champion godfather

Chapter 993 The Decision of the Silver Fox, the Heart of the Seven Lion Kings

"Although we had to attack in the second half, I would like to remind you of England's counter-attack."

Lippi could already guess what tactics Tang En would use, because the situation was too obvious.After taking the lead by one goal, Twain could sit back and wait for the Italian team to attack, while he would play a defensive counterattack.For Lippi, who has studied him, this is not a surprising tactical arrangement.If it were his team leading by one goal, he would have made the same choice as Twain.

Therefore, in the second half, Italy's focus is not only on offense, but also be careful to guard against England's quick counterattack.

"The person who lost the ball counter-attacks on the spot, and at the same time, the people in other positions quickly retreat to defend. If necessary, foul in the frontcourt. In short, try every means to prevent them from playing fast offense."

Throughout the intermission, Lippi only gave tactical explanations, and did not say something like "hold on for another 45 minutes and win the championship".At nearly 70 years old, he knows that such words will not work for Italian players.Italian football is more about tactics than psychology.

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Tony Twain was still talking to the players, but James Vaughan didn't listen to a word.He already felt that he would not get any chance to play today.He didn't even think about why this happened. Now he feels like a spectator, just like Mitchell.It's just that Mitchell was suspended because of accumulated yellow cards, which is an irresistible reason for manpower.And what about myself?Just so inexplicably pushed on the bench by the head coach, and without any explanation...

This is so frustrating!

Des Walker touched Dunn and pouted at him, asking him to pay attention to Vaughn's situation.

Dunn then saw Vaughan who was a little depressed.

This is not the effect he wants...

Tang En looked down at his watch, and when the time was almost up, he waved to the players: "Go out, guys. In the last 45 minutes, don't let yourself have any regrets."

Vaughan heard this, and he smiled bitterly in his heart.They may not have any regrets, what about themselves?

"Vaughn, stay here for a while." Dunn suddenly called his name.

Vaughn froze for a moment, then stopped.The teammates cast their eyes on him and Tang En one after another, but they didn't say anything, they didn't even whisper, they just took a look and turned to leave.

In their minds, the boss really should give Vaughan an explanation. It is too cruel to push him on the bench in such a good state and explain everything.

The two stayed in the locker room, quietly waiting for the number of people around to go away.Vaughan looked at Tang En, but Tang En cast his gaze outside the locker room door.

After the people had finished walking, Tang En turned his gaze back and looked at Vaughn.

Tang En was trying hard to find traces of anger in Vaughn's eyes.To his slight disappointment, frustration seemed to take over.

Vaughn also thought that the boss would explain to him why he didn't let him start this time, but he didn't expect Dunn to just say a word——

"Don't take off that T-shirt in the jersey just yet."

After saying this, Tang En gestured for Vaughn to go out first.

Vaughan walked out of the locker room in a daze, and he was awakened by the huge noise at the scene until he entered the stadium from the player tunnel, and he understood one thing-will he have a chance to play in the second half?

But when he understood this matter, he didn't know what kind of mood he should feel.Happy or... dissatisfied?Since you want to let yourself play, why not start, but substitute?But the good news is that I finally saw some hope.

After Vaughn, Tang En also walked out.He walked back to the coach's bench, and Des Walker was looking at him: "How was the talk?"

"I just told him not to rush to change clothes." Tang En shrugged. If this attitude was seen by those who sympathized with Vaughn, they would definitely hate him.

Walker also smiled helplessly: "Aren't you afraid that he will hate you to death?"

"That's exactly what I wish for." Tang En replied seriously.

For the championship trophy, what is it to be hated by a player?Are there still fewer people in this world who wish he could die?
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After the game restarted in the second half, Italy significantly strengthened their interception and pressure in the midfield.England's midfielders can feel that they can no longer take the ball calmly for more than ten seconds before considering whether to pass or dribble as they did in the first half.The Italian's close pressing made them very uncomfortable. If they hesitated a little, the ball at their feet would be broken.

At this time, the importance of "playing the ball quickly" that Tang En repeatedly emphasized was reflected.

Everyone must observe the situation on the field before receiving the ball, knowing the positions of teammates and opponents, so that when the football comes, they can immediately know what to do next, instead of waiting for the ball to be observed route.

In the past two years, Twain has been doing such exercises in the England team.Regardless of the style of those players in their respective clubs, when they arrive in the England team, they must play according to this requirement, and those who fail to meet them will be gradually eliminated. Unwilling to change his players, Tang En resolutely kicked them out.Even though the media complained and hurled insults at each other, he remained unmoved.

Until now, there is such an England national team that listens to him.

When he told his players at half-time that he needed a quick pass, the players didn't freak out.

With Italy pressing and pressing forward, England's midfield became very simple.George Wood and Gerrard sit in the middle and are mainly responsible for passing the ball forward in the attack.The two full-backs are more like wingers in the attack, but Abanglahuo withdrew back, connecting the forward line and the forward line, and the position is very flexible.

When defending, England's midfielders recovered collectively, forming the first line of defense in front of the back line, trying to defuse the Italian's offensive outside the penalty area.

The two teams pressed very fiercely, and fouls were indispensable.The head coaches of both sides told their players to foul when necessary.As a result, the second half of the game was frequently interrupted by the referee's whistle, and it seemed that neither side's offense could be played smoothly.

Lippi found that it was really not easy to find holes in the England team's defense. Twain's guy obviously had a real inheritance of Italian reinforced concrete chain defense, although he didn't know who taught him.

When England was defending, Rooney had to retreat to the vicinity of the circle. Starting from him, England's defense was linked together, and the links were tightly linked.

And although Parowski was pulled to the side, the center was not empty.Foti was watched by Terry all the time, and he was rarely able to get rid of the other party to get any decent opportunities.

Lippi realized that to break such a dense defense, what he needed to do was not to pin his hopes on a certain player's flash of inspiration, but to put it on the set ball.

Thinking of this, Lippi noticed the time.Seventeen minutes into the second half.The score is still 7:0, and his team is behind. If adjustments are to be made, they must be made early. This is not the time to take care of some people's face.

He glanced at the players sitting on the bench, then pulled over assistant coach Ferrara: "Go ask Balotelli to warm up."

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Just like Tang En pushed Vaughn on the bench, Balotelli did not appear in Italy's starting roster, which is a bit surprising. After all, Balotelli is a very characteristic attacking player, and The reputation is not small.It's just that the treatment Tang En and Lippi enjoy is completely different. Everyone is questioning Tang En's decision, but they understand Lippi.

Quite simply, Balotelli's move to Nottingham Forest was wrong from the start.He switched to Nottingham Forest because of his unhappiness at Inter Milan, but as Nottingham Forest has gradually declined over the past few years, his personal status and reputation have also been greatly affected.Moreover, the head coach of the Italian national team always has a tradition, and he doesn't pay much attention to the inspection of players who go abroad to play football.

Originally, Balotelli could still occupy a place in the national team's starting lineup, but now he has been reduced to a substitute.It made many Inter Milan fans sigh, lamenting that good fortune made people.

Lippi replaced Balotelli at this time, naturally because of his free kick.Because everyone commits a lot of fouls, and at the same time, the Italian team's offensive has the upper hand. Most of the fouls are committed in England's half, and most of the offensive free kicks.Balotelli can always bring new hope to the team's offense.

In addition, he is considered a player of Nottingham Forest, so he should be able to help the team figure out Tony Twain's thoughts...

Balotelli stands on the sidelines, waiting to be played.Lippi had told him the mission half a minute ago.It's very simple, use your own skills to create opportunities for breakthroughs, and hand over free kicks and corner kicks in the front court to him. You must make good use of these set-piece opportunities and find a way to break England's dense defense.

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Dunn saw Balotelli standing next to the fourth official. He thought for a while and searched his memory for information about the Italian.

Nottingham Forest's performance in the past two seasons has been mediocre, but this black player's main position in the team has become more and more stable-after all, he spent 500 million pounds. Which head coach would dare to put him on the bench so easily?It's a pity that he failed to use his personal ability to help the team improve its performance. On the contrary, his state fluctuated with the decline of the team's performance.

He himself is not very happy. He has been clamoring for a transfer this summer, and he may go to Manchester United to find his mentor Mourinho.

Lippi's replacement must have taken into account that Italy has won a lot of set pieces...

I have to remind the players on the field to pay a little attention to the place of the foul...

He also got up and walked to the sidelines, calling Wood's name, asking him to bring his latest instructions to the players on the field.

"Pay attention to the place of the foul!"

In fact, few people have hope for Balotelli, except for Lippi who replaced him.

After all, this season, Balotelli's state is too unstable. When it is good, he can perform a hat-trick in a game and turn the tide. Sign up for the competition.

And to make matters worse, there were more of these bad moments last season.

But Lippi didn't think so, so before letting Balotelli play, he pulled the opponent to give a very detailed explanation.Tell him what to watch out for and what to do, and empower him to take all set-pieces.It can be seen that Lippi placed high hopes on Balotelli.

It's a pity that Balotelli failed to live up to Lippi's high expectations when he took the ball for the first time after he came on the field-when he stopped the ball, he directly stopped the football to George Wood on the opposite side.

There was a burst of laughter from the England fans in the stands.John and Bill even sang Balotelli's praises, which is obviously to remind everyone of the relationship between these two people.

"Did Balotelli think he was still wearing the red Nottingham Forest jersey? He actually stopped the ball to George Wood on the opposite side. And it can be seen that Wood was a little surprised by his mistake... aha! ’ Mortensen was relentless in his sarcasm of Balotelli, even though he has probably cheered Balotelli many times in the league for his beautiful goals.

The Italian commentator covered his face, unable to bear to witness this embarrassing scene.

There are conspiracy theorists among the Italian football fans. They will definitely think that Nottingham Forest inexplicably snatched the new golden boy of Italian football from Inter Milan, and it must be for today.For the final, they planned to abolish Balotelli two years ago.

Looking at it now, they succeeded!

This idea made many Italians grit their teeth with hatred for the English. Considering that the head coach of Nottingham Forest and the England team is Tony Twain, it is even more likely!This might have been planned by Tony Twain!How about going to Nottingham Forest instead of Manchester United where Mourinho, who knows Balotelli better?
Sure enough, they will do whatever it takes to win...

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Because of that mistake, as soon as Balotelli gets the ball, there will be a burst of laughter in the stands, and it is all England fans who are targeting him.

I really don't know how Lanzafame, who was replaced by him, felt when he saw this scene on the bench.In fact, what is more interesting is what Lippi thinks now...

Tang En laughed along with him from the sidelines.He was a little proud. Balotelli's mistake was a blow to the morale of the Italian team, and it also shook the confidence of the Italian teammates in him.

He didn't know why Lippi took the risk to send Balotelli. Although Balotelli's free kick was very good, it was not worth the loss.After all, in the previous European Cup at the airport, Balotelli didn't play much time and his performance was average. In terms of technical statistics, except for one assist, there were no more figures that could be obtained.

Is this because the silver fox got confused for a while, or is there really some foresight in it?

"I feel that replacing Balotelli is a fool's move. If Italy loses the final, this substitution will definitely become a target for the media to bombard him after the game."

"I think England can use this opportunity to attack aggressively and try to score another goal. At that time, the victory is sealed. The English people can start celebrating their first European Cup championship in their history earlier."

"Balotelli's performance at Nottingham Forest was very average. This summer, he had an unpleasant quarrel with the club's senior management and wanted to transfer. These transfer rumors obviously affected his mood and state. It is really helpful for Lippi to let him play. Thoughtless……"

"Lanzafame's performance is regular, and he has made a lot of contributions in defense. Just replace him with Balotelli who doesn't let go at all. What does Lippi think?"

Commentators from various countries do not mind taking this opportunity to add insult to injury.

"Lipi is really old, and he made such a mistake in such an important game... It's really lamentable that time is not forgiving. After all, he is a 68-year-old old man..." Some people shook their heads and sighed, as if that It's really a regrettable thing.

And the protagonist who was talked about by them is sitting securely on the coach's bench, and you can't see anything you want to see from his calm face.He didn't frown because of Balotelli's mistakes, and he didn't get up anxiously to the sidelines to scold the team. He didn't do anything, like a statue.

This Italian old man who looks a lot like Paul Newman really looks more and more handsome with age.The steady gentleman temperament has been revealed naturally.

His performance, on the contrary, gave the Italian players on the court a little more confidence.

The head coach didn't panic, why are we panicking?
People who think so naturally include Balotelli.

(End of this chapter)