our euro cup

Chapter 42 The Eve of the Showdown with Italy

Tomorrow is our game against Italy.In the first game we won Ireland 3:1, while Italy and Spain scored 1:1, our team ranked first in the group with 3 points.However, each of us knows that in our group, Spain and Italy are the strongest. Together, the two teams have won three European Cups and five World Cups, and our best result is the semi-finals of the World Cup. That's all.

If we want to win our first European Cup, we must defeat them and these great teams, only then can we truly become great ourselves!

Bilic reduced the amount of training today.He knows that if he wants to practice again the day before the game, there will be nothing to do. At this time, it is the right way for us to reduce the loss of physical strength and make physical reserves for the game.

Both Modric and I went to bed early.Nothing happened overnight.

The next morning, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it!" I got up in a daze, and went to open the door in a daze.When I opened the door, it was Mandzukic.

"Hi, Manju, why are you up so early, what's the matter?"

Mandzukic smiled slightly: "Chuso Vikingstic, I'm here to find you and Modric. I want to practice the tactic that Bilic designed for us yesterday."

"Mandzukic, you are really hardworking." I admired from the bottom of my heart.

"Yes, yes, Manju, you are really great." Modric also followed me and said cutely.

Mandzukic's face is very serious, and correspondingly, his personality is also introverted and calm.His talent is not as outstanding as Modric, but he uses his unremitting efforts every day, using his only advantage-body, to establish the status of the first center forward in the Croatian team where artistic football is popular.He is indeed an outlier in Croatian football - from Dave Suker, to Pursau, to Klasnic, all generations of Croatian strikers are models of artistic football.However, Mandzukic broke the artistic tradition of Croatian strikers. With just one header, he stood among the top strikers in European football.This time, he took the initiative to invite me to practice new tactics with Modric. I really admire his hardworking nature and strong sense of national honor!

"Let's go!" I said to Modric, infected by Mandzukic's hard work.

"Okay! I'll pass the ball to you!" Modric himself is also a very hardworking person, and he agreed even more readily!

The three of us came to the court.

We were amazed to find that two people had already come here before us.Those two people, one is Bilic, and the other is...

Pleticosa!
Our great goalkeeper, even on matchdays, does not give up every ounce of effort to improve his form!

He made our coach Bilic keep kicking free kicks from the top of the penalty area!Every free kick is the path of the full moon scimitar.There is nothing to say about Bilic's footwork, he is one of the great third place members of the 98 World Cup!And Pletikosa is to improve his state, and to be familiar with and simulate the core of the Italian team-Pirlo's free kick, let Bilic simulate Pirlo's free kick to attack his goal!
"You... Mandzukic, Modric, and Chuso Vikingstic! You even came here to practice?" Bilic couldn't believe his eyes.The Croatian team under his rule is indeed a strong team, but he must have never imagined that we will work harder than he imagined!

"Coach, each of us hopes to perform at our best in today's game! We will not practice those events that consume too much energy. I only have one goal, which is the one you asked us to practice yesterday. New tactic—I believe that this tactic will be very effective in today’s game, and even in the game against Spain!” Mandzukic’s eyes were very firm, he is indeed a great Croatian fighter!
"Well... That tactic, you guys practiced for the first time yesterday... There is no defender today, so let me be the defender and defend you! Just go as far as you can, don't waste too much energy!" Bilic He was the main defender of the Croatian team in 98. Although he is a little older now, his strength is still there. He is the most suitable person to stop us!

What's more, such a training can also exercise Pletikosa, so that he can be prepared for the Italian team's central defender Chiellini and other back row headers. In addition, Modric's In the cross, the core midfielder of the Italian team - the great No. 21 Pirlo can also pass!
"Get ready, my ball... is here!"

Modric kicked a beautiful full moon scimitar cross!Bilic stuck close to Mandzukic, and I swam behind Mandzukic!
"Don't underestimate me!" After all, Bilic was the main defender of the great third-place team in 98. His jumping ability is very outstanding!He pressed Mandzukic with his hand and jumped up high. Mandzukic's strength could not completely suppress Bilic!
However, Mandzukic is still able to barely take off at least!
Modric's ball, with a strong spin, the ball that was heading in the direction of Bilic just now drew a beautiful arc in the air, changed direction, and flew to Mandzukic!
Bilic stuck out his head vigorously!His head collided with Mandzukic's!
But the ball was not grabbed by Bilic!

The ball lightly brushed Mandzukic's scalp, turned slightly, and came to my direction!
How could I let it go, Mandzukic took the ball at the risk of injury!
Pletikosa rushed out!He wanted to block the angle of my header with his body thrown out horizontally!
I jumped up too!The ball is low and I can only use the dive overhead!
Pletikosa's palm also sealed the position of the ball!

However, my header hits the top with more power!

My head, with the football on it, broke free from Preticosa's palm!

I dribbled the ball and crashed into the net like this!
The ball is in!
……

"You two, performed very well. Now that you have a certain degree of familiarity with this tactic, I hope that when you have the opportunity to play together, you will seize the time and use the shortest time to show your brand-new cooperation. Power!" Although Bilic's defense was not successful, the success of this tactic is his happiest thing as the head coach of the Croatian team!He did not hesitate to praise us, including me, an unknown fringe international player - Chuso Vikingstic!

"Don't be too tired from training. After all, today is a game day. Just finish training as soon as possible." Bilic announced to close the team, and we each went back to the dormitory to take a shower and change clothes. Next, we will take the bus together and go to Poland. The Poznan Municipal Stadium in the city of Znan went to...

(End of this chapter)