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本帖最后由 红蝶 于 2012-3-8 09:10 编辑
克林斯曼:赢下意大利意味着很多
Klinsmann: Italy win means a lot
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/04/2673914/klinsmann-italy-win-means-a-lot.html
Jurgen Klinsmann was in a downtown Miami hotel lobby Friday afternoon, sipping a double-espresso, still beaming about the U.S. national team’s 1-0 victory over Italy in Genoa on Wednesday.
No, it wasn’t at a World Cup, or even a qualifier. But the win was extremely significant, and not just because it was the first against a top-10 team on its home soil.
It was important because it validates Klinsmann’s vision, that American players are capable of more than they (and their fans) think, that when people suggest the U.S. team can’t ever become a world power, the former German star asks, “Why not?” Klinsmann oozes positive energy, and he is trying to infuse it into his players.
THEY CAN DO IT
“I think that win means a lot to the players because psychologically it tells you, ‘Yeah, you can do it,’” Klinsmann, in town for the U.S. Soccer Federation annual meetings, told The Herald. “Now, does everything have to work out perfectly to beat Italy? Yes, absolutely. Does it require some lack of something from their end? Yeah. But from a belief point of view, it is important for our players to see they can sooner or later get closer to that level, closer to one of the top 10 teams in the world.”
He has been challenging players, U.S. coaches and officials at every level to raise the bar. He doesn’t want Clint Dempsey to be satisfied starring at Fulham, but rather to aim for a Champions League team. Same for Tim Howard at Everton. He doesn’t want Americans to be satisfied getting through group play at the World Cup.
“In Germany, we had a saying: ‘Everyone’s just boiling water,’” he said. “We knew going into games against Brazil or Argentina or even Spain, they are technically more gifted. But we had belief, and played a mental card that no matter what, we’re gonna beat them. It’s about building a pyramid of belief and respect one step at a time.
“The next time a European nation plays us on their home soil, they’ll say, ‘Oh, they beat Italy.’ For us, how can we make sure we don’t have too much fear of opponents because of history and who they are, what clubs they play for? We have to challenge ourselves, go face to face and see where we end up. If they give us a lesson, well, then we take the lesson. But if we don’t try, we never know.”
AIMING HIGHER
He recalls the first time he sat down with Dempsey upon taking the job last summer.
“I said, ‘Hey man, sky’s the limit for you, but you have to improve in many areas,’” Klinsmann said. “‘I’m happy you play for Fulham in a Premier League team. That’s awesome. But it’s not the final destination. There are a couple levels above.’ It is difficult for American players when you go overseas, it gives you a feeling, ‘I made it now.’ You haven’t made anything yet. Yes, it’s tough to break into the starting 11 of a first-division team in Europe. Takes a lot of guts, consistent work, dedication and he went through all that. Tim Howard did, too. But a couple more levels await you, and I can help you get there.”
He told Dempsey: “A Champions League team down the road is waiting for you. But they’re not coming to you. You gotta show them you want to go to them. That means, instead of scoring 10-12 goals a season, they want to see 20. Instead of taking on individual battles on the field, they want you to pass the ball faster and move more forward. They want to see you are always part of the flow. There are certain things Arsene Wenger wants to see different than Fulham coach, or Alex Ferguson, or coaches of Inter or AC Milan.”
Klinsmann said Dempsey took the advice to heart. He is releasing the ball faster, taking one-on-one challenges closer to goal, not at the halfway line. Moving around more.
NEXT ONE?
He is also reminding his scorers that no goal is worth celebrating too much, not even Dempsey’s goal against Italy.
“You have to constantly have the inner hunger to score the next one,” he said. “I gave Clint hugs and compliments on his goal against Italy that gave us this wonderful win, but I won’t mention that one again. Where’s your next one? It’s the next thing that decides your career, not the one you just did.”
U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati expects the win over Italy will have a lasting effect.
“Jurgen knew when he took this job that we weren’t going to change players overnight and become Brazil, Germany or Holland,” he said. “But he is challenging guys to lift their game, keeps telling them they can play with the best, and after Wednesday, they believe that a little more.”
MAN CITY DONATION
The Hank Kline Boys & Girls Club of Miami on Friday will receive a new soccer field donated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Washington, D.C. The donation is part of the Embassy’s partnership with Premier League team Manchester City, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi Royal Family and also donated fields in New York and Los Angeles.
采访视频:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrn0lZ4D3c0 |
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