Barcelona had been keeping an eye on Inter Milan's movements.
Therefore, the news that Carlos had rushed to Barcelona from Milan overnight was quickly learned by Barcelona.
"Do you think Li Ang will send Carlos as a starter?" Rijkaard asked his assistant, Tenkat.
This change in Inter Milan's side had attracted Rijkaard's interest and attention. This would have an impact on the tactics that Barcelona would adopt in this game and the results that they would pursue. Barcelona's tactics were different with and without Carlos in Inter Milan.
"I don't think he will send Carlos." Tenkat shook his head. "According to the information we have, Carlos is very tired. He is obviously not fit for the game."
Rijkaard frowned. On the table in front of him was an open laptop that was playing some clips of Inter Milan's games. It happened to be the game between Inter Milan and Arsenal. In this fiasco, Arsenal's limited counterattacks were unable to get past Carlos's defensive interface.
"No, I think Li Ang will send Carlos." Rijkaard said, and then he continued to explain his analysis. "Carlos is Li Ang's direct line of command. He is the player that he relies on the most. He is very important in Inter Milan's offensive and defensive system! Since this season, except for a limited number of insignificant games, Carlos has played almost the full 90 minutes. With Carlos's set of tactics, Inter Milan is most familiar with the tactics that have the highest success rate. Therefore, even though Carlos may be tired, Li Ang will still choose to use Carlos. "
"Doesn't Li Ang know that Carlos is physically tired?" Tenkat asked, puzzled.
"Of course he knows, but he will still use Carlos." Rijkaard smiled. "This is a kind of habit, a kind of blind confidence, or even superstition."
Tenkat nodded, indicating that he understood.
*****
Li Ang would definitely choose the tactics that the team was most familiar with and the lineup that they were best at. In addition, some managers were very superstitious. For example, if a player had never lost a game before, the manager would definitely insist on sending that player. In the games that Carlos played, Inter Milan had only lost one game in all competitions this season, and that was the game against CSKA Moscow in the ice and snow in Moscow. Putting aside the weather factor of that game, that meant that in so many other games, as long as Carlos played, Inter Milan would remain undefeated.
According to the media, even if competitive factors were not taken into consideration, the head coach would be particularly fond of such a player who could bring special luck to the team. He would not be easily taken from the starting lineup.
In fact, many coaches had some fetishes that bordered on superstition.
The most widespread saying was that the French national team head coach Domenech's selection criteria for the French national players was based on 'astrological metaphysics.' Domenech was very superstitious about astrological theories. He would only choose players whose astrological signs were 'beneficial' to him. The French media revealed Domenech's fanaticism for astrology. He almost relied on astrology to guide his life. Domenech's hobby could be traced back to 20 years ago, when he was still the head coach of the Moorhouse Football Club. Under the guidance of a local astrologer, Domenech recognized the characteristics of his players from the perspective of astrology for the first time. Since then, Domenech began to be more careful of some players with astrological signs. He kept a respectful distance and even ruthlessly eliminated them.
Domenech, who was born on January 24, belonged to the constellation of Aquarius. According to Western astrology, the opposite constellation of Aquarius was Leo. As a result, Gallas, Silvestre, and the other defenders were all Leo constellations. They were repeatedly tested by Domenech before they were selected for the national team, even though the tests were sometimes unnecessary. But when it came to the constellation that Domenech was most afraid of, it was Scorpio. According to Western astrology, Aquarius was the easiest to be influenced by Scorpio. As early as the beginning of 1987, Domenech was "aware" of this. Although the Lyon team in the second division had a strong lineup, head coach Domenech insisted that there were too many Scorpios in the team. Scorpios are more aggressive. One Scorpion can keep the whole team alive, but two Scorpios will kill each other! So, Pires, who is a Scorpio, has not been selected since the game against France in Cyprus. Frey and Anelka are both Pisces. In terms of astrology, Pisces is almost as bad as Leo in terms of coordination with Aquarius. And Manchester United's defender, Silvestre, and striker, Saah, are both his opposite constellations — Leo. Domenech naturally did not give them too many chances.
So, taking these factors into consideration, Tenkat also tended to agree with Rijkaard's idea that Li Ang would send Carlos in this game.
"So, this is our chance." Rijkaard's expression was slightly excited. "Li Ang chose to believe in a tired Carlos. We have to use practical actions to tell him that this choice is wrong! This is our chance! "
Tenkat's eyes also lit up. He agreed with Rijkaard's statement. It seemed to be true.
*****
April 23, 2008.
Barcelona, Camp Nou.
In the visiting team Inter Milan's locker room.
Li Ang was in the locker room making the final mobilization of the team.
"The Barcelona people say their goal is to be the final champion. They say they want revenge. Their media also say that Barcelona's biggest hope now is to chase the UEFA Champions League title. Even though they are behind Real Madrid by many points in the league, this is also the reason why they can beat us. Because a focused Barcelona is scary!"
"Ha, it sounds scary …" Li Ang said.
There was a burst of laughter in the locker room. Of course, everyone could see the coach's sarcastic tone.
"However, these ideas of the Barcelona people, yes, they are so confident in their ideas. But, does this have anything to do with us?"
Li Ang made a gesture. "How confident they are, yes, how focused they are on this game, how eager they are for revenge, does it have anything to do with us? Not at all! We don't care about them. What we have to do is to be ourselves! Win the game! It's that simple! "
Li Ang instilled one point in all the players, and that was to do what they should do!
PS: An advertisement with the headline "The Demon King of Football": Wang Dalong was cheated by the system. He said he would become the Demon King of Football, but in the end, it only refreshed a bunch of attributes of ordinary players such as Wu Lei and Li Yi …
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