Chapter 258: Franck Ribery
After the match against Parma, the midweek welcomed the challenge of the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League group stage, hosting Atmedia at home.
Coach Mancini sent out the main lineup to face the opponents. As the referee's whistle blew, the San Siro Stadium echoed with waves of cheers, and the game officially began.
Inter Milan's lineup quickly spread out, with players occupying important positions in the front, middle, and backfields. The ball circulated continuously in the backfield, with Marchisio and Sane interchanging passes with their teammates.
After four rounds of group stage matches, Atmedia and Glasgow Rangers both had 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss. Due to goal difference, Atmedia ranked third. Seeing their hopes of advancing, the Slovakian club was determined to compete with Inter Milan.
In the 5th minute, Ribery intercepted the ball from Atmedia's central defender, Trongo, in midfield, quickly advancing towards the penalty area line, suddenly shooting, only to be saved by goalkeeper Essen for a corner.
Just 2 minutes later, Ribery received a pass from Sane again, shaking off defenders in the frontcourt and shooting in the penalty area, but unfortunately, the ball went over the crossbar.
It seems that the Frenchman's attacking desire is strong. Since Wang Feng didn't wait for the pass, he didn't mind. It's rare that he wants to shoot himself. He'll just cooperate well.
Ribery has been with Inter Milan for almost three years. From being questioned at first to proving his worth, Wang Feng has seen the effort and dedication he has put in.
The Frenchman always affectionately calls Wang Feng "Big Brother", often stating in interviews that Wang Feng has given him valuable opportunities. However, Wang Feng understands in his heart that with his talent, he will eventually make a name for himself. He just gave him a platform in advance.
How about sending him off before leaving Inter Milan, leaving Serie A? Thinking of this, Wang Feng began to actively retreat, attracting defenders to create space for Ribery's attack.
In the 14th minute, Ribery dribbled on the right, Wang Feng came to his side to ask for the ball. Ribery was a bit puzzled. Shouldn't he be waiting in the penalty area at this time? But the Frenchman didn't hesitate and passed the ball directly to him.
After receiving the ball, Wang Feng signaled Ribery to go to the penalty area for support, while making a breakthrough gesture. The Atmedia defenders became nervous, closing in from front and back.
He used a fake move to trick one defender, and then passed to Ribery in the penalty area, who was unmarked nearby, so he easily pushed the ball into the near corner, 1-0!
After scoring, Inter Milan did not stop their attacking pace. Just 5 minutes later, Ribery returned the favor. Dribbling sideways from the wing, he suddenly pushed the ball to Wang Feng nearby.
Wang Feng, near the edge of the penalty area, directly shot the ball, which flew into the top right corner of the goal in a small arc in the air. He wouldn't miss such an opportunity, 2-0! Inter Milan expanded their lead!
In the 33rd minute, Inter Milan counterattacked, Wang Feng dribbled on the left and ran, using his speed to shake off the defender and reach near the goal line, then passed back to the left rib of the penalty area.
Ribery, who followed up, shot into the far corner of the goal, 3-0! Ribery scored twice!
The performance of the Blue-Black Legion was far from over. Near the end of the first half, Wang Feng received Ribery's pass in the penalty area, dribbled past three defenders in a row, and then entered the penalty area.
At this moment, all eyes were on him. According to past experience, Wang Feng would definitely aim for a shot in the gap. But this time, he didn't do that. Instead, he directly passed to Ribery, who was making a run. The space around Ribery was as wide as the sea.
After a moment of surprise, Ribery quickly regained his senses, shot before the opposing defender arrived, and the ball went into the net.
Ribery scored a hat-trick in the first half!
After scoring, he looked incredulously at the goal, but soon realized it. Excitedly, he leaped up, then rushed to Wang Feng and shouted, "Big Brother, a hat-trick! I actually scored a hat-trick!"
Wang Feng hugged him with a smile. "It's just one. You'll create more in the future." Ribery nodded vigorously, a grateful expression on his face. All three of his goals came from Wang Feng's assists, and two of them, Wang Feng had the chance to shoot but passed to him.
The Inter Milan fans in the stands were also very happy. Besides Wang Feng, there were other players who could score for Inter Milan, and they were young players!
They shouted the names of Wang Feng and Ribery loudly. The two of them came to the stands area to bow to these lovely fans.
At halftime, it was 4-0! The strong performance of Inter Milan made Atmedia feel desperate. Even if Wang Feng and others were replaced in the second half, they still had no confidence in making a comeback.
Instead, in the final moments, substitute striker Martins once again broke the opponent's goal, setting the final score at 5-0. Inter Milan, with five consecutive wins in the group stage, confidently advanced to the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Three days later, in the 13th round of Serie A, Inter Milan hosted Messina at home. The coach arranged for the bench lineup to play, with Wang Feng starting to ensure attacking power. Surprisingly, Ribery also requested to play because he felt in excellent form. After detailed examination by the team doctor, which showed no signs of fatigue or injury, Mancini agreed to his request.
In the 23rd minute of the game, Wang Feng received a long pass from Civu in the frontcourt, leaned against the defender, turned around, and made a straight pass. Ribery made a run ahead, then shot in the penalty area, opening the scoring for Inter Milan.
And near the end of the first half, after Wang Feng dribbled past three players in a row and entered the penalty area, Messina defender Augustine had no choice but to trip him.
The referee decisively awarded a penalty, which Wang Feng personally took and scored, making the score 2-0.
In the second half, substitute forward Cruz scored the third goal to secure a victory for Inter Milan at home.
On the first day of December, the battle for the Italian Cup ignited. In the Round of 16, Inter Milan challenged Parma away.
This time, the Crusaders appeared spirited against Inter Milan, and they took the lead in the 25th minute due to a defensive loophole.
But just before halftime, Wang Feng dribbled into the penalty area and passed to Ribery at the far post, who shot into the net from the right side, equalizing for Inter Milan.
In the second half, Wang Feng and Ribery completed a wall-pass style cooperation on the right again, and Ribery shot successfully from a tight angle.
2-1! Ribery scored a brace!
In the end, Inter Milan won 2-1 against Parma, and in the second leg at the Meazza, their advancement advantage was very significant.
A double match week, in the 14th round of Serie A, Inter Milan challenged Ascoli away.
This time, all the main players sat on the bench, including Wang Feng, but the situation in the game was not optimistic. With their tenacious spirit and home advantage, the promoted team did not fall behind at all.
At halftime, the score was still 0-0, and Mancini was a bit impatient. In the second half, he successively replaced Wang Feng and Ribery, and the effect was immediate.
Wang Feng first broke the deadlock with a long shot, then assisted Ribery to score again. Although Ascoli pulled one back with a counterattack, Wang Feng quickly locked in the victory with a direct free kick.
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