Chapter 703: Chapter 702 Adel Goes Home
This year, if International Milan can capture the European Union Cup, Viana’s international prestige would see a huge boost.
Behind Viana, the team’s four midfielders were Kily Gonzalez, "Tank" Stankovic, Farinos, and Zanetti.
Of these, Zanetti’s position had moved forward.
This season, the head coach had him try playing as an attacking midfielder multiple times, hoping to fully exploit his dominance at both ends of the pitch.
He was increasingly playing like a midfielder.
On the side of International Milan, Kily Gonzalez actually had a spiritual connection with Deng Kai for a long time.
The two had not directly encountered each other much before.
But when Deng Kai was playing for Lisbon against Lazio, he almost clashed with Kily.
At that time, Lazio’s striker was still Salas, who, along with Sammorano, was known as the Chilean twin strikers.
When this guy said he wanted to transfer, aside from Mendieta, Lazio also asked for Kily.
Adding on the previously transferred Lopez, they tried to create the best environment for Mendieta to thrive.
But then Salas suddenly changed his mind and, damn it, decided not to leave.
Kily never ended up going to Lazio.
If he had, with Mendieta having this veteran teammate, they might have made a breakthrough at Lazio.
Kily later came to International Milan by a twist of fate but didn’t get much playtime, leading his career to gradually decline.
This time, he appeared in the starting lineup only because a key player was injured.
As soon as the match started, both sides launched aggressive attacks against each other.
This was a probing fight.
The first five and the last ten minutes of a match are always high-scoring periods.
The third minute.
Viana moved the ball across the center, looking for Zanetti on the right flank.
Zanetti received the ball and immediately flicked it to challenge the young Manchester City left flank defender, Ashley Young!
Zanetti wasn’t as fast as Ashley Young, but he was much more experienced.
He first feinted a move, then changed direction with the ball to gain position.
He then blocked Ashley Young, using the force of their pushing to effortlessly complete a cross.
Inside Manchester City’s penalty area.
The 1.9-meter-tall Kruze leapt high into the air.
Neither Chiellini nor Thiago Silva were as tall as Kruze; they had no choice but to watch helplessly as he got the jump on them.
Bang!
Kruze with a Lion’s Header, hammering a header at Manchester City’s goal.
Cech’s instinctive dive was futile.
"GOAL! That was quick!"
"Just three minutes into the game, International Milan has scored a lightning-fast goal!"
"With this, the aggregate score is 2-2! International Milan takes the lead with an away goal!"
"Kruze truly is a magical soldier! His scoring efficiency has always been high."
"International Milan really could consider making him a starting striker. At least I think he wouldn’t be much worse than Ibrahimovic!"
Cheers from Inter fans filled Meazza Stadium.
They were singing and dancing, full of confidence in the game.
The camera turned to Inter’s chairman, Mr. Moratti, who was smiling very amiably.
This was the International Milan he had forged with a hefty sum, a world-class football powerhouse!
The eighth minute.
After receiving the ball in the middle, Deng Kai fried Farinos with a ’deep-fried dough ball’ move.
International Milan was playing confidently, even attempting to intercept in midfield.
But not only did they fail to intercept this time, they left their defense wide open!
With the defensive midfielder beaten, Deng Kai now had an open field in front of him, able to pass to any position.
Bang!
Deng Kai threaded a through ball to the left channel.
The Spanish striker Torres, who was starting today, made an off-the-ball run into the box.
Zanetti was positioned up front and failed to catch up with Torres at first, so he had no chance of catching him afterward.
Because what makes Torres different from Villa is that... Torres is extremely fast!
Not just Zanetti.
Inter Milan’s right center-back Matrazzi also couldn’t keep up with Torres.
Having been overtaken by Torres, he was half a body length behind.
Of course, Matrazzi had blocked Torres’ path into the penalty area.
Because Torres was on the outside, cutting in would mean running a few extra steps.
Bang!
Torres didn’t enter the penalty area but directly carried the ball vertically to the left outside of the large penalty box.
Then he sent a cross ball sweeping into the penalty area.
The camera switched to inside the penalty area.
A shocking scene unfolded.
A white figure dashed into Inter Milan’s penalty box.
Inter Milan’s home jersey is blue and black.
Manchester City’s home jersey is light blue, and their away jersey is black, both of which could be confused with Inter’s colors.
According to regulations, they wore their almost entirely white third jersey for this game.
The white-clad strongman was dragging Cannavaro behind him and pushing Cordoba in front.
He had become a sandwich biscuit.
Yet, this sandwich biscuit forcefully stretched out his big black leg, touched the football first, and completed the shot on goal.
Two of Serie A’s top defenders couldn’t stop this player from scoring.
He is... Manchester City’s top striker for the season, one of the former crown princes of Inter Milan, the next Ronaldo—Adriano!
"GOAL!"
"Adriano!"
"It’s insane!"
"Cordoba and Cannavaro both couldn’t stop one Adriano!"
"He charged into the penalty area like a tank!"
"At this moment, I feel like I’m seeing Vieri and Ronaldo reincarnated! Adriano is not fighting alone!"
Huang Jianxiang was excited.
Adriano was excited too.
This goal had a different significance for him.
After all, he started out at Inter Milan.
He once held the high hopes of the people here.
But after moving to Manchester City, he was ultimately fully traded to them.
On the one hand, this proved Manchester City’s belief in him.
But at the same time, it indicated that he hadn’t met the expectations of Inter Milan last season.
He had let the people here down.
And now...
Adriano looked around; what would these fans think this time... would they still find him not strong enough?
"Oh! Deng Kai is signaling to his teammates not to approach Adriano,"
"Inter Milan used to be Adriano’s team; he’s not celebrating the goal, he still cherishes the old affection."
"Inter’s fans are not booing either."
"Even though they are behind at the moment, Adriano after all was their crown prince."
"It’s a touching story."
"With Adriano’s overall brilliance this season, already many Inter fans have suggested that the team should buy him back."
"A performance like Adriano’s will only strengthen their intent to purchase."
"But it’s unclear whether Adriano would have reservations; after all... it would be somewhat strange if he were to personally eliminate his potential team for next season."
"Of course, that’s just a joke. With a forward as excellent, as rare, as once-in-a-decade as Adriano, Manchester City has no reason to let go."
