Chapter 18 Changes in Tears
A great final requires a pair of great opponents. It is obvious that the Barcelona youth army deserves its reputation. Young talents from the Lamacia youth training camp have long received bottom-up unified training and insisted on the full offensive and all-defense tactics passed down from the Cruyff era.
Dos Santos, Tiago, Montoya, Romeu, Munesa... Maybe a few of these names will be summoned to Guardiola's first team in the near future to play football with players like Messi and Xavi. They do have such skills.
The head coach of the youth team is Luis Enrique, a famous Spanish player. He switched from Real Madrid to Barcelona and then became the captain of Barcelona. This experience not only shows how outstanding Enrique's skills are, but also shows how big a heart he has. Now, after Guardiola and his assistant coach Biranova entered the first team, the youth team's coaching spike fell into the hands of this tough guy.
"In less than a year, the changes in this team are really gratifying. I feel that the team has been injected with a new spiritual motivation - full of personality, fighting spirit and natural leadership temperament." In the box, the Barcelona chairman pointed at Moratti's players, and his proud feelings were beyond words.
"Yeah, indeed." Morati nodded. The players on the stadium had already fought together. Both teams showed their own strengths. Spanish players had very advantageous in their skills and pass control, while Inter Milan players had a very physical advantage. African-American players were more than one number stronger than Barcelona players.
On the court, Inter Milan players skillfully passed the ball, passed it forward slowly, constantly looking for opportunities to score goals. Morati regretted it a little. He hasn't watched the youth team's game recently, but he just knew that this team had never lost. Morati has been asking himself such questions - what changes have the Chinese brought to this youth team?
Compared with the dull scenes in the chairman's private room, the players' private room is very lively.
"Is this formation the most suitable for the first team as the Chinese said?" Matrazi was well-informed, "Didn't you see anything special?"
Sitting next to him was another Italian from Inter Milan, goalkeeper Toldo: "Maybe he said that."
Matrazi curled his lips and said nothing. From the perspective of the old club players, he could only support all the club's arrangements, but the expression just now represented his voice, and he was not interested in this Chinese.
Cordoba on the other side said: "But being able to go all the way to this day at least means that our head coach is good to lead young people. Didn't he set a record of the lowest average age of the team in the Europa League?"
The players here commented on the game, while some players on the other side talked about other things. Mancini, Adriano, Macon, Cesar, and Maxville gathered together.
"I said, I heard that yesterday I asked the hotel waiter and it was said that there was a very exciting place. Who would you like to go to the evening?" Adriano had a mysterious expression on his face.
"I'll go, you're really capable. You can ask about this." Little Mancini looked admiring.
"What's the matter? Give him 1,000 euros, can that guy draw you a map of Switzerland. Are you interested? Julio (Cesar), forget it. You have Susanna. Hahahaha." Ade smirked, as if he was mocking this married boring man.
"I'm fine." Maxville raised his hand and said.
"I'm not interested." Maicon shook his head firmly. Little Mancini made an indifferent gesture next to him.
After Maikong expressed his opinion, he simply stood up and prepared to go to the bathroom. Ade is really a big deal. He has no main position and no contract renewal. He is still so playable? I really don’t know what he thinks.
When Macon thought about it, just as he was about to leave the box, the score on the court suddenly changed. Barcelona's front midfielder Tiago drifted past three defensive players at the front of the penalty area in a row, shooting low and breaking the net at the far corner.
Behind. Morati moved in the chair uneasy. At this time, he saw Inter Milan captain Cardirola gathering the players together, and everyone met and said a few words. The game continued, and Inter Milan's rhythm did not change any changes, it was still so orderly and so straight, as if the opponent was behind.
"Your team looks calm?" Even Laporta couldn't help but point out the situation on the court. With more than 20 minutes left in the first half, Yang seemed to be doing nothing while standing on the sidelines.
Sanetti sat in the private room and watched the game on the court quietly.
"Oh, what's wrong? The kick is so tepid. Rush up!! Rush! Speed up and speed up!" Matrachi held the edge of the box and took it up, and then sat back helplessly.
"These Barcelona kids are amazing, alas~" Cordoba next to him shook his head and sighed.
These two Inter Milan vice-captains also seem to express the voices of most players. Shouldn’t they counterattack immediately if they fall behind? Do you have to wait until the opponent has fully deployed defensive tactics?
As time passed by minute by minute, the two sides attacked and defended each other, but the score was still frozen 1-0. The first half of the game ended, and the halftime break left a free time for the leaders of the two clubs.
Laporta took out a very narrow piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Morati with a name on it.
“Ibrahimovic.”
When you hear the string sound, you will know the meaning of elegance, and Morati knows the meaning of Laporta very well.
"Sir Chairman, you know, Zlatan is the most important member of our team, and it can be said that it is not a seller."
Laporta smiled: "As long as he is a player, he will have a price, and I believe Ibrahimovic will have it."
"100 million euros are also a price, but not necessarily anyone will accept it." Morati may be still resentful of Laporta's words praising his team before the game, so he did not mean to let go of his words.
Laporta frowned and cursed in his heart: 100 million euros?! Are you crazy? Morati's financial situation is not news in the entire European circle, and the reason why he chose to offer a price at this time is precisely because of this. On the other hand, because of the head coach's cleaning, Laporta sent away Ronaldinho, the most popular player in the club. This practice put him under tremendous pressure. How to introduce heavyweight players to calm the resentment of fans has become an important task for Laporta this summer.
"This market has not reached this level yet. I believe our two clubs can have a lot of consensus." Laporta made awkwardly haha.
Although Morati was tough, if he had a hand in his heart, he would definitely reach into Laporta's pocket and flip it down to how much money it would be. The embarrassment of economic conditions really made him unable to raise his head. Selling Ibrahimovic can at least solve some urgent needs, but has he let go of the Champions League dream like this?
The players returned to the court again, and Enrique seemed to be very satisfied with the situation in the first half during the break. This way of boiling the frogs in warm water is obviously the most suitable for Barcelona. In contrast, Inter Milan's pace seems to have accelerated a lot, but the formation has generally recovered its own half.
"Defense counterattack? Are we the backward side?" Matrazi's resentment towards Mr. Yang rose a little further.
"I think this kind of play is very wise," said Cruise, an Argentinian who had not spoken aside.
"Smart?" Everyone's eyes were focused on Cruise. The Argentinian's magical sense of smell on the field was still recognized by most people.
Cruise was a little guilty when everyone saw it, but he still expressed his thoughts: "From the technical and tactical level, I think the opponent is still better than us, which is a fact. But in terms of mentality, I think our head coach has created a good team."
Cambiaso is a straight-hearted person and wants to go up and kick the youth team: "Mentality, what's the use of mentality? He's still behind now."
"Of course, I think I should push the attack out and attack behind the score. But the coach should have arrangements. I just think that we are using the opponent's pressure and control of the ball now, which is more likely to be more than we are pressing the opponent's attack. However, I am not a coach, and I don't know what he is thinking." Cruise spread his hands helplessly.
I don’t know what you are talking about. Everyone dispersed and left their deep contempt in the air.
Speaking of this, the broadcast in the box played the ball-control ratio between the two sides: 58 to 42. Barcelona has controlled most of the game time, and Inter Milan's formation has been pressed to the front of his penalty area to defend. Forward Destro has returned to the front of the penalty area, leaving only one Balotelli in the middle circle arc, slowly paced like a dog walking. Two Barcelona central defenders like bodyguards stood next to them.
Barcelona players washed over the blue and black reef like a tide, but the reef remained unmoved.
The Sanettis stared at the stadium nervously, watched the players wearing blue and black jerseys fall down, then stood up, blocked the eye and attacked, and guarded the goal in every possible way.
"Is this what you want us to see?" Zanetti slowly stood up. As a top European defensive player, he knew how difficult it was to do everything in front of him. Defense would consume more physical strength than offense, but defense wins the flash of the attack and wins the heart of the opponent. This may be the problem of mentality as Cruise mentioned. But what is the use of mentality?
Dos Santos kicked the ball into the stands, then covered his face and looked into the sky. The line of defense in front of him was an endless steal from the middle circle. Gradually, you find that breaking through the opponent is a luxury, and even a despair. Barcelona's light cooperation, extraordinary skills like dance, and smooth attack are gone, replaced by a difficult step in the quagmire. Inter Milan's defense makes Lamacia's children at a loss. Whenever someone gets the football, he sees the blue and black shirt coming towards him. Even if he can use his skills to shake the player, when he looks up, he finds that the passing line has been blocked by the blue and black players. Think about a more creative pass... No, there is no time, the player who has been removed just now has been killed.
The passion and attack of the Barcelona Youth Army were extinguished again and again.
The relaxed expression on Laporta's face gradually became solemn. The players' psychology was accumulated step by step on the court, which is something that the coach cannot change. Inter Milan youth military accumulated confidence with their long-term unbeaten and smashed their opponent's confidence with success after success. They were like wolves hiding in the dark and lowered their bodies and crawling forward, waiting for the only time, that is, that is, the opportunity that belongs to them.
That's now!
Tiyago received the ball with his back, and Krissetig, who was behind him tightly.
How to pass the ball?
In a flash of magic, one leg from the side stabbed the ball away.
Counterattack!
The central defender passed to the winger waiting in the midfield, and the winger didn't even think about a pass.
Balotelli and Munisa rushed to the ball at the same time.
Comparison speed? Comparison is comparable! Whoever can touch the ball first will win the initiative. The forward can create free kicks, and the defender can end the attack.
Both Mr. Yang and Enrique's eyes were focused on these two players.
Balotelli and Munisa's arms were entangled, and both of them were running wildly. The ball was a half-high ball and bounced on the ground.
"I'm a genius appointed by the coach!!" Balotelli, who was 1.88 meters tall, soared into the air. He was close to the passing side and had the advantage in the inner lane.
Munesa, who is 1.81 meters tall, is not to be outdone. Even if the Italians get the ball first, they will block his direction and let him take the ball with his back.
Unplug the ball.
The noise of fans on the court seemed to have calmed down at that moment. The ball seemed to be like a feather, stopping lightly on Balotelli's toes. Then it turned and swung.
Balotelli twisted his body and traveled through time!
The live commentator screamed at the top of his lungs: "Borgkamp is so extraordinary! Oh my God!"
There was only one goalkeeper in front of Balotelli.
Shooting!?
No, it's a pass!
Balotelli's foot arch was gently sent, and a beautiful straight line reached the unguarded Destro.
Destro is enough to complete the most boring work in the world.
With a light touch, the ball enters the bottom of the net.
Just like Mr. Yang's attitude of speaking in the locker room - calm, but very certain.
That's right! We are champions.
Mr. Yang's tears almost burst out. When the children of Inter Milan Youth Army gathered together to celebrate, he turned around and quietly wiped out the tears that were about to overflow. However, the cameras on the scene faithfully recorded this small detail.
The TV in the box replayed the wonderful goal just now. At the moment of extraordinary success, both chairman couldn't help but stand up. The excitement shot of Mr. Yang wiping his tears was also edited.
"Is this the change in Inter Milan?" Morati and Sanetti thought to themselves.
In this final, Mr. Yang left no room for himself. What he always believed in is "Men should be more ruthless to themselves." So, if you ask so many people to watch the game, if you lose the ball, your face will be really nowhere to be put. Even to the point of being serious, whether the team can control it smoothly is a question.
However, football is so exciting. You will never expect what the process will be. And the real reason why Yang Shibiao cried is not this...uh...I'll just stop talking about it.
Perhaps it was to ease the awkward atmosphere in the midfield, or perhaps it was impressed by the wonderful goal just now, Laporta, a lawyer, was looking for topics on the court: "That Chinese is indeed a very good coach. I think Massimo, your future plans are also very big. I know that you had a good personal relationship with Florentino before, but unfortunately he has stepped down now. I think we can reach similar strategic cooperation during this period."
A goal is likely to change a game, and the psychological balance of Barcelona youth team has been broken.
In the 82nd minute, Balotelli's shot from the corner of the penalty area ended the game directly.
After the game, Morati and Laporta stood up and shook hands with each other. Morati was in a good mood and his expression was not so stiff.
Laporta: "Congratulations, Massimo, I hope you can consider our offer to Ibrahimovic."
Chapter completed!