Chapter 303: Chapter 302 Figo + Rui Costa
"Alright, we can see that the stars of Inter Milan have put away their contempt."
"Regardless, the opponent is of a Europa League knockout round calibre, and they should be taken seriously."
"As a commentator for Inter Milan, I’m even now regretful that I have yet to introduce the players of Sporting Lisbon to everyone on the field."
"The player who just scored is called Drogba, and his ability to contest seems quite good. But as Deng Kai mentioned before the match, Sporting Lisbon is a team with very distinctive midfield and wings. This team has a lot of midfield geniuses, and Deng Kai, who assisted Drogba’s goal, is undoubtedly one of them... Hmm... What’s this..."
Just as the commentator was interacting with the distant Inter Milan fans, a new change occurred on the field.
The young player wearing the number seventeen jersey for Sporting Lisbon put on a show of evasion among the crowd.
"Deep-fried meatballs! Pirlo and Seedorf were both bypassed!"
"Zanetti couldn’t stop him either! He shook off Zanetti with a decisive cut inside!"
"He’s open! He’s open! He’s driving the ball into the penalty area!"
"My god, is that Figo on the pitch?"
"Shooting... a feint shot, a true pass!"
"Drogba tapped in this incredibly easy shot, which could very likely be the simplest goal of this UEFA Cup season!"
"Drogba has scored twice! He’s very efficient! But I have to say, he’s been very lucky today; both goals were practically gifted to him by his teammates!"
"Especially the second goal, the young player with number seventeen for Sporting Lisbon, with his long hair fluttering, he dribbled past players like Figo, and when he made that lethal pass, he resembled Rui Costa!"
"Are we sure his shirt number is seventeen and not ten plus seven?"
"Who is he? I can now imagine Moratti’s shock and joy! Shocked that the Portuguese league has such a talented midfielder! Joy that the opposition is only the modest Sporting Lisbon, and a single check could take him away!"
"Oh, found him! In less than three minutes, this player’s information has arrived at our reporting desk, and he’s no unknown!"
"Hugo Viana! Portugal’s most talented midfielder! The absolute core player of Sporting Lisbon’s midfield!"
"Sporting Lisbon’s ascension this season has a lot to do with his dropping back in position; he is a player with true organizational talent. But he has shown with his actions that whenever the team needs it, he can even get into the opponent’s penalty area to provide assists!"
"This is a super midfielder who can carry the ball from his own penalty area to the opponent’s penalty area!"
To be honest, sometimes regional differences are just that exaggerated.
As Sporting Lisbon took a two-nil lead.
The player Inter Milan’s fans were most interested in was none other than Viana.
If you say there’s no relation to Viana’s hairstyle being exactly like Rui Costa, I would definitely not believe it.
Rui Costa is an absolutely sought-after player.
With Batistuta’s departure last year, Rui Costa is very likely to transfer away after this season.
Inter Milan is very keen to get him, but their city rivals AC Milan have too many advantages in this deal.
Therefore, when the fans discovered a young version of Rui Costa, how could they remain calm?
Especially when Viana’s performance so far in this match has been very good.
He has just come back from a minor injury setback and is now very eager to play.
With Deng Kai wisely utilizing the width and depth of the pitch, actively dropping back and to the right, Viana has been given the perfect stage to showcase his talents.
Indeed, Inter Milan may have more midfielders, but most of them are attackers, with scarcely a true defensive specialist among them.
And Viana’s dribbling and ball control skills are simply too comfortable in this kind of environment.
For the whole first half, Drogba’s two goals seemed almost like an accident.
Everyone was immersed in Hugo Viana’s performance.
It almost felt like the days when Quaresma used to dominate on the right wing, taking what he wanted with ease.
But the original Quaresma, who played today, didn’t perform as well. Most of the time, he was matched against Cordoba on the right wing.
This player, known as ’The Live Yama’, may not be taller than 1.8 meters, but he is almost the most difficult short central defender to deal with.
Quaresma was nearly defended into submission by Cordoba.
This further highlighted Hugo Viana’s exceptional form today.
Just before the end of the first half, Vieri’s long shot was a show of power that reminded everyone that there were other stars in the game besides Hugo Viana.
During the half-time break, Trigella asked Deng Kai if he should utilize Hugo Viana’s drawing power to try something.
Many teams like to do this, letting the player who performed best in the first half draw the fire, creating more opportunities for the other players.
It’s hard to say whether this approach, or letting the player who’s having a good game keep shining, is better.
Both seemed reasonable.
But in this game, Deng Kai thought it was better to let Hugo Viana continue to shine.
The reason was simple... there was no one in Inter Milan’s midfield who could contain Hugo Viana.
So if Hugo Viana got into his rhythm, theoretically, he could blow Inter Milan away.
"Ronaldo, come here," Deng Kai called Ronaldo over, "In the second half, drop back a bit more and do some one-twos with Hugo Viana. If he goes wide, don’t just stand there, make an off-the-ball run to help him stretch the play..."
This little combination wasn’t complicated, and Ronaldo could understand it.
Basically, if he treated Hugo Viana like he would Quaresma, he would know how to play.
Deng Kai also went to Hugo Viana, indicating the team would fully support Hugo Viana’s performance in the second half.
Hugo Viana was thrilled.
He had a premonition that he was about to deliver a defining performance.
But at the start of the second half, it was Internazionale who took the initiative.
Perhaps reflecting on their performance during half-time, the stars of Inter Milan’s midfield felt their pride was at stake.
Even a relatively unknown player from the Portuguese league dared to cause havoc in the midfield; what about them, the stars?
Let’s not forget, Seedorf transferred to Inter Milan from Real Madrid for 24.5 million Euros just a year ago!
He was certainly a superstar.
In the Sporting Lisbon team, no player’s value was that high.
As the second half began, Seedorf made multiple skillful dribblings.
In the 48th minute, Seedorf was brought down after dribbling through the middle, earning a free-kick in a not-too-shabby position.
Seedorf and Pirlo stood in front of the football.
Seedorf had the capability to shoot directly from long distances, and his shooting was so powerful it was even likened to a cruise missile launcher!
But Pirlo’s technique was also incredible, capable of delivering a tactical free-kick.
Ultimately, Seedorf feinted and Pirlo took the tactical free-kick.
Billionaire Mr. Vieri leaped high in the penalty area, overpowering everyone with a commanding header on goal.
