Football giants

Chapter 764 To sell, or not to sell?

The news that both Southampton and Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League final quickly swept the world after the game.

Especially in Europe, led by the media from developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Italy, Qiqi is hyping up and following this event with overwhelming momentum, while the media from other countries are in the back row.

Coupled with the activities launched by major brands and merchants one after another, the match between the Saints and the Sheets has become the focus of worldwide attention.

But what many fans and the media don't know is that the reason why some heavyweight media in Europe pay attention to this game is because they have guessed a little bit of news through various channels and know that the relationship between the two teams is very close.

However, these are not usually seen in the newspapers.

This is a tacit understanding between the media and the team.

Whether it is Southampton or Atletico Madrid, they attach great importance to the relationship with the media. Therefore, whether it is some news about players or some bad news about the team, they will try to downplay it as much as possible, or even avoid reporting it.

This time around, they're taking that approach to a possible relationship between Southampton and Atletico Madrid.

In fact, it is difficult for them to obtain concrete and strong evidence.

As Zhao Yuanfang said, if you really want to avoid reporters, they will not be able to find any clues, they can only report on rumors.

The British media, which are better at digging up some gossip, are even less likely to dig deeper.

Because, after defeating Bayern Munich [-]-[-] in the semifinals, Southampton has become a hero in the eyes of British fans and the hope of Premier League football.

Do not believe?

Then take a look at this season's UEFA Champions League matchup chart!
Among the four teams representing the Premier League, except for the Saints, Manchester City stopped in the top [-] and was eliminated by La Liga Barcelona.

And Bayern Munich was even more ruthless. They first killed Arsenal in the quarterfinals, and then defeated Manchester United in the knockout round of the quarterfinals. The winner was sure to eliminate Southampton in the semifinals. Unexpectedly...

It was the same this season, and it was the same last season.

Manchester United and Arsenal have stopped at the top [-], and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich eliminated them respectively, and these two teams have fallen at the feet of Southampton this season.

Not only that, in the group stage, the reason why Manchester City missed the group stage was because they were in the same group as Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, which directly led to the North London team being ranked at the bottom of the group and being eliminated in a disgraceful manner.

It can be said that in the past few seasons, La Liga teams have always been the sufferers of the Premier League teams, and the Bundesliga has also caused huge damage to the Premier League teams in recent years.

Therefore, Southampton's ability to kill Real Madrid and Bayern Munich this season and reach the Champions League final can be said to be a great pride for the Premier League team, and it has naturally become a hero in the eyes of many English fans.

There is no other reason, but to be able to kill Bayern Munich, the strongest in the Bundesliga, and win the battle of Yingde, the saints are worthy of the title of heroes!
On this point, the German media and the British media thought of it together.

The difference is that the German media criticized Guardiola overwhelmingly after the game, thinking that it was Guardiola's mistake that caused Bayern Munich to be double-killed in two rounds, causing the Bundesliga team to suffer a humiliating defeat.

Even the Bild questioned Guardiola, "Why was Heynckes' team able to kill Barcelona perfectly, but Guardiola's team is now being brutally slaughtered by Southampton?"

Bayern Munich star Franz Beckenbauer also pointed out in his column that Guardiola's overly superstitious concept of ball possession does not match the current Bayern Munich player configuration, and he believes that the ball possession rate is not enough, Bayern Munich should do more in the oppression ring.

This is undoubtedly very close to Cruyff's point of view. The Dutch celebrity defended his disciples in his column.

"The essence of ball control is not the length of time in possession of the ball, but how to effectively use the ball!"

"The reason why Guardiola's Bayern Munich suffered such a disastrous defeat, I don't think it is Guardiola's mistake, nor do I think it is because Bayern Munich is not suitable for ball possession tactics, but because of the current dilemma of this team!"

"There is no doubt that Heynckes' Champions League has filled Bayern Munich with vigorous ambitions, but they have forgotten one thing, that is, any team will always fall quickly after reaching its peak, and Bayern Munich is no exception!"

"So, we see that Ribery and Arjen Robben are unwilling to invest more energy in the frontcourt. When the team faces difficulties, they do not take the burden of the number one star in the team very well."

"On the other hand, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as a soft-footed shrimp in the Champions League in the past, has performed very well in the Champions League this season. He has played the role of the team's number one star very well. It is also his outstanding performance and performance that led Southampton all the way to the Champions League final."

"Also, the outside world has always had a misunderstanding that Barcelona's success comes from possession of the ball. In fact, it is not, or it should be said that possession of the ball does play an important role, but it is not the key!"

"The key to Barcelona's success is pressing and transition!"

"Conversely, look at Bayern Munich today. The frontcourt cannot provide a strong overall pressure, causing the opponent to pass too easily, which brings huge defensive pressure to the midfield. Almost every goal of Southampton comes from a quick counterattack after stealing the ball."

"In modern football tactics, oppression is to regain the ball, but how to use it after regaining the ball? Then you need to complete the offensive and defensive transition faster!"

"But in the current Bayern Munich team, it is obvious that the transition between offense and defense is also done quite badly, especially Schweinsteiger, who is the biggest weakness in this system. His existence is more like letting Bayern Munich lose the ball again and again, giving the opponent a chance to counterattack."

"In contrast to Southampton, the midfield led by Modric, Toni Kroos, and even Matic can often provide the team with more effective offensive and defensive transitions, while the team's frontcourt, even Ibrahimovic, Hazard and Suarez, are always oppressing the opponent's defense."

"Belsa's team is the team that has done the best in the two key links of oppression and offensive and defensive transitions, so they deserve to win!"

"As for Bayern Munich, I think we should think carefully about whether to intensify reform efforts, continue to move in the direction of Guardiola, and give greater support to the Spanish coach, or do they just want to hold on to the existing player lineup, keep the past results, and be content with the status quo. This decision is imminent!"

"I don't intend to blame Bayern Munich's players and management, but I just want to say that Guardiola is responsible for the team's failure, but he should not bear all the responsibility."

"The last thing I want to say is that there is nothing wrong with the possession itself, it is the person who controls the ball who is wrong!"

As if in line with Cruyff's comments, several Spanish media close to Barcelona also defended Guardiola one after another. At the same time, they also believed that Spain's ball possession era will not end, and they are optimistic about the performance of the Spanish national team in the World Cup in Brazil.

In Germany, some media began to hype Bayern Munich's signings.

Among them, the most exciting for fans is the return of Neuer and Toni Kroos.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung was the first to publish the news, releasing a piece of news that the Bayern Munich management met Yang Huan before and after the game and had dinner together, indicating that the Bayern Munich management is determined to recall Neuer and Toni Kroos.

This piece of news immediately excited the entire German football world!
Who is Neuer?
Following Kahn, Germany is another recognized world-class goalkeeper, and now the German national goalkeeper!

And Toni Kroos?
Relying on his outstanding performance in Southampton, he has proved his strength and level as a world-class midfielder. At the same time, he is also the core midfielder of the national team selected by Loew.

These two iconic figures of German football were unable to play in Germany, which also disappointed German fans.

Therefore, in Germany, many fans are following Southampton's news and games, and at the same time hope to see Bayern Munich can bring these two players back to China.

Therefore, as soon as the news came out, it immediately caused an uproar in Germany, and countless fans petitioned, hoping that Bayern Munich could recall these two flag international players.

But if it's just fans and media hype, then forget it, and even sponsors will get involved soon.

Kicker magazine even released news that Adidas has already let it go and is willing to fully support Bayern Munich in recalling Toni Kroos and Neuer, while Audi's spokesperson also expressed that they are happy to see the two international players return to the German arena.

Even in an interview with the media, German Chancellor Angela Merkel unexpectedly stated that the best German players should play in the Bundesliga. She hopes that the Bundesliga can develop into the best top league in the world.

The support from fans, media, sponsors and the government, etc., in the face of overwhelming noise from the outside world, not only brought pressure to Bayern Munich, but also brought huge psychological pressure to the players.

At a regular press conference in Southampton, as the captain, when Neuer was interviewed by the media, when a German reporter asked about the general calls for him to return to play in Germany, the Saints captain hesitated for a long time before saying that he did not reject returning to play for Bayern Munich.

And Toni Kroos also said in an interview with the German media after a training session that he hopes to have the opportunity to return to China when the time is right.

When the German media and fans heard this, they felt as if they had been beaten to death. They selectively forgot that Neuer was behind that sentence, and added a special sentence. The specific situation had to follow the negotiations between the clubs. They also forgot the ambiguity in Toni Kroos's words.

Almost immediately after these two interviews appeared in the press, the excitement in Germany became even greater.

With the help of fans, media and caring people, there was even a strong momentum, as if to say that if Toni Kroos and Neuer did not return to play in China, they would be sorry for the motherland.

In this case, Bayern Munich also solemnly sent an enthusiastic offer to Southampton.

Toni Kroos, 8000 million euros!
Neuer, 6000 million euros!
The total price is 4000 million euros, and it is still a cash transaction!

Such an offer is not insincere, and it can even be said that Bayern Munich has done everything it can.

Therefore, at this time, the ball also kicked to Southampton's feet.

Are these two key players for sale?Still not selling?

(End of this chapter)