Chapter 103: Su Dong and His Followers
"I have a question, Mr. Boloni!"
When Su Dong's voice rang out in the conference room, the others who had already stood up to leave turned around and looked.
Everyone in the audience focused their attention on Su Dong. Some were surprised, some were delighted, and some were expectant...
Ronnie was secretly excited because he knew that Su Dong had finally taken that step.
Boloni was one of the surprised ones, because in his impression, Su Dong had always been an honest child. Such a sudden move like today was really beyond his expectations.
At the same time, he suddenly realized that he didn't know since when, Su Dong's way of addressing him changed from "Boss" during the training camp last season and this season to the current "Mr. Boloni".
The former is respectful, while the latter is clearly very distant.
But at this moment, Boloni didn't care too much about the name. He coughed twice and nodded, "Ask."
Everyone else sat back in their seats, wondering what Su Dong wanted to ask. Su Dong stood up and looked directly at Boloni.
“My question is, tomorrow night against Santa Clara, will I play?”
As soon as he finished speaking, there was an uproar in the conference room.
Obviously everyone was very surprised by Su Dong's sharp question. Is this like Su Dong's character? But soon, everyone realized that Su Dong had reached the limit of his patience.
Not everyone is willing to sit on the bench and wait for the opportunity to come.
Boloni's face turned very ugly, because he knew that this had already been discussed among the players of Alcocheti.
"Su, you have to believe me. I will consider whether to arrange you to play based on the situation on the field. You have to be patient." Boloni tried to soften his tone while protecting his authority.
"I've heard this a few times, but so far this season I've played zero minutes."
When Su Dong said this, he smiled at the head coach and said, "My idea is that I am still young, less than 18 years old. If the first team doesn't need me, then I might as well go to the second team to play some games and keep in shape."
There was an uproar in the conference room again.
We have only heard of people trying every possible means to get into the first team, but have never heard of anyone voluntarily being demoted to the second team. Su Dong should be the only one. But upon careful consideration, it is indeed the case.
What’s the point if the first team doesn’t get any playing time and is on the bench in every game?
Su Dong is retreating in order to advance.
In any case, his performance at the end of last season is there, and the club management, media and fans have all seen it. If he is sent back to the second team at this time when he has no problems, wouldn't it further confirm the fact that Boloni is nepotism?
More importantly, Su Dong’s contract has a limit on his playing time. If he is demoted to the second team, how will Boloni explain this to the management?
In fact, during this period, technical director Aurelio Pereira was already concerned about this issue.
…
"I think what Su said makes sense. He hasn't played in a long time, so it's reasonable for him to go to the second team to find his form. The first team doesn't lack forwards anyway." Ronnie started to make trouble, as if he was eager to see the world in chaos.
After saying that, the boy from Madeira Island raised his eyebrows at Su Dong, as if asking, buddy, how is my assist?
"I think that Su should not go to the second team. The playing time of the first-team players should be adjusted. Other capable players, especially young players like Su, should be given more playing time." Andre Cruz is a veteran in the team. He also stood up to express his opinion.
Captain Barbosa also stood up. "Whether it's pre-season training or daily team training, Su's performance is obvious to all. I think that in some games, he should be given more opportunities and trust. Some players are not in good shape, so let them rest and adjust their shape before playing again!"
Barbosa's words implicitly pointed the finger at Boloni's favorite player Niculai.
Boloni's statement to the public was very simple. He knew that Nicolaj was not in good shape, but he did not think that anyone else would be better than Nicolaj, so he would rather let Nicolaj slowly adjust his condition in the game.
But Barbosa said that players who are not in good condition should be replaced and replaced by those who are in good condition.
Competition leads to progress! To be frank, no one wants to publicly disclose the fact that Boloni employs people based on personal connections.
Once this fig leaf is lifted, the head coach will be deprived of his right to step down.
Of course, in the current situation, even the captain has come out to speak, and the situation is a bit like forcing a palace.
"Sometimes, it's not necessarily a bad thing to change your mindset." Albertini also spoke up. "I think young and energetic players like Suarez, Ronaldo and Quaresma are exactly what we lack at the moment."
Even Quaresma, who usually seems to be a taciturn person, stood up and said, "Personally, I think I can cooperate better with Su Dong."
He still remembers the pass that Su Dong gave him in the Portuguese Cup final.
So far this season, Nikulai has never given him a similar pass, or even an intention.
…
Everyone was talking and the scene was a bit noisy.
Su Dong was very surprised. He originally just wanted to force Boloni, but he didn't expect to "force" out so many noises.
It was clear that everyone had been enduring for a long time and it was very uncomfortable.
Is this what Robson meant? Boloni was also very surprised and a little panicked.
The head coach's power is of course supreme, but this power is based on the support of his players.
If the players have begun to question him as a head coach, will they be willing to implement tactics on the court? More importantly, Boloni feels that his authority is being challenged and even seriously weakened.
If his prestige in the locker room reached its peak during the double championship period, it has now plummeted.
Boloni had no idea what was happening , so he was panicking.
If he were to follow his original character, Boloni would definitely kill one to warn the rest and suppress Su Dong who had caused the trouble. But now, he was subconsciously warning himself not to do that. If he really did that, he would probably follow Su Dong down as soon as he went down.
Since we cannot kill one person to warn the rest, we can only use leniency.
After all, Boloni had been coaching for many years. He had made up his mind and immediately forced a forced smile.
"I have heard everyone's voices and all the suggestions are very good. I think we can give it a try, starting with this game."
When everyone heard this, their attention shifted back to Boloni.
"Su, I can promise you that I will give you at least 20 minutes of playing time in this match. You should prepare well. I hope to see your outstanding performance."
After saying this, Boloni smiled at everyone present and turned away.
Everyone saw the head coach off, but they were not happy about it. Instead, they turned to look at Su Dong.
Now, all the pressure is on Su Dong.
This method gained him playing time, but also put him under heavy pressure.
If the performance in the game is not good, then Boloni can more openly reduce Su Dong's playing time, because Su Dong's performance is not much better than Nikulai, or even worse.
After that, as long as Boloni coaches Sporting Lisbon, Sudong’s situation will not improve.
Of course, if the Soviet Union performs well, that would be a different story.
Su Dong felt the gazes of those around him. Some were concerned, some were cold, some were even gloating, and at the same time there was fear.
"Don't worry, I'm ready!" Su Dong said confidently.
"I will definitely help you!" Ronnie walked over and stood firmly beside Su Dong.
André Cruz and Albertini looked at each other, and the former saw a hint of appreciation in the latter's eyes.
He saw courage and determination in Su Dong.
…………
…………
"You saw it too, Marius."
Boloni had just finished the meeting and turned around and called Nikulai to his office.
"Su Dong couldn't help it, and the others also spoke up for him. If you don't show good performance and condition, I can't control the situation."
Boloni was also somewhat dissatisfied with his compatriot because Nikulai did a really bad job.
Apart from anything else, it's been so long and he hasn't even mastered Portuguese. This is unacceptable.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I came to Sporting Lisbon but cannot fit in. How can I play football?
On the contrary, no matter what, Su Dong did a good job.
As soon as he spoke out today, so many people supported him. If he performs well in the future, Boloni will be even more unsustainable.
"Don't worry, I will be in my best condition in this weekend's game and I will definitely score a goal!" Nikulai gritted his teeth.
He also clearly realized that his good days were over.
After Jardel left, Su Dong emerged and he was also worried about his position in the team.
"Don't worry, I will definitely support you." Boloni promised.
Coming to Portugal to coach was more like an unexpected encounter for Boloni.
His base has always been in Romania and France, where he is most familiar with and has the best connections.
Therefore, no matter what time, he must support Nikulai because he is a compatriot he personally introduced.
If he didn't do his best to support Niculai, what would happen to his reputation in Romania? He could not coach Sporting Lisbon, but he could not not return to Romania.
It is precisely because of this understanding that Boloni chose Nikule between Nikule and Jardel again and again.
Now, between Nikulai and Sudong, he knows better how to choose.
…
There is a saying that goes, ideals are full, but reality is skinny.
Just because you decide to do something doesn't mean you will be able to do it.
In the match against Santa Clara, Nicolae started again.
This time he really tried hard to show himself. He ran at all costs, but he never got a chance.
On the contrary, Santa Clara took the lead 1-0 in the 52nd minute of the second half thanks to a goal from striker João Pedro.
Everyone seemed to have seen another defeat of the defending champions.
(End of this chapter)
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