Chapter 164 Public Opinion
Brazil's elimination in the quarterfinals of the South Africa World Cup sparked a huge discussion around the world.
Most fans were rational and understood that Brazil's defeat was not unjustified after Kaká's injury. Moreover, even if Brazil had overcome Italy, without their attacking linchpin, it would have been difficult for them to go any further.
But Brazilian fans don't think so.
Their expectations for this World Cup were too high, and their reaction was particularly intense when the results fell short of their expectations.
Besides criticizing Dunga and the national team players, Brazilian fans also repeatedly protested Alves' offside call at the start of the match, arguing that if Robinho's goal had been counted, Brazil might not have lost.
After slowing down the video frame by frame, it becomes clear that Alves' offside call was indeed somewhat unfair. However, VAR technology hadn't been introduced at that time, and it was difficult for the referee to clearly see the players' instantaneous movements with the naked eye. Alves' offside was in a situation that was open to interpretation, but the referee chose to call it offside.
Therefore, in the eyes of Brazilian fans, they were wrongly accused of refereeing! The refereeing team deserves a death sentence, and Italy, who benefited from the system, deserves an even greater death sentence!
At this point, Fino and Dunga's post-match conversation was also interpreted by some people using lip reading and posted online.
Now Brazilian fans have a new target to focus their fire on.
Cabriño, what do you mean? What gives you the right to threaten Kaká to swear by the Bible that he won't take any painkillers?
No wonder people call you the Chess King. What a grand game you're playing! When did you start planning this? You already anticipated that Italy would face Brazil, so you preemptively sealed off our core pieces, right?
With such a beautiful face and such a black heart, are you going to ruin Brazilian football?
Fino's social media comment section was suddenly flooded with passionate comments from Brazilian fans, who responded vehemently, followed by a large number of casual observers...
Fino's social media presence immediately surged.
When Fino learned that he was being targeted by Brazilian fans, he was already in Cape Town.
The South Africa World Cup used a total of 10 stadiums, spread across 9 cities, so the participating teams had to travel between the cities.
The quarter-final match between Italy and Brazil will be played at Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, while the semi-final match will be played at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
Lippi didn't even give Fino time to visit Kaká in the hospital. After the match, he flew to Cape Town overnight. The semi-final was just four days away, and the team had no time to waste.
Fino, who was already in a bad mood because he was thinking about Kaká, was now being bullied by Brazilian fans!
Fino immediately posted a sarcastic remark on social media.
[Yes, yes, I shouldn't have stopped Kaka from taking painkillers. Kaka should dedicate himself to the national team until he retires in South Africa. Brazil has no shortage of superstars anyway. For the next World Cup on home soil, just let Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo play – the team will be star-studded! If all else fails, there's Pelé, at 74, still at his prime! With Pelé on the field, what's Kaka compared to him? I only have one question: if Kaka suffers a serious injury and retires with the national team, who will compensate Real Madrid for the €65 million transfer fee? Shouldn't the Brazilian Football Confederation open a fundraising channel?]
Fino's social media posts added fuel to the fire for the already emotionally charged Brazilian fans!
In recent years, Brazil is no longer the Brazil that once produced so many talented players. Fino's comments are a blatant satire, mocking the depletion of Brazilian talent! In particular, Fino mentioned Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo, the 3R trio who lifted the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup trophy, all of whom have left the national team.
In the squad for this South Africa World Cup, Kaká is the only superstar, while many other players can only play for mid-to-lower-tier teams in the top five European leagues, or even the Turkish Super League and the Greek Super League...
Fino was absolutely ruthless, he was so vicious!
Furthermore, it was clearly Fino who used underhanded tactics to weaken the Brazilian national team, so how did it become that they wanted Kaká to retire? How did this accusation come about? Who said Kaká wanted to retire?
Damn it! I almost forgot, Fino is just quiet, not mute. He was incredibly sarcastic and cutting when Maldini retired! He was quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and his sarcasm came out of his mouth at the drop of a hat!
Before Brazilian fans could even figure out the logic, Real Madrid fans were the first to react.
Yes, we spent a lot of money to buy Kaká, and now we're giving him to you for free. You actually want him to play with painkillers? Do you think Real Madrid is a sucker?
Real Madrid fans were already dissatisfied with Kaká's high salary and injury-plagued performance near the end of last season, and even suspected that Kaká was playing passively for the national team. Now, the Brazilians are still not satisfied with Kaká playing with an injury. Are you trying to ruin Real Madrid?
Real Madrid fans immediately joined the debate with the Brazilian fans.
Fini is actively protecting the club's valuable assets. He's so responsible, so ownership-minded, and loves Real Madrid so much! How can this not be considered coming from the red and black but having a pure white heart? So touching…
Man, you won't kiss the team badge just to get our attention, right? I love this kind of tsundere attitude, it's so unique, and it makes it even more captivating, doesn't it?
While the online debate raged on, Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team jointly announced Kaká's injury status.
An endoscopy revealed that Kaká suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee, accompanied by ligament damage, requiring surgical intervention. Real Madrid has contacted Martens Mark, one of the world's leading knee surgeons. Kaká will first fly to Belgium for left knee surgery, followed by groin surgery at an appropriate time. His return date is undetermined.
AS later reported that Kaká was just one step away from tearing a ligament in his left knee, which would force him to end his professional career. Compared to his left knee problem, his groin issue is relatively minor.
Marca also published an anonymous report from a Real Madrid staff member, stating that the club has had enough of Kaká's frequent injuries and is preparing to take this opportunity to give him a "major overhaul," allowing him ample rest time. Furthermore, Real Madrid will refuse Kaká's national team call-up until he is fully recovered.
This made Kaka's fans restless.
It turns out Kaka's injury was so serious that the Brazilian national team not only made him play with the injury, but also wanted him to take painkillers. This is simply killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Is the Brazilian national team trying to ruin Kaka?
Waaaaah, Finney is so beautiful inside and out, she truly deserves to be Richie's best friend. You two must be best friends for life!
After Kaká's injury was reported, Brazilian fans immediately quieted down.
They just couldn't accept that the Brazilian national team was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the South Africa World Cup, not that they wanted Kaka to be completely ruined. They also didn't know that Kaka's injury was so serious.
Under the combined attack of Fino fans, Kaká fans, Real Madrid fans, Italian fans, and other allied fans, Brazilian fans quickly retreated from Fino's comment section.
Public opinion in Brazil has gradually shifted towards sending blessings and prayers for Kaká's surgery, hoping for a successful operation.
They're counting on Kaká to lead the team in the Brazil World Cup. They can't really rely on Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, or even... Pelé, as Fino suggested, can they?
I have to say, this Cabrini has a really sharp tongue...
When news came that Kaká's left knee surgery had gone smoothly, Fino was preparing for the World Cup final.
Yes, Italy has already overcome Uruguay in the semi-finals and will face Spain, the 2008 European Championship winners, in the final on July 11.
Fino and Kaka spoke on the phone and received more specific information. Kaka's post-operative recovery period would last for six months, and he would miss all matches before the winter break.
Fino comforted him.
Kaka is only 28 years old. If he can use six months to prevent his old injuries from recurring for the rest of his career, it would be a worthwhile trade.
Now that he was completely relieved about Kaká's injury, Fino focused all his energy on the World Cup final.
Italy is just one step away from the World Cup trophy, and no one wants to fall in the final.
In particular, Fino himself still has two or three more World Cups to play again, but Nesta, Ambrosini, Gattuso, and even Pirlo and Gilardino may not have the chance to play again.
The makeshift office was filled with smoke as Lippi, with a cigar between his fingers, worried about the starting lineup for the final.
After the first six games, he has already decided on the starting lineup for most positions, except for the goalkeeper.
Marchetti, who had played a lot of minutes, was not up to the task. In the semi-final against Uruguay, he tried using De Sanctis again, but the result still did not satisfy him.
Now he gets angry when he sees Buffon swaying around the training field, clutching his back! How did he suddenly develop a herniated disc?
After much deliberation, he still put Marchetti's name in the starting goalkeeper position. Since their levels are about the same, he decided to choose the one who gets more playing time.
This Spanish national team is practically a carbon copy of Barcelona, aiming to control the game through exquisite short passing combinations and ball possession, appearing invincible.
But Italy is not without a chance to break the deadlock.
In the 2009 Champions League final, AC Milan's tactics inspired Lippi – since Spain's passing and possession were so good, let Spain pass and possess as they pleased, while Italy could conserve their energy by tightening their defense and then launch counter-attacks.
Coincidentally, several AC Milan players on the Italian team had experienced that Champions League final.
Lippi also plans to play a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Marchetti starting in goal and the four defenders from right to left being Zambrotta, Nesta, Chiellini and Criscito.
In the midfield quartet, Pirlo plays deep and organizes the attack, Gattuso intercepts and sweeps, while Ambrosini and De Rossi have more complex tasks, as both need to cover the entire midfield and have heavy responsibilities on both ends of the pitch.
Fino replaced Kaká in that Champions League final, and Lippi positioned him in the attacking midfield position, with Di Natale taking the lead. Both Fino and Di Natale had defensive duties; in addition to pressing high up the pitch, they also had to drop back into Italy's half when necessary to participate in the defense in the midfield and backfield.
With everyone defending, even if the goalkeeper isn't top-class, Lippi is confident that Italy's defense can withstand Spain's attacks.
...
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Author's Note: Dear teachers, I'll be going back to my hometown for the National Day holiday, so there will be a temporary hiatus. I'll be back before October 10th. Sorry! [Let me see...]
Wishing everyone a happy holiday in advance! [hugs]
Thank you everyone for your support, high five! [cat paw]
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