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Chapter 22 - Chapter 22 A tense first half

Sevilla's Pizjuán Stadium was bustling, packed with people, and every seat was taken. The cheers and anticipation of the fans converged into an invisible force, making one feel the city's passion and fervor.

In the center of the stadium, the Sevilla Team players were conducting their final warm-up training before the match. Their coordination was seamless, their movements fluid, showcasing powerful team strength. The fans cheered for their every move, and their performance undoubtedly added more confidence to the team.

In the first round of La Liga, the Seville Team defeated their opponents 6-4 at home, demonstrating their strong attacking power. This victory not only excited the fans but also filled the players with confidence in their own abilities.

However, Villarreal's situation was not optimistic. The injuries to two key central defenders put immense pressure on their backline. Although two young defensive stars were brought in, whether their performance could withstand Sevilla's powerful attack remained an unknown.

Inside the locker room, the Villarreal players sat together, their eyes firm and composed. They knew this match was their chance to prove themselves and to show their indomitable spirit to the fans.

Pau Torres, making his first start, sat in the corner, hands clasped tightly, a clear nervousness in his eyes.

Just as he was lost in thought, the locker room door opened, and team veteran Soldado walked in. He immediately noticed Pau Torres' tense expression, walked over, and gently patted his shoulder.

"Relax, kid," Soldado said gently, "Everyone gets nervous, it's normal. But you need to know, your strength and potential are unmatched."

Pau Torres looked up at the experienced veteran, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. He knew that Soldado was helping him release pressure in his own way, allowing him to better face the upcoming challenge.

Soldado continued, "Remember, football is round, anything can happen. Our goal today is to defend Villarreal's honor, and no matter the outcome, we must give it our all."

Inside the locker room at Pizjuán Stadium, Head Coach Escribá stood in the center, his eyes firm and full of passion. He scanned the players present, took a deep breath, and began his final pep talk.

"I know the Seville Team scored six goals in their last game," Escribá said, "But you also saw that Espanyol scored four goals against them. This shows that they are not invincible."

He paused, letting his words echo in the air. The locker room was silent, the players' gazes fixed on him, awaiting his next words.

"We have nothing to fear," Escribá continued, "They have their advantages, and we have our strengths. We must believe in our own abilities and the power of our team."

The players walked onto Pizjuán Stadium, met by a burst of boos from the Sevilla fans. This grand and magnificent scene left Lin Feng in awe. He had never witnessed such an imposing atmosphere, shaken by wave after wave of sound.

Lin Feng followed closely behind his teammates, his gaze meeting the fans in the stands. Their boos were as fierce as a storm, but Lin Feng's heart was firm, without the slightest waver.

He knew this was the charm of top-tier competition. Here, every movement, every pass was filled with pressure and challenge. But he also knew that such a match was the stage he had always dreamed of, the best opportunity to showcase his strength.

In the first half of the match, Sevilla displayed powerful attacking prowess. Their offense was like waves, fiercely crashing against Villarreal's defense. Sevilla seemed determined from the start to tear through Villarreal's backline and pose a serious threat to their opponents.

As a young player making his debut, Pau Torres appeared a bit green in the match. Facing Sevilla's Argentinian forward Vietto in the central area, he seemed to lack some game experience, and his defensive movements were slightly awkward.

When Vietto received the ball in Villarreal's backfield, he looked at Pau Torres charging at him from behind, gave a clever smile, and then gently flicked the ball with his heel, a nimble turn instantly shaking off the charging Pau Torres.

However, fortunately, Villarreal's other central defender, Víctor Ruiz, provided timely cover, clearing the ball with a powerful kick just as Vietto was about to advance further.

"Be serious! This isn't a B team game! Use your head, how do you play?!" After almost conceding a dangerous attack from Vietto, Ruiz pointed to his head and roared at Pau Torres, expressing his strong dissatisfaction with Pau Torres' defense.

However, Villarreal then launched a counterattack against Sevilla. Brazilian golden boy Pato, after receiving a pass from midfield, did not distribute the ball. He instantly accelerated, and his remaining burst of speed allowed him to successfully dribble past Sevilla's tall midfielder Nzonzi.

Then, facing the charge from Sevilla Team defender Rami, Pato chose to continue dribbling. However, Rami was not as clumsy as Nzonzi; he anticipated Pato's direction, took up a defensive position in advance, blocking Pato's desired attacking path forward.

Pato could only dribble horizontally, looking at Castillejo calling for the ball on the wing. He ultimately chose a high shot, and the ball flew directly into the stands.

"Pato, pass me the ball!" Castillejo's impatience was getting the better of him; he shouted at Pato somewhat agitatedly.

Evidently, Villarreal's players were under immense mental pressure when facing Sevilla's powerful offense.

As the match continued, Pau Torres gradually adapted to the rhythm of the game. He made several good tackles that helped Villarreal disperse defensive pressure, and as the halftime whistle blew, Villarreal, having been relentlessly attacked by Sevilla for half a game, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In the team's locker room, Head Coach Escribá first highly praised the team's defensive performance.

"In the first half, our defense was excellent," Escribá said, "Despite the fierce offensive from the Seville Team, we didn't let them easily break through our defense. This is thanks to the outstanding performance of every player."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the players present: "But we cannot always defend passively. In the second half, while maintaining good defense, we need to look for some counterattacking opportunities. The Seville Team is not invincible; we must exploit their weaknesses and create some offensive chances."

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