Chapter 514: Flat-footed

July 2, 2000.
In the Netherlands, France defeated Italy with Trezeguet's goal in overtime and won the European Cup after winning the World Cup in 1998, creating the myth of the Gaul rooster.
The victory cheered the French, and the loser, Italy was sad.
They are not far from the championship. If Vertod didn't even the score before the end of the game, where would there be extra time? They are already celebrating the championship.
The European Cup is a success for Italians, and pain is inevitable.
But for several players in the Italian team, they have mixed feelings.
Torture, pain, daze...
Pirlo, Gattuso and Materazzi were selected for this Italian national team lineup, as well as Zambrotta, and of these four, only Zambrotta is the main force, and others, only Pirlo sits Off the bench, but even if he sits on the bench, he does not have a minute to play.
In fact, their position in the national team is very unstable.
If we compare the clubs of the members of the Italian national team for the European Cup this time, it is clear that except for Pirona's four players from Millwall, the other members of the Italian national team are all from Serie A clubs!
In other words, the Italian national team is dominated by local league players.
In this era, for Italian players, playing abroad is basically equivalent to saying goodbye to the national team. Zola is in the Premier League and the Italian national team is blind.
If Millwall did not shine in the eyes of the European War, Italy may not recruit Pirlo and others, but even if it does, it will not be a heavy task!
In other words, if Millwall now recruits the main force of the Italian national team, the opponent may refuse because he is unwilling to abandon the qualification or main position of the international team.
If Pirlo is playing for the Italian team today, he may also think about it.
Fortunately, Millwall caused them when they were penniless and doubted whether they could have a way out.
But the real problems are in front of them, and they have reached the point where they feel painful.
Obviously he performed so well in the club. He has defeated the Serie A giants in the past two years, but he has few opportunities to play in the national team. Who can bear it?
Club honors, they only need one League Cup to get a Grand Slam, who the cares about the League Cup!
Like Pirlo, they naturally want to go further in the honor of the national team. Their situation is very different from Larsen. Sweden’s participation in the international competition is to play a game, how far can it go to see luck, and Italy? It may not be the first favorite to win the competition, but at least the top five and the top three are certain, especially in the Serie A season has not yet fallen, strongmen come out, all top world-class.
After the European Cup, Pirlo and others can go on vacation.
But before the Italian national team was disbanded, he told his troubles to his good friend Gattuso in the same room.
Gattuso didn't really feel deep in his heart, as did Materazzi.
Gattuso was originally a substitute at the club. This time he was called up, it was a great joy, perhaps because of his debut in the Champions League final and his outstanding performance. After all, the public opinion "plus points" brought by that victory is too high. Too.
Materazzi has self-knowledge. Although he is not inferior in honor to his teammates, Konesta, Ferrara, Cannavaro, he really wants to say that he is definitely better than them. Too.
Pirlo was the starting candidate for the Champions League finals to help the team win the cup. At least, he believes that his ability will not be worse than those of Albertini and Dino Baggio, so the difference in his heart is stronger.
He obviously found the wrong person to talk to, Gattuso still can’t think of it for so long, excluding the shadow of the national team’s final defeat, he is full of anticipation for the new season, Makelele transfers to leave, it’s his turn, he won’t give it to others. Opportunity, we must firmly occupy the main position!
Pirlo also temporarily chose to forget about the national team. Look at it in the future.
At the same time, Aldridge returned to the UK after his holiday, but he did not return to London with Ewen. He asked Ewen to find a new house, and then he changed his way to Exeter City. Rowling heavyweight Return to his alma mater to give a speech and invite him to participate.
Active and open social activities, Aldridge generally does not refuse if he has time, and Rowling rarely invites to call, he does not want to sweep away the other party's interest.
In the auditorium of the University of Exeter, Aldridge sat in the first row under the stage, and Jessica sat beside him, looking up proudly at Rowling who gave a speech on stage.
The success of Rowling's creative career in the past two years has made her a public figure. The Harry Potter series has achieved unprecedented success. As her friend, Aldridge is also happy for him.
"As you can see, I am a single mother, and of course I have experienced the lowest period of my life, but I am lucky, and here, I would like to thank my friend, Aldrich Hall, in my When he was penniless, he generously made me insist on creating and encouraging me. He even believed more firmly than me that I can succeed without his help. Maybe I have long been lost. He is the most important friend of my life. And the most special friend."
Probably recalling the time when poverty was down and down, Rowling smiled and looked at Aldridge with wet eyes, and applause rang.
The MC at the venue then unexpectedly invited Audridge to give a speech.
The vast majority of people on the scene naturally knew Aldridge. When he took the stage, the applause of the audience became more heated.
And the first sentence of Aldridge's standing speech shocked four.
"She is lying! Don't believe her! Ms. Rowling deceived all of you! She is a liar!"
Aldridge thundered with a smile.
The audience exclaimed, but Rowling and Jessica still stared at him with a smile, and did not mind him accusing unreasonably!
The scene fell into silence, and it seemed that everyone was waiting for Audric to give an explanation.
"Allow me to make a simple self-introduction. My name is Aldridge Hall. I am a football coach. Part of my job is to train young players, and before training players, my colleagues and I will Evaluation, one of which is the potential evaluation, we think this player has potential, then we will fully cultivate him, if we think he has no talent in this area, there is no room for improvement, then, we will not waste time. So, I It doesn’t make a mediocre person become talented. Ms. Rowling was lying just now. She has potential. She has a talent for creation. This is hers, not from me. Without me, she can succeed as well. You can stand here today to give you a speech and share her secrets of success."
Aldrich's words made a false alarm for the people on the scene. Many reporters came today. They hoped that Aldridge really staged a good show against his friends here.
The big scene has experienced so much, Aldridge can't be frightened here, even if he didn't prepare before, he can still win applause.
"Sorry, I haven’t been to college, I have no profound knowledge, I have not been influenced by elegant art, but I know that if you want to do something, you need to pay. In order to become a football coach, I have paid 8 years. In order to become a successful football coach, I have spent 14 years, and I plan to continue to work hard, work hard. Within my scope of work, I will see successful people, those famous stars, I will also watch To the loser, in May every year, there will be a lot of unknown players who are abandoned by the club. I just mentioned the potential, is the potential important to success? Of course it is important, but everyone’s potential is different, like me, when I was 10 years old I knew I couldn’t be a professional player. If I play football alone, I might be unemployed..."
"Confusion, frustration, temptation, tiredness, etc. are all enemies. Part of my job is to help my players overcome these enemies, let them calm down, be patient, straighten their mindset, and temper their tough will. These intangible qualities are often That’s the key to success. Look, Ms. Rowling is a good example."
...
Although Aldrich's impromptu speech may not be particularly exciting, but under the star effect, he still won applause from the scene. When he stepped down, many students even cheered. Probably, they are all fans.
At the end of the event, Aldridge took a group photo with many people on the scene and signed them. He was busier than the protagonist Rowling.
When he walked out of the University of Exeter, he was surrounded by a group of reporters who heard the news.
Since the end of the Champions League final, the paparazzi on Fleet Street have been omnipotently searching for the trace of Aldridge. After more than a month, the legendary young coach finally appeared!
"Mr. Hall, how did you evaluate the performance of the national team of England's European Cup group stage? Is Keegan still suitable to lead the England national team?"
The reporter surrounded him, which of course revolved around the topic of football.
Aldridge was in a good mood today and responded patiently.
"I think the national team just lacks some luck. We should also give Keegan coach more time. He hastily took over the national team. It is too early to draw conclusions."
"Is the England national team defeated because of luck? Isn't Neville's final penalty to the opponent not a fatal one?"
Aldridge smiled and shook his head: "I have been coaching Millwall for six years. Although the club is different from the national team, I have never put the blame on a player because of the team's defeat. This is unfair. It’s the team going to the game, not the individual player playing the game, Gareth four years ago, David two years ago, Phil today, you must ask me what I think? My answer will not change, he is not Sinner. You may not accept my answer, so think about it from another angle. If England advances in advance, what if Phil made a mistake and fouled in the last game? Will it be defined as a sinner? He can’t decide the victory and defeat of the first two games alone, but fouled in the last game. That’s all. He shouldn’t bear the responsibility of losing for the entire national team. This is too heavy.

After all, it’s the players of other teams who make mistakes and it’s not their business. Aldrich said two good words. It doesn’t matter whether public opinion condemns him, but it can make him a good reputation in the industry.
"Mr. Hall, will Millwall introduce heavyweight players this summer? Anelka's agent announced that he is willing to play for you, that is his honor."
"Oh, I dare not guarantee anything else, but Millwall is not interested in Anelka, you can report it directly in my original words, he will not wear Millwall's shirt, nor will we It takes so many strikers."
"But didn’t Millwall want to sell Henry? Don’t you find a replacement? I know Millwall has Klose, and he is very good, but in case he can’t replace Henry, Millwall still has equipment. Choose?"
Aldridge smiled and said, "How can we sell Henry nonsense? He scored 49 goals last season, 49! Why do we want to sell such a shooter?"
"But Henry's agent has announced that Henry will not renew his contract with Millwall, Real Madrid has offered a player plus cash offer of 23 million pounds, Inter Milan and Juventus have made a offer of 32 million pounds in cash, Milwaukee Isn’t it necessary to keep Henry? He has only two years left on his contract!"
Aldridge was a little caught off guard.
However, he still maintained his normal color on the surface and shook his head: "He will stay in Millwall."
After saying this, Aldridge got into Rowling's car, and then took out the phone to call Adam, his expression had become slightly gloomy.