Football: I can see player entries.

Chapter 17 Betrayal

We won the game.

Aston Villa, playing with one less player in the second half, conceded another goal and ultimately lost 0-3 to Burton Albion.

In a post-match interview, Di Matteo frankly admitted his defeat.

Burton took the lead and then launched a brilliant counter-attack, forcing their players to commit fouls.

In the end, Villa, playing with one less player, crumbled completely.

This made Li Yanqing, who rarely appears in the media spotlight, a hot topic for interviews.

The story of the young Chinese coach leading the newly promoted team to victory against a strong opponent and narrowly avoiding relegation has already begun to circulate.

However, Li Yanqing declined all media invitations, and even the post-match interviews were conducted by Chris on his behalf.

He arrived at the hospital where Murphy was immediately.

"His injury is quite serious; he'll be out of action for at least two months."

"But we're lucky, we only have one game left this season."

“Li, you can win even without Murphy.”

The attending physician's words left Li Yanqing somewhat bewildered.

The way he was talking made it sound like the Burton team's doctor was speaking to you.

“I am Strange, the surgeon here, and also a member of the fan club.”

“We met at the tavern that night, Lee.”

Strange's explanation with a smile put Li Yanqing at ease.

Since they are members of the fan club, they will definitely do their best to treat their players.

Murphy will be unable to play in the next game, which he was mentally prepared for. It would be the best outcome if he could recover before the summer transfer window.

"Boss, we're sure to win the next game against Blackburn."

"They've gotten anxious, but unfortunately, this round only ended in a draw."

"With a two-point gap, the next match is a true life-or-death battle for relegation."

Murphy was in a good mood at the time. After being taken to the hospital, he had been watching Blackburn Rovers' relegation rivals' game this round.

If they had won, Burton's victory in this match would have been meaningless; fortunately, it ended in a draw.

As a player developed through the club's own youth academy, seeing the club successfully avoid relegation is more important than anything else.

"Of course, we will win."

"We'll be waiting for you to come back; the team will need you for promotion next season."

"Dr. Strange, Murphy is in your care."

Li Yanqing didn't linger. After confirming that the player was in good condition, he immediately returned to the club.

It's true that the opponent isn't strong, but we can't let our guard down.

If Di Matteo had truly placed great importance on Burton Albion, his strategy would not have been so easily implemented.

The reason for engaging in this kind of attacking battle is to avoid exposing our weakness in the midfield.

If you set up a formation that forces the opponent to engage in midfield strangulation, he has no hope of winning.

The team's confidence led the opponent to blindly fight back even when they were at a disadvantage.

Ultimately, that's the reason they lost.

In the tactics room, Chris was also analyzing the day's game.

Upon seeing Li Yanqing enter, he could not hide the excitement on his face.

"Li! I just reviewed the situation, and I still find it unbelievable!"

"After you gambled on scoring a goal, you practically led the opponent into your trap step by step."

"You're a born head coach!"

The latter slumped into the chair, smiling at Chris.

The players were the ones competing, but he also expended a great deal of effort.

"That's a very high compliment."

"I suggest you say these kinds of things more often in the future."

Chris laughed along. "I will! If we can stay in the league!"

"We have a very good chance of winning the next game against Blackburn!"

Li Yanqing did not reply immediately, but instead turned on the large screen in the tactics room on his own.

"No, Chris, we must take our opponents seriously."

"The closer we get to this point, the more vigilant we must be."

"So, please help me review the game footage tonight!"

......

The next day, at the training ground.

Both Li Yanqing and Chris looked somewhat dejected.

But no players mocked their coach because of this; they were already exhausted by now.

Because of Murphy's injury, center Bevin, who had previously been benched, has been given a starting opportunity again.

However, neither Ogladi nor Bevin are strikers known for their speed, and they cannot replace Murphy's tactical role.

In the next crucial relegation battle, they must also secure three points.

Although the fast counter-attacking tactics that we've been focusing on training during this period are unusable, the midfield, controlled by Williamson and Quinn, is becoming increasingly reassuring.

It seems that staying in the league shouldn't be too difficult.

"Li, someone saw something unusual."

Come and take a look!

On the sidelines, Chris discreetly handed over his phone.

It's a photograph of two people sitting in a coffee shop.

"This is......"

Li Yanqing stared at it for a long time, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

The two people in the photo are Palmer, who was recently fired, and team manager Kevin!

"Someone from the fan club bumped into them."

"Whatever they're talking about, it's not going to be anything good."

"I'm afraid they're here for you, Li."

Chris was a little worried. He had been with the club for several years and knew very well what kind of temper Kevin, the manager, had.

He had never met such a petty person.

"Let them do what they want, all we need to do is win the game."

"I don't care what Kevin does."

After a short while, Li Yanqing turned his attention back to the training field.

What Kevin wants to do is actually not really his concern.

After all, it's not the transfer window right now, so the other side can't affect the team.

As long as they can avoid relegation, even if the other side tries to break Robinson's contract for next season, I believe other clubs will be willing to give him a chance.

I might not even want to stay here then.

The next morning, they understood what Kevin and Kevin had been talking about at the coffee shop the day before.

As a result of an announcement from Blackburn Rovers, player Palmer has temporarily joined Blackburn as interim coach!

"This was Kevin's idea! Palmer knows our strengths very well!"

"What's the difference between this and defecting to the enemy in the face of battle?"

"I'm going to tell the Chairman!"

Chris kept slamming his fist on the table. He hadn't expected that the other party had completely disregarded the club's interests.

Joining relegation rivals at this crucial juncture?

Palmer is definitely not good as a coach, but he knows Burton too well and can definitely help them find their weaknesses!

"Wait! Chris!"

Li Yanqing stopped the furious Chris and said...

"It's no use reporting him; it won't help the team."

"Anyway, you can analyze those things by watching more game videos."

"Winning the game is more important now!"

"Calm down, my friend."

The club had come a long way and was just one game away from securing their place in the league. Chris was unwilling to see everyone's efforts go to waste.

He had completely lost his composure.

"Calm down? How can I calm down?"

"That's the club's team manager! But he's hoping we lose this do-or-die game!"

"This is betrayal, blatant betrayal!"