"Blaming all the problems the team is facing on the players is an extremely irresponsible thing to do."
At dinner, Yang Yang said this very seriously to Florentino.
Since the dinner was being held to entertain Yang Yang's and Xavi Alonso's families, with General Manager Manuel Redondo, Butragueño, and other important club officials accompanying them, they were divided between two tables, with Yang Yang and the others seated together at one.
"I've fought alongside them for many years, so I understand what kind of people they are. Maybe they're getting old. Maybe they've become a little complacent. Maybe all sorts of problems have cropped up for them. But I still insist that shifting the blame onto the players is irresponsible."
Yang Yang's words were serious—very serious—because they could easily be seen as an attack on Real Madrid's management.
In fact, everyone could see that Real Madrid's management had not handled things well. Otherwise, why would Valdano have resigned to take responsibility? Wasn't he taking the blame for the team's poor results?
Florentino was not lacking in magnanimity, especially when the person speaking was Yang Yang.
"Where do you think the team's problems lie?" Florentino asked calmly.
Yang Yang thought for a moment. "There are quite a few. From what I could see in this match alone, the biggest problem is still in training."
"Training?" Manuel Redondo was somewhat surprised. "According to the feedback we've received, neither Lopetegui's nor Solari's training this season has been lacking in intensity."
Yang Yang shook his head. "But the players have already proven through their performances that their training has been inadequate."
"Yang Yang is right. Truly high-level training isn't about how intense it is, but whether it can bring out the players' best performances. It's just like when UEFA criticized Ancelotti's training for lacking