Italy, Caldogno town.
"Hey! Roberto!" A neighbor who hurried home to watch the game passed by and saw Baggio still in his own field and shouted loudly.
The person he called stood up and turned around.
The man was wearing a straw hat and his trouser legs were rolled up high. It was obvious that he was studying his own wheat a second ago.
His face was revealed from under the straw hat, and the years had left traces on his hair. This year marks the sixth year since his retirement, and his appearance remains the same, but his temples have turned gray.
After retiring, Baggio returned to his family wholeheartedly and was full of energy. He seemed to have become another person in his life.
He responded to his neighbor's call with a smile.
"I say! There's an Italian football game today, don't you want to watch it?" the neighbor continued shouting.
"Hasn't the World Cup started yet? Are you in a hurry to go back and watch the game? Are there any exciting events to watch today?" Baggio replied.
After he retired, he hardly watched football anymore, as if he had completely cut off his football career.
He now lives a leisurely and comfortable life, spending time with his wife and taking care of his son every day. He really enjoys this kind of life.
The neighbor said, "I was just like you at first. It was just a friendly match and I didn't plan to watch it! But guess what happened, Italy was beaten 1-3 by England! I heard that it was a new kid from England who scored all three goals!"
Baggio didn't take it seriously: "There are always young people and there are always strong people. It's not strange to see a big score in a friendly match. This is not like you, old man."
The neighbor panted, "That's right. The last time I was so shocked was you. It's been almost ten years... Anyway, I can't explain it clearly. Come with me back to see them. Your precious wheat will be fine if they lack your care for a while!"
Olympic Stadium.
One Pirlo is enough, and the one on our side, forget about the one on the opposite side!
Everyone had different thoughts in their minds, but the referee didn't care what they thought and held the whistle in his mouth.
Lampard and Ivan looked at each other.
Lampard: You take the penalty?
Ivan: I'll take the punishment.
Lampard: OK.
The referee blew the whistle and Lampard ran out first, passing the ball.
It’s really No. 29 who is here to take the penalty!
The Italian players held their breath and prepared to jump.
Andy said excitedly: "Is the sleepy ball coming? Let Italy see that after Beckham's crescent moon scimitar, we also have a free kick with personal characteristics that is not inferior to Pirlo!"
Ahhhhhhh!
The England fans at the scene all covered their faces, ready to scream and cheer!
The World Football camera crew is ready to record!
The faces of the Italian and English players gradually blurred in front of Ivan's eyes, and they formed a bright and dark contrast with the light and shadow in the gaps. And the bright place must be the way out for the ball.
When Rooney and Ivan looked at each other, they suddenly felt a little panicked.
He doesn't give me face, so what if I'm mean to him? !
Then he knew why he panicked.
He felt a gust of wind blowing across his head, lifting all his hair.
Cheers ensued from the scene!
He looked back and the ball went in!
"Goooooooal~~~~~~~Exciting! So exciting! England 3-1 Italy!"
"Irving's famous sleepy shot! Let's take a look at the replay. The ball flew over Rooney's head and went straight into the upper right corner of the goal!"
Prince William stood up and applauded before his chair even warmed up!
He didn't mind though, the big smile on his face said it all!
Fat Lu came to his senses and broke out in a sweat. Just now, Ivan was staring at him as if he was a prey within reach.
Fat Lu snorted angrily.
#It's too early for me to start with this. I can still jump higher and head the ball or something.
The replay also showed Ivan's expression, and the message board summed it up succinctly:
"I'm going to eat this little fat guy soon."
Italian fans finally came out from under the glory of the championship. They couldn't believe that there was someone who could make the defense that Italy was so proud of, completely ineffective in front of them!
The new champion seemed nothing more than that in front of him!
The coaching staff of Brazil and Portugal in Group G, which is adjacent to Group H where England is located, saw this scene and decided to customize a set of tactics specifically targeting England's No. 29.
"Just in time to catch the replay of this goal, Roberto!" The neighbor turned on the TV and said excitedly, "Take a look, what do you think of this Englishman's footwork? Does Italy have a chance of winning against him?"
"And the first goal he scored! Wasn't it exactly the same as the one-two you scored 20 years ago?"
Baggio did not hesitate to praise him: "He played very well. As for your question, I haven't played football for many years, my opinion is not of reference value."
The neighbor muttered: "Here we go again, the cunning big star, always saying the same thing."
He suddenly said mysteriously: "Before I came back, I heard my colleagues discussing something. They said that the English boy, yes, the one who just took the free kick, his name is Alvin Devitt, and they said he looks a lot like you!"
Baggio didn't understand what he meant: "Like me? I am not the only one who can dribble like that. You can't just say he is like me because he plays well. That's not fair to the kid."
"No, no, no, they mean they look alike, and besides, he's only 21 years old..."
As Baggio listened, the smile on his face gradually faded.
He looked at his neighbor, stopping him from continuing: "Listen, man."
"Some things cannot be said carelessly. Adelena and I love each other very much. We have been together since we were 16 years old."
"Oh! The media won't think so, Roberto. You'd better be more careful recently." The neighbor reminded.
On the court.
The TV camera captured Buffon warming up on the sidelines.
Andy: "Is this a change of goalkeeper? Marchetti has performed well overall."
Rooney touched his messy hair, decided to be magnanimous and not bother with Alvin, and went to hug Alvin.
Then Ivan reached out and ruffled his hair again.
“…”
#What should I do if you want to break up with me before the game is over?
Taking advantage of this time, Italy used two substitutions in a row. They seemed to be really training their players, even replacing the goalkeeper.
Italy's goalkeeper Buffon walked towards their goal wearing gloves, and veteran Gattuso replaced Pepe.
Marchetti took off his gloves, but there was no sign of frustration on his face. Lippi patted him on the shoulder to show encouragement. It can be seen that the substitution was agreed upon before the game.
Instead, Joe Hart jumped a few more times on the spot.
Just across the way is goalkeeper Buffon!
Competing on the same field with Buffon!
nervous! Excited!
Seeing Pirlo and Gattuso discussing something together, Joe Hart was in a bad mood again.
He glanced at the coaching booth from time to time. Why did Mr. Capello put Ivan so far away from him? Ivan had clearly been in the defensive midfielder position during training...
Ivan is so straightforward. Capello asked him to play as a striker before the game and he really played as a striker. He didn't defend at all. He never came to his own half except for corner kicks and free kicks from the opponent! QAQ
After the game resumed, Rooney kept asking for the ball, but the opposing goalkeeper was Buffon! Lu Xiaopang is ready to go and is determined to score more goals!
Think about how frustrating their playing was in the last World Cup, Lampard and Gerrard missed their penalties, and Rooney himself got a red card!
The goalkeeper of the previous championship stood in front of them, and they were still leading. What a happy thing!
However, he soon discovered that Ivan no longer passed the ball to him!
Ivan received the ball from his teammate again, and this time Capello made adjustments and put Gerrard up as well.
Gerrard passed the ball to him. Ivan stopped for a moment and watched the defenders rush over to him, fearing that he would make another earth-shattering shot.
Ivan looked at Rooney. Rooney and Cannavaro who was watching him thought he would pass the ball to him, and even the defenders on Lennon's side became nervous about their central defender.
"Ivan kicked the ball! This should be a pass. Is he going to assist Rooney... Oh! The ball flew to the right!"
Lennon himself didn't expect that Irvin would pass the ball to him!
But when he realized that the ball was for him, he started immediately!
Speed is his advantage, and it is quite difficult for Italy's already older defenders to defend him!
As soon as he received the ball, he got rid of the defender who was marking him and kicked the ball towards the goal!
"Lennon shoots! Oh! Buffon catches the ball!"
Other teams watching the live broadcast immediately added a comment to England's formation:
Can pass and shoot on the left side, and has speed to break through on the right side.
Everyone has overlooked Rooney's role. It is obvious that England's top striker did not perform well in this game. The assistant coaches all believed that if they defended him too tightly, he would not be able to play a role.
oh! But the point is, even if they can defend England's center forward, their wingers will be unable to do so!
#headache.
Buffon hugged the ball and immediately launched a fast break. Pirlo passed the ball quickly and they attracted the attention of the entire England team.
Rooney hurried across half court, passed by Ivan, and saw that his friend had no intention of moving.
Thus such an interesting scene was formed, with various shots in the England penalty area and goalkeepers falling to the ground, causing the audience to cheer continuously; Ivan in the England frontcourt was a unique landscape, he wandered slowly near the midfield line, as if he was watching a show.
Rooney: “…”
Joe Hart, who failed to save the ball for the third time: “…”
The young man picked up the ball from the net and just wanted to stay inside and cry.
Andy: "Pirlo made a wonderful pass to Gattuso, Gattuso assisted De Rossi, Hart successfully cleared the ball twice but he had no way to do it the third time! The boy tried his best!"
Richard: "This counterattack was very beautiful. From Buffon to Pirlo, Gattuso and De Rossi, the cooperation of the veterans was smooth."
Alvin was strolling on the spot. It felt great to be able to score as many goals as he wanted without worrying about the score.
Fans also like to watch such games. Both sides score goals, and those who don’t know would think they are watching the Premier League.
Ivan was the first one to kick off. No one said anything to him for not participating in the defense. The big guys always have some privileges.
The camera was pointed at him, and he put his hands down and made a calming gesture while standing still.
His gesture was projected onto the big screen at the scene, and Italian fans reacted quickly. Isn’t this the favorite gesture of Inter Milan coach Mourinho!
This arrogant boy!
The female fans were a little shaken, but he was really good-looking and it was impossible to hate him...
England fans just want to scream, Britney Spears fouls again! He was led astray by a madman!
After hugging his teammates, Pirlo nodded to Ivan.
You score one, I score one.
Do you want to compare?
Ivan tilted his head and said, "Okay, do you dare to fight back?"
Lippi's mouth was pursed into a line on the sidelines. It was impossible to play a head-on attack. It would never be possible in this lifetime.
Italy's defensive counterattack tactics are very firm and it is impossible to change them.
It is much more direct for Ivan to score goals than Pirlo, and forwards have more opportunities than defensive midfielders.
After the kick-off, people found that as long as the ball was at Ivan's feet, he would not pass the ball, but would just keep dribbling until he lost the ball.
If someone intercepted him, he was not afraid and would not fight back. He would just shoot from a long distance and be done with it.
Buffon stretched his body in various ways, and he felt that his waist was not strong enough.
What if the ball wasn't lost?
...Ask Buffon what he thinks?
The entire Italian backcourt became a stage for Ivan and Buffon. He no longer passed the ball, but no one dared to say that he was alone, because every shot of his was very threatening.
After Lu Xiaopang raised his paw several times to ask for the ball but failed, he gave up.
He chose to take the initiative to make room for Boss Alvin.
Boss, you have broken through to the middle, please go ahead, I'll go to the left.
Buffon: “…”
As he was sliding forward, he realized something was wrong. Their captain, yes, the one called Cannavaro, could your sliding tackle be more decent?
The Italian defenders are annoyed, and they can’t keep up the stamina. It’s obvious that No. 29 is trying to confront you. How about you just fight one-on-one and we watch the show?
Cannavaro watched Ivan with tender(?) eyes as he got another one-on-one chance.
“…”
Pirlo couldn't stand it anymore, he wanted to go over to help, but he didn't expect that even though Ivan lost the ball, he didn't panic, he took the initiative to grab it.
The teaching assistants who were studying Ivan had slightly trembling hands holding their pens.
They tremblingly added another line of words to the little notebook:
[Has the potential to be a defender.] 】
"Ivan stole the ball from Pirlo! Oh my God! He succeeded! Beautiful turn, protecting the ball, and coming to the penalty area again!"
Being watched by Buffon's friendly gaze, the Italian captain had no time to slack off. He made another tackle, and this time it was great. He perfectly lifted the ball in front of Ivan!
In this way, Alvin doesn’t have much space to continue dribbling and shooting!
If he forces the shot, the height won't be right and it will easily go wide!
Andy spoke quickly: "Cannavaro's clearance was very timely, but it was a pity that Ivan scored this goal... Ivan didn't give up! He still shot! g...goooooooal!!!! Ivan scored a hat trick in this game!"
Ivan was very clever. He changed kicking to kicking. No one expected that he would shoot in this way. Buffon's center of gravity was not right. He adjusted immediately. Then something unexpected happened. The ball hit his face and then bounced into the net!
In the slow motion, Buffon's expression was painful!
Ivan after scoring: emmmmm
Richard: "Crazy English sweetheart! Let's see the replay! He kicked the ball directly, and Buffon was a little slow to react. Oh! Does his face hurt... The ball went in, the ball just went in! How about that! How about that!!"
The message board was even crazier than them. Their focus was not on the hat trick at all. Their drawing style was bizarre:
"Fuck! Who taught you this kind of crooked shooting?!"
"Need I ask? Ibrahimovic likes to kick the ball like this!"
"Ibrahimovic has corrupted our little Sweetie! Ahhh but I just want to say, so handsome!!!"
"Get down on your knees in Ivan's shorts, mortals!"
"Hahaha, look at Buffon's expression: [Buffon: WTF! What kind of magical operation is this.jpg]
"Buffon: Is this how you pay tribute to your goalkeeper?"
The Italian fans could no longer boo. The man who scored the hat trick not only paid tribute to their Prince Baggio with his first goal, he also conquered them with his varied skills and outstanding looks!
After all, it’s a friendly match, the game is exciting, and the tickets are worth buying!
Wait... our Italian treasure Buffon's face should be fine...
The big screen at the scene was very funny. It broadcast the contrast of the expressions of Joe Hart, Rooney, Buffon and Ivan, which immediately caused laughter.
Buffon quickly stood up, his face bearing the blow amid applause from the audience.
It's probably like this:
Joe Hart: QAQ Wow, it’s a hat trick!
Rooney: QAQ Irving didn't make the pass for me and he shot the ball himself without playing with me!
Buffon: →_→I was caught off guard and shot in the face.
Ivan: (￣︶￣*)) Why are you standing there? Come and hug me~~
…English football is indeed as fun as the legend says!
Ivan hugged his teammates who came over, then he quickly ran to the opponent's goal and apologized to Buffon.
The goalkeeper covered his nose with one hand and patted him with the other, indicating that he was very handsome and the young man didn't need to blame himself too much.
#Since you are so sincere, let it go. I won't bear a grudge against you.
There was another round of applause in the Olympic Stadium. Amid such friendly background noise, Ivan and Buffon shook hands harmoniously.
A very harmonious and exciting friendly match.
Capello probably thought so too, and then he replaced Ivan.
When Ivan left the stadium, he passed by the camera. He had already walked past it, but then he walked back and made a heart shape with his hands to the camera. Then he turned around and faced the Italian fans and the away English fans and blew them a kiss.
“…”
Awww! Mama, this little cutie has broken the rules again!
You must have been corrupted by some jerk!
Is Capello substituted him because he is jealous that our Alvin is so handsome? !
Baggio did not change the channel, he continued to watch the live broadcast until this scene came.
He smiled, shook his head, and said to the people around him: "Smart kid."
Capello certainly didn't replace Ivan because he thought he was too popular, but because he had exceeded his task today.
The Italian coach will not change his tactical thinking easily. He is a firm believer in the 1-0 principle. The reason why he let Ivan do this is just to confuse the outside world.
As it turned out, Alvin did a very good job, and he even discovered more of Alvin's abilities.
Irving can be said to be a very comprehensive player.
The World Cup in South Africa is approaching. After several days of team training and friendly matches, the new member has recovered amazingly. Capello is very satisfied. He decided to let Ivan retain his strength and save everything for when it is more needed.
As long as they are used properly, they can win the World Cup by surprise.
The friendly match ended with England defeating Italy 4-3, and the fans were still not satisfied. Since Italy and England are in Group B and Group H respectively, it is difficult for them to meet, so Ivan gained a large number of fans in Italy.
It can be predicted that Italy may become the second supporter of the England team in the World Cup.
- Especially if the Three Lions meet the German tank.
On May 23, the entire England team boarded a plane with the English flag to South Africa, and tens of thousands of people saw them off at the London airport.
England fans waved their flags and sang:
"Football ising home! Good luck England!"
The author has something to say: The famous English World Cup divine song "Football Comes Home"
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