Di Donato was very surprised: “But our next match is against Perugia!
A Serie A team with their full starting lineup!”
“Even though Quagliarella has scored a few beautiful goals, Arturo’s overall ability is clearly stronger than Quagliarella’s.”
He Tianqi nodded: “That brings us to the question of what is more important: a player’s individual ability or the team’s tactics.”
“When I was a player, I thought the former was more important.”
“But I am a coach now, so I believe the latter is more important.”
“The difference is that a player doesn’t have a say, but a coach does.”
“So…”
A chill ran through Di Donato’s heart.
So if he doesn’t cooperate, he’ll be sitting on the bench for the next match too!
He is serious!
He Tianqi knew Di Donato had figured out the situation, so he offered him a way out: “Actually, your age is very critical right now.”
“Twenty-five.”
“Once you break out with the team, there will still be people wanting you in your thirties.”
“But if you don’t break out, in another two or three years, it’ll be time to talk about retirement.”
“Palermo has a three-year Serie A promotion plan.
If the promotion is successful, as one of the players with the most outstanding individual abilities in the team, joining a giant club at the golden age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight won’t be a problem at all.”
“I really think highly of you.”
“I want you to have a relatively perfect career.”
Di Donato nodded heavily: “Alright!
I am willing to cooperate with your tactics, and I also believe I can adapt to the new position and new responsibilities.”
He Tianqi smiled slightly and gave Di Donato a hug.
Afterward, the two chatted about their past in the national youth team, as if they had returned to six or seven years ago.
Of course, Di Donato wasn’t stupid.
He agreed to He Tianqi’s terms so he could get playing time under this interim head coach, rather than becoming completely marginalized and then discarded by the team.
After all, He Tianqi had been winning consecutively.
Even if Carmignani returned, there was a possibility he would continue using his tactics.
However, when Carmignani really came back, Di Donato would still fight for the core position again.
A greenhorn new coach like He Tianqi couldn’t make him and Ribery coexist, but a champion coach like Carmignani might be able to.
Otherwise, why was the other guy the head coach, while you, little He, were just an assistant coach?
(He Tianqi: That’s called an interim head coach!)
…
December 19, the venue of the second leg of the Coppa Italia round of 16.
The Renato Curi Stadium was packed with 30,000 people.
The Perugia fans brought their utmost enthusiasm and expectations to this match.
In their eyes, this was a guaranteed win.
Not only because they were fielding their full main squad, but also because their opponent, Palermo, was experiencing “internal strife.”
In Palermo’s starting lineup, their star forward and top scorer, Arturo, was unexpectedly missing.
Tuttosport reported on this incident in depth, believing it was a good thing for the Turin youngster Quagliarella.
But Quagliarella becoming a starter wasn’t because he was better than Arturo, but because Arturo had a terrible relationship with the head coach, He Tianqi.
Barbara Berlusconi, who worked for La Gazzetta dello Sport, also analyzed this “Rosanero internal strife” in her column:
“The players who suffered ‘unfair treatment’ are mainly Arturo and Di Donato.
The situation is even more severe for the latter.”
“But according to ‘insiders,’ Di Donato has already yielded to He Tianqi.
Therefore, he still starts in this match, only his position has changed from central midfielder to left midfielder.”
“Arturo chose to fight back, so he was stripped of his starting spot.”
“From my personal perspective, Arturo’s actions are more respectable.
Besides, Arturo has no shortage of suitors at the Serie C and Serie B levels; he is still in the peak form of his career.”
“He Tianqi’s actions are highly unprofessional; he is too petty and too arrogant.
Benching the team’s top scorer will sooner or later force him to swallow a bitter pill.”
“Barbara will continue to bring you more!”
That’s right, this Barbara was none other than the daughter of the current Italian Prime Minister and AC Milan president, Silvio Berlusconi!
Influenced by her father since childhood, Barbara was very interested in football.
She hoped to take over AC Milan in the future and had made early efforts toward this goal.
Working at La Gazzetta dello Sport was one of them.
Her column had always enjoyed decent attention, but most of it was directed at her personal identity and couldn’t prove her professional ability.
It wasn’t until this summer, when she stood from the perspective of the “club” and sharply commented on the conflict between He Tianqi and Juventus, that her column finally featured a lot of football discussion.
She subsequently reported frequently on Palermo’s matches and received a great response.
For this match, she came to the stadium in person and served as an on-site commentator.
Because she believed Perugia would slaughter Palermo until nothing was left!
“Alright, the match has officially begun.
Palermo’s starting lineup today has some changes.”
“Their dual-striker pairing features Quagliarella partnering with Filippo.”
“The midfield from left to right is Di Donato, Chiellini, Modric, and Ribery.”
“Among them, Modric and Chiellini are staggered front and back, making the formation look more like a diamond midfield.”
“The defenders from left to right are Accardi, Bricca, Vidic, and Lucarelli.”
“Goalkeeper Sicignano.”
“The players for Perugia are…
a surprise attack!
Perugia has launched a surprise attack!” Barbara grew excited.
“Less than two minutes into the game, could we be seeing a goal already?”
Bang!
On the pitch, Chiellini slid in for a flying tackle, destroying this highly lethal through ball.
Vidic rushed out with a massive clearance, kicking the football toward Perugia’s half.
Palermo’s big center forward Filippo dropped back to pin down the opponent, won the first header, and nodded it back to find Modric.
A fast counterattack!
Without stopping the ball, Modric directly passed it sideways to Di Donato, then suddenly accelerated forward.
The latter played a wall pass, helping Modric easily complete a breakthrough through the middle.
“Watch the defense!
Keep an eye on that Turin kid…
and that Frenchman, don’t let him slip in!” The Perugia head coach roared from the sidelines, directing his team.
But his voice was quickly overpowered by He Tianqi next door.
“Modric!
Use the outside of your foot!” He Tianqi unleashed his Bandit Coach Roar.
The outside of the foot?
Modric looked at the football in front of him.
Why use the outside of the foot?
If I want to pass to Quagliarella, I have to use the inside of my right foot.
If I want to pass to Ribery at the far post on the right, I have to adjust my steps and use my left foot for a lob.
In no scenario do I need to use the outside of the foot.
Unless the boss means…
Modric looked at the goal, and in an instant, he understood.
Before anyone could blink, Modric thrust his right foot out, taking a slightly larger stride than usual.
Before landing, the outside of his foot made contact with the football first.
Bang!
The football flew out.
This was…
A shot!