The Young Lion

According to the usual practice, for European football in even-numbered years, there must be an intercontinental competition or participation in the World Cup. Odd-numbered years are relatively tasteless, but there are also biennial Confederations Cup competition tasks.

With a large number of South American players landing in Europe, some national team players have more heavy tasks. The Copa America will be staggered with the World Cup and the European Cup. It will inevitably collide with the Confederations Cup. However, the management in South America has always been chaotic. The gold content is therefore slightly insufficient.

As for the Confederations Cup, it used to be held every two years. UEFA complained about this, because frequent international competitions would prevent players from getting a reasonable rest. Participation is rejected on the grounds that the point is too far away.

This year, the regulations are set. The year before the World Cup, the Confederations Cup must be held. It is called a preview of the competition, giving the host country the experience of hosting the event, and the game between UEFA and UEFA continues until April 1. Years later, it was determined that the Confederations Cup would be abolished every two years and changed to a four-year one. Even so, the tasteless nature of the Confederations Cup still cannot be changed.

The match day of the national team is fixed, which can be regarded as a business. As for how to arrange the game on the match day, that is the matter of the football associations of each continent. For example, the arrangement in Europe is more reasonable. On the other hand, only the World Cup qualifiers will be played in a cycle of three or four years, and the schedule will be protracted.

Just like before the start of the World Cup, various national teams will play friendly matches to warm up the big events and attract the attention of the outside world. This year there will be the Confederations Cup. The non-participating national teams will also compete before the start of the Confederations Cup. Use these competitions to maintain the attention of the outside world. So as to create the momentum of the Confederations Cup.

At the end of May, Aldrich wore a casual T-shirt with the Three Lions team logo on it and led the national team to Oslo to challenge the Vikings and the Norwegian national team.

Having just experienced a brilliant season, Aldridge's popularity is overwhelming, and he is the focus of attention wherever he goes, and the England national team has not suffered a defeat under his hands. It is obviously a meaningless friendly match, but it has attracted a lot of attention from the outside world. The game time was selected for prime time, and the TV broadcast was ready to go.

In an interview the day before the game, Aldridge declined all questions about the club, only talking about this friendly match, and friendly matches, what is there to talk about?

The young marshal didn't buy it, but the outside world was still following his game.

He said frankly at the press conference: In this friendly match, the task of the England national team is to train!

Compared with other world powerhouses, England's shortcomings are obvious, being too young. Since they are young, let them grow up quickly.

What's more. Some stars in their prime, such as Beckham,

Scholes, Owen, Southgate, etc., they have just completed a season of competition tasks, let them go all out to play a friendly match, even if they can make a verbal guarantee, Aldridge does not believe it .

The training value of this game to the main lineup can be said to be minimal, and the only ones who can be trained are the new faces of the national team.

But the national team should come to report or report. Going to Norway, right as a vacation, sitting on the bench to watch the game, less free time for the holidays, is always easier than working hard.

The Norwegian national team has just reached the latest breakthrough in the history of the national team in the 1998 World Cup. It entered the knockout round of the top 16. The European Cup in 2000 also advanced to the finals as it wished. Unfortunately, it went home in the group stage. Now it will hit the finals of the 2002 World Cup and qualify. The road seemed cast in a shadow.

This stems from the change in the playing style of the Norwegian national team. Since 1998, it has been more conservative, and its scoring rate has dropped significantly. In addition, the Nordic teams occasionally have talents, but they cannot guarantee a steady stream of talents. A period of glory, a period of decline, like Sweden where Larsson played, is now considered a good era, Ibrahimovic, Larsson, Ljungberg and other first-class stars can already hold up half the sky.

Norway is now in the period of upgrading, but the new generation does not have enough stars to appear. It is not surprising that they will gradually sink into the second-tier in the future.

For this game, the Norwegian national team attaches great importance to it. Coach Senby did not say that he must win, but only said that Norway hopes to prove himself in the game against England.

In the locker room before the game, Aldridge didn’t say much. Today, he sent few starting players. To put it bluntly, there are only two players, Lampard and Ashley Cole. The captain’s armband also made Lampard Dai, in this game, he can't be bothered to yell at the team to go up the mountain of swords and down into the sea of ​​fire, just exercise, be normal, young people can be good if they don't panic, and they can perform at their true level, and they don't expect anyone to bring amazing performances .

Judging from England's starting lineup today, we can't figure out Hall's true intentions. Is it a sign of weakness? Or is it really training as he said before the game? The formation of this legendary young marshal has always been let People can't figure it out.

England starting 451.

Goalkeeper: James.

Defenders: Phil Neville, Terry, Campbell, Ashley Cole.

Midfield: Barry, Hargreaves, Lampard, Joe Cole, Gerrard.

Forward: Smith.

This is definitely not the main lineup that the England national team will use in the main game. Big-name players such as Beckham, Scholes, Southgate, Owen and so on are all sitting on the bench. They look relaxed, Talking and laughing there. Norway is playing the main force today. Seeing England's lineup, I am afraid it will make them feel angry. This is obviously a bit of contempt for them.

Before the game, Norwegian coach Senby got the starting list of the England national team. After reading it, he talked eloquently to the players in the locker room for a long time, meaning: Don't be fooled by England!

Hall is good at this kind of trick, make the opponent angry, lose the wolf, and then they fight back easily, humiliating the opponent!

It has to be said that wherever Aldridge goes now, there is nothing but soldiers.

From the beginning of the game, Norway firmly played the defensive counterattack tactics they developed under the coach of Senby in recent years, and it was an extremely conservative defensive counterattack. It can be said. It's his mother who drives the bus. attack? Let it be fate, one goal is counted as one if you try your luck, and if you don't get it, you can accept it without losing.

At this time of year, the night in Norway is just over ten degrees. Aldrich was still wearing a T-shirt when he came yesterday, looking sunny and casual. Tonight. Honestly put on the suit again, and added a woolen sweater inside.

In fact, the weather is very good, cool and invigorating. It is suitable for players to play and watch football.

It's a pity that Norway shamelessly puts up the bus, which really spoils the scenery.

Aldridge looked downhearted, Norway was shrinking, and England was not good at playing positional warfare. The scene became boring, and even the coach felt that he was not interested.

Most of the players on the bench are chatting. Aldridge didn't forbid it either. After the game, they went all over the place, and asked to relax now. There's no need to get everything up and running.

The training value of the game is not great. After all, there is no continuity between the game and the training. Aldridge turned around and called McManaman to his side, and asked Klinsmann to give McManaman a seat.

McManaman had a good season in the past. He was reused in the national team and helped the team win the long-awaited league championship in Real Madrid. However, his life in Real Madrid is becoming more and more uncertain.

Coach, what's the matter?

McManaman asked solemnly after sitting down.

He also found out Aldrich's temper. Anyway, when talking about serious business, the attitude must be correct.

On this occasion, Aldridge obviously wouldn't joke with him.

Next season is a very critical season. We will go to the World Cup, and you are my main force. Steve, you should understand that at your age, too many games will drain your energy, but Stable playing time is the basis for guaranteeing your state. I hope you can understand that as a head coach, I will not be biased in employing people. I dare to use you if you have strength and state. But if your state is unknown, then

Aldridge got straight to the point, and this kind of thing must be made very clear to the players.

McManaman had a serious expression and did not respond for a while.

Real Madrid is implementing a superstar policy, and his position is being challenged. The arrival of Figo last season has caused his sense of existence to decline rapidly. This summer, Real Madrid has just won the league championship, and Florentino's ambition has just started. .

Just like the outside rumors, Florentino will try his best to win Ronaldinho, Henry, Zidane, Veron and other stars of this level. Two characteristics, first, are offensive players, and second, expensive players.

If Real Madrid introduces one or two such stars, McManaman's life in Real Madrid next season, I am afraid no one can guarantee it.

And the end of next season is the World Cup. If this season does not get a stable playing time in the league to ensure his competitive state, McManaman will definitely be able to go to the World Cup, but if Aldridge has a better choice, or more secure It is also very possible to drop him to the bench.

Next year, McManaman will be 30 years old. The World Cup is the highest stage for players. He only played once in the 98 World Cup. In five years, he will be 34 years old in the 2006 World Cup. The possibility of catching up is very slim.

Therefore, for his career, next year's World Cup is the last chance to leave his name on the greenest stage!

He wanted to hold on to it, very much.

But Real Madrid is a wealthy club after all. When the summer transfer period comes, as Real Madrid's signings progress, he may need to make a decision.

McManaman left with a solemn expression. He did not make any verbal promises, and the matter has not yet reached the stage of final conclusion. Maybe his future in Real Madrid will turn around?

Anyway, Aldridge's request is only to hope that McManaman can guarantee playing time at the club next season to stabilize his state. It is not for the head coach to interfere with which club he will play for.

England lost this friendly match today, Norway shrank the bus, England is not good at tackling tough battles, and a group of young players pressed them up when they were fighting, and was attacked by Norway's counterattack, and finally lost 0:1.

Aldridge didn't care much about the loss. This game was really a friendship-first match-second nature.

He shook hands with Sunby after the game, and then disbanded the England national team on the spot.

All the work of this season is officially over. Aldrich returns to London to take his children and Ivan, and goes directly to his own island in Australia for vacation. This summer vacation is more extravagant. He has a luxury cruise ship.

The summer of 2001.

Boss Bei wants to revive Milan, the Bianconeri seeks to dominate the Apennines, Inter Milan seeks the crown, and the era of the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period in Italy is gone forever.

The German Banba suffered two defeats in three years and was seriously injured. German football is seeking kingly ways in the dark.

The Iberian white giant has returned to the Champions League, the Galaxy battleship under construction is ready to go, and the Catalan army is struggling to find the code to revisit the dream era.

Not far from the Iberian white giant, a magical bird is about to soar into the sky

The Three Lions are three games away from the World Cup in Korea and Japan, and the race for the Hercules Cup has officially entered the countdown.

Volume VII: Reorganizing the Mountains and Rivers-End.

Next volume: Lion Dynasty! (to be continued...) ()