By Anna Italia
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Supports Serie A Teams in International Competition
It’s time to prepare for the 2014 International Champions Cup (ICC)! Three Italian Serie A teams are participating in this tournament: Inter Milan, AS Roma, and AC Milan. I attended Manchester United press conference with coach Louis Van Gaal on Tuesday 22 July 2014 followed by the training at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California ahead of their game against Los Angeles Galaxy for the Chevrolet Cup. In the ICC, Manchester United will be playing against AS Roma on Saturday 26 July at the Sports Authority Field At Mile High in Denver, Colorado and against Inter Milan on Tuesday 29 July at the Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland.
Van Gaal is new Manchester United and his objective for the moment is to have a good pre-season in the USA. Challenge will be for Inter and AS Roma to stop the Reds. The Press conference starting few minutes late and Van Gaal immediately apologizing saying it was the first time he is late for a press conference. The reason… Los Angeles traffic. When asked about his players, Van Gaal commenting, ” They are anxious to follow the instructions of my assistants. ”
On what he has observed with his new players: “The focus I have seen in the training sessions is top-level, but we have to see if the performance is top-level. But I am very happy with the labour of my players in the days I have been with them.”
The game against Los Angeles Galaxy it’s the start of the USA Tour and will help the team to increase their fitness level contrary to the Galaxy who are fit and in the middle of their MLS campaign. “We have analyzed Galaxy and I expect a very organized and tactical team that are aggressive in attack and want to press.”
Among the players in the USA tour are England’s forward Wayne Rooney, Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea, Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa, and Spain midfielder Juan Mata.
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Manchester United Coach Louis Van Gaal during the press conference at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Tuesday 22 July 2014 ahead of the Chevrolet Cup game against Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday 23 July. It’s the kickoff and immediately Man U will start their participation in the International Champions Cup.
Accompanying Van Gaal was new signing Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera Agüera. “I can promise to work hard & be a good pro. But there are other good players in team. I’m sure we will help the team. Not only me. I will miss my friends and family, but I’m ready for this step. I am ready for this challenge.”
Training included warm-up with Van Gaal splitting the team into two groups of 11 for a possession game between the 18-yard line and half-way line. Players also did a shooting exercise while others worked on tactics.
Impressive to watch the goalkeepers training too practicing different tactics to save goals. One key player to watch is forward Wayne Rooney fully concentrated during training impressing the fans.
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Coach Louis Van Gaal making his way from the tunnel to the field after the press conference to start the training.
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Behind me is Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal checking the condition of his new players.
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Manchester United players making their way to the field while acclaimed by the fans.
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Here is the “tank,” the player to watch… forward Wayne Rooney and the challenge for Inter and AS Roma defenders to stop him is set.
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Brazilian right back Rafael da Silva in action
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Goalkeepers training …… Anders Lindegaard, David De Gea….
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Manchester United Assistant Manager Ryan Giggs.
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Manchester United attacking midfielder Juan Mata
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Training done…. now, it’s time to get ready and prepare for the games. Man United ready to face Inter and Roma? Let’s roll the ball….