Super Marshal

The cold winter came so suddenly that people were caught off guard.

After the World Cup, Simeone returned to Italy early, but he found that the familiar city of Rome had become strange.

Even Lazio, which he is most familiar with and has played for for three years, has become different.

The head coach has changed from Zaccheroni to Mancini, and the team has changed accordingly.

The head coach who had been a teammate in Lazio for a year formulated an ambitious transformation plan as soon as he took office, hoping to build Lazio into a championship team capable of competing with Juventus and Inter Milan.

And from the start, Simeone was told it wasn't in his plans.

There is only one reason, age.

Only thirty-two years old, and you are considered old?

Simeone is very unconvinced, because he still clearly remembers that Mancini played for Lazio in the last season, he was already thirty-six years old, why didn't he feel old at that time?

In the final analysis, isn't it because of the injury last season?

Throughout the 2001-2002 season, Simeone only played eight Serie A games for Lazio, and spent most of the rest of the time recuperating from injuries. This caused his state to be very unsatisfactory, and even reached the World Cup. The captain, but he failed to show his due strength, causing the team to be out of the game after the group stage.

As the captain, Simeone, like the head coach Bielsa, has suffered tremendous pressure.

Unexpectedly, when he returned to Italy, his situation was even worse.

Now Lazio is centered around two things, one is cleaning and the other is signings.

Sell ​​a batch, exchange for funds, and import another batch.

Unfortunately, Simeone was among those sold.

Lying on a bench in his own garden with his head up, looking at the vast blue sky and the white clouds floating without roots, this tough guy on the football field sighed helplessly.

He is not reluctant to leave Lazio, because he knows that every head coach will have his own ideas, and the team needs to add some fresh blood every season, so it is natural to make some adjustments, which is normal.

Although he is no longer young, he can bear any result.

He is not a coward!

He really felt helpless, and what he felt uncomfortable was the endless rumors from the outside world every day, the transfer operation that he was completely unpredictable, and the future that he had no idea at all.

He doesn't like this feeling!

He personally approached the club chairman Cranioti to find out about his current situation, but the Lazio chairman told him that everything has not yet been determined, and no team has expressed interest in him so far.

This made Simeone feel humiliated!

He was only thirty-two years old, when had he fallen to this level?

Finally, Craniotti informed him that a fax had been sent to Atletico Madrid.

"I heard that their head coach wants a qualified midfielder."

For Atletico Madrid, instead of resisting, Simeone liked it very much, because it was the first team in European football and so far the only team that made him feel at home.

Even though he has been away for many years, there are still many familiar friends there, such as captain Aguilera, center Kiko, center back Santi, wide player Roberto, and Tony Munho who still stayed after retirement S...

Last season, when this team won the Grand Slam and the Triple Crown, they even sent invitations to me when they held celebrations, but I was busy with Lazio and the Argentine national team at the time, so I couldn’t attend in the end .

He can feel that there are still many people in Madrid that he likes and who like him.

However, Cranioti's qualified midfield substitute made Simeone resist.

He is a proud, even somewhat conceited man.

He knew that he was old, but he was not old enough to be a substitute.

Marcos Senna is indeed quite good, but this kid is qualified to let himself be his substitute?

If this is the case, then he would rather not go back!

This is also the reason why Simeone did not call his former friends in Atletico Madrid to find out the situation. This is not only his pride, but also his self-esteem.

Thinking of this, Simeone simply closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

Just wait a little longer.

Things always work out.

After an unknown amount of time, he was awakened by the ringing of his mobile phone.

He reached out his hand to take it out of his trouser pocket and saw the caller ID: Xiao Hill.

This caused Simone to sit up from his chair and look again in disbelief.

That's right, it's Little Hill.

"Hello, Michelle." He quickly connected the phone.

"Hi Diego, sorry to call you at this time."

"It's okay, I'm fine." Simeone replied lightly.

"It's like this, Diego, our head coach Gao Han hopes to talk to you about the transfer, what do you think?" Xiao Hill got straight to the point, still the same.

Simeone's heart moved, and he nodded immediately: "Of course."

"Okay, I'll give him the phone."

Then there was a movement, and soon a strange voice came.

"Hi, Diego, I'm Gao Han."

"Hello, Mr. Gao Han, we have met, haven't we?"

"Haha, of course, during the World Cup." Gao Han replied with a smile.

During the World Cup, he not only watched Argentina's games, but also made a special trip to visit Bielsa. During this period, he met the players of the Argentine national team, but did not have an in-depth conversation.

"I'll make a long story short, I want you to come to Atletico Madrid."

Gao Han's directness surprised Simeone a little, and his expression was astonished.

"I know your situation in Lazio, I also learned about your situation last season, and I even asked Bielsa about your training in the national team. I don't think you are as old as the rumors outside. high."

These words immediately resonated in Simeone's heart, and he himself has always regarded himself so persistently.

You're only thirty-two years old, and you're about to admit you're old?

"Our team did well last season, but that's all in the past. The new season will start a new journey. We want to strengthen the midfield lineup to cope with the three-line battle in the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey in the new season. "

Simeone still didn't speak, but he agreed in his heart.

Returning to Atletico Madrid is indeed the best choice for him.

This is not only because he has feelings for this team, but also because Atletico Madrid is walking on a broad road to revival.

With his current situation, after leaving Lazio, it is really not easy to go to another team in the Champions League.

But there was one question, he still decided to ask clearly.

"Mr. Gao Han, thank you very much for your affirmation of me. To be honest, I am also very happy to return to Atletico Madrid."

Gao Han heard the implication, hummed, and said: "If you have any questions, please speak up as soon as possible."

Simeone thought about it, gritted his teeth, and asked, "I want to know, if I go back, what position can I play in the new season?"

Gao Han on the phone smiled lightly, apparently already prepared for this question.

"Although our midfielder adopts a three-back midfielder, the left and right midfielders have a wide range of activities. The right side is a bit similar to your position when you were under Antiche. I believe you should not think about it. Do you feel strange?"

Gao Han's words brought Simeone's memory back to six or seven years ago.

At that time, Atlético de Madrid survived in the cracks between Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​and their performance was ups and downs. After Antić took over the team, he adopted 442, but in fact it should be called 4312. tactics.

The front midfielder is Pantic, who is responsible for connecting the striker and the midfielder and advancing with the ball at the same time.

Simeone served as the two midfielders on the left and right, responsible for running coverage and pressing, showing his comprehensive technical characteristics, and his back penetration was also very threatening. That season was the most brilliant season of his career.

In thirty-seven La Liga games, he scored a total of twelve goals.

It was also that season that made him famous, becoming a well-known first-class midfielder in Europe in one fell swoop, and was favored by Inter Milan.

Listening to Gao Han, although the current Atletico Madrid team is very different from the Antić period, they also have a lot in common. No wonder so many fans of the Sheets will say that Gao Han has inherited and carried forward the traditional style of play of Atletico Madrid .

When thinking of this, Simeone's heart was already pounding.

"In addition, I hope you can rest assured that in my team, no one is the main force that cannot be shaken. Everything depends on strength to compete. When Guardiola joined the team, I also gave him such a promise."

Gao Han continued to reassure Simeone on the phone.

"If you have the skills and can press Marcos Senna or Deco in the competition, then I will be more than happy to let you start."

Regarding Gao Han's commitment, Simeone really couldn't be more picky.

For Atletico Madrid, he is relatively familiar and understands, knowing that what Gao Han said is true.

After figuring it out, Simeone was also very straightforward, "Mr. Gao Han, I am willing to return to Atletico Madrid."

Gao Han on the other side of the phone also chuckled, "Very well, Lazio's side is not a problem, we have already negotiated."

"Understood." Simeone knew that Lazio wanted him to leave quickly.

"Then you make arrangements, and I hope to see you during the team's training camp."

Simeone also smiled slightly, "No, I'll go back tomorrow."

It seems that he is more impatient than Gao Han.

…………

…………

After hanging up Simeone's phone call, Gao Han finally breathed a sigh of relief.

One of the important reasons why he chose Simeone among Davis, Van Bommel, Albertini, Mendieta and Simeone was that Simeone was more familiar with Atletico Madrid's formation and Sheets Legion's environment.

Moreover, this veteran is known for his cunning on the court. The most famous one is the 1998 World Cup player David Beckham. His adaptability is definitely outstanding, and his affection for the team will definitely be a big help.

As for the transfer fee, Lazio only offered Simeone 2.5 million euros.

For a player whose strength is as high as 160 and whose physical fitness is still quite good, it is too good and cheap.

Hill Jr. and Paul Futre, who were beside him, were equally happy.

Being able to buy back Simeone, the fans of the Sheets must be ecstatic, it is worth more than introducing a superstar.

"We should hold a press conference." Little Hill suggested.

In any case, it is also a famous star in the past, and it is also the only deal for Atletico Madrid this summer. It is really unreasonable not to hold a press conference.

Paul Futre immediately nodded with a smile and said, "I'll be in charge."

But at this time, Carlos Pena, the team leader, walked in worriedly with a fax in his hand.

"Something has happened!"