Antonio: U Continental Tournaments Not the Primary Goal, Aims to Cultivate Multiple National Team Players

September 22 – The latest episode of “Football Night” featured an exclusive interview with China’s U21 head coach Antonio. Antonio stated, “Coming back to China is because I feel that our association has undergone changes and improvements, showing a pragmatic approach, which is why I returned.”

When asked about the level of his team within Asia for the same age group, Antonio said, “From the perspective of the league, after a long season of over 30 rounds, the team that ultimately wins the championship is indeed the best. However, in tournament-style competitions, as long as you prepare thoroughly, both physically, tactically, and technically, you can compete with any team. This is what I have observed and it also guides our work.”

During the interview, Antonio used a metaphor, describing himself as akin to a “chameleon,” “We adapt to different situations by grasping various characteristics, then analyzing, researching, and adjusting.” For example, when he first came to China, the team played a possession-based style. During the U16 Asian Youth Championship qualifiers, the team had a high possession rate. However, when playing matches in Uzbekistan, after careful study, they adjusted their tactics. On average, the team made over 600 passes per game, sometimes reaching up to 800 passes.

Speaking about goals, Antonio noted, “Perhaps everyone now thinks that the next goal is the upcoming continental tournament, but my primary goal is to cultivate players so that they can join the national team as soon as possible. If in the future, 10-12 players from this team are promoted to the national team, then that goal will be achieved. Regarding the contract, I don’t think it’s that important. What matters more is that I am happy with my work and the Chinese Football Association is satisfied with me.”

Regarding the number of players promoted to the national team, Antonio further explained, “This number is not precise, but we must have ambition. Through continuous cultivation and growth, the final selection will be made by the national team’s head coach.”