Chapter 320: Chapter 319: Inter Milan Fans’ Wishes Fulfilled
Rehhagel: "We have done a lot of research on Lisbon Athletic and we have a complete set of plans to contain Viana, which is the biggest reason we are confident we can take a victory away from Lisbon."
Djorkaeff said during an interview, "Every day, the media have been asking me about my opinion on Viana and Quaresma. Honestly, I don’t know how good they really are, but I know how good Klose is, and Klose should be the one everyone focuses on."
While Klose felt happy about the praise from the seasoned veterans within the team, he also maintained his humility, "I’m a bit older than many of the players on the Lisbon Athletic team, which is the only advantage I have when facing them."
"Many of them are more talented than I am, but talent is not everything. I hope to bring honor to the team with my goals, even if my personal performance is not as good as any player on the opposing side, I can accept that."
Overall, Kaiserlautern’s attitude was not one of arrogance.
Because everyone knew what happened to the last arrogant team, Inter Milan.
Kaiserlautern did not think that Inter Milan was actually weak.
If Inter Milan was weak, it was because Lisbon Athletic made them look weak.
Before facing Lisbon Athletic, who would have called Inter Milan a weak team?
Definitely no one!
In the face of these interviews, the players of Lisbon Athletic kept a clear head and did not accept interviews lightly.
Only Deng Kai, on behalf of the whole team, responded to the journalists’ questions: "Kaiserlautern is a legendary team; they have created famous miracles in football history, and we absolutely respect such a team."
"Rehhagel is one of the most legendary coaches, his coaching ability and tactical level are beyond doubt, certainly not less than Mr. Trigella and Mr. Maxa."
"Djorkaeff is an idol of Quaresma, and Quaresma’s playing style includes the shadows of Djorkaeff, with Quaresma having his own characteristics in some of the finer techniques."
"Klose is a very pragmatic center-forward. Germany not calling him up this year can’t be called a mistake, but it is definitely a huge regret. His balanced use of both feet, the combination of his speed and technique, his control over passes and shots... all tell people how good he is."
"Right, his heading is also very distinctive, even though he doesn’t look particularly tall and sturdy."
"Germany should definitely call up Klose next time; he is a gem on the German football front line!" Deng Kai praised profusely on camera.
This made the players of Kaiserlautern somewhat embarrassed when they saw it.
Does... does this mean we don’t have to play hard in tomorrow’s game?
Shall we just go through the motions?
Look at how good Deng Kai is!
Such a nice kid, why do the Bayern fans hate him with such ferocity?
Is it because the Bayern fans are too narrow-minded?
Kaiserlautern’s fans actually questioned the sportsmanship of the fans of Bayern, Barcelona, and Inter Milan.
That is, until the first leg of the European Union Cup quarter-finals started.
...
"Ladies and gentlemen, what you are watching now is the first leg match of the European Union Cup quarter-finals between Lisbon Athletic and Kaiserlautern. The match is being held at Lisbon Athletic’s home ground, Estádio Alvalade, where there isn’t an empty seat in sight. Over forty thousand fans, most of them wearing green and white jerseys, are clearly standing for Lisbon Athletic."
"Lisbon Athletic is fielding their regular starting lineup, as their coaching staff didn’t opt for a flashy change in formation. Because the last team that tried to show off with a flashy formation, Inter Milan, ended up... well, with quite a tragic result."
"Cristiano Ronaldo, Drogba, Quaresma."
"Viana, Deng Kai."
"Pepe, Deschamps."
"Terry, Feng Te, Barzagli."
"Schmeichel."
"Among them, Pepe is still in the starting lineup today, but Matthaus has entered the squad list, sitting on the substitute bench. Unless there’s a surprise, he might have the opportunity to play in the second half. This largely depends on Pepe’s performance."
"Likewise, the Swedish talent Ibrahimovic on the bench is likely to play today."
"Of course, the most noteworthy players for Lisbon Sporting in this match are definitely Viana and Deng Kai."
"Viana’s fiery temperament goes without saying, but Deng Kai is the pride of our Chinese descent, and he is the absolute core and on-field leader of Lisbon Sporting... cough cough..."
CCTV commentator Huang Jianxiang got a kick from the anchor next door, signaling him not to get too excited and to keep a relatively neutral stance.
How can Deng Kai be the absolute core and leader?
A fifteen-year-old boy leading the entire Lisbon Sporting team, do you believe that?
And guess what, some Chinese fans actually do believe it.
The match started with both sides showing great enthusiasm.
The attacks were tit for tat, and the ball possession was very close, forty-nine percent to fifty-one percent.
In the thirteenth minute, Djorkaeff dribbled the ball into the penalty area and attempted a curled shot.
Schmeichel was in splendid form and made a great save.
In the nineteenth minute, Klose’s header went over the goal under the pressure from Feng Te, missing a great opportunity.
The twenty-second minute.
Viana, in a sudden change from his usual wide playing style, personally dribbled past defenders on the left flank, broke through, drawing out Kaiserslautern’s center-backs, and passed the ball to Drogba’s feet.
Drogba had a fierce physical collision with another center-back, who clearly did not expect his strength to be so explosive, not bracing enough force.
As a result, after Drogba stumbled, he still maintained control over the football.
Bang!
With an angle to take a shot and in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, Drogba selflessly made a cross pass.
Quaresma, who had cut inside without the ball, caught up and finished with an effortless outside-of-the-foot chip shot, scoring a goal.
It also ended his scoring drought in European competitions.
This was his second goal in European competitions this season.
Quaresma was extremely excited, gratefully embracing Drogba and Viana.
"Rehhagel did indeed make arrangements to counter Viana, and Viana really had been unremarkable for the first twenty minutes. But as it turns out, Viana is unstoppable. His playmaking was very important for this goal!"
"That’s the flash of genius from a top-tier player. After this match, if Inter Milan wants to get Viana, they’ll probably have to pay an extra million or two euros!"
Now the commentators who are aware of Viana’s story are talking about this meme, where every shining moment of Viana’s will add more and more to Inter Milan’s future offer.
There are fans already concerned about the financial situation of Inter Milan, calling for Viana to be benched.
It’s not that they worry Viana’s value will skyrocket to thirty million euros.
They can afford him.
What they’re afraid of is other clubs competing with them for Viana.
Especially Real Madrid, which is attempting to emulate Inter Milan’s policy of pursuing big stars.
The fortieth minute.
Fans of Inter Milan get their wish.
Viana, after getting past a player, was tactically taken down by Kaiserslautern’s defensive midfielder.
It was a common collision, for which the opponent paid with a yellow card.
But Viana remained on the ground for a long time, unable to stand up.
