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Chapter 130: The Battle of Focus, Attention from Around the World!
In the capital of France, Paris...
After watching the playback of the Spain vs. Finland match, the coach of the French team, Deschamps, fell into contemplation.
The value of this match for reference wasn't significant; it was evident that Spain hadn't put in much effort, yet Finland couldn't hold on.
But he could be certain that when facing the French team away, Spain wouldn't show any mercy.
This wasn't just because both teams were the biggest competitors in the group stage, but also because of the history of grievances between them.
The history of the Spanish team wasn't as glorious as that of the French team. If they wanted to establish their own dynasty, the best way would be to thoroughly defeat old-school powerhouses like France to prove their strength.
The French certainly didn't want to let their tactics succeed; they couldn't accept losing at their home ground.
Because it directly affected the qualification spot in the group!
In the qualifiers, only the first in each group could directly advance, and the remaining nine second-placed teams would compete in playoffs.
Only by winning the playoffs could they qualify for the World Cup!
The French team was currently three points behind Spain. If they couldn't win this match, they would lose the initiative to compete for first place in the group.
There might only be a theoretical chance for first place.
With Spain's strong ability to crush weak opponents, it's hard to expect those bottom-feeders in the group to cause them trouble.
If Spain wins the upcoming matches, even if the French team wins all subsequent matches, they can only secure second place in the group and go to the playoffs.
If the French team loses this match, their hope for first place in the group would be completely dashed. They could only try to get points from weaker teams and pray to draw a slightly weaker opponent in the playoffs.
However, even if they face a slightly weaker opponent, it's not entirely secure.
There are plenty of examples in history where things went wrong. There's a certain team with an Italian surname in later generations that won the European Cup but couldn't qualify for the World Cup, expressing great frustration!
A grand European champion can't even qualify for the World Cup. Where's the logic in that?
So, the French team can only accept victory in this match, they can't even accept a draw.
But how can they defeat Spain, the double champion of the World Cup and the European Cup?
Deschamps was scratching his head in distress, but fortunately, his hairline was relatively secure; otherwise, with his way of scratching, he'd soon resemble Bosque's hairline.
After thinking for a long time, Deschamps finally decided to take a gamble and include the young talent Paul Pogba, recruited from Juventus, in the starting lineup for this match.
He was fed up with the mediocre midfielders of the French team; they lacked creativity. Despite having a top-tier attacking lineup, there was no one to supply them with ammunition.
Although Pogba was young, just turning 20, his skills and awareness were unmatched by those mediocre players.
Despite Pogba being a black player, tall and muscular, he appeared to be a typical physically strong player.
But don't be deceived by his appearance; this lad follows the technical route, not the physical one.
Pogba is ambidextrous, capable of perfect shooting and passing with both feet, without a weaker foot. Moreover, he has delicate footwork, enabling him to make high-quality passes and shots.
In addition to that, his outstanding physical qualities give him strong defensive abilities and abundant stamina, making him a very versatile midfielder.
His only disadvantage is probably his age.
Pogba is too young and lacks much match experience, especially in major tournaments.
This is why Deschamps hesitated to use him as a starter before.
But just thinking that there's a young player in the Spanish team, younger than Pogba, made him unable to resist the urge to try.
The number 30 for Spain is even younger than Pogba. If he can, why can't Pogba?
...
On March 25th, the Spanish national team arrived in the French capital, Paris, by plane.
French fans and media were wary of the arrival of the invincible fleet, gathering near the airport, holding up banners supporting the French team, demonstrating against the Spanish team, telling them that this is the territory of the Gallic rooster and they won't tolerate the Spanish being reckless.
However, the Spanish players paid no attention to this, exuding a strong sense of confidence and composure all over their bodies.
This infuriated the French; they felt the Spaniards were too arrogant.
"Damn Spaniards, just wait to lose at the Stade de France tomorrow!"
"What invincible fleet? Tomorrow is your doomsday!"
...
The match hadn't even started, and fans from both countries were already arguing online.
Spanish fans mocked France as a declining aristocracy, stating that since winning the World Cup in 1998, they've been on a downward spiral, failing to even advance from the group stage in the last World Cup.
With a team like this, what could they compare with the double champions of the World Cup and the European Cup?
French fans didn't back down, ridiculing the Spanish for playing hypnotic football, sissy football.
They believed that under the onslaught of French players, the Spanish team would surely fall apart.
They boasted like this, but the betting odds released by the bookmakers before the match weren't very favorable for the French team.
European bookmakers gave the result of the away team giving half a goal, cautiously favoring Spain.
Asian bookmakers were even more aggressive, directly giving the result of the away team giving one goal, apparently thinking Spain would win away.
French fans were not happy:
"Darn bookies, what do they know about football? Brothers, listen to me, bet on the French team, take advantage of the high odds now, the earlier you bet, the more money you'll make!"
A French team supporter, a blogger, called on French fans to bet on their own team to win.
However, there weren't many French fans responding to his call; instead, a group of Spanish fans rushed to his comments, starting a collective ridicule:
"I'm Spanish, I prove that the Spanish team is rubbish, definitely can't beat the French team!"
"That's right, the midfield of Spain, all weaklings, what can they do against an African team, no, against the French team? The French team just needs to play to their black and tough characteristics, and they'll surely win this match!"
"Well said, I'm Spanish, and I'm showing my support for the French team with practical actions. Look, this is my betting slip for the French team!"
A Spanish fan posted a screenshot of his bet.
But keen-eyed fans noticed that this guy bet on the French team to lose.
Now, fans from other countries who were watching the commotion couldn't stand it anymore.
"French fans, don't fall for their deception, the Spaniards are luring you to bet, to increase the jackpot amount, so they can win more prizes!"
A German fan gave a rational and objective analysis.
Ordinary people aren't as professional as bookmakers; those bookmakers' data analysts combined the status of both teams and the strength of the players to make such analysis and judgments; there must be a reason for them.
As an ordinary fan, what right do you have to challenge their professional expertise?
But not long after his comment was posted, it was drowned out by too many dislikes.
"Darn, someone has exposed our conspiracy and tricks, brothers, quickly dislike it, push him down, don't let the French see it!"
The united Spanish fans collectively disliked the comment, not letting this German guy spoil their chance to get rich.
...
Extensive media coverage of the team's difficult situation in qualifying, along with the strong opponents, plus many people on the internet urging French fans to come and support their team in person.
These factors combined ignited the patriotic fervor of the French people.
So, those who could buy tickets went to the stadium to cheer. Those who couldn't buy tickets went to nearby bars or even squares outside the stadium. The most unfortunate ones had to stay at home in front of their TVs, cheering in front of the screen.
The Stade de France, which can accommodate eighty thousand spectators, was packed to the brim on the day of the match.
French fans who usually didn't support their national team much because of the team's racial issues all turned up this time, running to the scene to watch the game.
This match was very crucial and had a lot of spectacle; they naturally didn't want to miss such a game.
Of course, it would be even better if they could see their supported team win the game.
The match between France and Spain was scheduled for 8 p.m. on March 26th. By then, most of the other matches in this round of qualifiers had already ended.
In the just-concluded Group F match, led by Ronaldo, Portugal defeated Azerbaijan 2-0, gaining three points, and the situation for advancing was very favorable.
After the end of this match, the entire Portuguese team returned to the hotel. When passing by the hotel lobby, they happened to see the live broadcast of the match between Spain and France on TV.
Most of the Portuguese players just glanced casually at the TV screen and didn't pay much attention, preparing to return to their rooms to rest.
But when Cristiano Ronaldo saw the player wearing the number 30 jersey, he paused for a moment.
It's him!? He remembered this was the person he had a chance encounter with at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, and the same super rookie Florentino had hinted at wanting to bring in as his deputy.
Thinking of this, Ronaldo stopped in his tracks.
Everyone says you're strong; I want to see for myself just how strong you really are.
...
South America, a hotel room.
Messi, wearing slippers, emerged from the bathroom, glanced at the clock on the wall, picked up the remote control, and turned on the TV.
The live broadcast on TV happened to be the match between the French team and the Spanish team.
Messi's face looked somewhat tired, and his mood seemed unpleasant.
In the just-concluded South American qualifiers, his Argentina team was held to a 1-1 draw by Bolivia away.
In this match, Messi missed many opportunities and couldn't help the team win.
This led to criticism and even questioning from the outside world. With the defeat in the previous World Cup in South Africa, many people began to doubt Messi's ability to lead Argentina to success.
Some even doubted his professionalism, believing that he didn't give his all in national team matches.
Otherwise, how to explain his excellent performance at the club level but a lackluster one with the national team?
Facing these doubts and criticisms, Messi didn't come forward to explain.
Explanation was futile; only by delivering even better performances on the field could he shut these people up.
To become stronger, Messi has been studying Lin Quan's matches recently, hoping to draw experience from his performances on the field and identify his own shortcomings.
For Messi, Lin Quan is like a mirror, helping him find his strengths and weaknesses and correct them.
This is much more effective than slowly searching for his own mistakes!
The match had just begun, and Messi sat attentively in front of the TV, eagerly anticipating what inspiration Lin Quan could bring him!
...
England, Manchester, Carrington Training Ground.
Ferguson, as usual, sat in his office, enjoying the taste of aged wine on the back of his chair while watching the highly anticipated showdown between France and Spain.
Although the England vs. Montenegro match was also being broadcast at the same time, the Boss showed no interest in that match.
Montenegro is just a minnow, posing little threat to England.
Compared to that dull match, the focus was on the France vs. Spain game.
Especially with a young player he had high hopes for playing in this match, Ferguson was looking forward to what kind of brilliant performance he could bring!
...
France, Stade de France.
Already announced to be signing with Bayern Munich and soon to be the head coach of Bayern, Guardiola appeared in the executive box of Stade de France.
In this match, he came both as a regular fan cheering for the Spanish national team and as the head coach of Bayern, to assess Lin Quan's match status.
It's strange to say that he has watched many of Lin Quan's matches, but he has never thought about how to use Lin Quan as a head coach.
Logically, Lin Quan's style is so similar to Messi's, and he is the best coach in the world to use Messi.
He should know how to use Lin Quan properly.
But the personnel configuration and tactical play of each team are different, and Bayern is not Barcelona, lacking the midfield configuration and the ingrained possession football consciousness instilled from childhood.
So, he can't just copy and paste because Lin Quan resembles Messi; he can't directly apply Barcelona's tactics to Bayern.
Bayern and Barcelona have completely different tactical styles, and he needs to find a balance between the two, retaining Bayern's traditional strengths while bringing some advanced concepts of future football that he believes in, achieving a perfect fusion of the two.
And this is not a simple matter.
Thinking of this, Guardiola couldn't help but feel the urge to experiment deep down in his heart.
...
In the player tunnel, Lin Quan stood calmly among the Spanish team, waiting to take the field.
Similar to Lin Quan's state, most of the Spanish players weren't very nervous.
On the contrary, on the home team's side, several young players making their first appearance as starters for the team seemed particularly nervous, even crossing themselves repeatedly on their chests.
Lin Quan glanced at them, and they happened to look back at him.
That cool hairstyle, he could tell at a glance it was Paul Pogba.
There was envy and admiration in Pogba's eyes. He envied Lin Quan; the other was so young but had already secured a spot as a regular starter for the Spanish national team.
And he had just joined the national team and didn't know what the future held for him.
Thinking about this match, being pushed out like a duck on the chopping block, directly facing the champion-level midfield of Spain, Pogba felt a bit nervous. If he didn't play well in this match, would there be a place for him in the national team in the future?
Young Pogba was indeed somewhat green, but Lin Quan didn't doubt his ability.
He remembered very clearly that this guy would later return to Manchester United for a world record transfer fee of 105 million euros.
Of course, whether this money spent by Manchester United was worth it or not is another matter.
Teams in the rebuilding phase are always extravagant in their spending on players but seem to often miss the mark.
This was true of Manchester United after Ferguson, and it was true of Barcelona later on.
(End of this chapter)
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