Therefore, they will also have a match against the Italian Cup champion San Remo in this year’s season opener, the Italian Super Cup.
But it’s said that Ancelotti won’t be participating because his injury hasn’t healed.
In fact, Ancelotti attended this event today still using a cane.
"Ancelotti, we’re surprised to have you here. Initially, we thought it was only worth a try because of your injury..." the host spoke cautiously.
Ancelotti smiled and said, "Yes, if my doctor hadn’t recommended appropriate physical activity, I certainly wouldn’t have gone out. My recovery is going well, and I might only miss one or two games in the new season before I can help the team."
"I am full of expectations for the new season."
"Of course, accepting your invitation is also largely due to my interest in this Italy National Youth Team."
Juventus is experimenting with some new tactics based on the current veteran stars, hoping to have another go at the Champions League during the end of these stars’ careers.
It’s rumored that Juventus previously inquired about Sevajos.
"So, which player do you like the most?" The host asked a tricky question.
"Of course, it’s Lu!" Ancelotti didn’t hesitate and then quickly added, "Of course, Sevajos and Canyes are also great, but you asked for the favorite... There’s no Italian fan who doesn’t like Lu, right?"
"In my view, the diamond generation of Italian football has emerged. These young players are excellent, and I see shadows of how we used to play in them, something that previous groups lacked..."
The host didn’t further challenge Ancelotti, as his answer indeed revealed Juventus’s interest in Sevajos.
The match started quickly.
From the beginning, the German Youth National Team exhibited a maturity and discipline that young players shouldn’t have.
Their playing style could be called rigid, but it was extremely proficient.
This kept the football almost constantly under their control.
With a higher ball possession rate, naturally, more opportunities arise.
Around the twentieth minute of the first half, the German Team executed a perfect team play.
Seventeen passes, zero errors!
Finally, the left midfielder passed back to Melcan in the midfield, who dribbled sideways two steps and suddenly sent a pass into the left corridor towards the front line.
The German Team’s left midfielder, central forward, and attacking midfielder made a series of running moves, real and fake.
In the end, the central forward and left midfielder were just pulling the defense.
The attacking midfielder inserted from behind to shoot, and Lam’s position distracted his own goalkeeper Areola, causing him to make an error in judgment and be unprepared.
The football entered the net.
Germany led one to zero!
But Italy’s morale didn’t falter.
To put it bluntly, since the qualifiers, they haven’t led much at all.
It’s as if they don’t know how to play if they don’t concede a goal first.
In the following twenty-five minutes, the Italy Team played very steadily.
Having familiarized themselves with the characteristics of the opposing players, they could better implement Maniero’s defensive setup.
Morici focused on harassing Melcan.
He successfully intercepted once out of three attempts, creating a sense of crisis for Melcan, who no longer dared to dribble sideways in search of opportunities.
In fact, players who like to dribble sideways usually have good passing imagination and often provide assists.
Because sideways dribbling is inherently a good way to seek opportunities.
Manchester United’s Pogba, Real Madrid’s Modric, Barça’s Iniesta, Messi, almost every midfield maestro, like to dribble sideways to find opportunities.
But not everyone in the midfield is suited for sideways dribbling.
You need to have that ability.
For example, a team like Juventus, with a weak midfield, struggles to find a player who can dribble sideways.
Are you talking about Bernadeski?
Yes, he likes all kinds of dribbling, including sideways, but dribbling sideways without the purpose of a threatening pass is a hallmark of a lone wolf player.
To get back on track, after losing Melcan’s sideways dribble passing, the German Team’s attack dropped by at least one level.
During the halftime break, Maniero made some tactical adjustments based on the German Youth National Team’s first-half performance.
Less than five minutes into the second half, the Italy National Youth Team scored a goal.
The right winger Pompey participated in tracking back to restrain the opponent’s left back.
The opponent’s left back passed to the left midfielder, but was intercepted by Canyes, who was also positioned high.
Canyes made a long pass over the top, directly transferring the ball to Morici’s side.
After receiving the ball, Morici immediately sent a long pass back to the right, exploiting the gap left by the advancing German left back.
Because Italy’s intention earlier was to attack down the right, Germany’s left back didn’t return to his position immediately, instead, he moved towards the center.
He had good intentions because when the opposing team shifts the attack route, the defenders on the weak side are supposed to close towards the opposite side.
However, no one expected Morici’s secondary transfer to come so quickly.
Pompey wasn’t in position and was far from the ball.
However, Italy’s right attacking midfielder Lu quickly ran to where Pompey should have been and received the ball.
The German left defensive midfielder rushed up to pressure Lu.
Lu simply nudged the ball with his left foot and simultaneously charged towards the opponent.