Chapter 396 Fighting Spirit
After conceding the second goal during the 41st minute, the Rosenborg players worked harder than ever. They were both creative and assertive while attacking, which was a testament to their intent to bag an equalizer before halftime.
However, their efforts didn't bear fruit due to Sevilla's team discipline during the last four minutes of the first half. The Sevilla players defended as if their lives were on the line and showcased more than a hundred percent of their abilities to thwart any chances of Rosenborg making a comeback. As a result, the score remained 2:1 in favor of Sevilla when the players marched down the tunnel for halftime.
And as usual, the coaches soon took center stage in their team's respective dressing rooms. On the side of Rosenborg, Coach Johansen was uneasy as he waited for his players to catch their breath and hydrate themselves. His heart was racing with anxiety as the prospect of his team losing the Europa League final played within his mind. But he still forced himself to appear calm as he stepped forward to dish out the most crucial halftime pep talk that could define and boost his career as a coach.
"Guys, listen," he said, stepping forward to take center stage in the dressing room. "For those who might have forgotten, let me remind you that we're currently playing the Europa League final. For most of us, it's the most crucial match that could define our careers as sports professionals. But the sad thing is that we're not doing enough on the pitch to win the game. We're losing! We're bloody losing by two goals to one."
The coach took in a long breath of air before continuing. "During the opening seventeen minutes, we were superb as a team on the pitch. We followed the game plan perfectly, forced the opponents into a midfield battle, and came out on top. As a result, we controlled the game and scored the first goal in the 17th minute. But a few minutes after scoring the goal, we relaxed and lost our advantage. We let the Sevilla players dictate the tempo — and allowed them to net two goals within a ten-minute window. What the hell is up with that? Were you sleeping?" He narrowed his eyes and glanced around.
"I understand that the Sevilla players abruptly changed their tactics during the middle of the game," the coach continued. "But that shouldn't be an excuse for us to concede two goals and possibly lose the game. It shouldn't be an excuse to play the way we played during the late stages of the first half."
"To become champions, we must play assertively, dictate the tempo, and force the opponents to adapt to our footballing style. If we wish to win, we shouldn't be the ones to adapt to Sevilla's long balls or wing play tactics. Instead, we have to assert our dominance on the field by maintaining our style of football throughout the game. We need to bring the ball back to the ground, break down their teamwork with short passes, and get goals whenever there's a chance. Do you guys understand?"
"Yes, coach," the Rosenborg players replied in chorus.
"Good." The coach nodded. "I need you to remember these few points. One: Play assertively and force the opponents to adapt to our style, not the other way round. Two: Play as a team, as one cohesive unit, both in defense and while attacking. Three: Individually, don't make stupid mistakes on the pitch that can hurt the team. And four: Have confidence in yourselves. Believe in your skills and do not for even a single moment doubt that you'll win the game. You have already beaten European giants like Juventus, Lyon, and Benfica during the earlier stages of the Europa League. So, how can a weaker Sevilla side faze you?"
The coach swept his gaze across his players. "As the saying goes," he said, "the mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision that you can do something, you can do it. As long as you all really believe a hundred percent, we'll make a comeback and win this final today. We'll go home with the Europa League trophy. Are you guys with me?" The coach ended his little speech with a bellow.
"Yes, coach," the players yelled back in unison. Their eyes radiated an intense fighting spirit, and they seemed ready to head back into the pitch to fight for Europa League glory.
"Excellent." The coach nodded and smiled. He then spent a few more minutes explaining the tactics before sending the players back to the pitch for the second half. He had done his best to motivate his players and rouse their fighting spirit. As for the rest, the players would have to depend on themselves to win the Europa League Trophy that night.
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After fifteen minutes of halftime, the game restarted. The Rosenborg players followed their coach's halftime instructions and played more aggressively. They all radiated an intense fighting spirit and closed down their opponents as if their lives were on the line. Anyone watching the game could tell they were on a mission to control the proceedings on the pitch during the second half.
The relentless efforts of the Rosenborg players gradually paid off as the minutes passed. And by the 60th minute, Rosenborg had already controlled the game by relying on their phenomenal three midfielders. Rosenborg was even hoarding 60% of the possession due to their flowing Tiki-taka skills in the middle of the pitch. But even then, Rosenborg still failed to create clear goal-scoring chances until the 73rd minute.
After receiving yet another pass from Takumi Minamino, Zachary decided to take a risk for the first time during the second half. He tossed all the coach's talk about playing as a team to the back of his mind and decided to go at it alone. His gamble paid off, and he managed to dribble past three Sevilla players by relying on his ball control and sidestepping skills.
In a matter of seconds, he stepped into the final third and continued bearing down on Sevilla's goal like a predator on the hunt. He quickly approached the box, and when the angle opened up, he slowed down slightly before drawing his leg back like a bowstring. His intent was to unleash a killer shot and score Rosenborg's second goal for the night.
But just then, something unexpected transpired. Stéphane Mbia, who had tracked Zachary's run all the way from the midfield, finally caught up to him. Before Zachary could swing down his leg to shoot, the Sevilla defensive midfielder slid in, all guns blazing to send him tumbling to the ground. But during the process, he'd missed the ball and instead caught Zachary's ankle.
"Foul!" Nicki Nielsen, the Rosenborg striker, who was nearby, yelled out immediately.
*FWEEEEEEE*
The referee didn't need any reminders as he'd also been nearby. So, he immediately blew the whistle before rushing to the scene and awarding a free-kick to Rosenborg right outside the box. He then checked on Zachary and called Rosenborg's medical team onto the pitch. After that, he showed a yellow card to Stéphane Mbia, the Sevilla defensive midfielder who'd made the dangerous tackle on Zachary.
But all that didn't matter to Zachary as he was still in pain on the ground. Worrisome thoughts whirled through his mind for a couple of seconds as he feared that he might have gotten injured. Fortunately, the discomfort in his ankle faded after the medics had conducted a brief first aid on his leg. So, he quickly got up and moved his foot around to check if he was really okay.
"Do you still feel any pain around the ankle area?" One of the medics asked while glancing at him closely.
"The pain has almost vanished," Zachary replied, still moving his right foot around. "I only feel some slight discomfort around the ankle area. But I believe I'll be okay after a bit of running."
"That's a relief," the medic said, smiling. "But if you feel some pain later in the game, don't forget to inform us. Okay?"
"Sure," Zachary replied and chugged down some water. "Any instructions from the coach?"
"He didn't give us any," the medic said. "I think he's happy with the way you're playing at the moment. And he must be relieved since you're okay. So, do your best to score the free-kick and tie the score. I have to go back now. Best of luck." The medics quickly picked up their kits before running out of the pitch.
Zachary immediately turned his attention back to the proceedings on the pitch. He stepped forward and arranged the ball on the marked free-kick spot while waiting for the referee to finish his preparations. After that, Zachary activated the Dead Ball Specialist Juju and started observing the opposing players and the goalkeeper's position.
At that moment, his mind was already working at lightning-fast speed as he worked out how best to take the free-kick. His focus had already reached its peak as he understood that he had to convert and score the second goal for Rosenborg at that moment. Otherwise, his team might not get another chance to bring proceedings back to level since only about fifteen minutes remained ninety-minute mark.
