"Gaizka is no longer the same Gaizka as before," Scottry said with emotion.
Banderas nodded after hearing this.
Li Ang frowned. In his plan, Mendieta is very suitable for Sporting Gijon. The former Valencia star is only 30 years old this year. As long as he can perform as well as he did in Valencia
Half of the ability is already quite good. With Mendieta as the core of the midfield, Sporting Gijon's midfield strength will reach a higher level, and the midfield tactics envisioned by Li Ang can also be used to the greatest extent.
However, it is a pity that Mendieta declined the invitation of Sporting Gijon. Not only did he reject Sporting Gijon, Mendieta also rejected invitations from La Liga clubs such as Real Sociedad and Osasuna.
Although Mendieta did not say the reason for his decline, everyone including Li Ang, Scott Terry and Banderas could guess that the low years in Lazio had worn away Mendieta's ambition.
Afraid of the new environment, afraid of encountering a bigger trough again. During the season he was loaned to Middlesbrough, he regained a little bit of his form. Mendieta wanted to stay in the familiar environment of Middlesbrough.
, he didn’t dare to risk going back to a new club, even the La Liga stadium he was familiar with, he didn’t dare to risk going back.
Thinking back to Mendieta's glory in Valencia, the most talented midfielder in Valencia's history has become history forever.
Li Ang shook his head. Since Mendieta is focused on going to Middlesbrough, he has no choice. In Middlesbrough, Mendieta is retiring and spending the last part of his career. If he comes to Sporting Gijon
, Li Ang believes that this talented veteran can regain his second youth under his command. It is a pity that he has this confidence...
"What did Albertini say?" Leon asked.
"Albertini's agent, Mr. Branchini, has responded that they will come to Palermo to meet with us," Banderas said.
Li Ang nodded, and finally there was good news. Albertini was willing to come to Palermo to meet, which showed that the other party was not opposed to going to Gijon. Now it was up to him to see if he could convince the former AC with his smooth tongue.
Milan team vice president.
***********
In the warm-up match against Palermo, Li Ang made a bold attempt. He arranged for Modric to start and let the young Croatian player play the role of midfield organizer.
However, it is obvious that Modric is still very immature. Facing the Italian team's chain defense, Modric seemed helpless.
In the second half of the game, Li Ang mobilized his troops and arranged for Mata to retreat and participate in organizing the attack, but the effect was still not good.
The result of this game was zero to zero. Sporting Gijon's offense did not come into play. However, the double midfielder composed of Marcos and Carlos also made it difficult for Palermo to threaten Sporting Gijon's goal.
And Hierro's defense is relatively stable. Although Pepe is still a little rough, with Hierro, a veteran, in charge, there is no danger.
In short, this is a boring battle.
The only bright spot is Di Natale's performance. In the absence of strong support, Di Natale relied on his personal ability to get an excellent shooting opportunity in the frontcourt, but it was a pity that the goalpost blocked it.
Goal.
In addition, Grosso's assist on the left side also made Palermo's right side a little embarrassed.
On the contrary, Ribery, who had high hopes from Li Ang, performed somewhat poorly. During the 90 minutes of the game, Ribery was surrounded by the Italian defense and seemed to be sleepwalking.
This made Li Ang frown. This won't work. Ribery's side thrust is an important part of his tactics. He must activate the power of this French scar man as soon as possible.
There were not many fans in the stands of Barbera Stadium, and the fans were not very interested in such a warm-up match.
***********
Demi Albertini and his agent Branchini watched the game in the stands, and the two exchanged words in low voices from time to time.
"Demi, what do you think of this team?" Paige Branchini asked Albertini.
"The defense did a good job." Albertini stared at the court and echoed, "Their players pressed very hard."
Planchini nodded, "Demi, have you noticed that their players are very young."
"Indeed." Albertini looked carefully. Although he didn't know the ages of the Sporting Gijon players on the field, it was obvious that many players were very young, and even looked like they were only ten years old.
brat.
"Apart from Hierro, the oldest ones are Di Natale and Grosso, who are 27 years old. The youngest are only 17 or 18 years old." Planchini said, and then pointed to the Sporting Gijon players on the field.
Explaining to Albertini.
This surprised Albertini. On the one hand, he was surprised that the age composition of the Sporting Gijon team was so young. On the other hand, he did not expect that Planchini knew this team so well. He gave Planchini a surprised look.
"The club you choose may be the last club you play for in your career." Planchini said with a smile, "I hope to try my best to make your career no longer regretful. All I can do is try my best.
To understand and do a good job.”
There was a warm current in Albertini's chest, and he did not speak. He had cooperated with his agent Planchini for many years. In Albertini's eyes, the other party helped him like an elder brother taking care of his younger brother. There are many relationships between players and agents.
When interests are entangled, this kind of mutual understanding and help is rare. It becomes even more precious.
"Page." Albertini asked Planchini, "What do you think of Sporting Gijon's invitation?"
"Their head coach, Mr. Li Ang, is a very interesting person." Planchini said, "He was very frank on the phone. He pointed out that his players are young and inexperienced, and they need a commander in the midfield, and he
There is a very interesting saying.”
"What's that?" Albertini asked with interest.
"He said that if you go to Sporting Gijon, you will be the teacher of the young people on this team." Planchini laughed and said, "Obviously, Mr. Li Ang realizes that the youth of his team is an advantage.
It’s another shortcoming, and he needs a veteran to take charge.”
"Teacher?" Albertini murmured to himself, then looked at the Sporting Gijon players on the field, a little absent-minded, but finally smiled.
***********
"Page, it's obvious that you have a high opinion of this Chinese coach." Albertini said with a smile.
"If you know what this young Chinese has done, you will also be interested." Planchini said, he was really thinking about the final journey of Albertini's career, and after receiving the invitation from Sporting Gijon
After that, it only took one night to get to know Sporting Gijon through various channels, and also get to know Li Ang, the Chinese head coach of this team.
"Oh, tell me." Albertini was aroused with strong interest.
Planchini started by talking about Liang being driven out as the head coach of Real Madrid's under-17 youth team A...
Albertini was also amazed. When he heard that Liang led Sporting Gijon all the way to the Copa del Rey final, and defeated Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and won the Copa del Rey trophy, he was used to big scenes.
Albertini was also shocked.
"What a miracle." Albertini finally sighed. Whether it was winning the Copa del Rey, or advancing from the relegation zone to the promotion play-offs in the league, and finally succeeding in La Liga, that coach Li Ang led Sporting Gijon to this half.
The performance of the season can indeed be described with the word 'miracle'.
"Not bad." Planchini nodded, and then he said to Albertini in a more serious tone, "Demi, I think this team may be a good choice."
"Tell me your reasons, Page." Albertini also said seriously. He knew that since Planchini said so, he had his reasons.
"First of all, this team has Di Natale and Grosso." Planchini said with a smile.
Albertini was stunned for a moment, then nodded. This was indeed an important factor. Although he did not know Di Natale and Grosso, they were both Italians. Having two Italian compatriots would make them less foreign.
Feeling lonely in a foreign country, everyone likes to stick together, and the same goes for players. This kind of teaming up is not something that can be said to be overwhelming, but it is indeed good to have familiar friends and a familiar language.
"Second, as we have seen, and as Coach Li Ang said, his team needs a teacher, you are experienced and capable enough to become the core of the midfield of this team, which shows that you are in this team
The importance of the team," Planchini said.
Albertini sat up straight and nodded seriously. This, the head coach's attention, is the most important thing for veterans like Albertini, especially what Planchini said, being able to become a member of the team.
Core, this will satisfy them.
"Finally, your old friend also suggested that you join this team." Planchini said.
"Old friend?" Albertini was stunned. Then he looked at the field and saw Hierro completing a successful interception. He understood and a smile appeared on his face, "He is really an old friend."
Demi Albertini and Fernando Hierro, one is the vice-president of AC Milan and the other is the captain of Real Madrid. The competition between AC Milan and Real Madrid was once the main theme of European football. Albertini and Hierro
Luo is an old rival for many years. Of course, he can also be said to be an old friend.
Seeing the 36-year-old Hierro on the court, the 33-year-old Albertini was in a trance. In front of his eyes, he seemed to see the smoke of that year. He was wearing a red and black jersey, and Hierro was fluttering in white.
, he can never forget those years, just as he can never forget every bit of his time at San Siro...
Maybe it would feel good to compete with such an old friend, he suddenly came up with this idea.
