The meeting with Albertini went smoothly, so smoothly that Leon couldn't believe it.
He made a big call to former AC Milan to persuade Albertini to join.
Then just when he shut up and took a sip of water, the elegant Italian man spoke, "I may need a few days to deal with the Italian matter before it can be over."
Li Ang almost choked on the water, coughed twice, and widened his eyes, "Demi, what do you mean?"
"I said I was willing to go to Gijon to play football." Albertini blinked. To be honest, when he met the young Chinese coach, even though he was mentally prepared, he was still a little surprised and curious.
I admire it. It is not easy for a Chinese to achieve such results in Europe. Leon's talk revolved around his construction after joining the team. This made Albertini feel Leon's sincerity, and then he became a little humorous.
Well, seeing Li Ang's surprise at this time, he found it very interesting.
Li Ang was overjoyed, he laughed and said, "Demi, welcome, welcome, I believe you will not regret today's decision."
It can be said that this meeting was a pleasant one, and a burden was lifted from Li Ang's heart. With such a veteran sitting in the midfield, he finally felt a lot more relieved.
Albertini is now a free agent and he can sign if he makes his own decision.
Neither party was a procrastinator, and the signing was completed shortly afterwards.
Albertini signed a two-year contract with Sporting Gijon, with an annual salary of 900,000 euros. After the contract expires, depending on Albertini's condition and personal wishes, both parties are free to extend the contract for one year.
This contract also made Albertini feel the sincerity of Leon and Sporting Gijon. Before this, whether it was Atlanta or other clubs that contacted him, they were only willing to sign with him once a year. This also made the Milan team who had been wandering for many years
I feel extremely lonely.
After two years of contract and through communication with Li Ang, Albertini really felt the importance of Li Ang. This Chinese head coach who is even younger than him really relies on him very much.
"Demi." Leon shook hands with Albertini, "Welcome to Gijon."
Albertini smiled and said, "I am the same. I am very honored to join your team. Say hello to Fernando for me. I am very happy to compete with him."
"No problem." Li Ang said with a smile.
Li Ang's chest was burning at this time and he was extremely happy. Both Hierro and Albertini could be said to be his idols before. From the time he started to like football, it can be said that he watched these stars play all the way. Now,
The former Real Madrid captain and the former AC Milan vice-president have become his players. This huge sense of nostalgia and accomplishment is beyond words.
***********
Returning to the hotel where he stayed, Leon expressed his special thanks to Hierro. He knew that Hierro recommended Gijon to Albertini, which played an important role in Albertini's transfer process.
Hierro was very happy to learn that Albertini had agreed to join Gijon. As the saying goes, heroes cherish each other. It feels quite good that two old rivals are fighting together in the twilight years of their careers.
Sporting Gijon will stay in Italy for about a week. In addition to this warm-up match with Palermo, they also played a warm-up match with Di Natale's previous parent team Empoli.
In this game, Liang arranged for Albertini to sit on the bench and came on as a substitute in the second half of the game.
When the Italian fans in the stands saw Albertini coming on as a substitute, they were all shocked because there was no news before that Albertini chose to go to Spain to play football. The previous news was that Albertini was close to signing with Atalanta.
In this game, Empoli is a Serie B team and Sporting Gijon is a newly promoted Spanish team. The attention is very small. There are only a few local media from Empoli and the media from Gijon in the media box. However, at this moment,
The media gallery was shocked.
Albertini actually joined Sporting Gijon?!
Although Albertini is already old and has been wasting his time and wandering since leaving AC Milan, as an important member of the previous Milan dynasty, his every move still attracts much attention.
The few Italian reporters began to get busy, and soon, the news began to spread that Albertini had joined Sporting Gijon, a newly promoted team in La Liga.
The final score of this game was 2-0. Sporting Gijon achieved its first win in the pre-season warm-up match. After receiving Mata's pass, Di Natale broke through the door of his old club and gave Sporting Gijon the lead.
Albertini's free kick assisted substitute McGuer Pihra to score a header.
Compared with the score, Li Ang paid more attention to the process. Although Albertini had just joined the team and his tacit understanding with the players was not enough, Li Ang keenly observed that the Italian star's scheduling in the midfield was slow and slow.
Slowly sorting out the team's midfield, this is a good sign.
Albertini's free kick assist also satisfied Li Ang. You must know that Albertini has free kick skills. As a famous free kick master, Albertini's free kick will provide an important opportunity for Sporting Gijon.
means of scoring.
*************
On the afternoon of local time in Spain, the official website of Sporting Gijon officially announced that the team had signed a two-year contract with former AC Milan superstar Albertini.
This news excited the fans of Gijon. Albertini's Rossoneri shocked Europe. Now, the joining of the former AC Milan star is enough to cause some waves in Spanish football.
"Voice of Gijon" reporter Mitra even said excitedly in his column that the joining of Albertini has made the most powerful supplement to the biggest shortcoming of Sporting Gijon's midfield. The Italian veteran's experience and
Ability will be what this young Sporting Gijon needs most. Now, with Albertini in the midfield and Hierro in the defense, these two famous veterans will inject the most nobility into the young Sporting Gijon.
experience and confidence!
Other Gijon media also praised this signing. They also saw clearly that the young Sporting Gijon needs the experience of veterans, especially after the transfer of Miguel Cobas, the midfielder needs a
The absolute core, and the timely joining of Albertini will assume this important role.
Other media in Spain also reported the news of Albertini's joining.
Of course, it is not all good words. "Marca" reporter Philp raised doubts in his report, believing that the arrival of Albertini, who is already at the end of his career, will not provide much help to Sporting Gijon, and Gijon
The weak midfield of Atletico Hong Kong will continue to trouble this newly promoted team. Philp even asserted that Albertini will sadly leave Gijon in less than half a season...
After Sporting Gijon finished their warm-up game with Empoli, they returned to Spain. The difference from when they went to Italy was that there was one more person when they came back. Albertini also took care of the matters in Italy and went with the team.
Spain.
At the Madrid airport, Leon picked up a copy of Marca, pointed to the words above with a smile, and told Albertini.
"Demi, they say you are old." Li Ang joked.
Upon hearing this, Albertini took a look at his photo in the newspaper, which showed him wearing a red and black jersey.
The elegant Italian man smiled but didn't say anything.
However, Leon smiled. His goal was achieved. The Italian veteran was angered. Albertini was not the type to get angry and curse. He knew that behind this slight smile was the unwillingness and dissatisfaction deep in the heart of this Italian man.
old.
*************
After successfully introducing Albertini in the midfield, Li Ang finally turned his attention to the forward line again.
Antonio Di Natale, McGuer Pihra, and David Lago, these are all the forward players he said he had on hand.
There are only three forward players, and Sporting Gijon needs to fight on three fronts in the Copa del Rey, UEFA Cup and La Liga this season. The configuration of three forwards is definitely not enough.
He needs to continue to strengthen the strength of the forward line. (To be continued.)
