"This is the European Championship everyone has been waiting for. I hope you all understand what our goal is."
"We leave today for a month-long European Championship training camp. Our goal is to win the tournament!"
"If any of you who are new to the national team aren't familiar with how things work, you can come to me, Captain Lin, Rodri, or Roberto at any time. They'll all help you."
"Once training begins, everyone must follow the rules without exception. No one is allowed to be late, ignore the team's dietary requirements, or disrupt the positive atmosphere within the squad!"
"If anyone crosses the line, I'll remove you from the national team immediately, even if it leaves us short of options in the rotation!"
Hierro had now firmly established himself at the heart of the Spain national team.
From his sudden appointment to winning the World Cup and then guiding Spain into the European Championship finals, both the supporters and everyone at the Spanish federation were satisfied with his work.
This time, Hierro brought the squad together early to begin training. With so many new players, they needed extra time to build an understanding.
Since this European Championship would be played across different cities and stadiums, Spain traveled first to Bilbao. It would host their opening group match against Sweden, and it was also Zubizarreta's hometown.
Zubizarreta finally had the chance to return home and see his family.
Rodri knew the city inside out. He had grown up there, gone to school there, and made many friends there. As soon as the team landed in Bilbao, he hosted a meal for the entire squad, with his family spread across three tables.
Leo Lin soon noticed that several players had been constantly talking among themselves ever since joining the national team. The way they interacted with those around them had already caught Hierro's attention, though he had yet to say anything.
Several players who had taken part in the European Championship qualifiers with Leo Lin, including Gayà, gathered around him.
Busquets, the oldest player in the current squad and another member of the captaincy group, was also there.
Pau Torres, Llorente, Koke, and Ferran Torres were always together, and their conversations were constantly interrupted by bursts of laughter.
Even on the team bus, immediately after Hierro finished explaining the tactics, the group still seemed completely relaxed.
But their relaxed attitude did not put Hierro at ease. On the contrary, he felt they were far too casual.
They also sat together during the meal, laughing so loudly that Hierro soon heard them.
Hierro knew he would eventually have to speak with them, but before that happened, he believed someone else within the team would deal with the issue.
...
The next day, Spain officially began training for the European Championship.
Zubizarreta led the first session, introducing new tactics built around the revamped defensive line. He had decided to use a more comprehensive defensive system during the tournament.
The defenders would not be the only ones responsible for defending. Every midfielder and forward would also be expected to contribute.
At nine in the morning, every Spain player arrived at the training ground. To Hierro's satisfaction, no one was late.
"All right, this is our first training session. I don't know how things are done at your clubs, but when you're with Spain, you listen to me!"
"Everyone starts at Point A and completes every drill along the route. You need to move quickly."
"No talking during this session. I want every one of you fully focused!"
Spain did not normally make the atmosphere in training overly serious, but this was a specialized tactical session.
Without complete concentration, it would be difficult for the players to understand the fundamental demands of the system, and problems would inevitably arise when they tried to execute it on the pitch.
That was why Zubizarreta was always strict during sessions like this.
Leo Lin led the Spain players through the drills, but halfway through the session, he heard something that bothered him.
Ferran Torres and Pau Torres were whispering to each other again. They kept talking throughout the route drills, slowing down the entire group.
The players lined up behind them were forced to reduce their pace as well.
Zubizarreta blew his whistle and called out their names.
"Pau Torres, Ferran Torres, step out of the line. Your training is over!"
Ferran Torres did not move, while Pau Torres answered him.
"Why?"
"Zubizarreta, we haven't done anything wrong. We're taking the training seriously!"
"I said there was to be no talking, and that you needed to complete the route drills as quickly as possible. The two of you have disrupted the rhythm of everyone behind you!"
Ferran Torres spoke up as well.
"We were only discussing a few tactical points. Let it go this time, Zubizarreta. I promise we won't say another word for the rest of training!"
It sounded like an apology, but neither of them obeyed Zubizarreta's order. Instead of leaving, they simply continued with the next drill.
For players who had only recently joined the national team, this amounted to a direct challenge to the coach's authority.
Leo Lin suddenly stopped and raised his hand, bringing every player behind him to a halt.
"Zubizarreta told both of you to step out and stop training. If you refuse to listen, then nobody trains today!"
Leo Lin might have been young, but the authority in his voice intimidated both Pau Torres and Ferran Torres.
After all, Leo Lin had won several major trophies and two Ballon d'Or awards.
A player with achievements like that held unrivaled status within the Spain national team.
Ferran Torres and Pau Torres said nothing else. They quickly stepped out of the line and went to stand beside Zubizarreta.
Leo Lin then turned to address the rest of the players.
"When you come to the national team, you listen to the coaches!"
"You follow their instructions in every detail!"
"From today onward, I don't want to hear any more excuses. Whatever the coach tells you to do, you do it!"
"There's nothing wrong with staying relaxed, but I don't want to see anyone slacking off or taking things too casually. I hate that attitude. Champions don't behave that way!"
"Whether it's Zubizarreta, Hierro, or Xavi, they're the ones in charge of this team. I want every one of you to remember that!"
With that, Leo Lin turned and resumed training.
Every Spain player followed behind him, voluntarily increasing their pace and throwing themselves into the defensive route drills.
Hierro had watched the entire exchange from the sidelines. He walked over to Zubizarreta and said,
"That kid Leo."
"He really is Liverpool's captain."
Zubizarreta shook his bald head.
"Now that's a captain!"
...
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