bigabreads Chapter 407 Before the Game
Chapter 407 Before the Game
Chapter 407 Before the Game
The defending champion of the two rounds of the group only scored one point. This is simply a big joke. A team that should have won all the group matches will have such upsets in a row.While the world media was exclaiming, the Frenchman knew that he had to win in the last round, and he had to wait for the result of another game to determine whether he could stay in the World Cup.
So in the game against Denmark, the French coach Le Maire sent Zidane, who had not yet fully recovered, as the assistant of the French coach Jacques who won the 98 World Cup. He knew the importance of Zidane.But even though Zidane worked very hard in the game that determined the fate of the Frenchman, because his injury did not recover but he played with an injury, in the end Denmark relied on the goals of Romedal and Thomasson to score 2 :0 ended the Frenchman's world-renowned title defense.
Looking at Zidane's eyes mixed with pain and loss in front of the camera, although he didn't know how the teammates around him felt, Kenny felt guilty for no reason.For this world football quasi-ball king, Kenny initially had infinite admiration. After all, among the superstars of his generation, Zidane was not only talented and accomplished, but also extremely self-disciplined and had a long career. , won the love of players and fans, and is quite the style of the elderly.
However, due to the relationship between the two sides on the opposite side of the field, and the two sides have no communication on weekdays, there is no friendship between Kenny and Zidane.However, when Kenny looked back at his bright moments along the way, he was surprised to find that he always seemed to have an inseparable connection with the French superstar. From the 2000 World Cup final between France and Italy, he scored a golden goal and became famous. In the 02 Champions League final, Leeds United reversed Real Madrid. Unknowingly, Kenny found that he had snatched two extremely important honors in Zidane's career, especially the European Cup champion.
Thinking of this, Kenny is a little speechless. This is a mismatch, or fate. No. Suddenly Kenny opened his eyes and remembered, if he remembers correctly, the 06 World Cup seems to be more Pit Qi Zu once.
"Hehe." Patting his forehead, Kenny looked at Materazzi inexplicably, which made this imposing strong man feel cold for no reason.
Of course, in any case, although the French team's exit made people forget Italy's defeat for a while, for Italy itself, even with three points in hand, they are facing the same situation as France. If they fail to win Mexico in the last game, Croatia took Ecuador again.So the result is actually the same with a three-point exit and a one-point exit, a World Cup champion and a European Cup champion
Under such circumstances, the atmosphere in the Italian team was very tense in the remaining days after seeing the Frenchman's tragic exit from the group stage and the criticism from the media. Mexico, which has won both games, no one will use the score of the friendly match to compare the strength of the two sides.The successive upsets of the powerful players have already demonstrated one point. In terms of the group stage alone, strength on paper is meaningless. Whoever is in better condition and performs better will be able to win.
According to the schedule, the life-and-death match against Mexico in the group stage will be in Oita Prefecture in the northeast of Kyushu, Japan, and at the same time, the match between Croatia and Ecuador will also start. Therefore, for the Italian players, they will not have any news in advance. Can go all out.
When the Italian players returned to the hotel after the training, they were immediately surrounded by the media who were waiting here, and Kenny was naturally questioned and interviewed.With outlandish claims immediately under discussion after a surprise loss to Croatia in their second group game, Italian Football Federation president Carlos Carraro said on Monday: "If we don't beat Mexico, then Italian football will be reduced to nothing." As the world's second-class, we will not be able to achieve the set goals before the game. Of course, I also know that it is a pity that we lost in the game against Croatia, but I hope they can get three points in the game against Mexico."
The Italian players were also very angry after hearing such remarks. In an interview, Kenny immediately refuted the statement that the Italian team will be reduced to a mid-range team if they fail to beat Mexico: "If We were eliminated in the group stage because we failed to beat Mexico, so we are indeed a losing team, but this does not mean that we will be reduced to a mid-table team. We will fight against Mexico. Do your best because we have to win, so this game is as important as a World Cup final, otherwise we risk losing."
On the other side, Totti was even more furious: "After we beat Ecuador in our first game, we were called heroes, but after losing to Croatia, we were immediately accused of being bears. In five days, our image changed. A 180-degree reversal, we feel unacceptable, I think the accusations against us are unreasonable."
"So what about the starting lineup against Mexico? We saw that in these two games, Lloris, your position has changed a lot, and you have never played a position similar to the midfielder before. , what do you think of Mr. Zoff's formation?"
When the reporter heard Kenny's answer, he nodded and continued to ask, and his question also attracted the attention of several reporters around, and they all handed the microphone to Kenny's mouth almost at the same time.Seeing this scene, Totti broke out in a cold sweat. He knew that if Kenny was not paying attention at this moment, his answer would cause an uproar. This is definitely a very difficult problem.
But just when Totti wanted to step forward and pretend to make an excuse to take Kenny away, he spoke.
"This is indeed a very important question, but you seem to be asking the wrong person, my friend. Mr. Zoff should be taught to worry about such a headache! When we are about to face the Mexican team, everyone should not be obsessed with the formation. Instead of arguing, focus on how to win. For us, it's not about the formation or the combination of players, we have to play our best and win."
joke?Still trying to embarrass me?After Kenny scorned the reporter severely in his heart, he and Totti walked into the hotel one after another after apologizing kindly.
"Loris, you really scared me to death just now! I'm really afraid that you said the wrong thing!"
"Don't be kidding, I'm no longer the junior member of Milan's second team who sat on the bench and discussed with you whether he had a chance to play!"
"what!!!"
From June 6th to 8th after the second round of the group stage, Italian players rarely showed up again. Even the Italian wives, who had attracted the attention of countless men before, restrained a lot.It can be seen that these beautiful players' wives also smell the tension in the air, but it is a pity that under Zoff's strict requirements, Italian male models have started their abstinence career these days, in Zoff's words He wants players to vent their anger on the court, not in bed.
Although the players complained secretly about the request of Zoff's big boss, they could only accept it. After all, the honor of the World Cup belongs to everyone. Everyone is looking forward to the battle against Mexico all the way to the final. Take a look at your own strength.In the meantime, players pay more attention to the news of their opponents after training.
At 12:14 on the 30th, this time the Italian players unexpectedly did not start training after lunch, but gathered in front of the TV. Coach Zoff did not intervene in this situation, but moved a seat instead. The chair sat in front of the TV.What is it that deserves such attention from the Italians?The answer is simple, Group F will qualify for a life-and-death battle between Sweden and Argentina.
Like Italy, Argentina now has three points with one win and one loss, behind England and Sweden, which have four points with one win and one draw, and only a win in the last game can advance.It is worth mentioning that Argentina is now a football powerhouse. Looking at the main players of its national team, almost all of them have played in Serie A more or less before, or are now playing in Serie A. Caniggia and Crespo are both at their peak. During the period, he went to Serie A, and Batistuta, Veron, Almeida and others were even more so. Therefore, in this Argentine team, people can often see similarities with Italy.
And Italy is naturally very concerned about this game. They are both strong teams, they are fighting against the wall, and they are also facing the tough stubble in the second-tier team. Zoff has reason to think that Italy can gain from this game. what you want.However, it is somewhat unexpected that this time the Pampas Eagles failed to defeat the Swedes. Although a draw allowed Argentina to score another point, it did not help them qualify. Therefore, this South American tycoon followed closely to defend the title. The champion then became the second traditional strong team to go home.
Turning off the TV after the live broadcast, and walking to the training ground, the hearts of the Italian players were a little heavy. Logically speaking, it is too late for the Italians to laugh at the tragic elimination of strong opponents like Argentina and France.And if Italy holds six points now, it will definitely be hilarious, but the sad departure of Argentina after France has brought heavy pressure to the Italian players. Two bloody portrayals are in front of me. How can the Italians be happy?
However, in the face of such a situation, the coach Zoff is quite satisfied in his heart. What he wants is such a sense of urgency. This is a war that no one can escape and no one can be special, except of course the Koreans outside.Looking at the generals who walked to the training ground with a heavy heart, Zoff clapped his hands and focused everyone's attention on himself, and then said:
"Gentlemen, I believe that after watching the game just now, you should have been deeply touched! Many of the players in the Argentine team are your club teammates, and you know their strength very well. Although In Group F, England has the same strength as it, but facing the two teams of Nigeria and Sweden, no matter how strong and tough they are, the Argentines deserve to win them!
But why in the end, Argentina could only bear the criticism of fans and the media, and was eliminated in the group stage with a shameful record?I think in addition to strategic and tactical reasons, it is more of a player's own problem! "
It is very clear what the coach Zoff said here, he needs the whole team to face this crucial battle that will determine the emergence of the group, and in order to prevent Croatia from defeating Ecuador on the other side, Italy also needs to ensure that they will fight. To score more goals.Therefore, Zoff does not want to see anything that is not conducive to the overall interests of the team. On the other hand, he also warned everyone that no matter what his formation is, he hopes that the Italian players can fight wholeheartedly.
As time approaches, the current situation is on the verge of breaking out. In the last group match, facing the red-eyed Italians, the head coach of the Mexican team, Aguirre, who can qualify after a tie, publicly warned all the players at the press conference: " We will not and cannot count points against Italy, the only thing we should do is to win. It will be a very difficult game against Italy, we must show the best form in the World Cup."
Then the Mexican coach also expressed his respect for the Azzurri fighters: "Italian players are very good, such as Vieri, Inzaghi, Kenny and Del Piero, etc., they make us face a difficult situation. The game. What's more, the opponent has only one way to win, and that will be a determined team. We must have patience, confidence, and for us, this game is no less important than life."
The 23-year-old young captain Marquez of the Mexican team even said in Italian in an interview: "We have the opportunity to break into the top 8 for the first time outside the homeland and write a new page in history. We are anxiously waiting Well, it will be a tough game. As a good defender, Cannavaro and Nesta are my favorite players, but I am on par with them."
Marquez, who has played a major role in Mexico's defense, is one of four players in the Mexican team to play in Europe, and he won the Ligue [-] title with Monaco two years ago.
He will also be the player who has the most restrictions on the Italian striker and midfielder in the life-and-death battle, and the Italian players standing on the training ground at this moment know that it is time to announce the starting lineup tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)