《Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions》 Chapter 1: The Age of AI Intelligence, Awakening the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System! Chapter 1 - 1: The Age of AI Intelligence, Awakening the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System!2014, Italy. Inter Milan Youth Training Camp. "2006 World Cup Final, France VS Italy..." "2005 Champions League Final, AC Milan was reversed by Liverpool with three goals..." "Third round of the 2009-2010 Serie A season, Rome VS Lazio..." In the dimly lit youth training camp dormitory. A black-haired boy rubbed his sleepy eyes. Staring intently at the replay of the football matches on the computer screen. Until dawn broke, and the sun rose in the sky. A few Inter Youth Team players passed by, looking at the boy in the room through the window. "He''s watching matches on the screen again, is this Chinese guy crazy?" "Is there something wrong with his head? He''s not a coach, why watch so many matches?" "Often watching until midnight, in the past five months, he''s only been watching matches, his skills haven''t improved at all!" "He doesn''t seem worried at all, doesn''t he know that his youth contract expires next month, isn''t he planning to renew it?" "Ah, don''t bother him, maybe Chinese people are naturally not good at playing football!" A teammate couldn''t help but knock on the window. "Tang, the training at nine is about to start, aren''t you going to change clothes and head to the training field?" Tang Long continued staring at the screen, waving his hand without looking back. "Don''t worry about me, you guys go ahead, I''ll be there soon!" "Really a madman!" The teammate shrugged and left. When the whistle signaling the end of the match sounded from the computer. The previously motionless Tang Long jumped up suddenly! He raised his arms and shouted! "Finally finished watching a thousand matches!" The hardship of the past five months. Who knows! Five months ago. Tang Long traveled through time and became an 18-year-old player in Inter Milan Youth Training Camp. Signed a six-month youth contract. With average aptitude, he seemingly had no hope for renewal. But only he knew. As soon as he traveled, he awakened a strange system! [Green Grass Wisdom Engine System]! This is an AI intelligent system from 2084. Specifically designed for football players. Embedded in Tang Long''s brain, integrated with his nervous system. Capable of providing him with big data intelligent judgment on the field! Of course. All AI systems require feeding first. So five months ago, the system gave him a task: "Please watch 1000 professional football match recordings completely!" To complete this task. Tang Long endured immense hardship! Regular training couldn''t be missed. He had to watch matches overtime at night. Finally. All 1000 matches were watched! "Ding!" "Green Grass Wisdom Engine System has been fed 1000 professional matches!" "System activation!" "Green Grass Wisdom Engine System - Basic Level!" "Host has obtained AI intelligent technology - passing route prediction!" Tang Long knew five months ago. This Green Grass Wisdom Engine System, based on AI big data analysis. Is divided into five levels! Basic Level, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert Level, Master Level. Basic Level mainly consists of feeding match recordings, analyzing top professional players'' passing routes and teammate positioning on the field. Designing the optimal passing route! Thus, allowing Tang Long to make anticipatory judgments when facing rapidly changing situations in a match! Tang Long couldn''t think too much. Changed clothes as quickly as possible, grabbed the shoes from the floor and ran to the training field! There were three minutes until training started. Can''t be late. ... Inter Youth Team''s assistant coach Chiwo. He raised his hand to check his watch. "Where is that Asian kid in the team, why hasn''t he arrived?" There was one minute until training started. The entire Inter Youth Team was already present. Twenty-five players stood in two straight rows before Chiwo. But Tang Long was nowhere to be seen. "Coach, Tang was up all night watching matches again, he''s probably still sleeping in bed now!" A teammate said with a smile. Laughter erupted within the team! Chiwo frowned. He knew long ago, this player from China, after finishing regular training, never went to nightclubs or messed around outside. He just liked to stay in the dormitory watching matches. It''s said he watches until two or three in the morning and still doesn''t sleep! Initially, Chiwo admired him, even praised him before the entire team. "Look at Tang, his passion for football is worth learning from for all of you!" But later he found out, Tang Long''s football skills were indeed mediocre. In theory, watching more should mean learning a lot! But Tang Long''s performance on the field was even inferior to those local Italian teammates who rushed to bars and girls after training. With only one month remaining. Tang Long''s youth contract was about to expire. Chiwo hesitated about whether to renew with this kid. "This lousy kid, playing poorly is one thing, a talent issue, but you can''t be late for training, that''s an attitude prob..." Chiwo''s sentences were interrupted. Seeing Tang Long holding his shoes, sprinting at full speed. "Reporting!" Chiwo was startled, instinctively glancing at the watch beside him. The second hand just reached 12. Thankfully, not late. "Hurry and change your shoes, look at you, training in slippers, what does that look like!" Chiwo sighed. Amidst a group of blonde-haired, blue-eyed teammates with unfriendly gazes. Tang Long braced himself and changed into his shoes. Then quietly stood at the back of the second row in the team. He usually came to the training field half an hour early. If it weren''t for watching the 1000th match before today''s training, he wouldn''t be rushing like this! S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. While Chiwo gave a speech to the team. Tang Long opened his data panel. Host: Tang Long Age: 18 Height: 182 Position: Attacking Midfielder, Shadow Striker, Defensive Midfielder. Offense: 55 Shooting Accuracy: 58 Shooting Power: 58 Heading: 55 Dribbling: 58 Long Pass: 52 Short Pass: 54 Set-piece: 42 Speed: 65 Stamina: 60 Strength: 56 Jumping: 60 Defense: 35 Overall rating: 55 Field Rating: Italian Third Division Substitute Level (Rating description: 90 for star level in top five leagues, 80 for average level in top five leagues, 70 for Serie B level, 60 for Italian Third Division level) Looking at the slow progress over the past five months. Tang Long felt a tightness in his chest. This system, dormant for five months now. Does it really have any use! Can it help him secure a contract renewal with the Inter Youth Team? Chapter 2: Big data shows that the pass threat creation rate is 82.76%! Chapter 2 - 2: Big data shows that the pass threat creation rate is 82.76%!Since joining the Inter Youth Team five months ago, Tang Long has become thoroughly familiar with the training process. Warm-up, laps, passing, shooting... A whole routine takes exactly one hour. Recently, the head coach of the Inter Youth Team went to study at UEFA, so today''s training is led by the assistant coach Chiwo. This player, who won the treble with Inter Milan, naturally joined Inter''s youth team as a coach after retiring, leading from the U15 up to the U18 Youth Team as an assistant coach. Today, his main focus is on players like Tang Long, whose youth contracts are about to expire. To decide if the club will renew their contracts with them. In Chiwo''s view, Tang Long is actually the most diligent player in the entire Inter Youth Team. He demands a lot out of himself in both training and life. Perhaps it''s because Chiwo is Eastern European! He always expects Tang Long, coming from China, to perform excellently on the field and stay with Inter. However, today, Chiwo stood on the sidelines with a tactical board in hand, his hands behind his back. Watching Tang Long pass, run laps, and shoot on the field, which were all quite unimpressive! He hasn''t reached the average standard of the team, and in some areas, he''s even at the bottom. Chiwo couldn''t help but support his forehead and let out a slight sigh. "Alas, it seems football really requires talent!" "Even as hardworking as Tang is, without talent, it''s hard to make it to the professional arena..." Chiwo knew very well. Only a few in this Inter U18 Youth Team could make it to the top professional leagues. A few standouts, like Di Marco in the team. Might get loaned out to a Serie A relegation team for rotation. Some are only at the mid to lower levels of a Serie B team rotation. As for players like Tang Long, he could either play in lower league matches just to make a living, or he might have to just retire, and leave this sport entirely. That''s the way it is on the football field! Great success is built on countless unrecognized efforts! No matter how dazzling stars are under the world''s spotlights, most are those unnoticed players in the background. Many wave goodbye to the professional courts soon after reaching adulthood, seeking other means to earn a living. Watching Tang Long work hard on the training ground, the Romanian Chiwo felt baffled! He couldn''t understand. "China clearly has 1.4 billion people, the largest population in the world, yet why can''t it produce a player who can play as the main force in one of the top five leagues? It''s truly strange!" (Chiwo looked at Tang Long with confusion) ... "All gather!" Chiwo blew the whistle. At this moment, with sweat all over Tang Long knew his chance was coming! Next is a 30-minute intra-squad match, The youth team will split into Team A and Team B to compete on the field. According to the system prompt, The initial awakening of the Green Engine system in Tang Long is his ability to judge passing routes. This skill, Tang Long knows, cannot be shown in training! It can only be demonstrated in actual matches. Team A donned the blue vests symbolizing the starters, while Tang Long got a yellow vest symbolizing Team B''s substitutes. "Work hard, boys, you''re already 18, by your age, many talented players have already made it to Serie A, so don''t waste any more time!" Chiwo said to everyone. Tang Long looked up, and saw Chiwo was looking at him, with both pity and regret in his eyes. The intra-squad training match started. Tang Long can play as an attacking midfielder, supporting forward, and defensive midfielder, Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. and he stood in his most familiar position as an attacking midfielder. At the Inter Youth Training Camp, there is a serious polarization among players, and Team A in blue vests quickly overpowered Team B in yellow vests. It was hard for Tang Long, who stood in the center as an attacking midfielder for Team B, to get the ball. "This won''t work, I must fall back slightly, or I won''t have a chance to get the ball!" Tang Long started retreating to the defensive midfield position proactively. A minute later, The general commander from the sidelines, Chiwo, keenly noticed the change in Tang Long''s position. "Tang, return to your pre-match position, why are you running around aimlessly?" Chiwo shouted unhappily. He strongly dislikes players not playing according to his tactical instructions. However, Tang Long gritted his teeth and didn''t listen to Chiwo''s command! Because he knew that Team B can''t even touch the ball in the front at all, He must retract quite deeply to have the chance to get the ball. "This kid is really disappointing." Chiwo cursed. He was just about to substitute Tang Long to lecture him, when Team B, which had been besieged for ten minutes, finally won possession. After the center-back intercepted the forward''s attack, he raised his eyes, the closest to him was Tang Long, and he passed the ball to Tang Long. As the soccer rolled toward Tang Long, A field simulation map instantly unfolded in his mind! This simulation map marked the positions of all 22 players on the field with dots. Even though Tang Long was back-facing when receiving the ball, he could clearly see each person''s movement direction. "Press in the front field! Don''t let him comfortably turn with the ball!" The left-back Di Marco from Team A, pressing in the front field, charged directly towards Tang Long. On the other side, Team A''s forward also ran towards Tang Long! The two formed a siege against Tang Long in an instant. The center-back, who passed to Tang Long, shouted hurriedly: "Don''t hesitate! Pass the ball back to me, I''ll clear it!" But at this moment, A line of brainwave flashed across Tang Long''s mind, embedding a piece of information in almost a millisecond. -[The opponent''s mid-front field presses too forward, our forward is near the midfield circle; at this moment, a rapid half-arc pass to the front shows, based on big data, an 82.76% chance to create a threatening attack] On the field simulation hotspot map in Tang Long''s mind, The icon of a forward teammate instantly turned from yellow to shining brightly. "Enzo, watch the ball!" Tang Long struggled to twist his body, Right foot pulled sideways to open a stance, Then heavily stomped on the bottom of the ball with the inside of his left foot, kicking a forward arc ball! Flying into the air¡ª Team B''s teammate Enzo''s eyes instantly lit up, and immediately leveraged his speed advantage, chasing the direction where the ball was heading. As long as he got the ball, he could immediately form a one-on-one situation with Team A''s center-back. Unfortunately, Tang Long''s left-foot reverse foot pass was slightly too big! Even though Enzo chased the ball with all his might, it still went out of bounds. "Alas, just a little short!" "It seems my passing stats with the wrong foot are not good enough." Tang Long regrettably held his head. He was passing entirely based on the system''s prompt, Had he just slightly reduced the strength, Enzo would have definitely gotten the ball, With his speed, there wouldn''t be any problem at all! Such a pity... "Great!" "Fantastic pass!!!" A loud voice, Instantly jolted Tang Long out of his regret! It was the call from the assistant coach Chiwo from the sidelines! And his clapping echoed across the large field, Tang Long could hear that crisp clapping even from fifty or sixty meters away. "The thinking is spot on, directly side pass without trapping the ball, magnificent pass! Well done, Tang!" Chiwo smiled, giving Tang Long a thumbs up. Even Enzo, who didn''t get the ball, came back to high-five Tang Long. "Great pass, pity I didn''t run fast enough, your pass was flawless!" Enzo cheered for Tang Long. Such a scene, had never occurred in Tang Long''s training matches over these past five months! Teammates and coach actually praised my pass as good! This really restored a lot of Tang Long''s confidence. "This time it was a pity with the wrong foot, next time using the dominant foot, make sure to deliver a great pass!" Chapter 3: This incredible perspective reminds Chiwo of Sneijder! Chapter 3 - 3: This incredible perspective reminds Chiwo of Sneijder!This passing route just now was actually excellent, whether it''s the position or direction, it''s spot on! But Tang Long knows that the reason why the ball wasn''t passed well is not because of any error in the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System''s suggestions. The AI system''s hints were actually quite correct! It''s just that such hints are based on the analysis of 1,000 professional football matches. Among them are top passers like Pirlo, Iniesta, and Luo. The thoughts and routes provided by the system are absolutely flawless. This is fed by the big data from 1,000 matches. The key issue is Tang Long''s passing skills are too poor! This is often said on the football field¡ªskills haven''t kept up with the thought process! Tang Long knows this principle, and assistant coach Chiwo, off the field, naturally understands it even better! But back in his playing days, as a top player who had played for Ajax, Rome, and Inter Milan, Chiwo also understood another straightforward truth: Sometimes correct thinking is more important than precise skills! Because skills can be constantly improved through training. However, in the rapid exchanges on the field, the ability to make the right decision instantaneously¡ªthis better reflects a player''s potential! Especially for young players like Tang Long, this is even more critical! It''s also the key highlight that showcases the growth potential ceiling of a player. That''s why Chiwo was so excitedly clapping for Tang Long on the sidelines. It''s okay to pass poorly, as long as the thinking is correct, then one remains on the path of progress. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That ball just now was indeed a good ball, passing between two defenders without stopping, directly kicking with a reverse foot, such a scenario, in all my years leading teams, no one in the Inter Youth Training Camp has ever done it." Chiwo thought to himself. The match continues. Team B, suppressed for over ten minutes, is now gradually recovering, starting to organize effective passes and receptions. And Tang Long also moves from the defensive midfield position back to the familiar attacking midfield. Because Team A is pressing from the front, in the area closer to the opponent''s penalty area at the attacking midfield position, Tang Long faces less defensive pressure. "Tang, catch the ball!" After Team B''s fullback and midfield performed a one-two pass, the ball was passed to Tang Long in the attacking midfield position. Seeing Tang Long ready to receive the ball, Team B''s forward Enzo immediately became excited~ He repeated his old tactics, immediately running horizontally, expecting the ball from Tang Long. Especially when he noticed Tang Long was using his non-dominant right foot to receive the ball this time, Enzo believed his chance of successfully receiving a brilliant pass from Tang Long was significantly higher. "Pay attention to Enzo''s position!" Chiwo from the sidelines couldn''t help but give Tang Long guidance immediately. But this time, Tang Long didn''t pass the ball directly, but stopped it at his feet, immediately pulling it back, turning his back towards the goal from the front. Seeing Tang Long didn''t pass the ball, Team A''s defender immediately moved forward. Team B''s Enzo instantly fell into an offside position. "Ugh, still not decisive enough, clearly there was a great route..." Chiwo frowned. "Seems like that right-foot pass just now was only a flash in the pan, Tang Long''s control of the field is still quite average." But the next second, Tang Long made a pass that shocked everyone on the field, including the opponents! He drew the ball around, using the outside of his right foot to send a curved ball to the far left side of the field! The ball flew into the air! Since Team B had controlled the ball on the right side for a long time, the left side of the field had become quite open. So, despite Tang Long''s pass being pulled with the outer foot, the ball was slow, floating and swaying, but it still landed at the feet of Team B''s advancing left-back¡ª the scene was torn open again! Team B''s attacking situation suddenly became clear! "Ah! He actually saw the other side!" Chiwo''s jaw almost dropped. It''s worth noting that even someone at Chiwo''s level, his focus was entirely on the crowded right side of the field. Even he hadn''t noticed Team B''s left-back was rapidly advancing on the left side! Instead of coordinating with Enzo in the crowded right side, it was better to kick the ball to the left side. "Whoa! This ball really came!" Meanwhile, the Team B left-back who got the ball felt the surprise came a bit too suddenly. To be honest, this time while advancing, he ran forward instinctively! He hardly expected Tang Long could pass the ball to him. After this maneuver, the left-back who got the ball faced a completely open area, immediately accelerating toward the box! With no one defending, a simple horizontal pass, Enzo broke through in the box with a push and shot. "Perfect! Simply a perfect pass! The thinking was very correct! Such a vision, being achieved by a youth training player of Inter, I never imagined!" Chiwo didn''t clap this time, but took a deep breath on the sidelines. His heart was pounding! He thought back on his days playing for Inter Milan. At that time, when he made advances from the left-back position, occasionally he could receive such an outside foot pass from the passing master, the Dutchman Sneijder. Instantly cracking the open spaces on the field! Although Chiwo knew, Tang Long''s outside foot pass just now, whether in terms of speed or accuracy, was far from Sneijder''s back in the day! However, so what? As an 18-year-old youth player, at least the moment Tang Long passed the ball, in Chiwo''s view, his vision was not inferior to the midfield master Sneijder, who led the team to a treble in 2010! "Vision, vision, vision!" Chiwo repeatedly murmured this football term under his breath on the sidelines. At this moment, he saw infinite potential in Tang Long on the field. In the subsequent match, Chiwo''s eyes didn''t look at anyone else, all focus was solely on Tang Long. Telling it like it is. Team B''s players were still far from matching Team A''s level. Even though the final score was Team A''s 3-1 victory over Team B, if he had to choose the best player on the field, Chiwo would unhesitatingly award it to Tang Long. In just these 30 minutes, Tang Long''s vision and field awareness displayed far surpassed that of his teammates and opponents. Several times with direct through passes in front of the box, Tang Long''s thoughts were spot on! He had already predicted his teammates'' movements and defenders'' arrangements ahead of time. But either the control of pass force wasn''t good, or it was because his teammates'' running wasn''t timely, so no assist was made. However, Tang Long''s grasp of field awareness, this shining point, had already conquered Chiwo off the field. "Tang, can you do this, did you feel like you were cheating today?" "How did you come up with those passing routes, textbook-style through passes!" "Sorry, Tang, that lob you made near the end, if I hadn''t been a step slow, it would definitely have been a one-on-one, oh!" Tang Long, acting mysteriously, said: "Mainly because I like watching the games, I watch a lot of them, you know?" After the match ended, several teammates gathered around, chattering away with Tang Long about the match that just ended, discussing Tang Long''s excellent passing. "Tang, don''t go to the locker room first, come directly to my office." Chiwo walked over with a smile. Patted Tang Long''s shoulder. Indicated that Tang Long should go with him to the coach''s office. Chapter 4: Quickly Entering the First Team Squad, Serie A Debut About to Begin? Chapter 4 - 4: Quickly Entering the First Team Squad, Serie A Debut About to Begin?Tang Long, wearing his wet jersey just after training, and wearing cleats, followed Chiwo into the spacious coach''s office. This was the second time Tang Long had come to this office since signing to become an Inter Youth Team player. Although it had been five months, as soon as he entered, that familiar poster from his previous life''s memories instantly caught Tang Long''s attention¡ª An image of Inter Milan winning the treble in 2010! In the center at C position, the old captain SaneµÙ, was lifting the Big Ear Cup high above his head! Beside him were Milito, Sneijder, Eto''o, and other world-famous stars. In his previous life, Tang Long watched the entire match in front of the TV. Tang Long was a fan of Ronaldo since childhood, and because of Ronaldo, he fell in love with Inter Milan! On the day Inter Milan won the treble in 2010, Tang Long still remembers the eleven empty beer bottles were scattered all over the ground at the barbecue stand. Seeing Tang Long''s transfixed eyes, Chiwo smiled and handed Tang Long a freshly made cappuccino. "Did you watch this match? I was also at the field that day, haha!" "I was the left-back, focusing on defending Bayern''s Robben." "That bald guy was so fast, he passed me several times; luckily, we won in the end, otherwise, I would have played pretty badly that day!" Tang Long nodded, his eyes sparkling with hope. "Mr. Chiwo, if one day, I could represent Inter Milan and win the Champions League, that would be the most wonderful moment of my life!" Chiwo was taken aback, then patted Tang Long on the shoulder, laughing out loud. "Hahaha, not bad, you have ambition!" "There are many youth players here, but you are the first, Tang!" "You are the first to bring up the dream of winning the Champions League with Inter, you really have vision!" Chiwo''s laughter brought Tang Long back to reality. Uh... Represent Inter Milan to win the Champions League? That''s thinking a bit too far ahead indeed! You really have big dreams. For now, the most important immediate goal is to solve the issue of renewing the youth contract. "Mr. Chiwo, you know," Tang Long tentatively asked, "my youth contract expires in a month, I love Inter Milan very much, I''ve been a fan since I was little, could you help me renew my contract?" Chiwo blinked, shook the coffee in his hand, and shook his head at Tang Long. "I can''t, I can''t help you renew your youth contract." This statement immediately tightened Tang Long''s heart. The joy he felt just now fell instantly to the bottom. It seems, even with the help of the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System, his performance on the field just now still didn''t earn Chiwo''s trust! This was understandable. Although the AI system accurately predicted the best passing routes, limited by his poor passing skills, often, his technique couldn''t keep up with his thoughts. Just as Tang Long was feeling down, Chiwo''s next sentence instantly lifted Tang Long''s heart from the bottom to the sky! "Tang, I solemnly tell you, a player like you should immediately move up to the Inter First Team for training!" "The level of the youth league is too low, your sense of the game on the field has already surpassed players of your age!" "Only by being with the Inter First Team can your skills improve rapidly." Inter First Team? Tang Long''s heart tightened immediately¡ª wasn''t this the dream he had pursued since he arrived here 5 months ago? To lead Inter Milan in Serie A and on the European stage like his childhood idol Ronaldo, to win championship titles! "Sign! I will sign immediately! Mr. Chiwo, I''ll sign the Inter First Team contract right now! Where''s the pen?" Tang Long''s excitement was evident. Chiwo paused for a moment, just smiled! He motioned for Tang Long to sit down. "I was joking with you!" "I''m just a coach in the Inter Youth Team, still just an assistant coach." "Signing with the First Team requires the sports director Ossilio''s approval, I don''t have such authority." The best I can do now is to extend your youth contract for a year." Tang Long felt a bit embarrassed. He didn''t even realize Chiwo was joking with him. But he quickly nodded, "Oh, I see." He calmed down his excitement. Chiwo was right. He was only an assistant coach in the youth team, how could he have the power to sign First Team contracts? However, since he can extend the youth team contract for another year, that is also a very good thing. This was the goal he had wanted to achieve from the beginning. Moreover, only by continuing in the youth team, will he have the chance to be selected by Inter''s head coach Mancini for the First Team in the future. First, secure his position! "But there''s one thing, Tang, next weekend, Inter Milan will face Genoa at home." Chiwo''s eyes flashed with a hint of pride, "It''s now November, there are many injuries in the First Team, and Mancini is struggling to fill the 18-man roster." "In all likelihood, Mancini will have a youth player fill in for the roster this weekend." "I will recommend you, Tang, then you will have the chance to sit on the substitutes'' bench at Meazza stadium." Tang Long''s eyes lit up and he promptly asked Chiwo: "Does that mean I''ll have the chance to come on as a substitute for Inter Milan in the Serie A match this weekend?" Chiwo neither confirmed nor denied. "I didn''t say that, field decisions are up to Mancini." "If the team takes an early lead, like 3:0, 4:0, Mancini might give rookies some time, you indeed would have a chance." "Even if there''s no opportunity, making an appearance in the First Team and letting Mancini know who you are, isn''t necessarily a bad thing, right?" "Yes!" Tang Long nodded earnestly. After signing the renewal on the youth team contract, Tang Long happily parted with Chiwo with a hug. Walking out of the office building door, Tang Long looked at the bright and dazzling blue Mediterranean sky! He finally let out a long breath. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Finally able to continue staying at Inter Milan! ... Three days later. Chiwo fulfilled his promise and reported Tang Long to the First Team head coach Mancini. Mancini accepted without any screening, after all, it was just a young player from the youth team filling up the numbers, he fully trusted his staff. Thus, Tang Long entered the 18-man roster of Inter First Team for the 11th round of the 2014-2015 Serie A season. Greater challenges awaited him! Tang Long even dreamt the day before the match, of himself at Meazza stadium, performing a sublime pass in front of 80,000 spectators, assisting the main striker Icardi to score! He dreamt of Icardi rushing over and lifting him up: "Brilliant through ball! Great pass!" 80,000 fans at Meazza stadium cheered for his spectacular performance. "TUNG!" The fans were chanting his name! Chapter 5 Serie A Game 9? Fans throw rotten eggs at the bus! Chapter 5 - 5 Serie A Game 9? Fans throw rotten eggs at the bus!In the 11th round of Serie A, the squad list for Inter''s home match against Genoa was announced. As usual. In faraway China. Some die-hard Inter fans also saw the list. No one noticed that at the end of this 21-man squad list, there was the name Tang Long. Everyone''s attention was focused on the names of key players like Gualin, Icardi, and Kovacic. The fans, after watching for so long, know. You only need to pay attention to the first dozen or so players on the list. The rest are substitutes, many of whom are just making up the numbers, with no chance of playing. However, a few people still noticed a strange name at the end of the list. [Tunn] "Who is this number 99 Tunn?" In the Inter circle of the famous domestic football app Dong Qiu Di, someone posted out of curiosity about this surname. "Ton? Teng? How do you pronounce this..." "No idea, maybe from some youth training team, never heard of them. You can tell from the number that they are just filling in from the youth team, don''t know him!" ... Inter Milan''s first team office. The slightly graying head coach Mancini had a bit of a headache. He repeatedly looked at the previous game on the computer, the 10th round of Serie A, where Inter Milan lost 0-3 away to Sampdoria! It had deepened the crow''s feet at the corner of Mancini''s eyes! "My God, how can they play so badly, and players of this level are fit to serve Inter Milan?" Mancini''s voice of emotion carried a hint of bewilderment. He had been away from Inter for too long. The current Inter was no longer the Inter he knew! 2004~2008. Mancini coached Inter Milan for four whole years, winning three Serie A titles! In the 2006-2007 season, they set the club''s record for a single-season Serie A points tally of 97, a legendary coach of Inter Milan. But due to poor performances in the Champions League over consecutive years. In the summer of 2008, he was dismissed by Moratti. Afterward, the Italian head coach went to the Premier League and joined Manchester City! Under his reign, the Blue Moon staged the miracle of 9320 in 2012, with a last-second victory over Queens Park Rangers! They edged out their city rivals, the Red Devils Manchester United, to win their first-ever Premier League title in team history. And those years. Inter Milan first, under Mourinho''s management, achieved a historic treble. But then, Benitez, Leonardo, Gasperini, Stramaccioni, Mazzari... These coaches left only faint traces in Inter Milan''s coaching register like a revolving lantern. In short, the results were dismal! Since 2012. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inter Milan had never again reached the Champions League zone. Before Mancini took over. Under Mazzari''s management, Inter Milan, after the first 9 rounds of the 2014-15 season, were only ranked 9th. Forget about contending for the title ¡ª even securing a Champions League spot for the next season was precarious! Seeing the former Serie A powerhouse gradually fall to a mid-tier Serie A team. Inter Milan''s owner, Toshihiko, promptly dismissed Mazzari and chose to bring back the former manager Mancini. As the saying goes, a good horse does not turn back to graze on old grass. But Mancini was also happy to accept this invitation for a second tenure. After all, his previous year''s coaching experience at Galatasaray in the Turkish Super League was not smooth, and his relationship with the management and staff was quite tense. At fifty years of age and in his prime, Mancini needed a weighty coaching position to reprove his value. So, six years later, he returned to the Serie A he was familiar with. Mancini faced the mess left by Mazzari. Taking over midway, he was full of ambition and aspiration. He wanted to bring Inter Milan back to the unbeatable powerhouse in Serie A that he had coached six years ago! Only, just after accepting the appointment and leading the team for his first match, he got a head-on blow! Inter Milan suffered a 0-3 defeat to Sampdoria away. The outcome was that he started smoking again after having quit for two years. Although puffing out smoke couldn''t relieve the depression in his heart, it was a way to divert and discharge, with the smoke perhaps also serving as a cover. In this match, the scene presented a one-sided trend; the Blue-Black Corps was completely suppressed by the sailors. This wasn''t the worst~ The worse part was that the match also cost Inter Milan two key players ¡ª both main strikers Oswaldo and Icardi were injured. Now the team only had two other forwards left. One was the 33-year-old Argentinian veteran Palacio. The other was the mere 17-year-old young forward Bonazzoli. Looking at these two cards in hand, one old, one young, Mancini felt a headache! With this lineup returning home, can they take three points from Genoa? Don''t mention three points, even one point might be difficult... At 6:00 PM local time in Milan. Inter Milan''s bus slowly headed towards the Meazza stadium. There was still 1 hour 45 minutes before the game started, and the players arrived at the stadium early to begin warming up. Sitting at the end of the bus, Tang Long excitedly looked out the window; both sides were full of fans wearing Blue-Black jerseys of Inter Milan. Tang Long had just wanted to wave at the fans through the window when a stinky egg smashed onto the window with a bang. "Bang bang bang!" A few more eggs were thrown at them. "Do you stand up to us? Do you stand up to us fans?" "Already ranked ninth in Serie A, do you need to aim for nineteenth at the season''s end for relegation?" "Have some decency, if you can''t take this match against Genoa, the team might as well be disbanded!" "You can''t score upfront, and you keep conceding at the back. Are you playing football? It''s a total eyesore, ruining my ticket money!" "Toshihiko, get out, Old Mo, please come back to take charge of Inter!" The fans'' curses surged like a tide. Sitting next to Tang Long, Inter Milan''s third substitute goalkeeper Berni, coughed awkwardly. He leaned over Tang Long and reached out to pull the curtains shut. "Kid, don''t worry about that. What the fans say has nothing to do with you; you just focus on watching the game by the bench. Here, wear my headphones; listen to the latest rock coming out of America, haha..." Uncle Berni was quite protective of Tang Long, telling him many things about the first team along the way. After all, one was the third goalkeeper of the team, with hardly a minute of playing time in a season. The other came from the youth team to warm the bench, enjoying the privilege of watching the game for free on the spot. The two naturally warmed up to each other. "Uncle Berni, how do you think we''ll play in this game? It''s our home ground, should we focus on offense?" Tang Long tentatively asked Berni. But Uncle Berni gave him a dismissive look, "Oh come on, offense, what offense!" Berni glanced at the back of head coach Mancini, who was sitting at the front of the bus, and lowered his voice. "I''ve been around, young man, let me tell you, what Mancini is worried about now is the team''s terrible defense. It''s like the team is jinxed since the start of the season with a continuous stream of injuries. Gualin, Hernanes, Mvila, Juan have been in and out with injuries, it''s really frustrating! After 10 rounds in the league, just 10 rounds, do you know how many goals we''ve conceded?" Tang Long immediately replied: "Fifteen, I checked the data." "Yes, fifteen!" Berni slapped his thigh, looking a bit agitated. "In a league like Serie A that prides itself on defense, if we continue with this rate of conceding goals, the team absolutely cannot achieve the goal of reaching the Champions League set at the beginning of the season. Bear in mind, because of our Serie A''s poor performance in recent European Wars, this season the Serie A league only has three Champions League slots~" Berni took off the headphones from Tang Long''s head and put them on his own, eyes slightly narrowed. "Ah, the top three, the top three! Juventus, AC Milan, Naples, Atlanta, Lazio, Florence, who can we really beat? I''ve played in professional leagues for over a dozen years, and I''ve seen it all. In Serie A, if you want to win, you have to rely on resilience; if you can''t hold up, you won''t get points." Chapter 6: Trouble from the Mouth! Conflict Erupts in the Locker Room! Chapter 6 - 6: Trouble from the Mouth! Conflict Erupts in the Locker Room!Initially, Tang Long didn''t have any great expectations of making a substitute appearance in this Serie A match. Whether it was Chiwo''s advice at the training base, or Berni, the third goalkeeper, joking with him on the bus, or even Tang Long''s own understanding of his abilities¡ªthe system rated him at just an Italian Third Division level. Tang Long simply came to the first team with the mindset of watching a match at Meazza Stadium up close for free. "Today''s primary task is to feel the rhythm of a Serie A match. This is Serie A¡ªthe pace is completely different from our youth team. Also, it''d be great to make a few appearances in front of the first-team coach, Mancini, and get him familiar with my face." With this mindset, Tang Long sat relaxed on the bench. "Hello, everyone in the audience!" Here we are broadcasting for you the 11th round of the 2014-2015 Serie A season, Inter Milan hosting Genoa. Now let''s briefly introduce the starting line-ups of both teams. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Oh? Inter has changed their formation, and they are only deploying a lone forward, Palacio! The progression of the game indeed went as Berni, the third goalkeeper, had predicted. Mancini learned a lesson from the 0-3 away defeat to Sampdoria in the last round. At home, he played straightforward defensive counter-attacks. Main striker Icardi sat on the bench due to injury. The team placed the lone and aging 33-year-old Palacio upfront. They massed a large number of laborers and enforcers in midfield and defense. Mancini''s approach was very direct and pragmatic. That was to ensure defense first, steal a goal from Genoa, and then hang on until the end of the match. They were aiming for a 1-0 scoreline! However, Mancini''s plans weren''t going smoothly! Since Inter didn''t take the initiative to attack, Genoa took control of the ball. In the 15th minute of the first half, Genoa, playing away, took charge and launched a very threatening attack. Faced with a high ball from Inter, Genoa''s midfield giant Kuzuka leaped up high and headed it back. "Mine!" Former AC Milan player Girardino outmuscled little Juan and flicked the ball backwards to the wing. Santana got the ball! "This winger named Santana is a speedster!" "Don''t be fooled by his name; when he gets going, he''s not slower than a Lamborghini!" "Santana starts, making a powerful dash with the ball!" "He bypasses Inter''s left-back Jonathan!" "Santana crosses the ball from the wing¡ª" In the penalty area, a red figure ghostly appears. It''s Girardino! He accurately judged the drop point and headed it in between the two-meter gap of Inter''s center backs, scoring! "Haha, I just love this feeling!" Girardino, tongue out, celebrated wildly with his teammates. At that moment, he still felt like he was wearing the red and black stripes, playing in a Milan derby! Inter''s substitute bench was left dumbfounded. Only 15 minutes in, and they''re trailing at home? "Oh no, oh no, made a mistake, boss made a mistake..." Berni covered his mouth with his towel and whispered softly to Tang Long beside him, "Did you see that? We didn''t hold the defense. Now, we have no choice but to push forward and attack." Amidst the piercing boos at Meazza Stadium, Mancini, dressed in a suit and tie, started sweating profusely! The broadcast camera lingered meaningfully on his close-up. The bulging vein on Mancini''s forehead became visible to everyone. He felt as if many eyes were glaring fiercely at him. "Keep your spirits up, it''s still early; play like it''s our home, show some momentum, be bold in your actions!" Mancini clapped hard, trying to rally the players on the field. But the players on the field seemed a bit confused. Weren''t we supposed to hold back? How do you show momentum while holding back? Inter, trailing by a goal at home, had no choice but to come forward and attack. Their formation this match was 361. The positions of midfield wing-backs Jonathan and Yuto Nagatomo started pushing forward! Attempting to use the width of the pitch to pass the ball around and stretch the opponent. However, Genoa, who caught Inter off guard with an early goal, was very pragmatic. "Want to play offensive with me? Sorry, not playing anymore!" Coach Gasperini waved his hand, and the whole team retreated! In an instant, the two teams completed a switch in their attack-defense formations. Inter attacked, Genoa defended! The unexpected early goal left Inter somewhat flustered, and the players appeared quite anxious. It was difficult to penetrate the ball into the opponent''s box through short passes. Bam! Bam! Bam! Midfielder Gualin could only keep shooting long balls! The lone striker Palacio was jumping with frustration! "Why are you so impatient, watch my positioning, stop shooting blindly!" With nothing to show for their siege, the first half ended. Inter Milan was trailing 0-1 at home against Genoa. The home team locker room. Bam! Mancini kicked the door open and walked in. He threw his suit forcefully onto the ground. "What kind of crap are you playing, you guys, if this were seven years ago when I coached Inter, I would''ve sold all of you and asked Moratti to get me a new batch! Crap, it''s all crap!" Mancini kicked a water bottle, which burst open, splashing water onto Tang Long sitting in the back. Berni calmly handed Tang Long a towel. The locker room fell silent, with only Mancini''s rant echoing. "Is Mancini always this temperamental?" Tang Long asked in a low voice. "Hehe, don''t be fooled by his gentlemanly demeanor in front of the media; everyone in the locker room knows his fiery temper, just like Ferguson, Mancini also has a hairdryer treatment!" As soon as Berni finished speaking, they heard Mancini using a mournful tone, almost like singing an Italian opera. "Oh my God, that goal, our defense was pierced so easily; even if I put in our third keeper, Kuzuka wouldn''t have been able to head that ball so easily, he was completely open!" Pffft! Berni couldn''t help but burst into laughter! Mancini paused, eyeing the corner of the locker room. "Who''s laughing, who," Mancini turned his head to Tang Long, "was it you laughing?" Tang Long quickly waved his hands, "Not me!" Mancini glared at Tang Long and then aimed his hairdryer directly at midfielder Gualin. "Gualin!" Gualin, who was drinking water, was startled and choked. "Present!" Mancini: "Why are you blindly shooting, you''re playing football, not basketball. You''re constantly shooting from outside the box, do you think you''re shooting threes?" Gualin: "Huh? I just felt there weren''t any passing opportunities, after all, the opposition retreated so much, their box is full of players." Mancini: "Be patient, a bit more patient, especially when you have the ball often, distribute the ball more to our wing-backs, stop shooting from distance!" Gualin was Colombian and not the most patient. Especially after hearing Mancini criticize his long shots as if they were three-point shots in basketball. The boy felt aggrieved! "What''s this," he mumbled under his breath, "Mazzarri always encouraged me to take long shots, I scored 9 goals last season." "What did you say?!!!" Mancini was stunned. His whole body was trembling! It was a face twisted with rage! Even the other teammates in the locker room, eyes wide, stared at Gualin. Everyone knew. Gualin misspoke! Chapter 7 This way of entering the field, Tang Long really did not expect! Chapter 7 - 7 This way of entering the field, Tang Long really did not expect!Tang Long sat in the corner of the locker room, hearing Gualin''s words clearly. He glanced at Berni beside him. Berni gave Tang Long a bitter grimace. "It''s suicidal, Gualin is being suicidal..." The other teammates remained silent. No one would speak for Gualin at this time. As professional players. The Inter players were well aware. Even Tang Long knew. Gualin had made a big mistake! He used the tactical arrangements of former coach Mazzari to protest against current head coach Mancini! This is indeed suicidal! A major taboo in the workplace! No matter how much Mazzari trusted you, Gualin, what does it matter? He''s already gone! Inter is now led by Mancini, not Mazzari! Logically, the Inter players all serve a prestigious club. Before coming to Inter, they were already seasoned at various clubs. Such a basic workplace principle shouldn''t be unknown. In 2010, when Benitez first joined Inter, he ordered the club staff to tear down the portrait of Mourinho hanging in the stadium corridor. So what if the Portuguese was Inter''s legendary coach? Inter now is under my command! Mancini smiled sinisterly at Gualin. "Well, Gualin, seems like you like Mazzari a lot! Mazzari is quite familiar, we''ve known each other for over a decade. He''s now taking his severance pay from Inter and going back to his hometown in southern Italy to grow grapes. Should I give him a call and let you join him in growing grapes?" Gualin suddenly realized, jumped up, and quickly waved his hands in defense, "It''s not like that, coach, what I meant was, um..." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mancini would not listen to any of Gualin''s explanations now. He pushed Gualin away and then glanced at the other players in the locker room. New officials start with three fires. To establish authority, the first fire¡ª Will cut from Gualin, the former protege of Mazzari! "Guys, I need to make some adjustments in the second half; we are forced to attack. I don''t want any result other than three points from this game." Mancini''s gaze scanned around and then landed on Tang Long in the corner of the locker room. "That black-haired Asian kid, get up!" Seeing Mancini pointing at him, Tang Long was shocked and quickly stood up. "From the youth team? Can you understand Italian?" Mancini asked Tang Long in English. Tang Long nodded and then stammered in unsteady Italian: "I can understand, my English is okay, Italian is a bit poor." Mancini nodded expressionlessly. "In the second half, Gualin is off, you''re on!" Upon hearing this. The locker room was in uproar! Everyone looked at Tang Long with incredulous eyes. Are you kidding! Subbing off the main midfielder Gualin for a rookie from the youth team? "Who is this guy? Do you know him?" "Nope, who knows!" "Crazy, has this kid played a professional league match before? It''s nuts to sub him for Gualin..." "Do they not want to win?" "Ah, no way, this is our home field!" Mancini ignored the whispers of the crowd, unwilling to listen. Just coldly looked at Gualin. The purpose was clear. It''s targeted at you! Gualin''s face was dark. His complexion like rotten pig liver. Mancini was very pleased with Gualin''s reaction. With a broad wave, he directly left the room. Before leaving, he didn''t forget to declare: "I don''t care about what honors you''ve won, which national team you played for, or how you''re a hero in your country. I''m just telling you all, if you openly defy my tactics, even a rookie from the youth team can replace you!" Berni stared at the dumbfounded Tang Long. Swatting him with a towel on the butt. "Haha, what are you dazing for, hurry up and warm up, put on your shin guards, and get ready to play!" ... Inter Milan players walked solemnly through the player tunnel. Tang Long, on the other hand, was overjoyed! Who would have thought! The Serie A debut would start like this? Surprised? Excited! He kept adjusting his shin guards and fiddled with his shorts, busily preparing. The Brazilian wing-back Jonathan passed by Tang Long and glanced at him, then whispered to Campaniello beside him: "Home field, behind 0-1, putting on a youth player who''s never played in a professional league; huh? Has Mancini given up? Are we still playing, how to answer the over fifty thousand spectators?" Campaniello sighed, "The shot hit the standout bird; who told Gualin to speak nonsense, now we''re screwed!" Look at his stammering Italian; I have no idea how to communicate on the pitch with him, I can''t speak English." Striker Palacio worriedly approached Tang Long. "Hey, to win in the second half, we need a lot more movement, I need you to often run diagonally towards me, drag away defenders, give me space, understand?" Palacio, an Argentinian, spoke Italian with an Argentinian rural accent; Tang Long understood partially. He repeated in Spanish. Naturally, Tang Long was even more puzzled! "Ugh, forget it, I''ll handle it myself, headache!" Palacio puckered his lips, waved his hand, and left. Inter captain Ranocchia noticed Tang Long''s predicament. At 1.95 meters tall, he towered over Tang Long, who stood at 1.82 meters. The 26-year-old center back, like a big brother, slung his arm over Tang Long''s shoulder. "Your name''s Tang, right? Tang, don''t be nervous; I''m telling you, follow your youth team''s tactics, lots of movement. You''re young, need to share the load with the old guys! Also, think ahead before you take possession; this is Serie A, very fast-paced! After you get the ball, try to pass to Kovacic since Gualin''s not in, he''s the central organizer. If the opponent is pressing closely, just clear it decisively, better to clear than to lose possession, understand?" Ranocchia poked the team crest on Tang Long''s chest with a fist. "Wearing this jersey, you''re fighting for Inter''s honor, for the sixty thousand fans here, go for it, kid!" Ranocchia gave Tang Long a thumbs up. As Tang Long stepped onto the Meazza stadium. A rush of heat surged from his heart! Tang Long clenched his fists tightly! His childhood idol Ronar once roamed this century-old field in the same blue-black stripes. Now. I''ve done it too! Inter Milan. Meazza stadium. Here I come! (Tang Long''s idol Ronar) Chapter 8: Fans Chant: Sneijder! We Want Sneijder! Chapter 8 - 8: Fans Chant: Sneijder! We Want Sneijder!4:50 a.m. China time, inside the LeSports studio. The commentator Liu Teng yawned and rubbed his eyes. He''s an Inter fan himself, and the first half commentary drained him physically and mentally, his dark circles visibly larger. If he were watching at home, Liu Teng would''ve cursed and turned off the TV by now! What kind of ridiculous play was that! But to earn a living, he had to suppress his disgust and return to the commentary desk. "I believe all of us watching at home had a terrible first half like me. It''s hard to imagine, this is not the Inter we know! But the match goes on, and after reviewing the first half during the break, to turn this around, we have to take Gualin off!" Liu Teng''s suggestion was met with approval from most in the broadcast room. -[Well said! How many times did Gualin send the ball flying in the first half!] -[Gualin seems to have gotten too confident, shooting as soon as he''s 35 meters from goal!] -[Oh my, he dares to shoot from 40 meters out, isn''t that madness!] -[Look at how frustrated Palacio is, he''s almost hopping mad! The midfield only knows how to shoot from distance; no one''s sending through balls to him.] -[Through ball? Who''s going to deliver it? Sneijder has that ability, but he''s gone!] The broadcast switches to the field. Since Gualin was Inter''s strongest player on the field, with broad shoulders, Liu Teng keenly noticed his absence! "My fellow viewers, ha ha, I called it, didn''t I? Mancini made adjustments during the break, and Gualin went off for a drink! Let me see who''s coming on; Inter''s bench has many players with delicate skills who can deliver penetrating through balls, like Alvarez." S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But when Liu Teng saw a young player with black hair and yellow skin standing in Gualin''s position, he was taken aback! "Who''s this number 99 guy? I don''t recognize him." "Wait a second," Liu Teng paused, a hint of delight flashed in his eyes, his whole body shook! "I think I know this guy; isn''t he that... ah¡ª" Ju! The second half begins! Amidst the cheering at Meazza Stadium, Inter launched a wave of attack! The Italian defender Ranocchia exploited his advantage in ball distribution. He''s born as a forward in the youth team, with a strong sense of moving forward with the ball! "Pass it!" Ranocchia found a gap between the opponent''s midfielder and forward, and with a couple of strides, he brought the ball near mid-circle before the opponent''s encirclement closed in on him, gently nudging the ball with his toe to Kovacic. This 20-year-old Croatian midfielder, having played all matches as a main player in the recently concluded 2014 World Cup, had a fresh new aura about him! Confidence and elegance were reflected in his dribbling dance. With a quick observation, he used a feint followed by a cut to pass a Genoa midfielder! Meanwhile, as the ball advanced, Inter''s three lines pressed forward, creating an encirclement around Genoa''s penalty area. "Watch my position!" Argentinian forward Palacio quickly pushed forward, attempting to receive an offside-breaking pass from Kovacic. However, the Croatian midfielder felt the through ball was too simple and opted to continue the pass, stretching the opponent''s defensive width a bit. Pow! The ball was passed to Tang Long, 10 meters on the right! As the ball rolled towards him on the pitch, Tang Long''s nerves immediately tensed up. This was his first touch of the ball all game! Almost in a flash, a familiar brainwave flickered in Tang Long''s mind: "Genoa''s defensive formation has been stretched, our right wingback is overlapping! A threatening chance is about to arise!" In Tang Long''s mental heatmap, the little blue dot representing Inter''s right wingback Yuto Nagatomo was rapidly approaching, sparkling with light. Pow! Tang Long didn''t dare to hesitate, opting not to trap the ball and strategize. Back to goal, without even looking, he nudged the ball forward with the outside of his foot, then immediately started moving forward! Unfortunately! The ball didn''t find Yuto Nagatomo, it slowly rolled out of bounds. Tang Long stopped after a few steps and looked back. Yuto Nagatomo was panting heavily with sweat on his head. He didn''t catch up. It turned out, Yuto Nagatomo was a bit slow to start, coupled with his lack of absolute speed, so he didn''t catch up to the ball. But more importantly, the Japanese wingback hadn''t anticipated Tang Long would pass ball without stopping to control it! He thought Tang Long hadn''t seen him, as Tang Long received the ball facing away from his running path. Playing on the sidelines, Yuto Nagatomo knew the drill, so he nodded at Tang Long twice, indicating it was his own mistake. But Palacio in the middle wasn''t pleased. "What''s going on, can''t even control a simple ball!" Forward Palacio shrugged his hands at Tang Long, thinking it was Tang Long''s poor reception that led the ball out of play. "You could''ve made a direct pass, why give it to some rookie from the youth team?" As if that wasn''t enough, Palacio also snapped at Kovacic. The stands closest to Tang Long on that side of the field showered him with boos! "Who''s this guy, can he even play? To mishandle such a simple ball, isn''t it ridiculous! What a missed opportunity, young players really lack experience! Is this the guy who subbed in for Gualin, and yet he''s playing midfield, do we not have anyone better at Inter!" "Xu¡ªXu¡ª" For Tang Long''s first touch as an Inter player, he was not met with applause and cheers. It was all boos! But Tang Long wasn''t disheartened; instead, he felt a boost of confidence. He knew his idea wasn''t wrong. The problem was Yuto Nagatomo wasn''t committed enough or fast enough in his overlap. "It seems the pace of Serie A is nothing extraordinary; no matter how fast it is, it can''t be faster than the AI analysis in my mind!" With that thought, Tang Long felt more assured. He was searching for the next opportunity. Maybe next time, he''d slow down a bit, allowing his teammates to catch up to his thought process for better results. The game continued. Inter, trailing 0-1, continued a high-pressure assault on Genoa''s half. Bang bang bang¡ª Bang bang bang¡ª The sound of passing echoed across the field. However, seemingly impacted by the "mistake" of his last pass, his teammates rarely passed to Tang Long. Some passes visibly went around him. This clearly demonstrated a lack of faith in Tang Long''s abilities. In a flash, it was 80 minutes into the game. Inter was still trailing! Though they''ve been besieging Genoa in their half, the final pass was always missing the mark. Couldn''t penetrate the box, couldn''t find the forwards! Inter''s midfielders were playing long shots more frequently. Coach Mancini and Inter fans were anxious. If this goes on, they might lose in front of 60,000 home fans! Suddenly, a familiar face appeared on the broadcast¡ª Dutch midfielder Sneijder! In casual attire, he was sitting in the VIP box at the top section of the stands, discussing the game with friends beside him. Even through the large floor-to-ceiling glass, one could clearly see Sneijder''s furrowed brow¡ªhe too was anxious about Inter''s current situation! The fans at Meazza saw Sneijder''s image on the large screens at the east and west corners of the stadium. A burst of exclamations erupted! Ah¡ª "Sneijder! It''s Sneijder! Sneijder has returned, he''s back at Meazza! God, please bring Sneijder back, he''s eternally our master of passing! If he were on the field, he would''ve delivered at least three assists! Sneijder, we want Sneijder! Sneijder, please come back soon!" Chapter 9: A Missed Shot Turns into a Pass? Tang Long is out of this world! Chapter 9 - 9: A Missed Shot Turns into a Pass? Tang Long is out of this world!Why is Sneijder at the Meazza stadium? Born in 1984, Sneijder was cast out by Real Madrid in 2009 and transferred to Inter for a fee of 15 million euros. As the saying goes, "a tree relocates and dies, while people move and thrive!" The Dutch midfielder spent three and a half glorious years at Inter and even became the absolute mainstay of the 2010 Inter team that dominated European football and won the treble! However, the good times didn''t last long. Inter''s owner Moratti gradually cut back on his gratuitous investments in the club after 2011, and the treble-winning contributors were purged. High-salaried Sneijder also moved to Galatasaray in the Turkish Super League in 2013. Logically, with the Turkish Super League underway. Sneijder wouldn''t come to Milan to watch a match. But he suffered a knee injury, and the medical conditions in Turkey are average. Sneijder chose to return to Milan for treatment. And while visiting his old club, he returned to Meazza to watch a game. Even though he left Inter, Sneijder maintained a decent relationship with his former club. Not only did they proactively help him contact a doctor in Milan, but they also invited him to watch a Serie A match in the stadium''s VIP box and meet the fans who adore him. Sneijder originally thought that, with Inter''s strength, playing against Genoa would be a piece of cake! However, after more than a year away, Sneijder expressed the same sentiment in the box tonight as the new Inter coach Mancini: "How did Inter become so weak, and are these players on the field worthy to play for Inter?" It''s now 80 minutes into the game. Inter is still trailing 0-1. Some home fans chose to leave early in protest. Meanwhile, the mere two thousand away fans from Genoa were cheering jubilantly, waving flags for their team! Taking three points from Meazza is a major morale booster for their survival this season! Off the field. Mancini was standing with his hands on his hips, visibly fuming! At the 72nd minute, he replaced the wing-back Jonathan with the towering forward Bonazzoli, who had been promoted from the youth team for half a season. It was a last-ditch effort! But the effect was not obvious. Neither Bonazzoli nor Palacio. Rarely had opportunities to receive the ball in the opponent''s penalty area. Assistant coach Herrera bluntly advised Mancini: "Boss, get that youth team kid with the number 99 off the field; we''re effectively playing with 10 against 11!" Mancini wore a grim expression, giving no immediate response. How could he not know the assistant coach was right? Mancini had long noticed that Tang Long didn''t have his teammates'' trust! It was understandable. Tang Long had never played in a professional league, nor had he ever trained with the first team even once. Thrust in to replace the important midfielder Gualin from the previous regime. The teammates naturally had doubts. Moreover, Tang Long honestly played quite average. In the few touches, dribbles, turns, and ball stops, it was evident. His basic skills were clearly not on the same level as the other Inter players. In the context of Italian professional football, he was merely at an Italian Third Division level at best! "No, we can''t sub out the number 99, take off Alvarez, and put Icardi in!" "But boss, Icardi is not fully recovered, and our team doctor advises against playing him!" "Hurry up, no more dawdling, there''s not much time left!" The proud Mancini wasn''t going to sub Tang Long off. The youth team player with the number 99 was meant for establishing authority, being subbed in during halftime. To swap him out again towards the match''s end. Wouldn''t that be like slapping himself in the face! Mancini wouldn''t do it. When a new official takes the post, they must exhibit strength and establish authority! "Even if we lose this match, I''ll accept it..." Mancini gritted his teeth. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the 82nd minute of the second half, Icardi made a comeback. His appearance was met with cheers from the Inter fans! Now, Inter had three forwards on the field! When behind, stacking forwards in desperation was familiar to fans as Mancini''s Inter. In the VIP box, Sneijder''s eyes lit up, and he said to a friend: "This Icardi, even though I only played with him at Inter for half a season, this kid is a natural scorer; his positioning and shooting skills are definitely top-tier in Serie A." "But unfortunately," Sneijder smiled wryly, "I''m not on the field, who can deliver him those perfect through balls?" Icardi''s inclusion pushed Genoa''s defensive line further back. They quickly subbed off a forward and brought in a tall defender, contracting full-on defense. The penalty area was packed with their players defending! Tang Long continued waiting for his opportunity. He knew that the more forwards Inter had moving, the greater his chance of delivering a killer pass. "Give me the ball, I''m open here!" A vast open space appeared in front of Tang Long, and he quickly signaled to the wing-back Yuto Nagatomo. Perhaps because of a previous failed combination with Tang Long, or perhaps because they were both Asian. Yuto Nagatomo decisively passed the ball to Tang Long this time. "Hey! Don''t hold onto the ball, pass it to me!" Kovacic hurried towards Tang Long, reaching for the ball, afraid that Tang Long would waste the limited time. However, this time, Tang Long had his own plan! "Detected the opponent''s three center backs in disarray, the defensive midfielder out of position, aiming a direct pass from the wing into the penalty area flanks has a 90.67% chance of creating a one-on-one threat!" Within the tactical heatmap constructed in Tang Long''s mind. Among the three forwards, Palacio and Bonazzoli hadn''t made lateral moves. Only Icardi had started with an intention to move laterally! "Icardi, whether this ball can be placed properly depends on your positioning skills!" Tang Long, following the AI-designed passing route, tilted his upper body by 30 degrees, swung his arm, kicked with his leg, eyes fixed on the ball, and struck the center of the ball fiercely with his instep! Bang! The ball zipped along the ground, swoosh swoosh swoosh¡ª Sure enough, it passed through the gap in the disordered area of the center backs, rolling through the gap between two central defenders into the penalty area! "Damn!" Icardi was startled but quickly accelerated his steps! The path Tang Long''s pass took was excellent, but the power was too strong! It was as strong as a shot! Icardi used all his strength, nearly stumbling, but he barely managed to intercept the ball! No sooner had he caught his breath than a shadow loomed over him from behind. The striker''s instinct told Icardi that the covering center back was closing in! Icardi, with his back to goal, nudged and flicked, creating a fake move to pull out some space¡ª Left-footed inside shot! The ball grazed the opponent''s toe, drawing an odd curve in the air, plunging into the top left corner of the goal! "Beautiful!!!!" The Meazza stadium roared! The fans never expected Icardi, just returning from injury, to score such a world-class goal! The score was finally equalized! Icardi waved off the teammates coming to celebrate with him and rushed to retrieve the ball from the net. "We have five more minutes; we still have time!" No one paid attention to Tang Long. Yet Yuto Nagatomo walked over and patted Tang Long on the shoulder. "Lucky shot kid, your off-target attempt became an assist, hahaha!" Tang Long froze, only then realizing. His pass route was indeed correct and effective. Just due to an ordinary passing skill and excessive power. Even his teammates thought he was attempting a shot! And by a stroke of luck, Icardi intercepted the ball midway, turning what was supposed to be a shot into an assist. Everyone thought so! Even Mancini off the field repeatedly said to the assistant coach that fortune favored that moment! However. When Icardi swiftly ran past Tang Long while clutching the ball. He suddenly turned his head to glance at Tang Long. Chapter 10: Success or failure often lies in the instant decision! Chapter 10 - 10: Success or failure often lies in the instant decision!Icardi, born in 1993, is 21 years old this year. Last year, in the summer transfer window of 2013, this Argentine forward transferred from Sampdoria to Inter Milan for 13 million euros. In his first season with Inter, he played 23 times and scored 9 goals. After a season of honing, Icardi''s forward skills have become increasingly refined. This season, he has appeared in all of the first 10 league games, scoring 7 goals. With his strike partner Palacio gradually aging, he has perfectly inherited the mantle of his predecessor Diego Milito, growing into the new generation of Inter''s box predator. Looking across the entire Serie A. Icardi''s sense of smell before the goal is top-notch! Initially, Icardi, like other teammates, thought Tang Long''s assist from outside the box was a fluke. It was just a powerful shot that coincidentally came to his feet. However, Icardi felt a bit odd¡ª Was this really a coincidence? As a top-tier striker in Serie A, Icardi''s positioning is first-class. That run just happened to coincide with Tang Long''s shooting path? "Tang, uh, I mean, were you shooting or passing just now?" He couldn''t help speaking to Tang Long for the first time. "Keep moving, if you run, you''ll have it!" "Okay." When Genoa restarted the play. The clock at Meazza had already reached 88:35. Another minute passed. The fourth official on the sideline raised the board showing 4 minutes of added time. Genoa was fully prepared for defense anyway. Their forwards even retreated to the defensive midfielder position. Mancini stood on the sideline and looked around. Genoa''s penalty area was all red, crammed full. Despite Kovacic utilizing the width of the pitch to pass back and forth, trying to mobilize the opponent. But the opponent, determined to take a point, kept their heads down without coming out! "Enough with the passes, lob it into the box! Ranocchia, little Juan, charge to the center forward position!" With a big wave of Mancini''s hand, Inter switched to a five-center forward formation. In his view, the most pragmatic approach now was to lob the ball directly into the opponent''s penalty area! A bit of a messy battle might just luck one in. The right-wing back Yuto Nagatomo was responsible for crossing the ball. He frequently threw the ball from a 45-degree angle into the opponent''s penalty area. Yuto Nagatomo stood at only 170 cm, the shortest on the field. However, his stamina was very ample, allowing him to maintain stable crossing standards at the wing even in the last few minutes of the match. And with Genoa''s players crowded in the penalty area, Yuto Nagatomo was left unmarked. So, the landing, curve, angle, and power of the ball were all exquisite! Bang, bang, bang! The football, like a cannonball, constantly fell into Genoa''s penalty area, then was headed out, returned to Inter players'' feet, and followed with continuous crosses. In just two minutes, Inter had delivered 8 high crosses! Unfortunately, the opponent''s penalty area was so congested that none of these 8 crosses resulted in a threatening attempt on goal. The fans on-site were jumping anxiously! Behind Genoa''s goal was the north stand, full of devoted Inter fans. Everyone stood up and waved their fists. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Head it into the goal!" "Come on, Icardi, come on, Ranocchia!" "Header, we want a header!" "Make it a killer blow, we want a killer strike!" "Damn it, crush Genoa, crush those Southerners!" Tang Long advanced to near the penalty area. He keenly realized this wouldn''t work! Yuto Nagatomo''s crosses weren''t very effective. No doubt, he could make precise crosses. However, with such straightforward passes, no matter how good you cross, it was challenging to pose any substantial threat to Genoa''s goal! Why? Because there''s no element of surprise! Everyone knows what you''re gonna do, Genoa''s tall defenders are ready, just watching your ball come in. Your passes might be accurate, but we have more defenders! We aren''t afraid of your passes. "Keep playing like this, it''s gonna end in a draw, I really don''t get what they''re doing, the crosses are too monotonous, how can they create threatening plays this way?" In the box suite, Sneijder''s friend asked him. Sneijder shook his head. "They do need to make some changes! However, even you, who don''t play football, can see this logic. Do you think the players on the field don''t know it? But the current situation forces them to play this straightforward crossing game! Within the entire Inter team, no one has the ability to break through the opponent''s defense line with one kick; what they can do is use quantity over quality, continuously bombarding with high balls, and if they scrape one in, they win, that''s it." The friend nodded thoughtfully and said: "Change? Do you mean like that U-19 player with the number 99 did before, turning a shot into a pass, a fluke, and then assisted a score?" Sneijder blinked twice. The words on his lips swallowed back down. "Hey, look, that number 99 got the ball again!" Yuto Nagatomo''s cross was once again cleared by a Genoa defender. But this time, the clearance wasn''t far. It just happened to fall towards the edge of the small penalty area where Tang Long was! Seeing the incoming ball, Tang Long''s mind heated up! Damn it, I''ll give it a volley strike! Just as he stepped back, raised his right arm, pulled back his right leg, fixed his eyes on the football, and was about to swing it. Tang Long was surprised to find¡ªa sudden slowness in time! The football seemed to descend in the air at 0.1 times the speed. The two Genoa players lunging for a tackle seemed to lie on the ground as if they were immobile. Even in the penalty area, Icardi maintained wide-open eyes, staring at him. And the constant bustling noise from the north stand became as faint as the buzz of a mosquito. Time seemingly froze! A familiar prompt sounded¡ª "According to big data analysis, at this moment, a volley shot has a 63% chance of being blocked by the defensive players, a 35% chance of going astray, a 2% chance of hitting the goal frame, and a 1% chance of a goal. At the right, our wing-back position is completely open; pass the ball unexpectedly to the flank, let the right wing-back cross, and the goal probability increases to 30%." Tang Long immediately reacted, wanting to adjust his kick from a shot to a pass. But it was really challenging! His body had already been posed, and with his current football skills, it was extremely difficult to retract in an instant! In a flash, time suddenly sped up! Everyone on the field switched back to normal speed! First, the bustling noise from the north stand surged into Tang Long''s eardrums like a tidal wave! Then the tackles from three Genoa defenders swooped under his eyelids in a swoosh! He could even feel a rush of heat coming at him! Almost instinctively, Tang Long strained to twist his body! Using all his energy, he flicked his ankle, almost striking the bottom of the football¡ª The ball smashed against his outer foot! Then soared high towards the right wing! Chapter 11 Everyone thinks Tang Long is just lucky? But Sneijder doesn’t think so! Chapter 11 - 11 Everyone thinks Tang Long is just lucky? But Sneijder doesn''t think so!Tang Long''s movement was incredibly awkward. So much so that his entire body twisted in a half-spin in the air. Then he fell awkwardly to the ground, colliding with the Genoa player who came flying in for a tackle. "Sigh¡ª¡ª" All the Inter fans in the North Stand held their heads in despair! They were originally hoping for a miracle. Hoping that this unknown No. 99 youth team player could make a last-minute winner with a volley! But the ball he kicked was high and floating. It flew towards the sideline. Even Mancini on the sidelines covered his face and knelt on the ground, extremely frustrated. But just as the Genoa players were gasping with relief in their hearts. Just when everyone thought this ridiculous shot was ridiculously going to fly towards the sideline. Everyone thought the Genoa players could use this sideline ball to delay for half a minute and let the game time end like this¡ª A small blue and black figure, like lightning, suddenly emerged halfway! He was not in the same rhythm as everyone else; he accelerated suddenly! It''s the right wingback Yuto Nagatomo! He jumped into the air to intercept the ball! His ample physical strength allowed him to still sprint 100 meters on the wing at the last moment, keeping his ball control technique intact. "Damn it!" With a heart rate of 150, Yuto Nagatomo didn''t have time to think too much; his heart was pounding, and he almost instinctively rushed towards the Genoa penalty area! The Genoa players only then woke up from their dream! "Stop him, stop his pass!" But all the reactions were too late! Due to the sudden change in Inter''s offensive rhythm, this wing attack caught Genoa off guard! In a flash, the small Yuto Nagatomo had already inserted into the penalty area! Bang! Bang! These two sounds. The first sound was Yuto Nagatomo sweeping the ball into the small penalty area with his instep! The second sound was Icardi receiving the ball with a push shot into the net! "Ju-Ju-Ju¡ª¡ª" The ball was still spinning in the net and hadn''t fallen yet when the referee''s whistle sounded! The match ended! The large scoreboard at the Meazza Stadium emitted a "ding", and the numbers changed to 2-1! Inter Milan achieved a last-second victory over their opponents in stoppage time! Sixty thousand home fans were in a frenzy! Rumble! Rumble! The Meazza erupted in a thunderous cheer like a landslide! An earthquake! "Icardi!" "Icardi!" "I-Car-di-di-di-di-di!!" The Inter players pushed the Argentine striker who scored the winning goal to the ground. Even Mancini on the sidelines ran with an airplane celebration gesture. This last-minute win was truly satisfying! And at this moment, Tang Long. Was rubbing his thigh, struggling to get up from the ground, limping. He lifted his pants to look, and there was already a bruise on the inside of his thigh. This was the mark from the earlier collision with the opponent''s tackle. No one paid attention to him. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Genoa players all collapsed to the ground, covering their faces. Inter''s teammates surrounded the Argentine who scored the winner. Tang Long watched as Icardi was piled on the ground in an Arhat Heap. He wanted to run over to celebrate together, but the pain in his thigh made it difficult for him to move. He simply looked in Icardi''s direction and gave a faint smile. "Hey, are you okay?" A deep voice behind him called out, and Tang Long turned around to see it was the sweat-drenched captain Ranocchia. Ranocchia, on his way to Icardi, saw Tang Long painfully lying on the ground and didn''t hesitate, turning back to check on the youth team rookie''s injury. "It''s nothing, captain, just got hit in the thigh." "Hmm! You''re really lucky, kid. One wayward shot ended up perfectly landing at Yuto Nagatomo''s feet, haha, twice now! You''ve been so lucky today!" "Uh, no, captain, I was deliberately passing, not shooting." "Hahaha, what are you pretending, kid? You think you can fool me? No worries, there''ll be more chances in the future. Sometimes, having good luck is also a talent, it''s only good, enjoy it!" Ranocchia punched Tang Long''s chest twice. Then he ran off towards the group celebration, still shouting back to him: "Join us!" Tang Long chuckled, then lay back on the ground. He felt a bit ridiculous! And also extremely exhausted! This was his Serie A debut. Some unexpected twists and he found himself playing; it was truly unforeseen! Honestly, given his current stamina, playing half a game in Serie A was already his limit. Even though the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System provided him with a lot of preemptive analysis. Guided by AI and large-scale data, Tang Long could anticipate situations faster than anyone else. But his technical skill was still lacking! Twice he delivered excellent passes, yet the power was either too strong, or his movements were extremely awkward. To the point where his teammates misunderstood him. They thought it was just good luck~ Tang Long''s lonely back was a stark contrast to the other teammates celebrating together. In the VIP box in the stands. The Dutchman Sneijder and his friend were celebrating passionately! With arms around each other''s shoulders, singing and dancing! "Ole, ole ole ole~ Ole ole, ole ole~" This last-minute winner was so thrilling to watch! Even if it was just a regular Serie A match. But to come from behind to a last-minute victory. The process was utterly exhilarating, absolutely delightful! Sneijder placed his hands on the wide floor-to-ceiling glass. Watching the Meazza Stadium turn into a sea of joy. Watching the fans below the box waving their scarves at him. Seeing some fans still wearing his No. 10 Inter Milan jersey from back in the day. Sneijder''s eyes began to water. It was as if he had gone back to the summer of 2010, at the Bernab¨¦u Stadium, winning the European treble with his teammates! "Haha, cheers!" Sneijder held up his wine glass and clinked it against the glass. "Wesley, your old club really lucked out today," his friend said, "that No. 99, he''s just a lucky kid, twice messing up the shots, and both accidents turned into key passes!" "Especially that penultimate pass for the winner, it was hilarious," his friend chuckled, "a ball headed for the sideline turned into a perfect pass, really changed the game, so interesting!" Sneijder turned, taking a sip of red wine. "That pass completely caught Genoa off guard, a very nice pass." Sneijder paused, then continued: "This is what I was telling you about a change of rhythm, understand? Yuto Nagatomo''s cross was indeed accurate, but such straightforward passing lacks surprise, I don''t like that. I prefer passes like that No. 99, that catch you off guard." His friend smiled dismissively. "Wesley, are you kidding, what right does that rookie have to compare with you! You''re making intentional passes, he''s making accidental ones! You''re strength, he''s luck, he''s just guessing, hahaha!" Sneijder swirled his drink, finished it in one gulp, and placed the glass back on the table. "How come I feel that these two kicks don''t quite seem like accidents?" His friend was startled and asked incredulously: "Not guessing? Wesley, you mean to say, that No. 99 was intentionally passing?" Chapter 12: Mancini’s Art of Management: Offering Tang Long a First Team Professional Contract! Chapter 12 - 12: Mancini''s Art of Management: Offering Tang Long a First Team Professional Contract!After the match, Inter forward Icardi, who scored twice, was named the MVP of the match. The spotlight flashed, and he held up the trophy high with both hands, shouting the slogan: "Forza Inter!" This spirited pose seemed to be the new king of Meazza. Italian "Sky Sports" was the first to rate the players'' performance. "Icardi, 9 points, the best of the match, dominated the game!" "Yuto Nagatomo, 8 points, his tireless running compensated for this Japanese player''s physical shortcomings, and he assisted Icardi''s winning goal in the final moments!" "Kovacic, 7.5 points, this Croatian, who has gone through the baptism of the World Cup, showed increasing maturity in midfield control, excellently managing the midfield task." "Ranocchia, 7 points. Although the first goal was due to his position loss, his defense was steady in the rest of the match, preventing any further goals." "Tang, 7 points, blessed by the goddess of fortune, he appeared so lovable tonight. Whatever the case, his two touches changed the game." "Handanovic, 6.5 points. The goal had nothing to do with him, Inter''s goalkeeper faced little overall pressure in this match." "Coach Mancini, 6.5 points. In his first home game after returning, he secured three points in front of 57,000 fans, though the process was extremely difficult." Inter Youth Training Camp. A little past nine in the evening, U19 youth team coach Leno hurried back. He had just finished the UEFA A-level coach examination in Bern, Switzerland. He rushed back by car to the office in Milan. Tomorrow, in the afternoon, there''s a youth team league match to play, the dedicated Leno must prepare immediately. Leno, carrying a bag, went to the toilet and happened to run into his assistant coach Chiwo. The two went to the bathroom together. "Haha, Leno, you''re really dedicated, coming to the office so late. Impressive!" "Aren''t you here too? Is the starting list for tomorrow ready?" "Yes, it''s on your desk." "Hmm, by the way, which youth players from the first team did you report up this round?" "Tang." "Tang?" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, the Chinese guy, Tang Long." Hearing this name, Leno exaggeratedly shuddered. He accidentally got his hand wet! He looked at Chiwo with a melancholic expression, really wanting to wipe his hand on Chiwo. "Have you gone mad, Chiwo! This Chinese guy''s contract is expiring next month, and he''s leaving. Why report him up for such a good opportunity? Why not leave it for a promising player in the team?" Chiwo appeared indifferent. Although he is just an assistant coach, he was a famous player in Inter''s treble-winning team before retiring, so he speaks firmly with the head coach. "I think Tang is quite talented, and besides, I also offered him a new youth team contract." Leno frowned. "You''re going too far, Chiwo! You can''t issue a new contract without my permission." Chiwo zipped up his pants with a zzzzip, turned his head to Leno, and said while walking: "You''re right, Leno, maybe I shouldn''t have given him a new contract, it''s a waste anyway, because in the just-finished match, Tang Long appeared for the first team and was lucky enough to accidentally assist. I suspect Mancini likes this lucky star a lot." Leno, slightly disheveled, was left alone on the spot. Compared to Inter''s indifference to Tang Long. The Chinese soccer community was in uproar! The day after the match ended. The reports about Tang Long had flooded the headlines of major news media. "Tencent Sports": Tang Long''s Serie A debut! First Chinese player to appear in Serie A! "Toutiao": What Ma Mingyu couldn''t achieve, 18-year-old Tang Long did! "Sports Weekly": Assist! Key passes! Tang Long helps Inter reverse Genoa! On Weibo''s hot search, Tang Long''s name ranked first! #Tang Long''s Serie A debut makes history in Chinese football! The video of Tang Long''s two key passes, with clicks exceeding ten million! Many veteran Serie A fans were thrilled. Especially the older fans who fell in love with Inter because of Ronaldo. When did they ever think, once upon a time, that a Chinese player would wear the Inter jersey and run on the grass of Meazza Stadium? Never even dreamed of it! Especially seeing Japan''s Yuto Nagatomo, representing Inter in multiple appearances over the years. The Chinese fans have been heartbroken! Why are Japanese players able to achieve what we, Chinese players, cannot? Now, it''s good, Tang Long''s appearance fills the gap of Chinese players in Serie A! However, in the video of Tang Long''s key pass, the top comments on Weibo were not without chilly remarks, and with the rising popularity, occupied the top four hot comments. "I don''t understand football, but it''s obvious, this assist was clearly a fluke kick, just lucky it got to a teammate''s feet, right?" "Haha, it''s typical of the men''s soccer team, really? Even our female footballers could play better individually!" "Come on, accidental events being hailed as Inter''s savior? Anything for attention, eh?" "I watched the whole replay, to be honest, Tang Long was completely isolated from the team''s overall play, his current level doesn''t even qualify for the Inter first team. I heard a rumor that Tang Long''s appearance was just Mancini''s pawn in the locker room struggle." ... Mancini sat at the office computer. Playing back over and over the recently concluded Serie A match. This is his habit, the day after the match, no matter how tired, he always spends three hours reviewing with his assistant coach Herrera. Summarizing experiences and lessons, setting correction targets. From coaching for so many years, this has become a good habit for Mancini and is a testament to his professional ethics. But this match against Genoa. In the review, Mancini and assistant coach Herrera had a huge disagreement! The point of conflict was Tang Long. Assistant coach Herrera thought Tang Long was completely isolated from the team''s tactics, and even in the youth team, he wasn''t a starter, with no need to stay in the first team. "Head coach, I don''t understand what we''re debating about with this player Tang, we all see clearly his competence isn''t on par with his teammates, we can''t keep him in the first team just because he luckily assisted, it''s a waste of the first team''s registration slot!" Mancini disagreed. Regarding Herrera''s words, he only agreed halfway. "Indeed, Tang''s skills don''t match the first team; I know this better than you. But I not only want to keep him in the first team, I also want to give him a first-team professional player contract!" Huh? Herrera was stunned! Giving Tang Long a first-team contract? Crazy! This probably isn''t even something Tang Long could have imagined. Of course, Mancini also provided his reasoning. "Herrera, you''ve been with me since the Turkish Super League, you should mature more, you need to know that in the world of football, it''s never just about playing games so simply. Was Gualin confronting me in public just a coincidence? Why did I suppress Gualin? To maintain control of the locker room! But, is there only one Gualin in the locker room? Icardi, Kovacic, Alvarez, and Mvilla, are these players obedient kids with a little sweet talk? The world changes quickly; today''s players are not the same as ten years ago. They are inherently rebellious persons, with millions of euros in salary, millions of followers on social media, and are the focal points in their respective countries for every move they make; their mentalities have long been inflated! Indeed, swapping Tang in for Gualin was a bold gamble, but we won it in the end, didn''t we?" Mancini brushed his gray hair. Then lit a cigarette, puffing and exhaling clouds. "I not only want to keep Tang in the first team; every match he will be in the substitute list, sitting on the sideline! This kid''s presence is to prove to everyone on the first team that if anyone dares to defy me, I will immediately replace you with a young player who has never played a professional match¡ª¡ªin Inter Milan, no one is irreplaceable!" Hearing this, assistant coach Herrera nodded slightly. He roughly understood. Mancini wants to use Tang Long as an extension of his willpower. "But Boss, why does it have to be him, isn''t it better to use another youth player, Leno has many hopeful stars under him." "No, it has to be Tang! Because his skill level is low, the worse he is, the greater his significance in the locker room." Herrera''s eyes lit up, giving Mancini a thumbs-up. "Boss, your skill in managing personnel is truly professional!" Chapter 13: Green Grass Wisdom Engine System Upgrade, Launching [Smart AI Cloud Training]! Chapter 13 - 13: Green Grass Wisdom Engine System Upgrade, Launching [Smart AI Cloud Training]!Excited heart! Trembling hands! Witnessed by Coach Mancini. Under the poster of the 2010 treble-winning trophy covering the entire wall behind him. Tang Long solemnly signed his name on the professional contract with the first team. Five years, after-tax annual salary of 400,000, this is the base salary of the first team. At the moment of signing, a familiar voice echoed in his mind! "Congratulations, host, on signing a professional contract with Inter!" "Green Grass Wisdom Engine System upgraded!" "Basic level ¡ª¡ª Intermediate level!" "Now unlock [Smart AI Cloud Training Mode]!" Mancini''s fingers gently tapped the table, looking at Tang Long meaningfully. From now on, Tang Long would be his direct prot¨¦g¨¦ in the locker room. Also his planted insider within the team. "Young man, play well, I have great hopes for you!" "Coach, I will work hard, not to let you down!" At Mancini''s suggestion. Inter''s official website published a news piece on the homepage specifically. [Congratulations to the 18-year-old rookie Tang Long for signing a professional contract with Inter Milan Club] Below the smiling photo of Tang Long and Mancini. Was an interview with Mancini from Inter''s official TV. "Why choose Tang Long? Because I value his potential, in my opinion, Tang already has the ability to play in Serie A matches." "Contributed an assist last match? Yes, he helped the team greatly, which is the direct reason I promoted him to the first team, I am very grateful to him." "Tang Long''s characteristics? In my opinion, Tang is a very comprehensive player, capable of playing multiple positions in the forward midfield." "How many opportunities will he get? I must emphasize, under my coaching, everyone gets equal opportunities, Inter Milan is a fair football stage, just like the club founder''s slogan more than a hundred years ago: We are brothers of the world!" The news of Tang Long officially signing with the first team was also immediately spread to China through the internet. This time, Chinese fans were even more shocked! More shocking than Tang Long''s Serie A debut! "Isn''t this speed too fast, originally thought it was just a routine Serie A day trip for a youth team player!" "Looks like Mancini has been watching Tang Long for some time, he trusts Tang''s ability!" "Signing a professional contract is definitely a great thing for Tang Long, although it can be expected that he won''t have much playing time in upcoming matches, but being able to train and play with first team stars is definitely a catalyst for Tang Long''s growth!" "Hahaha, although I am a Premier League fan, now I have the motivation to stay up late watching Serie A." However, quite a few people expressed deep skepticism about this signing! In fact, many Chinese fans have an understanding of the strength of domestic players. Far from reaching a state of expansion. Someone said that Tang Long was promoted from a rookie youth team player to the first team solely because Inter Milan Club valued the vast market behind him in China! "I''m here to guarantee, Tang Long''s signing is purely a commercial agreement!" Just wait, next, Inter''s viewing rates in China will skyrocket, Chinese sponsors will rush to offer money! There must be agent operations behind this, then after a year, exporting to domestic sales, buying back with 100 million RMB ¡ª I''ve already pre-empted the storyline, no thanks needed. Also want to fool me into watching Serie A in Underworld time? Signing a sales-type player, meaningless, sigh! When will our Chinese players, be able to rely securely on hard skills to become main players in the top five leagues like Yuto Nagatomo!" Tang Long immediately returned to the youth team to say goodbye to his teammates. The youth team teammates looked at him with sour eyes. Head coach Leno gave a perfunctory greeting. Only the appreciative assistant coach Chiwo privately said to Tang Long: "In a European powerhouse like Inter, relationships in the locker room are complex. As a newcomer, best not to meddle, nor take sides, just train hard, cherish this opportunity, not everyone has the experience of serving for a powerhouse like Inter." Chiwo said if encountering any difficulties, he could communicate with Sane. "Sane will forever be my captain, he is a good person, you can confide all to him, he can help you. Tang, your strength is your understanding of football, but your basic skills are still very weak, if possible, do extra training after regular sessions! You are now a first team player, do not care about the unusual looks of others. Remember one thing: In the world of football, nobody cares about your skin color, nationality, background, only exceptional skills will earn you admiration!" Tang Long remembered his mentor Chiwo''s teachings. So as soon as he moved to the first team''s dormitory. He eagerly activated the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System. Keen and ready, he entered the [Intelligent AI Automatic Training Ground]! According to the system''s prompts. This is the reward after the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System entered the intermediate level. The feature is that training can be simulated in the brain through intelligent AI! Ordinary players who want to train must physically go to the court or gym and sweat. Some even hire private coaches at high costs to assist with weak areas. But after Tang Long entered the [Intelligent AI Automatic Training Ground], he just needed to sit still to [Cloud Train] in his brain! Progress in [Cloud Training] is not only fast and efficient but can directly feedback into Tang Long''s body. Simply put. Other players train for two or three hours a day, their bodies start getting fatigued, their brains generate resistance. But Tang Long, apart from daily training, can be training anytime and anywhere! And it won''t consume any of his physical energy. His skills can grow imperceptibly. "Intelligent AI Automatic Training Ground is open, please choose the training project, host!" "Alright, now start passing training!" Tang Long entered a simulated training and was amazed to find a row of people standing opposite! Pirlo, Beckham, Luo, Harvey, Iniesta... These people stared blankly, like robots, at Tang Long. Tang Long walked up and pinched the faces of these world-class passing masters. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sure enough, just like real people~ "Please choose the passer for practice, host!" Wow! Cloud training, as if that''s not enough. There''s also Cloud Practice! Practice, as if that''s not enough, the first-rate pass masters of the world football are here to assist. This privilege, placed in the real world, is simply a pipe dream! "It''s you, Iniesta, let''s start with short passes first!" Tang Long chose Bar?a''s Spanish midfielder Iniesta. Chapter 14: Sparring Partner Iniesta, This Treatment Is Exceptional! Chapter 14 - 14: Sparring Partner Iniesta, This Treatment Is Exceptional!Tang Long chose Iniesta as his sparring partner for a reason. Compared to Pirlo, Harvey, and Beckham, who excel at precise long passes, Iniesta''s passing style is characterized by short passes and through balls! Tang Long analyzed his position at Inter Milan and realized that if he made appearances, he would mostly act as a supporting player. Unlike his teammate Kovacic, who could orchestrate the midfield with long passes. In the AI Cloud Training Ground, Iniesta was expressionless, like an emotionless robot, as he began training Tang Long in short passes. "Detected that the host''s passing fundamentals need improvement, please follow me and start with the most basic passing drills!" Iniesta and Tang Long maintained a distance of about 10 meters, moving forward in a parallel slow run. Without stopping the ball, they passed it back and forth between their feet. "Thump thump thump¡ª" "Thump thump thump¡ª" In the vast training field, only the sound of passing echoed. This is the basic passing drill designed to foster connection with teammates while running and advancing. Tang Long practiced this countless times in his youth. Yet, in the Cloud Training Ground, mistakes still occurred. Sometimes, the touch wasn''t controlled well, and the ball was passed too far, out of Iniesta''s reach; Sometimes, the passing line lacked foresight, ending up behind Iniesta who was in motion; And sometimes, the ball didn''t stay grounded but bounced up! This indicated inaccuracy in ball contact. Don''t underestimate this simple passing drill; it exposed Tang Long''s lack of solid foundational skills. Each time Tang Long made a mistake, Iniesta would pause to provide guidance. Even demonstrating in slow motion to illustrate posture control during passing. "Tang, don''t lock your ankle too stiffly, this is passing, not shooting. Yes yes, relax a bit, don''t lean too far forward!" Watching Bar?a''s former main player coaching him like a youth team trainer, Tang Long felt a bit dazed, as if he were dreaming~ This treatment was top-notch! Top-notch! A whole different level of top-notch! Afterward, the two started practicing overlapping passing while running. The difficulty gradually increased, integrating uneven speed runs into the overlap exchanging passes. ... When Tang Long opened his eyes again. It was already eleven thirty at night. The table he had just cleared was previously bathed in the warm Mediterranean winter sunshine. Now, the room was enveloped in darkness. Tang Long got up to turn on the light, reflecting on the 5-hour passing drill he had just completed. Indeed, Iniesta deserved his reputation, being a top-notch passing maestro in world football! During the training with Tang Long, he never made a single mistake, even salvaging many of Tang Long''s errant passes. In his interaction with the Spanish midfielder, Tang Long discovered many personal flaws, like incorrect body posture during passing. These were issues that had never been rectified in his previous training! "Ding!" "Congratulations to the host for completing the first session of [AI Intelligent Cloud Training]!" "Sparring player for this session, Iniesta!" Iniesta appeared before a projector, wearing black-rimmed glasses and wielding a pen like a teacher. Pointing at the PPT screen! It displayed that during the five-hour passing drill, Tang Long completed 6282 passes. It also listed the deficiencies and drawbacks of Tang Long''s passing in this session, offering suggestions for further improvement. "This session''s training rating: 6.5 points, looking forward to our next session, bye!" Like a robot, Iniesta waved goodbye to Tang Long emotionlessly. "Ding!" "Passing stat increased!" "Short pass 54¡ª¡ª55!" Though it was just a minor improvement. Tang Long was nonetheless filled with anticipation for this kind of AI Cloud Training. Being able to have world-renowned stars as sparring partners is something one can only daydream about in game simulations. Plus, despite completing five hours of training, Tang Long wasn''t tired at all! Normally, two hours of training would drain all of Tang Long''s energy. This is the biggest advantage of Cloud Training¡ª Restoring stamina, enhancing skills, all without being constrained by space or time! If he could gain at least one point a day, one hundred days would mean 100 points, and with AI''s real-time analysis and judgment in matches, Tang Long felt a surge of confidence for his future at Inter! It was already midnight. Tang Long gazed out the window, where the training base resembled a forest, with tall oak trees rustling in the night breeze. The moonshine was cool. In the Mediterranean climate''s winter, the night''s chilly winds would replace the bright sunshine, bringing a sharp coolness to the skin. Tang Long was about to close the window when a head suddenly popped in! "I CTMD!" Startled, Tang Long stepped back, blurting out a curse. Upon closer inspection, it was Bonazzoli! Standing outside the window, Bonazzoli grinned at Tang Long inside the room. "Bonazzoli, what are you doing?" "My dearest Tang, fancy going out for fun?" "Fun about what?" "Going to the nightclub for some blondes!" Bonazzoli was 17, a year younger than Tang Long. He had been promoted from the youth team to the first team early in the season. However, unlike Tang Long, Bonazzoli hadn''t signed a first-team professional contract. His employment relationship remained with the youth team, frequently toggling between the youth and first teams. It was only in the past two months that he was stabilized, staying with the first team long term and moved into the dormitory prepared for him by the first team. There wasn''t much interaction between Bonazzoli and Tang Long in the youth team. Yet he had a nice character, being warm to everyone, with the sort of enthusiasm that comes alive around people. Tang Long''s arrival made Bonazzoli so excited he was nearly in tears! Boo hoo hoo~ Finally, a buddy to hang out with! Previously, the entire training base, come nighttime, excluding some remaining staff, had only him staying there. There was no other choice, money wasn''t plentiful, and his youth contract only came with an annual allowance of 50,000 euros. Rent a place in Milan with this money, and there''d hardly be any funds left for clubbing and dating? Not worth it. Bonazzoli understood the math very well. "It''s great you came, I felt so bored at night alone here, let''s sneak out and have fun, Tang!" Bonazzoli didn''t stand on ceremony, climbing in through the window, dragging Tang Long towards the door. "I''m not going, I want to watch the game." Tang Long pointed at the laptop on the table. It was showing a game from the 2011-2012 season, Serie A''s second round match between Juventus and Chievo. "Watch the game? Which game? I''m taking you clubbing, there''re even bigger balls to watch than soccer! Come on, let''s go!" "Sneaking out late, aren''t you afraid of breaking a leg? Safety, first." "Are you really 18? You sound like those old fogies in their forties, hesitating around. Don''t you fancy Italian women?" "Nah, if you want to go, go ahead. I''m seriously watching the game." Tang Long paused and teased him, "If the girls drain you dry, wouldn''t you risk missing your first-team contract signing?" This struck Bonazzoli''s weak spot! He was regarded as Italy''s rising front-line star! The main center forward for the current Italian youth national team. Yet, even though he''d been with the first team for six months, he still hasn''t secured a first-team contract. Whereas Tang Long, who had only just arrived, had beaten him to it! Feeling a bit trumped, Bonazzoli pretended to brandish a fist at Tang Long before grumblingly climbing back out the window. Before leaving, he intentionally left a footprint on the white wall. Tang Long helplessly chuckled. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Returning to the table, he resumed watching his game footage. After having completed the task of watching 1,000 match recordings last time. The system assigned a new task of watching 500 full match feeds. Yet this time, Tang Long''s selection was more strategic. He decided to watch 500 Serie A matches. After all, the style of Serie A games differs from other leagues and international cup matches. ... At half past two in the morning. Bonazzoli drunkenly returned to the base. As he staggeringly passed by Tang Long''s dormitory, he noticed the window light was still on. With an alcohol-fueled mumble, he murmured, "T-this kid must be crazy, doesn''t like Italian girls, j-just likes watching matches, a lunatic, hiccup~ yep, a lunatic, truly a lunatic!" Chapter 16: Chapter 16 - 16: "What do they need, and what can you provide?Tang Long had heard about the factions within the dressing rooms of big clubs in his past life. This isn''t really hard to understand. Where there are people, there is ''jianghu'' (a community with its own rules)! It''s the same in the workplace for an ordinary employee, just as it is in a football club''s dressing room! Especially for a European powerhouse club like Inter. Although the Blue-Black Corps'' performance has declined in recent years and hasn''t made it to the Champions League zone. Nonetheless, from historical achievements to the traditional status in fans'' hearts in the football world. Inter Milan is still one of the top three clubs in Serie A and around the top ten in Europe! The players who earn a salary at Inter are all top-level stars~ Although on the surface, they seem harmonious on the field. But privately, factionalism is extremely common. After Uncle Berni finished talking about the four major factions in Inter, he went silent. He just sipped his coffee with a smile, silently watching Tang Long, as if waiting to observe his reaction before offering further explanation. Tang Long called over a waiter to refill Uncle Berni''s coffee. He noticed a detail! In the earlier conversation, when Berni mentioned the Italian Gang within Inter, he named Ranocchia, Andreolli, and Dambrosio. But Berni himself wasn''t mentioned. He''s Italian too! "Uncle Berni, how''s your relationship with the Italian Local Gang?" Tang Long asked tentatively. Uncle Berni seemed to have anticipated Tang Long''s question, put down his coffee, and said smoothly: "That''s a good question! Although I''m Italian, I don''t belong to the Italian Gang. In fact, I''ve never participated in any factional activities at Inter. You ask why? Ha! As a third goalkeeper who was added just to fill the European youth training quota, someone who barely plays a game or two in a season, I have no need to get involved in certain things, and even if I did, it would be pointless. You should know that in a club like Inter, not everyone takes sides, and even those from the same cultural background don''t necessarily stick together. For example, there''s Hernane in the midfield, a Brazilian, but he never hangs out with the South American Gang led by Gualin. Instead, he has a pretty good relationship with the Argentine Gang. And as for me? I just earn my 500,000 annual salary honestly, retire in a year or two, and at my age, I''ve seen through certain things." Tang Long couldn''t detect any sense of melancholy one might expect from a player in the twilight of his career in Uncle Berni''s words. Instead, he seemed relaxed and at ease. He appeared unwound, and it was clear they were heartfelt words. Tang Long nodded. Since Berni wasn''t involved with any faction, what he said was more credible. Tang Long continued to ask Berni for guidance. Berni, with an experienced stance, said to Tang Long: "Tang, if you were a superstar like Messi and Ronaldo, you wouldn''t need to join any faction, because you''d be the club''s most central asset, and the board would keep you firmly within its grasp. But at this stage, as a bottom-tier first-team player, the first thing you need to do is establish a footing. If you want to challenge the South American Gang led by Gualin, you must join a faction ¡ª the Argentine Gang, Italian Local Gang, or Former South Gang. Which do you think suits you?" At this moment, two scenarios came to Tang Long''s mind! Both occurred in the last home match against Genoa. The first scenario was about Icardi from the Argentine Gang. After he assisted Icardi in scoring, everyone thought it was just an accidental mishit. But Icardi asked him whether it was intentional or accidental. From Icardi''s eyes, Tang Long saw half trust, half confusion. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clearly, this striker with top-level Serie A positioning awareness had a much higher understanding of passing and positioning lines than his teammates. The second scenario was about Ranocchia from the Italian Gang. The penultimate pass for Icardi''s winning goal came from Tang Long. After passing the ball, he was brutally tackled by Genoa''s two center-backs! Afterward, everyone on the field was celebrating Icardi''s game-winner. But only teammate Ranocchia came over and asked if Tang Long was injured. "Uncle Berni, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions?" "Haha, don''t ask me, I just helped you analyze the situation. As for what you want to do, that depends on you." Berni paused for a moment and then thoughtfully said: "Tang, having mixed in professional football for many years, I have joined factions with others in the dressing room when I was young, which taught me a lesson. To gain someone''s support, you must meet their needs. What do they need, and what can you provide? Whether you can fulfill each other''s needs is the key to whether you can come together!" That evening. Tang Long didn''t rush to review game routes to feed the AI in his dorm at the base. Nor did he enter the Cloud Training Ground. He carefully recalled the conversation with Berni over coffee that afternoon. First, he immediately ruled out the Former South Gang. The only main player was Handanovic, Kovacic was a rotational player, and Korshin was a fringe figure. The Former South Gang was quite weak in Inter. That left only the Argentine Gang and the Italian Local Gang. The former has many members occupying many key positions. The latter holds the crucial captain''s seat. "What do they need, and what can you provide? Whether you can fulfill each other''s needs is the key to whether you can come together!" Berni''s words alerted Tang Long. Currently, the Argentine Gang has the greatest influence in Inter. The recently retired legendary captain SaneµÙ is rumored to be entering the executive ranks. If he could be protected by the Argentine Gang, he naturally wouldn''t fear Gualin''s South American Gang. But would the Argentine Gang accept him? Why would they protect a Chinese person? After all, he was just a lower-level figure in Inter. The same applied to the Italian Local Gang. What benefits could Tang Long bring to the Italian Gang? What needs could he satisfy for them? Tang Long opened his computer and pulled up the starting lineup for Inter against Genoa. He circled two players. Icardi of the Argentine Gang. Ranocchia of the Italian Local Gang. "Icardi is Inter''s top scorer this season. According to my past life''s memory, he''ll win the Serie A Golden Boot at the end of the season." "Ranocchia is Inter''s captain, the defensive leader, often communicating with referees, as Italian referees prefer interacting with local players." "Hmm..." With this in mind, Tang Long had basically made up his mind. He glanced at the time; it was now eight-thirty in the evening. Tang Long immediately opened the AI Cloud Training Ground and entered training mode. Once again choosing Iniesta as his sparring partner. "Bang bang bang¡ª¡ª" "Bang bang bang¡ª¡ª" On the empty field, their passing sounds echoed. Chapter 17: Icardi, you can win the European Golden Boot! Chapter 17 - 17: Icardi, you can win the European Golden Boot!In recent days, aside from routine training, eating, and using the restroom, Tang Long has devoted all his energy to the cloud training ground. His coordination with the sparring tool Iniesta is also getting better and better. He discovered that every time he chooses a sparring tool for passing, a subtle number appears above the candidates'' heads¡ª[Skill Level]. Beckham, Pirlo, Luo, Harvey, and others are all at 0%. As Tang Long has chosen Iniesta multiple times, his skill level with Iniesta has risen to 40%. The score for each training session is also getting higher. Initially, it was 6.5, then it gradually increased to 7, 7.5. The direct feedback is a noticeable improvement in Tang Long''s short passing skills! From Monday to Friday, Tang Long spent over 50 hours in cloud training in these five days. The total number of passes with Iniesta exceeded 50,000! Short passing skills increased from 55 to 68! This passing score is already the average passing level of a mid-fielder in Serie B. He has reached the level of a mediocre professional player. Although he is still struggling to compare with the main home players of Inter, such as Kovacic, Hernanes, and Medel. But during routine training, he can barely keep up with his teammates'' rhythm. He will not make outrageous passing errors. On Saturday afternoon. The entire Inter team took the high-speed rail to Rome, heading to the Olympic Stadium to challenge the Red Wolf. During the final adaptation training on Sunday morning, Inter players went to the Olympic Stadium to familiarize themselves with the field. In the scrimmage, Tang Long delivered a brilliant ball to Icardi, helping him easily score. "Nice, Tang, that pass was very comfortable." Icardi turned back with a smile and gave a thumbs-up. After training, when showering in the locker room. Tang Long proactively moved to the shower stall next to Icardi. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The economic situation in Italy hasn''t been good in recent years, and the Rome club also lacks the funds to improve the stadium''s basic facilities. The shower at the Olympic Stadium still has early-century facilities. There are no partitions in the shower. So Tang Long and Icardi were completely exposed to each other. There''s a saying that when two men meet each other in this setting, it''s the closest moment in their relationship. This "meeting" in such a context is not just about physical visibility but also implies a kind of openness and acceptance in spirit. "I feel like your passing is actually not bad," Icardi said, covered in suds, rubbing his hair, and squinting at Tang Long, "It''s not as bad as Gualin said, at your age, it''s already good enough!" "It''s mainly because you''re good at positioning; if it were someone else, even if I got the pass in place, they wouldn''t score." "Haha, I''m not being modest; my forward skills are still ranked in Serie A. Look, I''m neither stout nor tall but can still play center, all relying on positioning and shooting skills." "It''s obvious, otherwise, how could you score 9 goals in 11 league rounds? I think you''ll have no problem claiming the Serie A Golden Boot!" This remark clearly ignited Icardi''s inner passion. He quickly washed the foam off his head, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and excitedly told Tang Long: "You know, Tang, if I win the Serie A Golden Boot, I''ll be the youngest Golden Boot in the 100-year history of Serie A at 22!" "Sure, you have no problem; as long as someone gives you more assists, not just the Serie A Golden Boot, you might even claim the European Golden Boot!" "European Golden Boot? You dare to think more than I do! I should start with Serie A first." This shower conversation brought Icardi and Tang Long''s relationship closer by another layer. ... On Sunday afternoon, before the match. Outside Rome''s Olympic Stadium, the crowd was roaring, bustling! The atmosphere was so intense it seemed to ignite the entire city of Rome. The Mediterranean winter sun shone warmly on the faces of the home team fans, reflecting their burning eyes full of anticipation. The red Rome jerseys were fluttering like flames amidst the crowd, contrasting sharply with the blue sky. Not far away, a group of fans spontaneously organized warm-up activities. They chanted the team''s slogans and performed coordinated movements, seemingly accumulating energy for the upcoming match. "Rome! Rome!" "Those who defend Rome''s colors are our heroes!" "Rome! Rome!" "Those who defend Rome''s history are our heroes!" The air was filled with the aroma of hot dogs and coffee. The stalls of vendors were packed with all kinds of knock-off jerseys and scarves. Strangely, the knock-off merchandise stall was about 100 meters from Rome''s official club store. There were also club staff maintaining order on site, but they seemed to turn a blind eye to these copyright-infringing practices, even chatting and laughing with them over a cigarette. This relaxed scene would definitely not be seen in the Premier League. "Uncle Gary, how''s business lately? How many shirts can you sell in a day?" "Haha, business is good today; I''ve already sold 12 jerseys and 18 scarves!" "Today we''re playing Inter at home; it''s a hot match. You''ll surely make a fortune!" "Mainly because my goods are cheap enough; at your official store, a genuine jersey costs 79 euros, and adding a number costs another 10 euros, but my knock-offs are only 15 euros, pick any number you want, only a fool buys genuine jerseys from you!" "Exactly, exactly, only fools buy; I''m not buying! Given the current economic situation in Italy, anyone who comes to the site and spends forty-five euros watching a game is a big spender; only fools buy genuine jerseys! By the way, where do you get your jerseys from and how much do they cost?" "From Yiwu, China; the cost is 5 euros each with free shipping for 100 pieces!" Inter''s blue bus slowly drove into the stadium. Suddenly, boos arose all around! But the boos didn''t last, they soon turned into cheers! The Rome fans in red jerseys swarmed to both sides of the VIP channel fence. The home team''s bus arrived! "Totti! Totti! Totti!" "Wolf King Totti!" The fans called Totti''s name due to their admiration for him; after all, he is the Wolf King of Rome. But what made fans even more excited was that Totti was the only player on the entire Rome bus to open a window! Totti waved to the fans! This handsome Italian man, with a face as sharply defined as an ancient Greek sculpture, had steadfastness shining in his eyes. Totti pointed to the end of Inter''s bus, then smiled and made a gesture as if he was going to punch them. This gesture instantly ignited the fans'' passion! "Beat them up!" "Get them! Defeat Inter!" "Let the Milan people know the power of Rome!" "Go Totti, go Rome!!!" Inter''s bus slowly entered the garage of the Olympic Stadium. Tang Long sat in the last row of the bus, looking out the window. The clamor of Rome fans gradually faded away. Berni took off his headphones and couldn''t help but complain to Tang Long: "These southerners are really noisy, my headphones can''t even cover it!" "Every time Rome plays Inter, it''s like they''re hyped up. Isn''t it because they were overwhelmed by Inter to win the championship in 2006 to 2008 for two consecutive years? These southerners, they''re all country bumpkins!" Chapter 18: The North-South Divided Italy, The Confrontation of Two Cities! Chapter 18 - 18: The North-South Divided Italy, The Confrontation of Two Cities!Historically, Northern and Southern Italy have long been divided. From a historical perspective, Greece was the earliest civilization to venture into the Italian region, spreading across the southern part of the Apennine Peninsula. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the remnants of Rome and Greece occupied the central and southern parts of Italy for a long time, infusing some Arab elements. Meanwhile, various Germanic tribes occupied the northern parts of Italy, later forming part of the Holy Roman Empire. Rome happens to lie in the ambiguous zone dividing Northern and Southern Italy. Romans consider themselves northerners, while traditional northern cities like Milan, Turin, and Florence regard Rome as southern, creating a sense of identity confrontation that positions Rome as a blend of northern and southern cultures. In recent decades, Milan and Rome have not seen eye to eye. Milan considers itself the fashion capital of Italy, even Europe, with a refined lifestyle where every gesture exudes fashion, viewing Rome as southerners, deeming southern Italians as country bumpkins! Rome, on the other hand, sees itself as equals to cities like Milan and Turin, wondering why it should be looked down upon. Moreover, this is still the leading area, boasting the richest ancient treasures in all of Europe. Just the Roman Colosseum alone, with its two thousand years of cultural heritage, can overshadow Milan. Wearing clothes and spraying perfume, you think you can represent Italy? Cultural and geographical conflicts naturally manifest in football as well. Italy''s three traditional powerhouse clubs, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus, are all located in the north. They almost monopolize all the league championships. The only team that can contend with the northern trio is Rome. In this city of Rome, there are two Serie A teams, Roma and Lazio, and although they have only won a combined total of 5 league championships, they are the only teams since the 21st century to snatch a league title from the northern trio! "For the glory of the capital!" This is the slogan Totti shouted in the locker room. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Whoever defends Rome''s colors is our hero!" This is the massive TIFO displayed by 68,000 Roma fans at the Stadio Olimpico! In this match, Tang Long was once again on the bench. Mancini did not include him in the starting lineup. But intriguingly enough... Gualin still did not play! He wasn''t even in the main squad. The official notice stated that the Colombian star needed to rest due to a thigh injury, "The return time needs further confirmation from the team doctor." But actually, he was fine. His benching was not for technical reasons but due to Mancini''s deliberate suppression. Replacing Gualin was Brazilian star Hernanes. Initially, when the live DJ announced the starting lineups of both sides, mentioning Hernanes, the home Roma fans responded with overwhelming boos that took a long time to subside. As the match started, Tang Long found that whenever the ball reached Hernanes''s feet, the boos would erupt; once the ball left his feet, the boos would abruptly stop. Tang Long asked Berni, who was sitting nearby arranging towels. "The Roma fans seem to be targeting Hernanes, why single him out?" "You don''t understand, huh? Hernanes transferred to Inter from Lazio, and Lazio and Rome are city arch-rivals. This Brazilian played for Lazio for four years, often hitting Rome hard in derbies, so the fans hold a grudge!" "Hopefully this noise won''t affect him." "I think not, the louder the noise, the more he thrives!" As Berni said, Hernanes played effortlessly on the field. Perhaps he felt that the Stadio Olimpico, with its track and being not strictly a football stadium, was too open and lacked atmosphere, so your boos couldn''t reach me. Or maybe, as a shared stadium for both Rome and Lazio, Hernanes, having played for Lazio for four years, was as familiar with this field as his home ground. Occupying the ''1'' position in the 4312 formation, Hernanes was undoubtedly the brightest star of the first half! First, in the 18th minute, he made a direct pass to Palacio, who helped the team open the score; Then, in the 39th minute, from thirty meters away from the goal, he launched a direct free-kick screamer! The moment he kicked the screamer, he knew it was in. The home Roma fans were completely stunned, watching Hernanes, wearing number 88, first perform a trademark backflip celebration, then sprint unstoppably towards the Roma south stand to do a passionate knee slide! The knee slide etched a ten-meter line on the ground, as if carving a deep mark in the hearts of Roma fans! "I just love hitting Rome!" he punched the air and said. Berni jumped from the bench, furiously swinging his towel, swirling like the wind, cheering for Hernanes, "Haha, beat these southerners!" Tang Long even felt that if Berni swung the towel over his head a bit faster, he could soar into the sky like a helicopter~ "Tang, can you guess what Hernanes''s nickname is?" "I can''t guess, what is it?" "Prophet! Brazilians call him Prophet because he can always foresee whether he''ll score!" "Did he tell you he was going to score before the game?" "Yes, he said God would guide him to score on this field and strike Rome, and he did it!" It must be said that although Rome was fierce before the match. They were overly aggressive in tactics, which directly led to a poor start. Coach Rudy Garcia adopted a 433 formation with both full-backs consistently pushing up in support. At the start, it was almost like a 253! Clearly aiming to rely on three quick attacks, hoping to resolve the game at home in the first half. Unfortunately, after Mancini''s debut away 0-3 loss to Sampdoria, he learned a lesson. That is, no matter who the opponent is, never play an attacking game away! In any case, I''m going to be defensive, and you attack if you can. Surprisingly, by defending, they frequently succeeded in counterattacks, leading 2-0 by halftime. When the referee blew the halftime whistle, Roma''s players even dawdled, seemingly unwilling to start the second half with this scoreline. Especially 38-year-old Wolf King Totti, who looked utterly reluctant and angry. Clearly, from the first half, it was exactly like hitting a fist heavily on cotton! Countless attacks ended up futile against a defense led by Ranocchia. And Inter players, after 45 minutes, looked utterly relaxed and content. It went smoothly, with Mancini''s tactics executed to perfection. However, Tang Long did notice one detail. Everyone''s face was filled with smiles, talking and laughing. But the young Icardi appeared rather sullen. He just focused on drinking water, lowering his head as he walked into the locker room. Chapter 19: 10 minutes, give me 10 minutes, that’s enough! Chapter 19 - 19: 10 minutes, give me 10 minutes, that''s enough!Tang Long took the initiative to walk over to Icardi, who also noticed Tang Long. Perhaps it was because they had been candid with each other in the locker room before. Before Tang Long could speak, the Argentine striker wrapped his arm around Tang Long''s neck and pulled him into the corner of the locker room. "Tang, did you see it from the bench? You saw it, you definitely saw it!" "What did I see?" "Hernanes''s assist!" "He performed quite well, scored two goals, and Berni even told me his nickname is ''Prophet.'' Icardi made a puzzled expression like a subway old man and muttered, "Hmm." His Italian was spoken very standardly, unlike Palacio''s accent. When Tang Long spoke, he deliberately slowed down his pace, so there was no communication barrier between the two. "That ball, he could have passed it to me because my position was better, but he chose to pass it to Palacio, whose position was not as good." "Are you talking about this?" Tang Long recalled, indeed, it was as Icardi described. Inter broke the deadlock ten minutes into the first half, with the first goal scored by the 32-year-old veteran Palacio. This was Palacio''s first goal in four matches; he was quite happy after breaking the goal drought, warmly embraced the assister Hernanes. "During that counterattack, you were positioned closer to the center, able to move into the penalty spot nearby to shoot. Palacio is slower and was on the wing; his position was indeed not as good as yours, but fortunately, the ball went in in the end." "Was it good? I don''t think it''s good at all. With his skills, he could have passed it to me." "But he didn''t." "Yes, he didn''t! He gave it to Palacio." Despite lowering his voice, Tang Long could hear from Icardi''s tone his attitude towards the two players. Icardi wasn''t happy with Hernanes! Why not pass it to me when my chance is better and the probability of scoring is higher? This is a natural thought for any forward with scoring intent¡ªa thought that persists until the end of the match, regardless of whether the ball ends up in the net. It is a matter of trust, touching on Icardi''s sensitive self-esteem. As for his compatriot Palacio, Icardi had more reverence, speaking Palacio''s name in lip language. In the summer of 2012, Palacio transferred from Genoa to Inter Milan for 10.5 million euros. He quickly became the absolute mainstay of the team. He scored 20 goals and 19 goals in consecutive seasons for Inter, becoming the team''s top scorer twice. Famous Serie A commentator Zhang Lu once evaluated Palacio: "I don''t understand why Inter bought Palacio? He''s 30, old and skinny, and they actually spent 10 million!" Clearly, Zhang Lu missed the mark. During Inter''s low period, Palacio, with his small braid nicknamed ''Braided Handsome,'' took on the flag of Inter''s frontline alone. Although this season, due to aging, his physical condition declined, but the decline was not very obvious for now, the visible decline could be seen in the second half of the season. At least for this season, his status at Inter was higher than Icardi''s and he was the absolute leader of the Inter Argentine Barbecue Gang! Hernanes has been at Inter for less than a year; regardless of his prowess at Lazio, he is still a newcomer at Inter. He had to pay his respects! According to Berni, although Hernanes is Brazilian, he doesn''t like hanging out with Gualin''s South American gang. He very pragmatically chose the strongest Argentine Barbecue Gang in the team. Playing it safe, he will definitely prioritize Palacio, leaving Icardi on the sideline. Tang Long now clearly understood Icardi''s thoughts. He wanted to score more goals to win the Serie A Golden Boot, even the European Golden Boot; But when Hernanes faced two choices, he tended to pass the ball directly to another forward, Palacio, rather than Icardi. However, due to Palacio''s prestige at Inter and within the Argentine Barbecue Gang, Icardi couldn''t say much on both sides. "Passing to whoever makes no difference," Tang Long teased Icardi on purpose, "Since the ball went in eventually, it makes no difference to the team''s victory!" "Uh, same... but not the same," Icardi looked troubled, "I really want to win the Serie A Golden Boot, you know!" "If I''m on the pitch, whenever there''s a chance, I''ll keep passing the ball to you," Tang Long said. A glimmer flashed in Icardi''s eyes but faded quickly. Just at this moment, Mancini entered, and Icardi stopped talking with Tang Long. Tang Long thought, "Icardi knows I''ll pass the ball to him, but he also knows whether or not I''ll appear today, how many matches I''ll play this season, that''s all uncertain." Tang Long is well aware of the dynamics between Icardi and Palacio. At the end of this season, Icardi scored 22 goals and won the Serie A Golden Boot, becoming the youngest top scorer in Serie A''s century-old history, becoming the new core of the Argentine Barbecue Gang. Palacio also performed well, but only scored 8 league goals, a far cry from last season, gradually becoming a marginal player and leaving Inter in 2017. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Therefore, Tang Long must treat Icardi a bit better, it''s no longer a matter of gamble but an obvious decision. Mancini''s pep talk in the locker room was nothing more than not relaxing and persisting with the cautious style from the first half. "...Alright! Lads, stand up and get back on the field!" After the talk, everyone left in an orderly fashion. In the player tunnel, taking advantage of a moment when there were fewer people around Mancini, Tang Long decisively went over to Mancini''s side. "Boss, let me have 10 seconds of your time." "Hmm." "I request to play in the second half." "Give me a reason." "I feel I''m in good form, I can contribute to the team." "How much time do you want?" "10 minutes, 10 minutes will be enough." Mancini stopped walking, thoughtfully looking at Tang Long. A confident expression revealed within his handsome Eastern face. Tang Long''s move just now made Mancini a little surprised. In his coaching career, never had a young player proactively approached him asking for playing time like Tang Long did. Even when his expectant gaze swept over some young players, their eyes instinctively dodged it, drooped their heads, then awkwardly cleared their throats slightly. These are all signs of a lack of confidence. Even when he first coached Inter and promoted Balotelli from the youth team, this fearless guy never asked for playing time halfway through the match. Mancini suddenly laughed. In 1982, an 18-year-old Mancini arrived from Bologna to Lazio. The same age as Tang Long. At that time, Mancini also struggled on the bench due to a lack of trust from the coach. Especially the first season''s opening dozen matches, he hardly played. He could only dryly stay on the bench, watching teammates zoom around the field, enjoying the cheers of thousands. For any ambitious professional player, that taste was like thousands of ants crawling on their heart! Looking at this young man in front of him who was of similar age to his own son. The eyes expecting to be on the pitch were so similar to his own emotions during the first year at Sampdoria... The match had not originally allocated playing time to Tang Long, Mancini changed his mind. "If we lead 3-0, I''ll give you some playing time, but I can''t say exactly how much, just follow my arrangements." Chapter 20 Totti and Berni Argue Fiercely, Two Red Cards Tighten the Situation! Chapter 20 - 20 Totti and Berni Argue Fiercely, Two Red Cards Tighten the Situation!Tang Long had just returned to the substitute bench and taken his seat when Berni leaned over. The third goalkeeper was a veteran, with nothing escaping his watchful eyes, not even things happening in the player tunnel. "What did you just say to Mancini?" "I asked him for some playing time." "Did he give it to you?" "He did, said I can go on if we''re up 3-0." Berni exclaimed in admiration, his eyes full of appreciation. He gave Tang Long a thumbs-up and then handed him a towel. "Let''s wave these towels together and cheer them on, trying to get a goal right at the start of the second half!" Thus, when the second half began, the Inter substitute bench was lively indeed. With each of Inter''s attacks, the sound of whooshing wind could be heard from the substitute bench. That was Berni leading Tang Long in waving their towels. Berni waves his towel with flair and gusto, sometimes even adding some tricks with several twists and turns, reminding Tang Long of a dragon dance. Tang Long''s towel-waving was awkward, and several times he failed to dodge and got hit on the head by Berni''s towel. He was surprised to find that Berni, on the substitute bench, was already drenched. Sweat flew from his head like a showerhead, propelled by the towel in the air. It seemed even more tiring than playing on the field! However, the situation on the field wasn''t as intense as Berni''s towel-waving. Rome, down 0-2, had lost much of their spirit in the second half! Despite the 38-year-old veteran captain Totti constantly urging his Rome teammates to get back in the game. Even personally engaging with tough tackles to express his desire for a comeback and win. But Inter''s firm defense gave them no chances. "We''ve played 20 minutes into the second half, Rome has maintained ball possession but has only taken two shots!" "Inter, on their side, has had counter-attacking opportunities, but they always seek stability, not rushing to send the ball into the box, with Palacio frequently dropping back, pairing with Hernanes as dual forwards." "Apart from Totti, players from both Rome and Inter seem to have accepted the 0-2 result?" "If that''s the case, the match isn''t very thrilling..." The match quickly reached the 80-minute mark. Inter was still slow to score the third goal. This made Berni a bit anxious on the sidelines. He was hoping for his buddy Tang Long to get on the field. "Past him, past him, Yuto Nagatomo, get past him!" "Icardi''s got an open position, feed him the ball!" "Quickly spread it to the flanks, there''s an opportunity there!" Berni continued waving his towel vigorously, fully engrossed as if he were the coach himself. Tang Long, feeling somewhat down, leaned back in his chair, letting the towel rest on his shoulder. He glanced at the clock at the Olympic Stadium. 81 minutes passed. Mancini had already made two substitutions, leaving one last substitution opportunity. Typically, with Mancini''s cautious nature, to prevent a player getting injured in the last moments and putting the team at a 10 versus 11 disadvantage, he would be very careful about the last substitution. Inter was still slow to score a third goal. Both teams seemed to have no desire, hoping to end the game with this score. Though Tang Long was doing warm-ups, he didn''t hold too much hope for coming on. Roman fans at the Olympic Stadium began to leave one after another. The match seemed to be heading into garbage time. But at that moment, dramatic changes occurred on the field! Rome captain Totti seemed unwilling to waste time. In a contest, in urgently recovering, Totti delivered a fierce tackle from behind on the ball-carrying Icardi! Icardi, with his back turned and unprepared. His entire body seemed to be kicked from behind, causing him to fall face down to the ground, drawing quite a painful stumble! "Oh no!" His startled scream echoed, clutching his ankle, clearly in immense pain. The whistle blew, and Inter captain Ranocchia had already gathered a group of brothers, surrounding the referee demanding an explanation. Perhaps wary of Totti''s status in Italian football, there was no Inter player surrounding him. Totti calmly remained standing, prepared to accept the red card. Off the field, Mancini squinted and watched the fallen Icardi, feeling a pang of concern! This kid can score goals, please don''t be injured, if he''s hurt, the following matches... A loud shout from the substitute bench interrupted his thoughts. "Totti! You [expletive] [expletive]!" It was Berni! He was waving a towel, stomping and cursing by the sideline, pointing at Totti and swearing in Italian profanity. Totti glanced at the referee producing a red card for him and quickly approached Berni on the sidelines. "Who are you in Italy to dare curse me?" Seeing the two about to brawl, Mancini quickly separated them, using an indisputable tone to rush Totti off the field. Berni was just an unnoticed minor figure in Italian football, somebody Totti could easily disregard, but Mancini''s face needed respect. After the dispute ended, the referee didn''t forget to show Berni a red card ~ Mancini helplessly held up two fingers towards Berni. "That''s the second time, only the second time, be careful!" It turns out this was Berni''s second dismissal with a red card this season. Both cards were received from the substitute bench! He leads the team in red card rates. But Berni was unfazed, still swearing at Totti''s departing back in the player tunnel: "Come play like that at the Meazza, and I swear I''ll act, you [expletive] [expletive]! I''m not afraid of you!" Tang Long looked at Berni in surprise. It was his first time witnessing Berni lose his temper, completely overturning the image of the laid-back nice guy uncle Berni in his mind. After the double red card commotion, Inter entered into an 11 against 10. The cautious Mancini guessed Rome had completely lost their fight. He called Tang Long over. "Tang, although we''re still leading 2-0, but with Rome a man down, I''ve decided to fulfill my promise to you." "Thanks, boss!" "You play in Palacio''s position, look for gaps, play around Icardi. That''s all." In the 84th minute of the match, Tang Long came on as a substitute! At that moment, far away in China''s Migu video streaming room, the audience exploded, and the numbers soared! -[Finally going on after waiting more than 80 minutes] -[If he''s not on soon, I really can''t hold out. Serie A''s underworld early hours, torturous] -[Looks like Mancini is quite cautious, leading 2-0, with an extra man, only now letting Tang Long on] -[It''s a good thing! Now Tang Long doesn''t have to carry a burden, maybe Mancini is protecting him] -[Alright, brothers, Tang Long is on, prelude ends, main event begins] -[Can you believe it? I''m a Juventus fan staying up late to watch Inter play Rome, just to see Tang Long] Totti''s rough red card sparked the fighting spirit of Inter players on the field. As soon as Tang Long came on, Inter capitalized on the numbers advantage to launch a wave of attacks. After several passes, the ball rolled towards Tang Long on the right flank of the box. Tang Long''s first touch after coming on amazed everyone! S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 21: Ground Strike Cross Leads to an Unexpected Penalty? Mancini Spotted the Clue This Time! Chapter 21 - 21: Ground Strike Cross Leads to an Unexpected Penalty? Mancini Spotted the Clue This Time!When Hernanes passed the ball to the side of the penalty area where Tang Long was located. The situation on the field was very clear. Inter Milan, initiating the attack, had two players running towards Rome''s penalty area! Icardi drifted from the wing to the center, actively approaching Roma''s central defender Astori. Medel, the defensive midfielder, surged up from the back, with a diagonal run, drawing the attention of Roma''s fullback Dodo and rushing towards the far post. Other Inter players, including Tang Long himself, were still outside of Rome''s penalty area. Hernanes, who passed the ball to Tang Long, shouted before Tang Long received it: "Don''t rush, pull the ball a bit!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hernanes passed the ball to Tang Long with the intention of pulling Rome''s defense line. After all, Rome, with one player down, had completely abandoned the attack. There were as many as nine defensive players in the area within 10 meters of the penalty area and the vicinity. In the eyes of the experienced midfielder Hernanes, it''s impossible to force an attack; it''s essential to maneuver through passing to pull the opponents. He was worried that Tang Long hadn''t grasped his intention, so he specifically shouted at him. But Tang Long didn''t think so! The football field is ever-changing, with no fixed rules set in stone. Although the opponent''s defense is indeed tight, after Totti received the red card, Rome has become a lost team without its spiritual leader. Why not catch them off guard? The AI system''s hint also validated Tang Long''s thinking! When the football was about to roll down to Tang Long''s feet, as before, time started to approach freezing, showing all scenes in 0.1x slow motion. "Detected our center forward Icardi is about to rush to the near post, at this time, a ground cross to the near post leads to an 85.23% chance for Icardi to get a touch and shoot." Tang Long had witnessed Icardi''s running positions. This Argentine forward is very confident in his forward skills, claiming to be Serie A top-tier. Tang Long judged that the reason Icardi approached the center back Astori near the near post after rushing into the penalty area was to ambush the final strike at the near post! Without any hesitation. When time returned to real speed again, Tang Long''s cross was executed! To follow the ground strike hint given by the system. Tang Long used instep passing! Unlike the commonly used inside-foot crossing on the wings, the instep ground cross demands extremely high technique from the passer. On one hand, it requires the height to not lift, must be suppressed, so the contact point must be precise and strictly controlled between the center of the ball and below; On the other hand, the ball speed must be fast! Therefore, certain power is necessary. Balancing it all, Tang Long chose to press the body forward significantly, compensating for the technique flaw by controlling the center of gravity! "Bang!" Tang Long''s right instep struck the middle of the ball like an iron whip! Due to pressure on the center of gravity, the entire person seemed almost to fall. At the moment Tang Long touched the ball¡ª Hernanes, outside the penalty area, helplessly shook his head, "The youngster, too rushed!" In his view, the cross was meaningless. There were six players in Rome''s penalty area, all positioned perfectly; forcing a kick may be possible, but the success rate of passing is too low and it''s better to return the ball to oneself, continue maneuvering the opponent. At the moment Tang Long touched the ball¡ª Medel behind the penalty area also slowed his steps, starting to walk. He saw Tang Long''s passing posture was extremely exaggerated, the body pressed forward even looked a bit ridiculous. Completely lacking any relaxation that could yield a good pass. At the moment Tang Long touched the ball¡ª The Rome defenders within the penalty area also felt no tension. We six guarding against your two, isn''t possible we can''t stop you? Definitely no way~ But Icardi''s eyes glowed with excitement!!! Tang Long delivered the passing method longing in the Argentine forward''s mind! A ground strike flying to the near post! This is exactly what I want! Benefiting from the relatively abundant energy after just coming on, and a pass rating upgraded to 68, Tang Long''s pass was adequately positioned, and the football rushed to the near post of the small penalty area like a groundhog drilling. Yet strangely, Icardi, who suddenly dashed forward for the position grab, despite having separated himself a body''s length from Astori, suddenly had soft legs at the last step, kneeling on the ground... "Ju¡ª" The referee decisively whistled and pointed to the penalty spot. Penalty! Although Tang Long''s cross didn''t find Icardi. However, with Icardi''s slip, the ball bypassed, struck Astori''s foot as he pressed forward and rebounded onto his arm. As luck would have it, Astori''s arm made a clear opening movement. No doubt about the penalty! Hernanes and Medel, who both disapproved of Tang Long''s decision earlier, suddenly burst out laughing! "Haha, this youngster, really had luck!" "He always manages to create assists, no matter how, interesting!" Icardi got up from the ground, ran towards Tang Long, and happily high-fived with him. "Great pass, Tang, you saw my run!" "How did you kneel down?" asked Tang Long curiously. "Agh, my ankle still hurts from Totti''s tackle, I wanted to thrust out the last step but the foot softened, usually I would have reached it, damn!" With the primary penalty taker Palacio off the field. As the second penalty taker, Icardi naturally picked up the ball and walked to the penalty spot. Run-up, strike, a push shot into the lower left corner, all in one go! 3 to 0! Icardi and Tang Long embraced excitedly. Inter captain Ranocchia happily made an OK gesture toward the goalkeeper Handa behind him. Meaning, guys, we can log out now! Players on the bench were also clapping and laughing! Several players laughed so hard, they thought Tang Long got lucky like a dog. "I used to never believe in miracles, but seeing Tang play, I do now!" "The third consecutive kick, either his shots or passes have never accurately landed, but the luck scale always leaned to his side!" "This cross is better than the ones during the last match against Genoa, those two shots were nothing, though this pass wasn''t entirely accurate!" "Hey, do you guys think maybe Tang still wanted to shoot but the power was too much?" "Haha, not really, you can tell it was intended to be a pass." Yet manager Mancini on the bench remained silent. With one hand supporting his chin, watching Tang Long embrace Icardi, he fell into contemplation. During his player career, Mancini was also a Serie A top-tier forward, scoring over 200 goals in his career. After retiring, he gradually grew into a first-class coach in Serie A, achieving success in Serie A and the Premier League. His football vision is greatly superior to that of the players on the field! At the moment Tang Long swung his leg to pass, unlike the players on the field, Mancini focused not on Tang Long but always kept his eyes on Icardi in the penalty area. Icardi was rushing to the near post! Tang Long''s instep sweep, though slightly exaggerated, successfully reached the position of the small penalty box''s near post. The most crucial aspect was, Tang Long didn''t stop for a touch, not even halted. What does that indicate? Indicates he had planned for this all along. "This should not be a coincidence..." Mancini bit his lip lightly, nodded thoughtfully. Chapter 22: Facing Rome with Compressed Biscuit Cans, Who is the Knife to Pry Open the Can? Chapter 22 - 22: Facing Rome with Compressed Biscuit Cans, Who is the Knife to Pry Open the Can?Mancini, a striker in his player days, is not inherently a conservative coach in his heart! Saying he is conservative is something he does out of necessity. Who wouldn''t want to play beautiful attacking football? Who wouldn''t want to earn the reputation of being a master of attacking tactics in front of tens of thousands of fans with exuberant offensive play? Since coming to Inter, Mancini has implemented a conservative approach due to the current squad configuration, a compromise he had no choice but to make. Even so, deep down in his heart, he still desires to play attacking football. In fact, during the first period of Mancini''s Inter, the 2006-2007 season, Inter was indeed playing attacking football. That year, they retained the Serie A title with a team record of 97 points. Throughout 38 Serie A matches, Inter astonishingly scored 80 goals! With an average of more than 2 goals per game! It''s an extremely rare occurrence in the defense-focused Serie A Alliance. Since 2007, in the following seven years, no Serie A team has been able to break the single-season 80-goal league record. "I want to win the Serie A Golden Boot!" "I want to become the youngest Golden Boot in the century-long history of Serie A!" So, in November 2014, when Mancini returned for a second term and had a one-on-one conversation with Icardi in his office. The ambitious words of the Argentine forward instantly captured Manqiao''s heart! Mancini has emphasized more than once to his assistant coach Herrera: "A team that wants to win the championship must have a strong forward who can score 20-30 goals in a single season." During the first period of Mancini''s Inter, that person was Eevee; After coaching Manchester City, that person was Aguero. And on the first day of his second term at Inter, Mancini identified that this person would undoubtedly be forward Icardi! Mancini has a keen eye for talent, and his team-building skills are truly world-class. Even though Icardi scored only 9 goals last season, even though the over-thirty main Inter forward Palacio scored 19 goals in the entire season. But sharp-eyed Mancini concluded that the future flag bearer on the Inter frontline wouldn''t be Palacio, but only Icardi! Although on the surface Mancini hasn''t shown any indication, nor did he publicly compare Icardi with Palacio to the media. But the team-building strategy centered around Icardi began to sprout in his heart from the first day Mancini arrived at Inter. Especially after he participated in several training sessions with Inter, he became even more firm in his thoughts. Icardi''s sense in front of goal is absolutely top-tier in Serie A! Wanting to coach successfully at Inter in the future, Icardi is the most important piece for Mancini. "Push forward, move up!" Mancini issued short but determined instructions from the sidelines, signaling the players to intensify their attack in the remaining minutes. Assistant coach Herrera nervously suggested: "Boss, we''re already leading 3-0, and the match ends in 5 minutes. This is Rome''s home ground, if we continue to attack, I''m afraid the opponent will make larger moves..." "Why are you scared," Mancini said with a disdainful smile, "Totti with his hot temper is off the field, no other Rome player can cause big waves, let''s just play!" After receiving Mancini''s instructions, Inter pushed up all three lines. The happiest was undoubtedly Icardi. Merely one goal was not enough to satisfy his ambition. Hernanes scored one, Palacio scored one, Icardi was not content with merely being on par with them. "Tang, keep it coming, you deliver, and I''ll kick it in for you!" Tang Long naturally wouldn''t miss this chance to fiercely hit Rome. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Red Wolf had already been beaten down, and with Totti off the field, they were down a man. Now is the time to hit the opponent, to boost Icardi''s stats, when else could it be? In the second minute of injury time, Inter utilized their numerical advantage in formation, Rome was once again tightly compressed within their penalty area. No matter how Inter''s midfield managed the opponent in the 20-meter area outside the penalty area. Rome remained inside, refusing to come out. The one handling the management, Hernanes, seemed extremely patient. Whenever the ball came to his feet, he was always mindful of the other''s defense positioning movement, attempting to discover gaps within. "Look here!" Icardi glanced at the Brazilian midfielder and then immediately dashed forward! However, he had already crossed the offside line before he saw Hernanes''s pass. Feeling frustrated, Icardi looked towards the counterpart, only to receive a single-hand downward gesture, signaling him not to rush, accompanied by a smiling face. Clearly, the Brazilian midfielder wouldn''t easily play a through ball without a clear gap. "Too conservative, my position was perfectly fine!" Icardi couldn''t help but lament to Tang Long. On the sidelines, Herrera stood beside Mancini, arms crossed in front of him. "Boss, look, Rome''s formation is very compact now, retreating very deeply, this kind of conduction is hard to penetrate, Hernanes wants to draw the opponent out, Rome won''t fall for it since losing to us by three goals at home is already at the limit that their management can endure." "Hmm, they''re like a can of compressed biscuits, packed very tightly." "I''m guessing this score will hold until the end of the match." "Not necessarily, no matter how tight the can is, there''s always a knife to pry it open." "But Hernanes isn''t passing threatening balls anymore, his passes are leaning towards being conservative." "Herrera, the person to open the can doesn''t necessarily have to be Hernanes." In Mancini''s view, Hernanes is a very outstanding passer. Especially his control over the midfield distribution, it''s top-notch in Serie A. However, he''s not perfect. Having coached for many years, Mancini knows well that to break through Rome''s compressed defense, simply relying on probing from outside the penalty area would not lead to substantial breakthroughs. The key is the sudden change in pace! To pry open this tight can, what''s needed is an unexpected, deadly strike. Mancini had a vague expectation. This person to deliver the deadly strike wouldn''t be Hernanes, not Kovacic, nor Inter''s wing-backs Jonathan and Yuto Nagatomo, and certainly not the rough-footed Medel; If he had to choose someone, Mancini would put his bet on Tang Long! This was an intuition from a former top Serie A striker. Time reached the 94th minute. The last minute of regular time. Inter launched their final wave of attack. Icardi was anxious, as he still hadn''t opened his second goal account; Tang Long was also anxious because Hernanes hadn''t given him possession for a long time! Since the time Tang Long''s cross from the flank accidentally resulted in a penalty. Perhaps because he didn''t follow his orchestration, Hernanes, who controlled midfield possession, rarely passed the ball to Tang Long after that. Time ticked by second by second. The referee already had the whistle in his mouth, watching the clock. Ready to blow the whistle to end the match at any moment. Tang Long quickly thought on his feet, running to the edge of the penalty area, he shouted to Hernanes: "Prophet, look over here!" Hernanes had his back turned, he was originally ready to pass the ball on the left flank with Jonathan and then wait for the match to end. But upon hearing someone call his nickname loudly, he quickly turned his head and saw Tang Long waving at him, "Prophet, Prophet, give me the ball!" People in the workplace like to be complimented, and professional players are the same. Hernanes immediately chuckled. Good heavens, this young Chinese lad actually knows my nickname! Seems like the fame of being a football prophet has spread all the way to distant China? Heh heh heh~ I truly am well-known far and near. Pop! Facing the incoming ball from Hernanes. Tang Long''s brain was rapidly processing with the aid of AI! The space available to Tang Long was indeed very small now. There were two Rome players right behind him, quickly closing in on Tang Long. This was to block Tang Long''s turning space instantly! As long as Tang Long couldn''t turn around in front of the penalty area, he would have no choice but to pass it back. Once he passed it back, a couple of touches and the referee''s whistle would blow, and Rome would effectively defend the 0-3 scoreline, avoiding the humiliation of conceding more than four goals at home. The ball was about to contact Tang Long''s foot, yet the brainwave hints remained silent, without any feedback. Malfunctioning? "Beep beep beep!" "According to big data analysis, the opponent''s back is densely packed, if the host turns and forces a direct pass after receiving the ball, the chance of connecting with the forward is only 2.23%." "Tip: Consider letting the ball go, there is a 35.45% record of creating unexpected chaos." A massive amount of AI analysis flooded into Tang Long''s mind almost in milliseconds. Just when the football was only 1 centimeter away from touching Tang Long''s stopping foot. He spread his feet, making sure to leave a one-foot wide gap! The soccer ball slipped through between his legs! In the penalty area. A lurking blue and black shadow, like a leopard, hunched and darted out... Chapter 23: This Astonishing Oversight Instantly Shattered the Opponent’s Defense Line! Chapter 23 - 23: This Astonishing Oversight Instantly Shattered the Opponent''s Defense Line!In the final moments, Tang Long followed the system''s prompt, spread his legs, and the ball swiftly rolled through beneath him. The ball sent by Hernanes wasn''t slow; it hugged the ground and had a certain curve. Seemed like he wanted to show off this footwork to Tang Long. So the ball rolling suddenly from under Tang Long''s legs was extremely unexpected! The two Rome players who were closely marking Tang Long originally aimed to prevent him from turning and facing the goal directly. They never thought Tang Long would choose to let the ball through! The football slid like quicksand past the feet of the two Rome players and rolled into the penalty area. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Uh, where''s the ball?" The two defenders were stunned. They suddenly turned their heads, their hearts filled with shock! Along the path the ball rolled into the penalty area, a blue and black jersey dashed from the side¡ª It was Icardi! Tang Long''s stunning through pass caused everyone to pause for a moment. But Icardi suddenly started, bypassed the closely marking Astori, and ran toward the ball! Tang Long''s astonishing pass instantly broke down the opponent''s defense! "Let it through!" "Position lost!" "Watch Icardi!" Rome defender Manolas woke as if from a dream, quickly calling for teammates to stay with Icardi. By the time everyone moved again, Icardi had already taken the ball first. In an extremely narrow leg-swinging space, he rotated his body like a compass by 90 degrees, turned sideways on the spot, and struck the ball hard with his instep! Instep blast! Bam!!! The angle was direct, the force was powerful, and the shot was sudden! The ball rushed into the net like a shell over the head of the Rome goalkeeper! The old keeper De Sanctis stood rooted on the spot like a wooden person. In the penalty area, players from Rome and Inter crowded together, dozens of long legs flashing in front of him. De Sanctis''s view was blocked, making it impossible to see the ball''s path clearly. But the crisp sound of the ball hitting the net told him vividly that he had conceded again! His goal had been breached by Inter for the fourth time. He widened his eyes, dumbfounded... When the referee blew the full-time whistle, Icardi jumped high, punching fiercely towards the bright moon in the sky! "Haha, two goals!" The substitute bench. Mancini was a bit bewildered! At fifty, his eyesight was poor. Both nearsightedness and farsightedness were overlapping. How did that ball get through? How did it suddenly end up at Icardi''s feet? Clearly, Rome''s defense was very tight, and Tang Long had no chance to turn around. "Herrera," Mancini immediately turned to ask his assistant, "did you see clearly how that ball got through?" "Boss, I didn''t see clearly either, Hernanes passed to Tang Long, Tang Long passed to Icardi, hmm, I think that''s how it happened." "Did you see how Tang Long passed?" Herrera shook his head. The Inter substitutes'' bench was sixty or seventy meters away from the Rome penalty area, and Herrera also didn''t see clearly. It''s not his fault, after all, Tang Long decided to let the ball through at the last moment. The space he made with his legs was very small, just wide enough to let a ball roll through. It''s not just those on the sidelines; even the Rome players five or six meters away from Tang Long also didn''t react! "Did you see clearly?" Mancini asked the players on the bench again. Dambrosio, Korshin, Mbaye, and others all shook their heads uniformly, staying silent, their eyes filled with confusion. Instead, it was Bonazzoli sitting at the end who confidently said: "Haha, I saw clearly, it was Tang Long''s light heel kick, using a small force to achieve a great effect, it instantly broke through Rome''s defense, haha, awesome!" The match had ended. The players on the field were shaking hands, and there was no replay on the giant screen at the Olympic Stadium. Mancini felt skeptical about Bonazzoli''s words. At this moment, opposing coach Rudy Garcia came over to shake hands with Mancini. "Hey, Mancini, you really showed no mercy, had to score four at my home ground to feel satisfied, huh?" "Sorry, my friend, who can blame Totti for his temper, 10 against 11, you need to keep him in check." "Haha, sometime let''s have a cup of coffee and chat, I''ll learn from you." "You''re too kind, I just returned to Serie A, time flies so fast, I feel Serie A now is completely different from six or seven years ago." Mancini and Rudy Garcia chatted as they walked towards the players'' tunnel... Icardi, shirtless, applauded the Inter fans who had traveled to support them on the scene. Tang Long walked up beside him, clapping to the fans together. "How did you end up running to that position, it''s like you appeared out of nowhere." Tang Long marveled. He was indeed shocked by Icardi''s positioning! When the AI system in his mind prompted him to let the ball through, Tang Long was completely facing away from Rome''s goal. Behind him, two Rome players were clinging onto him. Tang Long couldn''t see any teammate''s movement in the opponent''s penalty area. But Icardi actually received that through ball! "This is a striker''s intuition, Tang, when everyone else is standing still, I can always start ahead of time." "Did you know I was going to let the ball through?" "Let the ball through, you let that ball through, your foot didn''t touch the ball?" Icardi was a bit surprised. In that split second, his view was also blocked, and he couldn''t see clearly how Tang Long passed the ball over. "Haha, I don''t care how the ball came over," Icardi intimately wrapped his arm around Tang Long''s shoulder and gave a kiss on his forehead, "just at that moment, I had a strong premonition that the ball would be drawn to my feet and I would finish the shot, scoring my second goal!" Tang Long nodded. "Yes, Mauro, you''re like a magnet, the ball will be drawn to you." After the Inter players finished thanking the fans. Rome''s full-back Maicon approached Tang Long. "Tang, can I exchange jerseys with you?" Tang Long swiftly took off his No. 99 jersey and exchanged it with Maicon. "To exchange jerseys with a former Inter legend is my honor, Mr. Maicon!" Maicon, this 33-year-old full-back, returned to Serie A last year after leaving Manchester City, joining the Rome team. From 2006-2012, the Brazilian full-back had an unforgettable six-year stretch at Inter. As the main right back, he led Inter to the European summit in 2010, earning the Serie A''s only treble title. In the Brazilian national team, Maicon was thus able to overshadow Alves, the main right back during the Dream Three period, occupying the absolute main right-back position in the Samba Corps. He could single-handedly carry the offensive on the right flank! But the good times didn''t last! In 2012, Inter''s financial situation took a steep decline, and owner Moratti could no longer support the team significantly. Maicon, like many of Inter''s treble-winning teammates, was sold off. After leaving Inter, the once world-leading right-back steadily declined and bid farewell to his peak. "Haha, that''s all in the past, now I''m happy at Rome, my body couldn''t handle the Premier League pace, in Serie A, this is my football hometown." "Mr. Maicon, why do you want to exchange jerseys with me? I mean to say, you''re the first person to exchange jerseys with me." Maicon smiled. His smile had the unique charm of the Samba people. He held up Tang Long''s jersey, facing the large pillar spotlight in one corner of the Olympic Stadium, gazing at the number 99 on the back while squinting his eyes. The spotlight shone through Tang Long''s Inter jersey, casting a faint blue shadow on Maicon''s dark face. "Tang, your pass was very sudden, reminding me of my former teammate who wore the number 10 jersey, his name was Sneijder." Chapter 25: Inter coaching staff issued a comprehensive evaluation report on Tang Long! Chapter 25 - 25: Inter coaching staff issued a comprehensive evaluation report on Tang Long!Inter achieved two consecutive victories in the last two league rounds. This also saw their ranking rise from 9th to 8th place on the league table. During the era when Mazzari was in charge, consecutive wins actually weren''t a good omen. It''s quite sad to say! In the year and a half that Mazzari coached Inter. The team never achieved a three-game winning streak in the league! In the third match after two consecutive wins, it was certain to be a letdown, whether facing a strong team or a relegation team, it was either a tie or a loss. This also made Mancini, sitting in the head coach''s office, somewhat worried. Indonesian owner Toshihiko brought Mancini back, tasking him with leading Inter back to the Champions League! Although Toshihiko believed that the probability for Inter to reach the Champions League this season was minuscule. "Mr. Mancini, given that you are about to take over Inter, currently ranked 9th in the league, to better accomplish your task of qualifying for the Champions League next season, I suggest focusing on the UEFA Europa League." Mancini understood the owner''s intentions. In recent years, due to the weakening of Serie A teams in European competitions. The Serie A Alliance''s Champions League spots have surprisingly decreased from 4 to 3. Just like Ligue 1! Wanting to qualify for the Champions League through the league with the current squad is extremely difficult! But Mancini bravely responded to Toshihiko, saying: "Boss, please believe me, I think aiming for the top three in the league isn''t impossible, we''ve only played 9 matches, and the team has a huge improvement potential." Mancini had his own concerns in saying this! Looking at his coaching career, Manqiao was never a team skilled in intercontinental cup matches. During his previous tenure at Inter, the team repeatedly stopped at the last 16 in the Champions League. His firing in 2008 was related to the Champions League performance. Inter, having won the championship last season with a record 97 points, couldn''t score in two legs and lost 0-3 to Liverpool. A disillusioned Mancini even announced his resignation at the post-match press conference. Even after arriving at financially stronger Manchester City, granted full authority to build the team. Mancini''s performance in Europe was also lackluster! In the 2010-2011 season, they lost to Dynamo Kyiv, stopping at the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League. In the 2011-2012 season, they finished 3rd in the Champions League group stage, dropping into the UEFA Europa League, lost to Sporting Lisbon, and again stopped at the last 16. In the 2012-2013 season, with Manchester City as the new Premier League champion returning, the whole world placed high hopes on them. Unexpectedly, they drew 3 and lost 3 in six group stage matches, winning none, and finished at the bottom! This time, they didn''t even earn the UEFA Europa League qualification. Therefore, when Mancini returned to Inter in November 2014, and the owner explained the idea of entering the Champions League through winning the UEFA Europa League. Hearing this "curve to save the country" strategy, Mancini''s heart tightened¡ª It couldn''t be done! Compared to European matches, the league was the true expertise of this renowned Italian coach. For this reason, Mancini has been whispering in the ear of the team''s director of sports, Ossorio, asking for an increased budget during the winter transfer window to strengthen the team. "Ossorio, you''re also seasoned in Serie A, do you think with Inter''s current personnel, it''s possible to break into the top three in the league, do you believe it?" "I don''t believe it, but the boss doesn''t give money, I''m just an employee, asking me is useless." "I promised the boss to make it into the Champions League, will you heartlessly watch me fail without helping?" "I''ll think of a way, maybe through lease-to-buy, and discuss returns at the end of the season, or we''ll have to sell the main players, buy after selling, you know the drill." "... " Mancini was scratching his head. The winter transfer window is about to start, but no matter how he and Ossorio negotiate, they''ve only secured a budget of 10 million euros. Previously, it wouldn''t even cover Eevee''s after-tax salary for a year at Inter. Returning from the Turkish Super League to the mainstream leagues, Mancini has an urgent desire to prove himself. He even disposed of all his assets in the Turkish Super League, and spent heavily, purchasing a 3 million euro detached villa by Lake Como in Milan, planning to reside long-term in this city. How to lead Inter back to the Champions League has become a massive burden on the heart of this renowned Italian coach. Since it''s difficult to find good options in the transfer market. Internal development became a reluctant option for Mancini. Mancini isn''t a coach inclined to use young players, apart from Balotelli, he often used mature players in his coaching career. Bonazzoli from the youth team was the first youngster he reluctantly promoted. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The results weren''t promising; this guy had a strong physique but his forward skills were rough, clearly of Serie B level. Tang Long''s arrival was an unexpected surprise. Mancini increasingly discovered that Tang Long possessed a peculiar aura. This aura was indescribable. It mainly manifested in how he could always create goals through flashes of brilliance! If Tang Long''s two threatening passes in the match against Genoa were just an accident. Mancini gradually noticed the clues in the away match against Rome three days ago. A player couldn''t always rely on luck! Especially when Tang Long received a pass from Hernanes and suddenly let it go to Icardi, assisting the latter in scoring the fourth goal. "How did he know which position Icardi would move to?" At that moment, Mancini sat in front of the computer, repeatedly watching the replay on the screen. Click, click. He kept clicking the pause button on the replay with the mouse. Attempting to observe Tang Long''s head turning frame by frame. But what surprised Mancini was¡ªTang Long never intersected his vision with Icardi! "Instinct, this is an instinctive sense of the bigger picture; it''s hard to explain, perhaps it''s talent!" Mancini took out his phone. Clicked on the text message Sneijder sent him. It was after the Serie A 11th round match between Inter and Genoa concluded, Sneijder sent it to him. -[Dear Mr. Mancini, excuse my interruption, after watching this game, I want to discuss Tang''s performance specifically from the perspective of a former Inter player.] -[Tang''s two passes¡ªsorry, I want to say ''passes'' rather than shots¡ª I know many people think this way, but I''m sure he intended to pass!] -[Tang''s vision of the bigger picture, his precise control of the situation, fascinates me deeply! His potential far exceeds other Inter players, and I believe that under your guidance, he can grow into a world-class star!] Mancini had read this text over ten times. He even suspected that the phone number was fake, just a prank by a fan! However, after verification with the club officials, it was confirmed to be Sneijder''s number indeed. "Sounds too magical, is Tang this strong? If he''s this strong, why didn''t the youth team director mention his name when I first came to Inter!" Until he saw the replay of Tang Long''s subtle pass on Benatti''s phone at the post-match press conference after the game against Rome. Mancini was amazed! In this instance, Tang didn''t touch the ball. In fact, the assist for this goal was counted for Hernanes. But this amazing pass led to a unique opportunity! The situation was instantly brightened. Simply masterful imagination! "No wonder it''s Sneijder, he judges people better than I do..." Mancini laughed happily. Knock, knock! Assistant coach Herrera knocked on the door and entered. "Boss, the report on Tang Long that you wanted is out." According to Inter''s usual practice. Every player promoted from the youth team to the first team, within ten days, the first team coaching staff and medical team would evaluate the player''s performance in training during this period, and submit a comprehensive evaluation report for the head coach''s reference. Mancini opened it. The fitness coach wrote two pages. [Tang''s physical quality is quite ordinary, his muscle explosiveness and endurance aren''t enough to sustain 90 minutes of Serie A match confrontation, data shows...] Mancini turned to the next, which was the technical trainer''s evaluation. [Tang''s basic skills clearly lag behind his teammates, except for his accuracy in short passes, his long passes, shooting, ball control, and heading are quite rough, not meeting the qualifying standards of a Serie A player, furthermore...] Further on was the set-piece coach''s evaluation. [Upon identification, Tang''s judgment of ball placement in set-piece attacks and defenses is quite precise, but limited by his physical quality, he struggles to compete for the first ball placement...] The medical officer''s evaluation was more direct. [Through analysis, Tang seems to have a habit of staying up late, with noticeable dark circles; during conversations, he claims to watch game footage at night, this statement is questionable. It''s speculated that he frequents nightclubs often, which could severely impact his physical development...] Herrera looked at Mancini with a frown, tentatively said: "Boss, based on the coaching staff''s comprehensive analysis, Tang''s ability, at best, is only at the bench level of Serie B!" Chapter 26: The Dilemma of Chiwo, the Youth Team Coach, He Doesn’t Want to Do It Anymore! Chapter 26 - 26: The Dilemma of Chiwo, the Youth Team Coach, He Doesn''t Want to Do It Anymore!The assistant coach Herrera spoke confidently, spittle flying everywhere. Obviously, he had carefully reviewed the comprehensive evaluation report on Tang Long before presenting it to Mancini. Mancini did not respond immediately. He carefully read through the more than twenty-page report without expressing any opinion. He then randomly flipped through a few pages again, looking somewhat absent-minded. Finally, he casually tossed the report onto the desk, leaned back into the wide leather chair with a tactical recline. Herrera watched Mancini''s body sway back and forth with the chair, thinking that his boss was greatly disappointed with the capabilities Tang Long displayed in the report! "Boss, it''s actually nothing much. It''s just a kid with a 400,000 euro salary per year. Even if we accidentally signed a dud, it wouldn''t cause much damage to the club. It''s okay." Mancini took out his cigarette box, holding a cigarette in his mouth. He placed both hands behind his head and looked at his assistant with interest. "It was my idea to give Tang Long a first-team professional contract. Aren''t you afraid of the sports director Ossorio giving me trouble?" According to the procedure, Tang Long''s report needs to be submitted to Inter''s sports director Ossilio. The purpose is to allow the management to promptly understand the situation of young players within the team. Especially to prevent nepotism when promoting from the youth team! Italy is inherently a society of connections, the place in all of Europe that values relationships the most. Many kids with average abilities but wealthy families, if they want to play football, their parents will find ways to fulfill their children''s dreams of playing professional soccer. Since the Indonesian businessman Toshihiko took over Inter Milan, he has implemented standardized reforms at the club, strictly controlling all unnecessary financial expenditures. It is particularly demanded to prevent the arrival of those connected through nepotism. Therefore, when Herrera heard Mancini mention Ossilio, his imagination started running wild! "So that''s how it really is..." Although Herrera maintained a calm face, his heart skipped a beat. Actually, when Mancini first granted Tang Long the first-team contract, Herrera was utterly perplexed! From his technical perspective, Tang Long simply did not have the ability to serve the first team. And his overly simple coaching career¡ªnever having been the head of a team, always an assistant coach¡ªmade it even harder to see that Mancini''s original intention of bringing Tang Long into the first team was to suppress Gualin and all players who opposed him, in order to establish authority in the locker room. This Italian old man, based solely on his own upbringing in a small Italian town, naively believed that Tang Long was actually a connected hire! If not a connected hire, why would Mancini, upon arriving at Inter, promote him from the youth team and even grant him a professional contract? This is the limitation of an assistant coach. Although Herrera is three years older than Mancini and has played in Serie A during his career, he is no match for his superior Mancini in terms of locker room control or insight into player potential! He couldn''t see Tang Long''s role in the locker room nor the intention behind Tang Long''s numerous "Divine Hand" performances in matches. "Boss, I understand, but it doesn''t matter. Ossilio is just a loafer, flying around the world under the guise of scouting new signings. Everyone knows he''s just on a free-funded trip. He''ll definitely turn a blind eye to this; he won''t care!" Mancini let out a cold laugh, looking at him with disdain. Herrera thought he might have misspoken and quickly added: "If it doesn''t work out, we can redo the report, send it back, and have the coaching staff and team doctors rewrite it!" Mancini couldn''t help but chuckle at Herrera''s nervous appearance. "Haha, stop talking nonsense, Herrera. You''ve been with me for four years, and you still haven''t improved a bit?" "This report will be presented to Ossilio as is." Mancini vigorously wrote a long paragraph at the end of the report. ... S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chiwo has been feeling very dejected recently. In a recently concluded Italy U19 youth league match, Inter Milan lost 1-4 away to arch-rival Juventus! What frustrated Chiwo more than losing to their deadly rival was his argument with head coach Leno during the match. By the 74th minute of the second half, Inter was already trailing 1-3. After discussing with Chiwo, Leno agreed that if they did not strengthen their attack to claw back a goal, the match would enter garbage time. While they agreed on enhancing the attack, they disagreed on who should come on! Leno: "I want to sub on forward Chris, play with three forwards, and intensify the offense!" Chiwo: "Chris lacks speed. I think we should sub on midfielder More and unleash Ledesma, move him to the winger position!" Leno: "Unleash Ledesma? He''s been on the bench the whole match, and you still count on him?" Chiwo: "That''s why I want to unleash him, Leno. Sometimes when we''re behind, we don''t necessarily need to send on more forwards. First, we need to activate the midfield. More! Go warm up, you''ll go on in a minute!" Leno: "Wait! More, sit back down. Chris, come out! Who''s the head coach? Chiwo, please know your place!" The two quarreled fiercely on the bench. The players on the field were bewildered, and if people hadn''t intervened timely on the bench, Chiwo and Leno might have had a physical altercation! Ultimately, the U19 head coach Leno won this dispute. However, as Chiwo had predicted, the substitution did not have much effect! After Chris came on as the forward, he made no impact. Juventus U19 scored another goal in the 82nd minute, and the game completely turned into garbage time. On the high-speed train back from Turin to Milan. Although Chiwo and Leno sat together, neither said a word. The final straw that broke the camel''s back finally appeared! This on-the-spot dispute was just a spark that led to their complete fallout! Leno had always been irritated by assistant coach Chiwo''s challenges to his authority, backed by his status as an Inter legend. Especially bypassing him to renew Tang Long''s youth contract, infuriating him! And Chiwo, for his part, disdained Leno''s outdated tactics from the 1990s. In short, the two were at odds! At 10 p.m. upon returning to Milan, Chiwo immediately wanted to resign. He felt utterly aggrieved! However, Chiwo did not call the sports director Ossilio but dialed Mancini instead. As soon as the call connected, before Mancini could speak, Chiwo burst out: "Dear Mr. Mancini, I want to inform you of a decision. I''m planning to submit my resignation tomorrow! I really can''t manage in the youth team anymore, I can''t work with this old fossil Leno, and our football philosophies are just too different!" Chapter 28: Chapter 28 - 28: "Take off all your clothes and pants, right now!These days, Tang Long has consistently used AI Cloud Training to enhance his personal passing skills. He''s even reduced the time spent watching match footage. Actually, this also involves a certain balance issue. Watching more match footage to feed the AI system can continuously improve the system''s capabilities. But as one thing increases, another decreases, so Tang Long also has less time for Cloud Training. Sometimes he can''t help but muse, "If only I could Cloud Train in my dreams!" Besides the balance between the two. Tang Long discovered another tricky issue. He''s been training with the tool partner Iniesta in the Cloud Training Ground for some time. He originally thought his passing stats would continuously improve until reaching a full score of 99! But ever since his passing reached 70, the growth has slowed drastically. It''s even stopped entirely. This brings back the original dilemma. Should he use the time outside training, eating, and sleeping for watching matches to improve the Cloud Training Ground''s capabilities; Or should he utilize all available time to strive to raise every indicator to the current threshold? ... Wednesday morning, at the Inter training base. Chiwo, holding a framed document, stood on the top floor of the office building, watching Inter players sweat profusely on the field. "Do you smoke?" Mancini waved the cigarette box in his hand, "Ossorio brought this back for me during his company-paid trip to South America, it suits my taste well, supposedly not available within Italy." Chiwo declined with a smile. "Mr. Mancini, although I''ve retired, I never smoke or drink, and even carbonated drinks I consume sparingly." Mancini squinted, the smoke making his expression hard to discern. "I retired in 2001, with my final career station being the Premier League''s Leicester City, where players privately enjoyed smoking, but I never touched it, the smell of smoke alone made me nauseous." "But ever since I became a head coach ¡ª my first stop was Florence, I picked up the habit of smoking." "People say there are 60 million coaches in Italy, each with their own perspective on football, in this country, being at the helm of a Serie A team means enduring immense pressure, aside from smoking, I can''t think of other ways to relieve the stress, Chiwo, can you tell me?" "I don''t know either, Mr. Mancini, I''ve never been the head of a first team, perhaps I haven''t faced the difficulties you''ve encountered." Chiwo answered truthfully. Mancini nodded. Then he placed the cigarette on the ashtray. Standing with Chiwo in front of the wide glass window, overlooking the training ground from the 7th floor. "You''ve watched the training from this office for several days, you also saw the conflicts between the different factions within the team the other day, what are your thoughts?" "I saw the entire conflict, clearly it''s because of Tang." "And?" "It''s evident that Tang has a good relationship with both the Argentine gang and the Italian Local Gang, with Icardi and Ranocchia standing up for him, which I didn''t expect." "Exactly, Tang has gained the locker room''s support, which is important for me," Mancini paused, "Of course, it''s also beneficial for himself." Chiwo raised the document in his hand. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Special Training Plan for First Team Player Tang] "The training volume is quite large, and will take up his entire winter break; I have no issue with it, just unsure if Tang is willing." "He must be willing, rest assured Chiwo, you can see the desire for fame in his eyes, this desire will drive his inner fighting spirit, pushing him to chase his goals relentlessly like a hyena." "Mr. Mancini, I must say, I''m pleased we agree on cultivating Tang, in the entire youth team, I''m the only one who supports him." "You don''t have to thank me, helping Tang also helps myself, it''s mutual benefit; one day when you become a head coach of a team, you''ll understand." Mancini combed through his partly gray hair. Strands of hair mingled with his fingertips. He shook his head, letting the hair fall. "When I started my career at Bologna at 17, I was very young, my height was even still growing. Back then, we had a full-back named Cabraja who continued playing even at 38. I thought then, what a distant age 38 must be, as unreachable as stars in the far depths of the universe. Yet now in a blink, I''m turning 50 this year, I read an Eastern philosophy book once, it said at 50 you understand destiny, but what is my destiny?" Chiwo shrugged, showing a puzzled expression. "Mr. Mancini, what you''re saying is too profound, I don''t comprehend it; if there''s nothing else, the training is nearly over, I''ll go down to find Tang now." ... Assistant Coach Herrera blew the whistle signaling the end of training. Due to the previous conflict, everyone restrained themselves this time. No major defensive moves occurred. Especially towards Tang, defenders intentionally held back. Players dispersed, some noticed Chiwo approaching. "Hmm, isn''t that the youth team assistant coach Chiwo? What''s he doing here?" "No idea, training''s over." "Don''t you know? Chiwo has been promoted by Mancini to the first team." "Ah ha? In that case, Herrera''s old position might be in jeopardy." "Indeed, given Chiwo''s standing in this club, being Mancini''s assistant is a seamless fit." Assistant Coach Herrera also noticed Chiwo. Players speculating on things, he naturally knew. Herrera greeted Chiwo somewhat reservedly. "Hey, you''re here, Mr. Chiwo!" Chiwo merely nodded, without a word, heading straight to Tang Long, and they began conversing. Herrera felt neglected, a pang of resentment in his heart. Wasn''t it agreed I''d retire at season''s end? Why does it seem like things are unfolding unexpectedly...? "Mr. Chiwo, we meet again!" "Yes, we meet again, Tang!" The mentor and prot¨¦g¨¦ reunited with a hearty hug. "How''s playing in Serie A feel? Quite different from the youth league, right?" "Absolutely different pace, compared to the youth team, everyone''s actions have sped up by 1.5 times, the offensive and defensive rhythm is particularly fast, even when coming off the bench, I feel very exhausted." "Is your ankle feeling better?" "So-so, those two defenders from Genoa tackled me hard, and then the other day Medel struck me again, my ankle moves and runs, but always feels slightly off." Chiwo nodded, then looked Tang Long up and down. "Tang, take off your clothes." Tang Long hesitated, then took them off. "Not enough, take off your pants too, along with your shoes and socks, all your clothes, remove them all!" Chiwo said. Chapter 29 Harsh Recipe: Pasta Only Allows Black Pepper! Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Harsh Recipe: Pasta Only Allows Black Pepper!"Is it here, Mr. Chiwo, I..." "Just do as I say!" The tone of Chiwo was unquestionable, and Tang Long had no choice but to comply. In a flash, he stripped down until he was left with only a pair of red briefs, and Chiwo indicated that was enough. On the training ground with just the two of them, Tang Long was wearing only a pair of red briefs, his entire body bare. In the distance, an old man working on the turf turned off the lawnmower¡¯s key, rested his hands on the handlebar, and curiously looked at the two. Chiwo took a careful look at Tang Long¡¯s muscle definition from head to toe. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He even went so far as to pinch certain parts like the shoulders, abdomen, thighs, and calves. This left Tang Long bewildered, unsure of what Chiwo was doing. Chiwo fiddled around while squatting for quite a while. Finally, he stood up. Chiwo smiled lightly and then, in front of Tang Long, also stripped down completely. "Mr. Chiwo, what are you doing?" Tang Long was full of questions, incredulous towards Chiwo. What exactly did he want to do? Chiwo just stood face to face with Tang Long. "Tang, I am 34 years old this year, have been retired from Inter for almost a year. Look at my body, where is it different from yours?" This was Tang Long¡¯s first time seeing Chiwo¡¯s naked body. He noticed, this legendary defender who had won the treble for Inter. Although retired for nearly a year, his muscle definition was very well-proportioned. Chiwo, standing at 184 cm tall, wasn¡¯t the muscular type, but the areas that should have muscles had visible definition, and where there shouldn¡¯t be fat, like the abdomen, was extremely flat. Especially Chiwo¡¯s waist, which was made to look slender by his broad shoulders. His entire upper body formed a beautiful inverted triangle. And Chiwo¡¯s lower body surprised Tang Long even more! His thighs were sturdy like old tree trunks, and his calves were straight and gleamed with muscle tone. The scar from the surgery on his right knee was clearly visible. This was the reward of his 16-year career. "Mr. Chiwo, I didn¡¯t expect that after almost a year of retirement, your physique is still maintained so well! In the locker room, I can observe the bodies of first-team teammates up close. It¡¯s no exaggeration to say more than half of them don¡¯t maintain their physiques as well as you do!" Chiwo¡¯s face showed a look of pride. "Haha, I¡¯m not bragging. Although I am 34, have retired for over a year without professional training, with my current physical condition, playing 45 minutes in a Serie A match would be no problem." Compared to Chiwo, Tang Long¡¯s physique seemed somewhat lackluster. He smiled awkwardly. Tang Long stood at 182 cm, a centimeter above the average height of Serie A players. But his weight was only 70 kg. In Eastern culture, Tang Long¡¯s body would be considered quite proportionate. But in the professional European arena, this weight was still too light. "Your pecs are not very prominent, your abs definition comes from being slim, and your back, the framework is there but doesn¡¯t fill you out, also, your leg¡¯s core muscle group has great potential for improvement." Chiwo continued to analyze: "I watched the recording of your match against Genoa. During the double challenge on you, you had jumped already, but when you landed, you twisted your ankle slightly. This still stems from insufficient leg muscle strength." "Insufficient muscle strength not only makes you suffer in confrontations, be easily bullied, but more importantly, you¡¯re also prone to injuries. You are still young now, but once you pass the age of 20, this will become your Achilles¡¯ heel!" "Tang, I have a three-month special training program for you. Originally, I wanted to start with your basic skills, but your muscle strength has great room for improvement. From today onwards, you need to change your diet, sleep, and training content!" That day for lunch, Tang Long did not go home but ate with Chiwo at the club¡¯s restaurant. Chiwo had Tang Long sit while he personally served him the meal. A plate of spaghetti, a grilled steak, a plate of chicken breast, six scoops of broccoli, and a cup of 200 ml sugar-free yogurt. Chiwo¡¯s dish was exactly the same, except the steak was replaced with salmon. Tang Long looked at the bare plate of spaghetti in front of him and looked troubled. He had eaten spaghetti before. However, when Tang Long ate, he would add tomato sauce, which tasted better. Slurping it up, it was like the Chinese tomato noodle soup. "Eating spaghetti alone, without any seasoning, seems difficult to swallow," Tang Long said. Chiwo took a small bottle from the neighboring table and sprinkled a couple of shakes onto his spaghetti. "Spaghetti out of the pot, without any condiments including sugar, oil, and salt, just a sprinkle of black pepper, can be a rare delicacy, believe me, try it?" Right in front of Tang Long, Chiwo mixed black pepper into the spaghetti and indulged heartily. Tang Long took two bites, forcing himself to swallow. It really was very unpalatable~ Tang Long wasn¡¯t used to black pepper and found it a bit nasal. The most important thing was it wasn¡¯t salty enough, it tasted bland and flavorless. In fact, Tang Long didn¡¯t eat a lot of spaghetti. His stomach was still accustomed to the hometown flavors, preferring rice. "Tang, I looked into your Chinese eating habits, you¡¯re used to consuming high-carb, high-fat, high-oil foods, these dishes indeed taste great. But this habit is just like how we Westerners indulge in McDonald¡¯s burgers, not conducive to your body becoming stronger. You need to start with eating habits. I¡¯m not saying your country¡¯s eating habits are bad, but often the menu in front of you is more suitable for someone who wants to endure 90 minutes of intense Serie A confrontation, a professional footballer, do you understand what I mean?" Following this, Chiwo laid out the menu for Tang Long¡¯s breakfast and dinner. Breakfast consisted of two pieces of whole wheat bread, avoiding all condiments, including but not limited to peanut butter, cheese sauce, etc., then two boiled eggs, a glass of freshly squeezed juice with no sugar, plus one apple. Dinner would still be black pepper spaghetti, three boiled eggs, a bowl of vegetable salad without any dressing, and the meat could be either boiled chicken breast or grilled salmon. Meanwhile, snacks are suitable at ten o¡¯clock and four in the afternoon, and protein powder should be consumed too. "I know you don¡¯t smoke or drink, I don¡¯t need to emphasize these, this is the baseline. What I need to highlight is, the sensation of carbonated drinks is indeed enticing, especially for someone your age, well, I allow you to have a 250 ml glass of cola once a month." Tang Long immediately said: "Mr. Chiwo rest assured, I don¡¯t have a habit of drinking carbonated beverages, purely because I don¡¯t like the feeling of bubbles rushing into the mouth." Tang Long paused and said: "I feel you¡¯re like a team¡¯s nutritionist, but you¡¯re stricter than the first team¡¯s nutritionist, here, salads are provided with dressing." Chiwo¡¯s face showed the subway old man¡¯s "eh" expression. "It seems Manci is still lenient in this area, of course, he is the first team¡¯s head coach, it¡¯s impossible for him to personally handle everything, and those below him might not necessarily listen to him." "But Tang, regarding your body, please trust me completely, you¡¯re just 18 years old, your muscles haven¡¯t fully defined, you must pay attention in terms of diet." Tang Long had a question in his mind that he couldn¡¯t help but ask Chiwo: "Enhancing muscle strength, is it just about eating?" "You¡¯re dreaming," Chiwo chuckled, "your devil training, I just opened a gentle Chapter, from now on every day, besides completing first team training, you must also train with me!" "Your goal here with me is to have a physique that can withstand 90 minutes of Serie A confrontation." At this point, Chiwo collected his laughter. He became serious. "Tang, I need to be frank with you, if your body remains as frail as it is now, your above-average game vision can only position you as a substitute dark horse, Manci absolutely will not let you into the starting lineup!" Chapter 30 Unlocking Hidden Rewards - Guidance from an Inter Triple Crown Honored Player! Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Unlocking Hidden Rewards - Guidance from an Inter Triple Crown Honored Player!After dinner, Tang Long bid farewell to Chiwo and returned to the dormitory to sleep. Since childhood, Tang Long has developed the habit of taking a nap. If he doesn¡¯t sleep for an hour at noon, he absolutely gets sleepy in the afternoon. But today, Tang Long found it strange that his drowsiness was much less than before, and he naturally woke up after only about twenty minutes of rest. Tang Long immediately realized that this was related to what he ate at noon. "It¡¯s a good thing. Chiwo¡¯s dietary guidance allows me to gain at least forty more minutes from my naptime every day!" Tang Long happily entered the AI Cloud Training Ground. Since his passing values had reached a bottleneck, he wanted to work on stamina and physical confrontation, as this was specifically emphasized by Chiwo in the morning. To start in Serie A and play a full 90-minute match, physical fitness is key! But as soon as Tang Long entered, before he had time to choose a training program, he was surprised to find Chiwo appeared on the training ground! He was wearing Inter¡¯s home jersey from the 2009-2010 season, standing still like a wooden stake. Tang Long walked over and pinched Chiwo¡¯s face, soft! S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chiwo¡¯s expression was dull, like a robot. "Haha, Mr. Chiwo, didn¡¯t expect to see you here too!" Tang Long laughed. "Ding!" "Congratulations to the host for unlocking hidden rewards - guidance from Inter Milan¡¯s treble-winning legendary player!" "Activate the training partner - Chiwo!" "Special effect: Break the host¡¯s value bottleneck, value upper limit: unknown." Whew¡ª Chiwo, who was originally standing still, moved. He looked at Tang Long blankly, speaking mechanically, word by word: "Hello, I am training partner Chiwo, born in 1980 in Romania, started my career at the Liga 1 giant Scoralesta, transferred to Eredivisie¡¯s Ajax in 1999 for 2.5 million euros, transferred to Serie A¡¯s Rome in 2003 for 18 million euros, transferred to Inter Milan in 2007 for 16 million euros, retired in March 2014." "My club career data: 437 matches, 21 goals, 17 assists." "My national team career data: 75 matches, 3 goals, 8 assists." Above Chiwo¡¯s head, there was a flashing yellow card. Tang Long clicked it, and the card turned into a line of text. [Training Partner Chiwo] [Offensive Strength: Passing from center-back position, organizing from midfield position] [Defensive Strength: Aggressive tackling, abundant stamina, excellent sense of position] Chiwo appearing in the Cloud Training Ground excited Tang Long greatly! Although in the world of football, he is not that kind of superstar. He is quite different from Tang Long¡¯s previous training tool Iniesta. But according to the system prompt, choosing this Inter treble-winning legend as a training partner can break value bottlenecks! Tang Long¡¯s passing has been stagnant at the number 70 for a long time. He once suspected whether it was an issue with Iniesta. Yet later, he switched to other training partners like Pirlo and Luo, and still no effect. Now Chiwo¡¯s appearance resolved this issue. During his player era, although Chiwo played as a defender, he also had extremely deep passing skills! In fact, when Mancini spent 16 million euros to bring him from Rome to Inter in 2007, it was because of Chiwo¡¯s solid football foundation. Mancini once commented: "Chiwo combines exquisite left-foot technique and tough defense together. He can play left-back, center-back, and defensive midfielder. He¡¯s an outstanding football jack-of-all-trades. Whoever gets Chiwo, gets three players at once." Tang Long immediately started passing training with Chiwo. ... "Exit AI Cloud Training Ground!" "Short pass value increased!" "70¡ª71!" Indeed! Tang Long opened his eyes, sat on the chair, and stretched comfortably. This was the most comfortable afternoon stretch he had in many days. Although Tang Long is not sure about the passing upper limit Chiwo can bring him, but the predicted upper limit is definitely above 80. "Knock knock knock!" A knocking sound came from the door. Who would come looking for him at this time? Bonazzoli should still be asleep, right? Tang Long opened the door and saw Chiwo. "Haha, Mr. Chiwo, you look more natural now!" Chiwo paused, what does this mean? "Tang, come on, let¡¯s continue the training!" "Do we continue training in the afternoon?" "Of course, your special training time is very short, only three months. But there are many areas to improve, we must seize every moment, let¡¯s go to the gym!" Chiwo had already dressed in training attire and sports shoes, and Tang Long quickly changed clothes and went out. The gym at the Inter base. Chiwo opened the door with the key. It¡¯s half past two in the afternoon, and it¡¯s empty inside. "Tang, your strength training must increase. To have a strong body, optimizing diet structure alone is far from enough, you must train more!" "But Mr. Chiwo, I see those strong Inter first team players, they seem to rarely come to the gym?" Tang Long mentioned Gualin. As the strongest player in Inter team. Gualin indeed rarely comes to the gym. To be exact, he might not even go once a month! It puzzled Tang Long so much that he even went to seek advice from Gualin. Of course, apart from a disdainful look, he got nothing. Gualin even sneered, saying, "Are you Chinese players always so weak?" Chiwo understood Tang Long¡¯s meaning. He sat on the bench press chair and shared a past experience with Tang Long. "As a player, when I first came to Inter in 2007, there was a player named Eevee on the team. Not only was he tall, but he was also extremely sturdy, more terrifyingly agile with the ball! Every intra-team match, the one I least wanted to mark was Eevee! I once asked Eevee how he trained and if he had any secrets to teach me? Eevee was puzzled, telling me that he didn¡¯t have any secrets and his training was just like everyone else. At first, I didn¡¯t believe him, thought he was deliberately hiding something, but until I saw a video online of him playing in Sweden¡¯s Malmo at 17, I was surprised to find he was already so strong then!" Chiwo looked at Tang Long meaningfully. "Talent, this is a matter of talent! Whether Eevee or Gualin, their physical talent far exceeds yours! But you shouldn¡¯t be discouraged; you have your talents too, your big picture view is equally overwhelming compared to others. Moreover, physical deficiencies can be compensated by training, but your talent is very difficult to compensate later." Whew¡ª Whew¡ª Tang Long lay on the bench, pushing the barbell. Sweat dripped down like rain, pattering on the floor. "Come on, your bench press is only 68 kilograms, any Serie A main defender can knock you over, come on, three months later I want you to reach 100 kilograms! Come on!" "Coa, coach, is three, three months really enough?" Looking at Tang Long with a flushed face, veins bulging on his neck, his arms trembling slightly. Chiwo couldn¡¯t bear to tell him the truth. Actually, his transformation plan for Tang Long is at least a year. The physical transformation alone needed to last over 6 months. But he¡¯s worried that a young guy like Tang Long, who is impatient, might not have the patience for that long. "Absolutely enough, would I lie to you? Give me three months, I¡¯ll let you send Gualin flying in the intra-team training match, believe it or not!" Tang Long¡¯s cheeks puffed up like a frog¡¯s, his eyeballs almost popping out. Just thinking about himself, in training, sending the Colombian flying with a shoulder bump makes his heart surge with motivation. "Hey!" With a clang, Tang Long lifted the 70KG barbell and steadily placed it on the rack. Chiwo¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up. "Good, it seems you¡¯re far from reaching your limit, continue adding weight. With me protecting you, don¡¯t be afraid of getting injured!" Chapter 31: Gualin Returns to the Starting Lineup, Behind It Is Mancini’s Old Cleverness! Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Gualin Returns to the Starting Lineup, Behind It Is Mancini¡¯s Old Cleverness!Time came to mid-December. Serie A¡¯s 13th round, Inter hosted home against the weak Chievo. This year, Serie A¡¯s winter break came relatively early, with this match marking the beginning of a twenty-day break for the Serie A Alliance. For several years, sports broadcasters have been encouraging Serie A to learn from the Premier League and shorten or even cancel the winter break for profit. After all, broadcasting matches during Christmas can greatly increase viewership ratings. For fans, watching football during the New Year is also a pleasant thing. However, this proposal faced strong opposition at the league-wide meeting, with 17 out of 20 teams against it! Unlike the Premier League, most of Serie A¡¯s team owners are local Italians. They have relatively traditional and conservative thinking. "Christmas is originally a holiday, if you let our players go to play, can they do it with peace of mind? They can¡¯t!" "Serie A needs a winter break, especially for small teams like Verona, we need to buy and sell players to strengthen ourselves, or else we are destined for relegation in the second half of the season!" "We Italians have a rich football cultural heritage, why should we learn from the northern Brits?" "It¡¯s simply nonsense, someone wants to divide Italian football!" In the end, sports broadcasters faced a deadlock, and the matter came to naught. Of course, for players playing in Serie A, having a winter break is naturally delightful~ Who wouldn¡¯t want to reunite with family, girlfriends, and friends during Christmas? Still have to work and play football over the New Year? To hell with football! However, Inter coach Mancini particularly emphasized the importance of the match before the winter break. He had already watched all the videos of Chievo¡¯s last ten matches early on, and together with assistant coach Herrera, Chiwo, and technical analyst Karamoshi, he laid out tactical plans. At the same time, Mancini also stressed to the players during Saturday¡¯s last training session: "The holidays are coming, I know many of your thoughts have already flown to the beaches of the Iberian Peninsula, but whether the team can achieve three consecutive wins is a mental challenge we must overcome!" Why does Mancini value three consecutive wins so much? This again inevitably brings up the discussion of the former coach, Mazzari. During Mazzari¡¯s one and a half years coaching Inter. Under his guidance, the Blue-Black Corps never achieved three consecutive league wins! Occasionally, after achieving two consecutive wins, fans thought Mazzari was going to rise; Inter was going to breathe easy. But regardless of who they played in the third round, whether strong teams like Juventus and AC Milan or weak relegation candidates like Catania and Chievo, the results were either a draw or a loss, mostly losses. Thus, some Inter fans from China, in their frustration and anger, turned their feelings into inspiration and composed a catchy song for Mazzari ¡ª "Mazzari, Playing Blindly" The melody borrowed from the animation of Journey to the West. "Mazzari, randomly playing" "Bringing three defenders to the small international team" "Five brothers and the big Obi" "And Mavic" "What Invincible Bayern what Galaxy Real Madrid" "What Red Devils Manchester United what Cosmic Bar?a" "What long pass transitions what defensive counter-attacks" "Can¡¯t stop the genuinely insane random play" "Leading Inter to the UEFA Europa League!" "Mazzari, randomly playing" "It¡¯s not easy being Mavic as the core" "Weak attack and anxious" "Mazzari will personally play blindly" "What miraculous strategies with Icardi¡¯s own tricks" "Even if the league has no victories, a penalty will defeat" "What miraculous long passes and mixes" "Obi quick breakthrough Gualin¡¯s airplane shot" "Four disciples cut demons and battle devils with unity" "Inter couldn¡¯t even play down to the first place!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though it¡¯s just teasing, the lyrics also exaggerate a lot. But the years after the treble-winning Inter. Really lowered many fans¡¯ expectations for this century-old Serie A establishment founded in 1908! Mancini and Mazzari are different; Mancini is a champion coach, having won a significant league title, ranking two levels above Mazzari. He understood very well that achieving three consecutive league wins was a mental challenge Inter had to cross! Even if playing a weak team like Chievo at home. Mancini believes everyone can¡¯t relax their vigilance! Even if the inherently proud Mancini feels certain about defeating Chievo, this is just strategic disdain, tactical emphasis is still indispensable. For this reason, Mancini made a stunning adjustment to the starting lineup. Gualin returns to the starting lineup! When Mancini read the starting lineup in front of everyone on the training ground. When Gualin¡¯s name appeared, people from the Argentine Barbecue Gang and the Italian Local Gang were stunned! Wasn¡¯t this guy banned? How is he starting! Even Gualin himself didn¡¯t expect it. He had privately asked his agent to find him another club. Could it be that the coach trusts me again? No one can decipher Mancini¡¯s thoughts exactly. Mancini, who¡¯s in his prime age, has become more mature than ever. If he completely banned Gualin just because of a quiet mutter questioning his tactics in the locker room, and kicked him out of the team, Mancini wouldn¡¯t be a great coach. Mancini needs to use players like Gualin! Gualin has many shortcomings on the field. He¡¯s reckless, easily agitated, and his yellow cards each season rank first in the team. He¡¯s hot-tempered, complains about teammates, and likes to go solo. But Gualin¡¯s strengths are also very prominent! He is the strongest player within Inter; with him there, the midfield toughness elevates a notch. He is the most hard-working player, a faithful meat grinder. Though his long shots often miss, it¡¯s undeniable, every season he¡¯s the midfielder who scores the most goals! Plus, Gualin led Porto to win the UEFA Europa League title in the 2010-2011 season. In recent years, Inter has cleared out all the treble-winning players, Gualin is now one of the few champion players left, who has seen major events. If Gualin is driven away, bringing in a player with a similar role to Gualin would cost at least 25 million Euros during the winter window! This is unthinkable for Inter, whose financial situation is tight. Mancini¡¯s approach to Gualin is the carrot and stick, slap down, then give him gummies to eat. As long as he¡¯s obedient, he still has games in the team. Since Mancini was heartbroken by his beloved godson Balotelli. The Italian coach has changed his strategy towards players. He never again exposes his heart to a particular player, never treats them overly well without limits. In Mancini¡¯s view, I am the coach, everything I do is to maintain my coaching position. I treat you well because you¡¯re useful to me, and you have value for me to use. Furthermore, Mancini keenly noticed that if Gualin couldn¡¯t stand firm in the team, then the South American gang, led by him, would decline. After the conflict that arose on the training ground over Tang Long. Mancini pondered over this issue. The Argentine Barbecue Gang and the Italian Local Gang are showing a trend of joining forces, they will jointly suppress the South American gang. If Mancini let it go unchecked, the former force will gradually expand, even controlling the locker room. Argentinians and Italians naturally have a strong blood tie! Argentina has 40 million people, at least 20 million have Italian blood running through their veins. Names like Icardi and Sane. Carry a rich Italian cultural flavor - they are descendants of Italian immigrants from a hundred years ago, after World War I. A united locker room has many benefits. But Mancini is wary of seeing an entirely united locker room. Divide and balance is Mancini¡¯s technique he must grasp as the coach of a Serie A giant. He¡¯s seen too many examples. If the team¡¯s performance is consistently good, many problems can be masked. Once the team falls into a slump, conflicts will erupt! Collective rebellion from players requesting management to change the coach happens every year across major leagues. As a world-class coach, the rumors and insider knowledge Mancini knows from his peers far exceed those who boast of being professional in the media! If every player in the locker room twisted into a tightly bound rope, this rope could lash opponents, but also lash their coach. If three ropes loosely entangle and intertwine together. The only one who can wield this whip is Mancini himself. Chapter 32: A Hat Trick as Soon as He Returned—Whose Face Did He Slap? Chapter 32: Chapter 32: A Hat Trick as Soon as He Returned¡ªWhose Face Did He Slap?"Ahhhh¡ª¡ª" The Meazza Stadium erupted in intense cheers! This was the celebration for Guarin, who returned to the starting lineup after two games, scoring right at the start! Playing at home against Chievo, Guarin came out extremely fierce from the start. Just 5 minutes in, receiving a pass from teammate Medel in the center, Guarin used his strong shoulders to shield the ball. As he leaned on his opponent, his feet were simultaneously on the move. In the last three steps, he was practically dragging a Chievo defender along! Despite this, Guarin took a few pounding steps, using sheer force to shove Kiesling aside, creating a gap, and swung a powerful shot with his instep into the net! After scoring, Guarin pushed away all the teammates who came to celebrate with him, running alone to the north stand, pounding the Inter badge on his chest repeatedly for the fans! "I¡¯m right here!" With tears in his eyes, he pointed at the grass beneath his feet. This powerful goal also made Tang Long, on the bench, secretly applaud. Whether it was protecting the ball, turning past the opponent, or shooting after pushing off. The entire sequence of moves was seamless, with a clean and efficient display of unabashed confidence. "I¡¯ve known Kiesling for five years; when has he ever looked so embarrassed? Haha, just his bad luck getting crushed by Guarin," Berni said to Tang Long from the bench. "That forced turn while shielding the ball, even our best striker Icardi couldn¡¯t do that in the box. I think Guarin could play as a target striker," Tang Long mused, clearly impressed by Guarin¡¯s physique. "Striker? Impossible," Berni lightly flipped a towel. "With Guarin¡¯s personality, he prefers playing aggressive football in the midfield, where he has more freedom. He thrives on that sense of controlling the game." Indeed, Tang Long noticed this issue. When Guarin was on the field, he was the player who touched the ball the most for Inter. Whether it was transitioning from the defensive midfield or linking up play between the midfield and the forwards, it all went through Guarin. The previous game against Rome, Hernanes served as the midfield core, but tonight he was Guarin¡¯s backup, providing protection and support; Medel, on the other hand, played a purely enforcer role, tackling and doing the dirty work. Guarin focused solely on attacking, single-handedly turning Chievo¡¯s defense upside down! Tang Long noticed Icardi¡¯s reaction. It was during a counterattack in the 35th minute of the first half. With a high ball in a fifty-fifty situation, Guarin, leveraging his strong physical prowess, overpowered his opponent and surged forward with big strides! Inter was still playing a 4-3-1-2, with Palacio and Icardi ahead of Guarin. Palacio drew to the wing, pulling away a center-back, creating space for Guarin¡¯s advance. But Icardi didn¡¯t follow Palacio¡¯s example. He drifted from the wing to the middle, then timed his run to dart behind the center-back! A vast open space like a prairie lay ahead! "Pass it quickly!!!" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the Argentine striker was already three meters past the offside line, and Guarin¡¯s pass never came. Icardi helplessly spread his hands toward Guarin, who ignored him and continued charging forward. Bam! Suddenly, Guarin lifted his head, sending the ball ten meters right with a powerful push, using his speed to eat up Chievo¡¯s following defensive midfielder, and at the top of the box, unleashed another powerful instep shot! The contact with the ball was solid, and even from dozens of meters away, Tang Long heard a crisp cracking sound as the ball smashed into the net! The Meazza Stadium erupted in cheers once again! Sixty thousand fans chanted Guarin¡¯s name! "Ah! Ah¡ª" Guarin tore at his jersey, roaring like a bear in the primal forest! In his exceptional excitement from the brace, he didn¡¯t mind getting a yellow card, choosing to remove his jersey and toss it into the air! Off the field, assistant coach Herrera shook his head. "Guarin really needs to rein in that temper; he got an unnecessary yellow card in the first half!" "I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a bad thing," Mancini said with a smile. "He has an aggression that other players don¡¯t." While Inter¡¯s players celebrated around Guarin, Tang Long noticed Icardi still standing on the far side of the pitch, slowly walking back. He showed no intention of running over to celebrate. Just keeping his head down as he walked. "Icardi seems unhappy, see him," Tang Long whispered to Berni. "I see, young people. That ball from Guarin could indeed be passed; Icardi had a better position, it could¡¯ve been a one-on-one. Guarin was a bit selfish with his long shot, but who blames him since he scored..." Berni said. In the second half, Chievo, two goals down, was still looking to struggle a bit. Their star player, Pellissier, moved around in Inter¡¯s penalty box like an eel, constantly seeking openings. Chievo¡¯s three lines were pushing up to varying degrees. For a while, they dominated possession for seventy percent in the first ten minutes! But Serie A veteran Mancini was clearly confident. He knew how to bully Chievo! When you attack, I won¡¯t fall back! The harder you press, the bigger the gaps at the back become. Mancini believed that a quick third goal would instantly deflate Chievo¡¯s morale. Sure enough, Mancini¡¯s tactics proved correct. In the 75th minute of the second half, Yuto Nagatomo broke through and crossed from the wing, and Guarin headed the ball back into the near post from the far side of the box. This time, Guarin dared not remove his shirt in celebration. He merely knelt on the ground, kissed the grass at Meazza, pointed to the sky with both hands, and muttered words to himself. A few days ago, after being slapped by Guarin, Yuto Nagatomo quickly ran to him and bowed 90 degrees. "Arigato!" Even the Sky Sports commentator on site raised his voice by eight octaves. "After being benched for two games, Guarin performed a hat trick for the home fans upon his return! "He¡¯s the first Inter player this season to score a hat trick!" "We don¡¯t know what disputes he had with Mancini before, but after this game, we believe all disputes will dissolve!" "Because Mancini chose to trust Guarin again, and Guarin lived up to his expectations!" "Believe this season, Guarin remains an indispensable strongman for Inter¡¯s push for a Champions League spot!" In the 83rd minute, Mancini made his last substitution adjustment. Bonazzoli came on, a direct swap for Icardi. "Tang, you have no chance now, Bonazzoli used the last quota," Berni said. "Then I can go straight to the winter break," Tang Long stood up, applauding for Bonazzoli, "Go on buddy, try to score a goal!" The replaced Icardi, after a half-hearted high-five with Mancini, sat next to Tang Long. He absently drank two sips of water. "I didn¡¯t play well today, only had one shot the whole match, damn it, what kind of game was that." "A striker can¡¯t score in every game," Tang Long tried to comfort him, "At least, before Christmas, you¡¯re still top of the Serie A scoring chart." Icardi shook his head, his voice full of discontent. "Guarin, it¡¯s like he¡¯s going against me, he just won¡¯t pass to me when there¡¯s a good chance!" "Sure, he got a hat trick, but so what, he just got lucky today, fluked a few in, but if he plays like this next match, can he ensure no misses?" "He¡¯s completely prioritizing his own interests over the team! Tang, I¡¯ll tell you the truth," Icardi covered his mouth, his eyes filled with disdain, "I really dislike that Colombian guy!" Tang Long looked at Icardi¡¯s dejected demeanor and secretly found it amusing! About team interests, haha, you stop pretending. Aren¡¯t you just anxious that you didn¡¯t score~ Especially seeing Guarin, as a midfielder, managing to score a hat trick. Which Icardi hadn¡¯t done this season either! For someone who prides himself as a top Serie A striker, this was undoubtedly a significant blow. His current feeling was probably like someone had slapped him, his face burning painfully! Tang Long said to Icardi: "Mauro, if I were on the field, I¡¯d definitely feed you passes. Although your Serie A Golden Boot is as good as secured, you deserve to compete for the European Golden Boot; you were born to score!" Chapter 33: Icardi Got Anxious, Only Tang Long Can Understand Me! Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Icardi Got Anxious, Only Tang Long Can Understand Me!In the end, this match concluded with Inter¡¯s 4-1 victory at home over their opponents! After Icardi was substituted, Bonazzoli came on and scored a goal by picking up the pieces~ It was in the 88th minute when Gualin hit a high-quality long shot from 30 meters, causing Chievo¡¯s goalkeeper to make an error. Bonazzoli was in the right place and scored with an easy follow-up shot. Having scored his first goal for Inter First Team, Bonazzoli, like Gualin, celebrated by taking off his shirt and received a yellow card. In the final minutes, Inter players¡¯ minds were already on the Christmas holiday. In their eyes, the Chievo players running on the field seemed like the wives, parents, children, or girlfriends accompanying them during the holiday. A relaxed Inter conceded a face-saving goal to Chievo. Post-match press conference. No surprise, Mancini walked towards the press conference with Gualin. Arriving at the door, Mancini smiled and gestured for Gualin to go in first. As soon as Gualin entered the room, there was a thunderous round of applause! Clap clap clap¡ª Clap clap clap¡ª All the journalists stood up and applauded for Gualin! All cameras were focused on him. Gualin felt a buzzing in his mind; he hadn¡¯t encountered such a scene for a long time. The last time was when he won the Europa League with Porto in 2012. "Am I the first Inter player to score a hat-trick this season?" "It¡¯s an honor. As a midfielder, I¡¯m not as close to the goal as forwards, but I played to my strength in long shots. It¡¯s the result of hard training, and of course, it wouldn¡¯t have been possible without Mr. Mancini¡¯s guidance." "Why weren¡¯t you in the lineup for the previous two games?" "The team doctor has explained many times, and I don¡¯t want to repeat or explain any rumors here. I had a thigh injury, but now I¡¯m fully recovered and in 100% competition form, thanks to the coach¡¯s trust." "About patting your chest and pointing to the ground in celebrations?" "I want to tell all Inter fans that I am proud to wear the Blue-Black shirt and will fight for this club¡¯s honor until the last moment, even if I only have one leg left!" "Your relationship with Icardi?" "Strange, why suddenly ask this question? I have a great relationship with him and all Inter teammates. We have a warrior-like friendship, an unbreakable bond." "Can you qualify for next season¡¯s Champions League?" "Currently, Serie A only has three Champions League spots, a reality we had to face at the start of the season. We fell behind at the season¡¯s start, but we¡¯re catching up now. Our hearts are in it, and under Mr. Mancini¡¯s leadership, we¡¯re on the right track." "How do you rate Tang, and how is your relationship with him?" "He¡¯s a very talented young player. As I mentioned before, I get along well with all my teammates." Gualin¡¯s answers left no room for error. Sitting beside him, Mancini showed a satisfied smile. Mancini really couldn¡¯t be more satisfied! The team not only achieved a splendid three-game winning streak, breaking the awkward curse of never having secured three consecutive league wins since the tenure of their former coach Mazzari; Additionally, in the standings, Inter¡¯s ranking also rose to 7th place. Just three rounds ago, they were still in 9th place. Now, the Blue-Black Corps is 9 points behind third-placed Lazio. points, a gap of three matches. Mancini still has 25 league matches left. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This seasoned league specialist has ample confidence to bravely face challenges and chase after rivals. The winter break is finally coming, and the players can relax and enjoy their holidays. But not Mancini! At the press conference, looking at the sea of reporters below, his mind was already on the transfer market. "A mere 10 million euros, what kind of players can we bring in..." ... ... "Bullshit!" Simply bullshit! You see Gualin¡¯s phony demeanor at the press conference, saying how he has a good relationship with everyone? He¡¯s nothing but a complete hypocrite! I really can¡¯t understand what Mr. Mancini is thinking; this guy was clearly benched, so why was he suddenly brought back? Doesn¡¯t Mancini care about his authority anymore? How can he establish his prestige by doing this? I don¡¯t accept it!" During the winter break, in a cozy bar in Milan. Icardi and Ranocchia were sipping drinks. He kept expressing his dissatisfaction with Gualin to the Inter captain. Icardi was born in Rosario City, Santa Fe Province, Argentina, holding dual Argentine/Italian citizenship. Ranocchia was born in Assisi Town, Perugia Province, Italy. Coincidentally, Icardi¡¯s ancestors were Italian descendants who emigrated to Argentina in search of fortune after World War I from Assisi Town. Tracing back roots, they could be considered half-countrymen. Even Icarus¡¯ Italian was slightly accented with a Perugian dialect. "Mauro, you don¡¯t have to be so anxious; wasn¡¯t it just that Gualin didn¡¯t pass the ball to you several times? You¡¯ve scored 11 goals in 13 Serie A matches, the Serie A Golden Boot will be yours sooner or later, so why compare with that reckless Colombian?" Icardi looked very impatient. "Captain, C Luo has already scored 20 goals in La Liga, twice more than me. How can I catch up to him if I don¡¯t score more! And Messi has scored 17 too!" Ranocchia paused his drink, shook it gently, and looked at this young Argentine with great interest. "You want to win the European Golden Boot?" "I do, why wouldn¡¯t I! Tang told me I could win the European Golden Boot!" "Hahaha, how old is Tang? You actually believe what he says, he¡¯s just messing with you." "...So, you don¡¯t believe in me?" "Mauro, of course, I believe in you, but you must not be too impatient. First, stabilize your position on the Serie A scorers list. Veteran Tony from Verona has also scored 8 goals, so secure the Serie A Golden Boot first!" "That¡¯s why I need to score more! You saw last game, I was in a better position, and Gualin just went solo, he¡¯s so selfish, I don¡¯t like him!" Ranocchia put down his glass, and in his blue eyes, there was the unique depth of an Italian man. "Mauro, we are friends, but as captain, I need to remind you. Gualin scored three goals in the last match, helping us achieve three consecutive wins, a feat I¡¯ve never accomplished in a year and a half under Mazzari. From this perspective, Gualin did indeed help the team." Icardi still looked aggrieved, "But my goals can also help the team! Also, Mancini had originally benched Gualin and now suddenly brought him back, isn¡¯t that slapping himself in the face?" Ranocchia dismissed it with a smile. "As long as the team can win, who can slap Mancini in the face? Mauro, if you look at it from Mancini¡¯s perspective, there¡¯s nothing wrong with what he¡¯s doing, because he¡¯s winning; winning makes everything right." Icardi¡¯s face suddenly darkened. "Then that¡¯s a slap in my face! Captain, how can you speak for the South American group? Didn¡¯t you always dislike them? It¡¯s like the sun¡¯s coming out of the west!" "I indeed don¡¯t like them, but I¡¯m the captain; I have to take responsibility for the whole team. You have to understand me, Mauro, being the captain of Inter is the hardest of all clubs in Italy, maybe one day you¡¯ll understand when you become captain." Ranocchia seemed a bit upset. Icardi paused, suddenly downed a large glass of ale. Bang! He slammed the glass on the table so hard that the bartender walking by also turned to look at him. "Then who can understand me? I¡¯m a forward, naturally born to score goals. Only Tang Long understands me! I have to go to Mancini and insist on Tang Long playing, he loves passing me the ball!" Ranocchia scratched his head, looking at the 21-year-old Icardi, whose face showed a naive and fearless expression. The words he intended to scold stayed in his mouth. "Ah, silly boy, if you go to Mancini, you can expect to be excluded from the roster. Because you are my brother, I¡¯ll give you some advice ¡ª don¡¯t go to Mancini, talk to Mr. Sane instead!" Chapter 34 Winter Break Special Training Nonstop! Tang Long’s Body Makes Rapid Progress! Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Winter Break Special Training Nonstop! Tang Long¡¯s Body Makes Rapid Progress!"Mr. Chiwo, I feel like I can¡¯t go on!" "Men can¡¯t say they can¡¯t, come on, the last set of fly birds, your progress has exceeded my expectations, keep going, keep going!" "Huff¡ªhuff¡ª" In the vast Inter training base, Tang Long and Chiwo were accompanied only by the dense oak forest. Tang Long¡¯s special training continued without pause during the winter break. During the winter break, everyone was on holiday, and the club¡¯s restaurant was closed. Chiwo simply brought Tang Long to his home in Milan, supervising his training one-on-one every day, and personally cooking for his diet. Since activating Chiwo, the hidden sparring partner of the Inter treble legend. Tang Long¡¯s progress at the AI Cloud Training Ground was nothing short of rapid! In just half a month, his passing value had reached 75. It reached the passing level of a main midfielder for a mid-to-lower Serie B team. However, that was secondary. What excited Tang Long more was his improvement in physicality! To align with Chiwo¡¯s physical training, Tang Long devoted more effort in the AI Cloud Training Ground on stamina, strength, and other training aspects. The sparring partner remained Chiwo. Just like Chiwo¡¯s versatility in his career, the Romanian in the Cloud Training Ground also played multiple roles! Sweating in the real gym during the day, and continuing to sweat in the gym at the Cloud Training Ground at night. Even though the training content was similar. But the efficiency of cloud training was evidently higher! Tang Long¡¯s stamina increased to 71, strength to 75, and jumping to 70. This was directly reflected in the real-world training with Chiwo. In the gym. "You¡¯re a genius, Tang! In just half a month, your bench press improved from 68KG to 80KG, but your weight only increased by 2KG, how did you do it?" On the training base track. "Nice! You can run 2900 meters in 12 minutes now; once you can run over 3000 meters, you¡¯ll basically have the stamina for a 70-minute Serie A match!" Beside the vertical jump test equipment. "Haha! You can jump as high as I can now, but you still need to work hard, Tang. I¡¯ve been retired for over a year, and my weight is 81KG, I¡¯m 10KG heavier than you!" The only thing that didn¡¯t improve much was speed, which only increased from 65 to 68, then stagnated. Tang Long analyzed that it might be because Chiwo was never known for his speed during his career. But that doesn¡¯t matter. In Inter¡¯s tactical play, Tang Long isn¡¯t required to use speed to confront opponents. If he can pass the ball well while training his stamina and ability to withstand challenges, he can greatly compensate for his shortcomings. Despite this, Tang Long¡¯s progress still amazed Chiwo! He recorded Tang Long¡¯s achievements every day after training. Chiwo was surprised to see Tang Long¡¯s data improvement, resembling the upward trend of a stock K-line chart, which delighted him! "It¡¯s simply unbelievable, Tang, why didn¡¯t I discover your potential when I was coaching the youth team?" Whenever Chiwo asked himself, Tang Long would always give a casual laugh and brush it off. "I¡¯m only 18, coach. I¡¯m young, and I¡¯m very confident in my potential for improvement!" ... ... Just as Tang Long was sweating it out at the training base and eating his fitness meals every day. Mancini quietly appeared in China. SH City, Chongming Island. Outdoor temperature: 1 degree, cold and moist. A cold breeze blew by, carrying a metallic smell. Outside a rural restaurant on the outskirts, two small stools were placed by the lake. Mancini, wearing a thick down jacket, shivered on the stool. Next to him, Eriksson was wearing a red jacket from Harbor Club, staring intently at the float on the lake surface. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Eriksson¡¯s calm demeanor while fishing, Mancini couldn¡¯t help but ask him: "Teacher, aren¡¯t you cold fishing in this wretched weather..." "Hush! The fish is about to bite!" A sharp glint flashed beneath Eriksson¡¯s thick glasses¡ªhe stood up and lifted the hook! After wrestling with a big fish underwater for two minutes, a large grass carp was dragged to the shore. Mancini quickly used a net to scoop up the big fish and tossed it into the red bucket. "Hehe, not bad, at least 5 pounds, it¡¯s good!" Eriksson beamed, looking at the big fish flopping in the bucket. Dinner was a fresh grilled grass carp meal. The enticing aroma made Mancini¡¯s mouth water! He used a fork to grab a piece of fish, mixed it with some folded ear roots and stuffed it into his mouth. The pungent fishy smell of the folded ear roots shot straight to his brain, and Mancini nearly spat it out! "Hahaha, you can¡¯t get used to this grass? I love it, I can eat a handful in one bite!" "Teacher, did you eat this grass in Sweden too..." "No, I only started eating it when I came to China to coach. We Swedes are all born from Viking pirates, haha, our adaptability is strong!" Why would Mancini travel all the way from Milan to SH City? Under the layout of Inter¡¯s owner Toshihiko, Inter aimed to become a globally influential club, and it¡¯s not just as simple as their slogan ¡¯We are the brothers of the world.¡¯ First, they needed to export culture, learn from the Premier League, and build a worldwide brand. Especially in the densely populated East Asian region. For this, Toshihiko planned to establish an Inter Milan Football School in SH City, recruiting talented Chinese kids to play football here. On the school¡¯s opening day, he specially dispatched Mancini to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ribbon-cutting ceremony lasted only a short five minutes, but speeches by various leaders went on for three and a half hours. Suffering from jet lag, Mancini¡¯s eyes were seeing stars as he returned to the hotel and fell asleep immediately. The next day, he had another important person to visit. This person was Eriksson, the current head coach of the Harbor team in the Chinese Super League. Mancini wasn¡¯t interested in the Chinese Super League and wasn¡¯t familiar with it. His eagerness to meet Eriksson was entirely because Eriksson is the teacher he greatly respected and the guiding mentor in Mancini¡¯s coaching career! At that time, Mancini was the head coach of Inter, having won numerous championships and already established himself among the ranks of world-class managers. But there was one thing he couldn¡¯t figure out, and he needed his teacher to clarify. The clock ticked back to the Apennine Peninsula in the last century. Player Mancini, playing phenomenally in the half-number 9 position, became renowned. Football circles once commented on Mancini: "If there was no Baggio, then Mancini would be Italy¡¯s only legend in the past 20 years!" After serving Sampdoria for 15 years, playing 567 matches, scoring 171 goals, and winning Serie A, the Italian Super Cup, and the European Cup Winners¡¯ Cup, among other honors. In 1997, 33-year-old Mancini transferred from Sampdoria to Lazio for a fee of 4 million euros. During the 1999-2000 season, although Lazio won the league and Coppa Italia titles, Mancini¡¯s career was nearing its end. Due to not scoring any goals in 20 league games, he, in frustration, announced his retirement. His appearances for the national team also halted at 36 matches. That season, Lazio¡¯s head coach was the Swede Eriksson. At that time, Eriksson, at the prime age of 52, was full of ambition and at the peak of his coaching career. He keenly noticed Mancini¡¯s talent for tactical understanding and extended an invitation to this football prodigy: "Robert, come be my assistant coach. You¡¯ll become an excellent coach!" Chapter 35 10 Million Euros? That Might Not Even Be Enough to Buy Wu Lei! Chapter 35: Chapter 35 10 Million Euros? That Might Not Even Be Enough to Buy Wu Lei!Mancini served as an assistant coach at Lazio for over a year, and later Eriksson left Lazio to coach the England national team. However, the Swedish tactical master taught assistant coach Mancini a lot. In 2001, at just 37 years old, Mancini took up a position with Florence¡¯s first team, becoming the youngest head coach in the entire Serie A Alliance at the time! While the aura of retired star players coming to coach was undeniable, Mancini¡¯s coaching skills also received genuine recognition. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then everything went smoothly, returning to Lazio to coach in 2002, and winning over Inter¡¯s favor in 2004, thus beginning his path to becoming a legendary coach. Interestingly, Eriksson left Manchester City in 2008, and Mancini became its head coach in 2009. Prior to taking up the position, he also proactively sought advice from his mentor on England¡¯s tactical issues. Throughout his journey, Mancini has always regarded Eriksson as his life mentor, and their tactical styles have a vein of continuity¡ªpragmatic, conservative, with winning as the top priority. In a relaxed atmosphere, Mancini shared his thorny problems with Eriksson. "Teacher, I feel that young players today are becoming harder to manage, especially those born in the ¡¯90s, they are completely different from our generation." Mancini was referring to Icardi. Just the day before Mancini came to China. Inter¡¯s current vice chairman, Mr. SaneµÙ, suddenly visited Mancini. At his luxury villa by Lake Como, SaneµÙ hinted repeatedly about issues concerning Icardi. SaneµÙ subtly told Mancini that Icardi was not happy at Inter right now; he felt excluded. "Mr. Mancini, Icardi is an important player for us, whether from a competitive standpoint or a club asset enhancement perspective, he should be valued, we must not lose him next summer." Mancini realized it was a conflict between Icardi and Gualin, or rather, a conflict between the Argentine faction and the South American faction. He initially thought everything was under his control. But SaneµÙ¡¯s sudden involvement was like a big rock being dropped into a bucket full of water, causing the previously contained water to overflow. As the most revered captain in the history of Inter Milan Club, the pressures from SaneµÙ made Mancini feel the weight from the management. Before SaneµÙ came to visit him, did he communicate with Sporting Director Ossorio and General Manager Fasone? If even the owner Toshihiko is aware of this matter. Then the pressure is not only from management, but could also be from governance! Mancini felt under a tremendous amount of pressure, how to balance competitive results with appeasing the players¡ªMancini, at 50, also has moments of confusion. Eriksson nodded. He didn¡¯t directly answer Mancini but talked about Chelsea. "I coached the England national team, I have many friends in England, they told me about such a thing. Do you know Boas? Three years ago, when he was only 37, he began coaching Chelsea. To demonstrate his control over the dressing room, he once hoped the club stars would fly economy class to Miami, this was met with resistance from all team members, and he was dismissed after more than a year at Chelsea. I know what Boas was thinking, he looked at the club and players, then thought, okay, I¡¯m a coach now, I need to do something, I need them to understand they must respect me! But he did it the wrong way. Just like some players say, I¡¯m a big star, you can¡¯t ask us to fly economy class, this is a principle." Eriksson¡¯s words put Mancini into deep thought. After a long while, he nodded, seeming to have figured something out. Eriksson topped off Mancini¡¯s cup with Wusu. White foam gushed out, flowing slowly along the side of the cup. "Robert, take it easy, you have nothing to worry about, you earn a handsome reward at Inter, while many people in the world have to get up early to do heavy labor in factories, what do you have to complain about? Cherish what you have now!" Afterwards, their conversation became much more relaxed. When Eriksson asked how much transfer budget Mancini had this winter, Mancini awkwardly smiled and held up one finger. "A hundred million euros?" "No, teacher, it¡¯s 10 million." Eriksson laughed when he heard this, and spoke about his experience at Harbor Club. "I¡¯m not sure about Europe, but the current transfer market in Chinese football is very crazy, we are about to sign a midfielder for the next season, almost finalized, the other party is also a Chinese player, they are asking for 50 million RMB, about 5.6 million euros, his name is Yu Hai, have you heard of him? Mancini was taken aback, "Never heard of him, I only know Tang." Eriksson continued, "See, even Chinese players you haven¡¯t heard of cost 5.6 million, what kind of player can you buy in Europe for your 10 million euros?" "I told my Sporting Director Ossorio, I need to bring in a forward, to create competition with Icardi," Mancini said. Eriksson joked, "A forward? Let me see, there¡¯s a forward in our team named Wu Lei, he¡¯s very young, only 23, 10 million euros should be enough to get him, do you want to give it a try? Though I can¡¯t promise this price is enough, our team isn¡¯t short on money!" Mancini couldn¡¯t help asking, "Are Chinese players so wealthy? In recent years, Italy¡¯s economy has been declining, bosses don¡¯t have money, even Mr. Moratti¡¯s refinery isn¡¯t doing well, and Inter has been acquired by foreign investors." "The prosperity of Chinese football is heavily tied to real estate," Eriksson continued to eat his grilled fish, "I don¡¯t know how long this spending spree will last, it started in 2012, a team from southern China was funded by real estate developers, won the Asian championship, and this spending competition began." "But in the SH City where I live, housing prices are even higher than some places in London, if there isn¡¯t a bubble here," Eriksson shook the beer in his cup, "I don¡¯t believe it." At night, a sharp north wind blew on Chongming Island. Drunk on Wusu beer, Mancini tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He was still awake by one in the morning. He repeatedly reflected on his teacher¡¯s guidance, thinking about his young years as a player. Suddenly his phone rang. Seeing it was Ossorio, Mancini answered immediately. "Robert, two pieces of news, one good, one bad, which do you want to hear first?" "Then I¡¯ll listen to the bad news first." "The bad news is, the winter transfer budget was halved, we only have 5 million euros in cash to work with." "...And the good news?" "The good news is, we¡¯ve found the forward you wanted, Podolski, Arsenal is allowing him to leave." "Can 5 million buy Podolski?" Mancini was somewhat incredulous. "Loan, 60 thousand for six months! They say the buyout must be completed at the end of the season, but rest assured, I¡¯ve added a buyout condition, or we can simply default on the purchase, there¡¯s room for negotiation! Alas, I¡¯ve been getting by like this all these years, don¡¯t worry, being poor has its own way, give me 1 million, I could loan across all of Europe!" Chapter 36: Four New Signings Debut, Full Force to Compete for Champions League Qualification! Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Four New Signings Debut, Full Force to Compete for Champions League Qualification!Time has reached early January 2015. Tang Long finished the last set of prescribed bench presses in the gym, lying exhausted on the bench, sweat dripping like rain, splashing on the floor! "Ah... I really can¡¯t go on..." Tang Long moaned. Chiwo stood by, writing "85KG" on the bench press record. These numbers were written with great force, piercing through the paper and tearing the page. "Very good! Today is the last day of the winter break, let¡¯s do a review together and see the results of this month." Over these twenty-odd days, Tang Long trained physically with Chiwo during the day, and paid extreme attention to his diet. At night, he relentlessly continued AI Cloud Training. The results were remarkable! Stamina increased to 80, strength to 78, and jumping to 77. Simultaneously, passing also improved to 78! "This is astonishing, Tang. Your 12-minute run reaches 3400 meters now, matching the average level of Serie A players. If you boost your physical strength a bit more, then purely in terms of physicality, you¡¯re already capable of playing a full 90-minute match!" The transformation completely exceeded Chiwo¡¯s expectations. Within Chiwo¡¯s understanding, he couldn¡¯t explain the whole situation. Perhaps this is what talent is! Talent, this is the only plausible explanation Chiwo has for Tang Long¡¯s miraculous progress. Tang Long got up from the bench, wiping away the hot sweat continuously pouring from his head. "Great news, Mr. Chiwo, I can finally start!" "Don¡¯t be too happy yet," Chiwo feared Tang Long would become arrogant, "The 12-minute run is just testing your basic stamina, but on the field, when to jog, when to sprint, that¡¯s an art." Chiwo spoke frankly, and Tang Long understood that this was essentially an issue of energy distribution. Different opponents and rapidly changing field conditions are present in each game. As a starter, how to effectively distribute stamina over 90 minutes is less about physical issues and more about football wisdom, requiring a smart brain for predictions and analysis. However, this is entirely not a concern for Tang Long! He has the smartest football AI brain in the world, surpassing everyone else in predictions! The only thing he needs to strive for is to have his body and skills catch up with his predictions, ultimately achieving the unity of thought and movement. Think and achieve! Chiwo carefully examined Tang Long¡¯s physique. Especially as he looked at the muscles clearly visible, biceps, pecs, abs under Tang Long¡¯s sweat-soaked clothes, Chiwo couldn¡¯t help but be amazed. "Tang, take off all your clothes just like last time!" Having learned from experience, Tang Long didn¡¯t hesitate at all this time. He swiftly removed all his clothing, leaving just a pair of red underwear. Chiwo, too, was stripped bare. In the gym, two strong men stood facing each other. At this moment, standing beside Chiwo, Tang Long no longer felt inferior as he did a month ago. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He clearly felt that his body had better lines than the Romanian. "Your muscles are developed, lines are beautiful, my body fat rate is higher than yours, I am not as good as you!" Just like last time, Chiwo pinched the muscles on Tang Long¡¯s main body parts. At that moment, he felt a little dazed. A brand-new Tang Long was born! Looking at the youthful physique before him, the vibrant energy was undeniable, with bulging muscle fibers under tight skin. 34-year-old Chiwo, with eyes full of the shadow of himself playing in Ajax fifteen years ago. At that time, he was young like Tang Long, aggressive in style, a newcomer, with countless possibilities in his career, filled with boundless ambitions for the future. Although he won everything at Inter, honors and salaries everyone envies. However, which professional player can retire and say his career had no regrets? If it weren¡¯t for the skull injury, and his rapid decline in 2011, perhaps at this age, 34, he could still be racing on Europe¡¯s top professional stage like former teammates Eto¡¯o, Maicon, Cesar, Cambiasso, enjoying fans¡¯ cheers and applause! "Fifteen years have gone by faster than I imagined, in the blink of an eye..." ... Inter Milan¡¯s winter transfer results were remarkable! Despite sports director Ossorio frequently accused of public-funded travel by fans. Yet, the competence of this veteran director is undeniable. Especially after the brutal slash of 10 million euros cash in hand. Ossorio proudly rented all over Europe with just 5 million euros! [Four new signees debut, fans, are you ready?] This headline is prominently displayed on Inter¡¯s website front page. In the image, four new signees wear Inter jerseys, in the club¡¯s honor room, posing around the 2010 Champions League trophy. Nervousness, pride, energy, youthful unease... Various expressions appeared on the faces of all four. The biggest name is the 30-year-old German forward from Arsenal, Podolski! Last season, Podolski scored 12 goals for the Gunners, but lost his place in the first half of this season due to tactical reasons. Ossorio decisively rented him for 600,000 euros. "With minimal cost, we own a key player who has played over 100 times for the German national team, his big-match experience is a valuable trait, his arrival will significantly assist us in fully attacking for Champions League qualification!" The sports director was extremely proud during media interviews. (Inter Milan officially announces signing of Podolski) The second new signee is 21-year-old all-around midfielder Brozovic. As Inter¡¯s top signing in the winter window, the Croatian cost Ossorio a whopping 3 million euros in rental fees, taking away most of the 5 million in hand, leaving Ossorio distressed for a long time, confirming the transfer only after repeated discussions with Mancini. The return of full-back Santon also thrilled Inter fans! As an important rotational player during the treble-winning era, Santon and Balotelli are good friends, also known as the Crown Prince of Meazza. The prince¡¯s return is an important addition to the injury-ridden Inter defense line. However, with a removed meniscus, his performance at Newcastle was mediocre, his future at Inter remains to be seen. The last new signee is Swiss midfielder Shaqiri from Bayern! He has the breakthroughs and speed that Inter urgently needs, an important tactical supplement. In sum, the four new signees cost a total of 4 million euros. Ossorio made out a 5 million invoice and took a 1 million commission, feeling great~ As he puts it, "This winter, the boss is well-off, I¡¯ve eaten well, none of my efforts were in vain!" Chapter 37 A Brand New Tang Long Fresh Out of the Oven! Mancini Gives Chiwo a Soul Interrogation! Chapter 37: Chapter 37 A Brand New Tang Long Fresh Out of the Oven! Mancini Gives Chiwo a Soul Interrogation!If someone comes in, naturally someone must go out. Alvaro Pereira, Korshin, Mbaye, Oswaldo, Mvila, and others either got loaned out or returned to their original teams after their loans ended. This winter, even though the Inter First Team didn¡¯t have many large financial transactions, the movement of personnel was still considerable. The main players in the team felt a certain sense of crisis. Especially the main striker Icardi! Before Oswaldo left, he wasn¡¯t worried about his main position. Oswaldo was his compatriot, had a decent relationship with him, was not as strong as himself, and didn¡¯t have a strong desire to compete for the main position. But this Podolski is different! In terms of reputation, while Bolti was tearing it up in Cologne and Bayern, Icardi was still in the La Masia youth academy. So, just after rejoining the team, Icardi couldn¡¯t hold it in, disregarding the captain Ranocchia¡¯s advice, he went straight to the coach¡¯s office. "Mr. Mancini, I¡¯d like to talk to you." "What do you want to talk about?" "I want to know my position in the team. I want to win the Serie A Golden Boot, I want to..." Mancini interrupted Icardi¡¯s narration. "Mauro, I guarantee you¡¯ll get the Serie A Golden Boot, becoming the youngest top scorer in Serie A¡¯s hundred-year history, don¡¯t worry." S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Could you give Tang more time? I feel very comfortable playing with him. He always finds various ways to deliver the ball to my feet." "I¡¯ll consider it." Mancini¡¯s prompt agreement was beyond Icardi¡¯s expectations. He originally thought there would be a fierce argument, but it turned out to be quite a smooth negotiation. Icardi left the coach¡¯s office contentedly. Then Chiwo came in excitedly waving the special training plan manual for Tang Long. As he animatedly described Tang Long¡¯s progress during the break to Mancini, Mancini was skeptical. However, the first winter break training session in the afternoon indeed confirmed Chiwo¡¯s description. Tang Long¡¯s body was noticeably stronger, and as a result, his confrontation and running were a beat faster than before. This surprised his teammates a bit. Especially the captain Ranocchia! In the past, when facing Tang Long, using his massive height advantage over Tang Long, he only needed to apply a little pressure from behind to disrupt Tang Long¡¯s ball control. But in today¡¯s training, Ranocchia found this trick didn¡¯t work! He had to use more than eighty percent of his strength to interfere with Tang Long¡¯s reception, and not every ball could be successfully disrupted. Several times, Tang Long even caught him off guard, suddenly using his shoulder to create space, turning and passing the ball out, sending through passes to Icardi. "This kid has obviously gotten stronger!" This was Ranocchia¡¯s realization. "Tang¡¯s physicality doesn¡¯t differ much from mine!" Kovacic and Hernanes, these technical midfielders, also felt that in their confrontations with Tang Long, there was no significant advantage. After the first training session upon rejoining, all players went to the medical room to measure their physical data. Although many players acted quite professionally, enjoying food and drinks during the winter break while not forgetting to run¡ªquite a few of them were the pose-posting type on social media. Sitting on a spin bike, pedaling a couple of times, calling a friend to take a picture, looking intensely forward, then posting a picture and saying: [Training never stops on holiday, this is my daily life] Then fans below like it countless times~ But whether he really trained or not is crystal clear in his own heart! No one trained like Tang Long for the entire winter break. In fact, the weight scale in the medical room never lies. Almost everyone gained 2~4KG. The most obvious change was Gualin. The Colombian star already loved to eat a lot of red meat, and on top of that, he spent the holiday drinking an unknown amount of beer with some good Brazilian friends on the beaches of Rio. Perhaps it was because he scored a hat-trick in the last match before the winter break, making him a bit inflated and pompous! The whole holiday, he didn¡¯t pay attention to his body at all, gaining a full 6KG! Shooting up to over 90 kg, becoming Inter¡¯s top weight holder. His body fat percentage even rose to 17%! On his belly, there was an obvious ring of fat, and when he bent over, the fat on his abdomen would fold up. The once six-pack abs as hard as a rock now had only one piece of flesh left, which looked quite adorable~ This made the third goalkeeper Berni laugh heartily! He stepped forward and patted Gualin¡¯s belly, producing a satisfying thump, like patting a ripe watermelon~ "Report to Mr. Mancini," Berni proudly lifted his own shirt and twirled around, "I still have four-pack abs! I apply to play attacking midfielder!" The crowd erupted in laughter! Gualin was both embarrassed and annoyed, glaring at Berni fiercely, yet dared not do anything to this sly old third keeper. Mancini was quite angry about this! He warned Gualin in front of the whole team: "When you get your body fat percentage down to below 13%, then you can play again!" "And for everyone else," Mancini¡¯s gaze was like a whip across everyone¡¯s face, "Anyone with body fat above 13% will not be on the squad for the next match against Bologna!" Tang Long was the only one whose physical stats not only didn¡¯t regress but actually improved! Currently, Tang Long is 182 cm tall and weighs 75 kg, which is the perfect weight for a young player. It ensures a certain level of competitiveness while maintaining agility. Tang Long¡¯s body fat percentage, although unchanged at 12%, visually showed signs of muscle growth. "Tang, it seems that the M size jersey is a bit tight for you, you should switch to an L size!" The thoughtful jersey manager also changed Tang Long¡¯s jersey. In the following three days. No need for any urging, everyone trained like crazy, sweating profusely. In the end, aside from Gualin, everyone reached the 13% body fat standard. The day before the match, Mancini, for some reason, deliberately bypassed assistant coach Herrera to discuss the starting lineup with Chiwo alone. Chiwo¡¯s opinion was that since Gualin¡¯s physical condition did not meet the requirements for the match, In the 4312 formation, the front attacking midfielder position could go to Tang Long. "Mr. Mancini, Tang¡¯s most suitable position is the one that connects with the forwards. I used to worry about his stamina and competitiveness, but now it seems his growth far exceeds our expectations." Chiwo looked at Mancini with great anticipation. "It¡¯s worth trying him as a starter! You¡¯ve done well, Tang is indeed a raw talent," Mancini smiled at him, "Under your careful cultivation, he has grown rapidly." Chiwo¡¯s face radiated confidence as he said, "I¡¯m never wrong about people, this kid¡¯s sense of the game is world-class. As long as he trains his body well and covers some basic skill weaknesses, he certainly has the potential to play as a main player at Inter." Mancini didn¡¯t respond immediately. He lit a cigarette, took a thoughtful puff. "Christian, since you knew Tang had many weaknesses, why didn¡¯t you fully train him while you were both in the youth team before sending him to the first team?" Chiwo was taken aback, then smiled awkwardly. "Nothing escapes you, Mr. Mancini!" "To be honest, by the day I recommended Tang to the first team, I had already almost hit a dead end in the youth team. Leno was constantly reporting to Ossorio; did he think I didn¡¯t know? I could leave at any moment, but I just wanted the most talented player in the team to show his potential to you as quickly as possible, because I wasn¡¯t sure whether my partner Leno, being so old-fashioned, could see Tang¡¯s talent." Mancini raised an eyebrow: "How would that benefit you though? Whether Tang was promoted or not wouldn¡¯t bring you any benefit." Chiwo ran his hand through the hair at his temple. A deep pink semicircular scar was still clearly visible in the thick hair. This was the mark of a cranial suture surgery. "In January 2010, during a match with Chievo, I collided heads with Pellissier while contending for a header. I heard a sound, like my head bursting, and in that moment, I thought I was going to die. As I lay on the ground, I never felt the turf so cold. I thought of my wife, my children, the past 30 years flashing through my mind like a movie. The surgery went smoothly, thanks to Chairman Moratti, who sent a private jet to bring the best specialist from Milan. But the night after the surgery in the intensive care unit was like a nightmare. Every hour, someone would wake me, shine a bright light in my eyes and ask my name, where I was, why I was here... over and over. They were afraid I would lose consciousness. They said that if I lost consciousness that night, I would never wake up again! The doctors decided to operate on my head to remove the bone fragments inside. They told me if I opted for conservative treatment, there would be no danger, but I¡¯d have to say goodbye to football. If I wanted to continue playing, they had to remove all the bones in one go, which posed a substantial risk, even leaving irreversible neurological sequelae that could impact the rest of my life! They wanted me to choose¡ªat that time, my wife Adelina was sitting by my side, crying and holding me, begging me to opt for conservative treatment, but I answered without hesitation: I want to play football; I want to continue playing for Inter!" At this point, tears welled up in Chiwo¡¯s eyes. "I love Internazionale, and if I¡¯m a youth coach here, then a talented player like Tang must not be buried under my watch! That¡¯s my answer, Mr. Mancini." Chapter 38: Starting with a Flying Tackle! This is the Debut of a Serie A Rookie! Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Starting with a Flying Tackle! This is the Debut of a Serie A Rookie!Bologna, a city of mountains and waters. The city is located on the southern edge of the Po River Plain and the northern foothills of the Apennines, with picturesque scenery and a pleasant climate, making it one of the most livable cities in Italy. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world visit this place for sightseeing. However, Tang Long neither had the time nor the mind to appreciate the beauty here. Inter¡¯s bus was heading towards Bologna¡¯s home ground, the Dallara Stadium. The road, which had been in disrepair for years, was a bit bumpy; even this luxury bus, which cost 300,000 euros and had the world¡¯s most comfortable suspension, struggled to smooth out the jounces. The third goalkeeper, Berni, was giving Tang Long the final pre-match briefing. "First time starting, don¡¯t be nervous, Tang, just play as you usually do in training! Your position is an attacking midfielder, and the classical attacking midfielder is extinct. This position requires more running than a forward; once you stop running, the connection between midfield and forward will be cut off! By the way, they have a Canadian midfielder named Davis, who is particularly aggressive in defense. This kid likes to play dirty, steps on your heels, especially likes to provoke you constantly; when you make a move, he covers his face and falls. Last year, Palacio suffered from him and got a red card! In Serie A, every away game is tough. Bologna, a mid-to-lower team, is full of old hands, and they love to bully rookies like you. Don¡¯t back down; just fight them hard! Hit them if you have to, tackle if you need to, whoever bullies you, I¡¯ll take care of him!" In the front row, Ranocchia poked his head out and deliberately shouted loudly: "Uncle Berni, you¡¯re on the bench; how will you take care of them?" This remark sparked a burst of laughter on the bus. Berni wasn¡¯t annoyed and said with a smile: "At worst, I¡¯ll rush onto the field and deal with them; I¡¯m not afraid!" "Come on, Uncle Berni, your red card suspension just ended; if you get another one, can your salary even cover the fines!" "None of your business, shut your big mouth!" Berni retorted with a laugh. It was the first match of the winter break, and the team atmosphere was quite relaxed. But Tang Long couldn¡¯t relax. He had no interest in the beautiful scenery outside the window. This was his first time starting in Serie A in his career! He had waited too long for this day. The entire winter break, he had not rested for a single day, putting in strenuous effort and considerable sweat. His physical condition had greatly improved, finally getting into the starting lineup for Serie A Round 14. However, compared to Tang Long¡¯s start, Mancini¡¯s adjustments to the other positions were more notable. The formation was still 4-3-1-2, but on the forward line, Palacio was benched, replaced by new recruit Podolski partnering with Icardi. For the three midfield positions, new recruit Brozovic was in the center, flanked by Medel and Kovacic. Mancini always liked using players from the former Yugoslavia. To him, they were cost-effective, hardworking, and combative, with an indomitable aggressive spirit on the field. This might also have something to do with the living environment of the former Yugoslavian players, many of whom grew up in unstable, even wartime conditions. On the defense, Dambrosio and Yuto Nagatomo were the left and right full-backs, with Ranocchia and Andreolli in the center. The goalkeeper was the ever-reliable Handanovic. Whoosh¡ª¡ªthe bus drove through the narrow European lanes into the stadium... "CCTV! CCTV! Welcome to the 2014-2015 Serie A season, a highlight match of Round 14, Inter Milan away against Bologna! Why is it a highlight match? Because of a player from China, Tang Long¡ªremember the name! Tang Long will start for Inter Milan! Following his first entry into Serie A, first assist in Serie A, Tang Long has once again made history for Chinese players in Serie A! He has started the match! This is the first time a Chinese player has started in Serie A!" Duan Xuan¡¯s tone was exuberant, saliva flying. When he shouted the word "start," he was so excited that his voice even cracked. Zhang Lu beside him was equally moved! He saw Tang Long appearing in the player¡¯s tunnel during the pre-match broadcast, adjusting his shin pads, and instantly, a surge of heat rose in his heart, his large eye bags underneath beaming eyes! "Sigh, it¡¯s not easy; I¡¯ve been commentating on Serie A since 1991, for 23 years! Over the years, I¡¯ve seen Koreans, Japanese, Iranians appear in Serie A, and I¡¯ve often wondered, when will our Chinese players be able to do the same? I never thought in my 24th year of commentating, I¡¯d witness the rapid progress of Chinese players in Serie A! Let¡¯s look forward to Tang Long¡¯s performance in this match!" In this match, Tang Long played Gualin¡¯s position in the last game. Gualin scored a hat-trick in that game! The pressure on Tang Long is self-evident. Tang Long also knew that the starting position had to be fought for, not given as charity! Gualin, although temporarily out of the starting lineup due to weight issues, S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. it doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s permanently out of the starting lineup! Once Gualin gets back in shape, he¡¯d appear soon enough¡ªlast year, he clashed with Mancini in the locker room, wasn¡¯t in the squad for two games, but later, Mancini still used him; doesn¡¯t that explain something? To solidify his position, Tang Long must outperform Gualin! "Swoosh!" At the beginning, Tang Long, with relentless pressing, forced Bologna¡¯s midfielder to the sideline, timed his moment, and made a sliding tackle, snatching the ball away! The ball flew high, amidst the audience¡¯s exclamations, soaring to the stands! This beautiful sliding tackle happened right in front of Inter Milan¡¯s bench. "Nice, well done, get him!" Berni was pumped, waving a towel at Tang Long from his seat. The other players all backed away, afraid Berni¡¯s towel would hit their face, but they also clapped for Tang Long¡¯s performance. Suit-and-tie clad Mancini¡¯s eyes lit up¡ªhey, this kid is quite aggressive! The fallen Davis slowly got up, looking at his now dirty pants, glared fiercely at Tang Long with an unfriendly gaze. "Hey, number 99, watch what you¡¯re doing!" he shouted at Tang Long. Tang Long pointed to the referee, retorting in Italian, "I didn¡¯t foul, what are you whining about?" Davis, with menacing eyes, walked up to Tang Long, their noses almost touching. "First year in Serie A, huh," the Canadian midfielder sneered, "I¡¯ll make you grow today, kid; I¡¯ll make you grow in these 90 minutes, that is, if you can last the whole 90 minutes." Chapter 39: This World-Stopper Kick, A Skill That Amazed Everyone! Unfortunately... Chapter 39: Chapter 39: This World-Stopper Kick, A Skill That Amazed Everyone! Unfortunately...The referee hurriedly ran towards the two to prevent any potential conflict. Tang Long smirked disdainfully and immediately turned away. This rare starting opportunity was not worth starting a fight right at the beginning. Especially with this Davis, Berni had already warned Tang Long on the bus that he liked to provoke opponents with words and small actions to bait them. Davis watched Tang Long¡¯s retreating back and spat on the ground. "An 18-year-old Serie A freshman? Watch me play until you cry!" This slide tackle in the first minute set the tone for the match. Inter¡¯s teammates on the field were inspired by Tang Long, raising the intensity of their contests. And Bologna, playing at home, was naturally unwilling to lag behind. "According to the data I have, last season, Bologna had the most tackles in the league, and in the first 13 rounds of this season, their tackle count ranks third among all 20 teams!" "At the same time, the average height of Bologna¡¯s registered players this season is 185.3 cm, ranking fourth in Serie A!" "This is a typically strong and tough mid-lower Serie A team. Inter must be careful, and so must Tang Long!" Duan Xuan¡¯s tone was a bit nervous. Zhang Lu calmly analyzed: "Bologna has been competing in Serie A for four consecutive seasons. They haven¡¯t invested much each season but always manage to avoid relegation. Such a team must have its way of surviving. Inter must not underestimate them; their away record this season is not very promising." In fact, Bologna¡¯s coach Lopez had carefully studied Inter¡¯s lineup before the match. He discovered a weakness in Inter¡¯s midfield! Inter was playing a 4-3-1-2 with three defensive midfielders. They were Medel, Brozovic, and Kovacic. These three have extremely strong running abilities akin to long-distance runners. Their coverage is vast; the movement of three covers the range of four! But their midfield combination also has its drawbacks. The biggest flaw is the issue of average height! Medel is 172, Kovacic 177, and the tallest Brozovic is only 181. On average, the three-defensive midfield combination is just 176.7 cm. This is considered short in Serie A. How could Mancini not be aware of this problem? But constrained by the options at hand, if he chose to focus on midfield mobility, he had to sacrifice some height. "Play more high balls, have the forwards drop back a bit!" Under Lopez¡¯s instructions, Bologna¡¯s Italian center forward, Bornerelli, standing at 191, was not entangled in the penalty area with the 195 tall Ranocchia. Instead, he retreated to the midfield to receive high balls. Standing among Inter¡¯s three defensive midfielders, he was like a tall tower, towering above the rest! "Mine!" Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Receiving a goal kick from Bologna¡¯s goalkeeper, Bornerelli held his ground, chested the ball while keeping Kovacic behind him! For any defender, seeing an opponent stop a long ball like this while using their body is a huge humiliation! Usually, one would use their head to contest such balls. Bornerelli did this, clearly bullying the 14 cm shorter youngster Kovacic! Kovacic became a bit anxious as his physical disadvantage left him only able to grab Bornerelli¡¯s arm, disrupting his own center of gravity. Smack! Bornerelli, not the quickest to turn, spun in place! Relying on his overwhelming physical strength, he passed Kovacic and charged forward with the ball! This scene was seen on TV. Far away in Milan, Gualin, who couldn¡¯t travel with the team due to weight issues, was hitting his thigh in anger! "Damn it, such bullying! If I were in the midfield, would I let Bornerelli be so arrogant and play around? Damn it!" Bologna was playing a progressive 4-3-3. Their other two forwards, Giaccherini and Destro, were on the move! Clearly, the three forwards were well coordinated; this tactic had been targeted and practiced several times. After passing the ball to Giaccherini, Bornerelli ran towards Inter¡¯s penalty area. This Giaccherini was also a player with distinct characteristics! Among the tall players of Bologna, his height was exceptionally striking at only 167! One could say that he single-handedly lowered the team¡¯s average height by nearly 2 cm. But as the saying goes, what one lacks in one aspect, one makes up for in another. Giaccherini, with his small stature and low center of gravity, was nicknamed the Short-legged Tiger, a low-end version of Messi. With a few taps, he dipped his shoulder, dribbled, dipped again, and dribbled, leaving left-back Dambrosio in a daze. Seizing the moment when Dambrosio¡¯s steps faltered, Giaccherini nudged the ball, and the obedient football slipped right between Dambrosio¡¯s long legs~ Berni, watching from the bench, felt a tight pang in his chest! He jumped up and rushed to the sideline. "Damn nutmegged! Watch Destro at the far post, watch the far post..." On the field, Inter¡¯s defenders were extremely focused. However, their attention was all on the 191 tall center forward Bornerelli in the penalty area. Bornerelli, sandwiched between the 187 tall Andreolli on his left and the 195 tall Ranocchia on his right, looked like the filling of a sandwich. Even the meat on his face was squashed, and he was still shouting: "Header, give a header!" Woo¡ª Sure enough, the Short-legged Tiger Giaccherini crossed the ball! But Tang Long, who had tracked back to the edge of the penalty area, understood the danger the moment Giaccherini touched the ball! The AI system analyzed the ball trajectory, showing that it wasn¡¯t heading for the heavily marked Bornerelli but rather towards the far post! At the far post, lurking there was another Bologna striker, Destro! "Damn!" Right-back Yuto Nagatomo was shocked and quickly moved close to Destro. Yuto Nagatomo, standing at 170, was known for his speed and quick reactions. He immediately stuck tightly to Destro! But Destro, at 182, had the advantage in weight and height. Despite Yuto Nagatomo pulling and grabbing, Destro managed to get the first touch. Thud! The header was a bit direct. Handanovic felt a yellow blur coming at him, instinctively batted it away with both hands, and the ball flew out! It landed on the left side of the penalty area! Ranocchia let out a long sigh of relief but didn¡¯t forget to remind about contending the second ball as it hadn¡¯t flown far. No sooner had he spoken, when a loud bang resounded! This time, it was louder and more sudden! It was Davis! He stood on the left side of the penalty area, without stopping the ball, and unleashed a direct volley! His posture was extremely graceful, as he leapt into the air! His foot connected with the outside of the ball! Like a wave of light reflecting, the ball drew a bizarre arc in the air and, with a "Chua" sound, landed in the net! All the Inter players were stunned! Handanovic stood in disbelief, not having made any saving action at all! He simply watched! Davis was overjoyed, never having expected his blind shot to miraculously result in a world-class goal~ After a celebratory hop and a fierce high-five with his teammates, he deliberately detoured in front of Tang Long, taunting him: "Hey! Freshman little friend, are you scared silly too?" Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Chapter 40: "I knew it! It had to be you!Davis is definitely not a mindless provocateur. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Don¡¯t be fooled by this Canadian midfielder¡¯s age; he¡¯s only 25, but he¡¯s been playing in Serie A for 5 years. To be specific, during these five years, he spent two years in Serie B and three years in Serie A. It¡¯s hard to say how high his skill level is; he¡¯s not even a regular in this mid-to-lower Bologna team. However, after being immersed in Italian football for years, he¡¯s learned quite a few dirty tricks, filled with schemes. Davis also came up from being a young player; he still remembers how those old hands used psychological tactics to break his defenses! "Davis, that starter with Inter, number 99, Tang, is only 18 years old. Go out there, mess up his mentality!" "No problem, boss, I know how to deal with this kind of rookie." Davis received instructions from the coach before the match; he was on a mission. Often, young talents like Tang Long, starting for the first time, come to the field full of energy, eager to prove themselves to the world. The more anxious one is, the easier it is to lose control. On August 17, 2005, 18-year-old Messi made his debut for the Argentine national football team and was expelled with a red card 48 seconds into a friendly match against Hungary. Davis hopes the same mistake will happen to Tang Long. That¡¯s why, after scoring a fluke goal, he deliberately came over to provoke Tang Long, "Hey, are you scared silly?" Whether Tang Long was scared silly, I don¡¯t know. Inter coach Mancini was certainly a bit bewildered! He wasn¡¯t confused by conceding a goal right off the bat¡ªManci has experienced scenes like this countless times in his coaching career and is quite accustomed to them. What surprised him was the players¡¯ remarkably poor condition on the field! They clearly haven¡¯t snapped out of their winter break yet. Assistant coach Herrera said dejectedly: "If Gualin could confront Bornerelli in midfield, we wouldn¡¯t have let him turn so easily, and there wouldn¡¯t have been the subsequent goal concession." Mancini shook his head with furrowed brows, "The key isn¡¯t there; on the defensive line, Ranocchia and Andreolli are clearly not focused, both marking one guy, leaving Destro completely unguarded at the far post. Others may slack off, but not the defensive line!" Mancini decisively made a swift adjustment¡ª Expand Ranocchia¡¯s range of movement! With his height of 195cm, the tallest on the field, he¡¯s no longer stationed on the defensive line but is instead closely pressing Bologna¡¯s tall center forward Bornerelli. Bornerelli likes to fall back, using height to bully our midfield? Fine, I¡¯ll let Ranocchia move up, wherever you go, Ranocchia will follow, giving you a full-field workout! Mancini is truly a master coach, and this adjustment had immediate effects. In the following ten minutes or so, Ranocchia contested 7 aerial balls against Bornerelli in midfield, winning 6 of them. That move by the opposing center forward to fall back was thus nullified by Mancini. Bornerelli stopped falling back and honestly stayed upfront. The game returned to a regular tug-of-war. Bologna, in the lead, focused on defense while Inter controlled possession and attacked. In Serie A, regardless of the team¡¯s level, once they decide to fall back and form a chain defense, breaching the goal becomes a challenging task for any team. However, such a difficult battle is precisely the opportunity for Tang Long to shine! In the 36th minute of the first half, Brozovic, Kovacic, and Medel, the three midfielders at the back, conducted multiple triangle positioning passes. With such patience, two Bologna players were finally lured out to press. Brozovic was waiting for that moment! Bang! The ball was passed to Tang Long, who had run into open space! This precise pass pushed Inter¡¯s attacking line forward by 20 meters in an instant. Tang Long swiftly turned and advanced with the ball. Bologna¡¯s midfielder Davis charged over, watching him intently, "Do you dare to come past me, how about a duel?" Tang Long wouldn¡¯t fall for that trick, not because he didn¡¯t dare to face off against Davis, but because Podolski was already behind the defenders, close to the offside line! A direct ground-ball pass perfectly aligned with the end of the German forward¡¯s running path! "Here comes the opportunity!" Icardi first took a backward step, bypassed the defender, then immediately charged forward! The near post is open, just give it a shot! Near the byline, Podolski swept across, the ball nutmegged through! No one touched it, the ball deflected off a Bologna defender¡¯s leg and was cleared from the penalty area. Mancini shook his head in disappointment on the sidelines. It seems the synergy between the new recruits and the veteran players still needs work! Icardi¡¯s signature move is to slip through the defense to the near post. Podolski¡¯s cross was well-struck but aimed at the penalty spot. He didn¡¯t sync with Icardi¡¯s thinking. If he could target the near post, Icardi was already in open space, and he would score 8 out of 10 times. "If Tang were in Podolski¡¯s position, maybe that pass might have been better..." Just as Mancini was lamenting the missed opportunity. While Podolski was still apologizing to Icardi for the poor pass. As Bologna¡¯s defenders were relieved over Inter¡¯s botched play. In Tang Long¡¯s mind, the AI system had already provided a sharp analysis: "Detected Bologna¡¯s defense line hasn¡¯t advanced timely, Icardi is within the onside boundary, passing within 1.5 seconds has an 88.56% chance to form a shot!" This 1.5 seconds was an analysis made by the Green Grass Wisdom Engine System after modeling the movement of Bologna¡¯s defensive line. Exceeding these 1.5 seconds, due to the defensive line¡¯s advancement, Icardi would certainly be offside! Speed is of the essence! No time to think, Tang Long didn¡¯t even have time to look at Icardi¡¯s exact position¡ª He charged toward the first drop point and shot as soon as the ball was about to land! The ball flew back into Bologna¡¯s penalty area! The sudden change of rhythm caught Bologna¡¯s defenders off guard. Icardi was also momentarily stunned, everyone thought that Tang Long would stop the ball, totally not considering he would do a one-touch pass! But Icardi is Icardi. As a top Serie A forward, he has quicker reaction speeds than others. Lowering his body¡¯s center of gravity, twisting and stepping across, he started spinning to receive the ball! Eyes tightly trailing the ball¡¯s path, when he finally managed to bring the ball under control at his feet, Bologna¡¯s defender was at least three meters away from Icardi, forming a clear solo chance! A quick flicking shot, like a water strider! The diving Bologna goalkeeper could only watch as the ball sailed past his reach, left to helplessly sigh! "I knew it! You¡¯re the man!" Icardi clenched his fist and roared, turning around to rush toward Tang Long! Chapter 41: Push him, kick him, tackle him, take him down in the strangling! Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Push him, kick him, tackle him, take him down in the strangling!Tang Long stood with open arms, ready to embrace the Argentine, but suddenly a heavy weight came from behind, causing him to stagger. Captain Ranocchia¡¯s 195 cm frame was almost entirely pressing on Tang Long¡¯s back! "You actually passed the ball, you actually got it into the penalty area, what were you thinking, huh?" Everyone surrounded Tang Long in celebration. So much so that the goal-scoring Icardi didn¡¯t seem so conspicuous. Several players on the bench jumped out, cheering joyfully. Berni¡¯s towel helicopter fan spun just in time to whoosh whoosh whoosh! Mancini clapped rather woodenly, his mind somewhat unable to keep up. Just now he was lamenting the missed cooperation between Podolski and Icardi, and now a goal was scored, the pace is too fast! However, Mancini noticed that even though the referee had already ruled the goal as valid. Four or five Bologna players were still chattering non-stop around the referee. "Ref, this was absolutely offside!" "I was the last defender, Icardi was definitely behind me!" "The linesman must be blind, ref, I swear to God, Icardi was 100% offside on this one!" In early 2015, the Serie A grounds hadn¡¯t introduced VAR yet. There was no way to give offside indications to the referee through slow-mo. The head referee communicated with the linesman in the earpiece, "David, you didn¡¯t raise the flag, so Icardi wasn¡¯t offside, right?" The linesman was actually a bit uncertain in his heart. But he didn¡¯t raise the flag immediately, so the decision made couldn¡¯t be retracted. "No offside, I¡¯m certain." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In fact, even Tang Long himself wasn¡¯t sure; he just followed the AI¡¯s prompt to pass the ball quickly, but whether he actually completed the pass in 1.5 seconds, he didn¡¯t know. The goal-scoring Icardi didn¡¯t care at all whether he was offside; he¡¯s a striker, born to be on the offside line, if the referee doesn¡¯t blow the whistle, then it¡¯s a good goal! According to Serie A Alliance rules. Such controversial offside calls won¡¯t be replayed on the big screen in the stadium. The aim is to consider the fans¡¯ emotions ¡ª if it really was offside, the home Bologna fans would definitely cause a ruckus. However, on the television broadcast footage, there were three replays. At the moment when Tang Long touched the ball, a yellow offside line was drawn in Bologna¡¯s penalty area. "Coach Zhang, was this offside or not? From the angle of the slow-motion replay, it seems unclear." Duan Xuan was meticulously distinguishing the pixels on the screen. "Hehe, hehe! Hard to say, this ball," Zhang Lu gave his signature chuckle, "it¡¯s all razor-thin, the decision to call it or not is entirely the linesman¡¯s split-second naked-eye judgment." "We can¡¯t be 100% sure even with slow-motion, let alone the linesman¡¯s naked eye. Can¡¯t be too harsh on the referee, just hope that in the future, such controversial decisions could provide the head referee with a slow-motion replay on the sideline, perhaps making it fairer." Though Zhang Lu said this aloud, inside he was quite pleased. If the linesman had truly ruled Tang Long¡¯s assist as offside, Coach Zhang would have definitely sworn in his heart~ The 1-1 scoreline held until halftime. In the home team¡¯s locker room. Bologna¡¯s players were clamoring noisily. Several defenders said the referee was blind, missing the offside call! Affected by their emotions, other players who didn¡¯t even see it clearly at the time were also angrily cursing the linesman. Someone even said they wanted to find an opportunity to have a drink with the referee after the match and settle it. Head coach Lopez walked in sullenly. "Why is everyone yelling blindly? It¡¯s just that we¡¯ve been leveled, and now you¡¯re talking about hitting the referee over this small issue. Is that all you¡¯re capable of!" Bornerelli looked aggrieved as he complained to the coach. "Boss, that Ranocchia sticks to me like glue, wherever I go there he is, always sticking to me. He¡¯s taller than me, I can¡¯t get any advantage off him!" Short-legged Tiger Giaccherini was similarly in low spirits. "Nagatomo and Dambrosio have switched positions, this Japanese player is as short as I am, his turning is fast, it feels like my steps can¡¯t get past him." Destro, who had scored a goal, was also complaining. "Dambrosio is such a sly old fox; every time I jump, he secretly pulls my shirt, perfectly blocking the referee¡¯s view. I protested several times, but it was useless. He even grabbed me by the crotch the last time, damn he¡¯s vicious!" Lopez walked to the tactics board, writing on it with a carbon pen as he spoke. "Playing against a team like Inter, you absolutely can¡¯t make mistakes. Once you make a mistake, they¡¯ll seize the opportunity. In the second half, we¡¯ll do this first, then this, and then this..." After finishing, Lopez called out Davis by name. "Davis, how did I brief you before the match? I told you to provoke Tang, but you didn¡¯t do it well; Tang even got an assist!" Davis scratched his head. "Boss, I harassed him several times, but this guy seems impervious to anything. I cursed him in Italian and English together, and he just smiled at me like an idiot, not sure if he even understood what I was saying." Lopez took the pen and thudded it heavily on the Canadian¡¯s cranium! Duang~ "Davis, I heard your grandpa used to fish in the extreme-cold fishing grounds in Canada. In my impression, people from cold regions are all iron-blooded tough guys! Just verbally harassing him is useless, you gotta get physical! Push him, kick him, tackle him, bring him down in endless skirmishes! Didn¡¯t he take you down with the ball earlier, if you¡¯re a man, go get him back! Make him angry, make him retaliate, get him a red card and off the pitch!" Only then did Davis suddenly realize, nodding his head. He shot up and immediately declared: "Alright boss, I don¡¯t have a yellow card now anyway; I¡¯ll just go all out on this Chinese guy!" At the end, he didn¡¯t forget to rally his teammates. "Brothers, let¡¯s take down Inter at home, don¡¯t we have confidence? Yes, we must have it!" The players of both teams emerged in the players¡¯ tunnel. Davis rushed over, pretending it was unintentional, and slammed into Tang Long¡¯s shoulder from behind. Tang Long staggered, and Ranocchia quickly steadied him. Icardi was right beside him, saw it clearly, and was angrily about to confront Davis. Ranocchia pulled him back. "Don¡¯t rush, I have a way to deal with him." "Mauro, don¡¯t worry," Tang Long rubbed his shoulder with a smile, "There¡¯re cameras all over the tunnel; don¡¯t worry, I also have a way to deal with him." The entire Bologna team faithfully executed coach Lopez¡¯s violent tactics. They started the game as if they were on adrenaline, howling like a pack of wolves at every player with the ball. Whoosh! 20-year-old young player Kovacic held the ball for just a second before an opponent stepped in. Using thigh and hip muscles, they directly knocked the Croatian to the ground, rolling him over three times. The referee hesitated, whistled, but didn¡¯t card anyone. Possibly trying to gauge the referee¡¯s relatively lenient stance. Bologna frequently used actions bordering on cardable offenses to infringe on Inter players, making the game fragmented, with too many pauses, and very ugly! In the first 20 minutes of the second half, neither side even made a single shot, both caught up in midfield entanglement. Bologna players inherently had an advantage in height and build, so returning to their familiar style, they played seamlessly. During a positional attack, advancing to the frontcourt, Tang Long received the ball with his back. Before he could turn around, he felt a gust of chill wind approaching... Chapter 42: Everyone focused on the front spot, but he slipped to the back spot! Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Everyone focused on the front spot, but he slipped to the back spot!Tang Long¡¯s current Green Grass Wisdom Engine System is intermediate, primarily focusing on judging the ball¡¯s path and teammates¡¯ positioning. For the eerie wind that attacked from behind, there was no AI brainwave offering him a suggestion on what to do next. Relying on instinctual reaction, Tang Long didn¡¯t think too much and immediately passed the ball away! As soon as the ball was passed, Tang Long felt a sharp pain in his knee, and he was heavily knocked to the ground. This wasn¡¯t all; within a second of landing, his back was suddenly slammed again¡ªDavis fell simultaneously and landed directly on Tang Long. The referee whistled for a foul but still didn¡¯t issue a card. With Davis pressing on him, Tang Long could smell a nauseating stench of bad breath next to his face, "Kid, can you handle Serie A-level confrontations?" Tang Long didn¡¯t say anything and silently pushed Davis away. Captain Ranocchia grabbed the referee for an explanation, and several Inter teammates also voiced their displeasure for Tang Long. "No card for this? Referee, did you forget to bring your cards?" At the sidelines, Mancini¡¯s heart tightened upon seeing this scene! He clearly remembered that Tang Long¡¯s body was rather fragile, and during a tackle against Genoa, his ankle got injured. Let¡¯s hope nothing goes wrong this time. Under Mancini¡¯s orders, the team doctors hurriedly came onto the field, pulling Tang Long off the pitch for treatment. In doing so, Inter earned a free kick opportunity. Slightly to the right of center, the position was decent, and both Ranocchia and Andreolli, the towering players, entered the opponent¡¯s penalty area. Davis rubbed his chest and joined in the defense. Though his previous foul seemed to be an offense against Tang Long, in reality, Davis himself also took a hidden loss! After Tang Long was knocked down, while he was pressed on the ground, he elbowed Davis¡¯s chest when pushing him away from an angle invisible to the referee. The speed of this elbow strike was extremely fast, and it was delivered at a moment when Davis was completely unprepared. Perfectly targeted, it struck right at his rib! Davis was hit so hard he was gasping for air, his vision became dark for a moment, and he¡¯s still rubbing his chest, panting heavily~ "Damn, this kid is cunningly tricky, I underestimated him!" This elbow certainly impacted Davis¡¯s condition, causing his concentration to falter. The free kick taken by Brozovic was almost in front of him before Davis realized the ball¡¯s direction. "Mine!" With a sudden alertness, he hurriedly jumped up, intending to clear the ball. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over! Davis felt as if he had collided with a cement wall, a thud hit his temple with fierce force, his brain felt like it was about to burst open from there! "Ah¡ª¡ª" He clutched his head and collapsed on the ground, eyes filled with stars. In his dazed state, Davis finally saw clearly¡ªit was Ranocchia. The referee stopped the match, showing a yellow card to Ranocchia! "Elbowing, dangerous action, yellow card warning!" Ranocchia played innocent, retracting his hands clumsily in front of his chest, bending over to say to the referee: "My arm was a natural action, not intentional, and Davis¡¯s previous foul on Tang wasn¡¯t carded, so I shouldn¡¯t get one either!" Having been elbowed twice in quick succession, even a Canadian tough guy like Davis, who matured in the harsh cold, found it hard to endure. The first elbow from Tang Long to his chest hurt, but his consciousness was still clear. It was this second elbow strike from Ranocchia to his temple! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This guy is tall and strong, his elbow like an iron rod, striking his head buzzing, and now his vision is starting to wave. The Bologna team doctor entered the field, helping Davis to the sidelines for examination. Coincidentally, Tang Long was also standing over there, and after examination by the team doctor, he had no major physical issues. His current physical robustness data is 78, already reaching the middle slightly lower level of Serie A, capable of handling such confrontations, even if not winning, but even being toppled over won¡¯t cause major bodily harm. The referee waved to Tang Long, indicating he could return to the field. Tang Long looked at Davis beside him, the large bump risen on his temple, smiling as he returned the same words: "Can you handle Serie A-level confrontations?" The match remains intense. Judging from both valuation and the real strength of the players, Inter holds the advantage. However, the previous league streak of three consecutive wins was interrupted due to the winter break. Players returned from vacation and hadn¡¯t yet restored their competitive form to the best. Plus, there were two new signings in the starting lineup, Brozovic and Podolski, whose coordination with older teammates was slightly unfamiliar. On the other hand, Bologna was firmly resolved to secure a point at home. Consistently using fouls to disrupt the pace of the game, breaking the time into pieces, making Inter¡¯s players irritated! Moreover, the home-whistle blowing from the referee was quite obvious, issuing 3 yellow cards to Inter and only 1 to Bologna. In the 78th minute of the match, Mancini made a substitution adjustment. Withdrew the defensive midfielder Medel, replaced with Swiss newcomer Shaqiri, switching to a three-forward lineup. Meanwhile, Bologna also shuffled their lineup, subbing in several young and energetic players, continuing to maintain their physical suppressing energy! And as soon as the time ticked into the 80th minute, they began all sorts of lying-down tactics and feigning cramps to delay time. "We can¡¯t go on like this, Boss, we¡¯ll fall into their rhythm!" Assistant coach Herrera was anxious. "I haven¡¯t found a good solution," Mancini frowned, "We¡¯re paying the price of point loss for an undisciplined winter break." Two minutes later, Tang Long, holding the ball at the center, was tripped by Davis. This Davis, head wrapped in bandages, eyes piercing, still quite persistent. This free kick was in a better position than the previous one, at a 45-degree angle on the flank, perfect for crossing! Brozovic stood at the ball, deep in thought. At this moment, the fourth official on the sideline raised the substitution board, Davis was to be taken off. Though Bologna¡¯s coach Lopez didn¡¯t doubt Davis¡¯s fighting spirit, he was still worried that this head injury might affect Davis¡¯s competitive condition. Unexpectedly, Davis refused to come off proactively, shouting loudly to the substitute bench: "Switch after this kick! Who substitutes before the opponent¡¯s free kick, don¡¯t panic!" Davis¡¯s remark was indeed right. Defending set pieces, the last thing the defending side wants is a substitution at this time. Newly entered players need to get familiar with the rhythm and find the correct marking target, but often are clumsy soon on the pitch, easily mistaken in defense. Brozovic took a running start, using the inside of his foot to strike the central part of the ball, his body angled sideways, shooting a curved ball! "Near post!" This time, both the Croatian and the Argentine striker were in perfect sync; one passed to the near post, the other suddenly sprinted from the center to the near post! "Guard the near post!" This time, Davis, head wrapped in a bandage, reacted faster because he was better positioned! He immediately rushed to the near post, marking Icardi¡¯s run-in front. Everyone¡¯s focus went to the near post! At the edge of the penalty arc, a brainwave flashed through Tang Long¡¯s mind¡ª "AI detects, 65.38% probability of the ball being cleared at the near post, 34.62% probability of it falling to the far post!" Tang Long silently evaded everyone¡¯s attention, and dashed into the far post of the penalty area... Chapter 43: Serie A Debut Goal! Even Archrival Gualin Was Stunned! Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Serie A Debut Goal! Even Archrival Gualin Was Stunned!The ball has a 65.38% chance of being cleared at the near post and a 34.62% chance of falling to the far post! Tang Long didn¡¯t have time to analyze how the AI system determined this. In a flash, Tang Long had to take a gamble! Even if there¡¯s only a one-third chance of it falling to the far post, it¡¯s a good opportunity to try! In set-piece tactics, Tang Long¡¯s original position was at the top of the penalty area arc, vying for the second ball while guarding against counter-attacks. Seeing Tang Long leave his position, Yuto Nagatomo, the Japanese fullback dragging behind, felt a jolt in his heart~ "The arc is empty, Tang!" he shouted anxiously. At this moment, the ball was already landing towards the near post. Bologna¡¯s midfielder Davis and Icardi simultaneously jumped to contest the first ball! Why did the AI system predict that there¡¯s a 65.38% chance of it being cleared at the near post? Because Davis¡¯s position is very good! He was already standing at the near post, while Icardi had to go around from the center to the near post, lacking the advantage in movement distance. Barring any surprises, the 183cm tall Davis could easily clear this ball. But why does the ball have a 34.62% chance of falling to the far post? This is because the AI system detected that Davis, who had been elbowed twice on the head and chest, was performing below normal! Especially the elbow hit to the temple, which made Davis¡¯s reaction slightly sluggish. Based on real-time detection data, the AI system predicted that Davis had about a one-third chance of missing the ball! "Mine!" Davis jumped high, shouted loudly, and vigorously swung his head, attempting to head the ball back into Inter¡¯s half. Whoosh¡ª¡ª The ball brushed past his hair! Sure enough, Davis missed the header! He made a fatal error in judging the ball¡¯s landing spot and jumped too late! At the moment of missing the ball, Davis felt a chill in his heart¡ªdamn... Right behind him was Icardi, who had jumped simultaneously! It¡¯s like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the bird behind. Icardi has top-notch ball position judgment, even if Davis¡¯s missed header momentarily confused him, the Argentine star still managed to head the ball! A standard forward¡¯s near-post flick header! The ball, with intense speed, brushed against Icardi¡¯s sweat-covered forehead, and with his rapid head movement, the ball¡¯s speed and direction changed! The height also changed, sending the ball towards the far post! "There¡¯s no one, don¡¯t panic!" In their typical man-marking defense, Bologna had one defender marking one Inter player in the penalty area. In their defense setup, all Inter players were tightly marked, and everyone thought this ball would spin out over the goal line. Just as everyone thought it was calm. A blue-black figure appeared ghost-like on the ball¡¯s path at the far post! It¡¯s Tang Long! He exerted all his strength, tightened his abdomen, and leaped with his calf tendons taut! When the ball smashed into his forehead, Tang Long could see nothing of the goalkeeper; he could only see the white nylon net ties slightly trembling, like a mother extending her embrace to her child! Come! It¡¯s right here! Boom! Two meters from the goal, Tang Long rolled into the net with the ball! He lay on the ground, looking outside the goal. In the penalty area, over a dozen people, more than twenty pairs of eyes, all stared at him! Bologna¡¯s players looked terrified! S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inter teammates showed joyful amazement! Upon hearing the whistle for the goal, Tang Long instantly got up, hugged the ball, and ran out of the goal, kicking towards the sky! "I scored! I scored!!!" All Inter players rushed to him! Icardi ran the fastest, diving in and directly pinning Tang Long to the ground. "Haha, it was my assist that led to your winning goal!" Thirty thousand Bologna fans in the home stadium fell silent. As quiet as a library. Only the Inter players¡¯ shouts echoed across the stadium. Mancini held his head in disbelief, asking assistant coach Herrera, "My God, why is Tang in that position when he was supposed to mark the arc in our set-piece tactic!" "I don¡¯t know," Herrera embraced Mancini excitedly, "Anyway, he scored! Boss, we can clinch victory against Bologna!" After the restart, the match entered the 84th minute and continued intensely. The leading Inter became conservative, retreating appropriately, while Bologna gambled everything and pushed forward, creating a fast-paced game when Inter¡¯s goal faced several threats, and Tang Long actively retreated to aid in defense. Neither the players on the field or the sidelines, nor the coaches had time to analyze how Tang Long scored or why he appeared mysteriously at the opponent¡¯s far-post position¡ªthe only thing they knew was that the position originally did not belong to him. However, many fans watching on TV were savoring the goal. For example, Gualin, who was watching the live broadcast at his home in Milan City! Ever since Tang Long scored the far-post header, Gualin had lost interest in watching the rest of the match. He repeatedly pulled the progress bar to watch the replay of the goal. Initially, seeing Inter finally taking the lead, Gualin instinctively raised his arm in celebration! But when he saw it was Tang Long who scored, Gualin¡¯s face suddenly darkened! Looked a bit displeased! You must know, Gualin and Tang Long had historically poor relations. Moreover, due to weight issues, Gualin didn¡¯t make it to the match squad. In the 4312 formation, the position that replaced Gualin was precisely Tang Long! In Gualin¡¯s view, this feeling, how to put it, sigh... Like a nail, piercing his little heart~ Especially when he saw Tang Long score¡ªeven possibly with the winning goal, Gualin¡¯s heart seemingly bled! "How can this be!" "How could he be in that position!" "Why was he alone at the far post, did Bologna¡¯s defenders eat shit?" Gualin even began criticizing the opponent¡¯s defense for being sloppy. Nonetheless, after watching the replay six times, the Colombian star still saw some things. Gualin was surprised to find two places that confused him! First, at the moment Brozovic released the ball, Tang Long already left his original position at the arc and sneakily ran to the far post. Second, Davis¡¯s stance was clearly better than Icardi¡¯s. At the moment Davis jumped high, Gualin noticed other players, even Bologna¡¯s defenders, relaxed their vigilance, thinking Davis would definitely clear the ball. Even their forward Destro started sprinting, ready to contest the ball outside the penalty area. But only Tang Long! He alone was desperate, making a frantic dash to the far post, flying with the last few steps! Ultimately, Davis missed the header, Icardi flicked the header, and Tang Long gratefully accepted the open goal. "Ah, ah, ah, this kid, he seems... seems to have known in advance that the ball would definitely go to the far post!" Gualin grasped his hair with both hands, sinking into chaos. Chapter 44: Who can resolve Mancini’s confusion about Tang Long in the review meeting? Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Who can resolve Mancini¡¯s confusion about Tang Long in the review meeting?In the last few minutes, neither side made any progress. In the end, Inter managed a 2-1 comeback against Bologna on the road. Not only did they secure their first victory after the winter break, but they also extended their winning streak to four in the league! When the referee blew the final whistle, Tang Long leaned back and collapsed on the ground. He was truly exhausted! Even though his stamina data had improved to 80 after the winter break, reaching the average level of Serie A players. But it was his first time playing a full 90 minutes as a starter in Serie A; before, he was always a substitute. Moreover, it was against a fiercely pressing team like Bologna! This sudden wave of fatigue made Tang Long¡¯s legs feel like they were filled with lead, heavy and cumbersome. Icardi ran over from afar, bent down, and cupped Tang Long¡¯s head in his hands. "Get up, Tang! You used to assist me, and now I¡¯ve assisted you. Congratulations on scoring your first Serie A goal!" Yuto Nagatomo approached Tang Long and gave him a respectful 90-degree bow. "Arigato! Thank you, Tang, your decisive goal made you the best player on the field!" The two lifted Tang Long up and together acknowledged the traveling fans. "Boom boom boom¡ª¡ª" "Tang¡ª¡ª" The two thousand strong Inter fans gave the loudest cheers and applause to Tang Long alone. ... Post-match press conference. Bologna¡¯s coach Lopez looked very despondent! He didn¡¯t bring any players and appeared alone at the tense press conference. "You all witnessed it; the match was evenly contested. Our tactics effectively limited Inter¡¯s midfield. They fell into our game rhythm, and being narrowly defeated is clearly unfair to us!" Lopez specifically mentioned the first conceded goal. "I believe Icardi was offside; you can tell from our players¡¯ intense reactions. Our players are very honest and never lie. Of course, I hold no intention of criticizing the referee as it would cause me trouble." Lopez was even more disgruntled about the second goal. "I don¡¯t want to blame Davis for missing that header. I intended to substitute him, but he is a fighter. He insisted on defending that set piece before going off. However, Ranocchia¡¯s rough elbow clearly injured Davis, which led to his mistake! Ranocchia¡¯s action warranted a red card; he should have been sent off early! As for Tang? Well, I didn¡¯t know him before, but his performance was... alright, I¡¯ll leave it at that." On the other side. Inter Milan¡¯s post-match press conference was full of laughter and joy! Tang Long, named man of the match, received a high rating of 9 points! S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was no surprise that Mancini brought him to the press conference. "Lopez said he¡¯s unsatisfied with losing? Come on, I have known him for ten years; he¡¯s been a coach for many years. Doesn¡¯t he understand soccer? It¡¯s not about satisfaction; it¡¯s about whether you win or lose in the end." Mancini seemed utterly composed. All the journalists turned their attention to Tang Long. "Tang, why did you first pass to Icardi for the opening assist?" "The opposing defense was quite aggressive, but Davis¡¯ actions didn¡¯t seem to affect your performance much. Can you talk about the reason for that?" "Hello, Tang, I¡¯m particularly curious about why you were at the far post for the final goal?" The journalists kept asking persistently. They were surprised to find that after the winter break, Tang Long¡¯s playing condition had transformed dramatically! Before this, Tang was a substitute in three Serie A matches. In that run, he provided an assist and was involved in offensive plays. But no matter how you looked at it, those passes seemed like happy accidents, or even obviously off-target shots that luckily turned into assists. At that time, the media jokingly called Tang Long the mascot and lucky star of Inter. However, from this match¡¯s processes, it¡¯s clear that Tang Long¡¯s every move was disciplined and precise. In this match, a volley assist and a far-post header were not results of mere luck but evidently from meticulous strategy and pre-planning. Tang Long provided focused responses about the header goal, which drew the most attention from the reporters. Instead of explicitly revealing his foresight secret, he chose to compliment his coach Mancini, something that Uncle Berni specifically advised Tang Long to do right after the match. "My sudden insertion from the top of the box wasn¡¯t a spur-of-the-moment action; it¡¯s a tactic our team specifically practiced during training. We¡¯ve practiced it many times; Mr. Mancini guides us well. He is a tactical master, with his mind full of various tactical storms. Under his guidance, I¡¯ve made significant progress..." The on-site reporters listened intently, casting admiration-filled glances toward Mancini next to Tang Long. A hint of curiosity flashed across Mancini¡¯s expression. But he quickly touched his brow to cover his doubt and then added smoothly: "Hmm, that¡¯s the unpredictability we played for." ... At eight o¡¯clock the next morning, bright sunlight bathed the oak woods of the training base in golden rays. More than an hour remained before the usual training session, yet the head coach¡¯s office at Inter¡¯s training base was already filled with people. This was a habit of Mancini¡¯s. The morning after each match, he would convene the coaching staff meeting in advance to review the previous game. The physical analyst was the first to speak. "Clearly, after the rest of the winter break, the players¡¯ playing condition only recovered to about 80%. According to my statistics, the average running distance in this match was 9.12KM, 900 meters less than before the break. Only Brozovic and Tang met the standards, running 12.2KM and 10.9KM respectively." Assistant coach Herrera continued his analysis: "Our opening strategy was somewhat off; Ranocchia should have been marking Bornerelli earlier. By cutting off this high point, the team wouldn¡¯t have fallen into the predicament of conceding first, but, this was due to Gualin¡¯s absence, leading to our midfield lacking hardness." Chiwo, who also served as a tactical analyst, had stayed up late to complete an analysis video of the whole match, which he now projected on the meeting room¡¯s big screen. "This match was difficult, and we almost couldn¡¯t win it. The final success was entirely because Tang induced two critical changes, breaking the deadlock." Chiwo stood at the podium, clicking the remote in his hand. The shot showed Tang Long¡¯s volley assist to Icardi. "A direct pass without trapping the ball, both the idea and execution were spot on." After a lengthy analysis, the footage switched to Tang Long¡¯s far-post header. "This was a very sudden advance in a set-piece tactic! His judgment of the drop point surpassed all of Bologna¡¯s defenders, which is worth praising!" Chiwo¡¯s tone was full of pride as he spoke. This kid was his personally groomed key player; with the disciple achieving results, the master naturally felt proud! Mancini merely nodded slightly, lit a cigar, and stayed silent for a long time, neither confirming nor denying. He suddenly turned his head, looking at someone he¡¯d seldom spoken to... Chapter 45: The only thing that can earn you respect is your basketball skills! Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The only thing that can earn you respect is your basketball skills!Bisik felt a piercing gaze land on him, and his heart trembled instantly! Who is Bisik? He¡¯s Inter¡¯s set-piece coach. In recent years, the coaching staff of Serie A teams has been keeping up with the trend, focusing on progress. Many Serie A clubs have copied Premier League teams by appointing a dedicated set-piece coach. Their role is to guide players on how to kick set-pieces and defend against them. Against this backdrop, Englishman Bisik transferred from Watford in the Championship to Inter Milan two years ago. This guy indeed has his own set-piece tactical theory. But to say how skilled he is ¡ª not very. Otherwise, how could he still be mingling in the Championship at over 40? The reason he came to Inter, with his annual salary doubling from 80,000 British Pounds to 160,000 Euros, is entirely due to his connection with the former head coach Mazzari! This guy is Mazzari¡¯s brother-in-law, came to Italy to rely on his brother-in-law. Since Mazzari was fired by Inter last year. Brother-in-law Bisik has lived in fear every day! Afraid that once his support collapses, he¡¯ll also be sent packing. Can¡¯t get such a high salary at other clubs like at Inter! Mancini stared at him intently and asked: "Bisik, I¡¯ve been with Inter for two months now, and haven¡¯t interacted much with you. I heard that you¡¯re the set-piece expert invited by the club from England, specializing in set-pieces. Set-pieces are not really my forte, there¡¯s a question I¡¯ve been wanting to ask you." I want to ask you, in the set-piece attacking strategy you instilled in the players, what¡¯s Tang¡¯s position?" Bisik nervously swallowed and awkwardly said: "Re-reporting to the head coach sir, in my set-piece attacking strategy, Tang needs to guard the arc, marking the second, second point ball of the opponent¡¯s counterattack." Bisik conveyed his meaning with stuttering, English-accented Italian. After honestly answering, Bisik felt uneasy inside. He knew Tang Long did not execute the set-piece attacking strategy he instilled during training in the match against Bologna. That¡¯s why there was the header clincher in the 83rd minute! Ever since Tang Long scored that header, Bisik felt a sense of unease. "Tang didn¡¯t stand where I designed, yet he scored. Doesn¡¯t this mean my set-piece strategy has a problem? Oh dear..." Bisik worried inexplicably post-match. Mancini nodded. He tapped ash into the ashtray. "Don¡¯t be nervous, Bisik. You can continue in English, I coached at Manchester City, my English is very good, I understand." But Bisik was indeed quite nervous~ So much so that he didn¡¯t grasp Mancini¡¯s meaning and instead repeated verbatim in English what he just said in Italian. Several coaching staff members who understood English looked at Bisik like he was an idiot. The boss wants you to continue, and you keep repeating what you¡¯ve said, what are you doing? Brainless? Mancini smiled slightly. "Oh, I see. Dear Mr. Bisik, since you positioned Tang at the arc top to fend off second-point counterattacks, why did he rush into the penalty area? At first, I thought it was your deliberate tactical arrangement!" Several coaching staff members also laughed! Chiwo gave Bisik a disdainful look as well. Bisik, already nervous, was drenched in sweat after being laughed at by everyone, his little heart pounding~ He seemed to foresee his termination letter. Then, alone with his luggage, holding a ticket to England in the biting cold, he walks towards the airport... Bisik babbled incoherently, explaining that Tang Long wasn¡¯t good at headers, was somewhat redundant in the crowded penalty area, but someone had to be at the arc top, so after much consideration, he decided to place Tang Long in that position among the starting lineup, and so on. After speaking, he pulled a tissue from the table and wiped his forehead sweat, then gave Mancini an awkward smile. Seeing Bisik in such a sorry state, Mancini jokingly teased with everyone. "Mr. Bisik looks quite hot, he¡¯s English. Coming to warm Italy makes him sweat easily. It seems he¡¯s better suited to working in England¡¯s cold weather." The meeting room erupted with a burst of laughter! Boom! Bisik instantly felt thunderstruck! What¡¯s this about? Isn¡¯t this implying they want me back to England! Oh no... Bisik felt hopeless. It seems he can¡¯t continue as Inter¡¯s set-piece coach. Mancini glanced at his watch, then placed the cigar in the ashtray and quickly and sternly said: "Bisik¡¯s right, in set-piece offense, someone must be at the arc top; otherwise, we¡¯re prone to counterattacks, a lesson I¡¯ve learned quite a few times! Placing Tang at this position is equally unproblematic, as he analyzed, among yesterday¡¯s starters, only Tang is best suited to be there. As the team¡¯s set-piece coach, Bisik has diligently fulfilled his duty. Alright, it¡¯s getting late. Everyone prepare for the morning training, meeting adjourned!" Rattle¡ª¡ª The sound of chairs scraping as people stood. Mancini passed by Bisik and gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. Left alone confused in the large meeting room. ... After clinching victory, securing three points, and achieving four consecutive wins. Tang Long noticeably felt a change in his teammates¡¯ attitude! He changed clothes and walked down the slope from the dormitory to the field, coincidentally meeting a few local Italian players walking together from the team. Team captain Ranocchia pointed at Tang Long, making a two-handed waving gesture: "Look, our hero is here, woo!" Santon, Dambrosio, Andreolli also greeted Tang Long enthusiastically. Tang Long actively joined them, with laughter and chatter all the way. Along the way, they also encountered a few from the South American group. Colombian Gualin still coldly avoided eye contact with Tang Long, exchanging greetings with Ranocchia. But Chilean midfielder Medel looked at Tang Long with much friendlier eyes, even nodded at him. A team¡¯s locker room is like this, this sort of change reminded Tang Long of what Chiwo once said to him: "Tang, in the world of soccer, the only thing that can earn you respect is your skills; it doesn¡¯t matter which country, race, or cultural background you come from, the only thing that can make you stand firm is the skills you display!" Everything speaks of strength! Mancini stood with hands behind his back, silently watching the players sweat on the training field. As head coach, he actually wouldn¡¯t come to the field for every regular training. Sometimes he just watches from the office in the tall building, deploys key points, and lets the first-team coaching staff execute them. But today, Mancini specially went downstairs to the field. His eyes were fixed on Tang Long. Half an hour later. Mancini called Chiwo from the field to his side. "Boss, any orders?" "I thought a lot this morning but still don¡¯t understand, go ask Tang, in yesterday¡¯s match which header goal, why did he initially break away from Bisik¡¯s set-piece tactical deployment and resolutely rush to the far post, go ask him, how exactly did he judge, I watched the video repeatedly, it feels like he predicted it in advance! Ask him what¡¯s the basis for this move." "Uh, you should ask Bisik, he¡¯s the one responsible for set-piece tactics, he was a bit nervous in the meeting room this morning, perhaps didn¡¯t explain some details clearly." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Bisik knows crap! This connection, once his brother-in-law Mazzari finds a new job, he¡¯ll have to leave sooner or later." Chiwo smiled, "Why don¡¯t you ask Tang yourself, shall I call him over?" Mancini quickly stopped Chiwo, then awkwardly smiled and whispered to him: "Don¡¯t you understand? If I ask him personally, wouldn¡¯t it show that I, as head coach, lack competence? Hurry up and ask him, report back immediately, I¡¯m waiting here for you." Chapter 46: Is This the Mysterious Sixth Sense—Premonition? Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Is This the Mysterious Sixth Sense¡ªPremonition?Mancini stood still, watching Chiwo run over to Tang Long and chat with him for a few moments before coming back. "Boss, Tang said his sudden forward run was to snatch the far post. It¡¯s a tactic you set up, and his goal was due to your excellent guidance," Chiwo said. Chiwo added, "He said he already mentioned this in the post-match press conference." Mancini waved his hand with a smile. "This kid is being sly, just buttering me up. I never discussed this tactic with him¡ªgo, ask again." Chiwo had no choice but to approach Tang Long again, talk for a while, and then returned. "Did you get a clear answer?" "Yes, he said he had a premonition." "Premonition, what kind of premonition?" "A premonition that the ball would definitely be directed towards the near post. He was convinced Davis wouldn¡¯t reach it, and Icardi certainly could, and then a header deflection would take it to the far post, where he could pick up the loose ball." Mancini and Chiwo looked at each other in astonishment. They had replayed that goal, from multiple broadcast angles, using 0.1x slow motion, frame by frame for over twenty times. They clearly remembered that, at the moment Brozovic made contact with the ball during the set piece, Tang Long had already prepared to start his run. When the ball was less than a meter away from the foot, while everyone was still judging where it would land, Tang Long had already targeted the far post and dashed towards it! Suddenly, Chiwo¡¯s eyes lit up. "Premonition, that term sounds very familiar! Back in the days, my teammate Eto¡¯o also said these words. He did the same thing, an inexplicable anticipation of the ball¡¯s trajectory, like a mysterious sixth sense! And Milito, yes," Chiwo¡¯s eyes grew brighter, "I often saw him, when our midfielders took long shots and everyone else was watching, Milito would suddenly rush toward the goalkeeper at the moment the ball was struck. Every season, he would score four or five goals, just from picking up rebounds! He told me he had a premonition, about when the ball would bounce back to him!" Listening to Chiwo compare Tang Long with world-class forwards like Eto¡¯o and Milito, a surge of warmth rose in Mancini¡¯s heart. During Mancini¡¯s playing days, he was Italy¡¯s top forward, second only to Baggio. He had also experienced the inexplicable sixth sense of premonition but always felt it was enigmatic and elusive. Could it be that Tang Long, only 18 years old, had also tapped into the premonition on the soccer field? "A premonition, a great premonition! Tang, this young man, has a limitless future." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tang Long¡¯s importance in Mancini¡¯s mind suddenly grew significantly. ... After wrapping up an enjoyable training session, he had just returned to his dormitory. A hidden reward was triggered once again! "Congratulations, Host, for unlocking the Milestone Achievement: Serie A Debut Goal!" "Unlock reward: Increase Skill Level by 20 points in the area where the debut goal was scored!" "Header accuracy improvement! "55¡ª75!" This huge leap gave Tang Long the capability to thrive in Serie A. Although a header with a skill level of 55 allowed Tang Long to score a decisive goal in a Serie A match. Tang Long knew that it was largely due to his preemptive judgment of the position, allowing him to score a nearly open-goal header. In that location, with a header, not even Bologna¡¯s goalkeeper Lelija could have stopped it, and even if Buffon or Cech were at the goal, it wouldn¡¯t have mattered. And it was precisely because of this that in Bisik¡¯s set-piece strategy, Tang Long was positioned at the top of the box to snatch the second ball in set-piece attacks, rather than rushing in to fight for the first ball. Despite the header improvement boosting Tang Long¡¯s confidence, he still felt a bit of regret! He truly wished this Serie A debut goal had been scored with his foot, that would have been great! Tang Long¡¯s current stats: Host: Tang Long Age: 18 Height: 182 Weight: 75KG Position: Attacking Midfielder, Shadow Striker, Defensive Midfielder. Shooting Accuracy: 62 Shooting Power: 64 Header: 75 Dribbling: 59 Long Pass: 67 Short Pass: 78 Set Piece: 42 Speed: 65 Stamina: 80 Strength: 78 Jumping: 77 Defense: 35 Overall Rating: 70 Field Rating: Serie B Average Level The changes in these stats reflect the effort since the winter break. His improvement in stamina, strength, jumping, and other physical shortcomings has significantly boosted Tang Long¡¯s overall rating! Raised from Italian Third Division level to Serie B main player level! At 18 years old, reaching the level of a Serie B main player is definitely considered outstanding among peers. Even the team¡¯s star, Bonazzoli, promoted from the second team ahead of Tang Long, is roughly at this level. Of course, this field rating is based on overall average level. This season, teams in Serie A battling relegation, such as Genoa, Cagliari, and Verona, many of their main players and most rotating main players, actually only possess Serie B-level skills, causing them to often ride the league elevator. However, Tang Long possesses additional attributes that other players can hardly match! His AI foresight in his brain waves allows him to dominate the ability to read the game and anticipate situations. But this foresight cannot be quantified in data! Still, Tang Long is well aware that merely relying on superior foresight is not enough to make him a great star. Desiring something is one thing; achieving it is entirely another matter. That night, in the dormitory of the training base. Tang Long began pondering his role in the Inter team. He had started in the match against Bologna. His performance was indeed good, contributing one goal and one assist. But could this really ensure him a stable starting position? It¡¯s worth noting that Tang Long¡¯s start was entirely because Gualin¡¯s excess weight made him excluded from the starting lineup. But everyone knows that Gualin¡¯s absence is only temporary! A healthy Gualin still holds an irreplaceable position in the Inter team. For instance, why did Inter concede at the start of the match against Bologna? Because Inter¡¯s midfield lacked the tough and sturdy support of someone like Gualin, allowing the opponent¡¯s central forward to retreat to midfield and use his physique to bully. Just as assistant coach Herrera noted after reviewing the match: "Our initial strategy was slightly off; Ranocchia should have been tighter on Bornerelli¡¯s high point earlier. Had we cut off this high point, the team wouldn¡¯t have fallen into the predicament of conceding first, but it¡¯s also due to Gualin¡¯s absence that led to the lack of hardiness in our midfield." Conceding early put the team into an unfavorable situation at the start. Coming back with two goals to turn the match around sounds thrilling, and the fans were immensely pleased¡ªbut to manager Mancini, this was clearly not the preferred scenario. For the Inter players, such a match was actually quite exhausting; they had to fight until the last moment to determine the win or loss. During this struggle, both body and mind experienced tremendous pressure and challenge, bearing the weight of immense pressure. For a relegation-threatened Bologna, sealing a 2-0 win in the first half is a habit of a mighty team. From this perspective, Tang Long is not yet capable of perfectly replacing Gualin. One should have self-awareness, Tang Long wouldn¡¯t be blindly overconfident, nor would he become arrogant after just one good performance. How to genuinely secure his position? He pondered for a long time, then dialed the number of his mentor Chiwo: "Mr. Chiwo, sorry to bother you outside of working hours. I just wanted to ask if you have videos of Icardi¡¯s matches? The longer, the better, preferably those like ten hours long!" Chapter 47: Combine the Universality and Particularity of Contradictions! Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Combine the Universality and Particularity of Contradictions!At seven thirty the next morning, Chiwo was the first to arrive at the training base. He didn¡¯t go to Mancini¡¯s office, nor did he go to the meeting room, and certainly not to the training ground. Instead, he was rummaging through the video analysis room! After working on the computer for a while, Chiwo sat in the chair scratching his head. "After searching for a long time, I only found a clip of over ten minutes. Where can I find several hours worth for Tang?" Ten o¡¯clock last night. Chiwo was leaning on the bed, reading the UEFA A-level Coach exam books, almost fell asleep. Who would¡¯ve thought Tang Long would call, asking for Icardi¡¯s video highlights. Chiwo was initially surprised! Such video highlights of a player are only used when coaches study tactics. What does Tang Long want with this? Then he heard that Tang needed several hours of it, which made Chiwo even more perplexed. Tang Long said he wanted to study Icardi¡¯s positioning and ball-handling habits to feed him better on the field. Chiwo praised Tang Long on the phone, saying he was ambitious, and suggested he check the video analysis room at the base tomorrow. But today, even after searching, he only found a clip of over ten minutes. The content was actually a negative tutorial on Icardi¡¯s positioning! This was done during former coach Mazzari¡¯s time, a tutorial deep in the hard drive. Right-clicking "Properties" showed the last open was December 2013. Back then, Icardi had only been with Inter for half a year and was a substitute for Milito and Palacio. At the time, Icardi was not yet one of Serie A¡¯s top strikers. He had a lot of common issues young players face, not mature enough to be Inter¡¯s mainstay. For this, Inter¡¯s tactical analysts made a video of Icardi¡¯s errors from over 10 matches, analyzing his positioning and ball-handling insufficiencies, playing it for him. After that, Inter¡¯s coaching staff did not specifically analyze Icardi officially for over a year. Tang Long arrived full of anticipation, only to be told this by Chiwo. This inevitably brought some disappointment! It seems Inter¡¯s coaching team¡¯s work was not as thorough as he¡¯d imagined. Why did Tang Long want Icardi¡¯s highlights? His goal was to use AI data analysis by watching dedicated highlights of Icardi¡¯s positioning, to auto-match the best passing lanes and timing suitable for Icardi during games. Tang Long knew that as the league progressed, Icardi would increasingly become an indispensable asset under Mancini¡¯s command. If he wanted to stand undefeated in the main force competition with Gualin, the key lies in completely aligning with Icardi! After all, as someone who has traveled through time, Tang Long knows that next season the Argentine striker will be promoted by Mancini to captain the first team, replacing Ranocchia. From a broader perspective, if you want to cling to the big player, you have to hold onto the team¡¯s biggest strength, or who will become the strongest in the future. Currently, Tang Long is continuously feeding match footage into his AI system. He often watches matches involving world-renowned teams. But these matches aren¡¯t fully adaptable for Icardi! Both Inzaghi and Icardi are good at positioning, but their habits differ. Both Van Nistelrooy and Icardi are masters of one-touch football, but Van Nistelrooy¡¯s preferred passing angles differ from Icardi¡¯s. Even when to start preparing or exerting force is a unique football language for each player. For example, in a match against Bologna, there was an excellent opportunity, yet Tang Long and Icardi failed in their coordination! It was in the 66th minute, during an Inter counterattack. Tang Long drove the ball forward, and the AI system indicated there was a perfect gap on the right side, a pass there had a high chance of creating a direct through ball! Tang Long did pass, but Icardi had gone to the left, so the ball went out of bounds. Actually, it¡¯s not impossible for the Argentine striker to move left, there was indeed another gap there, and he did run into position. The Argentine even clapped towards Tang Long, indicating his thought process was also correct. But it was this disagreement on football understanding that led to their coordination failure! Every player in the world is unique. This confirms the saying that contradictions are universal, but they also possess particularity. Having watched over a thousand complex match footages, Tang Long¡¯s AI data system is still a broad system. To combine the universality and particularity of contradictions, better clinging onto Icardi, Tang Long has to watch more of Icardi¡¯s matches. Watching one match at a time is too slow! He needs to use highlights. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, in a match, Icardi as a point-grabbing striker, only takes the ball around 30 times, has about 20 passes, and shoots three to four times. Chiwo only provided a highlight of Icardi¡¯s errors from a year ago, which clearly does not satisfy Tang Long. He decided to personally ask Icardi if he had gathered any related materials. However, Icardi¡¯s answer was more disappointing for Tang Long. "Hey! Even the coaching staff doesn¡¯t have it, where would I get a compilation of over a dozen hours? I¡¯m not Messi or C Luo, who would make such a long video for me to analyze? Tang, you¡¯re overthinking!" But. Fortunately, effort paid off! A few days later, Icardi sent Tang Long a video link on his phone. Upon clicking it open, it was precisely Icardi¡¯s match highlights. All 15 hours of it! To say that Icardi, at 22, has played only seventy or eighty professional games and scored less than thirty goals, where did the 15-hour match highlights come from? Icardi replied to Tang Long in the message: "Tang, after mentioning this, I¡¯ve been paying attention. I casually found this on a video site today, an Argentine fan who is my supporter edited this compilation of all my matches. I was shocked at first! Someone actually edited such a long video about me in this world, even footage from my U19 matches at Samp is included! Some parts are quite blurry, just make do with it, it¡¯s definitely the most comprehensive video about me in the world, hoping it helps you." This video had only about 90 views on YouTube, not even past 100. Clearly, most people who came across this video were intimidated by the sheer length! But to Tang Long, this was the fastest way to understand his forward partner. ... This weekend, the first major Serie A showdown kicks off at Meazza Stadium. Inter hosts Juventus. This is also known as Italy¡¯s national derby! The intensity is no less than the Milan derby. In recent years, with Juventus¡¯s strong resurgence, they have repeatedly bullied Inter in the national derby. Currently, Juventus sits at league number one, having the absolute leading advantage, their championship odds are the highest! While Inter is in sixth place, outside the Champions League zone. This huge gap makes it the biggest disparity in recent national derbies. At the pre-match press conference, Mancini conveyed certain victory with fierce eyes and firm tone. "If Inter wants to surpass themselves, we must defeat teams like Juventus. I¡¯m not pressuring the players, on the contrary, I¡¯m infusing them with confidence!" Chapter 48: 42 Points! This is the Gap Between Inter and the Serie A Giants! Chapter 48: Chapter 48: 42 Points! This is the Gap Between Inter and the Serie A Giants!Last season, Inter and Juventus faced off twice in the league, ending with one draw and one defeat, without a single victory. Especially in the third round at home, the first leg of the battle was full of regrets! The young forward Icardi scored the first goal in the 73rd minute, throwing the Meazza stadium into madness. Everyone saw the hope of defeating the Serie A powerhouse. But just two minutes after the celebration, Vidal helped the Juventus Corps equalize the score, eventually ending the match 1-1. When they came to the away game after the winter break, Inter was defeated 1-3, utterly helpless against their opponents. At the end of that season, Juventus had an astonishing 102 points, setting a century record for Serie A points and surpassing Inter¡¯s record 97 points from the 2006-2007 season! Inter ranked fifth, trailing Juventus by 42 points! During the championship parade bus tour in Turin City, the entire Juventus team held a large 42-point sign above their heads. [Inter Milan, this is your distance from the Serie A champion!] Such a huge gap in achievements brought a great emotional humiliation to all Inter fans. The first leg confrontation of this season came very late, suddenly reaching the 15th round of Serie A. The wait for revenge is always long, and Inter¡¯s players were fully prepared, ready to play a beautiful turnaround match at Meazza¡¯s home. Icardi even set a Flag early on! "Tang, I really love your passing, just pass it, pass it and I¡¯ll score! Watch me score a hat-trick against them!" Mancini continued with the starting lineup from the last match, Tang Long continued to replace Gualin as a starter. However, he also noticed that during the final regular training session, Mancini called Gualin aside, warmly patting his shoulder as if comforting him, and Gualin returned to the team¡¯s roster, appearing on the bench. In China, countless fans were paying close attention to this Serie A focus battle! Compared to the Premier League, the Serie A game at 3:45 a.m. was really unfriendly for night owls... But due to the presence of Tang Long, all that was no problem. On LeSports¡¯ pre-game hotspot ranking, the match¡¯s popularity had already matched the Real Madrid vs. Bar?a showdown! "Dear viewers, ever since Tang Long scored his first goal in Serie A, his popularity has been soaring!" "He broke one record after another for a Chinese player in Serie A, first appearance, first assist, first goal!" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "In the world of football, a strong face-off is the best test of a player¡¯s ability to perform in a big match!" "Facing Juventus, whether Tang Long can continue his excellent performance like in the last match against Bologna, let¡¯s wait and see!" Everyone thought that playing at home, Inter would continue their momentum, defeat Juventus with a five-game winning streak, and secure important three points towards the Champions League qualification zone. However, the development of things wasn¡¯t as smooth as expected! At the beginning, although Inter, playing at home, took the initiative and controlled the game, Juventus resolutely adhered to a low-profile, conservative stance, proactively retreating and playing defense. But Juventus¡¯ experience was evidently superior to that of this Inter Milan team. Take Tang Long, who was playing in the attacking midfield position, for instance. Whenever Tang Long received the ball, Marchisio and Sturora from the defensive midfield would pounce like iron attracted to a magnet. Compared to these top midfielders from Juventus, Tang Long¡¯s strength data of 78 could only barely cope in one-on-one situations, let alone taking on two. Tang Long decisively chose to play one-touch football, avoiding the opponent¡¯s encirclement. Many times, he observed Icardi¡¯s movements before passing, using AI data analysis to deliver deadly through balls to the Argentine forward. But a new problem emerged! Icardi indeed ran towards the normal position, and the through ball was sent in exact precision, but Icardi still couldn¡¯t receive the ball! The Argentine forward either fumbled the ball under the opponent¡¯s encirclement; Or due to the disadvantage in speed, got pushed aside by the defender an extra step. Under Juventus¡¯ strong defense and midfield strangulation, Icardi was already sweating profusely after just 20 minutes. In the 10th minute, Tang Long suddenly chipped the ball with a cross! Icardi dashed into the penalty area like a bolt of lightning! The ball bounced on the ground, and before it fell, Icardi was already swinging his leg, prepared to shoot fast! Bang! A black-and-white figure flew by, Bonucci swooped in, blocking the shot and clearing the ball to the baseline. Icardi was surprised, holding his head in shock, "How was his positioning so quick!" At the 18th minute, Icardi successfully beat the offside trap, receiving Tang Long¡¯s ground through ball! Just adjusted one step, and side-back Padoin charged like a mad dog. "Quickly shoot!" Icardi hurriedly shot, missing the goal, with Buffon not even attempting a save. Another attempt! At the 25th minute, even though there wasn¡¯t a good opportunity, Tang Long flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, and it coincidentally landed on the path where Icardi was advancing! Icardi raced to chase the ball! But Buffon stepped out to intercept first, catching the ball in his arms. After these sprints, Icardi was drenched in sweat, his jersey soaking wet, able to wring out a bowl of water. His gaze was filled with exhaustion and confusion. After 25 minutes. Inter¡¯s opening offensive gradually slowed down. Mancini noticed something was amiss from the sidelines. Assistant coach Herrera discussed it with him for a while, then instructed Tang Long: "Tang! Your link with Icardi is too one-dimensional; do more lateral pulling and control the ball more!" Herrera was absolutely right. If facing teams like Bologna or Genoa, solely relying on Icardi and Tang Long¡¯s straightforward link¡ªone passes, the other runs¡ªwould smoothly tear through the opponent¡¯s defense. But Juventus isn¡¯t Bologna or Genoa. The Juventus Corps are the defending champions, 102-point defending champions! Last season, they only conceded 23 goals; their defensive ability is among the top three in all of Europe. The coaching staff¡¯s intention was clear: facing Juventus can¡¯t be rushed, and direct passes like Tang Long¡¯s should be reduced, focusing more on control and lateral pulling. Mancini¡¯s tactical adjustment was spot on, pinpointing the crux. However, under this more complex playing style, Tang Long¡¯s inadequacy in ball control and dribbling skills was exposed! In the 33rd minute, Tang Long received a pass from Medel, intending to pivot and seek further cooperation. But, just as his foot brought the ball over, his body was still turning, Sturora extended his foot and intercepted the ball! "Oh dear! Tang Long didn¡¯t control this ball well, he lost it!" "Sturora¡¯s tackle was extremely precise, quickly passing to Pirlo nearby!" "Pirlo with a long pass!" "Wow, what a divine pass this is!" "Morata chest traps, shoots¡ª" "It¡¯s at the near post! It¡¯s in!" "Juventus breaks the deadlock, leading 1-0!" "Ah... Oh!" "This misplay, oh Tang Long, this mistake was so unnecessary!" Chapter 49: Advice from the Midfield Maestro Pirlo: Tang, practice your dribbling well! Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Advice from the Midfield Maestro Pirlo: Tang, practice your dribbling well!Tang Long¡¯s mistake in midfield directly led to Inter¡¯s goal loss! Pirlo¡¯s long pass seemed like a casual leg swing, but the ball was like a cruise missile, bypassing defender Ranocchia and landing precisely at the feet of the onside Spanish star Morata. Goalkeeper Handa was helpless. "Ah, how could Tang handle the ball like that? He should have turned around and protected the ball first!" "Bang," a towel from Berni on the bench hit the ground heavily. Guar¨ªn, who was warming up on the sidelines, shook his head as he watched. "A fatal mistake, losing the ball in this position is too deadly!" After Juventus scored, they launched a full-scale attack. Statistics show they are the team with the most goals between 35-45 minutes in the entire Serie A Alliance. This time period is also the crucial output point for the Juventus Corps¡¯ firepower. With their strong midfield and defensive control, they took over the game. Especially the 36-year-old veteran Pirlo, frequently creating threats in midfield! Many times in defense, Tang Long and Medel fiercely double-teamed Pirlo, but the short, not physically strong, and not fast Italian veteran always managed to escape their defensive encirclement with basic moves like turning in place, feinting, and ball pulling. He was like a slow-moving stream of water, seemingly weak, but no matter how hard you try, you can¡¯t catch it! And when you angrily punch it, you only splash yourself, gaining nothing. Kicking fluidly, with ease¡ªthis is precisely the mastery of a midfield expert like Pirlo. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Inter was hit again! Again, a pass from Pirlo! This time, Master Pi pretended to make a long pass to the left, his eyes also looking left, but unexpectedly, his ankle twisted at the last moment, and he sent the ball along a concealed line to the advancing right-back Lichtsteiner. Cross! Morata header! Brace! Over 70,000 Inter fans at Meazza Stadium were silent. Such a start was really tough. In the second half, Mancini made personnel changes. Tang Long was substituted, and Guar¨ªn entered in his place. ... "Tang, you should really learn from Pirlo. Look at his dribbling in midfield, so graceful, so effortless, with no unnecessary movements; this is the demeanor of a master." "Look at this! See, how did he just deceive Medel? Did you notice anything? His shoulder has a deceptive turn; this is the key point! Have you learned it?" On the bench, every time Pirlo took the ball, Berni would sincerely analyze Pirlo¡¯s moves to Tang Long. "In my view, Pirlo is the best top-notch midfielder in Serie A for the past decade. If you could learn even thirty percent of Pirlo¡¯s dribbling and ball protection skills, Tang, you could truly establish yourself in a team like Inter." Tang Long nodded, watching Pirlo intently. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although he only played for 45 minutes, facing Pirlo up close, he truly saw what it meant to be a top midfielder of Italy¡¯s golden generation. Berni took a pause, looking at Guar¨ªn on the field with words unsaid. "Tang, actually, you should also take a look at Guar¨ªn. Though he doesn¡¯t get along with you, he has things worth learning." Third goalkeeper Berni¡¯s words weren¡¯t wrong. After Guar¨ªn came on, Inter¡¯s midfield toughness was raised by a notch! Mainly in the way he held the ball in midfield, daring to take it. Unlike Pirlo, Guar¨ªn¡¯s ball holding in midfield relies on strong body resistance. Previously, when Tang Long was on the field, if faced with more than two opponents, he had to quickly pass the ball. But Guar¨ªn was different; he could withstand the press! The Colombian star¡¯s body strength was around 95, with dribbling at an average level of 80, making him a primary ball contestant in Inter¡¯s midfield. Pirlo attracts opponents through dribbling and controlling, then passes to create openings. Guar¨ªn withstands opponents physically and does the same. Although his passing isn¡¯t as elegant and his accuracy far from Pirlo¡¯s, it ultimately allows Inter¡¯s wings to receive the ball in open spaces. In the 66th minute, Guar¨ªn used rock-like shoulders to push Marchisio aside, advancing like a bulldozer! "Here!" Icardi suddenly made a behind-the-back move, deceiving center-back Bonucci, asking for the ball! Guar¨ªn hesitated a bit, didn¡¯t pass, and instead sent the ball to the advancing Yuto Nagatomo on the wing. Yuto Nagatomo rushed to the baseline, drawing two defenders, then made a triangle return pass! Coach Guardiola arrived in time, with a powerful shot, hitting the crossbar! The ground trembled! Guar¨ªn gestured to the north stand, constantly waving his hand, "Louder, shout!" The fans responded with fervent cheers, how could Inter fans not love such a Guar¨ªn? "Icardi¡¯s not making much impact, switch him for Podolski." With Mancini¡¯s order, the ball-skilled, more fluid German forward took the field. When Icardi left the field, although the home fans applauded him, he clearly wasn¡¯t in high spirits, only briefly high-fiving his teammates. He sat silently on the bench afterward. After Podolski took the field, he played smoothly. As a big-match player for the German national team with over 100 caps, he and his partner Palacio frequently left the penalty area, roaming in the flanks. In the 75th minute, it was precisely Podolski¡¯s cut shot after he got the ball on the flank that allowed Inter to get one back! The broadcast camera specifically focused on Icardi, who was substituted on the bench. He didn¡¯t look happy, his face gloomy. Berni glanced at Icardi, covered his mouth, leaned closer to Tang Long¡¯s ear, and whispered: "This German¡¯s not simple, against strong teams like Juventus, he¡¯s more impactful than Icardi, he can run, break, shoot, very versatile!" Ultimately, the scoreline of 1-2 remained until the end of the match. Inter couldn¡¯t complete their revenge at home. The players on the bench stood up, went to the center of the pitch, and encouraged their teammates. After chatting briefly with Ranocchia, Tang Long was tapped on the back. Pirlo, with his bushy beard, was smiling at him. "Hello, Tang, could we exchange jerseys?" Pirlo appeared very gentlemanly and polite. "Of course." Tang Long exchanged jerseys with Pirlo. "You played very well, Tang. Those few through balls to Icardi in the first half were very thoughtful. If not for our strong defenders, Icardi would¡¯ve scored at least two, haha!" After complimenting Tang Long, Pirlo changed the topic. "However, you should practice your dribbling. I imagine Mancini was dissatisfied with your mistake, that¡¯s why he took you off at halftime. You¡¯re a great passer as a midfielder, but without dribbling skills, your ceiling won¡¯t be high, limited to Serie A." "Yes, if only I could have dribbling skills like Messi, but alas..." "NoNoNo!" Pirlo said three consecutive No¡¯s! "You don¡¯t need invincible dribbling like Messi, that heavily relies on speed and talent. Learn from me, basic turns, ball control, pulling, the speed doesn¡¯t need to be fast, as long as it falls on the step." Finishing, Pirlo gestured in the air, "If I were handling the ball you lost, I would handle Sturora this way..." "If you have time, watch my dribbling videos, you can find them online." Pirlo tapped Tang Long¡¯s shoulder. Tang Long said, "Mr. Pirlo, I¡¯m your opponent, why do you tell me these things?" Pirlo replied, "Haha, opponent or not, after this season, I¡¯m heading to the US to play, far from the affairs of European football, to enjoy life. The future of football belongs to you young ones!" Tang Long paused, suddenly realizing something! "Mr. Pirlo, if I seek your guidance in football knowledge in the future, would you help me?" "Haha, feel free to ask! After all, I used to be an Inter player, but they underrated me and sold me to AC Milan. Plus, I was an Inter fan since childhood, that¡¯s absolutely true, you can find pictures online of me wearing Inter jerseys as a kid! You know what, I¡¯ll let Chiwo send you my number. He¡¯s familiar with me, an old opponent! Feel free to ask whatever you want, once I¡¯m in America in July, I¡¯ll stop using this number!" Chapter 50 AI Cloud Training Ground, Tang Long learns dribbling skills from Pirlo! Chapter 50: Chapter 50 AI Cloud Training Ground, Tang Long learns dribbling skills from Pirlo!Rome Sports Newspaper: "Inter¡¯s 1-2 Home Defeat by Juventus, Four-game Winning Streak Ends" Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 24-Hour News: "It¡¯s Still Juventus! The Juventus Corps Remains the Mountain Inter Can¡¯t Overcome" Turin Sports Newspaper: "Juventus Proves to Serie A Who¡¯s the Real Boss of This League" Rome Sports Newspaper: "Blunder Leads to Goal Concession, Tang¡¯s Future at Inter Still Uncertain" Sports Weekly: "Tang Long Substituted at Halftime, Gualin Remains Mancini¡¯s Most Trusted Player" ... After the match, Tang Long returned to the dormitory at the base. All the way on the bus, he was replaying the match in his mind. Clearly, in this match, he gave Inter all he could offer. In the post-match ratings, even though Inter¡¯s overall score wasn¡¯t high, Tang Long still got a 6, ranking in the mid-range of the team. In the first half, he provided Icardi with several brilliant through balls. But due to Juventus¡¯s strong prowess, these passes couldn¡¯t be turned into assists. Of course, Icardi also bore some responsibility; although the Argentine striker was currently at the top of the Serie A scorers list, at only 22, he still appeared somewhat immature against a defensive line comprised of Italian internationals like Barzagli, Chiellini, and Buffon! Berni said to Tang Long on the way back on the bus: "Icardi is a poacher-type center forward, a finisher. The balls you gave him were on point, and his positioning was excellent. But if you can control the ball in the midfield through dribbling, find open spaces on the flanks, and pass, utilizing the full-back¡¯s overlapping runs, it would be easier for Icardi to score." Pirlo¡¯s post-match advice hit Tang Long¡¯s crux more directly! "Tang, your passing is excellent, but you really need to practice your dribbling!" So as soon as Tang Long entered his room and tossed his bag aside, he began entering the AI Cloud Training Ground. There¡¯s so much to improve on. In the past, he had focused his energy on passing, stamina, and confrontation training, leaving him little time to pay attention to his dribbling. This dismal dribbling score of 59 indeed limited Tang Long¡¯s ability to become a top front-line attacker. Upon first entering the dribbling AI training, top-notch dribblers like Messi, Luo, Robinho, and Ronaldo appeared before Tang Long. A "dribbling" marker was above their heads. These were all first-rate dribblers, each with their own unique skills, capable of changing the game with their personal dribbling abilities. Yet Tang Long realized that these training avatars were all forwards, while his position at Inter was an attacking midfielder, playing in the midfield. These forward dribbling skills might not suit his current needs. "System, why isn¡¯t there a Pirlo?" "Report to the host, the training assistant Pirlo is in the passing project. Do you need to transfer him to the passing project?" "Let me see Pirlo first." The top-notch dribblers Messi, Luo, Robinho, and Ronaldo disappeared instantly. Amidst a golden light, Harvey, Iniesta, Pirlo, and Beckham descended. Tang Long noticed that above these individuals¡¯ heads, a "passing" marker was visible. Only above Pirlo was there both a "passing" and a "dribbling" marker, although the dribbling marker was still bouncing, seemingly waiting for Tang Long to actively click it! Training tool Pirlo stood like a wax statue, motionless. Tang Long walked forward and felt his lifelike stubble. He clicked on the bouncing "dribbling" marker box¡ªclick, Pirlo¡¯s elbow joint moved, emitting a sound similar to a robot moving. "Congratulations, host, on unlocking the bonus¡ªdribbling advice from Pirlo!" "Activate Pirlo¡¯s dribbling training mission!" "Special Effect: Improve the trainee¡¯s ¡¯midfield dribbling¡¯ skills!" Whew¡ª Pirlo, who was previously standing still, began to move. He looked languidly at Tang Long, speaking in a mechanical tone, word by word: "Hello, I am the training assistant Pirlo, born in 1979 in Brescia, Italy. I began my career at my hometown club, transferred to Inter in 1998 for 2 million euros, transferred to AC Milan in 2001 for 17 million euros, and after ten years in Milan, joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2011." "My club career stats: 680 matches, 71 goals, 121 assists." "My national team career stats: 116 matches, 13 goals, 25 assists." Above Pirlo¡¯s head, there was a flashing yellow card. Tang Long clicked it, and the card transformed into a line of text. "[Training Assistant Pirlo]" "[Offensive Expertise: Precise Long Passing, Stationary Dribbling Escape, Falling Leaf Free Kick]" On the empty training field, Tang Long started practicing dribbling with Pirlo. "Detected that the host¡¯s basic dribbling skills are weak, starting with the most basic ball-stomping." A football appeared beneath both Pirlo¡¯s and Tang Long¡¯s feet. Training tool Pirlo, with a blank expression, began stationary ball-stomping. Tang Long had practiced this kind of dribbling training before; it¡¯s quite basic, where the ball stays put, and you alternate stomping the ball with both feet, moving back and forth. An hour later, the ball-stomping training went up a notch. From staying in place, it changed to stomping while moving forward or backward. Two people, two balls, continually repeating the monotonous ball-stomping moves. Three hours later, Tang Long felt the sweat soaking his boots, with socks already damp. Five hours later. Tang Long exited the Cloud Training Ground and leaned back on a chair in his dorm, taking a deep breath. Despite it being seemingly the simplest training of moving while stomping the ball. Guided by Pirlo, Tang Long still noticed many details he hadn¡¯t paid attention to before! "Tang, your criss-cross stepping isn¡¯t coordinated, and your hands aren¡¯t aiding in balancing your body, which directly affects your dribbling move frequency on the field. Swing your arms!" "Your touch on the ball isn¡¯t light enough! It¡¯s not the sole of your shoe touching the ball, it¡¯s your studs! Yes, feel the presence of the studs, consciously controlling them, just as a driver controls the tires¡¯ contact with the road!" "Your waist and abdomen are too stiff, which will slow your turning amplitude. Relax your waist and abdomen, and mind your center of gravity!" Truly, he was a top-notch midfield dribbling master. Even in the simple ball-stomping dribble, Pirlo could find and detect Tang Long¡¯s dribbling issues. "Ding!" "Congratulations to the host for completing the first AI Smart Cloud Training dribbling lesson!" "Training player this time, Pirlo!" Pirlo, in suit and tie and wearing gold rimmed glasses, appeared like a university professor in front of the projector. Pointing at the PPT screen! It showed that during Tang Long¡¯s five-hour ball-stomping training, he completed 15,356 stomps! It also detailed Tang Long¡¯s weaknesses and shortcomings during this dribbling training, offering suggestions for further improvement. "Training score for this session, 6.5, looking forward to seeing you in the next session, bye-bye!" Pirlo, emotionless like a robot, waved goodbye to Tang Long. "Ding!" "Dribbling score increased!" "59¡ª¡ª62!" Chapter 51: Mancini and Chiwo, both have their own ambitions! Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Mancini and Chiwo, both have their own ambitions!Monday, eight o¡¯clock sharp in the morning. In the meeting room of the Inter training base, the first-team coaching staff gathered together. As usual, the day after the match, they review and summarize before morning training. High-profile statement before the match, aiming to defeat the opponent, but ended up losing! And it was a loss to Juventus, the domestic arch-rival. The four-game winning streak ended, and Inter dropped from sixth to seventh in the standings, temporarily behind Lazio. The mood among the coaching staff was quite gloomy. The atmosphere in the meeting room was suffocating, even the chattering magpies outside the window seemed to mock them~ Chattering~ Mancini continued smoking his cigar, and several other smokers in the room joined, filling the meeting room with smoke. If the stadium manager hadn¡¯t covered the smoke alarm in the meeting room long ago, fire trucks from Italy would have arrived by now. "Lost the match, now silent, during those four victories, each of you was quite proactive! Come on, Herrera, you¡¯re up first!" Mancini remained calm and collected. Following the sequence, the coaching staff members spoke one by one. Chiwo also presented his analysis video which he had stayed up all night to make, using the projector. Herrera primarily criticized Tang Long¡¯s performance during the meeting. According to his words, Tang Long was too impatient, always thinking of delivering a one-touch pass to Icardi for a clear chance. "What kind of team is Juventus? They¡¯re not Bologna, not even Genoa! Dreaming of piercing through Juventus¡¯s Italian international defensive line with just one touch, not even Sneijder back in the day would have such ability!" Another first-team coach, Kamo, pointed out that Tang Long¡¯s poor dribbling was the team¡¯s weak point. He said that if it weren¡¯t for Tang Long¡¯s dribbling errors that led to early goals in the first half, as long as they held the first half, Inter would have had a great chance of winning in the second half! Mazzari¡¯s nephew, the set-piece coach Bisik, specifically praised Gualin. "Gualin performed excellently on both ends after coming on in the second half, especially in corner defense, winning four out of five corner aerial duels against Morata without giving their tall forward any chance." Encouraged by Mancini¡¯s praise last time, Bisik was more vocal today and felt more free. He even directly compared Gualin to Tang Long. "Dear Mr. Mancini, I believe a healthy Gualin is an indispensable asset on both ends for us, compared to Tang Long, Gualin is more suited for the starting lineup." It seemed that this post-match review was turning into a criticism session against Tang Long. Chiwo, who is Tang Long¡¯s close mentor, couldn¡¯t take it anymore! "Hey, hey, a team¡¯s starting lineup consists of 11 players. Losing the match, you shift all the blame onto an 18-year-old young player, I believe such thinking is inappropriate!" Chiwo argued with reason, saying Tang Long actually delivered many excellent passes to Icardi, only Icardi failed to convert the opportunities into goals due to his weak solo play style. A few coaching staff members disagreed with Chiwo¡¯s view, sparking a debate, "Tang is the starting attacking midfielder, he is responsible for linking the midfield, regardless of his age!" Mancini spoke very little today. He just smoked his cigar, quietly observing the others. Around nine o¡¯clock, he ended the meeting, telling everyone to prepare for training. ... ... "This... Mr. Mancini, if you already knew this result, why did you start Tang? Isn¡¯t this harming him!" Inside the head coach¡¯s office. Mancini stood in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the players sweating it out on the training ground. Facing Chiwo¡¯s emotionally charged questions, Mancini remained calm, waving his cigar to suggest Chiwo not rush. He acknowledged that Tang Long¡¯s level wasn¡¯t sufficient for starting against a strong team like Juventus. However, Mancini also emphasized that Inter had no chance against Juventus; this match had another level of significance for the team. This puzzled Chiwo! We¡¯re supposed to compete for the Champions League qualification! After the winter break is the sprint period, every league match where we earn points is crucial, what do you mean, Mancini? Are you still Inter¡¯s head coach? Is this a plan to lay down? Mancini shook his head and said, "Tang performed well in the previous matches; such a young player, if you don¡¯t reprimand him a bit, he may turn into the next Balotelli!" The story between Mancini and Balotelli needs no elaboration. As the godfather of Balotelli at Manchester City, Balotelli ultimately disappointed Mancini. Mancini¡¯s biggest regret after leaving Manchester City was not realizing the potential of this proud, arrogant, and undisciplined player. "At Tang¡¯s age, letting him face some setbacks isn¡¯t a bad thing! The same principle applies to Icardi. Letting them both realize their shortcomings." Mancini added. Chiwo clearly remembered Icardi¡¯s expression when substituted. That frustrated look, full of unwillingness, captured the dejected mindset of a player smoothly sailing through the match now facing setbacks! At that moment, sitting in the stands, Chiwo even felt some pity for this young Argentine forward. "Gualin remains a trusted player; choosing to bring him on during tough times was precisely to give him confidence, to show him that he is still one of the players most trusted during critical moments." "Christian, you¡¯ve never been a head coach for the first team; how to manage a dressing room of over 20 players, sometimes, is simpler than tactical arrangements¡ªtactics, there are 100,000 tactical masters throughout Italy, but only dozens can be head coaches in Serie A. Our goal is indeed to make the top three and earn the Champions League qualification, but our scores should be earned against mid-to-lower-tier teams, not against Juventus. For the Juventus match, I never thought about beating them from the beginning; I know my team¡¯s strength, and even if we play ten more times, with our current roster, whether we can win once is a question mark." Chiwo sighed helplessly, shrugging his shoulders. "Mr. Mancini, you are the head coach, what you say is right, I¡¯m just thinking... okay, perhaps we should be honest with the players!" Mancini stroked his half-gray hair, looking at Chiwo with a gaze filled with complex emotions. As a coach, Chiwo¡¯s mindset is still somewhat impatient, needing time to mature. However, Mancini knows that the ambition of this treble-winning retired icon is not simply to be a youth team coach, nor an assistant, nor even the head coach of a Serie A team. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chiwo¡¯s ambition is the Inter head coach position! And Mancini also has his own ambition! He hopes, with his successful return to Inter, to regain glory in Italian football, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of his coaching career¡ªthe head coach of the Italian national team! Then lead the national team to victory in the Intercontinental Cup! This is almost the ultimate honor for all Italian football managers. Mancini hopes to have a glorious career like his predecessor Lippi, achieving success at both club and national team levels. "Chiwo, those words, I¡¯d only say them to you, because you¡¯re special in the Inter coaching staff... By the way, is Tang¡¯s special training plan still ongoing?" "Yes, boss, my plan will continue until the end of the season." "Alright, after passing the physical, focus on improving Tang¡¯s dribbling; he must become a midfield player who can hold onto the ball, like Gualin, which is also a necessary condition for Tang to secure a starting position." Chapter 52: Don’t Stew Over Buns, Fight for Dignity - Strive Hard, Young Man! Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Don¡¯t Stew Over Buns, Fight for Dignity - Strive Hard, Young Man!Chiwo felt very frustrated. He was extremely frustrated! Mancini¡¯s talk made him feel that, in the eyes of this famous Italian coach, Tang Long was nothing more than a pawn to control the locker room. Perhaps in Mancini¡¯s view, whether it was Gualin he relied on, Icardi he focused on cultivating, or Tang Long who was promoted directly from the youth team. They were all just parts of his strategic positioning and planning at Inter, this Serie A giant club. For Mancini, Inter was merely a stepping stone back to Serie A from the Premier League, and an important step in revitalizing his reputation in Italian football. His ultimate goal was, like Lippi, to coach the national team of his home country and reach the pinnacle of his coaching career. But for Chiwo, the words Inter Milan was his entire life! He served at Inter for seven full years, dedicating the peak of his career to this team, accompanying the team from its heights all the way down to its lows. Even in 2010, when he had a skull fracture, he risked leaving permanent neurological sequelae to undergo surgery to remove the skull fragments and reappeared for Inter in both the league and Champions League matches a few months later. Wearing a tank hat similar to Cech¡¯s, he bravely contested headers on the field for four entire years! In 2014, the year he retired. Actually, Serie A¡¯s Cagliari once offered him a two-year contract, and he could have continued his professional career at any time. But Chiwo decisively refused and publicly declared to the media: "I will never be on the field against Inter, and if there are no foreign clubs that want me, I would rather retire here!" With such deep love for the club, and an unyielding fight against life¡¯s adversities, Chiwo could never agree with Mancini¡¯s words: "I actually gave up on the game against Juventus right from the start, our lineup simply cannot contend with them. If I lead the team to play ten more times, I might not win even once." The 50-year-old Mancini, weathered by life¡¯s trials, can be a meritorious coach for Inter, but he will never be a true Inter person! He cannot understand the meaning of Inter¡¯s fight, nor how to muster the courage to clash with Juventus, such a dominant power, and do justice to the black and blue sky of Milan. The 34-year-old Chiwo still has a youthful spirit! Whether during his player days or coaching career, every game must be fought contest, with never a hint of defeatism. Since Mancini named Tang Long¡¯s dribbling as the issue, as Tang Long¡¯s mentor, and as the person most valued by the entire Inter Club, improving Tang Long¡¯s ability is Chiwo¡¯s undeniable duty. At the same time, Chiwo also sensed a subtle type of ¡¯mockery¡¯ from Mancini: S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Isn¡¯t Tang Long supposedly a genius? If so, go ahead and prove his talent! Chiwo rushed downstairs with full enthusiasm for work, to the training ground, personally engaging in the players¡¯ training. His sudden involvement surprised the players slightly¡ªmany knew him, but had never seen him train alongside them. In today¡¯s internal match. Chiwo was undoubtedly the focal point on the field! In the center-back position, not only did he contest headers precisely and fiercely, but he also successfully intercepted multiple times from the feet of current players like Icardi and Podolski; Moreover, he demonstrated a marvelous Marseille Spin at midfield, cleanly evading Tang Long who came to intercept! Tang Long was unsatisfied, turned around and reached out to snatch the ball. The football was gently nudged by Chiwo, rolling past Tang Long¡¯s crotch. Chiwo exaggeratedly made a face at Tang Long and laughed, "Haha, you got nutmegged by me!" Then, with a thud, 30 meters from the goal, Chiwo scored with a powerful shot! The entire Inter¡¯s players were dumbfounded. At that moment, they truly realized that even after retiring for over a year, this former Inter treble-winner and Romanian national team captain still had deep prowess on the field. In terms of defensive control, sudden dribbling, and shooting accuracy, he was not outdone by current players. However, Chiwo¡¯s stamina couldn¡¯t quite match theirs, after playing for 20 minutes, he was panting heavily, directly leaning his hands back on the ground, sitting at the side of the field. Third goalkeeper Berni tossed a towel to Chiwo, squatted beside him. "Hey, you seem pretty excited today, what¡¯s up? Did you win the super lottery?" While wiping his sweat, Chiwo pointed at Tang Long¡¯s back and said to Berni: "I do have a super lottery ticket, but I¡¯m thinking about how to cash it out." Uncle Berni instantly understood! He laughed and nodded, wearing goalkeeper gloves, he gave Chiwo a big thumbs up. Whoo whoo whoo¡ª Whoo whoo whoo¡ª Wind rose on the field at dusk. The evening breeze brought a peculiar fragrance of oak woods, as pleasant as those oak barrels soaked in red wine. Two figures swayed in the sunset. Tang Long and Chiwo, one defending, one attacking. During several drills, Chiwo always spun past Tang Long at the right timing with a Marseille Spin. "Your turn!" After switching roles, Tang Long found that no matter what, he couldn¡¯t get past Chiwo. His Marseille Spin, whether frequency or timing, was not as smooth as Chiwo¡¯s. Chiwo patiently stopped to guide Tang Long. "Though I mainly played as a defender at Inter, I also played as a defensive midfielder in the Romanian national team. Tang, I understand what kind of dribbling a midfielder needs. Learn well from me, fight for it, seize Gualin¡¯s starting position!" ... The weary Tang Long returned to his dormitory. After entering the AI Cloud Training Ground. Tang Long met his sparring tool, Pirlo, again. "My dear big-bearded uncle," Tang Long patted the tool¡¯s shoulder, "Teach me the Marseille Spin, how can I use this move to get past Chiwo?" Pirlo¡¯s mouth mechanically opened and closed, emitting a monotonous tone: "Marseille Spin, a football term, refers to the technique of making a 180-degree turn to evade a defender during a forward dribble, then either pass or shoot, or continue to advance with the ball. This move requires a seamless execution, especially when both sides seemingly have equal chances of getting the ball, to occupy the initiative unexpectedly. Considering the host¡¯s current dribbling basics still need improvement, practicing the Marseille Spin is not recommended. The best approach is to focus on ball pulling and rolling, solidifying fundamentals, of course, these are basic decompositions of the Marseille Spin." Thus, the tedious practices of pulling and rolling the ball began once more... This season, Inter isn¡¯t without cup and European war assignments. Currently, they are still fighting on three fronts. Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA Europa League. Mancini¡¯s main focus is on the league, getting into the top three through the league to qualify for next season¡¯s Champions League, is also his promised KPI task to the board. Therefore, for UEFA Europa League and Coppa Italia, especially the latter, it¡¯s basically held back. In the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, Inter played away against Naples. Mancini announced the starting lineup early in the team. Several substitute players were selected. Second keeper Caliso¡¯s son was born, he returned to Argentina. Third keeper Berni got a rare start! Tang Long, whose physical fitness was fine because he only played 45 minutes against Juventus in the league, was also included in the starting lineup. Berni excitedly hugged Tang Long tightly! "Damn! I finally got the start, let¡¯s beat the southern guys from Naples together!" Chapter 53: Naples, a City Associated with Maradona! Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Naples, a City Associated with Maradona!Naples, also translated as Napoli. As the largest city in southern Italy, the 120 square kilometers of Naples has a population of over a million. Residents settled here as early as 2600 years ago. (Naples, the largest city in southern Italy) A rich history, vibrant culture, wonderful art, colorful cuisine, and of course, football! These elements form the cultural foundation of Naples, scattered throughout the city streets. Talking about football here, one must mention a cultural icon¡ªMaradona! The Hand of God, dribbling past five players, winning the World Cup... As a football king alongside Brazil¡¯s Pele, the Argentine king has carved a unique mark in history. But for the citizens of Naples. The most thrilling thing is obviously Maradona leading them to victory! years ago, Maradona transferred from Barcelona to Serie A¡¯s Naples, setting a transfer record of 7.5 million dollars. Just three years later, he led the team to its first Serie A championship in history. Maradona¡¯s arrival brought a great transformation to the team, turning Naples from an inconspicuous squad into the Serie A champion. By 1989, Naples conquered the entire European football scene, winning its first Union Cup championship! A year later, the southern team defended its Serie A title again. Undoubtedly, in the heart of every person in Naples, Maradona is the god of this city! For Inter Milan, visiting Naples to play the Coppa Italia did not bring much pressure to win. Thus, players were allowed to go out of the hotel for activities. This is Tang Long¡¯s first trip to Naples. Curious about the city, he dragged Berni along for a stroll through the streets. Posters and slogans related to Maradona were plastered all over the streets and alleys of Naples like traffic signs. In front of a somewhat old pizza place, there was a photo of the shopkeeper and Maradona posted on the glass window. Their enthusiastic embrace, both faces blooming with smiles! Below it, there was a striking line of text. [30 years ago, God used to come here and eat pizza every day] Tang Long looked at the poster with interest and said to Berni beside him: "Maradona has brought countless honors to Naples. He is the god of this city, but Maradona is still an Argentinean, not an Italian. It¡¯s quite remarkable that a foreigner could earn such profound respect in the relatively conservative southern Italy!" Berni tugged at the brim of his black hat and smiled at Tang Long. "You¡¯ve forgotten the historical connection I told you about. If we trace the roots, Maradona is also the seed left by us Italians, he¡¯s Italian too!" Tang Long looked at Berni, puzzled. Everyone knows Maradona¡¯s nationality is Argentine. Why does Berni say Maradona is Italian? Berni wore large sunglasses, shielding half of his face. He tucked both hands into his jean pockets, enjoying the warm Mediterranean sun. "Besides Maradona, our old captain Zanetti is also Italian, along with Icardi and Palacio in the team, they¡¯re all. Back over a hundred years before World War I, many people from the Apennine Peninsula went to Argentina to seek a living. No exaggeration, now over sixty percent of the 40 million population in Argentina are descendants of Italians, they¡¯re all sons of Italy!" Tang Long nodded, recalling the central axis line when Inter won the treble in 2010. Forward Milito, midfielder Cambiasso, defenders Zanetti and Samuel. This was the core backbone when Inter dominated Europe that year! It seems that back then Inter¡¯s owner Moratti had a great fondness for Argentine players, partly due to the historical ties between the two nations. The sunshine in Naples was brilliant today. But the temperature was below 20 degrees, making the basking quite pleasant. Berni strolled the streets, gradually lost in memories. "Tang, don¡¯t mind me always scolding these crude southern Italians, but I actually do have feelings for the city of Naples, because when I was young my parents were busy, and I lived with my aunt in Naples for two years. I even attended two years of elementary school here. I wonder where all my elementary school friends are now..." Tang Long observed the scenery of Naples streets. "Uncle Berni, Naples still can¡¯t compare to Milan. I feel the city construction here is quite old, many places haven¡¯t been renovated." As they walked, Berni suddenly paused¡ª He quickly ran ahead, then excitedly beckoned Tang Long over. "Hahaha, come quickly! Look what I found!" Berni pointed to a square meter pit full of mud and trash in the road, delighted as if he¡¯d found a new continent. "Let me tell you a story, Tang! Over 20 years ago, one afternoon my aunt picked me up from elementary school. On the way, I wanted to play a trick on her, hid and jumped into this pit, leaving my anxious aunt searching everywhere, she even nearly called the police! I never guessed that after all these years, this pit would still be here. I can¡¯t understand, why hasn¡¯t anyone fixed it?" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Berni paused, continued laughing: "I feel nothing here has changed, the bumpy roads, shattered glass blue windows on each side, these rusty brown streetlights¡ªthey¡¯re all the likeness of my childhood memories." Berni¡¯s recollection about the puddle surprised Tang Long greatly! Before coming to Italy, he learned from textbooks that Italy was a developed capitalist country. He subconsciously perceived Italian cities should be very advanced and modern. But the dilapidated streets of Naples made Tang Long think reality differs from this perception. It even felt inferior to the appearance of a third-tier small county in China. Old streets, looking into the distance, residential apartments for citizens, walls blemished, shapes old-fashioned. Obviously, this is a result of lacking proper municipal maintenance. Some narrow alleyways are even piled with coke bottles and garbage bags, making it hard to tread. Occasionally, a few big rats crawled over, not minding human presence, basking in the sun. The two continued on the road. They saw a gray residential building, plain and unremarkable. It appeared to be built in the seventies or eighties of the last century. (A residential area in Naples) The residents¡¯ clothes were sparsely hanging on the railings outside the balcony, looking untidy. Without underground parking garages, small cars squeezed together like matchboxes. For the car in the front to move out is not easy, one has to shuffle each car one by one. However, the scene of Maradona wearing a blue, Naples football kit running vividly on the field suddenly brightened the view! Weathered walls instantly gained a touch of vibrancy! "This is Maradona! He runs on the field, and he runs in the ordinary lives of every person in Naples." At this point, Berni silently took off his sunglasses. Smiling and waving towards Maradona¡¯s mural. Berni¡¯s sentimentality provoked some contemplation in Tang Long. In the lives of everyday folks, what does football mean to them? Many are busy for survival, having no time to play football. Supporting their families with one salary, they¡¯re not willing to spend tens of Euros to watch a match. But their heart¡¯s love for football, respect for Maradona, is etched in every Napolitan¡¯s heart. For many people, the football bond may not be the same. But in the pursuit and love for the field, there¡¯s always a moment where joys and sorrows coincide! A long steamboat horn sounded from the docks. Bringing a salty sea breeze scent. Tang Long gazed at the somewhat weathered painting of Maradona on the wall, filled with emotion: "Are the citizens of Naples passionate about Maradona, about football, or do they love their city, cherish those once-burning years of passion in their life?" Chapter 54: Once the formation opens, it becomes Tang Long’s stage! Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Once the formation opens, it becomes Tang Long¡¯s stage!In this match, both teams clearly have different levels of importance! Inter changed their lineup, shifting from 4312 to 4231. However, the young Bonazzoli starts as the lone forward in advance, while the usual starting striker Icardi sits on the bench. Tang Long takes the starting position as the attacking midfielder. On his sides are Shaqiri and Podolski. The two holding midfielders have also changed, with Mavic and Obi. There are some rotations in the defensive line as well, with Ranocchia and young Juan in the center, new signing Santon on the left, and Dodo returning to the starting lineup after missing five rounds. Third-choice goalkeeper Berni is in the starting lineup. Even the head coach Mancini is absent, with assistant coach Herrera in charge for this match. Where did Mancini go? He took leave from the management and returned to Manchester to handle personal affairs. On the other hand, the home team Napoli has fielded their absolute strongest lineup! Famous players like Higuain, Callejon, Hamsik, Koulibaly, and Albiol all make an appearance. "Looking at the starting list, the attitudes towards the match from both sides are completely different!" "That¡¯s right, Napoli made some rotations in the weekend¡¯s Serie A match, and their top scorer Higuain didn¡¯t even play, clearly conserving energy for the showdown with Inter!" "Napoli won the Coppa Italia last season and is determined to defend their title this season; they have ambition in this domestic cup competition." "Additionally, this match has another eye-catching element!" "Current Napoli coach Benitez was once Inter¡¯s coach!" "His tenure at Inter was very unpleasant, with many at Inter saying he squandered the legacy of Mourinho¡¯s treble-winning period!" "Facing Inter this time, Benitez is probably harboring a strong desire to prove himself by humiliating his former team, showing that firing him was a mistake!" "Haha, it¡¯s understandable, like wanting to prove you¡¯re doing great after being dumped by an ex~" The referee¡¯s whistle blows, marking the official start of the 2014-2015 Coppa Italia quarter-final! S?o Paulo Stadium¡¯s 60,000 spectators shout in unison, creating a vast momentum, stirring the heart like a storm! The pushed-up Napoli players have faces full of pride~ All of Italy knows that playing away at S?o Paulo Stadium, regardless of win or lose, you have to shed a layer of skin! These southern fans roar with such intensity that their voices reach the top of their heads. However, Berni is not intimidated at all; he enjoys the game, feeling particularly happy and excited! He stands on the goal line, waving his arms, "Come on, get excited and hype it up, hahaha, let¡¯s do it, guys!" Tang Long notices a detail. The 4231 tactic today is significantly different from the usual. The usual 4312 mainly attacks through the center. Wing attacks are left to the advancing full-backs, requiring patience, layer by layer pushing forward. But in the 4231 tactic, the two wingers can directly spread wide! Both Shaqiri on the left and Podolski on the right are experienced from the Bundesliga, possessing speed and physical impact, skilled in flank play. This opens up more passing spaces for Tang Long. However, shortly after kickoff, Napoli launched their opening three-pronged attack. Inter¡¯s away game formation is compressed very flat, mainly defensive. Shaqiri and Podolski are forced to tuck into the center to help defend, leaving no chances for Tang Long¡¯s through balls. In the 8th minute of the match, Napoli nearly scored! Slovak midfielder Hamsik made slight adjustments at the arc of the penalty area and took a powerful shot! This shot was at an extremely tricky angle, a ground strike heading towards the bottom left corner! Goalkeeper Berni, standing only at 185cm, is considered short for Serie A keepers, with insufficient arm reach, and couldn¡¯t reach the ground in time. Fortunately, with a ¡¯Duang,¡¯ the ball hit the inside of the post~ Berni startled, quickly got up, and before he could celebrate, saw Higuain with the ball glaring at him! Goodness! Receiving the rebound from the post, Higuain calmly shot inside the box¡ª¡ª The ball coolly hit the post again, this time going out for a corner. Both shots were stopped by the post; Berni was ecstatic, turned, and affectionately kissed the metal pillar of S?o Paulo Stadium, making a kissing sound, Aww~ Higuain raised his hands in regret and said to Hamsik: "This goalkeeper has a short reach, just keep taking long shots at him!" Berni spat in Higuain¡¯s direction and shouted, pointing at him: "Ptooey! Come on, let¡¯s see how your daddy shuts you out today!" Despite the close call, Napoli¡¯s fierce attack further fueled the enthusiasm of home fans! The cheers from the audience converged into a massive wave of sound, echoing above the football field. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, the big screen at the stadium suddenly displayed a familiar figure¡ªMaradona! Maradona, with his iconic long hair and a big gold chain around his neck, his big dark eyes gleaming with light. He was smiling and clapping! S?o Paulo Stadium instantly erupted! "Wow, it¡¯s Maradona!" "God has returned to Naples!" "Maradona is also 55 this year, after finishing coaching in Dubai, he has been enjoying leisure time at home!" "Today he suddenly appeared at S?o Paulo Stadium, revisiting the place, receiving warm applause. He is still so popular here; in the 80s and 90s Serie A, he was the god of Naples!" "I wonder how many viewers watching this on television have seen Maradona play?" After withstanding the opponent¡¯s initial 15-minute onslaught. Inter Milan also slowly began organizing their own offense. New signings Shaqiri and Podolski finally got the chance to spread to the wide areas of the field. Once the formation spreads, it¡¯s Tang Long¡¯s chance to showcase his passing brilliance! In the 21st minute of the first half, young Nigerian Obi seized the right moment to step up and snatch the ball from Hamsik¡¯s feet. He dashed forward like a beast from the African jungle, head down charging! "Don¡¯t rush, look here!" Tang Long quickly helped him calm down. Obi passed the ball to Tang Long and then continued to charge forward! This move took away their opponent¡¯s midfielder Gargano, leaving Tang Long in an unmarked vacuum. Watching the ball roll towards him, Tang Long pressed his hands down, signaling to slow it down. Just as Napoli players thought this young Chinese midfielder would control the tempo¡ª Tang Long suddenly accelerated toward the ball, twisting his body 90 degrees and striking the ball¡¯s valve position with the inside of his foot! Whizz Whizz¡ª¡ª With strong spin and enough speed, the ball rocketed toward the left wing like a missile! "Great ball!" Swiss star Shaqiri arrived promptly, leaping high, stretching out his leg to control the ball! Ball and player landed simultaneously. Within 0.5 seconds, Shaqiri swiftly followed up, leaving no time for the defender to react, striking a ground flat shot toward the penalty area! Bang! Bonazzoli bypassed the center-back Albiol, rushed to the near post, sliding in to shoot! Amid dirt flying off from the sole of his shoes, the ball flew into the near corner of the net! Chapter 56: AI System Phase Upgrade, Increased Coverage of Brainwaves! Chapter 56: Chapter 56: AI System Phase Upgrade, Increased Coverage of Brainwaves!The teams entered halftime with a score of 1-1. In the visiting team¡¯s locker room. Assistant coach Herrera was very dissatisfied with the conceded goal in the first half! He severely criticized left-back Santon, attributing the goal to that defensive failure, letting Callejon get through cleanly. "Santon, you have an undeniable responsibility for this conceded goal. You¡¯ve played in the Premier League for three years, haven¡¯t you? Is this how you defend so recklessly in the Premier League too? You let that Spanish winger fool you completely!" Santon was momentarily speechless! This was his first appearance after returning to Inter in the winter transfer window. He was cleanly bypassed by Callejon, known as the Spanish little motorcycle, directly leading to the conceded goal. Santon felt very upset. The 24-year-old player lowered his head. "I¡¯m sorry, coach. I apologize for my mistake. At that moment, my knee just couldn¡¯t turn back, but I promise this kind of situation of being outplayed will never happen a second time!" "A second time? You¡¯re still thinking about a second time? Absolutely no second time," Herrera sneered, his tone filled with disdain, "This is Serie A, defense is the foundation of everything. If your knee can¡¯t withstand this level of competition, I really don¡¯t know the point of you returning to Inter." These words made Santon¡¯s heart skip a beat. Can¡¯t my knee withstand Serie A matches anymore... Remember, when he debuted at 17, he was hailed as the next Maldini in Italian football! Once representing Inter on the Champions League stage, he successfully froze C Luo from Manchester United¡¯s era, earning the Portuguese player¡¯s respect by voluntarily exchanging jerseys after the match. But today, the coach actually said I don¡¯t deserve Serie A level matches? I¡¯m only 24 years old... Am I destined to only play in the lower leagues? An unprecedented sense of shame surged through him, making Santon¡¯s head buzz! His eyes turned red. This nearly six-foot-tall man could only silently turn his head and sit down. Chiwo frowned and stood up. The Romanian had a straightforward Eastern European personality and felt very displeased seeing a former teammate verbally humiliated in such a manner by an Inter assistant coach. What does Herrera count as? Just Mancini¡¯s lackey. What qualification do you have to go against Santon! Moreover, the knee is his sore spot, it¡¯s been the tragedy of his career! Criticizing someone without hitting their weak points is common decency, don¡¯t you understand? Chiwo¡¯s gaze whipped toward Herrera. "Herrera, Santon is my former teammate. He is one of the players who was part of the club¡¯s treble-winning team in 2010, and he came from Inter¡¯s Youth Training Camp, a true and genuine Inter man. Please show some respect when you speak! Also, Santon suffered a serious injury at Inter, and his meniscus was even removed, just like my skull bone fragments. We¡¯ve both lost parts of our body tissue. We have both given our all to this club!" Herrera didn¡¯t expect Chiwo to counter him in front of all the players in the locker room. His facial muscles twitched a few times as he struggled to contain his inner anger and said: "I¡¯m just a coach. I don¡¯t care how great the achievements of my players in the past are, as long as he doesn¡¯t play well, I have to point it out. It¡¯s my duty!" "But Mr. Herrera," Tang Long suddenly interjected, "apart from that mistake, Santon¡¯s performance in the first half was flawless. If I remember correctly, he successfully defended against Callejon twice in one-on-one situations afterward, and also won multiple challenges in the box. He¡¯s a good defender." Seeing Tang Long speak up, Italian Local Gang leader Ranocchia couldn¡¯t hold back either. "Mr. Herrera, Santon needs more encouragement. His experience and fighting spirit are beyond doubt. One mistake doesn¡¯t mean anything. He will prove himself at Inter because this is his home." Herrera sensed that the situation might be slipping out of his control. He promptly stopped the topic and shifted to the tactical deployment for the second half. Tang Long noticed Santon looking at him with eyes full of gratitude. The players took to the field. In the player tunnel, Tang Long intentionally walked over to Santon. "Don¡¯t mind what Herrera says. This guy won¡¯t be at Inter for long. Santon, if you want to attack, boldly move up the flank. I¡¯ll give you the ball!" "Okay, I returned to Inter to prove myself again. Thank you, Tang!" Santon and Tang Long high-fived. Inter kicked off the second half. As the referee blew the whistle, a voice also echoed in Tang Long¡¯s mind. - [AI feeding achieved phased results, Green Grass Wisdom Engine (Intermediate) expands data analysis coverage.] Soon, this phased result was directly reflected in Tang Long¡¯s eyes! Before, the AI system only rapidly transmitted big data analysis information to Tang Long via brainwaves during critical passing stages. But now, it was different. Tang Long found that as long as the ball was rolling and players were moving, his brainwaves were continuously receiving AI information! - [7 players amassed on our left flank, still detecting 4 players moving toward the left side. Please shift the ball horizontally to the right to pull apart the opponent.] Bang! Tang Long decisively transferred the ball to the right flank, and Podolski received the ball with no one marking him. The width suddenly widened, the situation opened up! - [Defensive midfielder Mavic out of position! Hamsik has an 87.65% possibility of playing behind him, please quickly retreat to cover.] Whoosh~ Hamsik passed the ball to Mavic¡¯s vacated side. Just as the Serbian midfielder felt a chill, Tang Long charged back on a diagonal run! A slide tackle disrupted the line, preventing Higuain from getting the ball! "Nice one, Tang!" Mavic quickly returned to his position, hastily thanking Tang Long. - [Quickly move to the flank to receive Santon¡¯s high ball.] "Get him!" "Go together!" Higuain and Callejon charged toward Santon like tigers. They knew the early famous Italian star had a bad knee and targeted him for bullying! But Santon has seen big matches. He calmly made a turn, quickly moved the ball to the flank, and kicked a high ball forward with his left foot! Shaqiri on the left didn¡¯t get the ball, but Tang Long happened to appear on the path of the ball! "He¡¯s slicing in, quickly assign someone to follow!" The black defender Koulibaly hurriedly followed. This defender is fast with long legs, Tang Long didn¡¯t have the confidence to get past him. Koulibaly faced Tang Long, raised his hand towards his teammate Albiol, which meant, don¡¯t panic, I¡¯m here, steady as a rock! Is it really like that? Not a chance! Snap! Tang Long discreetly slipped the ball through, passing between Koulibaly¡¯s long legs! The ball reached Santon¡¯s feet! S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What? Santon suddenly appeared in the attacking midfielder area!" "When did he rush up?" "It seems he switched positions with Tang Long!" "Santon, Santon!" "He passed over Gargano!" "Santon shoots from the top of the arc, goal!!!!" Chapter 57: May you travel half a lifetime and return still as a youth! Chapter 57: Chapter 57: May you travel half a lifetime and return still as a youth!Santon, born in 1991, came from Inter Milan¡¯s youth training. As a teenager, Santon burst onto the scene in 2008. In the position of left-back, he was steady in defense and skilled in passing, once marking Manchester United¡¯s C Luo in a Champions League match, drawing widespread attention! During Mourinho¡¯s time coaching Inter, he once evaluated Santon like this: "In 15 years, when Santon has experienced around 500 high-level professional matches, he will grow to be a world-class defender as great as Maldini, there¡¯s no doubt about it." That year, Santon and Balotelli were close friends. One was a defender and the other a forward, both dubbed as Inter¡¯s Twin Stars by Italian football. The more composed and upright Santon was also more beloved by Inter¡¯s fans, being called the "Crown Prince" of Meazza! Unfortunately, before the Crown Prince could ascend, he faced the greatest hurdle for a professional player¡ªinjuries. His knee was repeatedly injured, and ultimately, he had the meniscus removed. The meniscus is a tissue within the knee, primarily used to reduce friction between the knee and leg bones during leg movement, acting as a lubricant. Once the meniscus is removed, even normal people feel pain when running, let alone professional players in high-intensity matches. At one point, he was abandoned by Inter back then. But Santon did not give up his career, even after leaving Inter, he continued to play in the Premier League with Newcastle. Probably because of his relentless spirit and sense of belonging from youth training, Inter decided to welcome home the former Crown Prince during this transfer window! Like Mancini, Santon, returning to Serie A, urgently needed to prove himself¡ªI am only 24, I can still return to my peak in Italy! This ball, facing the pressing of Higuain and Callejon, the experienced Santon cleared the ball. If it were a normal full-back, they might have just stood still. But Santon recalled something Tang Long said to him in the player tunnel: "If you want to attack, boldly advance along the wing, I¡¯ll get you the ball!" So Santon made the forward surge! His advance, silent! No one could have imagined that Santon could sprint forward from the full-back position, even keenly detecting the gap in the central attacking midfielder position, appearing where Tang Long should have been. The trust in Tang Long allowed Santon to seize the chance to receive the ball at the top of the penalty arc! When he used a dribble to suddenly cut past Gargano horizontally. The left knee lacking a meniscus sent a faint pang of pain... Standing at the top of the penalty arc, from his perspective, he could directly see Napoli¡¯s goalkeeper, Andujar. No defending players blocking, behind Andujar was just the net of Napoli¡¯s goal! Santon gritted his teeth, quickly adjusted his strides, swung his left leg back sharply, and struck the center of the ball firmly with the inside of his foot! Boom! He is a right-footer, having played in the left-back position for many years, he knows well how to use his weaker foot, whether for passing or shooting. The ball, with a strong curve, rushed into the net! The crisp and enchanting sound resembled a dream, surreal. Santon stood in place, stunned. When he saw almost all of Inter¡¯s players rushing towards him, Santon¡¯s gaze suddenly seemed unfocused. Back, everything was back! Rushing towards him were not Tang Long, nor Ranocchia, nor Podolski, nor Mavic. The 24-year-old Santon looked around, eyes full of his 17 or 18-year-old self. Those faces were Sneijder, SaneµÙ, Eto¡¯o, and his best friend Balotelli, laughing heartily, displaying a big-tooth-gap grin, arms wide open and rushing towards him... "Gooooooooooooooal!" "World-class strike!!!" "Santon hit a world-class long-range shot from outside the box!" "Gargano was faked out, and Koulibaly, Albiol, Hamsik were left stunned!" "This ball surprised me too; viewers, according to my data, during Santon¡¯s initial period at Inter, from 2008 to 2011, he played for two and a half years, appearing 53 times without a single goal!" "Today, he scored his first goal of his Inter career!" "This is his first appearance since returning to Inter!" "Tang Long¡¯s assistance was splendid, and Santon¡¯s shot was exceptional!" "Welcome back the wayfarer; let¡¯s remember this name, he is Davide Santon!" On the bench, all the players stood up, watching Santon, clapping for him. The former teammate, now Inter First Team coach Chiwo, even had tears in his eyes. When he first arrived at Inter, Santon was still a 17-year-old boy. In a blink of an eye, he had retired. Santon, also bearing the torment of knee injuries, still playing professionally with a crippled body missing the meniscus in both legs, wearing the blue and black jersey! May you leave for half a lifetime and return as a youth! "Well done, kid, I am proud of you!" Chiwo clenched his fists. ... "Coach, let me play, Santon scored, I really don¡¯t want to sit on the bench, I can¡¯t take it!" After finishing a set of regular warm-ups, Icardi candidly expressed his desire to play to Herrera. Herrera hesitated for two seconds, then refused. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even though he really liked this star player, the head coach¡¯s tactical arrangements couldn¡¯t be altered. "No! Mr. Mancini instructed me, you can only have 10 minutes of substitute time at most, get some warm-up for the next league match, you can¡¯t go on now!" "But didn¡¯t you see? Tang¡¯s state exploded in the second half, everything he did worked, he single-handedly revitalized the midfield, I want to score, coach, let me play!" Faced with Icardi¡¯s relentless pleading, Herrera sighed. "Mauro! This is just a Coppa Italia match, why take the risk of injury just to play early? Conserve your energy for the league and score then, wouldn¡¯t that be better?" Icardi spoke with an almost pleading tone: "I played so frustrated in the match against Juventus, didn¡¯t score, didn¡¯t play the complete game, you have no idea, these days I¡¯ve been going crazy, I can¡¯t put it off until the weekend¡¯s league game to score! I want to score now, Mr. Herrera, please, let me play!" Icardi was indeed urgent! In the last national derby against Juventus, Icardi was replaced by Podolski in the 68th minute. It¡¯s one thing to be substituted early in such a major event like a national derby. The key point was that Podolski, who replaced him, scored in the 75th minute! Icardi hadn¡¯t done it in 68 minutes, but the German did it in 7! At 21, Icardi was young and energetic, how could he swallow this indignity? I am Inter¡¯s top scorer, first in the Serie A scorer list, and I am aiming for the European Golden Boot! How am I inferior to this German!? Seeing Icardi, with his flaring nostrils, ready to jump off a building in frustration. Herrera glanced at his watch, then said reluctantly: "Alright Mauro, it¡¯s the 59th minute of the second half now, Mancini gave you 10 minutes, I¡¯ll make an exception and extend it to 15 minutes for you; by the 75th minute, you can play, is that okay?" Chapter 58 Standing there motionless, he is a majestic statue! Chapter 58: Chapter 58 Standing there motionless, he is a majestic statue!Chiwo quietly listened to the conversation between the two men. He just felt amused. Herrera, oh Herrera, it¡¯s a pity you¡¯ve been Mancini¡¯s assistant for so many years. This matter is handled so poorly. Either satisfy Icardi¡¯s demand and let him play in a few minutes. Or strictly follow Mancini¡¯s pre-match plan, only give him 10 minutes, warm up for the weekend league. Changing from 10 minutes to 15 minutes, what kind of thing is this? It pleases no one! Do you think Icardi will be grateful for your generosity? Definitely not, in the end, it¡¯s like Pigsy looking in the mirror, looking neither human inside nor out. Sure enough! When Icardi heard he was given an extra 5 minutes, not only did he not appreciate Herrera, but he also kicked the bottle of mineral water on the ground hard, cursing all the way as he continued warming up. Back to the game. After the AI system¡¯s brainwave upgrade, Tang Long was practically reborn in the second half with all sorts of god-like performances. In the past, Tang Long¡¯s main highlight was delivering the final pass, breaking through the opponent¡¯s defense with a deadly through ball. Otherwise, he seemed a bit quieter. But now, Tang Long is playing midfield effortlessly, excelling in positioning, pulling the opponent¡¯s defense, and controlling the tempo. This made Chiwo¡¯s eyes glued to him! His gaze consistently followed Tang Long. Tang Long¡¯s movement always maintained a high level, almost appearing precisely at the spot Chiwo had pre-judged based on the game situation. "What exactly happened to this kid? I feel like I don¡¯t even recognize him anymore..." Chiwo thought deeply. After the 60th minute of the game, Napoli¡¯s players were visibly anxious! With only half an hour left, the team was still trailing 1-2 to the opponent. Not to mention, before the match, they were united to win against Inter, aiming to defend this season¡¯s Coppa Italia title. But even the fortress-like S?o Paulo home stadium cannot be easily invaded by the opponent! "Pass the ball faster, even faster! Don¡¯t dawdle!" Star player Higuain, after spending some time without receiving the ball in Inter¡¯s penalty area, began to get frustrated. He kept shouting at his midfield teammates, gesturing for the ball. "Press up a little, press up a little more, can we not even beat their substitutes, is everyone still asleep!" Midfield core and Slovak star Hamsik increased his running range, attempting to use his stamina advantage to disrupt Inter¡¯s midfield. But there¡¯s a saying in football, haste makes waste. The more passive the situation, the more one must remain calm. Both Higuain and Hamsik, the big shots of Napoli, were anxious, and their impatience quickly spread like a flu virus to their other teammates. In the 66th minute of the match, Hamsik beautifully shielded the ball and passed Kuzmanovic, who was clumsy. In the direction of the ball¡¯s rolling, Hamsik tapped it forward and charged! Callejon¡¯s position was very good, he was already lurking beside Santon, leaning over and watching the offside line with his peripheral vision. As long as Hamsik delivers a high ball, the Spanish little motorbike will have enough confidence to impact the flank. But in a tense mindset, Hamsik made a reckless decision! He didn¡¯t pass but decided to go solo, dragging two Inter players chasing back down the middle, trying to charge directly into Inter¡¯s penalty area to shoot. The home fans at S?o Paulo stadium erupted in cheers! "Hamsik, break through!" They hoped the team¡¯s leader would complete a solo run! Amid the roaring noise resembling airport runways, Inter¡¯s captain Ranocchia maintained a calm mind. This game, Mancini still chose Ranocchia to start, precisely because of his composure in crisis. Ranocchia suddenly detached himself from sticking with Higuain, charging at Hamsik! The 195cm tall legs quickly stepped in front of Hamsik! Bam! The frantically advancing Hamsik never expected the opponent¡¯s central defender to suddenly leave his position to tackle him! The ball he touched too far ahead was directly tackled away by Ranocchia! Possession changes! Napoli¡¯s attack was abruptly halted! Without allowing the opponent to press quickly at the front, Ranocchia immediately passed the ball to Tang Long. Tang Long¡¯s positioning was excellent! At the exact moment Ranocchia went to tackle, Tang Long judged that the ball would definitely be intercepted. So he ran ahead of time to the open space diagonally in front of Ranocchia, comfortably taking possession. "Forward, everyone, press forward!" On the goal line, Uncle Berni waved his hands in a quick motion, like herding sheep, urging Inter teammates within the penalty area to move up! Callejon and Higuain were still cursing Hamsik¡¯s loss of the ball; Their respective defenders, Santon and Ranocchia, had already charged forward. The situation changed just like that, in an instant! In Napoli¡¯s frontcourt, Santon, Ranocchia, Tang Long, Bonazzoli, and Shaqiri, five players, powered toward the opponent¡¯s penalty area! Especially Santon who just scored! Having lost meniscus in both legs, he sprinted as swiftly as ever, even faster than the quick horse Shaqiri, and in a blink, he reached the open flank! "It¡¯s a five-on-five in the frontcourt!" "Santon¡¯s speed on the flank is incredibly fast!" "On the other side, Bonazzoli is also diagonally inserting himself and calling for the ball!" "Tang Long holds the ball, he can pass to either side!" "He passed it!" "Wow!!" "Beautiful! Extremely penetrating through pass!" "This ball just slid past the foot of defender Koulibaly!" "Can Santon catch up? He¡¯s chasing hard!" "Santon falls, sliding in to pass!" The football was hooked high, tracing a rainbow arc, falling towards the penalty spot! Albiol and Bristol, two central defenders, both nearly 190cm tall, rushed towards the landing spot and jumped! But a taller, more graceful leaping player, like a mountain overwhelming them, grabbed the first spot, and executed a howitzer header shot! Clang¡ª The howitzer hit the underside of the crossbar, thundering with a crisp crack, rebounding into the goal line! S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ranocchia landed from the air, raising his arms high! Beneath him were the two central defenders, Albiol and Bristol, dazed from the collision. The opponents were down, only Ranocchia, the 195cm first towering presence on the field, stood firmly in Napoli¡¯s penalty area. The headband originally tied around his forehead was nowhere to be seen due to the violent impact. The loose brown curls fell like a waterfall. The dazzling lights of S?o Paulo stadium illuminated his distinct profile. His towering nose was elusive under the cover of long hair. At this moment, Ranocchia seemed like a piece of ancient Greek artwork. Standing there motionless, he was a majestic statue! Chapter 59: Icardi finally appeared, but he cried in frustration! Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Icardi finally appeared, but he cried in frustration!Tang Long, Shaqiri, Santon and other teammates in the front rushed into his embrace. The tall captain Ranocchia embraced them all like a group of children with his arms. When his deep blue eyes appeared on the two huge screens of the S?o Paulo stadium. The male fans in the audience were dead silent! Scored again? Thud, thud, got another one, it¡¯s over! Only the few female fans on-site let out fangirl screams... Icardi glanced sideways at Ranocchia¡¯s handsome profile on the big screen. Swallowed hard! Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His heart felt sour. It wasn¡¯t that he was jealous of the captain for being more handsome than him. It¡¯s just... The center backs are scoring during open play! The center backs! Ranocchia sprinted all the way from the backfield to the opponent¡¯s penalty area, launching a violent header! And him, the star forward, the top scorer! Was left to sit idly on the bench. At this moment, Icardi¡¯s thirst for a goal was itching all over his body like an urge. A thousand little ants crawling back and forth in his heart~ Driving him mad! Don¡¯t say the Coppa Italia is unimportant. Even if it¡¯s just a preseason friendly now. I want to play! The Argentine forward jumped up from the bench in a flash. "Herrera, I want to play, I can¡¯t wait any longer, now!" Assistant coach Herrera was originally clapping when he saw Icardi suddenly appear in front of him. He was stunned and then pointed to the clock of the venue and said: "Why are you in such a hurry, didn¡¯t we agree you¡¯d play at the 75th minute? Wait a little longer, it¡¯s almost time!" "Wait my ass!" Icardi exploded, "I¡¯m in great shape, if you don¡¯t let me on, I won¡¯t play next game either!" "What did you say!" Herrera was instantly furious, wanting to reason with the 21-year-old young forward. If it weren¡¯t for Chiwo appearing in time and pulling them apart, signaling that the camera crew was focused on them, they might have started fighting on the sideline. Icardi could only continue idling on the bench. But his butt seemed to be on fire, unable to sit still, as if there were sharp nails on the bench that wouldn¡¯t let him sit. He sat for a while, then stood for a while. A seductive and alluring beauty lay before him. Icardi wanted nothing more than to pounce, to have a satisfying kill! As a forward, Icardi could see very clearly. These few attacks, although it wasn¡¯t Tang Long who scored. But every attack started with him! For example, this last goal wouldn¡¯t have happened if Tang Long didn¡¯t quickly find space, receive the pass, and make the penultimate pass that pierced through the opponent¡¯s defense. Santon wouldn¡¯t have gotten the chance for a baseline cross. His best friend¡¯s current form was explosive, even iron trees like Santon and Ranocchia were blooming because of his support! Let alone him, the legitimate center forward. Icardi firmly believed ¡ª as long as he got on the field, scoring would be like finding money, just bend down and grab it! Napoli, trailing 1-3, was preparing to go all out. They sent in stars Mertens and Gabbiadini consecutively, trying to ramp up the pressure on Inter¡¯s defense by switching out midfielders for forwards. Counting Higuain and Callejon, with four strikers on the field, Napoli was like a car slammed to 7200 RPM, the engine revving wildly, shaking the entire vehicle dangerously. Hamsik played as a lone defensive midfielder, solitary, and on the verge of collapse. They were too anxious! Many high ground opportunities turned into reckless high balls from the flanks and center, bombarding Inter¡¯s goal area. Would Inter fear your high balls? Just when Ranocchia had scored a header cannonball in the opponent¡¯s penalty area, he was now dutifully crouching in his own penalty area. With his 195 absolute height, every high ball was thudded away, one after another. Thud, thud, thud ¡ª It became Ranocchia¡¯s header training game. Tang Long also played comfortably, ready to pounce on second balls outside the penalty box, and counterattacked whenever he intercepted the ball. Napoli¡¯s backfield was almost Tang Long¡¯s playground, he formed a front trio with Bonazzoli and Shaqiri, frequently launching counterattacks threatening the opponent¡¯s goal. Were it not for the young Bonazzoli being too greedy, thinking with a two-goal lead it was no worry~ Numerous excellent chances for continued give-and-go plays with Tang Long were squandered because he chose to go solo, resulting in poor forced shots. Bang! This time Bonazzoli finally met Tang Long¡¯s eye, but unfortunately, the final one-on-one shot flew into the stands. On the sidelines, Icardi clasped his head with both hands, kneeling on the ground. As if it wasn¡¯t Bonazzoli, but him who missed the shot. "How could you miss that!? Give me ten shots, and I¡¯d score 11!" Icardi was utterly heartbroken. He kept glancing at the S?o Paulo stadium¡¯s clock. It¡¯s now 71:24. Less than four minutes until he can play. He anxiously watched the seconds tick by, each digit changing slowly. Finally. minutes passed! He looked at Herrera and found Herrera was submitting the substitution form to the fourth official, gesturing to him with a smile. A thrill of finally coming onto the field to score spread like electricity through his body, leaving him tingling and utterly satisfied~ S?o Paulo stadium, Napoli! Get ready for my fierce shot! Icardi stood delighted at the sideline. But when he saw Tang Long running towards him. He instantly turned to stone! Icardi immediately looked at the substitution board beside the fourth official. [Number 99 off] [Number 9 on] The substitution wasn¡¯t anyone else but for Tang Long! "Why take off Tang, huh? Herrera, why are you substituting him!" Icardi was anxious again. Herrera looked puzzled, "Tang has played 75 minutes, he needs rest! Mancini specifically instructed me not to let Tang play the entire match, do you have a problem with that?" These words threw Icardi¡¯s once fervent heart into the ice house. After Tang Long was substituted. Inter lost their midfield commander. The sharp counterattacks halted. Moreover, in the 82nd minute, Herrera also substituted Shaqiri for Gualin, intending to strengthen midfield and defensive solidity. Inter started defending, pulling all three lines back. Poor Icardi! From coming on in the 75th minute. To the end of stoppage time at the 94th minute. In those 20 minutes, he touched the ball only 4 times. One of which was when Napoli managed to claw back a goal through Higuain¡¯s sliding shot in the 92nd minute, and Icardi, as a forward, took the kickoff in the center circle. As soon as the full-time whistle blew. Icardi, having been imprisoned for 20 minutes, pulled up his jersey to cover his head, depressed to the point of tears. This damned Herrera, if you had to substitute someone, why substitute Tang Long! Chapter 60: Maradona Visits Inter’s Dressing Room and Gives Tang Long a Gift! Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Maradona Visits Inter¡¯s Dressing Room and Gives Tang Long a Gift!Although it¡¯s just a Coppa Italia victory, the significance of this win is absolutely extraordinary. First of all, Inter beat a full-strength Napoli lineup with a substitute team, a result even the Inter players themselves didn¡¯t expect before the match. Secondly, this is the first time in four years that Inter beat an opponent away! The curse of not winning for five rounds at S?o Paulo stadium is finally broken. No wonder the starting goalkeeper, Berni, jumped onto the locker room table, wearing only his underwear, swinging freely with a pot speaker in his arms. "Ah~ my sun~ let¡¯s beat these southerners!" Berni¡¯s rock-style parody of the Italian opera "O Sole Mio" stirred up laughter among the players present! Since Mancini was absent, captain Ranocchia secretly ordered five boxes of pizza for everyone to share in the locker room. Tang Long also unusually had a slice. In the midst of this feast, Santon sat down next to Tang Long, and the two started chatting. "Tang, I really need to thank you. Before the match, I never thought I would score. Thank you for your assist!" "Haha, I told you at halftime, if you want to attack, push forward boldly. You did it, congratulations, Santon!" Santon shook his leg and pointed at his knee with emotion: "During halftime, Herrera actually said I couldn¡¯t adapt to Serie A level games. That really hit me, but I want to show everyone that even though I¡¯ve lost two meniscus pieces, I can still do what healthy players do!" Tang Long was filled with admiration for Santon¡¯s fighting spirit. Like Chiwo, they were both severely injured on the field. But after going through hardships, they returned to the field, still fighting in high-level professional leagues. This unyielding will is truly the character of a man! Amidst the noisy locker room came two claps. Inter Milan¡¯s vice-chairman, the retired veteran captain from last year, SaneµÙ, walked in with a smile, indicating for everyone to be quiet. "Guys, we have an important guest coming to see us. Can you guess who it is?" "Could it be Maradona?" Berni was startled, jumping off the table quickly and putting on his pants. SaneµÙ shouted towards the door: "Come in, Diego!" Amidst all the attention, a man with a full beard, short stature, and a bloated figure walked in! Berni guessed correctly, it was the Argentine football king Maradona! Maradona hadn¡¯t even greeted yet. Inter¡¯s players instantly erupted! Everyone jumped up, rushing towards Maradona. "Mr. Maradona, it¡¯s really you!" "Oh my God, I saw their God in Naples!" "So surprising, I actually met Maradona!" The most excited one was Berni. Always carefree and fearless, Uncle Berni was now like a shy girl, big fists clenched at his chest, with a fascinated look as if watching an idol drama. To this generation of 80s players who were trained in professional football from a young age, in Italy, Maradona is a perfect football icon. He symbolizes the perfect blend of skill and talent! Throughout his football career, countless exquisite passes and shots have showcased his extraordinary skills and distinct football wisdom. Every move he made was seen as a model of football artistry, providing a template for later players to learn from. Even a defender like Ranocchia, in his childhood, mimicked Maradona¡¯s five-person goal numerous times on the training ground. His name has become a representative of a spiritual force, constantly inspiring later footballers to strive forward and never give up. Maradona politely congratulated Inter on advancing to the Coppa Italia semifinals, offering his congratulations to the Inter players. Then, he shook hands with each player. When he met with the Argentine players in the team, Maradona exchanged a few casual words with them. Especially with Icardi. Old Ma could see this young compatriot seemed unhappy, probably because he didn¡¯t score. He jokingly teased him: "Mauro, it¡¯s a pity that when I was the Argentina coach, you were too young. Otherwise, with your strength, you would have surely been my main striker in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I have high hopes for you!" The 21-year-old Icardi, obliviously, didn¡¯t catch Old Ma¡¯s joking tone, and asked back: "Really, can I really be the main striker for the national team? But they didn¡¯t call me up for last year¡¯s World Cup!" Maradona laughed loudly, the big gold chain on his neck trembling. "Don¡¯t worry Mauro, if I¡¯m still the coach in the next World Cup, I¡¯ll reserve a spot for you in advance, that okay?" Finally, Maradona approached Tang Long. He didn¡¯t speak, instead carefully examining this Chinese in front of him. Standing over 1.8 meters tall, with a well-proportioned physique, defined abs and chest muscles, topped with neat black short hair and a handsome oriental face. A model professional player¡¯s physique indeed. In front of everyone, Maradona gave Tang Long a thumbs up. "Young man, this is our first meeting. I didn¡¯t expect you to be so young. Your skills left a strong impression on me; you controlled the whole midfield tempo single-handedly! I¡¯ve been to China many times, in 1996, 2003, and 2012. It¡¯s a beautiful country, warm and hospitable, with many of my fans. They left me with wonderful memories. As it¡¯s our first meeting, I want to give you a gift, my friend from the East, oh, what should I give you... Having not prepared beforehand, Maradona glanced around. When he saw SaneµÙ holding a football, Old Ma had an idea. He picked up a pen from under the tactical board, took the football, and signed his name on it. "Here¡¯s a football as a gift for you, my friend from the East!" Tang Long thanked him politely, took the football, and examined it carefully, discovering it looked quite old. Other teammates also gathered around, curiously observing this gift from Maradona. Inter¡¯s vice-chairman SaneµÙ looked slightly troubled on the side. He pulled Old Ma aside. "Diego, this isn¡¯t good, is it? This ball is from the 1989 UEFA Cup final. It¡¯s too precious a gift. You brought it from home, saying you¡¯d donate it to Napoli¡¯s honor exhibit room. You promised De Laurentiis, it wouldn¡¯t be right to go back on this, would it?" Maradona, with a calm demeanor, replied indifferently: "I can give away my collections to whomever I please, right? Besides, I have three of them, all final balls. I¡¯ll get another one later, no big deal!" Late at night, on the flight back to Milan from Naples. Tang Long held onto the football Maradona gave him, staring at it for a long time. He felt there was something peculiar about it. But, he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on what was out of place... S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 61: Bonazzoli hugged Tang Long’s leg and wailed loudly, speaking shocking words! Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Bonazzoli hugged Tang Long¡¯s leg and wailed loudly, speaking shocking words!The Inter coach Mancini hurriedly flew back to Milan from Manchester the next afternoon. He had taken a leave to appear in court in the United Kingdom for a contract lawsuit with his former agent. Although he didn¡¯t have time to watch the live broadcast in the UK, he first learned from his phone that Inter had won 3-2 against Napoli away ¡ª this result truly surprised him! He initially thought that there was a 90% chance that Inter would lose at the S?o Paulo stadium, known as a hellish venue. Before Mancini signed the coaching contract with Inter, the KPI indicators discussed with the board mainly focused on finishing in the top three of the season to secure a Champions League spot for the next season. Neither the board nor Mancini himself mentioned the Coppa Italia, which was considered an insignificant trophy. This domestic cup was abandoned from the start. However, now that they¡¯ve won and reached the semifinals, Mancini considers it a nice bonus. Compared to whether they can eventually win the Coppa Italia. Mancini is more concerned about how the team managed to win at Napoli¡¯s home ground! Because the home game wasn¡¯t under his command. Mancini pondered for a while and decided not to call assistant coach Mr. Herrera. Instead, he had Chiwo come to the head coach¡¯s office at the training base to report on the match proceedings. This small meeting was not as formal as the big meetings after each match day. The two lay on the sofa, chatting casually. "I just arrived at the training base and heard that you canceled today¡¯s morning training?" Mancini said. "Yes, Mr. Mancini, the players had two games in a week and are very exhausted, plus they won the match ¡ª and that was at Napoli¡¯s S?o Paulo stadium with our substitute players defeating their main squad, something we hadn¡¯t accomplished in four years. I thought it was necessary to reward the players with a day off." Chiwo paused for a moment and added, "Assistant coach Mr. Herrera also agreed with my suggestion." Mancini ran his fingers through his half-gray hair and lit a cigarette. The head coach¡¯s office filled with smoke. "Well, Christian! You now, apart from not smoking, are becoming more and more like a head coach of Inter!" "Hahaha! I didn¡¯t have time to ask your permission, boss." Actually, Mancini knew many things. Although he wasn¡¯t in Naples yesterday, he even knew about the incident where Mr. Herrera humiliated Santon in front of everyone in the locker room during halftime. This matter made Mancini quite angry! Not for anything else, but because Santon was personally requested by me from Ossorio to bring back from Newcastle. If you say he can¡¯t adapt to the pace of Serie A matches, isn¡¯t that slapping my face? So I misjudged the person, eh? Mancini was growing to dislike Mr. Herrera more and more! So he bypassed him and directly called Chiwo to the office to report to him. Chiwo took out a USB stick and connected it to Mancini¡¯s computer. After returning home last night, he spent three hours overnight making a video analysis of the match. "Boss, let me be clear here, the reason we were able to win this game was completely because of Tang Long alone!" Mancini took a deep draw of his cigarette and exhaled slowly, asking with great interest, "Go on, why?" The two sat in front of the computer screen. Chiwo kept clicking the mouse, starting to analyze the match progress minute by minute. In the first half, Mancini¡¯s expression remained calm. Even witnessing certain scenes, such as when Santon was outplayed by Callejon, he showed regret on his face, taking several puffs of his cigarette. But moving to the second half, his expression changed! Ever since Tang Long¡¯s first touch in the second half. The cigarette between Mancini¡¯s fingers remained untouched. Until it burned to ashes. ... Bonazzoli has been very happy recently! His career has advanced significantly! He finally signed a professional player contract with Inter~ After signing, he rushed back to the dormitory at the base and ran into Tang Long¡¯s room. With a thud, he knelt in front of Tang Long, hugging his leg, crying incessantly! "Boohoo... I succeeded, I finally succeeded! Thank you, Tang, thank you for letting me sign a professional player contract, from now on I¡¯m just like you, we¡¯re both bona fide first team players! I¡¯ve now become the pride of my whole family!" Tang Long turned off the Icardi run highlights he was watching and helped up Bonazzoli. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Brother, why thank me, it¡¯s your own good performance!" Bonazzoli sniffled heavily, looking at Tang Long as if he were a benefactor. "No, no, don¡¯t be modest, I know it well, without your support on the offensive end, I could never have scored in Serie A and the Coppa Italia!" The Italy U-21 National Team¡¯s main forward was right. Thanks to those two goals, his attention within Inter also skyrocketed! Under Chiwo¡¯s strong push, both Ossorio and Mancini agreed to accept Bonazzoli as a formal member of the Inter first team. His name was removed from the youth team list and officially included in the first team roster. Meanwhile, his salary leaped from 50,000 euros to the same post-tax 400,000 euros as Tang Long, within a five-year contract. Bonazzoli had waited too long for this day! At 17, during the Mazzari reign, he was occasionally promoted from the youth team to first team training. After Mazzari left, Inter ushered in the Mancini era. Mancini also saw the potential in this Italian U-21 main striker and kept him in the squad. For a local star like Bonazzoli, wanting to establish himself and not disappoint the coaching staff¡¯s trust, the only way was to score goals! Because he was a forward! However, against his wishes, before winter last year, he played as a substitute for 6 or 7 matches, averaging ten-odd minutes each game for Inter. Let alone scoring, sometimes he barely touched the ball and even less managed to shoot, score! Of course, part of it was due to Bonazzoli¡¯s lack of ability. But more so was the distrust from teammates! During his limited playing time, the help he received from midfield teammates was very limited. Especially from Gualin. When Icardi was present, restrained by the Argentine striker¡¯s status, Gualin would at least curtail his long-shot urges and pass him the ball appropriately. Once Bonazzoli replaced Icardi ¡ª which usually indicated it was garbage time in a match ¡ª Gualin¡¯s long-range shots would go off constantly, never even noticing this 17-year-old kid. Forget being the Italy U-21 main player. In an Inter-level team, nearly everyone was the absolute main player of their respective senior national teams, what was a U-21 main player even worth? Bonazzoli was extremely disheartened at one point and even considered leaving Inter on loan to struggle in Serie B. Until the arrival of Tang Long, everything changed! This forward could indeed score goals! Bonazzoli¡¯s first Serie A goal was assisted by Tang Long! His first Coppa Italia goal also came from Tang Long¡¯s penultimate pass! "Tang, my first professional contract also owes to you, for this, I couldn¡¯t sleep all night, tossing and turning in bed! After a whole night of intense mental struggle, I made a grand decision!" "What decision?" Hearing how serious he made it sound, Tang Long was immediately curious. "That Gualin," Bonazzoli stood up, wiped his tears away, with a righteous expression, "I can see, he always targets you! Should I go beat him up, though he¡¯s bigger than me, I¡¯m not afraid of him, just say the word and I¡¯ll climb over the wall tonight and give him a beating!" Chapter 62: Cloud Training Ground Has New Changes: Simulation Combat Function Activated! Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Cloud Training Ground Has New Changes: Simulation Combat Function Activated!It was said that our roommate was planning to climb over the wall to teach Gualin a lesson, but Tang Long believed this was unwise. Gualin was a well-known soccer star, earning millions in Euros, living in a luxurious mansion most likely surrounded by security cameras. If you go and assault him, and get caught by the Italian police, will you still be able to play football? Do you still want that newly signed first-team contract? Upon hearing Tang Long¡¯s advice, Bonazzoli¡¯s excited heart calmed down a bit. Yet, after much thought, he still told Tang Long: "Bro, you¡¯re right, I won¡¯t go beat him up. However, for targeting you like this, I can¡¯t let him off so easily. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve been on the street since I was little, I have ways to deal with him." That night, Bonazzoli still climbed over the wall. He first scaled the training base¡¯s wall, then arrived outside Gualin¡¯s house and climbed over his wall too. Gualin¡¯s yard was large, with three luxurious cars parked inside. In the dim moonlight, wearing a hoodie and a black mask, Bonazzoli recognized the Mercedes SUV that the Colombian often drove to training. Skillfully, he stuffed something indiscernible from the bag into the exhaust pipe, tiptoeing quietly. The next morning. Gualin hummed a tune, calculating the time, and drove his Mercedes SUV to the training ground. Halfway there, the engine bay made a sputtering sound. The whole car wobbled and came to a stop, breaking down. After some fussing, it still wouldn¡¯t start, leaving Gualin sweating nervously and having to wait for a taxi by the roadside. By the time he arrived at the training ground, he was already 20 minutes late! The assistant coach Herrera was furious and directly expelled him from the training ground, reporting it immediately to Mancini. The punishment was announced that afternoon. Due to being late for training, Gualin was fined 50,000 Euros by the team and removed from the next Serie A squad list. Bonazzoli ran to Tang Long¡¯s dorm room to share the good news, "Tang, you can still start in the next league match!" Tang Long smiled, thinking this little brother was very loyal, someone he could get along with! "If you¡¯re only worried about my starting position, you needn¡¯t have done this. I have the confidence to surpass him as the attacking midfielder." Since the AI system¡¯s phase upgrade during the Coppa Italia match with Napoli, expanding the brainwave coverage area. Tang Long has undergone a complete transformation in the attacking midfielder position. His brainwave prompts now cover the entire offense and defense rather than just the final deadly pass as before. From a simple passer to a truly comprehensive midfielder ¨C Tang Long has crossed a critical threshold! In the afternoon, a light rain began to fall outside the window. Tang Long sat by the window, entering AI Cloud Training mode. He first practiced some fitness training with Chiwo. Then started dribbling special training with Pirlo. After a lot of dribbling and pulling exercises. Tang Long¡¯s basic dribbling skills improved greatly on the Cloud Training Ground! Tang Long could mimic Pirlo¡¯s stationary dribbling technique quite well too. As a low-profile midfield master, Pirlo¡¯s fame doesn¡¯t match that of Harvey, Iniesta, or Zidane. However, as a slow, not particularly strong or aggressive defensive midfielder, Pirlo¡¯s slow dribbling is unparalleled in Serie A. His signature move is to use slow dribbling to attract two to three opponents to press up, then, at the last moment, find his teammate with his vast vision and deliver an accurate pass. The purpose is clear: to make two to three defensive players miss, creating a localized numerical advantage for the teammates upfront. The AI Cloud Training Ground¡¯s features are continuously upgrading. For instance, today, a new feature for simulating real matches was added! Tang Long can simulate real matches on the Cloud Training Ground. The training assistant Pirlo, standing aside in a robot-like monotonous voice, starts outlining the tasks for this match simulation. "For an organizing midfielder, dribbling is not the goal. The goal is to pass the ball after attracting the opponent¡¯s players, allowing teammates to be unmarked locally. Now, please simulate in practice!" "Task: Use slow dribbling to attract a Napoli midfielder over, then pass the ball out." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whiz! In an instant, Tang Long found himself on the S?o Paulo stadium in Napoli, where he had just visited recently! Everything was exactly like reality. Tang Long took the ball. Napoli¡¯s defensive midfielder Hamsik watched him like a hawk. Tang Long began to imitate Pirlo¡¯s slow dribble, shifting the ball to the left. Moving slowly was meant to attract Hamsik to press up. When Hamsik charged forward, Tang Long decisively passed the ball to Obi, who he had spotted early on. "Task completed! Now increase the difficulty of the training, attract two midfield opponents, then complete the pass!" With the success of the first attempt, Tang Long became bolder this time. After drawing Hamsik in, he feigned a turn, bringing the ball back with his back turned. Another defensive midfielder, Gargano, seeing an opportunity to intercept, also came up to pressure him! With his back turned and sandwiched by two opponents, the situation looked dire, and it seemed he was about to lose possession. Bang! Suddenly, he pulled the ball with the sole of his foot, turning around and slipping through the gap between the two, then struck a curve ball, precisely finding Podolski on the wing. With two of Napoli¡¯s midfielders drawn by Tang Long, Podolski took the ball on the wing unimpeded, directly facing the fullback. "Task completed! Now increase the difficulty of the training, attract three midfield opponents, then complete the pass!" As the task difficulty increased, Tang Long gradually felt strained! The problem wasn¡¯t with his thinking, but with his ability. With his current physical and dribbling level, attracting two opponents was his limit. For instance, this time, under the pressing of Hamsik, Gargano, and Higuain at the same time, Tang Long had the ball intercepted by Higuain from the side and was knocked down. But in Pirlo¡¯s career, attracting three players to corner him and then sending out a highly tactical long pass happened almost every match. In the end, it boils down to that saying: he wants to but can¡¯t, his technique can¡¯t keep up with his mind! "Alright, let¡¯s end the training here today, Master Pi! This real battle simulation feature is great, I will come more often!" Tang Long prepared to say goodbye to Pirlo and then returned to the physical training option, wanting to use the remaining time for more resistance training with Chiwo. At this moment, something surprising happened! Bonazzoli somehow stood by the substitute bench, looking at himself. Tang Long was taken aback, could it be that Bonazzoli also entered the Cloud Training? Upon running over to check, he discovered it was just a wooden-like robot. This was puzzling! All those who entered the Cloud Training Ground as sparring partners had unique talents in their respective fields, what did Bonazzoli have? "Ding!" "Congratulations to the host for triggering a hidden reward ¨C gratitude from friend Bonazzoli!" "Reward description: The host can acquire any one of Bonazzoli¡¯s stats!" Tang Long was pleasantly surprised! It turns out the events in the real world could be reflected in the AI Cloud Training Ground as well. He helped Bonazzoli obtain a first-team contract, and in return, he received one of Bonazzoli¡¯s stats. However, Tang Long couldn¡¯t see Bonazzoli¡¯s specific stats; he could only guess. He started thinking about what strengths Bonazzoli had compared to him. As a forward and the main striker for the Italy U-21 National Team, no matter what, his shot accuracy must be good, so he chose shot accuracy! "Ding!" "The host has acquired Bonazzoli¡¯s shot accuracy stat!" "Shot accuracy increased!" "62¡ª77!" Chapter 63 Weak Team Palermo, Data Farming Starts with You! Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Weak Team Palermo, Data Farming Starts with You!This weekend, Inter hosts a home game against the underdog Palermo. This team from Sicily is a typical league yo-yo club. After struggling in the Serie B mire for three consecutive seasons. Palermo has finally returned to the stage of Serie A. However, from the start of the league, no one was optimistic about the Sicilian team¡¯s ability to avoid relegation! Their owner hasn¡¯t invested more in signings. So the team basically maintained the main framework from last season¡¯s Serie B. The occasional new signings are young players on loan from the big Serie A clubs for experience~ So far, Palermo has won one match, drawn one, and lost all other matches! With a dismal score of four points, they are undoubtedly at the bottom of the standings. Facing a home game against the bottom team of Serie A, Mancini has tasked the whole team with obtaining three points! Except for Gualin, who was removed from the list due to disciplinary issues, all of Inter¡¯s main players are starting. Mancini is not taking the underdog lightly at home. His seasoned experience tells him that to secure a Champions League spot, they can afford to drop points against strong teams like Juventus. But against a weak team like Palermo, they have to thrash them at home! After all, in Serie A, a team¡¯s baseline is determined by whether it can crush weaker teams. Although they used a new 4231 formation in their last away victory against Napoli, S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. that wasn¡¯t under Mancini¡¯s guidance, and for this match, he¡¯s still opting for the relatively conservative and familiar 4312 formation. On the front line, Icardi returns to the starting lineup. His partner is the German Podolski. With Palacio aging, his physical condition is noticeably declining. Podolski has gradually replaced Palacio¡¯s position as the main starter. Tang Long appears as the starting attacking midfielder. Among the three central midfielders, Brozovic is in the center, Medel on the left, Mavic on the right. Ranocchia continues to start, partnering with Juan. The two fullbacks are Yuto Nagatomo and Jonathan. Uncle Berni, Berni is back on the bench, waving towels. Starting goalkeeper Handanovic is stationed in the back. Following Inter¡¯s victory over the strong Napoli in their last match. This time, back at home, the Meazza fans are showing their full support for the team with their presence! A total of 76,534 spectators have come! Setting the highest attendance record for a domestic match in Serie A this season! When this magnificent number appeared on the big screen at the Meazza stadium, standing at the center circle ready to kick off, the Argentine striker Icardi looked around, feeling incredibly excited! He transferred from Sampdoria to Inter Milan to play exciting games in this magnificent stadium, Italy¡¯s largest in terms of capacity! With such a large crowd and such a weak opponent¡ªa chance to boost his stats by trampling a weak team¡ªthere¡¯s no way Icardi would miss this opportunity. At the sound of the referee¡¯s whistle, Icardi passed the ball back to Tang Long, the attacking midfielder. "It¡¯s begun, Tang! Crush them!" Icardi roared! Palermo is a very pragmatic team. They know their chances of staying in Serie A this season are very slim. Even if there is a tiny hope, it¡¯s definitely not in a match against Inter Milan. Therefore, in this away match, they¡¯ve even rotated half of their main players~ They have no hope of fighting back, only of enduring the attack! Just 8 minutes into the match, Icardi and Tang Long executed a smooth pass-and-run play up front. This came from a long pass by the central midfielder Brozovic. Despite Icardi¡¯s height of only 1.81 meters, his jumping ability is top-notch in Serie A! He outjumped the opponent¡¯s 185cm tall central midfielder, firmly heading the ball back to Tang Long. Just as Palermo¡¯s players began to approach slowly, preparing to press Tang Long, who was in possession. Tang Long had already eyed Icardi, who was charging into the offside line¡ª Without letting the ball touch the ground, using the inside of his foot, he gently flicked the ball! With power and angle perfectly controlled, the ball flew towards the direction Icardi was running. Palermo, having lingered too long in Serie B, was unprepared for such high-paced Serie A play. By the time they reacted, Icardi had already chest-trapped the ball, breaking through to the penalty spot! With a gentle push from his left foot, the ball slipped under the goalkeeper¡¯s arm, into the bottom right corner of the net. Having scored again after missing two games, Icardi was unusually excited! He sprinted towards the North Stand, jumping up onto the advertising board. With his hands cupped around his ears, he celebrated with his signature ear-cup gesture toward the North Stand fans! Whoosh¡ª "Icardi finally scored, and the assist was by Tang Long!" "These two players are 21 and 18 years old!" "But they play as if they¡¯ve been together for over ten years, with such a seamless cooperation!" "Watching them play is truly a visual feast!" "If these two were to be given a nickname, it would be Sweet Artillery!" The Sweet Artillery is ready to fire again! Trailing from the start, Palermo has no need to defend anymore. Especially their young players on loan from other big clubs, who are running and pressing for their lives. These eighteen, nineteen, and twenty-year-olds, on loan from the giants, have a completely different mindset from the longtime Serie B veterans on the team. Even if the team loses, they don¡¯t care. What they want is to showcase themselves to the many spectators in front of the TV on the grand stage of Meazza, increasing their fame. If they manage to score against Inter, their value could rise. But is it that easy to score against Inter? In the 25th minute of the first half, the young Sunny showcased his fast footwork! This Juventus U19 player used his extremely quick foot speed to dribble past Brozovic and Medel, continuously moving forward with the ball. "Let me dribble past five in a row and show Juventus how I can score at Meazza!" Luckily, the central midfielder Mavic showed his experience and held up Sunny. Sunny had no choice but to hold the ball and pass back to his teammate Barreto. Just as the ball reached halfway, it was intercepted by Tang Long, who came out of nowhere! "Beautiful! Tang Long, from the attacking midfielder position, intercepted in time, cutting off Sunny¡¯s only passing route!" "Perfect anticipation and interception!" "Tang Long is charging towards the opponent¡¯s penalty area with the ball!" "All the Palermo players are closing in!" "Barreto and Gajalo have already reached Tang Long¡¯s side, with Sunny actively tracking back after losing the ball!" "Tang Long is surrounded, he needs to pass the ball quickly!" "Is he hesitating? Pass it quickly!" "Overplaying, this seems a bit sluggish..." Just as Tang Long was surrounded by three players, and his teammates assumed he would lose the ball, with even Podolski and Brozovic pulling back, preparing to start defending. Amidst the crowd, Tang Long suddenly flicked his toe¡ª The ball slid smoothly through Sunny¡¯s legs towards the top of the penalty arc! It¡¯s open! The top of the arc is completely open! Everyone was drawn to Tang Long, leaving the arc open! Most teammates had already started the retreat. Except for Icardi, who remained parallel to Tang Long. "Mine!" Icardi met the ball with the instep of his foot, taking a powerful shot! The shot was satisfying! The posture of his swinging leg was very smooth! So much so that after striking the ball¡¯s center, due to inertia, Icardi rose into the air~ He watched the ball soar into the top left corner of the net from mid-air! The feeling was absolutely exhilarating! Chapter 64: Flowing like clouds and water, crisp and sharp! This kick is simply like 3D Pinball! Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Flowing like clouds and water, crisp and sharp! This kick is simply like 3D Pinball!"Icardi actually scored a long shot! Haha, this kid¡¯s impressive, improving, boss, he¡¯s becoming more versatile!" Assistant coach Herrera clapped thunderously on the sidelines. While clapping, he sneakily glanced at Mancini¡¯s reaction~ These past months, Mancini kept emphasizing to him the importance of developing Icardi¡¯s other skills in training, like passing and long shots. In Mancini¡¯s eyes, as Inter¡¯s top scorer, this young No. 9 has huge potential for growth! In addition to poaching goals, he should be more versatile to truly carry Inter¡¯s forward line. Herrera indeed did this, spending time with Icardi every day in training to practice long shots. Even after regular training sessions, he¡¯d personally stay behind for extra practice. Thus, when Icardi scored a long shot, Herrera was overjoyed! He joyfully shouted while subtly turning his head to Mancini, seemingly claiming credit¡ª"See, my training sessions are effective!" As Herrera anticipated, Mancini was also shocked! He didn¡¯t even make any celebratory gestures, just took two steps forward, eyes wide open, looking at the celebrating players. So much so that the fourth official had to remind him several times to return to the sideline. Mancini finally snapped out of it, smilingly apologizing. Seeing this, Herrera felt delighted¡ªcould it be that at the end of the season, I won¡¯t have to retire and can follow the boss for another year, hehe, Chiwo, you¡¯ll have to wait if you want to steal my assistant coach position! When one desires something greatly, their eyes involuntarily carry a filter. In reality, Mancini was indeed shocked. But different from Herrera¡¯s expectations, he wasn¡¯t shocked by Icardi¡¯s long shot¡ªin a position at the top of the penalty arc, less than 20 meters away, unguarded, swinging his leg and putting his full might into the shot, even a 50-year-old Mancini could hit it eight or nine out of ten times. What surprised Mancini was the assister, Tang Long! Tang Long today performed very differently from usual. When Tang Long dribbled at the opponent¡¯s penalty flank, supposed to pass first-time but didn¡¯t, causing three Palermo defenders to surround him. Mancini frowned, mentally echoing the commentators¡¯ complaints: "What are you doing, holding the ball too long!" Clearly, Podolski and Brozovic were ready to support him from behind. He just needed a simple drag to make a return pass. Or, simply go for a cross from the bottom line, aiming for Icardi wasn¡¯t a bad idea either. It¡¯s definitely better than being intercepted and counter-attacked on the spot! But what happened next completely exceeded Mancini¡¯s expectations for Tang Long! Just as he was about to lose position, Tang Long cleverly nudged the ball to the unguarded Icardi¡¯s feet! Because the three were attracted by Tang Long, Icardi faced an open field at the penalty arc, eating this cake too comfortably. Mancini was tens of meters away on the sidelines, unable to see clearly how Tang Long passed the ball. He wanted to ask assistant coach Herrera if he saw it clearly, but seeing his silly bootlicking behavior, Mancini felt disdain and didn¡¯t want to talk to him. "Alright, alright, no matter how he passed it, deploying such a crazy strategy to draw attention and then pass... hopefully Tang did it deliberately; if that¡¯s really the case, this kid¡¯s football intelligence and daring are beyond my imagination," Mancini thought. The last goal of the first half happened when the match was about to end. Brozovic¡¯s set-piece was fast and bending, zooming towards the goal. Palermo players saw Icardi heading for the near post and knew the ball would land there, players rushed forward rapidly. But against the Argentine striker¡¯s fierce movement and sharp header, it all became futile! 3¨C0! Icardi completed a hat trick in the first half! Two games without scoring, and now three at once! He was as mad as he pushed aside all teammates coming to celebrate, first stripping his jersey and tossing it skyward, then sprinting 40 meters to the north stand, performing a passionate knee slide! "Icardi! The almighty Icardi!" "Just like the three stripes he shows in the slide, he scored three goals in 45 minutes!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This is his 15th goal in the Serie A this season!" "His form is scorching hot! I can¡¯t imagine anyone else competing with him for the Serie A Golden Boot!" Icardi was extremely delighted. Even when the referee showed him a yellow card, he was still smiling. In the second half, Palermo was utterly defeated. Inter¡¯s current strength, though not the top in Serie A, with a huge 3-goal lead at home, forget Palermo, even if Juventus came, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance~ Tang Long¡¯s goal was singular. To provide more assists for Icardi, not only boosting his goal stats but also enhancing his own assist stats. A super minnow like Palermo meets only twice a year, seize every chance, smash them to pieces, never show mercy! In the 65th minute of the second half, the tempting artillery shell rocked the Meazza Stadium sky again! This time the collaboration was more complex than before. Experienced Podolski actively moved from wing to central, drawing away an opponent defender, giving ample space for the team¡¯s right-back Yuto Nagatomo to surge forward. Accompanied by a crisp "pop," Tang Long struck the ball towards the open corner space on the right! Everything seemed pre-calculated, precisely accurate. Yuto Nagatomo used eighty percent sprinting speed chasing the ball, crossing just before it went over the baseline! Icardi at the near post made a feint, the ball aimed diagonally to the penalty arc! "Watch out for their long shot!" Sunny, an 18-year-old loanee from Juventus, became cautious this time, summoning two teammates to press out and block Tang Long¡¯s shooting angle at the arc. But when Tang Long laid the stance, eyes wide pretending to powerfully shoot, he slowed the pace in the blinking moment of contact, flexing his ankle smoothly to the left, the rigid body muscles instantly relaxed¡ª The ball slid on the ground like soap, "swish," reaching the advancing Podolski! Sunny and teammates prepared themselves for the eventual fate, squinting, righteously bracing for the cannon barrage, yet were cleanly tricked! The German collected the ball and shot a straight-aim sweep across the goalfront, with Icardi again appearing ghostly at the near post, but this time it¡¯s a different near post position! Explosive shot, 4¨C0! Icardi performed a super hat trick! Striking the signature ear-cupping gesture again! The cheers at Meazza Stadium poured down like torrential rain! rounds, 16 goals! This attack was five consecutive no-stop passes, executed like flowing water, crisp and sharp, the football moved like a 3D pinball among Palermo players, dazzlingly fast, giving no time for the opponents to react. And the most crucial two defense-splitting pinball punts came from attacking midfielder Tang Long! Chapter 65: 70,000 Fans Shouting His Name! This Moment Finally Comes! Chapter 65: Chapter 65: 70,000 Fans Shouting His Name! This Moment Finally Comes!"Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!" "An attack as fluid as mercury!" "From Tang Long¡¯s first pass to the wing, to Podolski¡¯s cross in front of the goal." "It involved a total of five passes, six touches!" "The ball never stopped throughout the whole play!" "If it weren¡¯t for the slow-motion replay, we wouldn¡¯t have known how embarrassed the Palermo players were!" "Look at their astonished eyes; they¡¯ve been completely stunned by Inter¡¯s combination play!" "Although this attack wasn¡¯t a direct link between Tang Long and Icardi." "From the first pass to the second-last, it was all orchestrated by Tang Long, adding the perfect touch to this attack!" "Tonight at the Meazza, the star is the ¡¯Sugar-coated Bullet¡¯!!!" In the coaching area, Mancini was also watching with a big laugh! He hadn¡¯t been this happy in a long time. Though the opponent was merely a weak team, Palermo; Although this goal was just the icing on the cake for the entire match. But this was the smoothest attack Mancini had seen his team perform in half a season at Inter Milan! This filled Mancini¡¯s heart with confidence. Inter Milan players are entirely capable of such Bar?a-style attacks! The score was now 4-0. Palermo¡¯s players had completely lost the will to fight back. Some of the seasoned players, long accustomed to Serie B, began to slack off on the field. Even when there was an opportunity to attack. The defenders merely passed the ball back and forth at the back, with little desire to move forward. This made the young player on loan from Juventus, Sunny, jump in anger. "Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing! Attack!" S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The outcome of this match didn¡¯t matter to Sunny. All he wanted was to showcase himself well at the Meazza, to boost his market value. For a loaned player, this was quite important. However, Sunny¡¯s shouts, his madness, and relentless pressing seemed lonely and helpless amidst his teammates¡¯ lack of desire to fight. His efforts were drowned in the sea of cheers from over seventy thousand fans at the Meazza. Four goals weren¡¯t enough! Icardi still wanted to score! In this match, the Argentine forward broke many of his records since joining Inter Milan. His first hat-trick. His first four goals in one game. If he could score another one for a quintuple, it would indeed be a wonderful night! However, just as the saying goes, pleasure often turns to sorrow. What happened next was a slap in the face for Icardi. Sunny was sticking close to Icardi. The 18-year-old loan from Juventus channeled all his DNA-level hatred for Inter Milan on Icardi, who scored goals at his team¡¯s expense! "Since we can¡¯t score, I won¡¯t let you feel good either!" Sunny¡¯s actions were a bit much. Several times, he used fouls to forcefully tackle Icardi, pushing or pulling him down, not letting him comfortably receive the ball. No matter how perfect Tang Long¡¯s pass was, Sunny would still go at him once Icardi got the ball. Just to make him uncomfortable! He even received a yellow card for it. Icardi was furious. He turned around and held up four fingers at Sunny: "Kid! We scored four goals against you, four!" Provoked by Icardi, Sunny¡¯s anger flared up, burning like wild fire. He retaliated by holding up three fingers to Icardi. "We¡¯ve already won three consecutive titles with Juventus! What are you Inter anyway!" Their tussle exploded during a set-piece attack. This time, Brozovic¡¯s pass had too much power, curving outwards. Icardi decided to attempt a high-difficulty shot! He leaped high, raising his knee, his calf bent back¡ªhis foot was almost level with his head! Was he going for a scorpion kick? Bam~ The scorpion¡¯s tail missed the ball but heavily hit Sunny¡¯s back head. Sunny fell to the ground instantly, clutching his head, crying out in pain! "Icardi! Dangerous play with a high foot!" The referee decisively blew the whistle, rushing to the scene immediately. When Icardi saw the referee¡¯s hand reaching for the pocket, his heart sank. "Damn it, I got a yellow card in the first half..." Two yellows make a red! Icardi was sent off! The Meazza stadium erupted with high-pitched boos! Fans in the front rows even started cursing and trying to climb over the barriers. If not for the security personnel¡¯s intervention, they really wanted to storm the field and give the referee a good beating. What the hell? Giving our star striker a red card? Referee, are you looking to get beaten? Staring at the glaring red card, Icardi felt a loud bang in his head, stunned. In his career, whether in Argentina, Sampdoria, or Inter Milan, he had never received a red card. "I, I didn¡¯t do it on purpose, referee, you can¡¯t do this, I, I still want to score, huh?" It took him a full five seconds. Icardi finally reacted, like a wronged child, stammering his appeal to the referee. If not for Tang Long pulling him aside and saying a few words, Icardi would have squatted on the field, refusing to leave. As he finally left the field, though the Meazza stadium gave him applause full of kindness and encouragement, the Argentine forward¡¯s eyes were still red. "Sigh, if I had known, I shouldn¡¯t have taken off my shirt after scoring the third goal in the first half, damn!" Icardi was clenching his molars hard. Mancini on the sideline also looked irritated! In Serie A, two yellows resulting in a red card leads to an additional one-match league suspension. Next, Inter would play an away game against a strong rival, Lazio, competing directly for the Champions League qualification spot! "You brat, you messed up my plan again!" Mancini scolded Icardi a couple of sentences and gave him a swift kick on the butt. By then, the match was in the 75th minute. On one side was Palermo, with no hope of turning the game around. On the other, Inter Milan, down to ten men after losing their star striker. Neither side had the heart to continue fighting. The match entered garbage time. Mancini began substituting out the starting players. In the 86th minute of the match, Mancini used the last substitution. The young forward Bonazzoli went on to warm up, replacing Tang Long. This seemed to be Mancini¡¯s way of rewarding Tang Long. Because as he came off, the Meazza echoed with thunderous cheers! "Tang¡ª" "Tang¡ª" "Tang¡ª" Each call surged like waves, gathering into an unstoppable force. The pitch seemed to vibrate with the thundering shouts, as every inch of ground felt the fans¡¯ intense emotions. The cheers for Tang Long even surpassed those for Icardi when he left! The eyes of the crowd are bright; they know who the real master of this match was. Tang Long¡¯s last name echoed through the historic Meazza stadium like ancient war drums! A strong wave of emotion crashed over him like a tide. Like the turning of fate¡¯s key! Isn¡¯t this the scene he had longed for during his youth team days? Isn¡¯t this the vision he had dreamt about over countless days and nights in the youth team? More than seventy thousand fans, chanting his last name in unison, it was as if the whole world was cheering for him! For this moment, Tang Long didn¡¯t know how many years he had waited! Before he could raise his hands to salute the fans with his respect. Mancini approached the sideline and gave Tang Long a big hug! "Well done, kid, you deserve the fans¡¯ cheers and my trust!" Chapter 66: Forced to Switch to 4-2-3-1? Mancini Decides to Take a Bold Try! Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Forced to Switch to 4-2-3-1? Mancini Decides to Take a Bold Try!Rome Sports Newspaper: "Four-goal Victory! Against the Underdog, Inter Shows No Mercy" Hour News Daily: "From Heaven to Hell¡ª Icardi¡¯s Four-goal Spectacle Ends with Red Card" Turin Sports Newspaper: "Inter¡¯s Great Victory Can¡¯t Conceal Mental Hazards, Star Forward Cries at Meazza" Rome Sports Newspaper: "Midfield Master, Tang Long¡¯s Performance Earns Everyone¡¯s Respect" Sports Weekly: "Seventy Thousand Cheered for Him! Tang¡¯s Name Resonates at Meazza" Even though they won, Mancini still felt quite frustrated! Beating Palermo at home was expected and planned. But the cost was too terrible! Icardi, red card suspension! He will miss the away game against Lazio in the next round. After the 16th round of Serie A, Inter ranks 7th, Lazio ranks 6th. The two teams are only one point apart. If they can defeat the opponent, Inter¡¯s ranking will rise, getting closer to the top three for Champions League qualification¡ªthis is a game worth six points! Last season, Icardi scored a goal against Lazio in both home and away matches; he is Lazio¡¯s nemesis and the player they fear the most. Now Mancini¡¯s ace has been taken away, this sudden change disrupted his plans, catching Mancini off guard. On Monday morning¡¯s meeting. Mancini lost his temper dramatically in front of the entire coaching staff. He was almost shouting at the top of his lungs, shaking the ceiling¡¯s dust down! S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Guarin! Late for training! Icardi! Strip after scoring, gets a red card at 4:0! When did such disorganized and undisciplined players deserve to serve Inter Milan? If Mr. Moratti were still our chairman, he would¡¯ve sold these two guys already!" Everyone in the meeting room glanced at one another, no one spoke up. Actually, everyone knows that Mancini is just speaking out of anger now. Everyone in the Inter squad knows that Guarin and Icardi are the two players Mancini values the most. One is a very strong midfielder who can play all positions, with strong forward insertion and a powerful long shot. The other is the star forward, the most potent attacking focal point since Diego Milito. These two are Mancini¡¯s favorites. He is reluctant to sell them. After his angry outburst, Mancini¡¯s throat was dry, and he sat down, took a few sips of water, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The atmosphere in the meeting room was a bit tense. Assistant Coach Herrera coughed twice tentatively, then slowly said: "What the boss just said was very well put; players serving a club like Inter Milan must have high self-discipline. Both Guarin and Icardi have lots of room for improvement in this regard!" "Next round, Guarin," Herrera glanced at Mancini to see no reaction, feeling reassured to say, "Guarin can return to the starting lineup; his punitive suspension has ended." Herrera changed his tone, "But Icardi is suspended in the next match, so this week¡¯s training we should think about how to play without Icardi!" In Mancini¡¯s old-school Serie A 4312 tactics. The two forwards, one is responsible for holding the position, and the other is tasked with roaming around the holding forward. Sometimes they need to pull to the flanks! There are still a few players in the team who can play as a roaming forward. Veteran Palacio. New signings Shaqiri and Podolski can both play. For holding the position, it¡¯s Icardi and Bonazzoli. "If we continue with the 4312 tactics, then in the match against Lazio, Bonazzoli will replace Icardi in the starting position." Chiwo continued. "No, absolutely not," Herrera interrupted Chiwo, "Bonazzoli is tall and fast, but he¡¯s too inexperienced; Christian, I assure you, against a strong team like Lazio, he won¡¯t have many opportunities." Chiwo, although not fond of Herrera, did not mind his rebuttal this time; instead, he nodded in agreement. "Mr. Herrera is right, Bonazzoli is not fit to start against Lazio." Chiwo paused, seemingly prepared. "So, based on our current personnel, I think we should change the formation to play 4231 tactics!" Hearing Chiwo suggest 4231, Herrera¡¯s eyes lit up too, and his face instantly showed delight. Herrera really likes this formation. He believes compared to the old 4312, 4231 covers the field better and fits modern football¡¯s trend of total attack and defense more. Moreover, not long ago, in the match led by Herrera and Mancini, Inter defeated Napoli 3:2 with the 4231 formation, advancing to the Coppa Italia semifinals. "Boss, 4231 is indeed a good idea; what do you think?" Assistant Coach Herrera couldn¡¯t wait to look at Mancini. The other members of the coaching team also focused on Mancini¡¯s response. Because once the decision to change the formation is made. Then in the upcoming training, there will be targeted measures to adopt. A lot to do! Mancini didn¡¯t give a definite answer. He took a puff of his cigar, thinking for a long time. "If we play a single forward, the only suitable candidate is Podolski. Shaqiri is too short, Palacio is too old, Bonazzoli is too inexperienced. Other than this German, I can¡¯t think of anyone else." Chiwo chimed in: "Podolski is not a holding-type forward, if we let him play a single forward, we must abandon the traditional wing-crossing tactics for ground pass control. Now Tang is playing very well in the attacking midfielder position; last round against Palermo, we executed a continuous five-touch no-stop pass attack, eventually scoring. Our players have proven themselves; they possess the ability to play ground football!" Chiwo and Herrera rarely agreed. Mancini¡¯s expression slightly relaxed. "You both analyzed very well; Guarin has strong overlapping capabilities, Tang Long at the attacking midfielder, Guarin at the defensive role. I want to see what kind of sparks these two can create." Actually, Mancini had long wanted to abandon the 4312! This was his traditional approach when he first joined Inter. Using three defensive midfielders to grind in midfield, then relying on strong forward capabilities to score. With this approach, Mancini won three consecutive Serie A titles with Inter! But since coaching Premier League Manchester City, in this open football nation, Mancini embraced advanced football tactics and began transforming from 4312 to 4231. With skilled stars like Yaya Toure, Silva, and Navas, this 4231 played fluently, ultimately overturning rivals Manchester United in 2012, stepping over the heads of the Red Devils, and winning the first Premier League championship in the club¡¯s history. Returning to Serie A, Mancini knows that relying on the three defensive midfielder 4312 formation has lagged behind the world¡¯s trends. Note that in 2010, Inter, with the 4231 tactic revolution, reached the European Summit. But given Inter¡¯s mediocre midfield passing control¡ªespecially since it was just the first game upon returning, being furiously beaten 3-0 away by Sampdoria¡ªthis not only damaged Mancini¡¯s face but made firm his belief that to succeed at Inter, the three defensive midfielder tactics must be adhered to. However, due to Tang Long¡¯s rise, Mancini began to have thoughts about returning to 4231, his mind starting to waver. "In the UEFA Europa League midweek, we can try it out; if it works, for the weekend league, we¡¯ll play the new formation!" Chapter 68: Unexpected events often occur when you least expect them! Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Unexpected events often occur when you least expect them!Celtic¡¯s opening salvo, the first strike came crashing down, shattering Inter¡¯s window! Even they couldn¡¯t dream that just 10 seconds into the game, they had scored! Steven¡¯s shot was full of power, and with such close range, Handanovic tried his best to seal the near corner but still couldn¡¯t stop the ball from blasting into the net over his head! "Steven!!!!" "Goal!!!" Under the DJ¡¯s call at Prince Park Stadium, the 60,000 spectators erupted. Wild cheers with a Scottish accent echoed in the sky. At this time, none of the Inter players had touched the ball yet. Which left Podolski with a bewildered smile as he once again stood on the center circle for kick-off. Hey, what¡¯s going on? Has the match really started? Assistant coach Herrera was hopping mad on the sidelines! "Focus, it¡¯s the lack of focus again! Andreoli was distracted, and Little Juan, didn¡¯t stick close to their forwards. I really don¡¯t know what¡¯s muddling their brains!" Mancini, however, looked calm, continuing to chew on his gum. This conceded goal was actually within his expectations and wasn¡¯t surprising. On one hand, Scottish teams play with this brutish style! Although in recent years, with European mainland coaches taking turns in the Premier League, many Premier League teams have gradually shifted from traditional long ball tactics to a more continental style of traditional play. Most notably is Bar?a, once coached by Guardiola, whose style of possession is more dazzling than the Wen Style possession, attracting many opponents to mimic it. But in Scotland¡¯s conservative retreat, the possession trend of the Premier League hasn¡¯t blown through, and long balls remain their foundational approach! On the other hand, this conceded goal also directly reflected the drawbacks of the formation change. In Mancini¡¯s previous 4312 tactic, Inter had three holding midfielders, forming an iron gate in front of the two center-backs. Especially the deeper midfielder, many times similar to a center-back, so in defense, Inter often had three center-backs. Switching to two holding midfielders, the deeper midfielder was lost. "If we played three midfielders, this issue wouldn¡¯t have arisen, it¡¯s the price we must pay, but don¡¯t worry Herrera, we are here to train, let¡¯s see if we can leverage our strengths next." Mancini also wanted to take the opportunity to test his players, whether they could equalize early amidst the starting setback and emerge from the quagmire. The reply from Inter¡¯s players was quite positive. Three players¡¯ performances stabilized the situation. First, the lone striker Podolski. With over a hundred appearances for the national team, experienced in tournaments, he knew that at such times, haste could lead into the opponent¡¯s trap. "easy! easy! Don¡¯t rush for direct passes, hold it a bit longer!" Many times with chances to take the ball, Podolski gestured downward with both hands, indicating to slow down the tempo. Gualin¡¯s sweeping and running as a midfielder also played a strong role. Although not greatly responsible for the opening 10-second opponent¡¯s long-ball hit, Gualin felt indignant! Not to mention grappling with the physically hardy Scots, even if the world¡¯s self-proclaimed strongest player Akinfenwa charged, Gualin would still collide with him! "Mine!!!" In subsequent high ball contests in the backfield, standing at 184, Gualin relied on his physique to forcibly win the headers against several 190 Scots giants! Of course, the most prominent role was Tang Long! He continually deployed skillful passing, orchestrating the defense across the midfield. Left, right, left again, then right! "Utilize the width, make them move back and forth!" Tang Long shouted to his teammates during organization. Fortunately, Podolski, Palacio, and Shaqiri in the front were roaming players with technical skill advantages, perfectly meshing with Tang Long¡¯s passing style, showcasing a superb sense of coordination. With swift passes and shifting, Celtic players were run ragged, their energy greatly depleted. Herrera pointed at Tang Long and said to Mancini: "Great passing! Tang implemented our pre-match training requirements, of course, it¡¯s good that Podolski is positioned centrally, if it were Icardi, his footwork might not have adapted well to this possession system." Mancini did not provide a definite answer but said: "The key is still seeing how long it takes for us to score, otherwise all efforts are in vain." Gualin jumped to meet the ball! Like a big black bear in the jungle, using a solid back and sturdy arms to fend off two Scots midfielders, he then leveraged strong abdomen muscles to twist his body mid-air and forcibly claimed the spot! The ball flew far away, Gualin¡¯s jersey tugged, he fell to the ground! The referee had the whistle in his mouth, air rushing into his throat in preparation to blow, but then swallowed it back. Both hands leveled, advantage in attack! The ball Gualin contested landed right at Tang Long¡¯s feet! S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Spread wide!" Tang Long passed the ball to the right wing towards Palacio. Palacio, knowing his deceiving age couldn¡¯t overcome vigorous young opponents, used a diversionary tactic, feigning to go wide while drawing Celtic¡¯s full-back and a defensive midfielder, then swiftly exchanged the ball back to Tang Long in the middle. Tang Long had been waiting for this moment! He immediately accelerated, resolutely pushed the ball forward by ten meters, the attack line instantly surged to within ten meters of the penalty area. Gualin, clutching his waist, painfully climbed up from the ground. Seeing the ball nearing the opponent¡¯s penalty box, Gualin rejoiced! "Quick, pass to Podo! He¡¯s open!" Gualin shouted towards Tang Long. To his surprise, Tang Long didn¡¯t pass but instead cut with his right foot, simultaneously shifting direction as he tapped the ball to the left opposite Podolski¡¯s run! "Take him!" Tang Long didn¡¯t have the advantage in speed, his dribbling frequency was also not fast, drawing center-back Van Dijk and midfielder Brown to close in. The then 23-year-old Van Dijk, still honing in the Scottish Super League, had a bit of ways before achieving the legendary defensive status at Liverpool. However, his defensive anticipation concerning attacking players¡¯ next moves had already begun to show its edge! After Tang Long took the first step to the left, the Dutch center-back anticipated that this Oriental guy, standing at around 180, was slow and couldn¡¯t get past him! Standing at 193, Van Dijk stepped forward like a compass, tracing an arc to reach Tang Long. He was ready to jab the ball away! Simultaneously, midfielder Brown also closed in from behind. "Too sticky with the ball, this idiot!" Seeing Tang Long sandwiched front and back like a burger, Gualin, in the backfield, still clutching his waist yet running fiercely forward, cursed. If he was in that position, he would have either taken a powerful long shot or passed the ball to Podolski on the right. With his build, wanting to duel the opponent¡¯s center-back, especially while dragging a defensive midfielder in tow? Not knowing his own weight? But the unexpected often occurs at such moments... Chapter 69 Gualin pulled up Tang Long: Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Gualin pulled up Tang Long: "Let¡¯s kill these Scots together!Just as Van Dijk¡¯s toes were about to touch the ball, just as Brown¡¯s arm was already resting on Tang Long¡¯s shoulder. The football whizzed past, slipping between Van Dijk¡¯s legs~ Bam! After the ball went out, Tang Long was sandwiched into a wafer, squeezed flat by two big guys, and fell to the ground. The referee raised both hands, advantage to the attack! "Here it comes!" Out of nowhere, Shaqiri, slicing into the left flank of the penalty area, appeared like a ghost, ready to take the ball to the byline! "Whoa, wait for me!" Seeing the situation suddenly turn in his favor, Gualin, who was originally slowing his pace, instantly woke up and sped up again! The motor of the Colombian engine factory roared into high speed operation, fiercely charging into the penalty area! No one noticed the backfield entry of Gualin, as he aimed at Shaqiri¡¯s cross, went to the penalty spot, and swung a big boot! The football quickly rocketed into the net without any spin, like a cannonball. This is precisely Gualin¡¯s violent ball style! Whoever can shoot with the instep won¡¯t bother with a push shot! He forgot the pain in his waist, raising both hands high, showing off his impressive African camel-like biceps, and cheered loudly! "Ah¡ª¡ª" From an internal disciplinary penalty to returning to the schedule, Gualin needed this blast to prove himself! "Gualin! It¡¯s Gualin!" "The Colombian sprinted up from the backfield, blasted the goal!" "He showcased to the renowned Scottish team the power from an Italian club!" "This attack is very smooth, pleasing to the eye!" "But Tang Long is still lying on the ground and hasn¡¯t gotten up. He seems to be injured..." Tang Long clutched his chest, lying on the ground. Beneath the heavy breathing was a face flush red. Just now, he attracted two Celtic defenders. The AI system¡¯s brainwave prompt indicated a 92.87% chance of creating a goal if he passed the ball to the merging Shaqiri at that moment! Tang Long cleverly passed the ball through Van Dijk¡¯s legs. But Van Dijk, with his height of 193, inadvertently elbowed Tang Long¡¯s ribs due to momentum. At that moment, Tang Long clearly felt the sound of Van Dijk¡¯s bone colliding with his ribs! Crunch¡ª A fierce pain surged through his heart, and Tang Long fell to the ground unable to stand. His current strength level is 79. In Serie A, it¡¯s about average. But against a center-back like Van Dijk, whose strength level is over 95, he suffers in comparison. Especially when the height is not an advantage factor. Receiving Tang Long¡¯s brilliant pass and assisting, Shaqiri rushed to his side instantly. "How are you, are you okay?" Shaqiri squatted on the ground. Tang Long, sweating profusely, said he was elbowed by Van Dijk and his chest ribs were in piercing pain. Shaqiri feared Tang Long¡¯s ribs might be fractured, hurriedly gestured and called the team doctor onto the field. The game temporarily paused. All Inter teammates gathered around, concerned about Tang Long¡¯s injury. Even Gualin, who generally didn¡¯t get along with Tang Long, stood by, watching the doctor treat Tang Long. Gualin knew perfectly well. To have scored this blast and swept away previous suspension shadows, Tang Long deserves 90% of the credit. If it weren¡¯t for him, in a nearly impossible situation, imaginatively threading the ball to Shaqiri, Gualin wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to break into the goal at all. "Siris, what¡¯s the examination result?" Gualin asked the team doctor. "Not a big issue, unlikely a fracture, probably just rib contusion." The doctor¡¯s words instantly eased everyone, lifting their anxious hearts. Thank heavens! The difference between a contusion and a fracture is quite significant. Fracture is damage to the bone. Contusion mainly affects the muscles and fascia around the bone. If the contusion is not severe, for a soccer player, it¡¯s simply a minor tough issue, and it¡¯ll recover slowly. The team doctor used a cooling spray, spraying generously on Tang Long¡¯s ribs. Szzz szzz~ The cool spray instantly took away the rib¡¯s pain. "Not hurting anymore, Tang?" Gualin proactively squatted down to inquire. "No worries, just got elbowed in the chest, it doesn¡¯t hurt, minor issue, your blast shot was awesome!" Tang Long said. "If it doesn¡¯t hurt, stand up, let¡¯s get them, let¡¯s defeat these Scots!" Gualin proactively extended his wide palm to Tang Long, pulling him up, then giving him a hug. The fighting spirit burned in both their hearts! Seeing Tang Long was fine, Manci on the sidelines also nodded in satisfaction. Being okay was good! Tang Long was a crucial player in his 4-2-3-1 tactic. Without exaggeration, he was the "pivot" of the formation! Can¡¯t be injured in the first half; otherwise, the tactic would be missing a leg, unable to run. When Tang Long stood on the field again. He clearly felt the teammates became more vigorous! Perhaps infected by Tang Long¡¯s fighting spirit, other players started running much more actively. Once players devoted wholeheartedly to the game, they didn¡¯t care whether the UEFA Europa League was a chicken-rib match. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Especially Gualin, who worked hard in his tackles! In every fifty-fifty ball situation, he puffed his cheeks and glared to go for it. Not worried about injuries, just going for it! Gualin thought, even the not-so-strong Tang Long dared to challenge the towering Van Dijk. Why fear anything? At least don¡¯t lose to Tang Long! Both sides engaged in a fierce struggle across front, middle, and backfields. "For some reason, ever since Tang Long was elbowed by Van Dijk, the fighting spirit of Inter¡¯s players seems to have been fully mobilized!" "Their overall height and strength are not as good as Celtic, but they are more aggressive and have a stronger desire to win!" "Looking at the home team Celtic, they seem to be struggling a bit?" "Haha, with the right tackle, Gualin directly knocked Johansen flying!" "Wow! In this aerial contest, 169cm Shaqiri actually out-jumped 185cm Steven, unbelievable!" "German tough guy Podolski is not letting up either, this front-field press forced the ball out of the opponent¡¯s backline, winning Inter a left-wing corner!" The intensity on the field became increasingly fierce. Herrera, a bit worried, said to Manci: "Boss, aren¡¯t our players pushing too hard? It¡¯s easy to get injured; I suggest telling them to ease up." Manci waved his hand. "The situation isn¡¯t that serious, let them keep going, I know what to do." In the 42nd minute of the first half, Podolski¡¯s wide-scale pressing in the front field yielded results. As the center-back tried to pass the ball back to the full-back, he intercepted it with one kick. Podolski played the ball back to Tang Long, who was waiting in the central midfield. It was Tang Long¡¯s super stage to showcase himself in the central attacking midfielder position! "Detecting reckless advance by the opponent¡¯s center-back Van Dijk, with empty space behind, chipping the ball has an 89.74% chance of creating a solo!" Ball and man in position! A perfect rainbow arc glides across the sky! This time, Tang Long won¡¯t pass! He wants to be the finisher of the attack! Side-on, eyes on the ball, leg swung, volley shot! Whish¡ª Volley into the goal! to 1! Inter Milan leads the score in the away match! Chapter 70 Van Dijk: Tang profoundly changed my defensive style! Chapter 70: Chapter 70 Van Dijk: Tang profoundly changed my defensive style!The Celtic Park, packed with sixty thousand spectators, fell silent! The shirtless, burly Scotsmen stood motionless, like dummies from a soccer video game, frozen in place. They had taken the lead early, their chants once deafening! But at the last minute of the first half, they were overtaken, rendered speechless. In just 45 minutes, from paradise to hell. Emotions from volcanic heat to icy cold. And the architect behind all this was Inter Milan¡¯s number 99 player, Tang Long! During half-time. Tang Long sat down, barely able to drink water before feeling a stabbing pain in his ribs. "Hiss..." His sharp inhalation drew Berni¡¯s attention. Berni lifted Tang Long¡¯s shirt, revealing a red and swollen rib. "Tang, you can¡¯t play anymore, you must rest!" "The team doctor said it¡¯s just a rib contusion, no big deal." "Nonono," Berni said sternly, "Your contusion is quite serious. If you insist on playing, it could delay your recovery. It¡¯s not worth it for a UEFA Europa League match!" Berni immediately reported to Mancini, who after personally examining Tang Long¡¯s injury and consulting with the team doctor, decided to substitute Tang Long at halftime. It was enough. After 45 minutes of experimentation, Mancini was assured. The 4-2-3-1 formation could work! There was no need for Tang Long to risk worsening his injury. In the second half, Tang Long was substituted by Hernanes. Mancini took this substitution as an opportunity to see if Hernanes, a rotational player, could replace Tang Long. The effect of the substitution was immediate! Of course, negatively. Hernanes is technically proficient, seasoned, and an excellent midfielder. But compared to Tang Long, his midfield orchestration and situational judgment visibly fell short! Especially the precision of key passes was always just a bit off. Neither Podolski, Palacio, Shaqiri nor Icardi, who came on as a substitute in the 70th minute, managed to score. Luckily, Gualin¡¯s disruptive defense in the backfield was diligent enough to prevent the opponents from equalizing. The match, a bit dull, ended with a 2-1 score. When the referee blew the final whistle. Celtic¡¯s center-back Van Dijk, with hands on hips, looked at the rainy sky, his eyes somewhat bewildered. Both goals conceded happened in the first half. All involved him. Or more directly, 90% were Van Dijk¡¯s responsibility! Twice he rashly charged forward, losing his position, allowing Tang Long to exploit the gap behind him and send the ball out. This situation, neither in Eredivisie nor Scottish Super League, had Van Dijk ever experienced! He was originally an aggressive defender, decisive in challenging and disrupting the ball path, which was always his strong suit. This skill became a secret weapon on the team¡¯s defense line, repeatedly thwarting threatening attacks from opponents! Why was facing Tang Long today so dismal? "Seriously, I¡¯m taller, stronger, and faster than him, why couldn¡¯t I intercept his ball?" Van Dijk looked up at the gloomy sky, posing the question to the heavens. But this 23-year-old Dutch center-back, for the first time in his career, began to doubt his defensive style. Many years later. Van Dijk achieved fame and success at Liverpool. Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Player of the Year, gathering numerous awards. His value soared to a hundred million euros! His defensive trademark action, "retreat, retreat, retreat", became a nightmare for Premier League forwards. During an interview with journalists, the Dutch defender reminisced about the past, expressing his inner thoughts. "You say I like to retreat in defense? Well, back in 2015, when I played for Celtic in the Scottish Super League, the UEFA Europa League match against Inter totally changed my defensive style. Tang made me realize that sometimes, rashly charging forward could lead to catastrophic consequences!" ... Upon returning to Milan, Tang Long didn¡¯t participate in the next day¡¯s training. He was in the club¡¯s medical laboratory undergoing instrument examination. The results showed that his bones had no issues, but the contusion was rather serious. There was a hematoma in the rib area. He needed to rest for a week, and would thus miss the weekend¡¯s away league match against Lazio. Mancini was quite annoyed by this result! Originally, the plan was to use the UEFA Europa League to test, let Tang Long play for 60 minutes then rest, to check the effect of the 4-2-3-1 new tactic in a non-critical match. Unexpectedly, it resulted in losing a key player, missing the league he valued most. Team striker Icardi was very concerned about Tang Long¡¯s injury. After training, he hurriedly ran to the medical room. Seeing Tang Long with a bare torso, his ribs swollen, Icardi felt a piercing pain, as if he himself had been injured instead. "Siris, can Tang¡¯s injury really heal within a week? Won¡¯t it take a month?" He anxiously asked the team doctor. "At most a week, or even less if lucky. Don¡¯t worry Mauro, it¡¯s a contusion, not a fracture." Icardi¡¯s heart was slightly at ease. Tang Long said to him: "Well, since you got a red card suspension, and I¡¯m injured, we can watch the game against Lazio together on TV." Icardi said: "Tang, you have to recover well. If I¡¯m back and you¡¯re still injured, who¡¯s going to assist me? I¡¯ll suffer, and if I can¡¯t win the European Golden Boot because of it, I¡¯ll come for you, haha!" The 22-year-old Icardi spoke straightforwardly. Among the whole Inter squad, Icardi was most worried about Tang Long¡¯s injury. One was number 9, the other was number 99. This combination of artillery shell and sugarcoating was deeply bonded together. Though Icardi could score, with excellent goal-poaching instincts. As a striker without ball-holding skills, highly reliant on midfield support, Icardi understood that without Tang Long on the field, neither Hernanes, Kavacic, nor Shaqiri could provide him with sufficient firepower support. Even more annoying was that Gualin, who loved wild shots and was reluctant to pass the ball to him. Damn Colombian! These days, Tang Long didn¡¯t participate in team practice but under the physiotherapist¡¯s guidance, he did recovery training alone. Joining Inter for the first time and pausing due to an injury, Tang Long was very serious about this. The AI system didn¡¯t give him any injury immunity cards to forever avoid injuries. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After repeatedly watching the collision with Van Dijk on his phone, Tang Long sought out Chiwo, hoping to hear advice from the Inter treble-winning veteran on how to maximize injury prevention in matches. Chapter 71: Play Football Like Maradona! Make the Ball Soft! Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Play Football Like Maradona! Make the Ball Soft!"There¡¯s no good way, kid. Van Dijk is way bigger than you. If you two collide head-on, you¡¯ll definitely suffer. If I were you, at that moment, I¡¯d pass the ball a second earlier and avoid this defender who¡¯s as strong as a bull." Chiwo said this to Tang Long in response to his inquiry. "But my purpose in holding the ball is to deliberately attract him to come for the tackle, and then use the space left behind to pass the ball, giving Shaqiri a chance." "Ah, I knew you would say that," Chiwo shrugged helplessly. "You¡¯re right, but you will get hurt. Sometimes, it¡¯s the fate we professional players can¡¯t escape, like your idol Ronaldo. If he didn¡¯t make those sharp turns and stops, his cruciate ligament might not have torn twice¡ªbut then, he wouldn¡¯t be the ¡¯alien¡¯ Ronaldo." "Mr. Chiwo, if you were to do it again, is there another way to attract Van Dijk as much as possible without getting injured through body contact?" "Yes, either you become faster and more agile, like Messi or Hazard, or you get as strong as Van Dijk so you don¡¯t suffer in a clash!" Tang Long fell into contemplation. The two solutions proposed by Chiwo were straightforward and honest. But achieving them in the short term is impossible. Is there a third way? The one who tied the bell on the tiger must take it off. If you got hurt playing like Pirlo, then go ask Pirlo. In the 15th round of Serie A, during the national derby. Although Inter lost the game, Tang Long¡¯s highlights in the match still earned Pirlo¡¯s admiration. Not only did he voluntarily exchange jerseys with Tang Long, but he also joked that if there was anything he didn¡¯t understand, he could call him. It was uncertain to Tang Long whether Pirlo was joking out of nicety or genuinely wanted to support a young player in Serie A. After much consideration, Tang Long added Pirlo on his communication app using his phone number. He briefly explained the situation and attached the video clip of his clash with Van Dijk. An hour later, just as Tang Long thought there would be no response, Pirlo called directly! "Haha! I didn¡¯t expect you to really contact me. Good, you¡¯re brave. In this aspect, you are stronger than some of our local young players!" Hearing Pirlo¡¯s enthusiastic voice on the phone, Tang Long relaxed and asked his question. "Tang, I¡¯m sorry about your injury. This is an experience every young player must go through for growth. Thankfully, your injury isn¡¯t severe." There was a pause on Pirlo¡¯s end. "I watched the video you sent me, and, well... how should I say this, I see that you¡¯re imitating my playstyle. You¡¯re doing well; you indeed fooled that tall defender from Celtic, but you only captured about fifty percent of my skill." At this, Tang Long perked up and immediately pressed the record button on his phone. "You need to become softer, like cotton soft. Note, I¡¯m not saying your body needs to be soft, but the way you control the ball needs to be softer." "Uh, soft?" For a moment, Tang Long didn¡¯t understand what it meant. Making the ball as soft as cotton? "Alright, I¡¯m not sure if you can understand this. Often, midfield players like us are limited by our natural physical conditions, so it¡¯s hard for us to become faster or stronger. But we can make the ball softer, so it sticks to our feet like cotton." "Are you saying to improve my dribbling skills?" Tang Long asked. "You could say that," Pirlo laughed on the other end, "but it¡¯s not just about dribbling. It¡¯s a sense of the ball, a feeling of becoming one with the ball." "Have you watched Maradona play? I know your generation loves watching Messi, but our generation grew up watching Maradona. When I was young, I loved to imitate him, and benefited from it my entire career, whether I was early on as a forward and attacking midfielder or later transitioning to a defensive midfielder." "Don¡¯t imitate Maradona¡¯s long runs, you and I don¡¯t have his explosiveness and stride frequency. Look at his stationary ball control, I¡¯ve practiced for so many years and consider myself to have reached only thirty percent of his ball control. If you can learn over twenty percent of Old Ma¡¯s feel for the ball, make the ball soft, you don¡¯t need to be fast, yet you can lure Van Dijk out and pass the ball before he can harm you..." After hanging up the call. Tang Long repeatedly listened to the recording over a dozen times. He even turned the recording into text on his computer and read it carefully. But what Pirlo mentioned, that Maradona-like soft control, always seemed a bit ¡¯mystical¡¯ to him. Tang Long couldn¡¯t grasp it. Should he ask Maradona? The thought crossed Tang Long¡¯s mind, but he didn¡¯t have Maradona¡¯s number. His only connection with Maradona was when they won at Napoli¡¯s away game, and Maradona came to the locker room, gifting him a football from the 1989 championship match. This football, signed by Old Ma, was treasured by Tang Long in a compartment at the top of his wardrobe. Tang Long took down the football and placed it by his bedside. Nearly 26 years had passed. Despite its vintage design, the championship ball still looked new. It must have been carefully preserved right after the game. On the flight back to Milan, Berni even offered 30,000 euros for the ball, but Tang Long refused coldly. He had always thought the ball looked a bit strange. It seemed like... A big eye was staring at him. Tang Long got up and, wearing socks, began to juggle the ball in the room. One, two, three, four... S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When he reached the 100th touch, with a "bang," the ball suddenly disappeared! "What the heck!" Tang Long was dumbfounded. Right before his very eyes, the ball vanished! In a flash, things blurred, and when everything became clear, he was already at the AI Cloud Training Ground. The ball under his foot was precisely the one Maradona gifted him! "Congratulations, host, for activating the hidden side quest¡ªAppreciation from Maradona!" "Training ball updated to: 1989 UEFA Cup Final Match Ball!" "Reward: Enhance the trainer¡¯s ball control to ultimately reach Maradona¡¯s peak level in 1989!" "Current host¡¯s ball control compared to peak Maradona: 12%." Bang bang bang¡ª Bang bang bang¡ª In the distance, at the edge of the opposite penalty area, a figure wearing the Napoli No. 10 jersey was dribbling towards Tang Long! Short and stocky, with curly hair, it was Maradona! Tang Long smiled knowingly and gently pushed the ball forward, dribbling towards Maradona... Chapter 72: Champions League Qualification Key Battle! Tang Long Makes a Quick Comeback! Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Champions League Qualification Key Battle! Tang Long Makes a Quick Comeback!Thanks to his 18-year-old body, Tang Long¡¯s injury recovery was faster than the team doctors expected. Three days later, the rib bruise was barely visible, and he practiced with the whole team for 20 minutes that day. After Mancini and head doctor Siris exchanged views, considering the importance of the upcoming match, he decided to include Tang Long in the substitute list and take him to Lazio. Chiwo, the first-team coach, thought Mancini was too conservative about this arrangement. "Boss, why not start Tang? He¡¯s only 18, this little injury is nothing at all. Against Lazio, a direct rival for the Champions League qualification, we need Tang¡¯s midfield coordination and command!" Mancini replied: "Tang hasn¡¯t had systematic training for three days, his physical condition is still unknown, and he hasn¡¯t participated in the coach group¡¯s targeted training for Lazio. He still needs observation, and if the situation allows, I¡¯ll give him 20 minutes." In the 17th round of Serie A, Inter took the high-speed train to Roma to face Lazio. Back in the 12th round of Serie A, Inter had already visited Italy¡¯s capital, playing against Rome at that time. Rome and Lazio, like Inter Milan and AC Milan, are city arch-rivals. In recent years, Italy¡¯s economy has been deteriorating year by year. Throughout the league, only Juventus owns its stadium with independent property rights; other teams rent stadiums from local municipal departments. Like the Milan duo, Rome¡¯s two teams also share one stadium¡ªthe Rome Olympic Stadium. Don¡¯t be fooled by the stadium¡¯s 68,530-seat capacity; it is classified as a big stadium across Europe. But unfortunately, this is a multi-purpose stadium! Compared to professional football stadiums, the stands in a multi-purpose stadium are separated from the running field by a wide rubber track. This not only distances the audience too far from the field, resulting in a poor viewing experience. More importantly, the stadium¡¯s accumulating sound effect is mediocre, making it difficult to create that thunderous stadium atmosphere. As a result, the stadium¡¯s attendance is low, and when players play, they lack the adrenaline-spurring roar! For this reason, the Lazio owner made a statement before the season: "I no longer want to play in this crappy stadium with Rome, after this season, I¡¯ll rent you a new stadium!" Although he made a Flag, the stadium was chosen, but the precondition was also set: Lazio must advance to next season¡¯s Champions League! Joining the Champions League, even if it¡¯s just playing six group matches before heading home, can harvest fifty or sixty million euros, and there will be future rental fees for the new stadium~ However, Inter Milan is also thinking the same way! During the Moratti era, he wanted a new stadium, even having contact with China¡¯s China Railway. Due to funding constraints, the project was difficult to move forward. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Once the new owner Toshihiko arrived, he also painted a big picture to all the club staff: "We also don¡¯t want to share a stadium with AC Milan, we¡¯ll build our new stadium!" At this stage, Inter ranks 7th, Lazio 6th. This focused contest for next season¡¯s Champions League qualification needs no mobilization; players on both sides are full of motivation. "CCTV!" "CCTV!" "It¡¯s now Thursday morning at 3:40, welcome to lock in CCTV5 on time!" "You are now watching the 2014-2015 Serie A 17th round match, Lazio¡¯s home game against Inter Milan!" "I am commentator Liu Jiayuan!" "First, let me introduce the starting lineup of the home team Lazio, the formation is 433." "German forward Klose starts, the other two forwards are..." "On Inter¡¯s side, they continue with their 4231 formation used in the last Europa League round." "Klose himself Podolski as the lone spearhead!" "A midfield position is Hernanes, on his left, Shaqiri, and on his right, Yuto Nagatomo!" "Two defensive midfielders are Gualin and Medel!" "On the defensive line, Ranocchia and Vidic in the middle!" "Two side-backs, left Dodo, right Mbaye." "The Slovenian veteran Handanovic guards the gate." Some slight flipping page sounds came from the TV. Liu Jiayuan seemed to be checking the information prepared before the match. "I know everyone is very concerned about Tang Long. According to the latest news from Italian media, Tang Long was injured in the ribs by Dutch defender Van Dijk in the last Europa League match against Celtic, thus failing to start and appearing on the bench." The TV screen showed the suit-clad Mancini, pre-match hugging Lazio¡¯s coach Pioli. Then the camera switched. Focusing on Tang Long sitting on the bench, he was whispering to Berni beside him. On the shoulders of both men, each had a brand-new white towel. Seeing this scene, the live broadcast room immediately burst into curses! -[Damn Van Dijk, elbowed Tang Long¡¯s rib, causing a contusion! Why didn¡¯t he go harder and cause a fracture!] -[I watched that Europa League match, Van Dijk was messed around by Tang Long like a fool, guess he got emotional!] -[Mancini too, why let Tang Long in the Europa League, do they really want to win the championship? Wouldn¡¯t reserve for the league be better!] -[Picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelon, if this match loses, I think Inter can say goodbye to next season¡¯s Champions League!] -[I watched Lazio¡¯s ball a few times, this team is very characteristic, its formation was extremely tight in defense, without Tang Long on the field, I estimate Inter would struggle to break!] -[Manchester United fans chiming in, I don¡¯t care if Inter wins or loses, I only care about when Tang Long returns to play!] -[Same here, Premier League fans, if not for watching Tang Long, who would want to wake up at dawn to see Serie A!] -[No, can¡¯t Serie A learn from Premier League¡¯s match timings? Serie A¡¯s decline has its reasons!] Munich, within a riverside small tavern. Wooden bars and tables, exuding a rustic and elegant atmosphere. On the walls, perhaps hanging certain vintage Bayern posters and pennants. Fans gathered in various corners, drinking rich foamy dark beer, eyes staring at the TV screen within the tavern showing Serie A matches. This match is not just an ordinary Serie A duel, but also a direct contest between two legends of German football¡ªKlose and Podolski. Lazio¡¯s Klose, nicknamed God K, headshot bombardier; Inter¡¯s Podolski, nicknamed Prince Podolski. Both have represented the German national team over a hundred times and were teammates at Bayern. "I¡¯ll bet 50 euros that Klose can score two headers in this match!" "I¡¯ll bet 100 euros, Podolski can break through Lazio¡¯s defense, definitely Inter wins this match!" The referee¡¯s whistle blew, the whole match officially commenced! Once Podolski kicked off, he rushed forward, brushing past Klose rushing towards him. On the substitute bench, Berni took out two binoculars, handing one to Tang Long, both observing the match situation through the binoculars. "Damn it, every time at the Rome Olympic Stadium, one has to use binoculars to watch the game, this damned track is too wide, can¡¯t see anything clearly!" Chapter 73: Sudden Rainstorm! What a chaotic rain battle! Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Sudden Rainstorm! What a chaotic rain battle!The sky was filled with dark clouds, and beneath them, the soccer match was in full swing! Lazio¡¯s head coach Pioli knew exactly where his team¡¯s strengths lay. His 4-3-3 formation was tailored specifically for the German bomber Klose. The left winger Mauri primarily played a supporting role, while Lazio¡¯s main attack point was on the right with Anderson! The 21-year-old Brazilian winger Anderson, known for his speed, excellent crosses, and stamina, was one of the top talents in Serie A. After taking the ball on the right, Anderson played a one-two with central midfielder Ledesma, directly facing the left-back Dodo! Facing his Brazilian compatriot, Anderson composed a magnificent dribbling symphony in the wide lanes of the Olympic Stadium. Accompanied by three "whoosh" sounds, his feet moved like blazing wheels, shaking off Dodo, and like a fierce dragon entering a river, he shot towards the goal line and made a cross! In the middle of the penalty area, Klose, the bomber, had already started his engine! His body stretched to its fullest as he jumped, chin slightly tucked, abdominal muscles tightened; once he received the ammunition delivered from the flanks, he would mercilessly bombard Inter¡¯s goal! But Serie A¡¯s renowned coach Mancini was well aware of the need for countermeasures! Klose might have an excellent leap and a great header, but he was only one person! I fielded two defenders over 1.9 meters tall, not afraid they couldn¡¯t contain you! "Get out!" Vidic roared, swinging his iron head, heading the ball and Klose¡¯s head out of the penalty area! Seeing Klose knocked to the ground, Berni waved his towel excitedly from the sidelines. "Great job! No wonder you came from Manchester United, with such an iron head, which forward wouldn¡¯t shiver?" Tang Long thought that Vidic¡¯s robust physique wasn¡¯t inferior to Van Dijk¡¯s; if he had come to Inter a few years younger, he would have been the most reliable iron barrier in defense instead of being a rotation player this season. Inter, on this side, was equally impressive. Unlike Lazio, Inter played a 4-2-3-1 ground attack formation. Shaqiri and Yuto Nagatomo, both around 170 cm tall, had very agile movements. They frequently moved from the wings to the center, working around the central axis of Gualin-Hernanes-Podolski. Gualin had the ball! After pushing forward four or five steps, he passed the ball to the right to Nagatomo. Nagatomo returned the ball to Hernanes, who was supporting him, and then sprinted forward at high speed! After Hernanes and the retreating Podolski made a wall pass, he aimed at the right side lane and made a ground-through pass! "Follow him!" Lazio¡¯s left-back Stephen followed Nagatomo as he ran, and the ball was passed at the same time! With his cheeks puffed out, Nagatomo chased the ball with all his might, barely managing a sweep just before the ball was about to go out at the goal line! The ball was hooked by Lazio¡¯s central defender¡¯s foot, bouncing outside the penalty area. Gualin came running in large strides and, without hesitation, took a violent shot! With a "bang," the ball went over the crossbar by more than a meter, flying to the end of the running track behind the goal. Mancini applauded from the sidelines, praising this ground attack combination. But he couldn¡¯t help thinking that if Tang Long had been in Hernanes¡¯s position, he would certainly have delivered the ball more comfortably to Nagatomo, and the subsequent cross might have posed a greater threat. In the first 20 minutes of the half, both sides were probing, playing at a fast pace. But it was all thunder and no rain, a lot of flash with no finish! Once 20 minutes had passed, the pace slowed down. "It¡¯s entering a stalemate tug-of-war, this is getting interesting." "Uncle Berni, so far we¡¯ve completely suppressed Klose¡¯s aerial advantage." "Yes, after all, he¡¯s 37 years old. Our two central defenders are in their prime, with height and weight advantages, handling him is not a big deal." Berni and Tang Long discussed the match from the sidelines. However, Berni was quickly proven wrong! Crash¡ª¡ª With a clap of thunder, heavy rain poured down! The torrential rain was no coincidence; the threatening clouds had been hanging low over the field for some time. The aging Rome Olympic Stadium was even more dilapidated than Inter¡¯s Meazza. The substitutes sat on plastic seats placed on the track, with a blue rain cover above. The rain cover even leaked~ Raindrops were dripping through a small hole right onto Berni¡¯s bald head~ Berni cursed, wrapped a towel over his head, and shook off the water droplets on his binoculars, saying helplessly to Tang Long: "Well, with this downpour, the binoculars are useless, it¡¯s like watching blind!" Many forwards hate the rain; it impairs vision, makes the ball slippery, and difficult to control. But for Klose, it was like divine aid! In the 32nd minute of the first half, Anderson performed a solo dribble down the wing again, breaking through and making another cross! Vidic marked him tightly, correctly judging the drop point, but didn¡¯t expect a gust of wind and rain to cause the ball to suddenly shift unpredictably mid-air! "Damn!" Vidic, already in the air, was startled as it was too late! Klose seemed to have anticipated the possibility of his opponent missing the mark, and as soon as the ball went over Vidic¡¯s head, the seasoned Klose dove forward, meeting the ball with a header! Bang! The ball, exploding with splashes of water, smashed into the goal! At the Rome Olympic Stadium, the cheers of sixty thousand fans mingled with the wind and rain, creating a roaring tumult. Mancini frowned, sensing things weren¡¯t going well~ This was Lazio¡¯s first shot on target in the game, yet it resulted in a goal. In Mancini¡¯s coaching career spanning hundreds of matches, when such situations arise, the game becomes exceptionally difficult! There¡¯s no rationale; it¡¯s one of football¡¯s inexplicable phenomena. Standing drenched in the coaching area, Mancini turned to glance at Tang Long on the bench. "It¡¯s still early, let¡¯s wait a bit more." But waiting didn¡¯t yield a goal for Inter; instead, they conceded another goal from Lazio! It was another wing cross. Except this time, it was from the left-back Stephen! The Romanian player, almost swimming through splashing rain, used his relentless determination, along with a bit of luck from the muddy turf, to navigate the ball into Inter¡¯s penalty area flanked by Gualin and Mbaye. In the wind and rain, Stephen¡¯s eyes stung with rain as big as beans. He closed his eyes, not seeing, and stumbled to chip the ball into the box! "Vidic, watch your back!" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ranocchia¡¯s shouts were drowned out by the wind. Vidic hadn¡¯t noticed; Klose had quietly moved from in front of him to behind him. Almost instinctively judging the ball¡¯s path, Klose lunged his body out! Snatching at the far post for the goal! At the moment the soccer ball hit the net. The screams of Lazio¡¯s home fans finally penetrated through the long track and the thick wind and rain, reaching the center of the Olympic Stadium! "K¡ª¡ªK¡ª¡ªK¡ª¡ªKlose!!!" ... Halftime, inside the away team¡¯s locker room. Inter players, including Mancini himself, anxiously awaited the referee¡¯s decision. They had been waiting for a full 20 minutes, well beyond the usual 15-minute halftime break. The locker room was wet, not much better than outside. Someone pushed the door open; it was Chiwo. "Christian, what did the referee say, will the match continue?" "Boss, it¡¯s continuing! The rain has lessened a lot, and the referee said there¡¯s a 10-minute delay for clearing the field of water, and then the match will resume!" Mancini rolled up his soaked sleeves, slicked back his messy hair, instantly forming a slicked-back hairstyle. "Tang! Get your ass on the field now!" Chapter 74: Crushing Defeat or Comeback? Tang Long’s Appearance Provides the Answer! Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Crushing Defeat or Comeback? Tang Long¡¯s Appearance Provides the Answer!Waiting in the locker room for the referee¡¯s instructions¡ªwhether the match will continue due to severe water accumulation on the field. Mancini¡¯s heart is in turmoil! Not sure if the host team Lazio is doing it on purpose. The ventilation system in the visiting team¡¯s locker room is very weak. The room is filled with a foul damp smell, making Mancini want to puke! He tugged at his soaking wet white shirt sticking to his back. The rain, as big as beans, dripped down his bangs and splashed on the ground. This sound is like a second hand hanging overhead, constantly moving forward, urging him to make changes! Change! Personnel changes must be made! Otherwise, don¡¯t even think about scoring, this crushing defeat is unavoidable! This six-point battle against Lazio is crucial for Inter¡¯s entire season direction! If they beat the opponent, they can overtake them and move closer to the Champions League qualification zone. If they lose, directly pulling them 4 points behind the competition, the second half of the league will be exceptionally tough. Remember, there¡¯s still a hard Milan derby in the first half that hasn¡¯t been played yet! Italy¡¯s renowned coach, soaking wet, quickly makes personnel changes upon finding out the match will continue. Former Manchester United center-back Vidic, who performed disastrously in the rain match, is replaced by young Juan! It turns out Vidic has long passed his peak. His rapidly declining physical capabilities make it difficult for him to make accurate predictions in the pouring rain, leading to the goal being bombarded by Klose! Hernanes is replaced by Tang Long! The Brazilian midfielder¡¯s performance was mediocre, but always lacking in key passing detail handling. Mancini expects the swift-recovered Tang Long to become the savior, the man who changes the situation! "Tang, you know what to do, leverage your strengths, maneuver the opponents through conduction, we need to work more on the flanks, we need penetrating passes, we need to tear their defense through passing!" Watching Mancini excitedly lay out tactics with Tang Long. Chiwo stands aside, hesitating to speak. Holding three substitution slots. Two are used up during halftime! Chiwo, after many years in Serie A, has never seen any manager do such a radical thing. This requires a lot of courage! This means the team can¡¯t make substitution adjustments for a long period in the second half. Because the last substitution slot must be reserved for the final moments, preventing player injuries, especially on the rainy muddy pitch of the Olympic stadium. Chiwo knows Mancini is going all in! Before hitting the field, Chiwo pulls Tang Long aside and says: "Tang, the pitch is slippery, Lazio is aggressive, you¡¯ve just recovered from injury, be vigilant about protecting yourself!" Tang Long smiles, "Mr. Chiwo, do you remember what you told me?" "If Ronaldo didn¡¯t make so many abrupt stops and sharp turns, his knee cruciate ligament wouldn¡¯t be torn twice, but if that¡¯s the case, he wouldn¡¯t be extraterrestrial Ronaldo." "This might just be the destiny of every professional player!" ... When both teams¡¯ players file out through the tunnel. Applause rings out from a riverside tavern in Munich! This bunch of German fans originally thought the match won¡¯t start for a while, expecting a delay. Fans toast each other. The bartender fills their glasses with beer. Dense, sticky brown foam slowly flows down the glass edge, filling the entire tavern with the rich aroma of craft grains~ "What did I tell you, Dick? I bet Klose will score two goals, you lost, hand over 50 euros?" "Hahaha, the match isn¡¯t over yet, Podolski hasn¡¯t unleashed his power. Wait till Inter wins the match, you would¡¯ve owed me 50 euros in return!" "What a joke, it¡¯s already 2-0 at halftime, with Inter in this state, expecting a comeback? You better hope Klose doesn¡¯t score another goal!" "Watch, their number 99 is on, this Chinese guy is extraordinary, having him makes Podolski absolutely superior to Klose!" "Chinese? There are Chinese playing in Serie A, that¡¯s rare!" "Haha, you speak and it¡¯s clear you don¡¯t watch Serie A. Let me tell you, this number 99 is amazing, with him or without him, Inter plays entirely different styles, they are altogether different teams. Watch and see, hehe..." Mancini¡¯s dual substitutions take Lazio¡¯s manager Pioli by surprise! He¡¯s quite familiar with Mancini, facing off since their player days. Using up two substitution slots in 45 minutes, such a radical approach doesn¡¯t fit the conservative Mancini¡¯s usual tactics. However, Pioli must admit, both substitutions hit the mark! The more agile, defensively capable Juan is subbed in, sacrificing a bit of headed defense but increasing Klose¡¯s stamina consumption during scraps. Tang Long¡¯s substitute directly targets Inter¡¯s Achilles¡¯ heel! Pioli knows Tang Long possesses a broader vision, more effective orchestration, and more precise killer passes than Hernanes! These two front-rear adjustments. Force Pioli, despite holding two goals, to raise his guard and remain vigilant. But Old Pi, a seasoned veteran of Serie A, doesn¡¯t come unprepared! He shouts to midfield core Ledesma: "Tang is on, you know what to do!" "Got it, I will deploy the targeted methods from training!" Ledesma made an OK gesture. Tang Long observed the field. The rain has nearly stopped. The drainage system cleared much of the water. Seemingly more suitable for Inter¡¯s pass-and-control play. However, things didn¡¯t go as smoothly as expected! From the 45th to 55th minute of the second half. Inter hasn¡¯t organized any effective attack. The reason is Tang Long has been subjected to Lazio midfield¡¯s wild encirclement! As soon as Tang Long gets the ball, whether it¡¯s Ledesma, Lulic, or Parolo. There¡¯s always someone coming up to him, executing fouling actions using hands and feet! In the 56th minute, Captain Ledesma¡¯s move is a bit comical, directly hugging Tang Long from behind, forcibly bringing him down to the ground. Picking up a yellow card, Ledesma shouted at Lulic: "It¡¯s your turn, keep pestering!" Tang Long gets up, rubbing his slightly aching ribs. Ledesma¡¯s really cunning, he knows Tang Long¡¯s ribs just recovered from contusion, deliberately tightening his forearm against his rib area during the hug. This is the tactic Pioli devised before the match, rotating three midfielders to foul Tang Long. "This kid doesn¡¯t have a strong body, not very fast, only knows one-touch passes, that Celtic defender knocked him out for a few days. You all take turns, whoever gets a yellow card switches next! The sole purpose is to make his passing difficult!" Pioli¡¯s plan sounds thunderously as it unfolds! However, he¡¯s unaware that the current Tang Long is not the one faced against Celtic. After the ball sense training was updated at the AI Cloud Training Ground. The signature football from Old Ma from 1989 brings Tang Long¡¯s ball sense to a new phase. From 12%¡ª18%! Now Tang Long possesses 18% of ball sense akin to Old Ma during Napoli¡¯s UEFA Cup championship peak in 1989! Just as Pirlo said, having around 20% of Old Ma¡¯s ball sense makes your foot-holding football soft enough. Tang Long connects with a pass from the holding midfielder Medel. Lazio midfielder Lulic immediately closes in, backs the referee, using his knee to knock Tang Long¡¯s supporting leg. This covert action makes him confident the referee wouldn¡¯t see, only giving an ordinary foul without a card. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But when Lulic¡¯s knee is about to knock, Tang Long suddenly pauses with his back, his foot outside lightly tapping the ball¡¯s left side like a dragonfly touching water~ Whizz¡ª The figure vanishes. "It¡¯s a ball-and-person separated breakthrough!" "Directly through Lulic¡¯s legs, the ball-and-person separation!" "Lazio¡¯s midfield hesitated, trying desperately in vain!" "Hahaha, Tang Long teased Lulic, what a clever skill, beautiful!" "Tang Long moves forward with large strides!" "The first wave of counter-attack is finally being launched!" Chapter 75 Creating Opportunities + Quick Free Kicks! A Revolutionary Change in the Game! Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Creating Opportunities + Quick Free Kicks! A Revolutionary Change in the Game!Speaking of Lulic, he was like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, intending to give Tang Long a firm challenge. Unexpectedly, with just a gentle sway, his opponent got past him! Getting past would have been acceptable. A midfielder can¡¯t go a whole match without being beaten once. But this was a nutmeg! Every professional player¡¯s favorite move is nutmegging someone, but they hate being nutmegged themselves. Lulic suddenly turned his head, blood rushed to his brain, and he charged at Tang Long! However, he still adhered to some sportsmanship, not daring to make a sliding tackle. A resounding slap of an "iron sand palm" landed on Tang Long¡¯s shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground. The referee blew the whistle! This yellow card was indisputable, a typical tactical foul. "Damn, the card came out too fast," Lulic gloomily glanced at his teammate, "Parolo, you¡¯re on him now!" The situation intensified in an instant with two yellow cards in a short period. Tang Long got up slowly. He felt as if the entire Lazio team was targeting him. Hostile gazes poured in from all directions. "Nice one, just like that, well done!" Lazio¡¯s coach Pioli applauded. Tang Long squinted his eyes at him. This old fox, you sure are cunning. Constantly changing players to target me, switching once they get a yellow card. I bet if all three midfielders get yellow cards, you¡¯ll either switch to another defender to continue or bring on a substitute, right? This isn¡¯t a viable strategy; though the opponent¡¯s yellow cards cause them losses, only making them concede will be a real loss! What¡¯s more, the match is nearing 60 minutes. There¡¯s not much time left for Inter to make a comeback! Tang Long conceived a plan. The disruption of this attack did not dampen Inter¡¯s offensive momentum. Three minutes later, they came back with full force! This time, the attack was initiated by defensive midfielder Gualin. He made full use of his physical advantage, using his back against the opponent, controlling Handanovic¡¯s long ball. Gualin, with a back like a rock, crashed backward, pushing Ledesma two meters aside! In the past, Gualin would have dribbled past on his own. But he passed the ball to the nearest Tang Long! "It¡¯s yours now, I¡¯m moving forward!" Gualin sprinted away. The eagerness to score quickly spread among the Inter players. Tang Long dribbled forward, spotting an open Yuto Nagatomo on the right¡ªget the ball to him! The Japanese wing-back Yuto Nagatomo¡¯s fundamentals were solid; he controlled the ball steadily, advancing and observing. "Look at me here!" Tang Long sprinted over. Beside him, Parolo stuck to him like glue. Seeing Tang Long marked so tightly, Yuto Nagatomo didn¡¯t force a pass but used Tang Long¡¯s drag, decisively cutting inside! "Watch the center, guard the center!" Lazio midfielders Ledesma and Lulic quickly converged inward. Even Parolo, sticking to Tang Long, began to move inward since the central area was a major threat with Gualin and Podolski dropping back. Especially Gualin¡¯s powerful long shots, which couldn¡¯t be ignored. Unnoticed, Tang Long quietly slipped behind Lazio captain Ledesma. Yuto Nagatomo glanced at Tang Long, understanding immediately. He feigned a pass to Gualin but at the last moment flicked his ankle, sending the ball toward Tang Long! Ledesma¡¯s head was filled with coach Pioli¡¯s pre-match instructions: "Once Tang Long is on the field, never let him take the ball unchallenged!" He took a step, attempting to block Tang Long¡¯s position. But before he could fully block the position, Tang Long¡¯s heel softly tapped the ball in the opposite direction, and he leaned into Ledesma¡¯s embrace! Crap... Ledesma shuddered, trying to dodge as if discarding a hot potato. But how could he escape? "Ju¡ª" The referee rushed to the scene, showing Ledesma a yellow card. Then quickly pulled out a bright red card! "Ah, referee, I didn¡¯t touch him, he fell towards me on his own!" Ledesma¡¯s voice was trembling. "I saw clearly; your leg tripped Tang, directly blocking his advance. The penalty is justified!" the referee spoke sternly. Tang Long got up from the muddy grass, high-fiving his teammates. Thinking of using yellow card tactics to disrupt our attack? I¡¯ll have one of yours sent off. Fun, isn¡¯t it? With the match at the 65th minute, Lazio was now playing with ten against eleven! Inter had a free-kick opportunity. The distance was just right, and Podolski stood before the ball, glancing at the goal. The referee whistled; the free-kick shot was blocked by the wall! The referee whistled again, signaling a Lazio player in the wall touched the ball with their open arm, awarding Inter a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Fortunately, the referee was lenient this time, not giving a card. Seeing their captain sent off and Inter awarded two consecutive free-kicks, Pioli scratched his head in frustration, bewildered by the reverse in fortune. "Now we¡¯re a man down, all-defensive! Lulic fall back, Stephen pay attention to converging in, and you, De Vrij..." Pioli didn¡¯t have the chance to fully deploy tactics for playing a man down during the stoppage. A thought flashed swiftly through Tang Long¡¯s mind¡ª He suddenly placed the ball on the ground, bent down, and kicked it! Luckily, Podolski noticed Tang Long¡¯s quick play, darting past the stunned defender De Vrij, scoring in the near corner! The referee hesitated, contemplating for 2 seconds, then signaled the goal was valid! "What? How did that happen, how was there a goal?" "It seemed to be a quick free-kick!" "Hahaha, the scoring Podolski rushed toward Tang Long at once, meaning Tang Long took the kick, I was fooled, couldn¡¯t see clearly!" "Lazio players gathered around the referee to protest!" "The referee firmly declared the goal valid!" "In fact, if the referee hasn¡¯t specifically told the taker to wait for the whistle, a quick play is allowed, not against the rules!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The first free-kick that resulted in the red card required a whistle but not the second one!" "The Slow Motion is out, see, it was indeed a quick free-kick by Tang Long!" "How did he think of that, what a smart move, truly a genius player!" Lazio coach Pioli was completely bewildered! He stood there like a wooden figure. The captain just got sent off, now another goal conceded? This is unfair! Mancini was exhilarated, high-fiving assistant coach Herrera in celebration! "Our chance is here, we¡¯ve got an opportunity!" As Tang Long swiftly retrieved the ball to the center circle, substitute forward Bonazzoli was already on the sidelines doing high-knee exercises! At 66 minutes, Mancini used his final substitution. Replacing defensive midfielder Medel with forward Bonazzoli! Upon entering, Bonazzoli bowed slightly to the ground, then crossed himself on his chest. "Run more, you¡¯re fit," Tang Long high-fived him, "Remember, no run, no gain, run and there¡¯ll be opportunities!" In Milan, sitting at home watching the live broadcast, Icardi felt a pang of jealousy. That kid got to play! While I¡¯m still watching the game on TV! Trailing 0-2, this situation requires a forward to score to make a dramatic comeback! I want to play too! Due to a red card, Icardi was suspended for one league match, feeling restless watching the game. His wife Wanda, dressed in a white lace nightgown, her hair tousled, walked out of the bathroom. "Darling, why so antsy, what¡¯s the matter?" Icardi kept rubbing his chest with both hands, groaning in frustration: "It¡¯s killing me, I need to play, I want to shoot, I can¡¯t hold back!" Wanda¡¯s mouth subtly twitched, showing a smile filled with desire. Chapter 76: A sideways aerial volley ignites the horizon! The heavy rainy night is torn open! Chapter 76: Chapter 76: A sideways aerial volley ignites the horizon! The heavy rainy night is torn open!"Bonazzoli uses his physical advantage to hold down the drop point at the top of the penalty arc!" "It¡¯s very awkward, he¡¯s going to lose his balance, what¡¯s he going to do now!" "Falling back pass to Tang!" "He¡¯s rushed in, the opponent has rushed in!" "Tang! Shoot¡ªah?" "It¡¯s a fake shot, true pass!" "Will there be someone at the back post?" "Here comes someone, really!" "Podolski makes a diagonal run!" "Podolski!" "Shoots¡ª!!!" Accompanied by the commentator¡¯s shouts in Italian from the TV. Lying on the sofa, Icardi suddenly shuddered, then quickly collapsed. Wanda froze, sensing something was off. Smack! She looked down and slapped Icardi. Then she flipped off him with a dark expression. "Mauro, what¡¯s wrong with you, too weak, done in less than five minutes?" "Honestly, did you fool around with that Spanish bitch Ellis this afternoon, don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know, your social media is full of trash sending you private messages!" Icardi¡¯s head was slapped to the side. He lay motionless on the couch in the living room. His big eyes were staring at the TV, at the scene of Podolski and Tang Long celebrating. The two were beaming, embracing each other. "Five minutes, only five minutes, and another goal went in..." Icardi¡¯s mouth was moving, the voice filled with unwillingness. Trailing by two goals at halftime. Tied at 72 minutes! This legendary moment should belong to me, the top scorer in Serie A, Mauro! I will never strip and celebrate to get a card again, my god... Wanda put on her pajamas, tied her blonde hair, and snorted at Icardi. "You¡¯re shameless talking about five minutes? Hmph, you waste, worse than a dog! I¡¯m going downstairs to walk the dog, giving you ten minutes to rest, you have one more chance to prove yourself, whether you can seize it, it¡¯s up to you." Within five minutes. German forward Podolski and Tang Long cooperated, scoring two consecutive goals! Instantly tying the score. Inter and Lazio were back on the same starting line. This goal boosted Inter¡¯s morale! And made Lazio, forced into a corner, shiver. Compared to Inter, Lazio¡¯s foundation still seemed insufficient. The players appeared not calm enough when facing sudden situations. At this moment, the biggest figure in the team, elder statesman Klose spoke up! "Hold steady, don¡¯t panic, it¡¯s raining heavily! Our chance has come!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Rumble~ Klose was right, a minute after the thunder, the pouring rain fell like a flood! This storm was even more fierce than when the game started. Almost like a river running backward. The old Olympic Stadium underground, the cracked drainage pipes rattled, unable to stop the spread of water on the field. Pioli¡¯s eyes lit up, he rushed to the fourth official. "Referee, the rain is too heavy, not suitable for play, I request to stop the match and play another day!" His thought was, the players¡¯ morale and will were already on the verge of collapse, if they could replay, perhaps the situation would change. Mancini heard this and was instantly furious! He rushed to Pioli, grabbing his blue tie. "Pioli! I¡¯ve known you for at least 25 years, you coward, it¡¯s only 2-2, and you want to escape? No way, I¡¯m telling you!" The fourth official communicated with the main referee for ten seconds, and announced the match would continue. Compared to the cowardly chief coach Pioli. Klose had a completely different view of the heavy rain! This was not an excuse to apply for a replay¡ªon the contrary, it was an opportunity for Lazio to score another goal and reestablish the lead! God K has played in four World Cups, scored 16 goals, what big scenes hasn¡¯t he seen? A quick equalizer after leading by two goals, other teammates see it as a heavy mental blow, to Klose it doesn¡¯t count as a thing~ He directed teammates not to blindly defend in the penalty box. When necessary, they still needed to come out. "Heavy rain, their pass-control is ineffective, we only need to continue the long pass and cross tactics from the first half to get a chance!" Under Klose¡¯s encouragement, Lazio started the counterattack again. In the 71st minute, he first pulled away from close center-back Juan with a deceptive run, then suddenly rushed to the back post. If not for a teammate¡¯s cross being too powerful, Klose¡¯s header would have been within the goal frame! In the 77th minute, again it was Klose! Lazio, playing with 10 men, got a rare corner kick opportunity. This time, Inter¡¯s defenders dared not be negligent. Ranocchia and Juan, one 195 cm tall, the other 185 cm tall, almost sandwiched the 184 cm tall Klose into a sandwich cookie. Though Klose couldn¡¯t jump easily, he played a good distracting role at the front post! The corner kicked by teammates was contested by Lulic in the middle, diving headfirst! The veteran goalkeeper Handanovic almost standing on the spot, instinctively pushed this ball flying towards his head over the crossbar! So close! Sixty thousand people at Rome¡¯s Olympic Stadium let out an exclamation! Yet it was drowned in the thick sound of wind and rain. In contrast to Inter¡¯s side. Playing primarily pass-control, they were constrained by the terrible waterlogged field, making it really difficult for the football to move smoothly. Even Tang Long himself made an error~ A simple horizontal pass, trying to switch play, but unexpectedly, half the way the ball stopped in a deep puddle. If not for Yuto Nagatomo risking injury with a slide tackle clearance, Lazio would have counterattacked on the spot. "Stop playing on the ground, get high balls!" Mancini struggled to make his voice more penetrating in the large storm in Olympic Stadium. "Damn muddy field, did you all hear! I told you to play high balls, high balls, high balls!" Berni jumped up, waving a towel, and shouted into the field! Actually, Inter¡¯s players were not incapable of playing aerial battles! Before Tang Long joined the Inter First Team. Mancini had played many high-ball games, from the wings bombarding the top of striker Icardi¡¯s head! Thanks to the Argentine¡¯s exceptional off-the-ball positioning and poaching, just keep crossing, you¡¯ll eventually get one or two in. But now, Inter, urgently needing a goal, did not have a good header striker. Podolski was a roaming forward, headers were not his strong suit. Newly entered Bonazzoli, tall and robust, but his movement was average, didn¡¯t know how to deceive defenders with body feints, only standing for headers. Mancini was anxious, wanting the 195 cm tall Ranocchia to move forward to play center forward support, but worried Juan couldn¡¯t handle Klose alone and be stolen. In the 83rd minute, Gualin kicked the ball up high in the waterlogged backfield! A splash hit him in the eye, everything was unclear, he just saw a blurry ball fly off into the distance. "Mine!" cm tall Dutch center-back De Vrij jumped up, heading it away. The football flew high into the air. The drop point was in the direction of Tang Long. Before the ball could fall. All Lazio players were fully defending! Even Klose retreated to the attacking midfielder position to assist defensively. The sound of the pouring rain echoed in Tang Long¡¯s ears. He couldn¡¯t hear the shouts of teammates in the penalty area. His eyes, soaked in rain for a long time, were red. His vision was blurry. Control the ball? Cannot stop! Ahead was a puddle, stopping and wanting to kick the ball out was very difficult, unable to control direction. The AI brainwaves in 0.05 seconds rapidly input information into Tang Long¡¯s consciousness: "Please use your head to nod the ball back into the box, there¡¯s a 75.67% chance to create chaos!" But this time. Tang Long did not listen to the AI system¡¯s instructions. He decided to bet! Facing the ball¡¯s drop point, side position, body forming almost a 90-degree horizontal line. His leg muscles tensed, accumulating strength, then powerfully drove the calf back, like a bow about to launch! Just at the moment the ball was about to fall, using the knee to drive the calf in a sudden accelerated swing! Swoosh¡ª The football, like a sharp blade, accompanied by the howling wind, cut a lively path through the heavy rain night at Olympic Stadium! Chapter 77: Icardi is anxious again! Why do you always assist Podolski! Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Icardi is anxious again! Why do you always assist Podolski!The 31-year-old Lazio goalkeeper Keramati is in his prime and has been selected for the Italian national team. Although the pouring rain hindered his vision, he heard the explosion of Tang Long¡¯s shot first! "Where¡¯s the ball!" Anticipating the imminent moment, Marchetti widened his eyes, his entire body tense, but couldn¡¯t see where the ball was. Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminated the night sky! In that sudden 0.05-second flash, Marchetti clearly saw the white football, wrapped in rain, spinning rapidly and shooting towards him! Save! Marchetti¡¯s ape-like long arm swung out! His glove touched the football! He could even clearly feel the friction pattern at the fingertips of the glove against the football, generating a sensation of resistance! "Duang~" The football hit the right post and bounced into the net! The ball is in! to 2! Inter Milan has taken the lead!!! "It¡¯s in, it¡¯s in, it¡¯s in, it¡¯s in, it¡¯s in, it¡¯s in!" "Gooooooooooal!" "Tang Long¡¯s long shot took the lead!" "A two-goal comeback!" "This is an epic turnaround!" "At the Rome Olympic Stadium!" "The Blue-Black Corps shows their indomitable spirit!" "Finally completing the comeback in the 85th minute!" The moment the referee signaled the goal. Tang Long¡¯s blood instantly heated up to 100 degrees! The rain kept falling, soaking his clothes and shoes. He rushed towards the Inter substitute bench like a man made of water! First, he leaped high and swung his fist heavily towards the sky! "Ah¡ª¡ª" Then continued to accelerate, his knees suddenly sliding on the ground! Zhila¡ª¡ª Tang Long executed a passionate knee slide towards his teammates! Like a speeding sports car moving across a flooded road, splashing water up to two meters high! Coach Mancini¡¯s knees suddenly weakened, and somehow, he knelt down in front of Tang Long, hugging him tightly! "My God, don¡¯t you want to see what you have done?" Everyone gathered around. Everyone, under the pouring rain in the Olympic Stadium, piled onto Tang Long¡¯s body. The sound of the storm could not drown out the shouts of Inter players! They shouted a hundred times louder than the storm! Except for third goalkeeper Berni, sitting alone on the edge of the substitute bench, staring ahead. He cried! Berni buried his head in a white towel and cried! "Damn!" Berni cursed tremblingly. This goal was so thrilling to watch! As Inter¡¯s third goalkeeper, it¡¯s incredibly satisfying! Inside the small tavern by the river in Munich. The atmosphere exploded! The Germans watched in amazement one by one! They all stood up, rushing towards the TV hanging from the ceiling. Crowding, bumping, slipping, swearing! A few tables and chairs in the bar were overturned, beer glasses smashed, shattered, black beer flowing everywhere. But these owners didn¡¯t care, because the boss rushed the fastest, leaping out from behind the cash register! Everyone crowded like sunflower seeds, looking up at Tang Long on the television. "My goodness, did that Chinese guy just score?" "Otherwise, how do you think the ball went in!" "From that position, that distance, he actually scored!?" "Unbelievable, at least 35 meters, this could be nominated for this year¡¯s Pusk¨¢s Award!" "This guy is a true genius. It¡¯s a pity he¡¯s at Inter, fighting tooth and nail for Champions League spots. He should come play for us at Bayern and beat Dortmund together!" "Agreed! Let Podolski act as a spokesman, get him to Bayern!" The referee blew the whistle to end the match. Lazio players collapsed like mud, scattered in puddles. Many covered their faces. They couldn¡¯t believe that such a comeback actually happened to them. Inter players, however, raised their arms in triumph! It truly was a hard-fought victory. Tang Long laid on the ground, gasping for breath. Facing the night sky, the large, dense raindrops fell from the sky, hitting his face. Raindrops streamed down Tang Long¡¯s face, plugging his nostrils, making even breathing a luxury. Captain Ranocchia pulled him up. "Tang, from now on, no one can shake your starting position. You have helped us take a big step in the fight for Champions League qualification. As captain, I represent the dressing room in thanking you for your dedication!" Mancini shaking hands with Pioli. "Sorry, you lacked a bit of luck, I¡¯m taking the three points." "No, we didn¡¯t lack luck," Pioli smiled wryly, "we lacked players like Tang." Klose¡¯s back appeared lonely. He stared blankly at the 2-3 score on the stadium¡¯s big screen. His eyes were quite confused. This match was supposed to be his spotlight. In the first half alone, he scored twice, pushing Inter to the edge of a cliff, teetering. But the development of events turned into a roller coaster, leaving Klose unwilling. Podolski came to exchange jerseys. "Brother, we tied this match," Podolski joked, "we both scored two goals, I didn¡¯t win, and you didn¡¯t lose." "No, I lost. Our whole team lost, we lost to an 18-year-old boy, and lost badly." "Is it true you¡¯re retiring after this season?" "If I can¡¯t help the team secure Champions League qualification this season, I¡¯ll play another year." "Good luck, brother." "You too, I¡¯m envious of you." "Envious of what, envious of my higher salary at Inter than yours, haha?" "Lucas, your cooperation with that Chinese guy is like a match made in heaven. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find your presence in Italian football." All Inter fans across the world are thrilled by this epic comeback! But if there¡¯s one person who isn¡¯t quite happy. It¡¯s Icardi watching the game at home. His body, exhausted after Wanda wore him out, slumped on the sofa. Dark circles deep and heavy tell the tiring story. But if possible, he wishes he could put this effort on the pitch, not at home! After watching this match. Icardi felt threatened by competitor Podolski. Since Tang Long entered the game in the second half. The German forward slammed two goals in! Since joining in the winter window, his goal count is nearing Icardi¡¯s. This match Podolski played only 45 minutes with Tang Long. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What if they played the full game together in this 4-2-3-1 tactic, how many goals would Podolski score? Icardi couldn¡¯t figure out, nor dare to think! Especially recently, he had heard. Mancini esteems the player who played over 100 times for the German national team. Preparing to award him the position of the team¡¯s primary penalty kicker. This privilege originally belonged to Icardi! Thinking of this. Icardi feels his dream of the European Golden Boot drifting away. Even the Serie A Golden Boot seems out of reach. How is it that when I¡¯m not there, Tang Long gives Podolski so many brilliant assists? Tang Long¡¯s passes belong to me. No one should take them from me! Icardi is really anxious! He decided to talk to Tang Long about this matter the next day. Chapter 78 Berni Challenges Tang Long: Was Your Finisher a Fluke? Come, Shoot Again! Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Berni Challenges Tang Long: Was Your Finisher a Fluke? Come, Shoot Again!On Monday morning, Icardi arrived unusually early. As his Porsche 911 drove into the gates of Inter¡¯s base, the old security guard greeted him enthusiastically. "Yo, Mauro, you¡¯re here so early today, have you had breakfast?" The old security guard watched the live broadcast yesterday, Inter won a last-second goal, and he was in a jubilant mood. Icardi, with a sullen face, did not respond and directly revved the engine and drove off. After parking his car, he walked straight to the meeting room. Icardi knew that Mancini had the habit of holding a morning meeting with the first team coaching staff on the first morning after each game. He planned to discuss the Golden Boot with his coach, who valued him highly. This was a promise from Mancini at the start of the season. However, in the current 4-2-3-1 tactic, it seemed that the German forward was more suited to the system than him, which made Icardi very anxious. He had a chance to see Mancini. Icardi ran into Chiwo at the office building. Seeing Chiwo, Icardi immediately felt the urge to vent. He decided to talk to the young coach first, as Chiwo was closer to the players. However, after Chiwo finished listening to Icardi¡¯s complaints. The joy he felt from yesterday¡¯s last-second goal in the rain instantly vanished from his face. Chiwo scolded Icardi harshly! "Mauro, what are you thinking, you pig-headed idiot!" "Inter Milan is a team, we win and you¡¯re not happy, look at you sulking!" "What, you still want to go to Mancini?" "Go ahead, I guarantee he won¡¯t stop until he¡¯s finished scolding you!" After being scolded by Chiwo, Icardi felt like a wilted eggplant. After all, he¡¯s still young, only 22, and despite his commanding celebrations on the pitch, he still has a sense of respect for the coach. He didn¡¯t dare to go to Mancini anymore, so he trudged to the locker room. The locker room wasn¡¯t open yet. After thinking for a while, Icardi decided to go to the base dorms himself to find Tang Long. He knew that Tang Long didn¡¯t rent a place outside and lived alone at the base. Entering the dormitory area, he encountered Bonazzoli walking to the cafeteria for breakfast. Bonazzoli was somewhat surprised to greet him. Icardi managed a slight smile and quickly walked away. Knock Knock Knock~ "Come in!" Pushing the door open, Icardi saw Tang Long sitting alone at the table, watching his laptop. Leaning in to look, the laptop was playing a highlight reel of his own career that Icardi had shared with Tang Long! "Wow, you really are watching it!" Icardi felt quite surprised. The more surprising was Tang Long. Why did Icardi come to my dorm? "Hahaha, I¡¯ve been watching it lately, analyzing your runs, I¡¯ve watched it over a dozen times from beginning to end." "Is it true you¡¯ve watched a nearly two-hour highlight reel over a dozen times?!" Icardi couldn¡¯t believe it. Even members of the Inter First Team coaching staff wouldn¡¯t watch it repeatedly for that long. Facing his teammate¡¯s amazement, Tang Long smiled faintly. Tang Long wasn¡¯t lying, he had watched it for even longer, far more than a dozen times. To enhance the AI system¡¯s big data analysis of Icardi¡¯s playing habits. Tang Long not only watched the highlight reel Icardi shared. But also, thanks to Chiwo¡¯s personal connections, acquired video analysis material of Icardi during his time at Sampdoria from their coaching staff. This material was critical, containing many incorrect positional choices by Icardi and related correction suggestions. After all, Icardi was very young during his time at Sampdoria. Sampdoria bought him from La Masia for 300,000 euros to develop and later sell for a high price, hence they placed great emphasis on him, spending a lot of time and effort training him. However, these materials were commercial secrets of various major clubs. Chiwo repeatedly urged Tang Long to keep it confidential. What Tang Long hadn¡¯t told Icardi was that he also obtained analysis videos from his time at La Masia. Tang Long had only one purpose! To become more familiar with Icardi¡¯s runs and chalk up more assists on him. "I¡¯ve been studying your runs lately," Tang Long said, "Your positioning in Serie A is top-notch, but I think there are moments where you could do better. Like here, look, you can go around this tall center-back and exploit the gap between him and the fullback, and here, you didn¡¯t accelerate into the small penalty area, missing a fleeting opportunity..." Watching Tang Long analyze his runs so thoroughly. Icardi also became interested. He pulled over a chair and sat down to discuss with Tang Long. All of Tang Long¡¯s analysis was based on the judgment of the Green Grass Wisdom Engine AI system. Integrating the positioning habits of world-class forwards like Inzaghi, Ronaldo, Raul, Van Nistelrooy, C Luo, and combining them with the positioning of defenders for specific analysis. In just a few words, it made the points extremely clear! Several corrections gave Icardi a feeling of sudden enlightenment! "Wow, I didn¡¯t notice these details while playing; it¡¯s exactly as you said, definitely more logical to do it your way, and the chances of scoring are greater!" Icardi, excited, rolled up his sleeves and even stood up, replaying those wrong runs in Tang Long¡¯s cramped room. Unknowingly, it was already 8:50! With only ten minutes left before training started, the two hurriedly ran to the training ground. "Tang, your goal yesterday against Lazio was awesome, completely stunned their goalkeeper, hahaha!" "Right, I wasn¡¯t in the last game, Podolski scored two goals, both with your assists. I think if I were there, I could¡¯ve scored at least four!" Faced with Icardi¡¯s compliment, Tang Long immediately understood his implication. "Don¡¯t worry, Mauro, the next game is the Milan Derby, you¡¯ll definitely be in the starting lineup. That¡¯s Mancini¡¯s first choice. Podolski can¡¯t change your status in the team." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just run, if you run, the chances will come! That¡¯s my promise to you, don¡¯t worry about not getting chances, just worry you can¡¯t make the most of them!" Hearing Tang Long¡¯s reassurance, Icardi felt somewhat relieved, and his whole demeanor relaxed a bit. Actually, Tang Long had no doubt about Icardi¡¯s future development. This 22-year-old forward had a lot of room for improvement, and he was currently in the rapid upward phase of his career. He had only reached five to sixty percent of his peak level. While Podolski, seen as a threat by Icardi, at the age of 30, was already on the decline. His brilliance was just a flash in the pan; he wouldn¡¯t be playing at Inter for long. Icardi was the club¡¯s most prized asset for appreciation! Upon arriving at the training ground. Chiwo came up with a smile. "Tang, take another shot like your one against Lazio yesterday!" Teammates joined in the coaxing. "Yeah, go on, take another shot, we didn¡¯t get enough of that!" "I never knew you had such shooting skills, you¡¯ve been hiding them well!" "That shot was awesome, I watched the replay several times, it was so decisive, the power and angle were perfect!" Berni had already changed and was at the goalpost. He clapped his goalkeeper gloves heavily and then bent over, ready. "Come on, Tang, let me see if it was just luck!" Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Chapter 79: "World Football" Weekly Top 10 Goals, a Battle of the Gods, Tang Long Tops the List!Unable to refuse the hospitality, Tang Long joined Berni for a few kicks. Of course, a professional player¡¯s shot doesn¡¯t involve kicking a stationary ball because, aside from set-pieces, such scenarios are impossible in matches. This was standard shooting training, with the coach passing balls in various positions to Tang Long for him to shoot on the move. Since helping Bonazzoli score his debut goal, earning his gratitude and triggering a hidden reward, Tang Long¡¯s shooting stats increased to 77. This isn¡¯t considered high, but it¡¯s already comparable to the main strikers of some relegation-threatened teams at the bottom of Serie A. Bang bang bang¡ª Bang bang bang¡ª Under the watchful eyes of the whole team, Tang Long completed ten shots. Among these ten shots, there were Ground Strikes, off-foot shots for quick points, inside foot curve shots, and instep power shots. All ten shots were done near the penalty area. With no one marking him, five out of ten shots went in. "The last shot, a bit further away!" The coach kicked the ball high towards Tang Long, mimicking the previous round¡¯s shot that sealed the victory against Lazio. Tang Long quickly recalled last night¡¯s shooting scene, maximizing his muscle memory. His thigh drove his lower leg, pulling the entire right leg back like a drawn bow! Just as the ball was about to hit the ground, his knee suddenly exerted force, and his lower leg whipped out like a lash, striking the center of the ball with his instep. Woosh¡ª From 35 meters away, Tang Long unleashed a powerful shot with a slight arc. Berni did not attempt a save, watching as the ball went over the goal by about a meter. In terms of power, arc, and precision, it was far from yesterday¡¯s shot. "Hey, hey, hey, looks like you were lucky! You kid, even if you try 100 more times, you won¡¯t replicate last night¡¯s shot!" Berni teased Tang Long kindly. The onlooking teammates started to giggle. "Big Uncle Berni, you¡¯re overthinking it! That kind of shot worthy of the Pusk¨¢s Award, do you expect to see it every day?" "Tang was just sparing you, really hits yesterday¡¯s quality, could you stop it?" "Come on, let me have a go, Big Uncle Berni, I¡¯ll play with you!" Tang Long joked with his teammates, "I always save my best for the game, I¡¯ll let Berni off the hook during practice." In reality, as professional players, everyone knew in their hearts. Was there an element of luck in Tang Long¡¯s last night¡¯s sideways volley killer shot? There certainly was. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With heavy rain obstructing the goalkeeper¡¯s view, Tang Long shot suddenly from 35 meters, and the ball indeed fell within the goal¡¯s range. Long shots are not like close-range shots from within the penalty area; scoring from over 25 meters inherently carries a luck element. Tang Long knew this too; with his shooting score at 77, delivering such a jaw-dropping shot at that moment took decisiveness and determination. Given his current shooting ability, as Berni said, even if he tries 100 more times, he might not score one. Such iconic moments are hard to come by! In the top-floor head coach¡¯s office facing the football field. Mancini and assistant coach Herrera stood by the wide floor-to-ceiling glass, overlooking the players¡¯ training. Tang Long had just completed shooting training, and they watched the entire session. "What do you think of Tang¡¯s shot?" Mancini asked Herrera, with a cigar in hand. "Very good, judging by the level of those ten shots just now, it already matches the shooting level of a forward." Herrera showed admiration, specifically mentioning Tang Long¡¯s last shot. "Yesterday¡¯s sideways volley killer shot, though lucky, showed this kid¡¯s shooting skill. During practice, he tried to replicate that moment. Even though it wasn¡¯t perfect, at a 35-meter distance, shooting an airborne side volley without stopping the ball and managing to control power and accuracy within a certain range¡ªit¡¯s already quite impressive." Mancini took a deep inhalation of his cigar, releasing a thick smoke onto the glass window, spreading like water droplets. "Go on, Herrera." "Boss, I visited my old friend Zeman in Lecce last year and watched one of their training sessions. According to my observation, their main striker¡¯s shooting level is not as natural as Tang¡¯s in terms of feeling." Mancini nodded thoughtfully. Although Lecce played in Serie B last year, they had just been relegated from Serie A, so they were considered a strong team in the first tier of Serie B, a league yo-yo team. This means, in Herrera¡¯s view, Tang Long¡¯s shooting is not inferior to the main striker of a strong Serie B team. "That¡¯s odd," Mancini flicked his white hair with the hand holding the cigar, "Shooting has never been Tang¡¯s strong suit. He rarely shoots in games; he mainly passes. How did his shooting skill suddenly improve?" Herrera couldn¡¯t answer this question either. But the assistant coach ranked Tang Long¡¯s shooting level within the team. "In terms of shooting prowess, Icardi is miles ahead, unmatched in all of Serie A; he¡¯s a shooting genius." "Podolski and Palacio are in the second tier." "Tang Long might be slightly better than Bonazzoli, but the gap isn¡¯t too wide." Mancini smiled. He knew Herrera¡¯s comparison wasn¡¯t entirely fair. "Herrera, Tang doesn¡¯t need to compare his shooting skills with those who started as forwards; after all, they grew up with intensive shooting training. They¡¯re born to score." Yet, the potential Tang Long showed in this regard made Mancini feel he had an extra card up his sleeve. Perhaps, utilizing Tang Long could be more versatile. ... Monday night at half past seven is a happy moment for Chinese football fans. Because they could watch "World Football" again. From youthful green to oily middle-age, this program accompanied numerous Chinese fans throughout their growth, Through this show, fans could quickly browse the major news from the football world each week, especially from the beloved five major leagues! Tonight, more Chinese fans than usual sat in front of their TVs; they had come with a purpose¡ªto see if Tang Long could rank first in this week¡¯s world football top ten goals! "Top ten goals, ranked ninth!" "La Liga¡¯s 18th round saw Atletico Madrid execute a brilliant play. Griezmann received the ball on the flank, facing defenders¡¯ encirclement, he skillfully executed a one-two with teammate Koke and broke through to chip it into the goal. This goal highlights the strength of teamwork, with perfect passes and runs!" ... "Top ten goals, ranked third!" "A highlight match in the Bundesliga saw Bayern player Lewandowski receiving a cross from a teammate on the flank inside the box, positioned slightly behind. Lewandowski pulled off a scorpion kick! This goal showcased the player¡¯s excellent physical quality and strong improvisational ability!" "Top ten goals, ranked second!" "Returning to the Premier League stage, Arsenal¡¯s star Sanchez dashed left and right through the middle, like moving through no man¡¯s land, bypassing three players to score! Amidst the throng of players, Sanchez charged forward courageously!" "Top ten goals, ranked first, from our Chinese player, Tang Long!" Finally, that moment arrived, and many viewers in front of the TV stood up and walked excitedly towards the screen. "Finally, it¡¯s the goal we¡¯ve been waiting for¡ªTang Long¡¯s sideways volley 35-meter killer shot!" "In the dying moments of the match against Lazio away, Tang Long received a teammate¡¯s pass, and from 35 meters out, he executed a sideways volley, the ball like a meteor streaking across the sky straight into the goal¡¯s corner!" "This was an extraordinary goal that fully demonstrated Tang Long¡¯s exceptional individual ability!" "His celestial strike not only earned Inter a precious golden killer victory but also drove all Chinese fans into a frenzy!" Chapter 80: Delivered a crucial first pass right at the beginning! It made ripples in Wanda’s heart~ Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Delivered a crucial first pass right at the beginning! It made ripples in Wanda¡¯s heart~Just when all the fans in China were excited about Tang Long¡¯s stunning winning goal on the Serie A stage. Inter players, after only a few days of rest, faced a match against Celtic. In the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. Inter, rotating half of their players, beat their opponents 2-1 away from home. Returning to the home match this time. Faced with the Milan derby over the weekend. Mancini still chose to rotate. Main players like Ranocchia, Gualin, Podolski, Medel did not start. Tang Long also sat on the bench to watch the match. The only exception was Icardi. The Argentine striker, who missed Lazio due to a red card suspension last time, started the match. Oddly, Mancini¡¯s starting lineup wasn¡¯t the recent victorious 4-2-3-1. Instead, it returned to the usual 4-3-1-2. Coach Zhang Lu had his own insights on this starting lineup. "Mancini, after all, has been coaching in Italy for years, some things are ingrained, leading 2-1 from the first leg with two away goals, Inter has the upper hand." "This match, Inter won¡¯t play aggressively, they¡¯ll play it steady, use three defensive midfielders to maintain team rigidity, and ensure they don¡¯t concede goals, minimizing the opponent¡¯s away goals." "That¡¯s why attacking players like Tang Long and Podolski are on standby on the bench." "So I think this match will look unattractive, with pragmatism as the priority!" Just as Coach Zhang predicted. Reverting to three defensive midfielders, Inter¡¯s main task in the first half was to secure the defense. Mancini played it smart~ He even had the substitute defensive midfielder Mavic, drop deep into the center-back position right from the start, playing with five defenders. Handing over the ball control to the opponent, Celtic. This team from the Scottish Super League, at the home of Italian giants Inter Milan, had a first-half possession rate as high as 61%! The ball was being played back and forth at their feet, while Inter¡¯s players stayed back and defended tightly, compressing their formation. "Haha! Mancini is clearly testing tactics, using the Europa League to practice a five-defender strategy, it seems he doesn¡¯t care about winning or losing this match!" "But Celtic is quite active here!" "Even their center-backs are frequently entering the box to contest headers!" For Celtic, this Scottish giant has no competition domestically, as their old rival Glasgow Rangers had to declare bankruptcy due to debt in 2012, leading to a team restructure and demotion to the Scottish Championship, leaving Celtic on a victorious path domestically, the championship is a matter of time. This season, their main task is to aim for the Europa League championship. Inter, on the other hand, prioritizes even a match against relegation teams in the league over the Europa League knockouts, for next season¡¯s Champions League. The whole first half, Inter voluntarily relinquished ball control, although firmly suppressed by the opponent. However, thanks to a tight five-defender system, they didn¡¯t allow Celtic to have a single shot on goal inside the penalty area. The tactical execution was spot on! However, this made it tough for Icardi, returning to the pitch~ Everyone was stuck in the back, leaving him alone up front, pressing against the last trailing center-back Van Dijk. The two were quite bored, even began chatting directly. Initially, the atmosphere was good, chatting about the weather, food, and such. As they chatted, with the first half nearing its end, Van Dijk¡¯s eyes suddenly flicked with mischief. Scheming thoughts arose within him. "Your wife Wanda is quite sexy, I often see her posting glamorous photos on social media. By the way, was it true, back then, that your wife and Maradona had a thing?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Icardi was instantly infuriated. This young man has two untouchable sore spots, his bottom lines. The first is scoring goals; he believes he is the sharpest striker in the whole Serie A, and among the top three worldwide. Missing a goal in a match makes his mood extremely vexed! The other is his wife, Wanda. Despite the chaos caused due to this with former Samp teammate Lopez, Icardi always claimed publicly that he and Wanda are truly in love, a perfect couple (one might say puppy love), model partners! At 22, the pure-hearted Icardi won¡¯t allow anyone to slander the woman he loves dearly! During the halftime break, he grumbled as he walked into the players¡¯ tunnel. "Boss, why let me play without assigning me a midfielder who can pass?" Faced with Icardi¡¯s questioning, Mancini affectionately patted his head~ "Mauro, why get excited playing in the Europa League? For this match, just run more, you haven¡¯t played for a week, get some sweat out, wait till the second half when Tang comes on, won¡¯t your chances come then." After enduring for 30 minutes. In the 60th minute of the second half, Tang Long was brought on! Tang Long¡¯s appearance instantly sparked the passion of the fans on-site. The fans at Meazza had spent a drowsy hour. This match looked really dull, really frustrating! We are the mighty Inter Milan, three-time Champions League winners, how can we be dominated at home by a small Scottish team! "Tang¡ª¡ª" "Tang¡ª¡ª" The fans did not hold back their cheers for Tang Long¡¯s appearance. Icardi was also invigorated! He went up to Tang Long for a simple high-five. Without saying a word, a simple eye exchange was enough. The main event, officially began! "Haha! Tang Long is on!" "Fans who turned off their TV and went to sleep early will surely regret it in the morning!" "Mancini gave Tang Long 30 minutes to warm up, preparing for the Milan derby!" "Oh my?" "Mancini changed the formation!" "Shifted from 4-3-1-2 to 4-2-3-1!" "Inter now has players in the wingback positions!" "This is good news for Icardi, someone to pass him the ball!" As soon as those words left, Tang Long, near the center circle, delivered a highly imaginative penetrating pass to the advancing wingback Jonathan! Why is it highly imaginative? Because even the commentators with a God¡¯s eye view couldn¡¯t foresee this pass route! "What¡¯s happening, why didn¡¯t anyone intercept this ball!?" "Ah! This route!" "Such a pass is possible! How did Tang Long discover this hidden route?" "Amazing, absolutely unbelievable!" Tang Long¡¯s pass involved foresight. He had already mapped the space between the opponent¡¯s center-back, defensive midfielder, and fullback! This space was nearly impossible to perceive before he made the pass. Only through data analysis could one find that seemingly impenetrable wall¡¯s gap, that hidden corner letting through light! Jonathan, after some adjustments after receiving the ball, delivered Inter¡¯s first wing-cross of the match! Icardi found the spot precisely, rose like a spring, headed down sharply a bouncing ball, 1-0! "Goal, Uncle Icardi scored!" In Milan, at Icardi¡¯s house. Wanda, with her youngest son from her previous marriage, wearing an Inter jersey, applauded before the TV. And Wanda herself, in black lace nightwear, lay slouched on the couch, playing on social media. The fine material matched her supermodel aura seamlessly. On the TV, Icardi appeared hugging Tang Long passionately. Wanda curiously squinted her eyes slightly. "So this is the Tang Mauro talked about? Quite a nice boy..." Chapter 81: Ronaldo Lands in Milan! Visits Inter Training Base! Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Ronaldo Lands in Milan! Visits Inter Training Base!Icardi scored the only goal of the match, helping Inter win 1-0 at home against Celtic. He won the best player of the match award and received the highest post-match rating of 8.5 from Sky Sports, while Tang Long received an 8, ranking second. Returning home in the evening, Icardi placed the best player trophy on the table and then directly picked up his wife. "Darling, I scored again!" Icardi¡¯s mood is closely linked to his goals; as long as he scores, he¡¯s in a great mood. Wanda signaled him to keep his voice down as the kids were asleep, then asked him: "I¡¯ve noticed many of your goals come from Tang¡¯s assists. Do you think you can score this many without him?" Icardi excitedly talked to Wanda about Tang¡¯s performance on the field. "This Chinese guy is truly a genius. It¡¯s like I love him more than you¡ªsorry, darling, at least on the field. He always delivers the ball to the perfect spot, as if he foresees the next three seconds of play!" If anyone in the Inter team could be called a football fanatic, it has to be Icardi. The Argentinian striker seemed bewitched tonight, rambling on to Wanda for an hour about his partnership with Tang Long. The wonderful sparks between the two have given Icardi an unprecedented joy since becoming a professional player. Wanda yawned. She didn¡¯t understand football and only cared whether her little wolf cub could still score at home tonight. "Can we get started? My ears have grown calluses from listening." This unsatisfied woman, despite her voluptuous figure and creativity, still left Icardi somewhat exhausted! Rubbing his heavy dark circles, Icardi said perhaps another time, promising to do it next time, then shut up and turned over to sleep. Wanda kicked Icardi hard under the blanket, cursing him as useless. ... [Ronaldo Returns to Milan!] This was the first news revealed by the Milan Sports Daily on social media. In the picture, the chubby Ronaldo is dressed in black casual wear, smiling and greeting reporters at the airport exit. "Hey! Ronnie! It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen you in Milan. What brings you here?" "Hello! I¡¯m here to watch a Milan derby and meet some old friends," Ronaldo replied with a mysterious smile. Ronaldo has indeed returned to Milan. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. During his playing career, Ronaldo had ties with both Milan teams. In the 1996-1997 season, Ronaldo played 49 times for Bar?a, scoring an astonishing 47 goals, shocking the football world! Moratti, then-owner of Inter, spent a record-breaking $28 million to bring Ronaldo to Inter Milan. Unfortunately, in Serie A, Ronaldo suffered two devastating cruciate ligament injuries. During his five years at Inter, he made 99 appearances, scoring 59 goals, and only won a UEFA Cup for Inter. The most regrettable moment was in the final round of the 2001-2002 Serie A season when Inter, leading the table, only needed to win to secure the title but lost 2-4 away to Lazio. The classic moment¡ªRonaldo¡¯s tears¡ªremains a poignant memory for his fans. Afterwards, Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid. After five years in La Liga, Ronaldo returned to Serie A, joining AC Milan. However, after just one season, he left Serie A and returned to Brazil. He then faded out of the top five leagues, retiring in 2011. Despite the many regrets of his career at Inter, Ronaldo¡¯s eyes always glimmer when he recalls his Serie A years. "I never regret joining Inter. Mr. Moratti gave me everything. He treated me like a father, providing me with a high salary and a warm, family-like atmosphere. At Inter, I grew from a boy into a man." Ronaldo¡¯s maturity at Inter also reflected his business acumen. During the 1998 World Cup, when his form was below par, Ronaldo pondered deeply about a very serious issue: if his form declined, or if injuries forced him to retire early, how would he ensure a livelihood for himself and his family? That year, Ronaldo opened a financial management company in Milan to help players manage their assets. This business continued non-stop, and soon after retiring, Ronaldo established 9ine Sports Management Company to assist athletes in their prime managing their wealth. By 2013, the company¡¯s net profit had exceeded 10 million euros! Clients included Neymar, Falcao, Lucas, and other football stars, and it even served F1 driver Barrichello, UFC champion Silva, and stars from sports like MMA and poker. This company was also why Ronaldo appeared on the cover of Forbes, with the cover line reading: [Ronaldo, the most football-savvy entrepreneur¡ªeven as the CEO of 9ine, managed to double the expected performance] When Ronaldo retired in 2011, his net worth was $240 million, and four years later, it skyrocketed to $500 million! He founded numerous businesses, expanding his business empire through shares and cooperation in areas like finance, football clubs, wine, supermarkets, gyms, real estate, racing, player management, and e-sports. "Hey, what wind blew my old friend from Rio to Milan, hahahaha!" In the office of Inter¡¯s coach, Mancini gave Ronaldo a warm hug. "How many years has it been since we last met? Seven or eight years?" Ronaldo said, smiling. "Seven and a half, since you left AC Milan, I hadn¡¯t seen you again." Mancini¡¯s sentiment made Ronaldo realize how fast time flies. "You¡¯re still so graceful, but me," Ronaldo patted his belly, "I¡¯ve become a big fat guy!" A photo on Mancini¡¯s desk sparked memories of their playing careers. The two former opponents on the field began reminiscing about 90s Italian football. (In 1997, Ronaldo and Mancini, then with Lazio, at the Meazza Stadium) "The Serie A of the 90s isn¡¯t like now, it was full of big stars. Now, your country¡¯s economy isn¡¯t doing well, and superstars are moving to La Liga and the Premier League!" "It¡¯s true! You, Vieri, Baggio, Rekoba, Piero, Trezeget, Totti, any one of them could dominate the current Serie A." "Back then, Serie A was practically an open field for tackling: frontal, side, double-teamed¡ªI lost count of how many tackles I took, especially from that Maldini, XXX! His tackles were fast and fierce, I suffered a lot from him," Ronaldo said with a cheerful curse. "Haha, but they had to catch up with your speed! I remember when you first came to Inter, it was 1997, the first time we faced each other at the Meazza, you passed me, I couldn¡¯t catch up, I wanted to tackle you, but you were like on a motorcycle, damn! You disappeared in a flash, I couldn¡¯t even tackle you from behind!" "It¡¯s much better now, referees are strict with tackles, a tackle from behind is definitely a yellow card, serious ones are direct reds. I¡¯ve thought, if I were born ten years later, I might have played longer, who knows." "Ronnie, no exaggeration, if you were playing today, your transfer fee would be at least two hundred million! Even if Mr. Moratti sold everything, he couldn¡¯t buy you!" Mid-conversation, Chiwo opened the door and entered. "Boss, Mr. Ronaldo, training has started. Are you coming downstairs?" Chapter 82: This pass stunned Ronaldo! Could it be a fluke? Chapter 82: Chapter 82: This pass stunned Ronaldo! Could it be a fluke?Since the guest has arrived, Mancini definitely had to invite Ronaldo to watch an Inter training session. "Come, come, let me show you this disappointing bunch of mine. Sigh, now in Serie A, there are only three Champions League spots, it¡¯s such damn hard work!" On the way downstairs, Mancini asked Ronaldo about his purpose for visiting Milan. Ronaldo smiled faintly, without revealing much, only saying he was here to visit old friends and to watch a Milan derby. But his true intentions weren¡¯t about that at all! Ronaldo¡¯s commercial empire is thriving, and his self-founded sports company, 9nine, aims to engage in player agent business. With proximity advantages, Ronaldo wants to sign some of Inter¡¯s promising young talents, stepping the first step of a long journey. This time watching Inter¡¯s training, including the forthcoming Milan derby, are opportunities for Ronaldo to scout closely and onsite. "Everyone gather, take a look at who has come to visit you all!" Mancini blew the whistle loudly. "Hello, boys~" Ronaldo jogged over, enthusiastically waving both hands to the Inter players. Icardi: !!! Ranocchia: !!! Tang Long: !!! Gualin: !!! Berni: "Whoa!" Ronaldo made a surprise appearance at Inter¡¯s training ground! The pitch erupted! Everyone was stunned! The bulky Ronaldo, like a magnet, instantly drew everyone on the field to him! Though Inter¡¯s players can¡¯t be called world superstars, many have long been established top-tier players. Usually, whether facing media or fans, they deliberately put on a star attitude~ But in front of Ronaldo, everyone became little fans! Everyone rushed forward, crowding around Ronaldo, getting in line to take photos with him. Even in the end, the photographer, the field administrator, and the old man trimming the grass, all took photos with Ronaldo. This scene was no less grand than the day Maradona visited the locker room. Standing next to Ronaldo, Tang Long¡¯s heart was also surging! Ronaldo has always been his childhood idol; he even has a poster of Ronaldo¡¯s Pendulum dribble move on his dorm wall! "Hey, you look a lot like my former teammate Rekoba," Ronaldo curiously asked Tang Long. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Mr. Ronaldo, I¡¯m from China, just came to play for Inter. Rekoba also looks quite like an Oriental, and our country¡¯s fans call him the Chinese boy; many Inter fans like him," Tang Long introduced himself generously. Ronaldo gave a hearty laugh, revealing his trademark big front teeth. "China? Please settle my endorsement fee for Golden Voice Throat Lozenge; it¡¯s been over a decade! Haha, don¡¯t mind me, just kidding!" "Also, Rekoba doesn¡¯t have Chinese blood; he just looks like that. You, being Chinese, are the real pure Chinese boy, and you¡¯re much more distinctive than him, my dear friend." In the past year or two, Ronaldo has been studying business theories, even attending an MBA management course at a prestigious U.S. school, and hasn¡¯t paid much attention to Serie A, with his sports company left to subordinates to operate. He¡¯s not familiar with Inter¡¯s players nor does he know Tang Long, let alone understand his strength. Seeing this young face, Ronaldo thought he must be some youth team player. The third goalkeeper Berni started joking again. "The Milan derby kicks off this weekend. Have you got your tickets? If not, I could get you a VIP box one?" Berni teased. "Nah, bro, I¡¯ve got enough connections in Italy to sort it myself, no need to trouble you, the coach!" Ronaldo laughed, and everyone laughed! The training pitch was filled with a joyful atmosphere. In the past, Mancini often oversaw the players training from his office. Today, accompanying Ronaldo, he personally stood by the sidelines directing training. The players, evidently working many times harder than before! After all, the alien Ronaldo was watching them from the sidelines; they couldn¡¯t embarrass themselves. Ronaldo¡¯s eyes seemingly like searchlights, casting over the pitch. Inter¡¯s players were full of vigor, all hoping to attract Ronaldo¡¯s attention! The younger players were extremely nervous, their tackles much stronger; The older players were not relaxing, striving to display their best form, without the slightest sense of taking it easy. Ten minutes into the subsequent practice match, assistant coach Herrera had to awkwardly stop it, signaling everyone not to tackle too fiercely to prevent injuries. Ronaldo stood with his hands behind his back, belly out, watching silently. Bonazzoli got an open chance, kicked a half-high shot past the goalkeeper¡¯s hand into the net. "Bonazzoli was promoted from the youth team last season," said Mancini standing beside, "he¡¯s tall and fast, and also the main striker for our National Youth Team." "Oh, very good, very promising, very promising." Ronaldo nodded slightly, jotting down the name in his little mental notebook. Gualin used his sturdy rear to shoulder off Mavic, took a simple step, then unleashed a powerful right-footed shot, narrowly missing the goal. "This player has great shot power, and a very robust build. Looking at his frame, I reckon even at 200 pounds, I¡¯d have trouble moving him!" Ronaldo genuinely praised the power Gualin displayed! However, when he learned from Mancini that Gualin was already 28 years old. Ronaldo¡¯s eyes dimmed. Usually, players of this age already have stable agent relationships. Moreover, nearing 30, the increase in a player¡¯s value is not significant, signing him to Ronaldo¡¯s agency wouldn¡¯t bring additional benefits. Yuto Nagatomo crossed from the flank! Icardi twisted his body and headed this awkward cross into the goal¡¯s corner! "Wow! He can even score from that, impressive!" Hearing Ronaldo¡¯s spontaneous praise, Mancini was quite proud~ Ronaldo, a super striker, yet in our team as well, we have a striker who can be shown off. "His name is Icardi, Argentine, possessing top-notch goal-sense, back in our playing days, the star-studded Serie A of the 90s, this kid could¡¯ve played for several strong teams." Mancini spoke with immense pride about his beloved student. Soon, Icardi received another breakaway chance! He feigned a shot to the bottom right corner, but with a gentle chip, the ball elegantly flew over the goalkeeper into the net. Ronaldo clapped happily, Icardi turned back and gave a thumbs-up with a smile towards Ronaldo. Learning that Icardi was only 22, Ronaldo was even more surprised! Whether it was the fierce desire to score shown in front of the goal, or the shooting technique, it all appeared extremely mature. Not in the least like a 22-year-old young player. Ronaldo thought to himself: "This kid probably also has an agent; I wonder if I could pry him away, need to pay close attention." In the training match, to conserve physical strength, Inter set the goals close, replicating a seven-a-side pitch, with rapid attacking and defending, allowing direct defender-to-forward connection, so Tang Long¡¯s performance was understated. However, when he delivered his first penetrating pass, it instantly tore apart the opponent¡¯s defense! It was a half-side ball protection, with Gualin pressing from behind, Podolski also blocking the passing lane. Even Ronaldo thought, that ball¡¯s about to be intercepted. But in the next second, Ronaldo¡¯s eyes nearly popped out! Tang Long, completely losing the backward view, suddenly heel-flicked, the ball not only nutmegged Gualin but also fast enough to just clear the interception range of defender Ranocchia, reaching Shaqiri on the flank! Shaqiri cut inside the box and easily curled it into the far corner. "What¡¯s his name?" Ronaldo was startled. "Shaqiri, Swiss, a winger we brought from Bayern, very fast, good at dribbling, having played at Bayern, his level is definitely on par." Ronaldo made no sound, just nodded. He actually intended to ask about the passer, not Shaqiri who scored. Ronaldo slightly squinted, looked at Tang Long. That assist, given the distance, power, result, and even being a no-look pass with the back turned... could it have just been a Chapter 83: Python Hunt VS Crusader Cardinal, This Is the Milan Derby! Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Python Hunt VS Crusader Cardinal, This Is the Milan Derby![February X, 2015, Overcast, Light Rain] "This week is my last at the dormitory in the base. Found a house in Milan city, three bedrooms, one living room, fully renovated, with a bus stop and metro station just downstairs, making it convenient for mom when she arrives. I hope her leg will slowly get better here. I remember the day I signed the first-team contract, I made a fool of myself. I was so happy my hands were shaking, and the pen tip even tore the paper. Coach Chiwo said I can succeed with the Italy U-21 National Team and Inter. I¡¯m really grateful to him; he often chats with me, unlike Mr. Mancini, who is so cold. This year has been tough. After Coach Mazzari promoted me from the youth team, he was dismissed, and when Mancini arrived, he said he wanted to loan me to Palermo. I cried that night. Palermo is too far; mom has never been to the south, and I¡¯m worried she won¡¯t adapt to the climate there. I begged Mancini for a long time, and only then he agreed to keep me for another season, but my playing time has been limited. My childhood friend Crito is already a starting fullback at Florence, and he invited me to Lenza to hang out. I didn¡¯t go. Because I know he¡¯ll definitely brag about how happy he is to play in Serie A every week. I¡¯ve scored two goals now, one in Serie A and one in Coppa Italia, both assisted or coordinated by Tang. A few days ago Ronar came to the training ground, and seeing him made me so excited! That day I trained very hard, but Assistant Coach Mr. Herrera told me I need to work harder because Tang¡¯s shooting ability has improved so fast, almost like mine as a forward. This made me a bit frustrated. What have I been doing all these years? Why is my talent not as good as Tang¡¯s? But speaking of Tang, I love him so much! Without him, I couldn¡¯t have signed this contract, and my income wouldn¡¯t have increased so much. Now I no longer have to worry about mom¡¯s rehabilitation expenses. It¡¯s funny, I always lie to Tang that I sneak out at night to pick up girls. In reality, I just go to mom¡¯s place to do household chores for her and help her with leg rehabilitation exercises. Every night when I come back, I¡¯m exhausted, so I buy some drinks at the black bar, and that¡¯s why I sometimes look drunk. If it weren¡¯t for staying at the base with three meals provided, I wouldn¡¯t want to leave mom. Tomorrow is the Milan Derby! If nothing unexpected happens, I probably won¡¯t have the chance to play; mom¡¯s dream of seeing me play in the Milan Derby on TV will fall short again. But I firmly believe we will win this derby because Tang is healthy now, and Icardi¡¯s in great form! He¡¯s only four years older than me, but he seems so much stronger. Maybe it¡¯s the talent. I don¡¯t have his talent, so I can only work even harder. Just like my father said before he passed away, being able to play for the Inter First Team, I¡¯m already the pride of our family. I think dad would be happy for me too." Bonazzoli meticulously writes in his diary and then puts the notebook in a bag in the room. The room is filled with packed bags. He gets up, pulls open the curtains, and turns to see that the light is still on in the room next door belonging to Tang Long. "Good luck, brother, you will become the hero of the Milan Derby!" Bonazzoli vigorously waves his fist at Tang Long¡¯s window. ... Sunday, local time 6:30. Dusk falls, Milan¡¯s sky is softly adorned by streetlights and the neon lights from distant skyscrapers. And amid this bustling scene, near the Meazza stadium, an unusual excitement is gradually collecting! On both sides of the streets, vendors push stalls filled with various snacks and souvenirs, shouts echoing one after another. The aroma of grilled corn, the rich scent of coffee, and the enticing smell of fried fries intertwine, creating a prelude for the taste buds. The vendors selling pirated jerseys are still rampant; some even set up their stalls right at the entrance of the club¡¯s official store, soliciting shoppers. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hey! You surely don¡¯t remember the derby in 1998; I was sitting right behind the north stand goal, watching Ronaldo dribble past the goalkeeper into an empty net!" Occasionally, bursts of cheers or whistles erupt from the crowd. That¡¯s when someone mentions classic moments from past derbies or legendary stories of some star players, instantly igniting a resonance among those around. There are also families, parents holding their children¡¯s hands, their little faces painted in team colors¡ªblue or red, eyes twinkling with infinite hope for this football feast. As the match time approaches, a giant electronic screen outside the stadium plays the historical moments between the two teams, drawing people to stop and watch. And amid this noise. The Meazza stadium stands quietly in the night, like a giant about to unveil its mysterious veil, waiting to witness this fiercest and most historically significant Serie A showdown. The lights gradually brighten, sketching the entire concrete stadium, as if announcing to every arriving fan: "Here is the stage of dreams and challenges, the holy ground of the Milan Derby, everything is ready!" Inside the player tunnel. Substitutes gradually walk onto the field; the main players are still queued, waiting. Previously, familiar players from both sides would always exchange a few words in the player tunnel. But today is different! Whether Inter Milan or AC Milan, players from both teams remain silent, eyes fixed straight ahead. Occasionally, someone glances towards the opposing lineup, eyes showing no kindness, only hostility. The third goalkeeper Berni passed by Tang Long, pulling him by the neck. "Kid, are you ready to go to battle? God bless you." Tang Long said nothing, but made an OK gesture to Berni. "Go!" The referee orders, leading the team to set off! At the end of the narrow origin tunnel, the doorframe shimmered with light. With every step Tang Long takes, the brightness of the doorframe grows increasingly dazzling. When he¡¯s a meter away from the door, a halo blinds his eyes. As he steps forward to enter the field, a giant TIFO poster hits his eyes, Tang Long instinctively takes a deep breath¡ª "Hiss..." The north stands, symbolizing Inter¡¯s totem, the blue-black serpent spirit, glaring at AC Milan¡¯s players, hissing with its tongue! Looking again towards the south stands. AC Milan: We trample the snake underfoot! Pointy tip against wheat awn! These TIFO¡¯s are also a beautiful scenery on the field! Inside the CCTV5 studio. Commentator guest, General Fan Fan Zhiyi, is full of praise for the TIFO display of both sides! "He Wei, the depth of European football culture is fully displayed at this moment; even without watching the match tonight, just seeing these exquisitely crafted items is an ultimate visual feast!" "Just as Coach Fan said," He Wei nods, "Inter¡¯s mascot is the serpent spirit, symbolizing the team¡¯s keen hunting ability like a python!" "While the city rival AC Milan is directly opposed, letting Milan¡¯s historical century crusader red-clad cardinal, stepping on the blue python, raising the victory banner, this meaning is self-evident, hahaha, satisfying!" Chapter 84: Legendary Vieri Was About to Curse but Swallowed It Back! Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Legendary Vieri Was About to Curse but Swallowed It Back!"The players from both sides have stepped onto the field!" "Let¡¯s introduce AC Milan¡¯s starting lineup first." "They¡¯re playing their usual 4-3-3 this season, with the forwards being..." He Wei quickly lists AC Milan¡¯s starting lineup. Commentator guest Fan Zhiyi lets out a gentle sigh. "He Wei, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m getting old, but I hardly recognize any of these AC Milan player¡¯s names?" "Something like Bocia Tula, Suso, Meeks... Alas! Back in the 90s when I played, did these players even deserve the AC Milan jersey? I don¡¯t think so!" He Wei begins to introduce Inter Milan¡¯s starting lineup. "Inter is also using their successful 4-2-3-1 formation from recent matches." "Argentinian forward Icardi is the sole striker at the front." "Behind him is Chinese player Tang Long!" "In the recent matches, Tang Long and Icardi have formed the familiar ¡¯sugar coated cannonball¡¯ connection, which Chinese fans have talked about excitedly." "To Tang Long¡¯s left is Shaqiri, and to the right is German player Podolski." "The two defensive midfielders are the South American duo, Gualin and Medel." "In defense, the two center-backs are Ranocchia and Andreolli." "Left-back is Juan, right-back is Dambrosio." "Slovenian goalkeeper Handanovic guards Inter¡¯s goal." After hearing He Wei introduce Inter¡¯s starting lineup, Fan Zhiyi¡¯s tone noticeably lifts. "Even though there aren¡¯t many big stars on Inter¡¯s side, there are three players we should focus on!" "First, Podolski; he¡¯s very famous. If I remember correctly, he¡¯s earned over 100 caps for the German national team. He¡¯s definitely a player made for big tournaments!" "Then there¡¯s Icardi, an excellent classical poacher forward!" "Of course, there¡¯s also our pride, Tang Long!" "Whether Podolski and Icardi can be activated depends crucially on Tang Long." After the march concludes. Meazza Stadium¡¯s nearly 80,000 fans erupt in applause! The entire stadium erupts in cheers, sounding like a seismic rumble. The television screen transitions to show the stands. After all, it¡¯s the Milan Derby, and quite a few AC Milan legends are in attendance. "In the stands, there are Maldini, Inzaghi, Cafu, Barresi!" "Kaka is here too!" "Kaka hasn¡¯t retired yet; he¡¯s currently playing for Orlando City." "But recently, due to a knee injury, he¡¯s back in Milan for treatment and it¡¯s a good chance to watch the Milan Derby and catch up with old friends." On Inter Milan¡¯s side, prominent figures gather as well! "Cambiasso, Milito, Samuel, all those previous treble-winning heroes are here!" "Haha, look who¡¯s there!" "Ronaldo is also here! Next to him is former teammate Vieri!" AC Milan¡¯s focus for this season is on the flanks. Whether it¡¯s the forwards like Suso, Bonaventura, or right-back Abate, they¡¯re all top-notch flank players. These players are either fast, have excellent dribbling skills, or can cut inside to shoot with precision; each has their own flanking prowess. Just three minutes after the start, AC Milan creates a highly threatening attack and almost scores! S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Spanish player Suso gets the ball inside Inter¡¯s right side of the penalty area and feigns going to the baseline. Ultimately, a heel flick and a foot drag trick the defender Juan! He promptly dribbles the ball to cut inside towards the top of the penalty arc! Fortunately, Gualin¡¯s block was timely, extending a foot. Suso¡¯s left foot curler couldn¡¯t unleash full power, deflected by Handa¡¯s long arm, over the crossbar. Inter fans in the north stand let out a gasp, then warmly applauded Handanovic¡¯s brilliant save. Fan Zhiyi commented on the play. "I haven¡¯t watched many Inter matches recently, but after reviewing the previous lineups, I found Mancini rarely puts Juan as a full-back." "Today, he does so likely to harness this player¡¯s power and speed to restrict Suso on the flank." "But judging by that play, it didn¡¯t work well! Suso got past him like a clear morning road, without any pressure. Thankfully, Gualin¡¯s timely cover restricted Suso¡¯s shot attempt." Fan Zhiyi¡¯s analysis of the situation is largely correct. In today¡¯s game, Inter opted for two defensively strong players as full-backs, focusing mainly on defense. They needed to withstand AC Milan¡¯s early burst of attacks. Don¡¯t be misled by AC Milan¡¯s current standing at seventh place this season, trailing Inter Milan by a spot. There¡¯s a statistic that stands out in the entire Serie A Alliance! Among all 20 Serie A teams, AC Milan¡¯s goals in the first 15 minutes of games account for 21% of their total goals. This proportion is indeed very exaggerated because, for most teams, the first ten minutes are for mutual probing and warming up. Yet AC Milan can quickly get into competitive form in such a short time, easily using the opening three attacks to daze the opponent. However, this situation was already anticipated by Mancini! He conducted targeted tactical drills before the match for this. Gualin retreats to stand in the central defender position. Medel protects the top of the arc. The wings, Podolski and Shaqiri, tuck in significantly. Tang Long plays a barrier protection role in the defensive midfield position. Inter¡¯s 4231 tactic thus became 541! Icardi was also not idle. He tried his best to use frantic running to limit the opponent¡¯s midfield commander De Rong from receiving the ball. Continuously being pressed at the start of the game. The AC Milan old-timer group was all showing relaxed expressions. Kaka even smiled and took out his camera for a selfie with former teammate Inzaghi. On the Inter old-timer side, their faces appeared slightly serious. Especially Vieri, who was frank and began to complain to Ronar beside him. "Is this the Mancini I know? I¡¯ve played with him on the field, this guy always likes breakthroughs, attacks, and shots! How come as Inter¡¯s coach, he shrinks in a home Milan derby from the start, with no backbone at all!" Ronar signaled not to rush, to wait and see. After all, you can¡¯t really tell anything from the first 15 minutes of the game. Sure enough, after 15 minutes, AC Milan almost to the second abandoned their siege on the front field. All three lines retreated 5~10 meters. It was clear they were strictly executing the tactic of retreating after the first 15 minutes. After enduring this difficult period. Inter Milan began organizing their first wave of offensives! Podolski and Shaqiri noticeably began to spread out from the center to the wings. Gualin and Medel also pushed forward from the arc of the box. The distance between the three lines became wider. The width of the field was also more pronounced. This also provided Tang Long with the opportunity to organize with the ball. "Tang, watch the ball!" Dambrosio was somewhat slow on the wing. While advancing with the ball, he was forced into a dead-end by Bonaventura. Seeing that he could only clear the ball with a big kick, unexpectedly, he boldly chose to pull back and use his weaker left foot to kick the ball to Tang Long in the middle. "Stick him!" De Rong, with quick eyes and legs, was already almost on Tang Long before the ball reached him. Another midfielder Boli rushed in too, to pinch Tang Long. This is a very common tactic on the Serie A field. It¡¯s at the moment when the opposing player will receive the ball but hasn¡¯t yet; our two defenders pinch him! Not only does it create huge psychological pressure on the receiving player, but it also creates an obstacle for the next step after receiving the ball. Thus implementing interception or even direct steal! "Damn! Can¡¯t turn around, this ball is going to be intercepted! I¡¯m XXX!" Vieri was somewhat anxious in the stands. In reality, if this ball was Vieri¡¯s on the field. He could calmly use his rock-like strong physique to withstand one defender. Then use his arm to push away another and pass the ball back. But seeing Tang Long¡¯s ordinary physique, Vieri didn¡¯t believe he could do it. Whoosh¡ª¡ª Unexpectedly, Tang Long did even better! Without looking at Boli and De Rong behind him. It¡¯s like predicting the line ball in advance; one turn, came a non-ball-touch man-ball split! The football just slid through the gap between De Rong and Boli! "Ah this!" Vieri was dumbfounded in the stands. Next to him, Ronar laughed heartily and applauded continuously. "This Chinese kid, I knew he had some skills!"