Soon, a crucial Europa League group stage match arrived as scheduled, with Villarreal hosting Ankaraspor.
For this match, Villarreal's players were full of confidence, knowing their strength and home advantage, and all eager to secure a victory.
On Ankaraspor's side, due to travel fatigue and jet lag, the players' condition might not be at its best.
This was undoubtedly good news for Villarreal, as they could use this to take the initiative in the match.
However, for Coach Escribá, this match was more than just a pursuit of victory.
He knew that if they could defeat Ankaraspor in this match, Villarreal would be in a favorable position to qualify from the group stage.
This would allow him to more flexibly arrange rotation players in subsequent Europa League group stage matches, giving the main players ample rest and adjustment.
Therefore, before the match, Escribá conducted detailed tactical deployments for the players, requiring them to maintain high focus and fighting spirit during the match, and to fully display their strength.
He particularly emphasized the importance of teamwork, asking the players to support each other and cooperate tacitly during the match to jointly face Ankaraspor's challenge.
At Villarreal's Estadio de la Cerámica, cheers and shouts rose and fell like surging waves.
Lin Feng, Villarreal's defensive stalwart, his gaze like a torch, fixed intently on the Romanian veteran Lucescu, who was about to confront him head-on.
He knew that this experienced opponent would be the top priority of their defense today.
As the first half whistle blew, the match officially began.
Lucescu, like a cunning fox, moved freely through Villarreal's defense, searching for scoring opportunities.
He would sometimes make a quick breakthrough, and other times use clever feints, trying to shake off Lin Feng's defense.
However, Lin Feng was not misled by his tricks.
He stuck close to Lucescu, following him like a shadow, never leaving his side.
Whenever Lucescu wanted to shoot, Lin Feng would quickly extend his leg to clear the ball.
His reaction speed was so fast that Lucescu was surprised.
The confrontation between the two intensified, with each clash resembling a thrilling contest.
Lucescu, the Romanian veteran, skillfully used his years of match experience and clever positioning to create attacking opportunities.
He would sometimes sprint rapidly, and other times suddenly change direction, attempting to disrupt Lin Feng's defensive rhythm.
However, Lin Feng was not fooled by his flashy moves.
He kept a close eye on Lucescu's every move, ready to react at any moment.
In one defensive play, Lucescu suddenly accelerated, charging towards the corner of the goal.
Seeing this, Lin Feng quickly adjusted his position, following closely behind him.
Their bodies collided in an instant, emitting a dull thud.
Lin Feng pressed hard against Lucescu's shoulder, trying to push him away from the goal.
Lucescu, not to be outdone, struggled fiercely, trying to break free from Lin Feng's restraint.
Their arms were intertwined, muscles tensed, veins bulging.
Lin Feng's eyes were firm and cold; he knew he could not relax for a moment.
Lucescu, on the other hand, was breathing heavily, his expression filled with unwillingness and anger.
Just then, the ball suddenly flew into the gap between the two.
Lin Feng, relying on his excellent predictive ability, quickly extended his foot and cleared the ball.
His movements were fluid and swift, like a flash of lightning across the field.
Lucescu watched the ball fly past his eyes, helpless.
This successful defense greatly boosted Lin Feng's confidence.
He continued to keep a close eye on Lucescu, giving him no opportunities.
Lucescu, however, felt somewhat powerless; he began to doubt whether his judgment and stamina could still cope with Lin Feng's defense.
Lucescu looked at the young man with a tender Asian face, Lin Feng, and a ripple stirred in his heart.
He knew that although he was no longer young, years of playing had accumulated rich experience, allowing him to often deliver unexpected performances at critical moments.
However, today's match made him feel somewhat powerless.
Lin Feng's performance exceeded his expectations.
Although this young man was not old, he displayed maturity and composure beyond his years.
He kept a close eye on Lucescu's every move, with every defense being flawless.
Whenever Lucescu wanted to shoot, Lin Feng always appeared quickly in the key position to clear the ball.
Lucescu began to wonder if he was truly old.
He felt that his speed and reaction capabilities seemed to be not as good as before, while Lin Feng seemed to have endless energy.
He began to doubt whether his experience and skills could still cope with such high-intensity confrontations.
He recalled his glorious youth, when he could easily break through opponents' defenses and create scoring opportunities again and again.
However, now he felt somewhat powerless, as if his hands and feet were bound by Lin Feng's defense.
Lucescu took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluctuations in his heart.
He told himself that he couldn't deny his strength and experience because of a momentary setback.
He readjusted his mindset, ready to continue the fierce confrontation with Lin Feng in the second half.
The halftime whistle was about to blow, and Ankaraspor's players were preparing to end the first half, but just then, Villarreal's captain, Bruno Soriano, suddenly launched an attack.
From the edge of the penalty area, he unleashed a powerful long-range shot towards the goal.
The ball, like a cannonball, flew straight into the top corner of the net.
Although the goalkeeper reacted, the ball speed was too fast, and he could only watch helplessly as the ball slipped past his fingertips and into the net.
At this moment, the entire Estadio de la Cerámica erupted.
Fans cheered excitedly, going wild for this spectacular goal.
Villarreal's players also gathered to celebrate this precious goal.
Ankaraspor's players, however, looked at each other, their faces showing expressions of disbelief.
Lucescu stood on the sidelines, his gaze fixed on the direction of the goal.
His heart was filled with mixed emotions, both regret for the conceded goal and admiration for the opponent's strength.
He looked at the resolute Lin Feng beside him, and a surge of unwillingness to concede defeat rose within him.
"In the second half, I must show this kid a thing or two," Lucescu vowed to himself.
He knew that Lin Feng's defensive ability was indeed outstanding, but the match was not over yet, and he still had a chance to turn the tide.
He took a deep breath, adjusted his mindset, and prepared to meet the challenge of the second half.
In Lucescu's eyes, this match was not just an ordinary Europa League group stage match, but also an opportunity for him to prove that he was still in his prime.
He was unwilling to lose so easily to a young player like Lin Feng; he wanted to use his experience and strength to teach his opponent a profound lesson.