That afternoon, during the intra-team match, everyone noticed that Manager Li Ang had Samuel wear the yellow vest that symbolized the main force, while Ribéry appeared on the substitutes' side.
Li Ang did not give any explanation for this arrangement.
Captain Hierro glanced at the young Frenchman and saw that Ribéry was a little depressed.
Samuel was an old player who had played for Sporting de Gijón for three years. Samuel, who was nearing 30 years old, was an ordinary Spanish player. He had good footwork, but other than that, he did not have any special characteristics.
However, Samuel was a player who had rushed to La Liga with the team. After last season's practice, he was quite familiar with Li Ang's tactics. This was also the reason why Li Ang chose to let this experienced player replace Ribéry.
During training, Li Ang focused on the offensive routine. Their opponent in the UEFA Europa League was Molotov Moc, a team in the Czech First League. Li Ang regarded this team as a touchstone to test the team's offensive effectiveness.
Samuel appeared on the left flank. His speed was not considered fast, but when the team pressed on as a whole, individual speed did not seem so important. What was important was that Samuel knew how to cooperate. After he took the ball on the flank, as long as there was a passing route and opportunity, he would frequently cooperate with Di Natale and Milito. Albertini had also been instructed by Li Ang to deliberately pass to Samuel during the training for this match to familiarize himself with the player's tacit understanding.
The result of the match was a three to one victory for the main force. Milito and Di Natale each scored a goal, and Pepe scored a header. Although Samuel did not have an assist, he did a good job of connecting with the whole team.
The only goal of the substitutes' side was scored by Ribéry. The Frenchman broke through from the flank, passed many people, and cut inside to score.
After the goal, Ribéry deliberately looked at Manager Li Ang, meaning to see, I'm in good shape, I scored!
However, to Ribéry's disappointment, the manager wearing sunglasses had a cold and expressionless face.
*****
After the training ended, Li Ang got Frank Ribéry to stay behind alone.
Everyone else had left the training ground. Only Li Ang and Franck Ribéry were left there.
Li Ang stared at Ribéry. His heart stirred and he used [Eye of Bo Le].
Immediately, Ribéry's various attributes were displayed.
[Speed] 82;
[Acceleration] 83;
[Flexible] 83;
[Reflexes] 80
[Balance] 83;
[Ball Control] 83;
[Dribbling] 85
These were all red attribute values. Li Ang praised in his heart. As expected of Ribéry, a 21-year-old player who had only played in a low-level league in France, his attributes were simply heaven-defying.
In addition, [Resolution] was 79, which was also very good. It showed that Ribéry's psychological quality was also very strong. Generally, successful players who came out of low-level leagues had good mental attributes. If they did not have this drive, they would not be successful.
Then, Li Ang deliberately paid attention to several other important attributes of Ribéry.
[Middle] 71.
[Short] 73.
[Shooting] 71.
[Shooting Power] 70.
The attributes of the middle pass were not low, and considering that Ribéry was still young, these attributes could be greatly increased.
Li Ang was relieved. Ribéry's ability to pass the ball was very good. The key to the problem was this kid's playing habits and attitude.
*****
Ribéry looked at the manager who did not speak and only stared at him, which made him feel uneasy.
"Coach —" Ribéry, who was uneasy, said. Although Li Ang was only 28 years old, which was too young, Ribéry was a little afraid of Li Ang in his heart. On the second day of the team, he heard the players talk about the manager. Although he was young, he had an iron fist and a strict management. Among other things, the two unlucky players who were still in the reserve team were used as examples to the new players. This let everyone know the other side of the young manager.
Of course, there was an element of respect and gratitude. After all, Li Ang deigned to go to France just to poach him, a player who played in a low-level league in France. This value made Ribéry very grateful.
"Franck, why do you think I asked you to stay alone?" Li Ang asked.
How would I know?
Ribéry muttered in his heart, but he did not dare to say so. He could only say against his heart, "Is it because my performance is not good enough?"
"How is your performance not good?" Li Ang said with a smile.
"I did not show my performance in training in the game," Ribéry said.
Li Ang was a little amused. This kid was not convinced. He was indirectly reminding him, "Look, I scored a beautiful goal in today's match."
"Yes, Franck." Li Ang said as he walked, motioning for Ribéry to keep up with his pace. "You have been in the starting lineup for the first four games. It can be said that you have experienced the style of Spanish football. Tell me how you feel."
"Spanish football is more about foot technique and advocates smooth cooperation," Ribéry said.
"Well said." Li Ang nodded. "Cooperation. You also know how to cooperate. Tell me, what did you do in the game?"
Ribéry was not a fool. At this time, he also understood what the manager wanted to say.
*****
"Coach, I, I just wanted to go past the opponent and then find a chance to shoot. I think I have the ability to score, and …"
"And what?" Li Ang asked in return.
"And, I have always played like this. I have confidence in myself," Ribéry said.
"It's good to have confidence." Li Ang said. He stopped. "I have a set of data here. In the four games, you have a total of thirty-one shots. This is the highest number of shots in the team. Di Natale and Milito are not as high …"
Ribéry did not speak. Thirty-one shots, the highest number of shots in the team. However, he did not score a goal. This was really not justifiable.
Li Ang sat down on the bench beside the training ground and motioned for Ribéry to sit down too.
Then he took out the tactical board and drew the team's offensive route in the game against Numancia.
This was Ribéry after taking the ball on the flank, bypassing two people in a row, and then facing the third interceptor, he forced his leg to shoot. As a result, he hit too high.
"This is you. This is the opponent's defensive player." Li Ang pointed to the empty space in the middle on the tactical board. "Your breakthrough was indeed effective and attracted the opponent's defensive focus. So, what's the situation here?"
Ribéry scratched his head. "Antonio is waiting there."
"What is he waiting for?" Li Ang asked.
"He's waiting for me to pass the ball to him." Ribéry's voice lowered. He knew where the problem was.
"Very good. You can see Di Natale now." Li Ang patted Ribéry on the shoulder. "At that time, Di Natale's hands were raised for a long time. His hands were probably sore, but he was not waiting for your pass."
"I didn't pay attention at the time. I just wanted to shoot," Ribéry said with a red face.
"If you passed the ball to Di Natale at that time, what would the result be?" Li Ang asked.
"We had a good chance to score. There was no defensive player around him. This was a good opportunity, "Ribéry thought and said.
*****
"Very good. Now you know why I looked for you?" Li Ang looked at Ribéry with a serious expression.
Ribéry did not speak. He just nodded. He felt guilty and a little ashamed. He knew the team's current predicament. They had lost four games in a row in the new season and two games in a row in the league. If he had assisted Di Natale's goal, perhaps the team would have won their first victory of the new season. The pressure on the coach and the team would have been much less.
"Franck." Li Ang said seriously. "I admire you. I value your speed and breakthrough on the flank. This is your characteristic. I won't stop it. But what you have to do is to maximize your ability to help the team. Do you understand? "
Ribéry heard this and nodded hard. He was relieved. He was really worried that the manager would not put him in an important position in his anger.
"I don't object to dribbling the ball to break through, cutting inside and shooting. But if there is a chance, I ask you to cooperate with your teammates in time." Li Ang said earnestly. "Franck, raise your head and play. Don't just think about dribbling the ball. Raise your head and look at your teammates. Look at the surroundings. You will find that the world is wider!"
Ribéry nodded thoughtfully.
"Coach, this has always been my playing habit. But I, I will try to adjust it myself."
"You can't just try." Li Ang shook his head. "Franck, I value you very much. Do you remember what I told you? You will become a great star player. You will enter the French national team. You will become a player in the limelight. All these require good playing habits. Do you know what the standards of the best player are? "
Ribéry felt a warmth in his chest. Of course, he remembered what the coach said. It was what the coach said when he went to France to sign him. Ribéry was excited that the manager thought so highly of a player from a lower league in France. He vowed to repay him with good performance.
However, when he thought about his performance, Ribéry felt a little sad.
"A great player must maintain his own characteristics. This is the talent that God has given him. But at the same time, he must know how to integrate into the team and strictly follow the tactical arrangements of the manager. This way, his future will be limitless." Li Ang said very seriously.
"I understand, Coach." Ribéry nodded hard.
"I will arrange for you to be a substitute in the UEFA Europa League," Li Ang said. "Do you have any objections?"
"No." Ribéry was slightly disappointed. This was the only possibility he could think of.
"Your task is to observe the game from the bench and observe the opponent. When I need you to play, I want to see a new Ribéry. A Ribéry with high fighting spirit!"
Ribéry, who was originally disappointed, immediately expressed his happiness when he heard this. "Coach, don't worry. I will work hard, Coach!"
Li Ang patted the Frenchman on the shoulder, indicating that Ribéry could go home.
*****
Looking at Ribéry's back as he left, Li Ang knew that Ribéry might not fully understand what he said today. However, as long as the player changed and did little by little, it would be enough.
Li Ang suddenly felt that the manager was really working hard. He was simply a father and a mother. He had to consider everything and do everything well.
However, when he thought of the new Ribéry's performance on the field, he was looking forward to it. This was what it meant to reap what you sow.
At the end of the next morning's training, Li Ang announced the starting list for the game against the Czech team, Molotov Moc. Ribéry was not on the list. He was replaced by Samuel.
Although everyone was aware of this, at this moment, they still subconsciously looked at the French teammate. Ribéry's expression was calmer than they had imagined.
Franck Ribéry, the French lad in the 21st team, secretly gritted his teeth. He was now looking forward to the game. He swore that if the manager sent him as a substitute, the manager would definitely see a new Ribéry full of energy!
The sun was very good that day. Ribéry looked up at the horizon. White clouds floated in the sky. The smell of the ocean in the air made him sneeze.
"Sneezing is a good sign. I will definitely score today, "the French lad said to himself.
PS: Weakly begging for a monthly ticket.
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