Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 38: Starting with a Flying Tackle! This is the Debut of a Serie A Rookie!

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Starting with a Flying Tackle! This is the Debut of a Serie A Rookie!

Bologna, a city of mountains and waters.

The city is located on the southern edge of the Po River Plain and the northern foothills of the Apennines, with picturesque scenery and a pleasant climate, making it one of the most livable cities in Italy.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world visit this place for sightseeing.

However, Tang Long neither had the time nor the mind to appreciate the beauty here.

Inter’s bus was heading towards Bologna’s home ground, the Dallara Stadium.

The road, which had been in disrepair for years, was a bit bumpy; even this luxury bus, which cost 300,000 euros and had the world’s most comfortable suspension, struggled to smooth out the jounces.

The third goalkeeper, Berni, was giving Tang Long the final pre-match briefing.

"First time starting, don’t be nervous, Tang, just play as you usually do in training!

Your position is an attacking midfielder, and the classical attacking midfielder is extinct. This position requires more running than a forward; once you stop running, the connection between midfield and forward will be cut off!

By the way, they have a Canadian midfielder named Davis, who is particularly aggressive in defense. This kid likes to play dirty, steps on your heels, especially likes to provoke you constantly; when you make a move, he covers his face and falls. Last year, Palacio suffered from him and got a red card!

In Serie A, every away game is tough. Bologna, a mid-to-lower team, is full of old hands, and they love to bully rookies like you. Don’t back down; just fight them hard!

Hit them if you have to, tackle if you need to, whoever bullies you, I’ll take care of him!"

In the front row, Ranocchia poked his head out and deliberately shouted loudly:

"Uncle Berni, you’re on the bench; how will you take care of them?"

This remark sparked a burst of laughter on the bus.

Berni wasn’t annoyed and said with a smile:

"At worst, I’ll rush onto the field and deal with them; I’m not afraid!"

"Come on, Uncle Berni, your red card suspension just ended; if you get another one, can your salary even cover the fines!"

"None of your business, shut your big mouth!" Berni retorted with a laugh.

It was the first match of the winter break, and the team atmosphere was quite relaxed.

But Tang Long couldn’t relax.

He had no interest in the beautiful scenery outside the window.

This was his first time starting in Serie A in his career!

He had waited too long for this day.

The entire winter break, he had not rested for a single day, putting in strenuous effort and considerable sweat.

His physical condition had greatly improved, finally getting into the starting lineup for Serie A Round 14.

However, compared to Tang Long’s start,

Mancini’s adjustments to the other positions were more notable.

The formation was still 4-3-1-2, but on the forward line, Palacio was benched, replaced by new recruit Podolski partnering with Icardi.

For the three midfield positions, new recruit Brozovic was in the center, flanked by Medel and Kovacic.

Mancini always liked using players from the former Yugoslavia. To him, they were cost-effective, hardworking, and combative, with an indomitable aggressive spirit on the field.

This might also have something to do with the living environment of the former Yugoslavian players, many of whom grew up in unstable, even wartime conditions.

On the defense, Dambrosio and Yuto Nagatomo were the left and right full-backs, with Ranocchia and Andreolli in the center.

The goalkeeper was the ever-reliable Handanovic.

Whoosh——the bus drove through the narrow European lanes into the stadium...

"CCTV!

CCTV!

Welcome to the 2014-2015 Serie A season, a highlight match of Round 14, Inter Milan away against Bologna!

Why is it a highlight match? Because of a player from China, Tang Long—remember the name!

Tang Long will start for Inter Milan!

Following his first entry into Serie A, first assist in Serie A, Tang Long has once again made history for Chinese players in Serie A!

He has started the match!

This is the first time a Chinese player has started in Serie A!"

Duan Xuan’s tone was exuberant, saliva flying.

When he shouted the word "start," he was so excited that his voice even cracked.

Zhang Lu beside him was equally moved!

He saw Tang Long appearing in the player’s tunnel during the pre-match broadcast, adjusting his shin pads, and instantly, a surge of heat rose in his heart, his large eye bags underneath beaming eyes!

"Sigh, it’s not easy; I’ve been commentating on Serie A since 1991, for 23 years!

Over the years, I’ve seen Koreans, Japanese, Iranians appear in Serie A, and I’ve often wondered, when will our Chinese players be able to do the same?

I never thought in my 24th year of commentating, I’d witness the rapid progress of Chinese players in Serie A!

Let’s look forward to Tang Long’s performance in this match!"

In this match, Tang Long played Gualin’s position in the last game.

Gualin scored a hat-trick in that game!

The pressure on Tang Long is self-evident.

Tang Long also knew that the starting position had to be fought for, not given as charity!

Gualin, although temporarily out of the starting lineup due to weight issues,

it doesn’t mean he’s permanently out of the starting lineup!

Once Gualin gets back in shape, he’d appear soon enough—last year, he clashed with Mancini in the locker room, wasn’t in the squad for two games, but later, Mancini still used him; doesn’t that explain something?

To solidify his position, Tang Long must outperform Gualin!

"Swoosh!"

At the beginning, Tang Long, with relentless pressing, forced Bologna’s midfielder to the sideline, timed his moment, and made a sliding tackle, snatching the ball away!

The ball flew high, amidst the audience’s exclamations, soaring to the stands!

This beautiful sliding tackle happened right in front of Inter Milan’s bench.

"Nice, well done, get him!"

Berni was pumped, waving a towel at Tang Long from his seat.

The other players all backed away, afraid Berni’s towel would hit their face, but they also clapped for Tang Long’s performance.

Suit-and-tie clad Mancini’s eyes lit up—hey, this kid is quite aggressive!

The fallen Davis slowly got up, looking at his now dirty pants, glared fiercely at Tang Long with an unfriendly gaze.

"Hey, number 99, watch what you’re doing!" he shouted at Tang Long.

Tang Long pointed to the referee, retorting in Italian, "I didn’t foul, what are you whining about?"

Davis, with menacing eyes, walked up to Tang Long, their noses almost touching.

"First year in Serie A, huh," the Canadian midfielder sneered, "I’ll make you grow today, kid; I’ll make you grow in these 90 minutes, that is, if you can last the whole 90 minutes."