After signing with AC Milan, I will be the king of football!-Chapter 1669 - 457: Saint Inzaghi

"Beautiful, young Hazard initiated the attack himself on the left wing. His performance in this attack reminds me of Huang Kaiwen when he first joined AC Milan. Huang Kaiwen often used his individual skills along with teamwork to assist Shevchenko and Inzaghi."

"Yes, AC Milan’s defense suffered this time mainly because they underestimated Hazard. When Pirlo stretched his foot for the first time, he was clearly not focused, thinking he could easily intercept the ball. Unexpectedly, Hazard reacted so quickly."

"Right, this is already Hazard’s third goal of the season, quite efficient for a winger. The two young Belgian players rented out to Genoa by AC Milan are really performing well."

"You should say they have a good eye. Courtois, included in the Buffon transaction, is now Juventus’ main player. Although he’s still somewhat impulsive, a year or two down the line, he should show great progress. I don’t know where AC Milan discovered these talented Belgian youngsters; each one is so gifted."

Guardiola hugged Rakitic and walked to the fourth official, saying: "I’ve always thought you could become the team’s core. Later, we’ll substitute Kevin out; I don’t require you to perform like Kevin but hope you can be the key figure linking the back and front fields, understand? You are our key in defense and attack transition, you are today’s Riquelme, our Zidane."

Rakitic looked at Guardiola in astonishment.

He never expected this coach to value him so highly.

Rakitic asked curiously: "Coach, was it you who asked the club to buy me?"

Guardiola froze for a moment, then quickly said: "Ah, yes, yes, I was the one who asked the club to buy you. Your performance in the Bundesliga was terrific!"

Rakitic grinned, itching to rush onto the field.

Clemente, standing on the sidelines, lowered his head, suppressing his laughter.

But his constantly shaking shoulders betrayed him.

There was no helping it.

This was the fifth time he saw Guardiola say something similar to a Milan player.

Could it be that Pep isn’t afraid these players might all consider themselves as cores on the field?

The thought of not having enough balls to go around made Clemente want to laugh.

Clemente looked up and saw Ramos with the ball; he felt sure he was seeking Huang Kaiwen.

Sure enough.

Ramos quickly slanted a pass to the middle.

Huang Kaiwen lifted his right foot, allowing the ball to roll under his feet, then swiftly switched to his right foot and dribbled towards the left wing.

Torres, who was hovering on the left, hurriedly sprinted forward upon seeing this.

Genoa players reacted as well.

Halja and Veroso rushed towards the left wing together.

Kaka saw this and moved to the center to assist.

As Huang Kaiwen dribbled, he suddenly tapped the ball with his left foot, passing it to the center.

Kaka immediately sent the ball behind Halja.

The ball was delivered extremely fast.

Huang Kaiwen, even as he passed by Halja, couldn’t receive the ball immediately and ran to the sideline before successfully hooking it back.

"Kaka’s ball was given a bit too strong."

"Yes, it seems Kaka’s recent performance fluctuations are significant; with his skills, this shouldn’t happen."

"Coach Zhang, did you notice Kaka has lost weight? I think it’s his weight loss affecting his muscle control precision."

"Hey, seems that’s really the case."

As Huang Kaiwen turned to dribble toward the center, Halja was already back in front of him.

Veroso had moved to a position closer to the center to prevent Huang Kaiwen from passing the ball that would allow Kaka to start directly.

Halja ran along with Huang Kaiwen towards the center.

He remained two body lengths behind Huang Kaiwen.

After Huang Kaiwen ran a few steps, his right foot suddenly knocked the side of the ball.

Bang—

Halja instinctively stretched his foot, but could not reach the ball.

The ball rolled past him, passed by Veroso, and eventually cut between defenders Criscito and Dainelli to find Torres in the penalty area.

Dainelli immediately went to ground in a slide tackle, even forgetting the possibility of a red card, but was still a step too late. Torres made no adjustments. Upon receiving the ball, he quickly shot, easily sending it past Carvalho’s legs into the goal.

"Indeed, it’s a goal!"

"Huang Kaiwen’s this pass is indeed penetrating."

"Yes, he seems like he has a radar on him, somehow finding the path for the ball. Genoa’s defense had no issues, but Huang Kaiwen found Torres amidst four defenders; his field vision can only be described as exceptional!"

"Hehe, Guardiola is making substitutions, Rakitic replaces Huang Kaiwen. Towels, always towels. Many coaches in football now like to hand towels to the team’s core players, becoming a kind of popular culture in football."

"Indeed, this can encourage players to perform well, akin to the coach’s selection of best player in the first half. If I remember correctly, Capello was the first to hand a towel to Huang Kaiwen."

"Should be, but Ancelotti often gave Huang Kaiwen things too. We just don’t know what he gave Huang Kaiwen."

Huang Kaiwen exchanged a high five with Rakitic as he went off the field.

Guardiola, with his arm around Huang Kaiwen’s shoulder, asked with concern: "Anything uncomfortable, Kevin?"

"Not at all, feeling good."

Huang Kaiwen said with a smile.

Guardiola instinctively glanced at the scoreboard, recalling he previously watched on TV that dinner time in China matches today’s game time, and said: "Kevin, go back first."

"Coach?"