Chapter 1025 Activate Polish Genius

The fact that Zhang Qinghuan killed Catalan United with one meal is still circulating on the Internet. I believe that in the future, whether Saria meets Catalan United again, or Leeds City meets Catalan United again, or Hu Lai and Catalan United If Catalonia United play against each other again, this matter will be mentioned repeatedly by major media.

Catalan United was nailed to the pillar of shame.

Whether they admit it or not, the label of "losing to a meal" cannot be taken off.

But this is actually not what worries Catalonia the most, or it is not what they are most concerned about at the moment.

What bothers them most is that after losing to Leeds City, they may lose the first place in the group.

In another Champions League group match the next night, Vesuvius, playing away from home, defeated Gulf Lighthouse 3:2 after a fierce battle and scored the key three points.

With only the final round of the group stage left, Catalonia currently ranks first with 12 points.

Vesuvius caught up to ten points, only two points behind.

In the last round of the group stage, they faced Catalan United at their home court. As long as they win, they can overtake Catalan United with a one-point advantage and become the first in the group. Make sure you get a good draw in the next Champions League knockout group.

Vesuvius' victory is not good news for Catalonia.

The same goes for Leeds City.

Originally, their away defeat against Catalonia United gave them a glimmer of hope of qualifying for the group stage.

Now this last glimmer of hope was shattered with the victory of Vesuvius.

With only six points, they are still four points away from Vesuvius, second in the group, so they bid farewell to the Champions League knockout round one round early.

However, precisely because Gulf Beacon lost at home, Leeds City locked in their qualification to participate in the knockout rounds of this season's Europa League one round in advance.

In the second half of the season, they will move to the Europa League as third in the Champions League group.

But for the current Leeds City, I don’t know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing to be able to continue to stay in the European arena...

After all, everyone can see that participating in the Champions League this season has consumed a lot of their energy and distracted their investment in the league.

Although it has not fallen to the point of fighting for relegation so far, if it continues like this, who knows what will happen in the end?

Such examples are not uncommon in European football, and can even be said to be the norm for small and medium-sized teams after qualifying for the European competition.

In a sense, qualifying for the European war is more like a "hot potato" in their hands.

※※※

"Although we can continue to stay in the European competition and participate in the Europa League, I really don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for us..."

In the tea room, Leeds City coaches were talking a lot while drinking tea.

The topic they discussed was of course the Europa League.

Everyone can speak and express their opinions.

"Will we be like Saria in Spain and end up in the Championship?"

"Falling into the Championship is a bit exaggerated. We are still stronger than Saria. But we are very likely to be empty-handed this season and get nothing. Don't expect to defend the league championship, even I can’t even qualify for the Champions League next season...”

"I would also like to remind you that starting from December 17, Hu will leave the club to train with the national team to prepare for the Asian Cup. But our league will not be suspended because of the Asian Cup. And this Chinese team The team is considered to be the favorite to win this Asian Cup, which means that they are likely to play until the end, until early February... That means He will miss nine rounds of the league! These nine rounds of the league happen to be the time when we have no European games and can concentrate on playing in the league. When he comes back, it will not be long before the Europa League... So we are in the league this season. The prospects are quite bleak! Not to mention qualifying for the Champions League, maybe we won’t even be able to qualify for the Europa League.”

These words suddenly silenced the tea room.

Everyone had ignored the impact of the Asian Cup before. After all, the Asian Cup was too far away for them and they could not come into contact with it in their daily lives.

Now that it is mentioned, it is discovered that the Asian Cup has a far greater impact on the team than they previously imagined.

This is not just three group matches.

From the beginning of the training camp to the end of the Asian Cup, Hu Lai will be absent for a month and a half, nearly forty-five days and nine league rounds!

During this period, Leeds City will lose their leading scorer and important firepower. When Hulay returns to the club again, who knows where Leeds City will be ranked in the Premier League...

"I know it's not a good thing to say...but I really hope that the Chinese team will be eliminated after playing in the group stage..." Someone from the coaching staff murmured, breaking the silence in the tea room.

Tony Clark laughed: "Actually, the situation is not as bad as everyone thinks. Hu is gone, and we still have Lasky. He scored a goal against Catalonia United. I believe this will be a great to boost his confidence.”

Assistant coach Sam Randill shook his head and said: "Tony. So far this season, Laski has only scored four goals in total, one in the League Cup, two in the league, and one in the Champions League. I want him to take over from Hu." I'm afraid it's not that easy..."

"Hey, don't use Hu as a reference standard, otherwise you won't be able to find a few forwards in the entire Premier League who can replace Hu." Clark waved his hand, "Lasky has the ability to score. It's just that we didn't give full play to his ability before. Of course, this is normal because we have Hu. Who would consider finding another scoring point for any team with Hu? But starting from today, we must activate Lasky's scoring point. ”

Seeing that his friend was so confident, Matt Dawn interrupted and said, "Do you already have an idea in mind, Tony?"

Clark smiled at Matt: "Actually, I got inspiration from Hu. Do you remember the bet I made with Sam, right?"

When everyone heard what he said, they suddenly realized.

This has become a well-known joke within the team.

In order to encourage Hulay, who had just joined the team, to perform well, Clark pretended to make a bet with assistant coach Sam Landill on the number of goals Hulay would score in the season.

Clark ran to Hulay, told him about the incident, and said that as long as Hulay could score five goals at the end of the season, he would invite Hulay to the Red Chili Peppers for a meal.

At that time, he and the rest of the coaching staff believed that being able to score five goals in his first Premier League season was already a great achievement for Hulay.

After all, Leeds City's offensive tactics had not yet taken shape at that time.

But I didn't expect Hu Lai to complete the agreement with Clark in only the first three games.

In the end, he scored 11 goals in half a season and became Leeds City's top scorer that season.

You know, he played half a season less than others!

Randall understood what Clark meant and asked: "Then how big are you going to set your goal this time? Like Hu, or five goals?"

Clark laughed dumbly: "Or five goals? Your requirements are too low, Sam. Hu's situation at that time was different from now. At that time, our offensive lineup was not as strong as it is now, and Hu had only been with the team for a month. . But now that Lasky has adapted to the team for almost half a season, it would be too easy to score five goals. He already has four goals."

"I mean league goals..."

"Then he has already scored two league goals." Clark said, "I plan to give him... ten goals, ten goals in the league. By the end of the season, as long as he can score ten goals, I will ask him He went to Red Hot Chili Peppers."

Randhir has no objection. Ten goals in the league is indeed a very pragmatic goal. If Lasky can really get better, considering his ability, it won't be difficult.

But he suddenly remembered something, and then smiled: "But I don't think you will just invite him. In the end, if you really want to invite him, you must be prepared to invite the whole team..."

When he said this, the coaches in the tea room burst into laughter.

For two consecutive seasons, Clark said that he would only invite Hu Lai, but in the end he invited the whole team. So much so that both the media and fans now think that it is some kind of Leeds City tradition for the whole team to have a dinner at the Red Hot Chili Peppers after every season...

Clark also laughed: "Actually, I just hope they all know about this."

Randhir was a little surprised, but he quickly figured it out: "If you want to activate Lasky, you need the joint efforts of the whole team!"

"That's right." Clark smiled. "In addition, I have an immature opinion about qualifying for the Champions League, and I want to discuss it with you..."

※※※

When Lasky returned to the team's locker room from the head coach, his teammates gathered around him curiously: "Dominic, what does the boss want from you?"

As soon as practice ended, Lasky called to the head coach's office on the training field.

There is something that cannot be said on the training ground and must go to the office specifically. This makes other Leeds City players very curious.

Laski glanced at Hulay first, and then looked at his teammates: "Uh... the boss made an agreement with me."

"Agreement? What agreement?"

"He said... if I can score at least ten league goals at the end of the season, then... he will invite me to eat at Red Hot Chili Peppers..." Lasky said hesitantly.

"Red pepper?!"

"Oh my God!"

"What did I hear?! What did I hear?! You are such an enviable bastard, Dominic!"

The locker room erupted after hearing the keyword.

But Lasky still didn't seem very excited.

Or maybe Pete Williams noticed something strange about Lasky in the cheering atmosphere, and he asked: "What concerns do you seem to have, Dominic?"

"Yes... Pete. I know that Red Hot Chili Peppers is a very famous Chinese restaurant. But..." At this point, Lasky glanced at Hu Lai again, and then said carefully, "I'm not targeting You, Hu. But I know that Chinese food... seems to be bad for professional players... Sorry, I still have to tell the truth: I don't want the boss to invite me to some red peppers... Uh, what's wrong with you? "

When Laski said this, he didn't see any dissatisfaction with Hu Lai. Instead, he found that the locker room that was still boiling before quickly cooled down. The teammates who were cheering were all staring at him. The expressions on their faces... It’s hard to describe in one word.

It's like looking at a fool.

Charlie Potter asked coldly: "So you rejected the boss?"

"Well, that's not the case. I'm not stupid enough to refuse the boss in person..." Lasky said.

Having said this, he could clearly feel the solid air around him flowing again.

"But you are still stupid, Dominic!" Potter, who was obviously relieved, said seriously.

"Why?" Lasky was confused. "It's my responsibility to score goals for the team, but I don't need him to ask me to go to Red Hot Chili Peppers..."

"It's not his fault, Charlie." Williams stood up and explained to Lasky, "Dominique, do you think the boss's agreement with you...is just your business?"

"Isn't it?" Laski asked.

"Of course not." Williams flatly denied his answer. "You are a striker, do you think you can score ten goals in the league on your own?"

"Can't..." Lasky is still very sensible in this regard, otherwise he would not be very popular in the team. "Every goal I score is the result of everyone's joint efforts. We are a collective..."

"That's right. We are a team, Dominic. So if you can score ten goals, then when the boss invites you to dinner, do you think... is it really okay for you to go alone?"

Looking at the sincere questioning look in the team's vice-captain's eyes, Lasky was a little unsure. He tried to ask: "Then I won't go? After all, as a forward, you should score goals..."

Before he finished speaking, he heard a sighing sound in the locker room, as well as the regretful expressions of his teammates.

"Think again, Dominic!" Potter shouted anxiously.

"I..." As soon as Lasky opened his mouth, he saw everyone staring at him with expectant eyes. He suddenly felt blessed, "I should call you all together, because we are a group..."

"YES!!" Everyone cheered with arms raised.

Williams also smiled and nodded to him: "Congratulations, the correct answer!"

Laski looked at his excited teammates in stunned silence, and it was really hard to understand: "But the boss said he would only invite me..."

Porter laughed loudly: "The boss told Hu Ye that he would be alone!"

"Ah?" Lasky turned his head to Hu Lai, who had been silent. Does he have anything to do with it?

Porter told Lasky about the two agreements between Hu Lai and his boss.

After hearing this, Lasky couldn't close his mouth. He didn't expect that there is still a tradition in Leeds City that the whole team goes to a Chinese restaurant for dinner after each season... Doesn't everyone say that Chinese food is not good for professional players? ?

Looking at his expression, Porter knew what he was thinking, so he put his arm around his shoulders: "It's just one meal in a season, and the impact is not as big as you think, Dominic. And during the training camp in the new season, Schmidt Ms. Te will let us practice again...so don't worry too much..."

Porter pointed to Hulay.

"Chinese athletes also eat Chinese food, but they won many gold medals in the Olympic Games! What does this mean? This means that Chinese food does not have such a great impact on athletes! If you don’t believe me, ask Hu."

Hu Lai, who was pointed at, nodded and said seriously: "Charlie is right, Dominic. Our Olympic champion loves Chinese food the most. In every Olympic Games, there is a team of chefs who bring various ingredients from China. Use seasonings to make Chinese meals for the athletes! ”

Lasky was convinced by this logically impeccable reason, and he breathed a sigh of relief: "It's a good thing I didn't refuse the boss..."

"Of course, Dominic, otherwise you will immediately become the 'sinner' in the locker room!" Charlie Potter let go of him after saying that, raised his hands and said loudly to all the teammates in the locker room:

"Guys! From now on, we have to work hard to help Dominic score goals, and we must let him score ten...at least ten league goals before the end of the season! For the 'Red Hot Chili Peppers'!!"

"For 'Red Hot Chili Peppers'!!!"

Everyone in the locker room cheered. (End of chapter)