Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 79: "World Football" Weekly Top 10 Goals, a Battle of the Gods, Tang Long Tops the List!

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: "World Football" Weekly Top 10 Goals, a Battle of the Gods, Tang Long Tops the List!

Unable to refuse the hospitality, Tang Long joined Berni for a few kicks.

Of course, a professional player’s shot doesn’t involve kicking a stationary ball because, aside from set-pieces, such scenarios are impossible in matches.

This was standard shooting training, with the coach passing balls in various positions to Tang Long for him to shoot on the move.

Since helping Bonazzoli score his debut goal, earning his gratitude and triggering a hidden reward, Tang Long’s shooting stats increased to 77.

This isn’t considered high, but it’s already comparable to the main strikers of some relegation-threatened teams at the bottom of Serie A.

Bang bang bang—

Bang bang bang—

Under the watchful eyes of the whole team, Tang Long completed ten shots.

Among these ten shots, there were Ground Strikes, off-foot shots for quick points, inside foot curve shots, and instep power shots.

All ten shots were done near the penalty area.

With no one marking him, five out of ten shots went in.

"The last shot, a bit further away!"

The coach kicked the ball high towards Tang Long, mimicking the previous round’s shot that sealed the victory against Lazio.

Tang Long quickly recalled last night’s shooting scene, maximizing his muscle memory.

His thigh drove his lower leg, pulling the entire right leg back like a drawn bow!

Just as the ball was about to hit the ground, his knee suddenly exerted force, and his lower leg whipped out like a lash, striking the center of the ball with his instep.

Woosh—

From 35 meters away, Tang Long unleashed a powerful shot with a slight arc.

Berni did not attempt a save, watching as the ball went over the goal by about a meter.

In terms of power, arc, and precision, it was far from yesterday’s shot.

"Hey, hey, hey, looks like you were lucky! You kid, even if you try 100 more times, you won’t replicate last night’s shot!" Berni teased Tang Long kindly.

The onlooking teammates started to giggle.

"Big Uncle Berni, you’re overthinking it! That kind of shot worthy of the Puskás Award, do you expect to see it every day?"

"Tang was just sparing you, really hits yesterday’s quality, could you stop it?"

"Come on, let me have a go, Big Uncle Berni, I’ll play with you!"

Tang Long joked with his teammates, "I always save my best for the game, I’ll let Berni off the hook during practice."

In reality, as professional players, everyone knew in their hearts.

Was there an element of luck in Tang Long’s last night’s sideways volley killer shot? There certainly was.

With heavy rain obstructing the goalkeeper’s view, Tang Long shot suddenly from 35 meters, and the ball indeed fell within the goal’s range.

Long shots are not like close-range shots from within the penalty area; scoring from over 25 meters inherently carries a luck element.

Tang Long knew this too; with his shooting score at 77, delivering such a jaw-dropping shot at that moment took decisiveness and determination.

Given his current shooting ability, as Berni said, even if he tries 100 more times, he might not score one.

Such iconic moments are hard to come by!

In the top-floor head coach’s office facing the football field.

Mancini and assistant coach Herrera stood by the wide floor-to-ceiling glass, overlooking the players’ training.

Tang Long had just completed shooting training, and they watched the entire session.

"What do you think of Tang’s shot?" Mancini asked Herrera, with a cigar in hand.

"Very good, judging by the level of those ten shots just now, it already matches the shooting level of a forward."

Herrera showed admiration, specifically mentioning Tang Long’s last shot.

"Yesterday’s sideways volley killer shot, though lucky, showed this kid’s shooting skill. During practice, he tried to replicate that moment. Even though it wasn’t perfect, at a 35-meter distance, shooting an airborne side volley without stopping the ball and managing to control power and accuracy within a certain range—it’s already quite impressive."

Mancini took a deep inhalation of his cigar, releasing a thick smoke onto the glass window, spreading like water droplets.

"Go on, Herrera."

"Boss, I visited my old friend Zeman in Lecce last year and watched one of their training sessions. According to my observation, their main striker’s shooting level is not as natural as Tang’s in terms of feeling."

Mancini nodded thoughtfully.

Although Lecce played in Serie B last year, they had just been relegated from Serie A, so they were considered a strong team in the first tier of Serie B, a league yo-yo team.

This means, in Herrera’s view, Tang Long’s shooting is not inferior to the main striker of a strong Serie B team.

"That’s odd," Mancini flicked his white hair with the hand holding the cigar, "Shooting has never been Tang’s strong suit. He rarely shoots in games; he mainly passes. How did his shooting skill suddenly improve?"

Herrera couldn’t answer this question either.

But the assistant coach ranked Tang Long’s shooting level within the team.

"In terms of shooting prowess, Icardi is miles ahead, unmatched in all of Serie A; he’s a shooting genius."

"Podolski and Palacio are in the second tier."

"Tang Long might be slightly better than Bonazzoli, but the gap isn’t too wide."

Mancini smiled.

He knew Herrera’s comparison wasn’t entirely fair.

"Herrera, Tang doesn’t need to compare his shooting skills with those who started as forwards; after all, they grew up with intensive shooting training. They’re born to score."

Yet, the potential Tang Long showed in this regard made Mancini feel he had an extra card up his sleeve.

Perhaps, utilizing Tang Long could be more versatile.

...

Monday night at half past seven is a happy moment for Chinese football fans.

Because they could watch "World Football" again.

From youthful green to oily middle-age, this program accompanied numerous Chinese fans throughout their growth,

Through this show, fans could quickly browse the major news from the football world each week, especially from the beloved five major leagues!

Tonight, more Chinese fans than usual sat in front of their TVs; they had come with a purpose—to see if Tang Long could rank first in this week’s world football top ten goals!

"Top ten goals, ranked ninth!"

"La Liga’s 18th round saw Atletico Madrid execute a brilliant play. Griezmann received the ball on the flank, facing defenders’ encirclement, he skillfully executed a one-two with teammate Koke and broke through to chip it into the goal. This goal highlights the strength of teamwork, with perfect passes and runs!"

...

"Top ten goals, ranked third!"

"A highlight match in the Bundesliga saw Bayern player Lewandowski receiving a cross from a teammate on the flank inside the box, positioned slightly behind. Lewandowski pulled off a scorpion kick! This goal showcased the player’s excellent physical quality and strong improvisational ability!"

"Top ten goals, ranked second!"

"Returning to the Premier League stage, Arsenal’s star Sanchez dashed left and right through the middle, like moving through no man’s land, bypassing three players to score! Amidst the throng of players, Sanchez charged forward courageously!"

"Top ten goals, ranked first, from our Chinese player, Tang Long!"

Finally, that moment arrived, and many viewers in front of the TV stood up and walked excitedly towards the screen.

"Finally, it’s the goal we’ve been waiting for—Tang Long’s sideways volley 35-meter killer shot!"

"In the dying moments of the match against Lazio away, Tang Long received a teammate’s pass, and from 35 meters out, he executed a sideways volley, the ball like a meteor streaking across the sky straight into the goal’s corner!"

"This was an extraordinary goal that fully demonstrated Tang Long’s exceptional individual ability!"

"His celestial strike not only earned Inter a precious golden killer victory but also drove all Chinese fans into a frenzy!"