Chapter 14

"Didn't Serezio eat you up?"

"Why would he eat me? I didn't provoke him."

"Didn't you provoke him? You directly exposed the matter to the media. Now, everyone knows those two are unprofessional. In the future, which club would dare to take them? Even if they do, do you think they'll still be worth much?"

"This is self-defense. Besides, if they can't sell, they shouldn't sell."

"Do you still plan to use them?"

"Don't even think about it!"

"… It's said that Serezio has already called those two in for a chat today. I guess he wants them to keep quiet."

"Serezio always has so many issues!"

"Can't you let him fix the mess you created? If they don't keep quiet, what benefit would it be to you? Although for them, the bigger the fuss, the more they lose."

"Just wait, this won't end here."

"End? You're not planning to do something, are you?"

"How could I? I'm just waiting for an apology."

Ignoring Dina's puzzled expression, Lin Sen was very confident in his guess, but this wasn't based on any memory. In the end, he wasn't the one who started this. Everything was caused by Simao and Reyes. They probably didn't expect Lin Sen to make such a statement at the press conference, but in fact, from the moment they refused to play, the current situation was inevitable. Lin Sen's words merely removed the last layer of pretense.

If Simao and Reyes act out of spite, things will only get worse. There's no bottom to how bad things can get. Conversely, if they act rationally, the situation is simple: Simao and Reyes apologize to him, he, being magnanimous, forgives them, and they, as good children who know their mistakes, regain their reputation as professional players. The club can minimize the impact of the incident, and everyone will be happy.

Whether Simao and Reyes act rationally or out of spite, Lin Sen isn't sure. If Serezio had come to him, he wouldn't know, but since Serezio went to them, he believes Serezio can help them make the right choice.

As for whether they will truly reconcile with him after everything is over, Lin Sen doesn't care. He never hesitates to assume the worst about others' intentions. Not to mention, these two weren't even part of his plan, and even if they were, he wouldn't hesitate.

The media's indifference to Atletico Madrid's six consecutive losses doesn't mean no one cares. The anger of Atletico Madrid fans finally turned from quantitative to qualitative. After the match, Atletico Madrid fans gathered to try to block the team bus, which had to leave the stadium under police escort. They then surrounded the Atletico Madrid headquarters, and Lin Sen's name finally appeared in their mouths, labeled as cowardly and incompetent.

Lin Sen, who was also on the team bus, didn't take it to heart. It wasn't that he didn't care at all, but he was too busy. He was about to face his third crucial match as Atletico Madrid's coach.

The first bet involved seven people, the second bet involved four people, a total of eleven people. This means that more than half of the team members participated in the third bet. The reason for this imbalance wasn't that the team members favored the content of the three bets, but a more disappointing reason: their mindset.

Through these three bets, Lin Sen easily tested the current three mindsets of the entire team. For those who participated in the first bet, their mindset was calm. The outcome of the bet was just a joke to them. In other words, they didn't care about the bet. Win and the coach leaves? Lose and play well? When did playing well become a condition? So, no matter what, these people would follow their professional principles and wouldn't change because of the coach. These players are undoubtedly the least troublesome for the head coach.

Those who participated in the second bet also belong to the first category, but they are more "clever." They wouldn't unconditionally support the head coach, nor would they openly oppose him. Calling them fence-sitters might be a bit much, but they are at most the middle ground. As for those who participated in the last bet, their composition is undoubtedly more complex. Among them are those who never considered Lin Sen as the head coach from the beginning, those who are indecisive and are already thinking about the next season, and more importantly, those who are very clear about their position in the team. A team has over twenty players, but only eleven can play. If the coach likes rotation, it's better, but if not, it's basically eleven plus three. The previous coach, Aguirre, was such a coach. So, it's not surprising that they chose to wait. Although their composition is complex, they have a common point: they all care too much about the head coach's role.

Players should respect the coach, but who the coach is is not something the players can decide.

The content of the third bet is whether Atletico Madrid will concede more than five goals in three matches. In the first two matches, Atletico Madrid conceded three goals, leaving only two goals to reach the third bet. In the next match, as long as Atletico Madrid doesn't concede more than two goals, Lin Sen will resign. However, this is bound not to happen. Lin Sen never fights unprepared. For Lin Sen, conceding goals in the next match is not the problem; the problem is how many goals they can score. He has announced that all participants in the first two bets will start in the next match, and only one spot will be left for the third group. Lin Sen doesn't want to make this decision lightly, so he decides to meet someone first.

After Torres left, Atletico Madrid had a discussion about who should be the captain. The biggest favorite at the time was not Maxi Rodriguez, but Antonio Lopez, who had been with Atletico Madrid for nine years and came from the club's youth academy. However, the captain's armband was ultimately given to the Argentine, not because of seniority or ability, but because of spirit. As a team captain, ability and seniority can be lacking, but spirit must be strong. Compared to the calm and quiet Antonio Lopez, known as a "good guy," the Argentine, known for his tough character and style, clearly fits the image of a captain better.

Based on this memory, Lin Sen never thought that Atletico Madrid's Argentine captain would be his biggest trouble.

"In the last match, the responsibility for the goals conceded is mine. I won't shirk my responsibility." Maxi's first words were straightforward and decisive, surprising and confusing Lin Sen. Why can you say such a shameless thing so confidently, and even I feel you should say it this way.

"So, if you called me here for this, I can only say," Maxi continued, his expression unchanged, "If I'm not in the starting lineup for the next match, I won't have any complaints."

Talking to a straightforward person is easy because you don't need to beat around the bush. But talking to a straightforward person can be tiring because they might say something that makes you swallow all your prepared words. Lin Sen was silent for a moment, then said, "What if I let you start?"

Lin Sen's unexpectedly simple question made Maxi a bit stunned.

What do you mean by letting me start?

Excluding Simao and Reyes, I'm now the biggest troublemaker in your eyes. With the reason from the last match, you still let me start? Do you want to lose? ... Wait, right, there's the third bet. If we lose...

Seeing Maxi's expression change like a warning light, Lin Sen felt a headache.

"I know what you're thinking, Maxi. You think I'm letting you start because I want to lose the next match and win the bet. But you seem to have forgotten who our next opponent is. Given the current state of the team, do you really think your presence will make a big difference in the result?"

Villarreal!

Atletico Madrid's next opponent.

A team that just helped Lin Sen win the second bet!

A team that contrasts sharply with Atletico Madrid's decline!

A team currently second in the league, with more goals than the top-ranked Real Madrid!

In short, a team that seems to have a cheat code this season!

Maxi now realizes that the third bet is a huge trap!

Finally, it's over!

Seeing the color above Maxi's head, Lin Sen decided to press his advantage.

"Maxi, you must admit that if you weren't the captain of this team, you wouldn't be sitting here, and I wouldn't need to explain anything to you. You know I'm not joking."

Of course, he's not joking. The current troubles of Simao and Reyes are a living example. In terms of ability, Maxi doesn't think he weighs more than the two of them combined.

"Just as I must admit you are the captain of this team, you don't need to acknowledge me as a person, but you must acknowledge my role as the coach. Otherwise, after the next match, we won't have any more interaction." Lin Sen's voice was firm, "So, before this match, I need an answer."

Maxi continued to be silent, the color above his head changing again.

He understood what Lin Sen meant by "acknowledge." Coach and captain can be understood together at this moment. As the captain, he naturally understood what the coach meant.

Lin Sen's gaze was fixed on Maxi. When the color above Maxi's head finally stabilized and remained one color, he knew his mission as a mediator was complete.

Cyan.

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