ball at foot

"This game is really useless!"

After a 1:1 draw with Le Havre at home, the captain Jiuli finally couldn't help but raged in the locker room, "Five consecutive draws, what did we do!"

Sedan, Auxerre, Lille, Bordeaux, plus a Le Havre... A wave of five consecutive draws made Monaco fall directly from the top position to No.4.What makes them even more dissatisfied is that in front of them, Paris, Lyon, and Marseille are all strong teams, and none of them can see a sudden decline.

"This game is my responsibility..." Zhao Yaning stood up, "I shouldn't have fouled."

"You don't have any responsibility. If you didn't stop him with that ball, he also scored. I'm not sure about the single-handed save." Rome said, "It's all the referee's mistake. He is too amateur. What kind of penalty level." [

Zhao Yaning knew that Roma wanted to help him relieve the pressure, but he knew very well in his heart that that action was indeed a foul, and he had nothing to justify, let alone ignore it because of the referee’s level.

What made Zhao Yaning feel even more guilty was that he felt that this incident might have something to do with his card.He also feels sorry if his teammates are dragged down because of the national team.

"It's my responsibility..."

"You shouldn't have defended." Squillage held him down. "This is the reason why we were too far ahead and we were counterattacked. You have done enough."

It's not like that... Zhao Yaning wanted to explain, but couldn't.

"I don't think it's all bad."

At the door of the locker room, Deschamps was standing against the door, participating in the discussions among the players. Although Deschamps was usually very strict in the team, during this time, he was getting closer and closer to the players.After half a season of management, the players now know that they consciously abide by discipline, and there will be no more difficult management situations. Now Deschamps hopes to communicate with the players more.

"Although we haven't won five games, we haven't lost either. Even if we didn't play with momentum, at least we played with resilience. We have not defeated us in consecutive encounters with strong enemies. What else are we afraid of?"

Deschamps' words are also unreasonable, but it still sounds awkward.Although the draw is indeed not extremely bad, it cannot be said to be a good thing.

"Over the past period of time, we have had a lot of problems... The tactical mistakes are mine, and some specific mistakes in the game are yours. Of course, there are also problems with the referee schedule, but those are not my responsibility... we No one should try to evade responsibility, and face this matter seriously, so that we can make a turn for the better. It’s only the first half of the season, and the problem has been exposed early, which is not a bad thing.”

Deschamps said, pausing for a while, "And I am very happy that the game was not won. After returning to the locker room, what everyone was busy doing was not shirking responsibility, but taking the initiative. This makes me very happy. Football It's a man's sport, but what is a man? A violent man with black feet is not a man. A real man is someone who has responsibility and courage. You are all men. You are not shirking assholes, which is good ,I am very satisfied."

After saying that he was satisfied three times in a row, Deschamps stopped talking. After seeing everyone's reaction, he raised his head, "Although we have tied five times in a row, it's terrible, but we have a group of real men playing football. Then what do we have to be afraid of? A man is the one who wants to turn things around at such a time!"

Deschamps thought about it and asked a question.

"In our team, no one deliberately doesn't play well, right?"

"Of course not." Jiuli answered immediately.

"No one cares about their own performance, ignoring the whole, right?"

"Of course not." Nongda also answered.

"So, no one thinks that our strength is all there is?"

of course not. [

"Then, we still have hope." Deschamps raised his eyebrows, "Confidence, unity, and going all out, we are invincible."

"But we've already tied for five consecutive games." Squillage muttered.

"If we are united enough and confident enough, then our problem is only one, not working hard enough."

Deschamps glanced at the crowd, "Tell me, who among you thinks that we can't win because of Jerome's injury and Joey leaving the team?"

Almost everyone raised their hands.

"So any of you have thought about what we should do when we are short of manpower?"

The raised hands all fell down sparsely.

"Which one of you has considered that it has something to do with your own performance after you lose, and think that you can change the situation of the game through your own efforts?"

This time, only Jiuli raised his hand.

"Do you know why he is the captain?" Deschamps looked around the crowd again, "We have started this season for a long time, who can tell everyone, what is your biggest improvement this season? At that time, did you really put your heart into it, and thought about bringing every tactical detail to the extreme?"

No one said a word.

"Neither. The team loses two important players, and the strength will suffer. Of course, I think so too. But when the strength is damaged, what should be done? Complaining about luck? That's the fan's business... Counting on tactics? That’s the coach’s business. What you should think about is how to use your changes to promote the team’s change if you change the team’s status quo through your own efforts.”

"You are very confident because we were once No. [-] in the league. But that is only temporary. Confidence is a good thing, but have you forgotten that it was mentioned as early as the ancient Greek era that it should be respected like the Olympic spirit? A sentence that every athlete remembers in his heart: Know yourself!"

"If you lose the game, what's the use of complaining here? Blame the referee, what's the point? If you play better, what are you afraid of! When I played with the French team in the European Cup in 2000, I was able to take a walk." Win! You are not strong enough, who can blame you!"

In the locker room, Deschamps roared loudly.

Who said Deschamps was not in a hurry?But how can he show it?He is a coach, and calmness is a must.But when the team's downturn became the norm, he had to find a way to reverse it.

He counted on Zhao Yaning’s return to be a booster, so that the team can reverse the state, but Zhao Yaning is not a god after all, and he also returns to heaven, so Deschamps can only choose to do this by himself, and use his own method. Let the team improve.

They will improve, Deschamps looked at the dressing room, but didn't say what was in his heart.

The players I choose are all players with excellent professionalism. They will not be angry because of blame, nor will they lose their fighting spirit because of poor performance. After I point out their problems, they will play harder.

Only such a player is a player who can win.

"The only thing that comforts me now is that you still have a chance to correct yourself in the next game, because you are men, not soft-hearted cowards who shrug off responsibility. Immature, unsteady, are inevitable for every boy before he becomes a man. stage, but you will grow because you haven’t lost the backbone and toughness you should have. As long as we have these, we can come back.”

Comeback?This made the players all look at each other in blank dismay.After five consecutive draws, the points have slipped to fourth place, and the gap with Paris, the leader, has widened by [-]%. There is already such a big gap in the middle of the season. How can it be possible to come back? [

"Listen, kids, we still have a chance down here."

Deschamps raised his head and looked at the players with a rare serious expression. "The following month is the time for us to make a comeback: Ramadan is here."

The arrival of Ramadan is the most important bargaining chip that Deschamps can rely on.Because the annual Ramadan is a huge shock to Ligue [-].It has no less impact on the Ligue [-] teams than the Africa Cup of Nations. This kind of impact allows Deschamps to look forward to a comeback.

After World War II, France had a serious shortage of labor force and had to import a large number of labor force from Africa. This caused a large influx of Muslims originally in Africa to France, which quickly changed the demographic composition of France.In the 21st century, France has almost become a country of immigrants with a large influx of Muslims.

In this general environment, half of the French football population is Muslim.France often claims that French football is red, white and blue, where white refers to Caucasian Europeans, blue refers to Berbers and red refers to black players.Among these three colors, most of the Berbers and blacks are Muslims.

And a large number of Muslim players flood the league, and naturally the league will be affected by fasting.Every year when Ramadan comes, all the major teams in Ligue [-] are devastated. No matter who it is, it is impossible to be happy in the face of the hungry guys in the team.

During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink before sunset.Although many people find reasons for them, saying that the players in the game are also fighters, and fighters are not allowed to fast, and this argument has led to a very fierce debate in France. Whether sports is entertainment or war is not conclusive. And such fallacies do not make sense to many religious people. If they do not agree, believers dare not violate the precepts.Muslims are very stubborn, and religious issues cannot be negotiated. Many players do not agree that playing football is a war, so they will fast regardless of everything.And even those Muslims who do not fast will bear a huge psychological burden and pressure from public opinion because of eating and drinking during Ramadan. This pressure is even greater than physical problems, and it is one of the most threatening things in Ramadan.

In order to make the players feel better, the team's training volume will drop significantly at this time of year.During the game, the running of the players will also be greatly reduced.After all, when Ramadan comes, everyone's physical strength can't keep up, and they can't run more. If we emphasize more running at this time, the players will go crazy.

"And this time is the time for us to fight back."

There are also many Muslims in Monaco.Evra, Abidal, Cisse, Pursau, Roundup, are all Muslims.But compared to other teams, they are already relatively lucky.Aside from the Muslims, Monaco can also build a team that is not far behind, which is rare.Deschamps has paid great attention to signings since he entered Monaco. There are not too many African players in his team, which is a huge advantage for Monaco.

Moreover, the few Muslims in Monaco did not fanatically insist on fasting. Although the amount of training will be reduced during the fasting period, the basic training can still be maintained normally, which also allows them to take advantage of a lot.

On the contrary, Lyon, which is also a championship team, suffers a lot: their main midfielder Mohamed Diarra is a very devout Muslim, and when it comes to Ramadan, he must insist on fasting. decreased sharply.Lyon's defensive system will also be greatly damaged.

And for the same reason, Paris, Marseille and other teams will also be affected,

"It's all up to you whether you can seize the opportunity."

The hope pointed out by Didier Deschamps made everyone raise their heads. Such an opportunity is really worth fighting for.

"But before that, you have to think about one thing: what changes should you make for the team's victory?" Deschamps looked at them, his voice became stiff, "Before that, all of you Not allowed to play. The next game against Nice, you are all banned."

"It's a derby against Nice..." Giuly said softly.

"Your future is more important than Derby." Deschamps responded to his words, "You are the hope of the team."

"Has Monaco still not lost?" Looking at the latest game information, Aulas sighed softly, "These guys are really worrying."

"Michel, you don't have to worry about anything. I firmly believe that Lyon is invincible." Beside him, Lacombe, the special advisor of the two teams, took the call.

"Bernar, we love football because of its unpredictability." Aulas did not refute him directly, but he still expressed his disagreement, "I don't think Monaco is an enemy that can be underestimated. , Didier Deschamps, or Jiuli, none of them are opponents that can be ignored."

Coach Petit has a very strong reputation in Ligue [-], which is the reputation he left behind when he was Wenger's assistant coach.And Deschamps is the greatest captain in the history of the French team. Even if he retires, no one dares to despise him.As for Giuly, this short player who followed Tigana to leave Lyon was already a top player in France.

Aulas looks at football more often not from football itself, but from people.He firmly believes that since football is played by people, people themselves are more important than football.

"Are you thinking of some bad idea to weaken your opponent again?" Seeing Aulas's contemplation, Lacombe couldn't help but said, "No need, really no need, our strength is very strong, this kind of What I have to do now is to play every game well, there is no need to think about crooked ideas."

"No, I didn't think about crooked ideas, I was thinking about how to make my team stronger." Aulas laughed.He intends to provoke Lacombe, and when he speaks, he has always been courteous to the Ligue [-] veteran.

Although he disagrees with Lacombe's view from the bottom of his heart.Football is round, not necessarily strong will win.In order to win the final victory, in addition to strength, one must also consider some outside moves.

"If you really want to make the team stronger, sign in according to what Coach Le Guon said." Lacombe said, "Malouda, Drogba, Essien...we need these players."

"We have to take it step by step, we can't be too anxious," Aulas shook his head, "Next season, I will buy Essien."

This made Lacombe immediately overjoyed, "If that's the case, our defense will rise to a higher level."

"Not necessarily. Essien is also a Muslim. I don't want to see two hungry ghosts playing in the midfield." Aulas felt upset when he said this, "Diyara still refuses to eat before sunset?"

"Yes, he enforces the religious rules very strictly." Lacombe hesitated before speaking, "Also, now Govou has also applied to reduce the amount of training."

This is something that hasn't happened in these years.Sidney Govo has always been the hardest working member of the team since he joined the team.

"Why?" Olas laughed angrily, "Won't that alcoholic suddenly remember to obey the religious rules? The religious rules stipulate that alcohol is not allowed, can he quit?"

"Michelle, you are asking too much." This time, Lacombe did not stand with him, "Religious matters cannot be treated so simply. Sidney realized his religious problems and wanted to To seek progress, we should not stop him."

Olas raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.Although he disagreed with Lacombe's statement, he also knew that when things involved religion, he had to be cautious.

Although people on the football scene all over the world will say that football is about politics, everyone knows that it is bullshit.Since the manipulation of draws to avoid political conflicts in national competitions, the football world has never avoided political issues.The national religion of France has always been a major issue that cannot be ignored, and the French football community dare not take this issue lightly.In the French youth team, there was even a scandal about the distribution of quotas for immigrants: the number of places in the French youth team was allocated according to the number of Central Africans, East Africans, Berbers, and aboriginals.In such an environment, anyone who dares to ignore religious issues would be risking the disapproval of the world.

"It's really nerve-wracking..." Olas shook his head for a long time, "Why are these guys so stubborn?"

But Aulas cursed, but he still knew why he used them.After all, compared with other people, the professionalism of Muslims is unmatched.

Some people always think that Africans are born in poverty, so they will indulge themselves when they have money.Or they think that Africans are from areas with low cultural level, so they must have poor brains.This kind of deep-rooted racial thinking is very popular in football, although this kind of statement has almost no basis at all.

It is true that Africans were born in poverty, but not many indulge themselves when they have money.Most of the players who indulge themselves are mainly South Americans, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. It is not so much that their sudden wealth makes them sink, it is better to say that it is caused by the thinking of the Latin cultural circle.However, after African players have money, they have to support them because their hometowns are poor and they have many relatives and friends. Therefore, most of them spend their money in their hometowns.

Take the two most famous people as an example. Ronaldinho got money and started to play around, while Eto'o got money and established his own youth training school in his hometown: Compared with South Americans, Africans have much better professionalism .Although they were poor and uneducated, they were not those South American people who only knew how to play.From Weah, to Eto'o, to Yaya Toure, the professionalism of Africans has always been commendable.

There are very few football players born in Africa who are not self-disciplined.Because of the strict beliefs of Muslims, their lives are more regular than ordinary people, and the problems of many South American players will not appear in them.Muslims are not allowed to have tattoos, to manipulate their hair, and to have a more regular diet. These things are strict requirements for others, but they are very simple things for them.It is for this reason that they are favored.Players who manage well and listen to discipline are always loved.

Since I have received the benefits of religion, I will always bear the troubles of religion: everything has duality, and you can't just look at one side.

After thinking for a long time, Aulas smiled again, "I suddenly thought of a good idea. Bernard, let the team conduct a physical examination tomorrow, and during the physical examination, I hope there will be a little accident: I hope There was a small scratch wound on Diarra's arm."

"Michelle!" Lacombe's face suddenly changed, "Do you know what you are talking about?"

Muslim teachings stipulate that you are not allowed to eat anything during fasting, but if you are sick, you don't have to obey this rule.The problem caused by Diarra's fasting is his lack of physical strength, but if he suffers a small injury, he can eat and drink instead, without affecting training and competition.Especially the scratch on the arm, which didn't affect the game at all.

But in doing so, in a sense, it is also provoking Muslims.Lacombe has had a lot of contact with Muslims, and he is well aware of the terrible stubbornness of Muslims. Such things cannot be done.

"I didn't say anything more. What I meant was to let him get injured accidentally. If he thinks it is necessary, he can continue fasting after the injury. I have no objection." Olas laughed , "I just showed him a possibility. If he is really a very persistent Muslim, he can ignore this kind of thing and continue his practice."

But you have already given him an excuse to do evil... Handing a bottle of poison to a man who is dying of thirst and letting him decide for himself is not something a kind person would do.

"He wouldn't do that," Lacombe muttered, "and if you do, you'll be mobbed by Muslims."

"The premise is that Diarra will report me, will he? I have read the teachings of Muslims," ​​Aulas said of his opinion, "their teachings are very clear. What you eat does not violate the doctrine. Then, I will just lie to him once, and let him continue to be his good person."

You are not lying to him, you are giving him a chance to go along with the boat and violate the doctrine... Lacombe felt a chill in his heart, is this kind of thing even deceiving the gods?

Lacombe shook his head, feeling a little emotional, "Michelle, you are a villain."

"I'm a bad boy." Olas laughed.

Lyon's nickname is Children, and their biggest fan organization is also the Bad Boys Organization.What Olas said seemed to be a confession, but more, it was just a joke.

Lacombe shook his head and said nothing more.

Yes, Olas is a badass.However, he is Leon's villain.Without him, maybe what Lyon is like now, in the 80s, Lyon was reduced to the second division.It is Aulas' continuous efforts that made Lyon what it is today.

What is there to blame such a chairman for?He invested in Lyon when it was at its worst, and has insisted on injecting funds into Lyon for more than ten years.He established Lyon's youth training base, established Lyon's status as a strong team, and also relied on his connections and influence to send Lyon, who had never won a league championship, to G14. He is indeed a bad guy, but for Lyon, he An absolute hero.

And Lacombe himself can't accuse him of anything.Although Aulas called him the star of the team, in fact, Lacombe has not only played for Lyon.Although the highest achievement in Lyon's history: a French Cup, was won under his leadership, but for Lacombe, the peak of his career was still won in Saint-Etienne.

Invite a person who has played for the mortal enemy of Derby back, let him take up an important position in the team, and even let him stay as the team's consultant when he failed consecutively as a coach. Olas's trust and appreciation for him, let La Combefa voiced any grievances against him.

Maybe he did have a purpose, but so what?At least he is worthy of Lacombe, and Lacombe will not care about his bad intentions towards others.As for bearing those names for him, so what?Isn't it for Leon?Lacombe knew very well that if Aulas carried out these evil methods, he would definitely be criticized by thousands of people, but if he carried them out, no one would say anything.

Football circles are so strange, they are too exclusive.Under such circumstances, it is really a blessing for the team to have a boss who is willing to pay and hide behind the scenes.

"I really hope that this kind of life can last longer." Lacombe turned a thought in his heart, "It's best to be year after year, and always be present."