Zidane Speaks Happily About a Player at Press Conference
Zinedine Zidane, the new head coach of the France national football team, gave a smiling answer during a recent press conference. A reporter warned him, 'I'm going to ask an unpleasant question,' before continuing. Zidane replied happily, 'Not at all. I'm glad to talk about that player.'
Although the report does not name the player directly, French media have written that Zidane held a private conversation with star player Kylian Mbappe. According to these reports, Zidane persuaded Mbappe to change his playing position on the field.
In other football news, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland scored two impressive goals as Norway began its first ever campaign in League A of the UEFA Nations League. Norway faced Denmark in a high-scoring match and came away with a win, giving the team a strong start in the competition.
The UEFA Nations League is a tournament between European national teams, divided into different divisions based on team strength. League A is the top division, featuring some of the strongest teams in Europe. Norway's win over Denmark shows the team is ready to compete at this higher level.
Zidane, a former France international and one of the most respected figures in world football, took charge of the national team recently. His handling of questions about individual players, including his calm and positive reaction to a tricky question, has drawn attention from journalists covering the team.
Vocabulary7 words
- head coach
- the main leader of a sports team
- press conference
- an event where reporters ask questions to someone important
- persuaded
- made someone agree to do something
- position
- where a player stands and plays on the field
- League A
- the top group of teams in a competition
- divisions
- groups that separate teams by skill level
- campaign
- a series of games in a competition
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Quiz
Answer key
1. By smiling and saying he was happy to talk about the player 2. Zidane persuaded Mbappe to change his position 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Zinedine Zidane, the new head coach of the France national football team, gave a smiling answer during a recent _____.
A reporter warned him, 'I'm going to ask an unpleasant question,' before continuing.
Zidane replied happily, 'Not at all. I'm glad to talk about that _____.'
French media have written that Zidane held a private conversation with star player Kylian _____.
Zidane _____ Mbappe to change his playing position on the field.
Norwegian striker Erling Haaland scored two impressive _____ as Norway began its campaign.
Norway faced _____ in a high-scoring match and came away with a win.
The UEFA Nations League is divided into different _____ based on team strength.
League A is the top _____, featuring some of the strongest teams in Europe.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think reporters sometimes warn coaches before asking a difficult question?
- What could be some reasons a coach might ask a player to change position?
- Why do national teams value strong performances early in a new competition, like Norway's win?
- How important do you think good communication is between a coach and star players?
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