"The Brazilian team eliminated the French team. If they defeat Portugal in the semi-finals, they can reach the final... We can meet them in the final! When the time comes, I will help you beat up Kabangca!"
After watching the match between Brazil and France, Ramon Cantero said to Melli excitedly.
"You are thinking too far, Ramon. Brazil may not be able to get through Portugal. You must know that Portugal is playing at home." Melli shook his head and poured cold water on Cantero, "Besides, we have to eliminate Italy first.
Then win the semi-finals and then have the possibility to meet the Brazilian team in the finals..."
Merry shook his head when he said this.
"It's better to be cautious, Ramon. Don't worry about the Brazilian team. Let's play our own game. Tomorrow we will play Italy. It is not an easy opponent to deal with. You know, even Hu couldn't break through Albertazzi's
We have to work harder on the goal."
Hearing what Melli said, Cantero's expression became more serious: "I was indeed a little surprised. I didn't expect that Hu couldn't even break Albertazzi's goal..."
"Hey." Melly rolled his eyes at Cantero, "What does 'unexpectedly connect' mean? Don't you know that the last time Hu scored in Albertazzi's goal was almost two years ago?"
"Ah? Has it been that long?" Cantero was surprised.
"In the second round of the UEFA Champions League group stage in the 2028-2029 season, the Madrid Pirates defeated the Turin Bulls 2:0 at home. Hu scored twice in that game. After that, in the sixth round of the group stage, the Madrid Pirates defeated the Turin Bulls 0:0 away from home.
We tied with the Turin Bulls, Hu started but didn't score."
Melly explained for Cantero.
Cantero opened his mouth wide: "How does Melia know about Hu's past?"
Meili rolled his eyes at him: "Isn't it necessary to know your opponent? Isn't that the point? The point is that with Hu's scoring ability, the last time he scored was in 2028, and it's been two years now. Albertazzi's
The growth has exceeded many people's imagination. He has not conceded a goal in this World Cup so far."
Cantero originally wanted to say, "That's because Hulay and Albertazzi haven't met each other in the past two years..."
As the words came to his lips, he remembered the match where the Chinese team lost 0:1 to Italy in this World Cup.
Not only did the two men meet, but Hulay was indeed unable to break through Albertazzi's goal.
Using Hulay as a reference can well illustrate how good Albertazzi's current state is.
After all, Hu Lai has scored seven goals in this World Cup, ranking first in the scorer list. No matter how far the Chinese team can go, at least Hu Lai will win the golden boot of this World Cup. There is no suspense.
Since the Golden Boot was introduced in the 1982 World Cup, no top scorer in a single tournament has scored more than seven goals.
With Hulay's number of goals, he has won the Golden Boot award in the previous twelve World Cups.
In the last World Cup, Hu Lai won the Golden Boot, but he only scored five goals at that time.
He also became the first player in World Cup history to win the Golden Boot after playing only three group matches.
Four years later, he has played more games and scored more goals, which is natural.
Against the backdrop of his performance, Albertazzi's power became even more apparent.
Of course, Italy's ability to keep Jule clean is not just the result of Albertazzi.
Their mature and stable defensive system also contributed a lot.
So Mellie's caution makes sense.
In the knockout stage, Italy should definitely be an opponent that no team wants to face.
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"Mateo, I want to start in the game against Argentina."
The day before the game, Caesar found the team's head coach, Matteo Caviglia, and made his demands straight to the point.
Caviglia was very surprised: "But your knees..."
After qualifying from the group, Caviglia knew that Caesar's knee was really injured, and it was not just to spread suspicion.
So Caesar didn't play a minute in the match against Sweden.
After the group stage, Caesar has been receiving treatment.
The team's medical team is trying to get him ready for the quarter-finals, but they can't guarantee that Caesar will definitely be able to return in the quarter-finals, let alone start.
In head coach Caviglia's plan, Caesar was not considered to start the game. Even if Caesar could play, he was prepared to let Caesar come on as a substitute in the second half.
Just like he did against China and Spain.
Coming off the bench is safer and has more options.
Faced with Caviglia's concerns, Caesar's answer was particularly decisive: "I will go to the team doctor to get a closed injection, and I will get another injection before tomorrow's game."
"Are you crazy, Caesar?!" Caviglia's eyes widened.
"What are you making all the fuss about, Mateo? Isn't this a normal thing for me? Every World Cup game I play now could be my last, what do I have to reserve?"
"Uh..." Matteo Cavergilia was speechless when Caesar asked him.
Because Caesar was right.
What else does the thirty-eight-year-old veteran need to consider about the future?
Every game is the most important right now.
Besides, this is the quarter-finals of the World Cup, not an ordinary league.
After passing the quarter-finals, even if you become the semi-finals of the World Cup, you can play two more games, one semi-final, one...either the final or the third or fourth place final.
In short, it can be regarded as playing the entire World Cup.
Italy's opponent in the quarter-finals was Argentina with Melli.
Melly has been in great form recently...
Caviglia immediately understood why Caesar had to close the game.
Seeing that Caviglia had not yet responded, Caesar said again: "Let me start in this game, Mateo. You asked me to substitute before, so I did. I understand and respect your work, and now I hope you will
They also understand and respect me.”
"Why do you have to start, Caesar? You can just come on as a substitute in the second half and give them a fatal blow like you did in the previous games..." Caviglia asked.
"Because our opponent is Argentina, Argentina with Melli. If we can't pose a threat to them in the first half and let them attack, I'm worried that we won't be able to defend." Caesar gave his answer.
Caviglia thought for a moment, then nodded and agreed to Caesar's request: "Okay, you will start. But I can't guarantee that you can play the whole game."
"No problem." Caesar expressed understanding.
※※※
"Caesar actually started the game?!"
After lunch, the Chinese team players who were taking a lunch break in their respective rooms received a surprising news.
After they rest, they will take the bus to leave the hotel and go to the quarter-finals venue.
An hour after the match between Argentina and Italy ended, it was their turn to play against the Netherlands.
Both teams, Italy and Argentina, chose to announce their starting lineups two hours before the game.
It almost happened to be the lunch break time for the Chinese team.
Everyone was surprised to see the prominent name in Italy's starting lineup.
In the game against Sweden, Kaiser sat on the bench for the entire game and didn't play for even a minute. Everyone knew that the rumors about his knee injury before the game turned out to be real news instead of smoke bombs.
And some media further revealed that Caesar had actually injured his knee during the group match between Italy and Spain. He played through the knee injury and finished the game against Spain, and also assisted Di Kunzo to score the winning goal.
The 38-year-old veteran suffered a knee injury, which made everyone think that Caesar might not have many chances to play in this World Cup.
Unexpectedly, in this quarter-final match with Argentina, Italian head coach Matteo Cavergilla actually put Caesar in the starting lineup!
You must know that before this, there was no news that Caesar would start. Is he really recovered from his injury?
But there are no reports on his recovery...
※※※
While the Chinese team players were shocked by Italy's starting lineup, Argentina was also caught off guard.
The Argentine coaching staff is anxious to find out whether Caesar has returned from injury and his physical condition fully meets the requirements of the game.
If this is true, it means that Argentina's defense will face a threat.
Before this World Cup, many people thought that the 38-year-old Caesar could no longer play high-level football matches, and that his appearance would be a drag on the team.
However, after the three group matches of the World Cup, after seeing Caesar's performance with one goal and one assist, it is no longer possible for professional football people, at least, to hold the same view as before.
In the long league, it is normal for Caesar to be limited by physical factors and unable to perform at his best.
However, in the shorter and more concentrated World Cup, Caesar's experience and ability can help him help the team at critical moments.
Not only is he not a hindrance to Italy, but he is also its biggest help.
It can be said that the Italian team was able to reach the knockout rounds and enter the rhythm they are most familiar with and most comfortable with, and Caesar deserves the most credit.
"Before this, there were no reports about his return from injury. And just yesterday, he was still training alone and not training with the team."
The coaches looked at each other in shock when faced with this result.
In the end, Argentina head coach Carol Ojeda said: "Don't worry about that. When the game starts, we will naturally know whether he is really recovered from the injury or forced to come back. Then we will make adjustments according to the situation. Now
Don't scare yourself, just play according to our original tactics. It's too late to make adjustments now. The players don't have time to adapt..."
