Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 48: 42 Points! This is the Gap Between Inter and the Serie A Giants!

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: 42 Points! This is the Gap Between Inter and the Serie A Giants!

Last season, Inter and Juventus faced off twice in the league, ending with one draw and one defeat, without a single victory.

Especially in the third round at home, the first leg of the battle was full of regrets!

The young forward Icardi scored the first goal in the 73rd minute, throwing the Meazza stadium into madness.

Everyone saw the hope of defeating the Serie A powerhouse.

But just two minutes after the celebration, Vidal helped the Juventus Corps equalize the score, eventually ending the match 1-1.

When they came to the away game after the winter break, Inter was defeated 1-3, utterly helpless against their opponents.

At the end of that season, Juventus had an astonishing 102 points, setting a century record for Serie A points and surpassing Inter’s record 97 points from the 2006-2007 season!

Inter ranked fifth, trailing Juventus by 42 points!

During the championship parade bus tour in Turin City, the entire Juventus team held a large 42-point sign above their heads.

[Inter Milan, this is your distance from the Serie A champion!]

Such a huge gap in achievements brought a great emotional humiliation to all Inter fans.

The first leg confrontation of this season came very late, suddenly reaching the 15th round of Serie A.

The wait for revenge is always long, and Inter’s players were fully prepared, ready to play a beautiful turnaround match at Meazza’s home.

Icardi even set a Flag early on!

"Tang, I really love your passing, just pass it, pass it and I’ll score! Watch me score a hat-trick against them!"

Mancini continued with the starting lineup from the last match, Tang Long continued to replace Gualin as a starter.

However, he also noticed that during the final regular training session, Mancini called Gualin aside, warmly patting his shoulder as if comforting him, and Gualin returned to the team’s roster, appearing on the bench.

In China, countless fans were paying close attention to this Serie A focus battle!

Compared to the Premier League, the Serie A game at 3:45 a.m. was really unfriendly for night owls...

But due to the presence of Tang Long, all that was no problem.

On LeSports’ pre-game hotspot ranking, the match’s popularity had already matched the Real Madrid vs. Barça showdown!

"Dear viewers, ever since Tang Long scored his first goal in Serie A, his popularity has been soaring!"

"He broke one record after another for a Chinese player in Serie A, first appearance, first assist, first goal!"

"In the world of football, a strong face-off is the best test of a player’s ability to perform in a big match!"

"Facing Juventus, whether Tang Long can continue his excellent performance like in the last match against Bologna, let’s wait and see!"

Everyone thought that playing at home, Inter would continue their momentum, defeat Juventus with a five-game winning streak, and secure important three points towards the Champions League qualification zone.

However, the development of things wasn’t as smooth as expected!

At the beginning, although Inter, playing at home, took the initiative and controlled the game, Juventus resolutely adhered to a low-profile, conservative stance, proactively retreating and playing defense.

But Juventus’ experience was evidently superior to that of this Inter Milan team.

Take Tang Long, who was playing in the attacking midfield position, for instance.

Whenever Tang Long received the ball, Marchisio and Sturora from the defensive midfield would pounce like iron attracted to a magnet.

Compared to these top midfielders from Juventus, Tang Long’s strength data of 78 could only barely cope in one-on-one situations, let alone taking on two.

Tang Long decisively chose to play one-touch football, avoiding the opponent’s encirclement.

Many times, he observed Icardi’s movements before passing, using AI data analysis to deliver deadly through balls to the Argentine forward.

But a new problem emerged!

Icardi indeed ran towards the normal position, and the through ball was sent in exact precision, but Icardi still couldn’t receive the ball!

The Argentine forward either fumbled the ball under the opponent’s encirclement;

Or due to the disadvantage in speed, got pushed aside by the defender an extra step.

Under Juventus’ strong defense and midfield strangulation, Icardi was already sweating profusely after just 20 minutes.

In the 10th minute, Tang Long suddenly chipped the ball with a cross!

Icardi dashed into the penalty area like a bolt of lightning!

The ball bounced on the ground, and before it fell, Icardi was already swinging his leg, prepared to shoot fast!

Bang!

A black-and-white figure flew by, Bonucci swooped in, blocking the shot and clearing the ball to the baseline.

Icardi was surprised, holding his head in shock, "How was his positioning so quick!"

At the 18th minute, Icardi successfully beat the offside trap, receiving Tang Long’s ground through ball!

Just adjusted one step, and side-back Padoin charged like a mad dog.

"Quickly shoot!"

Icardi hurriedly shot, missing the goal, with Buffon not even attempting a save.

Another attempt!

At the 25th minute, even though there wasn’t a good opportunity, Tang Long flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, and it coincidentally landed on the path where Icardi was advancing!

Icardi raced to chase the ball!

But Buffon stepped out to intercept first, catching the ball in his arms.

After these sprints, Icardi was drenched in sweat, his jersey soaking wet, able to wring out a bowl of water.

His gaze was filled with exhaustion and confusion.

After 25 minutes.

Inter’s opening offensive gradually slowed down.

Mancini noticed something was amiss from the sidelines.

Assistant coach Herrera discussed it with him for a while, then instructed Tang Long:

"Tang! Your link with Icardi is too one-dimensional; do more lateral pulling and control the ball more!"

Herrera was absolutely right.

If facing teams like Bologna or Genoa, solely relying on Icardi and Tang Long’s straightforward link—one passes, the other runs—would smoothly tear through the opponent’s defense.

But Juventus isn’t Bologna or Genoa.

The Juventus Corps are the defending champions, 102-point defending champions!

Last season, they only conceded 23 goals; their defensive ability is among the top three in all of Europe.

The coaching staff’s intention was clear: facing Juventus can’t be rushed, and direct passes like Tang Long’s should be reduced, focusing more on control and lateral pulling.

Mancini’s tactical adjustment was spot on, pinpointing the crux.

However, under this more complex playing style, Tang Long’s inadequacy in ball control and dribbling skills was exposed!

In the 33rd minute, Tang Long received a pass from Medel, intending to pivot and seek further cooperation.

But, just as his foot brought the ball over, his body was still turning, Sturora extended his foot and intercepted the ball!

"Oh dear! Tang Long didn’t control this ball well, he lost it!"

"Sturora’s tackle was extremely precise, quickly passing to Pirlo nearby!"

"Pirlo with a long pass!"

"Wow, what a divine pass this is!"

"Morata chest traps, shoots—"

"It’s at the near post! It’s in!"

"Juventus breaks the deadlock, leading 1-0!"

"Ah... Oh!"

"This misplay, oh Tang Long, this mistake was so unnecessary!"