Chapter 28 Big Trouble
Chapter 28 Big Trouble
"ah!"
Located in Brussels, on the training ground of the Belgian national team, there was a sudden scream. The players who were doing offensive and defensive drills stopped one after another. With a panicked expression on his face, Valasijak sat on the ground, The one next to him who is hugging his legs and moaning in pain is the team's leading central defender and defensive core Kompany.
When the head coach Antiiennis, who was supervising the training on the sidelines, heard the scream, his body trembled subconsciously, and the assistant coach Francois, who was acting as the referee, had already rushed to the scene of the incident.
"Vincent! How do you feel!?"
Valasejak on the side was also flustered, at a loss, and just said repeatedly: "This~~~~~~I~~~~~I didn't mean it! I~~~~~~~"
Francois looked at Kompany with a painful expression, and then at the deformed calf, his hair was standing on end. Although he was not a doctor, he could tell that Kompany was not badly injured. light.
Antiiennis also came over, and when he took a look, his heart sank immediately. Although he hadn't been to the hospital for a diagnosis yet, but looking at Kompany's calf, he knew that Kompany might not be able to catch up with Portugal. up.
What would happen without Kompany?
You must know that Kompany is now the No. 2 star of the Belgian national team. He was the absolute core of the defense a few years ago, and even the veteran Van Buyten is not as good as him.
Now that Kompany is injured, who will take his place.
Digan also ran over at this moment, looking at Valasijak who was about to cry out with self-blame on his face, he also knew that the other party didn't mean it, the collision between the two just now was Kompany who almost took When he couldn't reach the ball, he stretched his legs forcibly, and an accident happened.
"Simon! Don't worry, we all know that it's not your fault!" As the captain, Digan didn't want Valasijak to have any psychological burden because of this incident.
Valasjak grabbed his hair, annoyed: "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I~~~~~~~ I didn't know it would happen!"
Digan gave Valasijak a consoling smile, patted him on the shoulder, and walked over to check on Kompany's injury. At this moment, the team doctor was also called over, and after a brief look, he immediately took Kompany Carry it on, and the ambulance that came after hearing the news.
Antiiennis had a gloomy face. Without Kompany's pinnacle, the life-and-death battle with Portugal has not yet been fought, and Belgium's qualifying form has already been covered with a layer of frost.
"Rod! The current situation is too bad!"
Digan also smiled wryly. He will send troops to Lisbon tomorrow. He didn't expect that there would be a reduction in personnel before the battle, and the team's defensive core was injured.
Perhaps because of Kompany's low profile, people have overlooked his value, but as a member of Belgium, Degan is very aware of Kompany's value.
Kompany can be regarded as the pinnacle of the Belgian team's rear. Whether it is man-to-man or high-altitude defense, he is outstanding among the central defenders in the entire world football.
Moreover, Kompany's ability to grab points is still very strong. When there is a set ball, Kompany's header is also a major offensive weapon for the Belgian team.
It is precisely because of the existence of Kompany that Degan can lead the team to attack with confidence. Now that Kompany is injured, and it seems that the injury is still serious, who should take his position?
He has always partnered with Kompany as a central defender. However, Hoickens' height is not dominant, only 182cm. Without Kompany's protection, he cannot complete the arduous task of prevention and control by himself.
Then you need to find a tall partner for Heukens. Vanden Borre and De Flandre are both suitable candidates. Although the strength of both of them is not far from Kompany, but now There is no other way.
Van den Borre also became famous very early. He entered Anderlecht's first team when he was sixteen years old. He is tall and has excellent header ability. The only thing he lacks is turning speed. Before the World Cup, he has been in the Belgian giants Playing for Anderlecht, after the World Cup, he moved to Italy, first spent a season in Lazio, and moved to Genoa this summer.
However, Van den Bore was also injured before, and he hardly played a few games in the first half of this year. No one can guarantee his current state.
De Vlandre is currently playing for Roda jc in the Eredivisie. He is the team's main central defender. His ability is not a problem, but he is old and his state is fluctuating. Who knows that when he played against Portugal, he leaned over. Is it Li Kui or Li Gui.
Although Kompany has not been diagnosed yet, both Digan and Antiiennis have to prepare for the upcoming game. It is enough for them to choose who to replace Kompany.
That night, Kompany's injury report was sent to Antiiennis. His lower leg was broken and he would need at least three months of truce before he could train with the ball. It's uncertain when he will be able to play.
Although Antiiennis had guessed it, when the exact report was sent to him, he still couldn't accept it. Obviously, Kompany could not count on this game.
"Coach! There is no other way now, we can only accept the reality!" Degan is also having a headache now, and Kompany is injured, which is definitely a big trouble for Belgium's tactical plan, not only for the national team, but also for the club. Although Fiorentina still has Dainelli, Ujfalusi, and even the teenager Ranocchia, Kompany's position cannot be replaced by anyone.
Antiiennis also knew: "But who should we replace Vincent with now!?"
He is the head coach of the team, and he is more aware of the current situation in Belgium than Degan. Compared with two years ago, the current age structure of Belgium is older, and there are only a few people who can rely on it.
The frontcourt relies on Degan to score goals, the defense relies on Kompany to defend, and the midfield fights with the opponent. Now that the core of the defense has collapsed, who will take on the heavy responsibility of the team's defense.
Although Van den Bore has an advantage in height, he is too young, his state fluctuates, and he is emotional during the game. Obviously he is not the best candidate, but De Vlandre is too old to be a substitute. As for the main force, it probably can't be called a game, and in this game, he will face a superstar like Jin Maoluo. Antiiennis has no idea whether the veteran can handle it.
Who can replace Kompany's position?
Degan was also pondering, when suddenly his eyes lit up, and a person's name sounded—Thomas Vermaelen!
Perhaps for the current Belgians, the name Vermaelen is still a bit unfamiliar, but in the future, he will be the backbone of the Belgian national team's defense, and the central defender combination with Kompany is praised by countless people as the most powerful player in world football. Impassable wall.
Vermaelen's football career started at the club in Antwerp, Belgium. In 2004, Vermaelen began to go out to the world. His first stop was Ajax, a football club in a neighboring country, to seek development.
However, Vermaelen's first season in Ajax was not successful. Compared with Kompany, who became famous at a young age, he obviously did not have the talent that people expected. He Ningdan played once in the game. Although Ajax won the Eredivisie this season, he has little relationship with Vermaelen.
In the 2004/2005 season, Ajax rented Vermaelen to the Eredivisie club Waalwijk. He was not a regular selection for the team, but he still played 13 times and scored two goals. A season later, Vermaelen returned to Ajax and made a career breakthrough. He became a member of the Ajax first team and won the Dutch Cup.
Then Vermaelen's career began to go smoothly. After Van der Vaart left, he became the captain of Ajax. At this time, he was already one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie. up.
As a central defender, his frontal defense ability is excellent. Although he is not outstanding in height, he has excellent jumping and landing point judgment, and his header is not inferior to any opponent. The speed is not very fast, but it can keep up with the rhythm of most opponents. It has an excellent sense of position, but it lacks in the speed of filling the position. Cool-headed, but not easy to mess with.
What really made Vermaelen famous was in the summer of 2009. There were rumors that the Premier League club Arsenal was interested in Vermaelen, but Arsenal scout Tony Adams immediately denied that he was Arsenal's transfer target and said Vermaelen is not suitable for Arsenal, but then, the Arsenal club suddenly announced on its official website that the club's first and only signing this summer was officially completed. The 23-year-old Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen officially joined Arsenal. The two sides will sign a long-term contract. The transfer fee was initially 10 million euros, and later rose to 12 million euros.
After Toure moved to Manchester City, Vermaelen and French defender Gallas became the first choice for Arsenal's defense. On August 15, 2009, Vermaelen put an end to the controversy surrounding him by scoring a header in his first game in an Arsenal shirt.
As Arsenal's only signing in the summer of 2009, Vermaelen's outstanding performance won the applause of everyone, and head coach Arsene Wenger was even surprised that the Belgian could adapt to Arsenal's defensive system so quickly.
At the end of 2009, due to his outstanding performance at Arsenal, Vermaelen was nominated for the best athlete in Belgium.
Although Vermaelen is not yet the backbone of Arsenal's defense, his performance in Ajax is also good, and Digan believes that the willingness to get Wenger's favor, how could it be bad.
When Degan said the name, Antiiennis was taken aback for a moment, then thought for a while, and asked with doubts: "Thomas Vermaelen! I know he has done a good job in Ajax , but he is not yet 22 years old, what I want to say is whether he can take on this important task! And our game against the Portuguese team is tomorrow~~~~~~"
Digan laughed and said, "Coach! Don't forget, I'm only under 22 years old!"
Degan knew what Antiiennis was worried about. It wasn't Vermaelen's age. In fact, in terms of age, Van den Borre was younger. What he was worried about was destroying a system.
For the Belgian national team in the 2006 World Cup, Belgian fans have already made them a myth. Once any member is moved, the consequences will be immeasurable.
Although Antiiennis is the head coach of the team, he didn't dare to take the risk!
And the most important thing is that Vermaelen has never played for the national first team before. He can shoulder this burden, and Antiiennis really has no bottom.
"Coach! We don't have many choices now, and I think young people should be given more opportunities!"
Belgium is not without outstanding young players, but these future Mavericks are still too young, such as the Belgian super genius Hazard, who is only 16 years old now, others like Fellaini, Dembele, Vertongen , Defour are also only about twenty years old.
Degan is also a person who attaches great importance to emotions. If possible, he also wants to go to the European Cup with these old teammates to have a final glory. But this time Kompany's injury made him realize that the Belgian national team Renewal is imperative.
If they want to make a difference in the European Cup, or even win the cup in the end, they must make a decision to form a younger and more combative team instead of standing still like they are now.
Although it seems a bit ruthless to do so, football is like this, survival of the fittest. If Degan wants to lead Belgium to achieve more brilliant results in international competitions, then he must form a real Red Devils in his mind.
Rather than what it is like now, the success of the 2006 World Cup made Belgium look like an exquisite vase. Once it was knocked or touched, it would immediately fall apart as a whole.
Looking at the current Belgian substitute players, how many of them can step up at critical moments?
The answer is none!
Recalling Degan's experience in the national team, we know that as long as he plays, he will play almost 90 minutes, because in the Belgian national team, no one can come up and take over his tasks.
Seeing that Antiiennis was still silent, Degan persuaded: "Coach! I think since Vermaelen can become the captain of the field in Ajax, at least his mentality is mature, at least he is better than Anthony (Fan Fan) Dembore) would be a better fit."
Although it was a bit difficult to make this decision, Antiiennis finally nodded and approved Degan's suggestion: "Okay! Rhodes! I hope you are right, we really have no more choices now, I now Let someone send a call-up letter to Ajax and let Vermaelen join the national team!"