At halftime, Villarreal's players returned to the locker room filled with joy. In the first half, they scored two consecutive goals, changing the score to 2:0, thanks to excellent teamwork and precise attacking. This was undoubtedly a huge boost for the team; the players were in high spirits, and their conversations were full of confidence and excitement.
However, when Coach Escribá entered the locker room for his halftime talk, his tone was unusually calm. He stood in front of the players, his gaze sweeping over each person's face, and said in a deep voice: "We were lucky in the first half, scoring two consecutive goals, but this does not mean we can relax our vigilance. Real Sociedad is a strong opponent, and they will definitely make adjustments in the second half and strengthen their attack. Therefore, I ask you to continue to stay focused and calm in the second half, and be prepared for anything."
Escribá's words instantly calmed the players. They understood that although they had taken the lead in the first half, the game was not over, and they could not take it lightly. The players nodded in understanding and were determined to continue their excellent performance in the second half to win the final victory.
Meanwhile, in Real Sociedad's locker room, Head Coach Eusebio was angrily scanning the players in front of him. He was extremely dissatisfied with the first half's result; two conceded goals were unacceptable to him. He slammed the tactics board, his voice low and forceful: "Look at this score! 2:0! We conceded two goals to the opponent! This is an unacceptable result!"
Eusebio's eyes flashed with anger, his voice filled with determination and resolve: "In the second half, we must make a change! Attack, attack, and attack again! I want to see your vitality and determination on the field! I don't want to see a repeat of the first half's performance!"
He walked among the players, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces, and continued: "I know you have the ability, I know you can do better. I don't want you to just passively wait for the opponent's attacks on the field; I want you to take the initiative and show Real Sociedad's attacking prowess!"
As soon as the halftime whistle blew, the New England Sports live broadcast room became lively. Commentator Jin Xiangkai sat in front of the camera, reviewing the highlights of the first half while providing an in-depth yet easy-to-understand commentary on the match. His voice was clear and infectious, making fans feel as if they were at the venue, experiencing the intensity and passion of the game.
However, in the live broadcast room's bullet comment section, many fans left messages asking: "Why hasn't Lin Feng played yet?" These bullet comments, one after another, quickly filled the screen. Clearly, Lin Feng, as a substitute player, had already attracted significant attention from fans, even though he had not yet appeared.
Jin Xiangkai also saw these bullet comments. He smiled slightly and explained: "Lin Feng is an important substitute for the team, and his timing to enter the game is crucial. Coach Escribá will certainly bring him on at the appropriate moment to utilize his role. I believe Lin Feng is also fully prepared on the bench, waiting for his chance to play at any time."
Jin Xiangkai's words somewhat reassured the fans, but they still looked forward to Lin Feng entering the game as soon as possible to bring more vitality and strength to the team. After all, in the hearts of the fans, Lin Feng had already become an indispensable member of Villarreal. Every appearance he made brought endless surprises and expectations to the fans.
As the second half began, Real Sociedad immediately displayed a strong attacking desire. They clearly did not want to continue being passive but chose to take the initiative, attempting to recover from the game's disadvantage through sharp attacks.
Mexican international Carlos Vela showcased his excellent individual skill on the right flank. He consecutively dribbled past two defenders, dancing through the crowd like a butterfly. Subsequently, he precisely swept the ball towards the center, intending to find a teammate's reception.
However, this highly threatening pass was cleared by Villarreal's center-back Ruiz a step ahead. Ruiz, with his excellent anticipation and agile movements, firmly blocked the ball out for a goal kick. This scene made Villarreal fans break out in a cold sweat; they understood that if it weren't for Ruiz's excellent defense, the team's goal would probably have been breached.
Real Sociedad's players, on the other hand, felt disappointed and frustrated that this attack did not result in a goal. They understood that to gain an advantage in the game, they would need to put in more effort and patience. The suspense and tension of this match were once again elevated to a new height.
In the fifty-sixth minute of the game, Real Sociedad launched another fierce offensive. This time, their attack was more precise and swift, putting Villarreal's defense in difficulty for a period.
Spain U19 international Oyarzabal displayed excellent technique at the edge of the penalty area. He executed a brilliant short-range combination with striker Willian José, as the two quickly broke through Villarreal's defense with flexible movement and telepathic passing. Their coordination was as elegant and fluid as a dance, astonishing the fans.
Subsequently, Oyarzabal got an excellent shooting opportunity inside the box. He adjusted his angle and power, then took a shot. However, his shot was firmly saved by goalkeeper Asenjo, who pushed it wide of the goal. Asenjo's reaction speed and saving ability were admirable, and his save preserved Villarreal's clean sheet.
This attack indeed gave Real Sociedad's Head Coach Eusebio hope for victory. He stood on the sidelines, observing the situation on the field with keen eyes, secretly contemplating his next tactical adjustments. After careful consideration, he decided to make a crucial substitution.
Eusebio decisively replaced the underperforming Juanmi with the more experienced veteran Xavi Prieto, who possessed stronger finishing ability. This adjustment was not only to enhance the team's attacking power but also to stabilize the situation on the field at a critical moment and create more scoring opportunities for the team. Xavi Prieto's entry undoubtedly injected new vitality into Real Sociedad's attack.
At the same time, Villarreal's Coach Escribá was also closely monitoring the situation on the field. He was concerned about the team's defensive performance and knew he had to take measures to strengthen the defense to prevent the opponent from launching another effective attack. Therefore, he had Pau Torres and Lin Feng warm up on the bench, ready to come on at any time to bolster the defense.
The tactical adjustments by both Head Coaches undoubtedly added more suspense and interest to the match. The contest between Real Sociedad and Villarreal grew more intense, with both sides fighting with all their might for victory. The fans' passion was also ignited, and they looked forward to the rest of the game bringing more surprises and excitement.