Green Field Eunuch

Chapter 591 Griezmann
Shan Yongzhuo's goal-scoring efficiency is indeed quite frightening.

The Copa del Rey Round of 16 match didn't receive much attention, as it was mostly a strong team playing a weaker one. However, Shan Yongzhuo's hat-trick in 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute was still noteworthy.

Some media outlets that followed Shan Yongzhuo also expressed their amazement:

"Shan Yongzhuo is truly a goal-scoring machine!"

"This guy's shooting is already at its peak; no one can match his finishing ability."

"This game was terrifying."

"..."

After finishing the first leg of their Copa del Rey match, Granada has three more games to play in December.

However, none of the opponents in the three matches were very strong.

One match is the second leg against Alcorcón, and the other two league matches are against Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad.

Granada easily defeated their opponents in the previous two matches.

The home reserve team drew 2-2 with Alcorcón, winning 6-3 on aggregate and advancing to the next round.

In the sixteenth round of the league, Granada defeated Rayo Vallecano 3-2 away from home, with Shan Yongzhuo scoring twice and Flores adding another goal, continuing their winning streak.

However, no one expected that this momentum would eventually be ended when they faced Real Sociedad at home.

Real Sociedad can be considered a dark horse in the last two seasons.

Two seasons ago they were in the lower half of the league, but last season they showed amazing fighting spirit and finished fourth in the league, qualifying for the Champions League group stage.

Although they have already been eliminated in the group stage, this result is still quite remarkable.

After sixteen rounds this season, they have not fallen into a slump like other teams, but have achieved a good record of 7 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses, ranking sixth in the league.

Among them, Antoine Griezmann, a core player they developed themselves, is the most watched player and the most important player for Real Sociedad's outstanding performance.

Griezmann, who is only 23 years old this year, is not tall, but he has great speed and versatility, can provide a variety of options in attack, and also has a very good nose for goal.

In this match, Griezmann led Real Sociedad to display amazing fighting spirit at the Camenes Stadium, coming back from behind three times to equalize each time, and finally winning the game against Granada in the final moments.

Shan Yongzhuo's performance in this match was quite commendable, scoring two goals.

However, Real Sociedad is mired in a defensive quagmire, and their teammates' performance in this match was simply absurdly poor.

Nainggolan appeared somewhat dazed throughout the match, getting entangled with the opposing midfielder Bellamy, and was sent off with a red card in the 30th minute of the first half for a malicious foul.

This is also the most important reason for Granada's defeat.

Nainggolan has become Granada's most indispensable player this season besides Shan Yongzhuo. He is Granada's midfield engine and the hub of attack and defense transitions.

Nainggolan, anchoring the midfield, is Granada's first line of defense, the organizer and orchestrator of their attack, and the engine of their rhythm during transitions between offense and defense.

It can be said that he controlled the overall offensive and defensive rhythm of Granada.

When he's not on the field, Granada's entire performance drops a level.

Adding to the fact that they were down to ten men in the first half, despite taking the lead three times thanks to Shan Yongzhuo's performance, the opponent equalized each time, and finally the opposing striker Ahireche scored the winning goal in the 91st minute.

Real Sociedad's star player, Griezmann, also had a remarkable performance, scoring two goals and providing two assists, almost single-handedly helping his team to a 4-3 away victory over Granada. Granada ultimately had to swallow the bitter pill of defeat at home.

Shan Yongzhuo could only express regret and a little remorse.

"Damn it, how could I have forgotten about Griezmann back then..."

Shan Yongzhuo somewhat regretted that he had forgotten Griezmann when he gave Kroos the roster.

Griezmann was one of his favorite players, but he never expected that after thinking about so many other promising players who hadn't yet made it big, he would eventually forget about him.

This can only be described as being blind to one's own shortcomings.

It can be said that in the first two seasons, Griezmann was not a particularly outstanding player, and he did not receive much attention; he was just an ordinary player with a short stature.

If it were the season before last, there would have been a very good chance to acquire Griezmann from Real Sociedad for a low price.

Granada's flanks are their weakest point, so if they can get Griezmann, at least they'll have a strong point on the flanks.

But now, there's basically no chance left.

Griezmann has now demonstrated amazing talent and strength, making it difficult for him to use the strategy of buying low and selling high again.

However, Shan Yongzhuo decided to try activating the Face Fruit anyway.

After the match, Shan Yongzhuo, who rarely gives media interviews, also expressed his love and appreciation for Griezmann: "Griezmann is a very strong and talented player."

"To be honest, I really like and admire him. In my opinion, he has the potential to become one of the best footballers in the world."

Shan Yongzhuo rarely praises people like this, so when the report came out, Griezmann was flattered. He not only followed Shan Yongzhuo on Twitter, but also engaged in a mutual flattery with Shan Yongzhuo in the media.

"I am very happy to receive recognition from Dan. He is the strongest player in the world, and his affirmation is a great encouragement to me."

A barrage of mutual praise is actually quite pointless; it's just players praising each other.

The Face Fruit failed to activate.

Shan Yongzhuo could only express his regret about this.

This match was the last one before Christmas and Granada's second league defeat.

Although they are still at the top of the table, their points have been caught up by Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona is only two points behind.

The team was naturally very disappointed after losing the game.

Nainggolan, in particular, is largely to blame for this match and is in a very depressed mood.

It was just a rash act that directly led to the team's loss, and he himself will face a two-match suspension due to the direct red card.

Nainggolan was frustrated, but he also knew that controlling his temper wasn't so easy.

However, Pellegrini did not blame him or say anything, and those who were supposed to have a holiday still had their holiday as usual.

In Pellegrini's view, losing a league game is not a big deal. After all, given Granada's strength, it would be quite difficult for them to keep winning.

Now that it's the Christmas off-season, it's a good time for the team to rest and regroup.

(End of this chapter)