Bento, sitting on the bench, initially didn't realize the seriousness of the problem.
But when he saw Neuer launch a long ball and then Leeds United's three forwards start running at the same time, he couldn't help himself and jumped up from his seat and ran to the sidelines.
"Damn it! Get back on defense!"
Bento shouted and frantically raised his hands to signal to the fourth official that Leeds United's strikers were offside.
But the fourth official completely ignored Bento.
When Neuer passed the ball, all three of Leeds United's forwards were in their own half. If the referee had called them offside at that moment, he would probably have been drowned in spittle after the game!
Boos erupted throughout the Alvalade Stadium.
The home fans seemed to be trying to slow the ball down in the air this way.
But it had no effect.
Leeds United have already passed the three forwards at the halfway line, with Ibrahimovic, the slowest of them all, already creating half a body length gap between himself and Tonell, who is marking him.
About two seconds later, the football hit the ground.
Neuer's pass was positioned slightly to the right, but it allowed enough lead time, so Adriano simply tapped the ball forward with his foot as it bounced off the turf, controlling the rebound while continuing to accelerate towards Sporting Lisbon's penalty area!
The most desperate person at this moment is Sporting Lisbon's goalkeeper, Stojkovic.
5 seconds ago.
He was still standing on tiptoe in his own penalty area, observing the situation in the attacking third, wondering if his teammates could score a goal before the halftime whistle blew.
And 5 seconds later.
The situation on the field has reversed dramatically.
Stojkovic stood alone in the penalty area, awaiting judgment from the three Leeds United forwards.
soon.
Adriano has already dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area.
Seeing that his teammates were indeed unable to catch up with the Brazilian striker, Stojkovic gritted his teeth, abandoned the goal behind him, and rushed towards Adriano at full speed.
Almost everyone knew that Stojkovic's attack was a desperate last stand.
That is indeed the case.
The moment Stojkovic fell to the ground, Adriano didn't even attempt a shot. Instead, he crossed the ball to the middle with his right foot, where Ibrahimovic, who was slightly slower, followed up with a moderate shot.
Amidst a chorus of boos, the football rolled into the Sporting Lisbon goal...
····
"Hahaha!! Goal!!!" Jon shouted as he watched the ball being blocked by the net. "Goal!! Almost 35 minutes into the game, Leeds United have taken the lead away from home!! Nobody expected that Leeds United's attack would be initiated by goalkeeper Neuer!! Ibrahimovic has scored his first goal in the Champions League this season!!"
"Goooooooooooooooool!" Lineker was also excited. "A simple and efficient attack! Starting with Neuer, Leeds United only needed two passes to break down Sporting Lisbon's defense!! Hahahaha, the Portuguese suffered!! You wanted the midfield? Lee gave you the midfield and then used the simplest long pass to break down your goal!!"
After scoring, Ibrahimovic didn't immediately run to celebrate. He turned to the linesman on the sidelines to confirm whether the goal was valid.
After all, both he and Adriano participated in the attack by beating the offside trap.
But Ibrahimovic hasn't found a position with the linesman yet.
A whistle blew in his ear, and looking in the direction of the sound, Ibrahimovic saw that the referee David had already pointed to the center circle.
no problem!
Goal stands!
Leeds United are leading Sporting Lisbon 1-0 away from home!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic excitedly ran towards the substitutes' bench.
There, Li Shiguang had already put his arm around Rivaldo, who had just looked worried. After turning to face the fans in the stands, he arrogantly put his index finger to his lips, signaling the home fans who were booing loudly to shut up!
then.
Ibrahimovic ran to Li Shiguang's side, and together with Simeone, who also rushed out from the bench, they followed Li Shiguang toward the stands of the Alvalade Stadium and made the same gesture.
At that moment, the live broadcast director switched the camera to Li Shiguang and his two companions.
Seeing this, Lineker burst out laughing: "Hahahaha, it seems that Li was quite frustrated watching the game from the sidelines for the first half hour. I haven't seen him so arrogant in an away game in a long time!"
"There's nothing we can do," Jon said helplessly. "That's just Lee's personality. Sometimes I even think he's more arrogant than Mourinho. As the head coach, leading the way with such actions away from home, I hope UEFA won't fine him after the match..."
····
In contrast to the enthusiastic atmosphere on the Leeds United bench.
The Sporting Lisbon bench next to them was completely silent.
Bento, his face dark, fixed his gaze on Li Shiguang.
My mind is filled with the image of Li Shiguang holding a fishing rod, his face full of a mischievous grin.
He knew that he and the players on the field had been baited.
Li Shiguang deliberately gave up the battle in the midfield, intending to lure the enemy deeper and catch him off guard again, just like before.
Most importantly.
Leeds United have indeed succeeded!
Regardless of the circumstances, Ibrahimovic's goal broke the deadlock, and Sporting Lisbon, whether they like it or not, cannot change their previously established tactical plan...
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