Born to be a coach [soccer]

Chapter 236

In the process of preparing for Manchester City, Sunderland's staff more or less realized that there was a tension in their team.

Why are you nervous? ——Now there are eight rounds left in the league schedule, and they have reached the quarter-finals in the Europa League.However, Sunderland's two fronts are continuing, and it seems that they are leading to a glory that they have never dared to imagine before.

Looking back on the club’s previous seasons in the Premier League, once they entered March, they were either clenching their teeth and clinging to the hope of relegation; Anyway, no desire.

But they are still alive on both sides of the battlefield, and they both have the hope of winning the championship.

Needless to say about cup games: football is round and anything can happen.In the Premier League, they are very likely to make history and become the first newly promoted team to win the championship since the founding of the Premier League.

Likewise, opponents on both fronts are staring at each other: as long as one game goes wrong, they will lose hope completely.After working hard for most of the season, could it be that his ideals were shattered?Can this not make people nervous?

Joyce, Sunderland's chief nutritionist, took the opportunity to talk to Anton.She suggested that Anton take all the players to the movies as he did last year, and relax in a different way.

Anton smiled and said, "Mother Qiao, I understand what you mean, but that trick can only be used once. It won't work anymore now."

Joyce didn't understand, so Anton explained to her: Last year, the players knew after watching a movie and eating roasted cauliflower that it was specially arranged by the coaching staff for them to relax their nervousness.And now if this trick is used again, the players will know that the coaching staff thinks they are too nervous.So deliberately pointed out: the players will be more nervous.

"Don't worry, moderate tension is actually good for keeping players in the game!"

Qiao's mother was dubious, looked at Anton, and said, "You are the head coach, of course it's up to you to decide."

Anton thanked her for her concern with a smile, but had no intention of changing his words.Qiao's mother sighed softly and said, "Recalling this time last year, I think your self-confidence is really much stronger than before."

Qiao's mother had advised Anton to relax himself in the cinema last year, but now it seems that he has everything in mind and is fearless.

At the end of the previous training session against Manchester City, all the Sunderland first team and youth academy players gathered in the hall.There, Royce started his first "public performance" with a guitar in his arms.

"Sounds good!"

"I can't tell, Marco is a literary youth!"

Royce was really embarrassed.He had heard Anton's playing and singing before, and he liked it very much. He also bought a guitar himself, followed the online teaching videos for a while, and Anton even gave him advice in his free time.

He originally kept the matter of learning to play and sing from his teammates.Unexpectedly, his friend Hummels, who rented a house with him, accidentally sold his roommate.Before getting off work that evening, all the players gathered in the hall of Guangming Academy for some reason, holding a guitar and asking Royce to perform.

"Bravo!"

"One more song, one more song!"

"Very good, Marco, as long as you practice for a few more years, you will surely be able to catch up with Anton..."

Joyce and Anton stood outside the crowd.Qiao's mother looked at Anton, knowing in her heart that the young man had listened to her a little bit.

Anton tried his best to create a business-as-usual atmosphere in the club. No matter how important the game was, everyone regarded it as normal, playing game by game and winning game after game. Only in this way could they be on two fronts. Both go further.

Their next opponent is definitely not to be underestimated Manchester City.

Since the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority took over Manchester City, this club, which had been in the middle of the Premier League, suddenly changed, exuding a golden light from top to bottom.

Especially in the summer, Manchester City spent 600 million pounds to introduce Boateng from Hamburg, Yaya Toure from Barcelona, ​​David Silva from Valencia, and Coleman from Lazio. Larov introduced Balotelli from Inter Milan, Milner from Aston Villa and other strong support.

In addition, Manchester City also sits on many big-name players such as Argentina "The Beast" Carlos Tevez and England's national goalkeeper Joe Hart.The entire Manchester City team, regardless of its historical performance, is definitely a giant in terms of the worth of the players.

One of the most eye-catching players is the Italian prodigy who just won the title of European Golden Boy in the past 12 months, "Super Mario" Balotelli.

Balotelli played in Serie C when he was 15 years and seven months old, creating a historical record in the Italian professional league.

At the age of 16, Inter Milan offered Balotelli a contract with both hands.

At the age of 20, Balotelli had been brought to Manchester City by Mancini when he was coach at Inter Milan.Mancini publicly claimed that the Premier League is more suitable for Balotelli's talent.

Before landing in the Premier League, British football and the media also had high hopes for Balotelli. It is generally believed that he is the future of Manchester City's striker. Other teams in the Premier League must not take Balotelli lightly.

But geniuses are mavericks, and Balotelli's life is completely a performance art.

As soon as Balotelli landed in the Premier League, he made a lot of jokes.

It is said that on the first day after arriving in the UK, Balotelli was speeding on the road in a luxury car and was stopped by the British police.British police officers found a large amount of cash in his car and asked him why he did it.At that time, Balotte replied in broken English: "Because, I have..."

——I have so much money, so I can let you care?

After winning the title of "European Golden Boy" in December last year, Balotelli publicly declared that of all the golden boys in history, only Messi may be slightly better than him.As for the Arsenal rookie Wilshere, who lost to Balotelli by a small margin in the golden boy vote, Balotelli declared that he had never heard of this person.

In addition, Balotelli is often accused of being unbalanced and underdeveloped.In some details that ordinary people can be very good at, Balotelli often can't do it.

For example, in the last game where Manchester City was eliminated from the Europa League 1/8 finals by Dynamo Kiev, Balotelli needed to wear a sports vest to warm up before going on the field.But he couldn't get into his own vest. He tried for five or six minutes under the watchful eyes of the crowd, but finally he couldn't, and his teammate Dzeko helped him put on the vest.

But this time, Manchester City played against Sunderland at home, and Balotelli still made a joke before the start of the game.When he warmed up on the court, he found that the laces of his sneakers were a little tight, so he got off the court and planned to loosen the laces.But after 2 minutes of tossing, Balotelli still couldn't untie the shoelaces, and finally had to ask the staff on the sidelines for help.

This is Manchester City's home court, and there are all Manchester City fans wearing light blue jerseys, with hot faces and feeling a little embarrassed--their striker, who can't tie his shoes?

Anton would not comment on such details as Balotelli. He quickly found the two main players in the midfield, Godin and Hummels, and asked them to keep an eye on Balotelli no matter what in this game. lotley.

Anton told Ibrahimovic next to him, but he was not happy.When Balotelli was on the rise in Serie A, Ibrahimovic was also in Serie A. Naturally, he felt that the opponent was just a little kid, not worth mentioning.Regarding Balotelli's various "mavericks", he thinks that the other party is just pretending.

As soon as the game opened, Manchester City relied on their home court advantage to attack aggressively.Sunderland played very cautiously, even a little conservatively.Only Ibrahimovic has no sense of the opponent's oppression, and just moves around on the field.

Even in front of Balotelli, Ibrahimovic will be provocative. For example, when the ball is dead, Ibrahimovic will stand in front of Balotelli, push his chest, block Balotelli's way, and look down at the opponent with his eyes, as if Saying: I am God, who are you?

Anton hurriedly shouted to stop on the sidelines.And Mancini next to him has already actively complained to the fourth official on the sidelines, meaning that Ibrahimovic is a foul, and he should be able to give a card.

Although provoked by Ibrahimovic, Balotelli's state was not affected at all.In the 24th minute of the game, he got the ball on the right side of Sunderland's backcourt.

At this time, several Manchester City players had stepped in from the center and left to respond, but Balotelli didn't look up, as if he couldn't see his teammates at all.

Sunderland's defensive players have also surrounded and intercepted - I saw Baroccoley dribbling the ball himself, the ball went from his left foot to his right foot, and he has already completed a pass; then he turned 360 degrees and passed another one; he turned around and lifted the ball foot, shot—

The ball is in!

The stands of the Manchester City fans suddenly boiled up. The goal was too easy and beautiful: Marseille's roundabout goal is worthy of the golden boy and genius boy in Europe. Balotelli does not need cooperation or support from his teammates. only himself.With talent he can complete such a perfect shot.

At this time, Balotelli ran to the sidelines and reached out to hook the jersey on his body. Mancini quickly gestured to stop him: taking off the jersey is a card.

But who knew that Balotelli didn't want to take off his jersey, he just lifted up the corner of the jersey to reveal a vest that was next to his body, and on the vest was written three rows of big characters: Why always me?

Such a cool goal, why is it always me?

Balotelli pointed to the words on his chest, his face full of doubts, as if he was really puzzled.When the Manchester City fans saw this scene, they all went crazy with joy and made as much noise as possible.

——This player is too talented, too flamboyant, full of topics and controversies, but scoring goals is indeed the last word.

Frustrated, several of Sunderland's defenders walked near the center circle, ready to kick off.Anton noticed that their emotions were not quite right, probably because Balotelli's kick just now was too delicate to be defended.