Football: Three sure-fire weaknesses in every match!

the other side.

At the villa where Lippi is staying.

The TV screen in the living room was still lit.

The screen showed the post-match highlights.

Lin Qi's third goal was repeatedly shown on the broadcast.

Flanking maneuver from behind.

Easy shot.

hat trick.

Lippi sat on the sofa.

He had a cigar between his fingers.

As he watched the slow-motion replay on TV, his expression grew increasingly satisfied.

The satisfaction he felt was as if he were watching a complete stranger.

It's more like looking at a work you've nurtured yourself.

Madaloni sat next to him.

Holding a glass of water in my hand.

His expression was complex.

After a moment of silence.

Lippi finally spoke.

"Did you see that?"

Madaloni turned to look at him.

"What?"

Lippi pointed to the television.

His tone was very confident.

"My training plan is working."

Madaloni: "..."

Lippi leaned back on the sofa.

His face carried a unique confidence characteristic of a seasoned general.

"Lin Qi once again delivered a god-like performance in this match."

"Header."

"breakthrough."

"Penalty."

"Flanking maneuver at the back post."

What does this mean?

He asked himself the question and answered it.

"This shows that my training system has completely activated the star qualities within him."

Madaloni was unsure whether to respond.

Lippi continues.

"Genuine should thank me properly."

"Without my part in the plan, would he have thought of using Lin Qi in this way?"

"Treat me to a meal."

"At least one meal."

Madaloni finally couldn't help but cough softly.

He said cautiously:

"Marcello..."

"Um?"

"I think..."

Madaloni carefully considered his words.

"It seems to have little to do with the plan you gave me."

Lippi raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Madaloni became more cautious.

"In this game, Giannis gave Lin Qi a great deal of freedom."

"He let Lin Qi find the competition method himself."

"For a period of time, Lin Qi even played like a traditional center forward."

"Back-to-goal positioning, aerial duel, header."

He paused.

"This... doesn't seem to be in your training plan."

The living room was quiet for two seconds.

Lippi slowly turned his head.

I glanced at him.

His eyes said:

Do you not want to work with me anymore?

Madaloni immediately lowered his head and drank water.

Lippi stubbed out his cigarette.

His tone remained stubborn.

Even if it wasn't in the plan.

"That's because Giampaolo got the inspiration after seeing my plan."

Madaloni: "..."

Lippi continued:

"A truly brilliant training plan is not one that people simply follow."

"But rather, it inspired him."

"Open his mind."

"The reason Giampaolo dared to let Lin Qi play like that is because he realized the young man's potential."

"And why did he realize that?"

Lippi pointed to himself.

"Because I reminded him."

As he said this, he leaned back.

The conclusion is very firm.

So, in the final analysis...

"It's all thanks to me."

Madaloni fell completely silent.

he knows.

At this point, there's no point in arguing.

The old man's logic is already closed.

On TV.

The replay cuts to Lin Qi's series of breakthroughs starting from midfield.

The cow's tail passes Kuzka.

He changed direction and shook off Montolivo.

They broke through the defenses.

Finally, a penalty kick and a red card were awarded.

As Lippi watched, his expression turned serious again.

"But this child..."

"That's really a bit unreasonable."

Madaloni nodded.

"Yes."

"If this kind of ability were in the Chinese national team..."

Lippi stopped mid-sentence.

The living room fell silent again.

Madaloni thought for a moment, then suddenly spoke:

"Speaking of China."

"I heard something happened at the Asian Youth Championships."

Lippi looked up.

"What is it?"

Madaloni said:

"China's national youth team lost 0-2 to Tajikistan in their first group stage match."

Lippi's face visibly darkened.

"Tajikistan?"

"0 to 2?"

Madaloni nodded.

Lippi frowned.

The joy I felt watching Lin Qi's match vanished almost instantly.

"It's terrible."

His voice was not loud.

But there was a clear sense of disappointment.

"What exactly is going on with youth training in China?"

"Such a big country."

"So many people."

"And this is how the youth team performed?"

He became increasingly dissatisfied as he spoke.

"This isn't about losing a single game."

"This is a problem with the entire training system."

"Basic technology".

"Understanding the game."

"Physical confrontation."

"Tactical discipline."

"Mental state".

"There are problems on every floor."

Madaloni did not refute.

He was well aware that Lippi had both interest in and frustration with Chinese football.

This sense of helplessness has been going on for more than just a day or two.

After a while.

Madaloni added:

"The person in charge over there called."

Lippi looked at him.

"Looking for me?"

"Um."

"They are asking if you have any intention of returning to public life."

"The contract price is very high."

Lippi's expression didn't change much.

He just gave a soft, cold laugh.

Madaloni continued:

"However, they demanded a guarantee of results."

"They said we absolutely had to make it to the semifinals."

"That's how we can qualify for the World Junior Championships."

Lippi laughed after hearing this.

I'm not happy.

It's disdain.

"Guaranteed results?"

He shook his head.

"Those players who were selected through who-knows-how-many connections."

"Expecting them to achieve good results?"

"A Arabian Nights"

Madaloni did not speak.

Lippi said coldly:

"Football is not like writing a report."

"It's not a meeting."

"It's not about who has the most influence or whose child can get in."

"If the ingredients are not clean."

"No matter how good the training is, it's useless."

"You put a bunch of people who shouldn't be at this level into the team."

"Then they asked the coach to lead them to victory."

"This is not coaching."

"This is magic."

He waved his hand dismissively as he finished speaking.

"Tell them."

"If you really want to persuade me to come out of retirement."

"Can."

Madaloni's expression shifted.

What are your conditions?

Lippi leaned back on the sofa.

His tone became extremely harsh.

"Selection rights for the national youth team."

"National team selection rights".

"Leave everything to my team."

Madaloni was slightly taken aback.

Lippi continued:

"I do not accept people being added to the list."

"I do not accept so-called recommendations."

"We will not accept interference from certain clubs, certain places, or certain personal connections."

"Whoever can kick it, scores."

"Whoever can't kick, get out."

He raised his finger.

He spoke slowly and deliberately.

"China should not interfere."

"Including the so-called Chinese coaching staff."

"Even for translation, logistics, and liaison, we have to find Chinese people in Italy to replace us."

"Especially those who use the title of coach but actually operate behind the scenes, relaying messages, exerting pressure, and interfering with the roster."

"don't want."

"I don't want any of them."

Madaloni nodded.

"I will pass on the message."

Lippi added:

"If they disagree..."

"Then forget it."

"I've reached this age."

"There's no need to risk your reputation for money."

That was said very calmly.

But Madaloni could tell.

Lippi is not entirely unmoved.

He watched Lin Qi on TV.

Then he looked at Lippi.

I roughly understand.

The old man really wants to coach.

It wasn't that chaotic national youth team.

It's not a high-paying contract.

It is Lin Qi.

Players like this are extremely rare.

How many times in a lifetime can a coach encounter such a situation?