Chapter 631: Chapter 70: A Final Match (Part 2)
What do you mean, I managed Inter Milan so well, and you messed it up like this, and still have the nerve to bark in front of me?
Well, this time, let’s see if I don’t beat the shit out of you.
As for the players, this season Sneijder, who has been underperforming due to the coach’s antics and his own injuries and form, seems to have found a lifeline, determined to showcase his talent in this final.
If he can defeat Chen Zhong and Real Madrid in a head-to-head match, it will obviously give him some advantage in the scoring selections, and it’s not impossible for him to ascend to the Ballon d’Or throne!
On the other hand, many fans also hope Chen Zhong can decisively outperform the other four hottest contenders.
The top five contenders for the Ballon d’Or are Chen Zhong, Sneijder, Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi.
Chen Zhong has already defeated Xavi, Messi, and Iniesta when facing Barcelona. In terms of individual performance, Messi is not inferior to Chen Zhong; in some aspects, he is even better.
But last season’s European Silver Boot, Champions League Silver Boot, League Silver Boot, and Cup Silver Boot naturally put Messi a notch below Chen Zhong.
Plus, Messi and Argentina’s dismal World Cup performance did not give him a chance to surpass in an unexpected turn.
So Sneijder is actually Chen Zhong’s biggest opponent.
If Sneijder can defeat Chen Zhong in this direct confrontation, he has a chance to win the Ballon d’Or.
After all, the Ballon d’Or also involves "accumulation" and "impression scores" to some extent, and many voters aren’t sure whether to evaluate based on current, season, or annual performance.
And defeating an opponent in such a direct confrontation is clearly a straightforward way of showcasing ability.
Due to Real Madrid and Inter Milan meeting in the finals, this match has garnered unprecedented attention, with investors from China grinning from ear to ear.
Partially because of Chinese capital, and partially due to reasons related to Chen Zhong and the Asian market.
This FIFA Club World Cup final is not at the usual BJ time of the wee hours, but rather a comfortable 10 PM for fans.
The pre-match publicity for this match, unknown abroad, has been overwhelming in China.
Especially TB, which has become the largest shopping platform in the country, featured many small windows that you could click into, and ZFB even launched a promotion giving out red envelopes for watching the game, along with events to cheer for Chen Zhong and help him crown the Ballon d’Or.
"Help our own, not the reasoning," is demonstrated vividly at this moment.
Inter Milan is fielding their main squad as well, with various favorable news before the match, including the return of Maicon, who was out due to injury for nearly a month and a half.
This freshly crowned world’s first right-back’s return is of great significance to both Inter Milan and Benitez at this time.
Of course, Sneijder sustained some injuries in the last match, which many believe is just a smokescreen.
There are also rumors that Benitez might employ a 4-3-3 formation, moving Zanetti forward, with Cambiasso and Mota forming the midfield alongside Zanetti.
Coupled with the attacking line formed by Eto’o, Milito, and Pandev, they cannot be underestimated.
Mourinho has heard many rumors about Inter Milan, but hasn’t paid them much mind; during the semi-finals, Real Madrid under Mourinho defeated this FIFA Club World Cup’s dark horse, TP Mazembe.
This African champion team, humorously nicknamed "Mew Mew" by fans, saw Benzema explode with a hat-trick.
Real Madrid showcased a terrifying 11-0 performance with sharp attacks and smooth offense.
Compared to Real Madrid’s smooth progress, Inter Milan’s advancement seemed somewhat bumpy, plus Benitez wasn’t popular at Inter Milan, so Mourinho honestly didn’t take his opponent too seriously.
At the end of the semi-finals, he even faced the cameras and said: "I said before, if he replicated my tactics, he could succeed at Inter Milan."
"Now it seems he has learned."
In response to this remark, before the start of the final between the two teams, Benitez retorted sharply, saying: "The FIFA Club World Cup was originally a competition between champions of each continent; Inter Milan won last season’s Champions League, and Real Madrid, what champion title do they hold?"
Benitez originally intended to imply that Real Madrid’s participation in this FIFA Club World Cup benefited from sponsorship, gaining an extra slot through organizer privilege.
Yet Mourinho quickly retorted, "May I ask, who led Inter Milan to the Champions League title last season?"
Benitez was at a loss.
Actually, he somewhat regretted his words afterward.
And during this time when he did nothing but hide, Mourinho went all out.
From a certain perspective, this was also a part of Mourinho’s tactics, attracting the media’s attention and criticism onto himself, thus reducing the unnecessary focus on the players.
The time quickly arrived for match day.
Outside the stadium, there was a sea of people, with fans from both teams present to cheer for their respective teams.
During this period, the back-and-forth between the two teams, the battles of words, were buzzing with excitement.
And before the match, verbal exchanges between the two teams were relentless.
Sneijder was indeed not injured. Although having some disagreements with Benitez, both united for a common goal and a similar enemy.
Sneijder called out before the match, saying they’d defeat Real Madrid like they defeated Barcelona.
And Chen Zhong, as the captain of Real Madrid and the target of Sneijder’s ’provocation,’ calmly responded by stating: "I hope his footwork is as strong as his speech."
Having once played for Milan, Chen Zhong naturally wouldn’t favor Inter Milan, and Kaka, when given a chance to face Inter Milan, was also particularly excited.
Evidently, as the "darling of Milan," even if no longer in Milan, Kaka was highly motivated against his former arch-enemy.
"CCTV, CCTV!"
"We are now broadcasting live the FIFA Club World Cup final."
"This match is held at a neutral stadium."
"Between Real Madrid and Inter Milan."
"We can see players from both teams entering the field one after another."
"Inter Milan hasn’t used their usual formation, instead opting for a 4-3-3 formation. It seems Benitez might be trying to prove something."
"Real Madrid has also opted for a 4-1-2-3 formation."
"Negredo returns to the starting lineup, flanked by C. Ronaldo and Kaka, in midfield Khedira as the lone defensive midfielder with Chen Zhong and Alonso pairing up, while in defense Marcelo, Pepe, Cavaleiro, and Ramos form a line, and Casillas remains the goalkeeper."
"Inter Milan has gained kickoff rights, let’s see..."
"Huh? A fan has stormed the field!"
"This is quite a familiar face to everyone."
"Mario Ferri."
"He invaded the pitch during the Germany-Spain World Cup semifinal this year to protest Lippi’s exclusion of Cassano."
"He’s found another opportunity this time."
The security personnel quickly interrupted this little incident, with players from both teams standing hands on hips watching this intruder being taken away, refocusing their attention back onto the pitch once more.
Inter Milan players quickly kicked off the ball.
Benitez looked towards Mourinho; this match, he must play out his own art and defeat Mourinho in a direct confrontation.
Mourinho, on the other hand, seemed calm and relaxed.
This could be seen clearly from his tactics.
