During a key training session ahead of an international fixture, coach Marcello Lippi finally lost his patience over what many are calling a disgraceful training environment. Even among fans following BD Cricket Live for regular sports updates, this story from Tehran has drawn plenty of attention for the wrong reasons. China’s national team landed in the Iranian capital on the evening of the 24th, settling into a well-rated hotel. However, their optimism quickly faded as poor weather and inadequate facilities became a serious concern.
On the first full day, light snowfall and widespread rain raised fears about the condition of the training pitch. Unfortunately, those concerns were well-founded. Even before the squad could inspect the actual match venue, they were sent to train at Iran’s National Football Academy. According to team staff, the pitch was in such poor shape it didn’t even measure up to many university fields back home. For a world-class coach like Lippi, who values preparation and fairness, this was unacceptable.
This wasn’t the first time an opponent used off-field tactics to unsettle the visiting side. Lippi had experienced similar treatment in the past, such as during Guangzhou Evergrande’s AFC Champions League final against FC Seoul, where the hosts refused to turn on the floodlights for evening training. Now in Tehran, history seemed to be repeating itself. Despite his status and track record, Lippi received no special treatment from the Iranian Football Federation. He immediately demanded a better-quality pitch for the next day’s session.
However, being on foreign soil meant his requests weren’t easily granted. The Chinese camp lobbied hard to shift training to the better-maintained Azadi Stadium auxiliary field. In preparation, staff even arrived early to arrange logistics. But just 30 minutes before the scheduled training, they received the final word: no change of venue. Once again, the team would have to use the same muddy, uneven surface.
Reluctantly, the staff returned to set up the original training ground. When Lippi arrived and saw the unchanged conditions, he made no effort to hide his displeasure. His frustration was evident as training began, and as usual, only the first 15 minutes were open to the media. Some domestic journalists lingered nearby, chatting outside the walls of the facility. Perhaps their conversation carried over, because national team staff came rushing out, politely asking reporters to move farther away.
The reason? Lippi was clearly already in a bad mood, and the added noise didn’t help. For viewers used to the precision and professionalism seen in BD Cricket Live broadcasts, the entire situation seemed like a step backward. And as tensions simmer, it’s clear that proper preparation doesn’t just depend on players and coaches—it requires respect and fair conditions, something this match-up was sorely lacking. As fans continue following updates via BD Cricket Live, they’ll no doubt be watching not just the scoreline, but how the team rises above these challenges.