green star

Chapter 119 Veteran and Newcomer

On August 2004, 8, Eddie Gray, the head coach of Leeds United, officially introduced Albertini in front of all the team members. Eddie Gray strongly praised Albertini's achievements. The most famous full-back, the current head coach of Leeds United, means obviously. He is implying the players, Albertini, the meritorious player of the Milan dynasty, the champion player who has won the Big Ear Cup and the Serie A championship, this is their example.

When Eddie Gray introduced Albertini, Li Rui was also excitedly looking at this veteran who looked like an ordinary Italian civilian. The excitement was obvious. Li Rui's domestic At that time, he grew up watching the Serie A broadcast on CCTV. Although the upsurge of the Milan dynasty had just passed when he was watching the football, this did not affect his admiration for these great players who had created brilliance.

Now, his childhood idol is in front of him, and he will be his teammate, which makes Li Rui suddenly feel as if he has passed away.

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Albertini has an approachable smile on his face. He is a humble person, and he rarely loses his temper. Otherwise, he would not be the team vice-president at Acmilan, where big names gather. People like Li Rui are looking at him At that time, Albertini was also watching his new teammates. He found that, as Leeds United coach Eddie Gray said, this is an extremely young team. Of course, there are also Gary Kelly and A veteran like Radebe, however, is more of a young and somewhat excessive face.

This made Albertini a little emotional. It was a difficult decision for him to come to Leeds United. Before that, he was also hesitating whether to retire in a lower Serie A team or go to a strange team in a strange country , come to a new challenge, to fight for the last pride of a career?

Before coming, Albertini's agent and Adams, a friend of Gazzetta dello Sport, helped him analyze Leeds United, a Premier League team that was still fighting for relegation last season, and the conclusions he reached were in line with the general media. Adams directly pointed out that after getting rid of the debt crisis and avoiding the large-scale loss of stars, Leeds United can completely surprise everyone, and Albertini's experience and championship aura will be Help him to be the leader of this young team.

'Demi, isn't it something to look forward to, leading a group of young men to make a foray? 'Adams' hoarse Italian tenor has the magic of bewitching. Albertini admitted that he was tempted. Then, after experiencing the madness of this stadium at Elland Road, Albertini made up his mind.

So, Albertini is here, he doesn't know, what kind of evaluation will he get when he decides to retire?

He chose to die in obscurity.Or try a new adventure.Maybe it will work.Perhaps still will leave in obscurity.

But, no matter what, Albertini, who has always been peaceful, persisted stubbornly this time. He proved to everyone that he was not old yet and did not need to retire.

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When Eddie Gray handed over the captain's armband to Albertini, it also showed that the new chariot of Leeds United belonging to Albertini began to start, although the team's veteran However, this veteran who has played for Leeds United for 10 years wisely chose to remain silent. His sincerity and love for Leeds United made him understand that he must remain silent at this time. At this time, Leeds United can no longer stand the toss. As a veteran player, he must set a good example.

Gary Kelly has always used AC Milan's Paolo Maldini as his role model, and he did exactly that, although now, he is not wearing the captain's armband.

Of course, regarding the captain's armband, Eddie Gray and Gary Kelly also had an exchange, when Eddie Gray asked Gary Kelly to give up the captain's armband.Unwilling, the deputy of Leeds United asked him: "Why?"

Eddie Gray was very dissatisfied with Gary Kelly's tone, and wanted to get angry at first, but looking at this veteran who had dedicated 10 youths to Leeds United, Eddie Gray remembered that when he was in Leeds United, he There was a moment of silence, "Gary, you and Radebe, the old guys, never thought about winning a championship when they left the court?"

When he said this, the head coach of the relegation team Leeds United had gloomy but powerful eyes, and his expression was more like that of a champion coach. At this moment, Gary Kelly seemed to think that the person standing in front of him was O'Leary... …

The deputy of Leeds United did not speak, turned and left, "I know what to do, boss."

Albertini didn't know the story behind the captain's armband on his arm, but Albertini felt the reserved goodwill released by several veteran players who had played for more than several years in the team, which also made Albertini breathed a sigh of relief. He came here to play football. He wanted to create new brilliance, and he didn't want to put too much energy in the locker room, although this kind of thing is common everywhere.

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Obviously, Eddie Gray's purpose seems to have received the initial effect. The tactical advantage that Albertini brought to the team has not yet been shown. However, the head coach of Leeds United saw it proudly. The young man in the eyes, there is something different in the eyes, that is——
The desire for glory, the desire for the championship.

Maybe it's a bit too much of a joke to say this about a relegation team, but please don't look at the head coach and players of this team with a general perspective, the rebellious head coach, a few people who are eager for the final glory The veterans, a group of young people who are not afraid of tigers, the green field is neither big nor small, and there is a lot to do in the future!
If, before, Alan Lennon and Li Rui still felt that the dream champion was too far away, but now that there is a champion player by their side, it feels real and seems within reach.

Eddie Gray asked Albertini to give some pointers to this group of young people. Of course Albertini had no objection. He was originally approachable and helpful, and he had no airs in front of these young people. However, this did not hinder The respect the lads have for him, after all, Albertini's championship aura is real.

"Demi, what does it feel like to hold the big ear cup in your hand?" After the training, Albertini received a massage from the team doctor on the sidelines. The new captain of Leeds United was surrounded by a few guys. Li Rui was shirtless, Putting the jersey on his shoulders, he asked. In private, these young people called Albertini 'Demi', and Albertini was also very happy. This shows that these young people really accepted him, not just Just an empty captain's armband.

Albertini squinted his eyes. In his blue eyes, he seemed to be immersed in the past, recalling that glorious time, and said in a calm tone, "The trophy is cold, but my heart is hot."

Several young players did not speak, and everyone felt that Albertini's seemingly random words just now contained a kind of pride and pride from the heart. This is the pride of a player's life. This feeling, It is a player who has no experience and cannot speak.

"When will I be able to stand on top of Europe and hold the trophy that symbolizes the highest honor for a player..." Li Rui was silent, but his young face was shining with tenacity and optimism.Stubborn, connected together...

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"Okay, boys, come here, we should discuss the game against Crystal Palace..." Assistant coach Gustavo Poyet didn't know what they were discussing, and called everyone over.

Yes, the road has to be walked step by step, but as long as the dream is still there, there is hope, isn't it?
The local media of Leeds United did not know about these small things that happened inside the team, but the spirit of the team is still obvious. Compared with last season's panic, it is simply a world of difference...

"All opponents who position Leeds United as a relegation team will drink a cup of bitter wine..." "Yorkshire Post" said before the first round of the new season, before Leeds United's home game against Crystal Palace. , at this time, no one takes this statement from the local media of Leeds United seriously...

However, the words of the "Yorkshire Post" were still in my ears, and my team gave me a slap in the face for being very disrespectful.

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Three days later, Leeds United lost 0:1 to the newly promoted Crystal Palace at Elland Road, their home stadium. Seizing a chance to counterattack, the blow was fatal.

In the 31st minute of the game, Salomon Olembe made a careless return pass in the frontcourt and was intercepted by Crystal Palace midfielder Johnson, then launched a quick counterattack and scored the only goal of the game.

At the beginning of the second half of the game, Salomon Olembe, who made a fatal mistake, was replaced by Pennant. This was also the first time that Pennant appeared in the position of left midfielder. Leeds United's offense improved a little bit, but they were unlucky at the goal and eventually lost the first round of the league.

In this game, Li Rui sat on the bench and did not get a chance to play. Eddie Gray used the combination of Alan Smith and Alan Lennon on the front line in the game, but, Obviously, Alan Lennon is not used to cruising on the front line, and his performance was mediocre throughout the game.

The remarks made by the "Yorkshire Post" before the game were also regarded as a laughing stock by the English media, especially Leeds United's rivals in the next round of the league, Manchester United, were ridiculed constantly. Bettini's performance in the first round of the league was ridiculed as 'poor', and he believed that Leeds United had 'a grandpa hired with a high salary'.And he complained maliciously about Alan Smith's loneliness on the front line, and finally, he didn't forget to sarcasm, "Maybe, Mr. Eddie Gray should consider giving the Chinese a little chance, maybe there will be surprises." ..."

A rambunctious crow flies over Manchester... pissing off a guy named Li Rui...

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PS: One thing to say, the status seems to be coming back, so let’s do it, no matter whether it’s three shifts or not, a minimum of 6000+ words is guaranteed every day, there are important competitions, more points, maybe a big chapter will be published.

Ask for collection.

(End of this chapter)