Godfather of national football

Chapter 301 Big Mouth

El Salvador, New Water Arena.

The press conference before the match between the Chinese team and Uruguay is going on. This is the semi-final of the Confederations Cup, which naturally attracted many media, especially Asian media.

Because before the Confederations Cup, most of the Asian media felt that the Chinese team was considered a strong team in Asia, but if they encountered a strong team in the international arena, it would be a waste of time. No one was optimistic that the Chinese team could qualify for the group stage.

But time first gave Uruguayan coach Tavares.

Tavares is regarded as a godfather-level head coach in Uruguay, just like Scolari in Brazil, he can be regarded as a person who promises everything.

The gray-haired Tavares looked very elegant, and he waved the microphone in front of him to signal that everyone could ask questions.

"Regarding Luis Suarez's biting incident, will it affect his performance in the national team?"

"Luiz is a professional player and an excellent player. I don't think off-court factors will affect his performance. In addition, he has already been punished. I don't think there is any need to hold on to one thing. Who doesn't make mistakes?"

The Suarez biting incident was very explosive when it first happened, but now it is unavoidable, and the reporters all know it, so after the first person asked a question, no one mentioned it again.

"About Diego Forlan, is he in your World Cup plans next year?"

"why not?"

"Because Diego is 34 years old, the scoring efficiency has dropped significantly."

Diego Forlan is the golden boot of the World Cup in South Africa and the biggest contributor to leading Uruguay to fourth in the World Cup, so his future in the national team has always been the most concerned by the outside world, even if he is 34.

"If there is no injury, Diego will definitely be in my plan, of course, not necessarily a starter."

The next question is a bit more pointed.

"Now that the Brazilian team has been eliminated, Uruguay is the representative of South America. Will you be under more pressure?"

Tavares smiled slightly, and then said: "Even if the Brazilian team is not eliminated, Uruguay is still the representative of South America. We Uruguay have won the World Cup and the Copa America. We were fourth in the last World Cup. The results achieved by the Brazilian team were a long time ago. Now Uruguay is the representative of South American football."

As soon as this remark comes out, some people may think that Tavares is bragging, but those who understand South American football will understand that South Americans think they are the best in football.

"Talk about tomorrow's opponent, the Chinese team."

"I don't know much about this opponent. I have watched a few of their games, that's all. But I think the team that can reach the semi-finals must still have some strength, so tomorrow's game, Uruguay will go all out."

After Uruguay's question time, it was Li Guo's turn. Now as long as he confronts Li Guo, the reporter is excited, because Li Guo's mouth is really too big, and he can always surprise people, and a topic pops up suddenly.

The first question was a South Korean reporter, "I have watched three games in the group stage, and I think luck is the main factor for the Chinese team to qualify."

"I don't know this, but what I know is that no matter how lucky the South Korean team is, it is impossible for them to play in the Confederations Cup."

The reporter at the scene heard what Li Guo said through simultaneous interpretation, and couldn't help laughing, which made the South Korean reporter's face turn red and turn pale, which was very embarrassing.

The second question was from a reporter from Globe Sports, "Li Guo, you and Souza's program was very successful. Have you ever thought about doing more episodes of this program for the World Cup next year, or even making it a regular program?"

Before Li Guo could answer, there was a burst of applause, as if encouraging Li Guo to make a decision.

Li Guo chuckled, "It seems that everyone really wants me to change careers, but I think my goal for next year is still in the World Cup, at least I have to make a breakthrough, at least a little better than in South Africa."

The implication is that Li Guo will not accept Universal Sports' invitation again, and I don't know when I will see Li Guo and Romario, two big mouths, talking nonsense on TV again.

"How is your player's health? I have seen reports that many players have minor injuries. We know that the Chinese team's substitute lineup is not strong."

Everyone on the earth knows this, and Li Guo did not deny that, "Our players are very tired. Unlike other strong teams, we have two players in each position that can be rotated. Many players in the Chinese team have played three games."

"But with the help of our medical team, most of the players will be available for tomorrow's game and that should be fine."

As usual, the last question is from a Chinese reporter.

"Director Li, we observed your use of Zheng Zhi in the first three games. Can it be said that the current national team has no place for Zheng Zhi?"

Before Li Guo came here, he also browsed the sports pages of several domestic portal websites. This issue is a hot topic recently. After all, whether it is the Olympics or the World Cup, Zheng Zhi is the core midfielder of the Chinese team, but now it seems that he is increasingly unable to play games.

Zheng Zhi debuted early, and there are still a group of fans in China. These people feel that Li Guo's behavior is unreasonable.

Some people think that if Zheng Zhi is not used, it is better not to recruit him.

But Li Guo has always sneered at these unprofessional and hypocritical opinions.

"I'm sorry, I have the final say on how to line up in the national team! There are so many netizens, everyone has an opinion, if I listen to them, will the game still be played?"

"Another thing I want to say is that the Chinese team is very united. Whoever plays and who substitutes are all for one purpose, which is to win the game for the national team. Here I would like to give an example to our opponents, Uruguay and Forlan, who also sat on the bench more in this cup. It is an honor for a veteran to play, not ruthless, you know?"

The atmosphere of the venue became very serious. Li Guo, who is usually joking, was a bit different this time, and everyone didn't know what went wrong.

Only Li Guo understands that the unity of the team cannot be questioned. Of the 23 players, who doesn't want to play?But the most people who can play in a football game are 14 people, starting and subs, but as long as one of the 23 people gets angry, the whole team will not be good.

This is why most good coaches will mention that the authority of the coach cannot be questioned.

After the press conference, Li Guo briefly shook hands with the opponent's head coach. Li Guo had a premonition that tomorrow's game might be the hardest he has played since coaching.

(End of this chapter)