After the game, although the media was still praising the Hurricanes for winning consecutive games and continuing to top the A-League standings.
But there was some internal review within the Hurricanes. Head coach Mario Binco warned everyone that as the schedule continues, other teams are paying more and more attention to the Hurricanes Athletics, and there is no such thing as treating the Hurricanes Athletics as a newly promoted team and underestimating the enemy.
When all other teams are paying 100% attention and vigilance to the Hurricanes Athletics, and are bent on pulling the Hurricanes Athletics from the top of the league, the Hurricanes Athletics can only compete head-on. , winning the game is undoubtedly much more difficult.
Just like today, even though Olympio is obviously a team ranked last in terms of strength, it still creates a lot of trouble for the Hurricanes Athletic Team.
In the following games, everyone must be 120% energetic. Even if they face those little-known teams, newly promoted teams, or bottom-ranked teams, they must try their best. Otherwise, it may capsize in the gutter and ruin the miraculous feat of the newly promoted team winning the championship this season.
The actual difficulty of the game and the reminder from the head coach made everyone really pay attention to it. No matter how low the opponent's ranking is, they are still at the level of the First Division.
What's more, even the second-tier team has no precedent for overturning. Didn't Atletico Hurricanes themselves overturn several first-division teams in a row last year and then win the Argentine Cup?
Therefore, we really cannot underestimate any opponent.
After this war, everyone has become more serious and hardworking in terms of mentality and daily training and competitions, taking advantage of this season before Willard has transferred and left, to try for the possible miracle of the newly promoted team winning the championship.
On Monday, May 11, Willard spent another 12 skill points, increasing his skill from 89 to 90, shooting/passing from 79 to 80, and inverse footing from 52 to 53, leaving him with a balance of skill points. 39.
Now, technology, like defense, physique, consciousness, speed, and heading, has reached the 90 mark. Shooting and passing have also reached the 80 mark.
For a defensive midfielder, this kind of data is definitely the best in the world, much better than Mascherano. Even Xavi, Iniesta, etc. are not necessarily better than Velarde in terms of overall ability.
What Villard lacks is just a platform and the exposure of the World Series.
The next day, May 12, the Argentina national team held a press conference and announced the 30-man preliminary list for the Copa America in Chile, and Alan Velarde was on the list.
Of course, this list of 30 people is only the initial preliminary list. In the end, only 23 people will be able to go to Chile. Moreover, even these 23 people are not necessarily all selected from the best of the 30 people. If someone who is not on the 30-man list later shows an incredible performance, it is still possible to squeeze in and enter the official roster.
In that case, one more person who entered the primary list will be eliminated. Therefore, even those who have made it to the 30-man roster, except for the confirmed main players like Messi and Aguero, others must still be very careful. They must not only maintain competitive status, but also maintain physical condition and avoid injuries. Don't have any negative news.
Of course, for Willard, he has nothing to worry about. Not only because head coach Gerardo Martino has revealed to him privately that he will definitely play in the Copa America in Chile, but also because he has confidence in his system plug-in.
With system plug-ins, he will not go downhill, he will only get stronger and stronger, and eventually reach the top of the football world.
Of course, we have to eat one bite at a time, and we have to play every game well. We must never be as careless as the last game and almost capsize in the gutter.
Therefore, on May 13, when the second round of the Copa Libertadores 1/8 finals between Atlético Huracán and Sao Paulo officially started, the commentators and fans discovered that Atlético de Huracán not only used all its main players, but was also in excellent condition. Well, the fighting spirit is very high.
Of course, tactically, the Hurricanes still adopt the 4231 defensive counterattack formation. Anyway, the Hurricanes are leading the total score, and they are not afraid that Sao Paulo will not attack and expose the gap in the backcourt.
Sao Paulo really had no choice but to attack.
But playing at home today and being frightened by Olympio, the Hurricanes Athletic Team did have a good mentality and state. Even if they took the initiative to release the midfield, they did not allow Sao Paulo to play any decent offense.
Even with Pato's skills, it is difficult to form a real breakthrough against Lucas Villaruel. Either it was destroyed by Lucas, or it was dragged down, and then Velard or other teammates stepped in to help block Pato's path.
It wasn't until the 12th minute that Sao Paulo barely managed to complete a long shot from midfielder Ganso about 23 meters away from the goal outside the penalty area. But this time the long-range shot was not of any standard at all. The anti-aircraft gun was fired directly and flew high over the beam.
The Hurricane Athletics' counterattack efficiency was much higher than in the first round.
Villard, in particular, plays an increasingly important role in connecting offense and defense.
In the 18th minute, when receiving a pass from defender Balbi, Velarde stopped and turned around and passed the pressing Sao Paulo winger Centurion. Then he passed the ball to Toranso, who was in charge, and he went forward again. After inserting, he received Toranso's return pass and naturally completed a hit-the-wall combination, passing midfielder Denilson.
Then Velarde made a well-timed side pass when Sao Paulo defender Rafael Toroy blocked the way, allowing Alejandro Romero who came on the wing to pass directly. A man passed the ball past the Sao Paulo full-back Reynaldo who was pressing too high, and then rushed into the Sao Paulo half.
Villard, Toranso, Avila and others in the middle rushed towards the Sao Paulo penalty area, causing chaos in the Sao Paulo backcourt.
In the end, the movement of Velarde and Avila attracted most of Sao Paulo's attention, but Alejandro Romero did not pass the ball. Instead, he passed the ball in an inverted triangle and sent the ball to the big goal. Outside the top of the restricted area.
Lucas Villaruel, who inserted in the back row, blasted a shot from outside the penalty area and played with good quality. Although the ball hit the post and bounced back into the penalty area, it just landed in front of forward Avila.
Avila poked the ball with his foot and successfully scored the ball into the goal.
"The ball is in!"
"Lucas' long-range shot hit the post and bounced into the penalty area, but Avila's quick eyes and quick feet made a follow-up shot and kicked it into the goal."
"Atletico Hurricanes extended the total score to 2-0. It will be even more difficult for Sao Paulo to reverse the comeback."
"This goal was another attack initiated by Velarde after getting the ball from the backcourt and participated in it personally."
"Although he was not responsible for scoring or assisting in the end, anyone with a discerning eye can see Velarde's role in this offense."
"He is not only the defensive anchor of the Hurricanes' backcourt, but also the initiator and converter of the Hurricanes' offense."
"If we attack, we can't break through the defense line led by Willard; if we defend, we can't defend the attack launched by Willard."
“It’s really a bit hopeless to have Atlético Huracán with Velarde.”
