The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 288 You won’t know until you fight

To be honest, even compared with the 19-year-old Biraghi, Zhang Linpeng, who is at least three years older, has no advantage except for his physical body.

As for his physical advantage, Biraghi might be able to catch up within a year.

But as I said before, Inter Milan rented him out for other purposes.

After discussions with relevant club personnel, Ancelotti asked Leo for help and called Zhang Linpeng.

This was supposed to be a private conversation, but Ancelotti didn't want "outsiders" present.

Naturally, the task of translation can only be given to Leo.

Even though it has been four or five months since he came to Italy, Zhang Linpeng still cannot communicate with his teammates normally.

"Zhang, I know you hope to get some opportunities to play.

But the competition in Serie A and the Champions League is very fierce, and I don’t want to send you on the field rashly.

The original plan of the coaching staff and I was to wait until the Italian Cup starts to give you some opportunities.

But the winter break is coming soon, and it's a matter of whether to stay with the team or end the loan and return to China.

So I want to ask you what you think. "

Zhang Linpeng had been prepared before coming here, and he could guess that these were the things.

If Zhang Linpeng had thought what he thought before coming to Europe, he might have chosen to return to China now.

But now that I have come to Inter Milan, it is a bit too embarrassing to leave in despair after half a season without playing a game.

"I want to try again. In the six months since I came to Inter Milan, I feel that I have improved a lot.

As for whether I can adapt to the high-intensity competition here, I won't know until I play. "

On December 12, "Total Sports", also commonly known as Turin Sports News, announced the selection results of this year's European Golden Boy Award.

Dortmund's talented German midfielder Götze won this award.

With his outstanding performance in Dortmund's championship last season, Gotze has also established a firm foothold in the German national team.

Winning the Golden Boy Award this time is also the greatest recognition for him.

After becoming famous, Gotze has become a target of competition for European giants. Bayern, Real Madrid, Arsenal and other teams have shown strong interest in him.

Looking at Gotze's photo on the front page of the newspaper, David Thornton looked a little lonely.

But he soon cheered up and dropped the newspaper in his hand to the ground.

"Cut, the villain gets his way."

Then he devoted himself seriously to training.

After playing Udinese, the Nerazzurri continued to sit at the San Siro for the final game of the Champions League group stage.

On December 12, in the final round of the Champions League group stage, Inter Milan faced CSKA Moscow at home.

The defending champion has already secured the top spot in the group, so there is really no need to waste any energy in the final game.

Even though it was at home, Ancelotti decisively carried out comprehensive rotations.

There are even many faces in the starting eleven that are somewhat unfamiliar to the fans of this team.

Pazzini and Berbatov join forces up front, with Coutinho as the attacking midfielder.

Pirlo leads the midfield, with Motta and Verratti joining him in the midfield.

The defenders on the left and right are Chivu and Zhang Linpeng, Samuel and Lucio partner as central defenders, and goalkeeper Castellachi.

Thinking of the previous reply from the head coach that he would go all out to win this game, Leo felt like covering his face.

Of course, he is not saying that today's team's lineup is not good or that he looks down on the strength of the players on the field.

The main reason is that Inter Milan has put together such a lineup and says that it will fight with all its strength. Who would believe it?

As long as CSKA Moscow wins the defending champion away from home, they have great hope of advancing to the Champions League knockout rounds as second in the group.

Therefore, in Meazza, the main players of the Russian Super League giants are playing their best.

Leo and Balotelli, who didn't even make the squad, were chatting in the "VIP seats" on the sidelines while waiting for the game to start.

"Boss, are we likely to lose this game?"

At this time, a gust of cold wind blew by, and Leo wrapped his down jacket tightly without saying a word.

Then he glanced at the players from the two teams on the field who were warming up, curled his lips and said:

"It's hard to say. Judging from the current situation, it may be that the opponent has a better chance of winning."

The outcome of the game is of vastly different importance to the two teams.

Therefore, the desire to win between the host and the guest is very different. Inter Milan can only say that it hopes that the players who will start today can fight for honor.

In addition, the cold weather in Milan in December made the home team players uncomfortable, but the visiting team players from Russia adapted quite well.

CSKA Moscow, which played away from home in the first half, took the lead.

Oliseh's breakthrough with the ball from the right was unexpectedly blocked by Zhang Linpeng.

CSKA's teammates saw the younger brother being bullied and immediately came over to help regain the ground.

Doumbia and Wagnerlev broke through Zhang Linpeng one after another, passing him through the sieve directly.

The strong Ivory Coast forward Doumbia didn't even bother to make a fake move and rushed over unreasonably.

Zhang Linpeng instantly felt a huge force knocking him out.

He was confused until he fell to the ground.

The physical confrontation that is so proud of in Asia is nothing like it in the Champions League.

There is obviously not much age difference between the two people, but the gap in strength is huge.

Zhang Linpeng has never been able to get a chance to play before, and he was always unconvinced. He felt that his teammates in the Inter Milan team were better than him, but not by much.

Today, when he got to the real game, he realized why those teammates never looked at him seriously.

"It turns out they didn't take it seriously when they crossed me!"

Such a thought flashed through Zhang Linpeng's mind, and at this time Oliseh dribbled the ball past him again.

wrong! I'm not that weak either!

Zhang Linpeng, who had regained his strength, turned around and made a flying tackle, directly knocking down the visiting team's right midfielder Oliseh to the ground with the ball!
  Right, even if I can't beat Doumbia, I can't let go of Loew, but I can still deal with this kid!
  The referee showed Zhang Linpeng a yellow card and awarded CSKA Moscow a well-positioned free kick.

But the audience at the scene saw that Zhang Linpeng was not angry but had a smile on his face.

"Is this kid in his right mind?"

Keisuke Honda was out with a knee injury, so the free kick could only be handed over to Zagoev to take the kick.

Zhang Linpeng, who was lined up in the wall, jumped up and pushed the ball out!
  It was considered that he had made up for it, and there was a sparse round of applause from Nerazzurri in the stands.

Mamaev's cross from the right was blocked by Chivu, and Zagoev intercepted the ball from the outside and shot again!

Inter Milan central defender Samuel flew to clear the ball outside the baseline.

CSKA's corner kick was taken, and Alexei Berezutsky's leaping header missed the top of the crossbar!

After the visiting team's fierce attack at the start was blocked, Inter Milan finally organized some relatively threatening counterattacks.

Coutinho passed the ball after continuous breakthroughs. Berbatov and Pazzini received the ball in the penalty area, but before they could hit the goal, the visiting team goalkeeper Gabrov saved the ball.

After Akinfeev was injured, CSKA Moscow rented Gablov from Anzhi.

Although Gabulov's strength is inferior to Akinfeev, at least his performance in today's game was quite brave.

Loew volleyed vigorously with his right foot from inside the arc of the penalty area, and Inter goalkeeper Castellachi made a side dive to lift the ball out.

Coutinho made a powerful long-range shot with his right foot from 23 meters away from the goal, and the ball was caught by Gabrov.

The two teams fell into a stalemate and failed to score until the end of the first half.

In half-time stoppage time, Pirlo passed the ball into the penalty area, and Berbatov's low shot with his right foot in front of the small penalty area went slightly wide.

With a score of zero to zero, the two sides entered the halftime break.

In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again. Inter Milan replaced Pazzini with Pandev, and David Thornton replaced Chivu.

In the 51st minute of the game, Vagnareff accelerated and broke through Zhang Linpeng, then cut inside and sent a through ball in front of the penalty area!
  Dunbia quickly moved forward to create a single opportunity!
  He calmly pushed the shot with his right foot from the small penalty area, but Castellachi couldn't make the save!

The ball went in!One to zero!

CSKA Moscow, playing away from home, finally broke the deadlock on the field!

In another game that started at the same time, Lille still tied 0-0 with Trabzonspor at home.

If the game ends with the current score, CSKA Moscow will step on Lille and advance to the last sixteen of this season's Champions League.

But will Inter Milan just give their opponents a victory and leave the fans disappointed?
  A minute later, Berbatov's turning volley from the front of the penalty area was blocked by CSKA captain Ignashevic!
  Pirlo took a corner kick, and Samuel's header, which beat the visiting team's central defender, was so powerful that CSKA goalkeeper Gabrov made a save!

The young player Verratti succeeded in scoring an empty goal with his right foot in front of the goal line!

One to one!

Inter Milan quickly equalized the score!

And Verratti, who played for the Nerazzurri for the first time in an official game, scored the first goal of his career!
  At the same time, this is his first Champions League goal!
  The nineteen-year-old ran to the sideline and hugged the team's head coach tightly.

If you look closely, a strange smile appeared on Ancelotti's expressionless face.

It looks like the helpless expression of an i person after being posted by an e person.

Now we are back to the starting point. CSKA Moscow must continue to attack if it wants to advance.

Nababukin made a low pass from the right into the penalty area. Before Loew's right foot attacked the goal, Castellachi was prepared in advance.

The Inter goalkeeper used his finger to deflect the ball, and Loew's shot went over the crossbar.

Zhang Linpeng tackled Mamayev from the wing and was warned by the referee and almost received a second yellow card.

Ancelotti directly asked Biraghi to come on as a substitute for Zhang Linpeng.

Zhang Linpeng, who played for Inter Milan for the first time today, performed mediocrely and could hardly be said to be qualified.

Therefore, when he came off the field, Zhang Linpeng had a complicated expression on his face.

The home team used up all substitutions, with David Thornton returning to the right and Biraghi as left back.

David Thornton, who only came on as a substitute in the second half, was also full of energy. He broke through from the right and passed to the baseline.

Pandev's header from the back of the penalty area bounced off the goalkeeper and was picked up by goalkeeper Gablov. CSKA Moscow launched a fast break. Verratti deliberately handballed the ball in defense and received a yellow card.

In the 77th minute, the visiting team made consecutive substitutions. Kauna and Aldonin came on the bench to replace Oliseh and Sembelas.

Kauna made a pass, and Loew hit the goal with his left foot from the inside of the penalty area and missed slightly.

In the 85th minute, David Thornton ran 40 meters from the right and then made a cross. Berbatov volleyed the ball from the front and hit the crossbar of the goal!

The game is coming to an end, and the score is still one to one!

"what--"

Balotelli looked sleepy and couldn't help but yawned.

Yawning is contagious, and then Leo, who was sitting next to him, also yawned.

Just when everyone thought this game would end in such a boring scene.

Doumbia's shot forced a corner kick.

Kauna took a corner kick from the right, and Vasily Berezushki took the corner kick from the center and headed the goal!

The ball is in!
  Two to one!
  The visiting team took the lead again!
  At the end of the game, Inter Milan lost 1-2 at home to CSKA Moscow and still advanced to the knockout rounds as the first in the group.

In the last round, CSKA Moscow, which won a victory at Meazza and got three points, also won another promotion spot through "its own efforts."

Lille originally had a chance, but unfortunately they failed to seize it and were tied by Trabzonspor at their home court and missed the top 16.

Three days later, still at Meazza, Inter Milan continued to sit at home and ushered in the fifteenth round of Serie A against "Purple Lily" Fiorentina.

This is also their last game before heading to Japan to participate in the Club World Cup.

In the past nine seasons, Inter Milan has maintained a complete victory against Fiorentina at home, which is nine consecutive victories.

The match day happened to be the 80th anniversary of the birth of Inter Milan’s legendary president Prisco.

Therefore, it is the Nerazzurri's mission to win ten consecutive victories against Viola as a gift to Prisco.

After the start of the new season, Florence's situation is quite bad.

Thirteen league games have been played with four wins, four draws and five losses, ranking 14th in the standings with only 16 points.

Fiorentina's former head coach Mihajlovic also announced his dismissal last month, and was replaced by Derio Rossi.

In this game, Inter Milan returned to the starting lineup of 4,231.

Balotelli's single arrow shot forward, and Bale and Neymar flew on both wings.

Leo is the attacking midfielder, with Modric and De Rossi behind him.

Kolarov and David Thornton served as left and right backs respectively, Bonucci and Ranocchia partnered as central defenders, and Handanovic, who had been rested in the Champions League game, also returned to the starting lineup.

Zanetti was suspended from the squad due to a red card.

Montolivo was injured and missed the game. Jovetic was also injured and retired before the game, with Ljajic taking his place in the starting lineup.

After the game started, Inter Milan, playing at home, took the initiative on the field.

Wearing the new yellow away jersey, the Fiorentina players were intimidated by the Nerazzurri's offensive firepower and could only recycle their formation to strengthen their defense.

Leo easily got rid of Behrami's defense in the middle and sent a wonderful direct pass!

Balotelli stabbed the ball with his left foot at the penalty spot, and the ball was picked up by Fiorentina goalkeeper Boruc.

Modric scored the ball, and David Thornton stepped in to assist and cut in from the right to the outside of the penalty area. His long shot was slightly higher than the crossbar.

Bell broke through from the left and knocked back, and Leo passed the ball into the penalty area.

Neymar dribbled from the right side of the penalty area and dunked the defender with his right foot, and then immediately shot with his left foot!

The ball was blocked by Viola defender Gamberini and then missed the left post.

Kolarov made a pass from the left, but Balotelli's header from the back of the penalty area failed to hit the goal.

In the first ten minutes of the game, Fiorentina almost gave up the offense completely. They didn't even have a decent counterattack.

It stands to reason that even if the home team does have the upper hand in terms of strength, Florence shouldn't play like this.

Maybe this is also related to the situation in their team. They are on the edge of the relegation zone. They can't win the games they should win and lose the games they shouldn't lose.

It is difficult for the players not to be affected, and it is impossible for the players to be in good condition.

Leo made a long pass from the backcourt, and Gareth Bale broke through with the ball at high speed from the left!
  Although the visiting team did not leave him much space, Bell still relied on his speed advantage to break through three defensive players in a row with efficient and concise acceleration!

But in the end, his powerful long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area missed slightly.

Neymar broke through all the way from the right to the baseline and passed the ball high. Balotelli headed the ball wide due to the interference of Florence center back Natali.

The situation was not going to score, which made the Nerazzurri fans at the scene very anxious.

There is a saying in football that squandering opportunities will be punished.

The Nerazzurri in the Meazza stadium's stands were initially excited but gradually became a little worried. They looked at the field and hoped that the home team could score as soon as possible.

Leo made a diagonal pass from the frontcourt, and Neymar dribbled the ball from the right to break through the visiting team's defensive player and then cut into the penalty area!

Pascual was left behind by Neymar, and the Brazilian faced the goalkeeper with a powerful right-footed volley that was miraculously blocked by Boruc!
  Not making any progress with a single sword? !

Neymar missed an excellent scoring opportunity and hugged his head with his arms in frustration.

Florence counterattacks quickly!
  Vargas and Ljajic pass the ball after cooperation on the left!

Gilardino turned around in the penalty area and was about to attack!
  However, under the interference of Bonucci's personal marking, Gilardino's foot went soft and his shot was firmly saved by Handanovic!
  Having played more than a dozen games this season, Gilardino has yet to score a goal.

This is not the level the Italian forward should be at.

Therefore, Gilardino has been questioned recently, and fans believe that he is no longer enough to occupy a starting position in Florence.

It seems that judging from his performance in today's game, this is indeed the case.

But the attack just now was already the most threatening of the visiting team's limited attacks so far in the game.

With his teammates unable to rely on him, Vargas fired a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area!

The ball flew directly into the stands.

In the 39th minute, the first half was coming to an end, and the score was still zero to zero.

Which side can break the deadlock first?
  Leo dribbled the ball in the center circle and got rid of the double-teams of Behrami and Lazari before making a wonderful long pass!

Neymar broke into the penalty area and passed Gamberini before facing the attacking goalkeeper Boruc and volleyed the ball with the outside of his right foot into the far corner of the goal!
  One to zero!

Inter Milan took the lead!
  It was the home team that took the lead to break the deadlock on the field.

At the end of the first half, Inter Milan temporarily led the opponent 1-0.

“A score of one to zero is not safe, expand the score as soon as possible in the second half to kill the game!
  Your ability to seize opportunities in the first half was a bit poor, and this needs to be improved in the second half.

I don’t want you to leave the suspense of the game until the end, so end the battle as soon as possible. "

Ancelotti was a little dissatisfied with the fact that the team was struggling to play in a team in the bottom half of the league standings.

His plan is to seal the victory early and then replace core players such as Leo to rest.

Those who haven't been replaced can still play some.

Otherwise, we are about to go to Japan to play in the Club World Cup. It would be bad if someone gets injured.

The second half of the game started quickly, and the two sides changed sides to fight again.

Just over five minutes into the game, Derio Rossi took the lead in making substitutions.

Uruguayan striker Santiago Silva warmed up on the sidelines and prepared to come off the bench to replace Ljajic.

The young Serbian player had reluctance written all over his face and walked off the field with a dark face.

Even the head coach Ljajic who greeted him pretended not to have seen him.

In the 52nd minute, Leo made a direct pass and Bell broke into the penalty area with one sword!
  But Florence defender Pascual saw the opportunity and cleared the ball first!
  But his clearance sent the ball right to the feet of Kolarov on the outside of the penalty area.

Inter Milan left back Kolarov stepped into the left side of the penalty area and fired a low shot with his left foot straight into the near corner of the goal!

Two to zero!
  The Nerazzurri expanded their lead!

The two-goal lead obviously did not satisfy Inter Milan's players, who continued to launch an offensive.

Bell cut inside the penalty area and volleyed hard with his left foot. The ball was saved by Fiorentina goalkeeper Boruc who fell to the ground.

Gilardino was brought down by De Rossi and Viola got a free kick.

Vargas took a free kick with his left foot and went directly to the goal. The ball was blocked by Inter Milan's wall and then slowed down. Handanovic got the ball.

Fiorentina right back De Silvestri dribbled the ball along the right wing and broke through to the bottom line and hit back in an inverted triangle.

Santiago's shot went wide of the goal.

In the 76th minute, David Thornton also launched a counterattack from the right.

Leo received Thornton's cross from outside the penalty area and kicked it into the penalty area!

Balotelli caught the ball and turned around and brushed Natali's right foot into the net!

Three to zero!
  The game seemed to have lost its suspense.

With a three-goal lead, Ancelotti immediately made substitutions.

Thiago Motta replaced Leo and Inter Milan slowed down the pace of the game.

Leo deliberately walked very slowly when he came off the field. The entire San Siro stadium cheered, shouted Leo's name and gave him warm applause.

Fiorentina also made another change, with Derio Rossi replacing Inter Milan's old player Harja.

De Rossi's long shot from the edge of the penalty area went over the crossbar.

Immediately after Modric made a clever pass in front of the penalty area, Balotelli broke into the penalty area alone!

But Bashen's right-footed shot from close range was bravely saved by Boruc!

In the final stage of the game, Florence had no hope of equalizing. They were purely fighting for honor.

Vargas made a pass from the left, and Gilardino's right-footed shot from the penalty area slightly missed the right post.

The game entered stoppage time. De Silvestri's cross from the right was met by Behrami's header from the penalty spot.

In the end, Viola failed to score a face-saving goal.

Inter Milan defeated Fiorentina 3-0 at home and continues to lead the Serie A standings!
  (End of this chapter)