The match between Real Madrid and Levante in the fourth round of La Liga ended with Real Madrid winning 2-0 without any blood.
Although Levante's defense was good enough, its performance was tenacious enough in the subsequent game time.
But the goal conceded in the first half was a huge blow to them.
When Mourinho saw that Levante was not a soft persimmon, he decisively launched a counterattack after 30 minutes of the first half.
Real Madrid, which can lower its profile, is obviously not an opponent that Levante can exploit its weaknesses.
With Higuain's goal in the 65th minute of the second half, Real Madrid also successfully secured the victory without any danger.
Li Ang also became the best player of the game with one assist and the most efficient defensive data in the game.
This best player was awarded to Leon. Callejon and Higuain, who scored today, are not jealous. They are very convinced.
After all, Li Ang contributed nine steals, five effective interceptions and two clearances, which is really unacceptable!
It can be said that Levante's desperate counterattack in the second half was abruptly stopped by Li Ang in the midfield.
And Li Ang also made Levante fans lament with his game-high running distance of 14.2 kilometers.
"He ran out of an invisible wall in Real Madrid's half! Otherwise we should have had a better ending at home. Faced with such an amazing performance by Leon, what else can I say?
Mourinho and Real Madrid are lucky, they have a 'new Makelele', maybe they will create a surprising performance this season. "
At the post-match press conference, Levante coach Ignacho Martinez could only speak with helpless hands.
Mourinho also smiled and praised Levante's performance.
Although Barcelona was in great form in the previous game against Osasuna, and they slaughtered Osasuna with a score of 8-0.
But at this moment, Real Madrid, which has successfully won three consecutive La Liga wins in the new season, is obviously the side that the media is paying more attention to.
The starting lineup is strong, and the rotation strength is also not bad.
Real Madrid's stable performance has given fans more hope and expectations than last season.
And Li Ang's iron-like performance also made countless Real Madrid fans forget about a certain attacking midfielder.
After all, fans who often watch football know it.
How important is a defensive midfielder who can run fast and perform stably in every game.
Attacking midfielders can certainly increase a team's output ceiling.
But without at least two strong enough midfielders to support the team, it is simply a dream to achieve good results or even win the championship in multi-line combat.
Well, Real Madrid now almost has four midfielders of this type, so Real Madrid fans are quite relieved.
Alonso is a perfect 1, Las Diarra who does not stick to the ball counts as 1, and Liang counts as 1.5. There is no way, he is really good at running!
As for the remaining 0.5, they are naturally Brother Face who is still actively rehabilitating.
After returning to Madrid with three consecutive league wins, the entire Real Madrid team has received unanimous praise from fans and the media.
However, Li Ang will not be able to escape the contract renewal now.
Because Zidane, along with Karanka, extended an invitation to him as a representative of the club, he could not refuse.
After making an appointment for a discussion, Li Ang called Mendes and talked for a full hour that night.
At five o'clock in the afternoon the next day, it was a rare day when Li Ang, who did not practice more after the training session, met with the current CEO of Real Madrid at the training base.
Angel Sanchez.
After accepting a series of meaningless condolences and compliments, Li Ang waited for Mendes' team.
This also announced that his contract renewal negotiations with Real Madrid will begin for the second time.
And this time, he will be involved in the whole process.
Of course, the key point of disagreement lies in the distribution of portrait rights.
For Real Madrid, they basically treat the players in Real Madrid's first team equally.
That is, the club must obtain a sufficient share of the players' image rights!
This is Real Madrid's bottom line and an important part of Real Madrid's global promotion business plan.
But Li Ang's previous request was very clear, and Mendes' negotiating team could only cling to this point.
The negotiators on both sides talked from 5:30 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening. Seeing that there was no progress, Li Ang made a move.
Li Ang, who had rarely spoken before, now burst out with great confidence.
He looked directly at Sanchez, who had also said little before, and asked directly.
"Mr. Manager, if I want to complete this contract renewal, do I have to choose to give up more personal image rights?"
Sanchez still had the same kind smile on his face when he met Leon before, but the tone of his answer was firm and unquestionable.
"Yes, this is the club's strategic bottom line, Li Ang, you should understand."
Li Ang nodded and looked at Sanchez again.
"What do you mean, Mr. Chairman?"
"We can give one more step, 40%. We only need 40% of your image rights. You can enjoy the same contract renewal treatment as Cristiano. This is the greatest sincerity of Mr. Chairman!"
Li Ang finally began to nod slightly thoughtfully.
But just as Sanchez was secretly relieved, Li Ang spoke again.
"But the bottom line in my heart is actually to retain at least 80% of my personal image rights. Can the club really not be more accommodating in this regard? I can ask for a lower annual salary."
Sanchez was silent. After a while, he laughed and shook his head.
"Are you really not thinking about it anymore, Li Ang? There is no harm in giving up 40% of your image rights. With Real Madrid helping you, you will get a more generous endorsement contract than before, and we will also make further progress. Promoting your reputation throughout Europe and even the world is the most important thing for you at this stage."
Seeing Sanchez's decisive look, Li Ang probably knew the attitude of Real Madrid's management.
In his signaling eyes, Mendes personally stepped forward to promote the progress of the negotiations with Sanchez.
"We need to retain at least 70% of the image rights, but the new contract cannot exceed three years. Real Madrid must bear part of the responsibility for promoting Leon's reputation around the world. In addition, it must fully help Leon operate this year's Golden Boy Award. "
This is slightly higher than the bottom line conditions reached by Mendes and Li Ang after their discussion last night.
But are you still negotiating now? Naturally, you have to "open your mouth" first, and then let the other party grind down bit by bit.
If the conditions are not raised first, how can Mendes continue to deal with Lafayette's counter-offer?
Among these conditions, the three-year contract period is actually a smokescreen.
Let Real Madrid increase its global promotion of Li Ang; and help fully operate this year's Golden Boy Award.
These two items are what Mendes and Li Ang need most now.
Sanchez thought for a moment, and then asked his negotiating team to continue working with Mendes on the terms of the new contract.
And he himself made a phone call to Lafayette after leaving the meeting.
The two sides continued to confirm and talk at the same time until nine o'clock in the evening, and finally reached a preliminary agreement with both Lafayette and Li Ang nodding.
Li Ang finally gave up 40% of his image rights to Real Madrid.
But correspondingly, Real Madrid also generously offered Li Ang a contract with an annual salary of 4 million euros after tax, but only three years.
However, there are conditions behind such generous conditions.
That is, if Li Ang insists on signing for only three years, then Real Madrid must be given priority to renew the contract.
That is to say, more than two years later, when other clubs make offers to Li Ang, who is about to resume his free agency, as long as Real Madrid is willing to keep up with the salary given to Li Ang by the team, then Li Ang can still only complete the contract extension with Real Madrid.
At the same time, Real Madrid readily agreed to promote Li Ang globally and fully operate the Golden Boy Award at the end of this year.
The remaining details still need to be further confirmed by both parties. Real Madrid also proposed another contract extension plan for Li Ang.
That is, Real Madrid can directly raise Li Ang's annual salary to the salary level of a certain midfielder last year.
That is about 5 million euros after tax, but accordingly, Li Ang must accept a contract period of up to five years.
Regarding this second option, Li Ang said that he still needs to discuss it with Mendes.
However, after several major conditions in the contract have been negotiated, Li Ang's successful contract extension with Real Madrid will only be in the past few days.
Li Ang felt relaxed after solving the matter, and Mourinho, who had been following up silently, also breathed a sigh of relief after getting the news.
What he fears most now is that the team's internal and external environment has become turbulent again.
The reason why he was in Porto that year and Inter Milan last year achieved near-perfect success.
In fact, a large part of the reason is that the team is unified internally, the generals are united, and there are no strange external things that affect the team's preparations.
When I went to Chelsea in the middle, it was quite successful at first.
But the British media is really capable of causing trouble, and there have been constant disturbances both on and off the pitch in the Champions League.
The people are not united, his record cannot be broken, and he is always lacking the last bit of luck. Won't he lose the trust of his boss?
So now that Mourinho is very satisfied when he sees that Li Ang has settled the contract renewal in a first-hand manner without giving the media an opportunity to create public opinion.
"Leon has no trivial matters and no performance problems. We can steadily win as many mid- and lower-tier teams as possible in the league. Even if we defend all the way, we can score more points more steadily than Barcelona."
After another day of training, Uncle Psy couldn't help but sigh at Karanka when he saw that Li Ang was still in high spirits and chose to practice more.
"Maybe, assuming that Li Ang doesn't get injured. If he lies in bed for a few months like Khedira, we may have to let Ramos play as a defensive midfielder when we rotate the lineup."
Karanka reminded Mourinho noncommittally.
After all, judging from Real Madrid's current style of play, neither of the two strong waists can be hurt.
Whether it's Alonso or Li Ang, injury to either one is troublesome.
Las Diarra is always flawed in frontal interceptions and high-altitude battles, and he just can't get rid of his tendency to stick to the ball.
Khedira.
Forget it, let’s not mention Khedira. Mourinho understands what Karanka means.
The schedule has not yet become intensive, so Real Madrid's games are naturally going smoothly and their results are good.
But it's also time to consider signing up again.
Khedira is more versatile. Although he has suffered more injuries, he can still greatly enrich Mourinho's play and tactics when he can play.
In comparison, if Las Diarra can be traded in the winter window, he can get a defensive midfielder who does not stick to the ball and is also efficient in defense.
By then, Real Madrid will truly be able to fight on the third line without any worries about the midfielder position.
As for the appearance of Altentop and Shaheen?
The two people who can't play the "Mu-style midfielder" should just stay on the bench and serve as substitutes for Kaká and Di Maria. It's not shabby.
Mourinho, who was thinking, soon had a flash of determination in his eyes.
Moreover, he already has a suitable preliminary candidate in mind.
※※※
On September 21, Real Madrid once again embarked on a league away journey.
In the fifth round of La Liga, they will play against Racing Santander at the Sardines Stadium at 19:00 tonight.
Facing the penultimate team that currently has two losses and one draw in the league, Real Madrid, who played almost all their main players, did not show any signs of weakness.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Benzema and other players who received a rotation all scored successfully in this round of competition.
Among them, Ronaldo successfully received the most dissatisfied and strong boos from Racing Santander fans with his perfect performance of two shots and one pass.
Benzema opened the scoring, Kaka passed and shot, and Di Maria, who only came on the scene in the 73rd minute of the second half after taking half a rest, finally scored a goal.
A perfect 5-0 victory, Real Madrid ushered in four consecutive league victories, but also made Ajax, who was about to come to Madrid to play in the Champions League group stage, tremble.
Li Ang clocked out of get off work again in this league. He had no offensive personal assists and focused on defense. He and Long blocked the possibility of Racing Santander's counterattack.
But he no longer attracts much attention on the court, and the restless Western media once again pushed him into the focus of public opinion after the game.
"Another No. 10 who is least like No. 10?" 》
"The Origin of Real Madrid's No. 10 Curse"
"Las Diarra gave in to his reason and wanted a brighter future at Real Madrid"
"The reason why Li Ang doesn't care about the curse: he is not a No. 10 player"
When the defensive pictures of Li Ang making tackles or interceptions are paired with these news headlines.
Interested Spanish fans soon began to discuss the incident eagerly.
Because last year, the Western media targeted Las Diarra once, complaining that Real Madrid's No. 10 player was the least like No. 10 among the active football giants.
And Las Diarra, who had been complained about for almost half a season, finally couldn't stand it anymore and chose to give up the No. 10 jersey before the start of the new season.
If a certain attacking midfielder does not leave the team, then he is undoubtedly the player most suitable to wear No. 10 in Real Madrid.
But he left before the start of the season, and the No. 10 jersey was naturally vacant.
Both Di Maria and Kaká said they didn't want it. The newcomers Shaheen and Altentop may also be a little worried about Real Madrid's No. 10 curse and dare not wear it.
But with Li Ang, he has no scruples in this regard and doesn't have much psychological pressure.
Therefore, when Mourinho said that Real Madrid's No. 10 jersey was now empty, Li Ang simply asked for it.
After all, in Real Madrid, since Figo left the team, the players wearing the No. 10 jersey have not lived up to the expectations of the media and fans.
There was Robinho and Sneijder before him, and Las Diarra behind him.
The performance of the three has eclipsed Real Madrid's No. 10 for six years.
Under this situation, Li Ang really couldn't figure out the meaning of the media hyping up this number.
Therefore, before the second round of the Champions League group stage, Li Ang felt a little irritated when reporters outside the training base were chasing and intercepting him for many days.
He remembered what Uncle Psy once said harshly to the British media.
In this current scenario, that sentence actually fits him very well.
"I don't think I need to prove anything just for a number. I returned to Madrid with the Italian Double Champion. If you want to ask me what qualifications I have to wear this number, then ask my Milan Former teammates!
Moreover, the curse does not belong to me. I don’t believe in that thing, because I am also the most special one. "
After saying these words, Li Ang started the car and drove away.
And Li Ang, who had always been calm, finally produced news materials, and the reporters on the scene were also very happy and satisfied.
As expected, Li Ang once again appeared on the pages of major Western sports newspapers the next day.
His speech this time was somewhat controversial.
"Double crown title" "The curse does not belong to me" "I am also the most special one"
These words are talked about by Spanish fans.
Some people think that Li Ang is tough and should severely criticize these media reporters who are looking for trouble all day long.
And they like this confidence.
You can start in Real Madrid at the age of twenty. If you are not confident, do you have to feel inferior?
When you are in your early twenties, you should be more energetic.
Previously, Li Ang was too low-key off the court, but this time his tough speech made many neutral fans feel better about him instantly.
Of course, there are also many fans and melon-eaters who sneered at Li Ang's speech.
Mourinho dared to say that because before going to Chelsea, he had already won the UEFA Cup and the Champions League consecutively in Porto.
But you, Li Ang, have just won a double crown in Italy and you dare to say this?
Where does the confidence come from? !
The quarrel inevitably breaks out again on the Internet.
Li Ang still doesn't care about the direction of these public opinions, but his teammates have stood up to speak out for him.
Alonso, Ronaldo, Benzema, Marcelo, Kaká, Ramos
One after another, Real Madrid stars clearly supported Li Ang's speech on social media.
And just when Spanish fans lamented the unity within the Real Madrid team, in Italy, Ibrahimovic, who heard about the incident, also stood up and accepted an interview with reporters.
"What do those paparazzi reporters who just follow the players all day long and want to deliberately provoke the players to get news know?
They don't know a damn thing! And I can tell all Spanish media reporters and fans clearly today.
Li Ang is a player that I, Zlatan, recognize. He has superior strength and extremely high talent for growth.
Like me and Mourinho, he is the most special one! "
(End of chapter)
