Chapter 569 Barcelona, are you ready?
North of Camp Nou, in the mid-mountain villa area.
An Audi slowly went up the mountain along the winding serpentine path and soon stopped at the gate of a closed villa.
Barcelona coach Rijkaard got out of the car, walked to the door and rang the doorbell.
"Bachi, it's me." Rijkaard said as soon as the intercom on the doorbell was connected.
Soon, the door slowly opened.
Back in the car, Rijkaard drove in and slowly stopped by the roadside.
This luxurious villa located halfway up the mountain is dominated by white style, and is therefore called the "White House" by Cruyff himself.
It was purchased a long time ago, but it looks very advanced in both design concept and style. Even now, it doesn't look outdated at all. More importantly, its value has skyrocketed.
Cruyff was sitting under a parasol with his legs crossed, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper leisurely.
After retirement, he lived a more comfortable life than anyone else.
Of course, like all retired elderly people, Cruyff actually annoyed many people, mainly because he made a mistake that many elderly people make, that is, he likes to meddle in other people's affairs.
Unlike the old men in his family, Cruyff’s way of meddling in Barcelona’s affairs is through his column.
This is not only his fun, but also his source of income.
Watching the games every day, writing columns, giving advice and expressing one's opinions, it's so comfortable!
But many people are disgusted with his behavior. For example, Puyol and Xavi have criticized him separately, but privately everyone still respects him very much because his status in Barcelona is so high.
"Here you are?" Without even looking up at Rijkaard, Cruyff guessed who it was.
Black Swan comes here almost every week, and in addition to visiting Cruyff, the main purpose is to learn from him.
Rijkaard has been in a lot of trouble in the past two years.
Hearing Cruyff's question, Rijkaard sighed, said nothing, and sat down opposite him.
Cruyff then raised his head and looked at his Dutch compatriot next to him. From his angle, he suddenly found that Rijkaard had really aged a lot and looked very haggard, especially with his white hair, which was really heartbreaking.
With Ten Cate leaving the team and a series of weird operations by the management, Rijkaard can barely maintain the current situation. He has already exhausted all his energy. If anyone else takes over, I'm afraid the same thing will happen.
"I told you at the beginning that I would resign voluntarily, but you didn't believe me. Now you know you're in trouble?" Cruyff put down the newspaper in his hand and waved to the butler Bachi in the distance, motioning him to make a cup of coffee to greet the guests.
"Barcelona is a mess now. Without a strong person, it cannot be controlled. What I said at the beginning was indeed unpleasant to hear, but look, are you saying the same thing now?" Cruyff complained.
Rijkaard was speechless because everything Cruyff said was right.
For example, when Barcelona introduced many Brazilian players, Cruyff publicly criticized them in the media. Many people thought that Cruyff was going to help Laporta attack Rosell, but now it seems that Cruyff's words were prescient.
Now even Rosell doesn't want to protect Ronaldinho and allows him to be attacked by the media. It is conceivable how bad the situation of the Brazilian players in the Barcelona team is, and the locker room also has a lot of opinions about Ronaldinho, Deco and others.
At the age of 27, he has fallen into such a state. Not only has his talent been wasted, but he is also receiving a high salary but has not made a commensurate contribution. How can the people in the locker room accept this?
"Since Su Dong left the team, I have told you that this Barcelona management is good at infighting and does not understand football at all. Or, they simply do not bother to understand, nor do they need to understand football."
Rijkaard now truly appreciates Cruyff's foresight.
"They are approaching Mourinho."
Cruyff was stunned, and then he sneered, "What nonsense! What can Mourinho bring to Barcelona?"
"Because of the Sudon incident, Vice President Soriano and Technical Director Begiristain both left. Now there are few people in the Barcelona management who understand football. Rosell and Bartomeu now feel that the team needs a strong person to manage the locker room. Mourinho is strong enough, and he is the most famous head coach who can coach Barcelona now."
"More importantly, he has coached at Barcelona before and is familiar with everything about Barcelona."
"Bullshit!" Cruyff was angry. "He was just a translator back then. If Ronaldo hadn't joined, he would have left long ago. How can this be considered coaching? How is his coaching style similar to that of Barcelona?"
"Mourinho and Van Gaal are the more popular candidates now. Some people suggested Guardiola, who coached the youth team, but it was rejected because Rosell and Bartomeu felt that he could not control the locker room."
Cruyff looked unhappy. He didn't like Mourinho, and Van Gaal was his enemy. He disliked any of them.
As for Guardiola, he had to admit that his former favorite player did not seem to have the ability to control the locker room.
"What do you want from me?" Cruyff asked unkindly.
He didn't believe that Rijkaard came to him just to complain. This was not Rijkaard's style.
"As long as I am in this position, I will do my duty. Frankly speaking, I am a little worried about facing Bayern."
"Su Dong?" Cruyff hit the nail on the head.
Rijkaard nodded. "You and I know him very well. He is too strong. Now Bayern is organizing its attack around Su Donglai. I think he is too dangerous."
"Is Marcos Senna really leaving?" Cruyff asked.
"I've already signed it. I'll go back to Villarreal after the season."
"Damn it!" Cruyff cursed angrily, "What the hell is this?"
Marcos Senna was a key player introduced during Laporta's period, and since he was not a direct product of Barcelona's youth training, he was naturally marginalized.
"Puyol and Milito alone may not be able to restrict Su Dong. Facing Ribery and Robben on the two flanks, they must not be distracted. They can only let Yaya Touredo keep an eye on him. This kid is in good shape, has strong footwork and is flexible, but he is a little rash and impetuous. If he can calm down, he can help the two central defenders restrict Su Dong."
"I think so too. I am studying how to arrange targeted tactics and drills." Rijkaard looked bitter.
Cruyff sighed. If Ten Cate were there, he would do all the hard work, and Rijkaard wouldn't have to worry about it at all, let alone come to Cruyff for help.
Some people are like this. You don’t notice them when they are around, but when they leave, you realize how important they are.
This is true for Su Dong and also for Ten Cate.
…………
…………
Messi returned to Barcelona from Argentina earlier than planned.
But when he came back there was one more person than when he left.
A pretty girl with long hair, who was slightly shorter than Messi, held Messi's arm, and the two talked and laughed along the way.
Jorge had already been waiting at the airport gate in his car. After picking up the person, he left the airport directly.
"Why did you come back early?" Jorge asked with concern.
On the phone, Messi did not elaborate on the reason, which made him feel very strange.
Messi turned his head and looked out the window. That was the Barcelona that he was very familiar with.
"He's coming back!"
Jorge was silent for a while. He knew the friendship between Messi and Su Dong, and so was he.
If it weren't for Su Dong, Messi wouldn't be around anymore, and would they still be able to live in this villa?
Jorge has always remembered Su Dong's kindness to them.
But he felt that Messi was more worried.
"Don't worry, Rijkaard will definitely find a way to handle it," Jorge comforted.
Messi shook his head and sighed. He knew Su Dong too well.
Since the day he left Barcelona, Sudong has been waiting for the day to return to Camp Nou. He must have been 100% prepared. In fact, this game may even be more important to him than the Champions League final.
If he can choose, Messi hopes that Barcelona will draw any opponent, but definitely not Bayern.
Because Su Dong is so terrible!
"I heard from the media that Rijkaard went to Cruyff for advice yesterday. I believe there will be a way," said Jorge.
Messi's complexion improved slightly, but he was still worried.
Cruyff is experienced, but can he really limit Su Dong? Messi doesn't dare to hold too much hope, because he has fought side by side with Su Dong, and he knows that Su Dong always creates surprises.
As long as Su Dong is willing, he can score goals in any way, anywhere on the court, at any time, and it is difficult for anyone to stop him.
"Do you want to meet him before the game?" Jorge asked.
Messi wanted to meet him. After all, he had called Su Dong before and directly borrowed Grant Downing from him. Su Dong was so loyal to him that he didn't want to be an enemy of Su Dong if possible.
But they are professional players!
"Forget it, let's talk about it after the game. Don't disturb him now." Messi shook his head.
The girl sitting next to him was confused, but she vaguely guessed who it was.
Over the past few years, on the phone, on social media, and even recently in Argentina, the name Messi mentioned most was the one that is well-known around the world, Su Dong, whom he regards as his big brother.
"Is he really that scary?" the girl asked with concern.
"It's terrible, very terrible!" Messi patted the girl's hands and said with a smile.
Only when he sees her would Messi's smile be so gentle.
"Stronger than you?" the girl asked again.
Messi thought for a moment and said, "Many of my skills were taught by him. In my mind and in the minds of people all over the world, he is the best player on the planet."
The girl was very curious. She wondered what a player stronger than Messi would look like. …………
…………
On the evening when Messi quietly returned to Barcelona, Bayern's special plane also quietly arrived at Barcelona Airport.
Not long after, Su Dong slowly walked out of the cabin with everyone, went down the gangway, and once again stepped onto the land of Barcelona.
He raised his head and looked at the night sky of Barcelona, his heart surging.
I'm back!
Barcelona, are you ready?
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
