At the same time.
Also in Madrid.
It is about 20 kilometers away from the Real Madrid Administration Building.
Spanish national team training base!
Spanish head coach and former Real Madrid legendary coach Vicente del Bosque.
Julen Lopetegui, Spain's U21 head coach, who came through Real Madrid's youth training camp.
Talking on the sidelines!
The main content of their conversation.
Revolves around the upcoming biennial European Youth Championship!
Of course, there is also the World Youth Championship launching at the same time!
"In yesterday's training match, Morata missed two more one-on-ones!"
Lopetegui complained, "Damn! This guy has the size of Zlatan Ibrahimović! He can't even shoot as well as my ten-year-old son!"
"I really don't know how Real Madrid trains him!"
Del Bosque shook his beard: "Get him a shooting coach, one-on-one coaching! He is the future of the Spanish forward line! He is expected to succeed Fernando Torres in the future!"
Lopetegui smiled wryly: "Torres? If he can reach half the heights of Torres in the future, thank God!"
"If it weren't for the fact that I really don't have a center-forward, I'd really want to put him on the bench!"
Del Bosque frowned: "Julen! Don't be so concerned about the position of the center-forward! Have you forgotten the way we won the World Cup three years ago? We are better at passing and controlling and playing without a striker!"
The strikerless formation was suddenly popularized by Barcelona a few years ago, and it also benefited the Spanish national team at the time.
When Spain won the championship in 2010, there were not many forward players in the squad!
In addition to David Villa, there was only Torres, and Pedro as a winger!
The vast majority were midfielders!
In the era when pass-and-control play was in vogue.
Forwards, especially the position of center-forward, had become extremely ambiguous!
"With all due respect! Tiki-taka is going downhill! We need to make a change!"
Lopetegui spread his hands, "Pass-and-control has been studied for so many years, and there are already many ways to crack it! We should re-emphasize the position of the center-forward!"
As a player who has played for both Barcelona and Real Madrid during his career.
Lopetegui's vision is sharp.
Exactly as he said.
After Guardiola took over Barcelona five years ago, he directly started a dynasty of the pass-and-control system.
In its heyday, it took world football by storm!
The Spanish national team logically moved this style of play to the World Cup stage.
Going all the way and winning the World Cup!
But the story behind it is a pity.
The Spanish national team, still using the old routines and styles of play of the past, has a very aging lineup!
In the 2014 World Cup, they failed to escape the curse of the defending champions!
Failed to qualify from the group stage!
They were even routed by the Netherlands in a 5-1 century tragedy!
The collapse of the dynasty was embarrassing!
"In this year's European Youth Championship, the French team has Paul Pogba! Italy has Immobile! The Netherlands has Wijnaldum!"
"We want to defend the European Youth Championship, but it's not that easy!"
Lopetegui stroked his chin, "While the U21 roster is still being planned, we can go to La Masia and La Fábrica to try our luck!"
"On the weekend, there will be a national derby in the second division!"
Del Bosque crossed his arms, frowned and said: "La Masia? Don't get your hopes up too much! La Masia has been very stretched in recent years! Barcelona has been relying on the transfer market for several seasons to improve their combat power!"
Although he was the coach of the Spanish national team.
But at the same time, as a legendary former Real Madrid coach, Del Bosque had a prejudice against Barcelona!
In the World Cup three years ago, if it wasn't for the pressure from the Spanish Football Association.
He didn't even want to include Busquets, who had had friction with him, in the squad!
Lopetegui naturally knew the temper of his colleague, and spread his hands helplessly:
"To be honest, I received a scouting report this morning from La Masia..."
...........
Japan Airport.
VIP gate.
Several bodyguards and entourage held signs.
Surrounded by several blooming girls, they walked into the boarding gate!
This is the popular girl group in Japan.
This trip is to perform in Spain!
Their first stop is Barcelona!
Doing the opening act for a much-anticipated competition!
"Kanna, did you see the news this morning?"
"Kubo was selected for the Barcelona B team! He is only sixteen years old! When we go to Spain, we can see his game!"
"Do you know who their opponent is? It's Real Madrid!"
Beside Kanna Hashimoto, a Japanese girl was shaking her mobile phone excitedly.
"Kubo...?"
Kanna Hashimoto raised her small head, showing doubts.
The name sounds familiar.
But she couldn't place it for a while!
Looking at Kanna Hashimoto's plain but still delicate face.
The other girls in the group sighed enviously from the bottom of their hearts.
Kanna Hashimoto was hailed as a "once in a millennium beautiful girl" by the Japanese media.
She is only sixteen years old now!
In Poland, she is also extremely popular!
"You actually forgot! We had a road show in Poland last summer, and he even asked for your autograph!"
"He is your loyal fanboy!"
"Oh, he is our newly promoted national football genius! Countless people want to ask for his autograph..."
The girls chattered and chatted.
Kanna Hashimoto suddenly realized.
It turned out to be that person!
She used to be a football cheerleader, and she is indeed half a football fan!
She also understands some real-time developments in football!
Kubo is the most popular player in Japan today!
He even overshadowed Shinji Kagawa, who is still playing for Dortmund in the Bundesliga!
"Is the opponent Real Madrid? That's really amazing..."
"As the most outstanding football talent in our country, he should start that game, right?"
Hearing Kanna Hashimoto's question, the girls suddenly laughed.
"That's needless to say, my Kanna! Kubo is a genius known as the 'Eastern Messi'!"
"Unless their coach is out of his mind, how is it possible not to start Kubo?"
"I haven't watched much football, and even I know that Messi is a king-level player!"
"Brother Kagawa back then didn't even have such a high reputation!"