Chapter 143 What Is Praised

When Atletico Madrid scored in the fourth minute, many Atletico Madrid fans began to look forward to a comeback at the Calderon Stadium.

The subsequent development of the game also proved this.

Atletico Madrid scored another goal, tying the aggregate score to 2:3, just one goal away.

Atletico Madrid was about to reverse the situation against Dortmund at home, with their backs against the wall, and create history.

But at this moment, Zhou Yi stepped forward, ruining Atletico Madrid's good deeds and pouring a bucket of cold water on all Atletico Madrid fans.

The Calderon Stadium, which had seemed to be burning red just now, instantly cooled down and was then shrouded in a cloud of white mist.

Klopp jumped high on the sidelines, waving his fist and roaring, then hugging everyone around him, feeling as excited as if the game had already ended with this score.

In stark contrast to him was Atletico Madrid coach Simeone.

When Dortmund launched the attack, Simeone was holding a water bottle, ready to drink, but when he saw Dortmund attacking, he just clenched the bottle without pouring it into his mouth. Fortunately, he did so, otherwise he would probably have choked...

But even so, Simeone wasn't much better off now—when the goal was conceded, he angrily smashed the water bottle on the ground, and under the pressure, water sprayed out of the bottle, and Simeone couldn't dodge in time, getting splashed in the face...

Some of the water even splashed into Simeone's eyes, making him look very embarrassed.

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"The first half is about to end, the last minute... They conceded a goal. Atletico Madrid's luck..." The Spanish commentator sighed helplessly.

Of course, he hoped that Atletico Madrid could eliminate Dortmund and reach the Champions League final, completing the "Madrid Derby" on the Champions League final stage, which would be the pride of Spanish football and the city of Madrid.

When Atletico Madrid scored two goals in a row, he believed it could be done.

But now, that goal has quickly moved away from him...

Soon after, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.

The television broadcast captured the expressions on the faces of the players from both teams as they walked off the field.

Dortmund's players hadn't yet emerged from the excitement of scoring, and walked off the field with smiles on their faces, chatting and laughing.

Atletico Madrid's players, who had been full of vigor and seemed like nothing in the world could stop them, were collectively stunned by Zhou Yi's goal. Everyone hung their heads and hurried towards the tunnel, unwilling to linger on the field.

Simeone had already turned around and entered the player tunnel, seeming unwilling to stay for even a second longer.

"Zhou Yi's goal changed the entire game. Simeone's wishful thinking may have to be redone..." He Ping said. "The aggregate score has become 4:2, and Dortmund also has an away goal. Most importantly, Zhou Yi's goal is a very heavy blow to the morale of Atletico Madrid players. How will Simeone respond?"

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In the Atletico Madrid locker room, Simeone was encouraging his players—this was the top priority.

"Of course, we conceded a goal, which is terrible, but I don't think it's fatal. We still have a full forty-five minutes to rewrite the result. Since we can score two goals at the start, why can't we score more goals?" Simeone looked at his players, staring into the eyes of each player, instilling his courage and confidence in them.

"Before the game, everyone thought we were eliminated and had no chance, but we answered them with two goals at the start! Now, this goal conceded only makes the miracle we created more glorious and magnificent! I believe in you, no difficulty can defeat you! Because you are brave warriors! And warriors will fight to the last moment!"

The flames of the Atletico Madrid players were ignited bit by bit by this extremely charismatic coach…

At the same time, in the Dortmund locker room, Klopp criticized the players' performance in the first half. Yes, you read that right, even though Dortmund had just pulled back a goal, the coach still criticized the team's performance.

"...Let's not talk about the last goal, your performance in the first half was like sh*t. When Atletico Madrid charged, you were like sissies, only covering your eyes and screaming. What was the deal with those two goals conceded? Is that the true reflection of the gap in strength between us and Atletico Madrid? Even if this is their home, there is no reason for such a disgusting situation! I reminded you, before the game I spent so much time telling you what kind of opponent you were going to face, but what was the result?"

Klopp spread his hands and tilted his head, looking at his players.

"I don't want to see you looking panicked in the second half! Buck up! There are still forty-five minutes left, anything can happen, but I don't want you to try other possibilities!"

After lecturing the whole team, Klopp looked at Yan Min and said in a seemingly casual tone, "Good job."

Although the tone was very casual, Yan Min still showed an excited expression on his face.

Being praised and recognized by the coach is one of the motivations for every player's hard work.

But Klopp immediately added, "I'm not talking about the assist."

This made Yan Min feel strange, and he showed a puzzled expression.

But he didn't dare to ask. He had just been scolded by the coach, so he didn't dare to touch that bad luck.

He could only frown and ponder the coach's meaning.

His assist to Zhou Yi in that breakthrough in the first half was his most beautiful breakthrough. So, he naturally thought that Klopp was praising his assist to Zhou Yi.

But now the coach said it wasn't, so what was it?

It wasn't until the end of the halftime break, when the players returned to the field, that Yan Min's doubts were answered.

Zhou Yi noticed that Yan Min had been frowning, and when he was sure that he was struggling with this question, he took the initiative to approach him and said, "Wondering why the coach said that?"

Yan Min nodded, and then told all his doubts.

"...I think my assist to you in that breakthrough was the most beautiful, the coach said I did a good job, but he wasn't talking about that, so what else could it be? None of my previous attempts were successful..."

"Klopp was talking about your previous performances."

"Ah?" Yan Min couldn't understand it at all. Not praising the highlight performance, but praising the failed performances, what was the reason?

"When we were being suppressed, it was your tenacious charges that helped us win back space. If it weren't for your failed attempts, how could Atletico Madrid have chosen to retreat in the final stages? If they didn't retreat, how could I have scored later?" Zhou Yi patted Yan Min on the shoulder. "So Klopp is praising your brave attempts and your spirit of not giving up."

After Zhou Yi's explanation, Yan Min tilted his head to think for a while, and then suddenly realized.

"So, actually, me playing like that doesn't count as wasting opportunities?"

"Of course it does!" Zhou Yi said. "But no one can ever seize every opportunity, being able to seize one out of ten opportunities is already very good. The important thing is not the result of failure, the important thing is not to avoid making mistakes, but to learn from mistakes and find the path to success—does that sound very preachy?" Zhou Yi asked Yan Min.

Yan Min nodded reflexively, but immediately shook his head: "No, I think you're right, Zhou Yi."

"That's how it is." Zhou Yi gladly accepted Yan Min's praise of him. "People who are afraid of making mistakes can only stand still, and people who stand still will never reach the finish line. In the second half, you have to play like you did in the first half, when you get the ball, as long as there's an opportunity, resolutely go forward, don't be afraid of making mistakes."

Yan Min nodded vigorously: "I'll listen to you!"

Zhou Yi smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "When you're on the field, don't listen to me, listen to yourself."

Yan Min nodded and asked again: "Will Atletico Madrid counterattack?"

"Nonsense." Zhou Yi rolled his eyes at him. "Is Simeone someone who gives up so easily? So Atletico Madrid will definitely counterattack in the second half, and it will be a crazy counterattack. Their defense will definitely have a lot of gaps then, those are all your opportunities."

Yan Min's eyes lit up at Zhou Yi's words, as if he had already seen his heroic figure galloping across Atletico Madrid's half in the second half…