began his own legendary journey, but... this is just his first season.
It's not even a complete season. He is only sixteen now, and he has at least twenty years of professional career in the future. At the beginning, he just got carried away with some small achievements. He must pay more attention in the future!
Messi and Ronaldo can always maintain a full hunger for the championship. Isn't it that they are cautious and prepared for every game?
Respecting yourself starts with respecting others.
Maybe other teams are not good enough, but football is a team sport, and no matter how strong an individual is, he cannot make up for the team's shortcomings.
Just like if all Liverpool players were replaced by international players, would they win the game?
Liverpool's continued impact on the league championship is undeniable due to his efforts, but more importantly, the whole team is working in the same direction.
After clearing his mind, Li Qing became motivated and focused all his attention on the FA Cup semi-final at White Hart Lane Stadium this weekend.
In order to fully prepare for the FA Cup semi-final and Liverpool's remaining league games, Li Qing took a long vacation from school after the morning classes, and would only come back to take the final comprehensive exam.
Zhao Qiangu looked at Li Qing packing up, pursed his lips, and hesitated to speak.
Li Qing put on his schoolbag, looked up and glanced at his classmates, and suddenly said in English: "Brothers and sisters, in order to fully strive for the FA Cup and League championship in the last month, I have already asked for leave, which means that I will only come back to take the final comprehensive exam."
Everyone looked at Li Qing, with envy, yearning, and jealousy in their eyes. Seeing Li Qing turn around and walk away with his schoolbag on his back, Zhao Qiangu subconsciously shouted: "Li Qing, wait."
"What's wrong?"
Li Qing turned around curiously, with confusion in his eyes.
"You...what about the lessons you missed?"
Zhao Qiangu's brain was working at high speed, and he thought of a good reason.
"You said that, it doesn't matter, the teacher said that I am a special student, 36 points is considered a pass." Li Qing said here, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a hint of playfulness.
Zhao Qiangu looked at Li Qing with resentment, speechless: "..."
Li Qing said with a smile: "Are you going to tutor me, your cousin-in-law?"
"If you want, I can also help you with tutoring."
"Come on, I appreciate your kindness." Li Qing turned around, leaving Zhao Qiangu with his back, raised his right hand, and made a "goodbye" gesture: "Don't let your cousin get jealous."
"Ah~"
Zhao Qiangu sighed with mixed feelings.
If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have taken my cousin to watch a football match...
Chelsea's 34th round of the league against Southampton was held as scheduled. Chelsea, who lost in the last round, quickly recovered and defeated the visiting opponent 4:2, expanding their lead to five points and increasing their goal difference by two.
The pressure naturally came to Liverpool, but the entire Liverpool team is now focused on the FA Cup semi-finals, and they didn't pay any attention to the fishing reel battle deliberately created by Conte.
The FA Cup semi-final between Tottenham and Liverpool at home not only attracted the attention of the world, but also attracted the full attention of the media and the Korean media.
Two months ago, Liverpool defeated Tottenham, where Son Heung-min was, under the leadership of Li Qing. This time, back at White Hart Lane, the Korean media believed that Son Heung-min, who was in excellent form recently, would lead Tottenham to defeat the visiting Liverpool.