The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 308 Season Summary and Gambling Controversy

With the end of the 11-12 Champions League final, the entire season has come to a successful conclusion.

The first season after the Qatari consortium entered the Serie A giants Inter Milan continued its previous good momentum.

Ancelotti also lived up to the expectations of everyone in Lazuli, leading the Nerazzurri to once again achieve outstanding results in the Triple Crown.

In fact, Inter Milan won a total of six championships this entire season, but the three in the first half of the season are generally counted among last year's six championships.

In any case, Inter Milan, which has won the Triple Crown for the third consecutive year, is already recognized as the most successful team in recent years.

In the declining Italian football world, the Nerazzurri can still rely on its own efforts to gain the upper hand in the confrontation with the two giants of the Premier League, Jinyuan Football and La Liga.

Madrid's "Galactico" and Barcelona's "Cosmos" were all overshadowed by the "Grand International" in Milan.

All in all, from a team perspective, the season that just ended was undoubtedly very successful.

So what does it look like from an individual player perspective?

Leo won the second FIFA Ballon d'Or of his career at the beginning of this year, and also won multiple awards at the Serie A Oscars.

Leo scored a goal in the just-concluded Champions League final, which brought his number of goals in the Champions League this season to seven, and he also received a total of 13 assists.

This data is indeed outstanding, but because he chose to help his teammates score more goals, his number of goals in the Champions League dropped significantly compared with last season.

This also led to the fact that whether it was Balotelli's nine goals or Bale's six goals, Inter Milan's scorers could not threaten Messi, who scored 13 goals.

In other words, although Barcelona was eliminated in the semi-finals, Messi still won the Champions League Golden Boot.

This is not good news, because it means that Leo will face a severe challenge from Messi in the selection of the next Ballon d'Or.

For the same reason, Leo scored "only" 26 goals in Serie A this season, lagging behind Ibrahimovic who scored 28 goals and missed the league's Golden Boot.

Of course, his astonishing data of 46 Serie A assists in a single season once again created new history.

Although he won the Italian Cup with the team, Leo only played twice in the final and the previous game against Naples, scoring two goals and assisting three times.

Others include two goals and three assists in the Club World Cup, one goal and one assist in the Italian Super Cup and one goal and two assists in the European Super Cup.

After this season, Leo scored a total of 39 goals for Inter Milan in all competitions. This statistic is amazing enough if you consider that he is a midfielder rather than a forward.

What's even more outrageous is that he also had as many as 68 assists.

This also has a lot to do with his teammates. Many times he only needs to pass the ball, and Bale and Neymar sway away from the defense and suddenly shoot in.

Or like Bashen, he forced to score against two defensive players in the penalty area.

Leo's exquisite passing is certainly important, but he also needs his teammates to convert his wonderful passes into real goals.

For example, Balotelli scored 23 league goals in his first season after returning to Inter Milan. Counting other competitions, he scored a total of 35 goals. He was the team's second scorer after Leo. hand.

Bale and Neymar, who have just joined Inter Milan, have also scored more than 20 goals in various competitions.

Even rotation forward Berbatov, whose playing time was very limited, also scored 18 goals.

It can also be seen that the Nerazzurri are now full of talents, and the offensive end no longer relies on one or two players but has more blossoms.

This is naturally a good thing for the team, but for Leo, it is really hard to say whether it will have a negative impact on his competition for personal honors.

Returning to Milan from Spain, the club arranged a grand championship celebration for the team.

All the team members took a parade bus and circled the city of Milan. Countless fans wearing Nerazzurri jerseys lined both sides of the road to welcome them.

Finally, everyone came to the Meazza Stadium, where players and fans cheered and celebrated the successful season that had just ended.

Zanetti said goodbye to everyone again. As for the date of the farewell game he had organized with a group of friends, he had not yet decided on the date.

The Qatari consortium is so wealthy that they provided free coffee and panini packages to every Inter Milan fan who came to the scene to participate in the celebration.

Although this is just the most ordinary food in an Italian street coffee bar, you must know that there are at least 80,000 fans present.

This can be regarded as "local tyrants" spending money to enjoy themselves with the people.

This kind of championship celebration made Leo a little numb. Who made him come here almost every year since the beginning of his career.

That is because this year is Inter Milan's first Triple Crown since changing owners, so the celebration was particularly grand.

If Moratti was still in office, things would probably be much more sloppy than they are now.

Nasser generously fulfilled his previous promise to the team, and huge bonuses were paid to every player and staff member before the team was disbanded.

This also allows Inter Milan's newly formed lineup to greatly enhance the team's cohesion.

The season is over, and players without national team competition obligations can happily enjoy their holidays.

"Leo, I am really happy to be my teammate with you at Inter Milan this season. Although I haven't played much this season, I have enjoyed the joy of football.

But what you said before is right, I think I can play for a few more years, so I am ready to leave Milan. "

Leo:? ? ?

Is this different from what you said before? So fickle?

"Have you found your next home?"

Berbatov nodded,

"Fulham in the Premier League gave me the promise of being the main player, and I also want to go back and prove myself to Ferguson."

"As long as you decide, then... I wish you all the best when you return to the Premier League?"

The Bulgarian smiled and hugged Leo goodbye. In fact, Beba felt a little guilty in his heart.

He was the one who wanted to find Leo to come to Inter Milan through the back door last season, and it was he who was about to leave after just one season.

He was the one who agreed before that he would be satisfied with coming to Inter Milan as a substitute and getting a high salary, but now he is the one who wants to return to the Premier League to prove himself.

It doesn't matter if he leaves, anyway, Inter Milan has plenty of money, and it didn't cost much to buy him at the time. Maybe they can make some money from Fulham.

It just makes Leo a little bit embarrassed. After all, in his opinion, the team decided to buy Berba after listening to his suggestion.

With the end of the season, the summer transfer window is about to begin, and major European teams have begun the work of transfer signings.

No matter what player they are, there will always be people coming and going, it’s inevitable.

As for Leo, he hurriedly took a group of national team teammates to report for the Italian national team.

In less than fifteen days, the 2012th European Football Championship in will begin!

This European Cup is jointly hosted by Poland and Ukraine, and the final will be held at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

After previously competing in the European Cup qualifiers, 16 top European teams were finally shortlisted for the finals.

Italy, the World Cup champion, won all the qualifying matches and is undoubtedly the favorite to win this European Cup.

All the Inter Milan players who played in the Champions League final have returned to the team, and the Italian national team is finally fully assembled!

On May 5, with ten days left until the opening of the European Cup, Italian national team coach Prandelli announced the final roster of twenty-three players!

There are three goalkeepers, Buffon, Siligu and De Sanctis.

In terms of defenders, there are eight players in total including Abate, Balzaretti, Ranocchia, Bonucci, Chiellini, Maggio and David Thornton.

Leo leads the midfield. In addition to him, there are seven players including De Rossi, Diamanti, Marchisio, Montolivo, Thiago Motta, Nocerino, and Pirlo.

The front five are Balotelli, Borini, Cassano, Di Natale and Giovinco.

Eight Inter players including Leo, Balotelli, Pirlo, De Rossi, Bonucci, David Thornton, Motta and Ranocchia were all selected for the Azzurri squad!

This is indeed a very rare situation. The reason why Inter Milan is called an "international" team is because it has insisted on taking an international route for so many years.

Inter Milan even had a situation where there was no Italian player in the starting eleven.

However, with the entry of foreign capital, Qatar has changed its previous international tone in order to reduce the resentment of local fans.

Not only are there many Chinese players in the main players, but the youth team also "collects" a large number of local talents with outstanding talents.

No matter what, it is amazing for Inter Milan that eight Italian internationals have been selected for the European Cup squad at one time.

Prandelli doesn't care at all about the doubts from the outside world. If it weren't for Pazzini's very few opportunities this season, maybe even he would have a chance to be selected.

The warm-up match against Luxembourg that was originally scheduled to be held on the 30th was unexpectedly canceled due to the earthquake.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy, killing at least ten people.

In the face of disaster, football has to stop spinning.

The game against Luxembourg was originally Italy's first warm-up match to prepare for the European Cup, and it happened to be held just after the list of twenty-three players was announced. The significance of training is evident.

After the cancellation of this game, the Italian national team only has one warm-up match against Russia on June 6 in Zurich, Switzerland.

These impacts on the Azzurri are only one aspect. At this critical moment, Italy once again set off a "soccer gambling scandal"!

In less than a year, 19 people were arrested and more than 150 people were investigated. The "anti-gambling storm" in Italian football can be said to be proceeding with "vigor".

However, a group of current national players and former national players are involved, which is even more jaw-dropping!

After Criscito, the left-back of the Azzurri, was taken away by the police the day before yesterday, the Italian media revealed yesterday that Vieri was also involved in football betting.

As if this was not enough, the name of Inter Milan center back Bonucci, who was selected for the squad, was also revealed.

After learning that he was involved in a football betting case, the Italian team defender expressed his attitude on Twitter:

“Some of the things that happened this morning made me sad.

One day the truth will come out, and innocent people will always be stronger than before. "

After arriving in Parma, Bonucci faced the media reporters surrounding him and just said calmly:

"It's business as usual."

Prandelli, the head coach of the national team, even guaranteed his trip to the European Cup:

“He was calm, just like us.

He has not received the official documents yet, but if everything goes well by tomorrow, he will participate in the European Cup. "

Not only the Italian international, but current Juventus head coach Conte is also rumored to be involved.

After experiencing the "Calciopoli" incident, Juventus experienced a huge low ebb.

After finally working hard, he gradually hoped to return to the top. Unexpectedly, coach Conte was involved in a new round of match-fixing cases.

This is undoubtedly another blow to the Bianconeri fans.

The coach may be involved in the case, and the club cannot sit still.

Juventus held a press conference specifically for this matter to support the team's head coach Conte.

Club president Agnelli told reporters:

“We have the utmost respect for the work done by the investigative agencies.

At the same time, we have to have the same respect for those involved in the investigation because everything has yet to be confirmed.

I personally and the club will support Conte and we hope he can get through this difficult time. "

According to the confession of former Siena player Carobbio, Conte was involved in the match-fixing case of the match between Novara and Siena on April 2011, 4.

Conte also issued a statement on this.

“When we led Siena, we won the Serie B championship three rounds ahead of schedule due to our unremitting efforts.

Neither I nor my players have anything to do with the betting case, and no one can destroy this precious memory. "

At the same time that the football betting case was exposed, Italian Prime Minister Monti was visiting Poland, one of the host countries of the 2012 European Cup. Monty said in an interview with media reporters,

“Football should embody the highest human values ​​of sport, youth, competition and fairness.

But now various irregularities, falsehoods and rumors have been exposed.

This is not a voice representing the government, but I am now thinking about whether the domestic football league should be stopped for two to three years. "

Monty's statement was like a stone that stirred up a thousand waves.

Italian Football Federation President Abbate responded:

"Football is very important in Italy and he would not consider suspending the domestic football league.

Suspending the league is not a solution to the problem. I wholeheartedly support the punishment of players who manipulate games and participate in match-fixing incidents.

But shutting down the league would implicate players who have been playing the game honestly and put thousands of people out of work.

Professional football has always been self-sufficient and pays more than one billion euros in taxes to the government every year.

So suspending the league is undoubtedly a very ridiculous statement. "

Zamparini, the chairman of Palermo Club, and Cellino, the owner of Cagliari, another Serie A club, also said,

"Stopping domestic leagues will not fundamentally solve the current problems in Italian football."

What's the problem?

Why are match-fixing and gambling so frequent and the most basic fairness and justice in football cannot be guaranteed? Why is Serie A jokingly called "unintentional match-fixing"?

Everyone who knows it knows it very well, but Italian football is like a decadent feudal dynasty, rotten to the core.

It’s not that there are people with insight who want to make some changes, but in the end it’s still to no avail.

"Hey, it can't be changed. It was like this ten years ago, it is like this now, and it will definitely still be like this ten years from now."

Leo has long seen through the Italian football environment and is unable to change it.

"Can't these reporters really wait until the European Cup is over? People are panicking at this time."

The betting case will inevitably have an extremely negative impact on the atmosphere of the Italian national team.

Not to mention Bonucci who was involved, are all the other Italian international players really clean? Is there any problem?

Leo himself can guarantee it, but what about others?

Just like Criscito, who had left the national team after the gambling case broke out, he always insisted that he was innocent.

"I don't have to bet on football at all. I make a living by playing football. I won't be stupid enough to throw away my job."

Well, it sounds reasonable, but is it really the case?

Sometimes people are hundreds of times stupider than you think.

You'll never understand why they do such stupid things.

But they just did it.

Italian football, which has been hit by match-fixing scandals and earthquakes one after another, has really made its fans who love it feel extremely worried.

On June 6st, Italian fans could finally turn their attention away from the gambling controversy for a short time and turn to the game in front of them.

Italy played a warm-up match with the Russian team, which also reached the European Cup finals, in Zurich, Switzerland.

Prandelli arranged a starting formation of 4,31,2.

The risky pairing of Cassano and Balotelli has proven their strength many times in previous games.

Leo serves as the attacking midfielder, with Pirlo, De Rossi and Marchisio behind him.

Left back Balzaretti, right back Maggio, Chiellini and Ranocchia partnered with center back and goalkeeper Buffon.

Bonucci, who was in the midst of the turmoil, was put on the bench today.

Prandelli did not completely rely on Inter Milan's international players. Except for Bonucci, Motta and Thornton also did not start.

In fact, considering the tacit understanding between club teammates, it might be better if Marchisio and Maggio are replaced by Thiago Motta and David Thornton.

It's just that Prandelli has taken into account aspects other than technical and tactical aspects, so he has reservations.

The Russian side actually adopted an offensive and oppressive 433 formation.

All Italian players wore black veils on their arms, and a minute's silence was observed before the game started to commemorate the victims of the Italian earthquake.

Less than a minute into the game, Italy launched a long pass from the backcourt and found Balotelli on the wing.

However, Bashen fouled when fighting for position with the Russian defender.

Maggio dribbled the ball from the right wing and passed through, but the passing line was not good and was passed by Russian goalkeeper Malafeev.

In the fourth minute, Cassano dribbled the ball from the center to the side. When Marchisio's cross was sent to the penalty area, De Rossi's left-footed shot missed the right post.

After the game started, the Italian team immediately took the initiative on the court and actively organized the attack.

Leo sent a precise long pass in the frontcourt. Balotelli stopped the ball on his chest and broke into the penalty area. He shot vigorously with his right foot and was lifted over the crossbar by Malafeev.

Pirlo took a corner kick from the right, but De Rossi's header in the small penalty area failed to reach it.

As the game progressed, Russia gradually entered the rhythm of the game.

Arshavin broke through and cut into the left side of the Italian penalty area before hitting the goal. The ball missed the post.

Then Cassano also missed a long shot, and Russia launched a fast break!

Arshavin's pass hit teammate Shrokov and was deflected to the left side of the penalty area. Korzhakov's shot hit the goal post and bounced out.

Leo passed the ball into the penalty area. Balotelli was unable to turn around and hit the goal under Ignashevich's personal marking in the penalty area, then turned back.

After getting the ball in the middle, De Rossi completed a powerful attack outside the Russian team's penalty area. The ball was picked up sideways by the opponent's goalkeeper Malafeev.

On the scene, the Azzurri have the advantage, but Russia is not totally without a chance. This is the situation.

Until the 24th minute, Zagoev passed a diagonal pass from the right to the back point. Italy's right back Maggio made a mistake in making a clearance. Schrokov behind him successfully received the ball and faced the attacking goalkeeper Buffon!

Schrokov scored an empty goal with a close shot in the penalty area!

One to zero!

Russia took the lead in breaking the deadlock on the court!

Prandelli didn't feel anxious at all. In the warm-up match, he was always looking for problems.

Finding problems is a good thing.

Leo hit the back of the Russian defense with a long pass. Balotelli received the ball more than 30 meters away from the goal and fired a long shot!

This kick was a little off target.

Arshavin took the ball and singled out Balzaretti. The "Tsar" cleverly hit the ball on Balzaretti and bounced out of the baseline.

Russia gets a corner kick.

Ashavin took a corner kick and passed it to the back point. Alexei Berezutsky received the ball at the back point and hit the goal directly over the crossbar!

For a time, there was a tremor in front of the Italian team's goal.

This is very different from what many fans expected.

"If the team is in this state, there will definitely be no chance of this year's European Cup, right?"

"It's hard to say. The impact of the 'soccer gambling scandal' has been too great. The national team is probably worried."

"If they are really innocent, what do they have to be afraid of?"

"It's really disgusting. Can't we wait until the European Cup is over to talk about anything?"

Pirlo sent a pass from midfield, and De Rossi stopped the ball and passed it to Balotelli in the middle.

Bashen had a perfect opportunity to face an empty goal in front of the penalty spot, but he didn't even touch the ball!

Therefore, the Italian fans looked at this scene on the court in disbelief, and Prandelli spread his hands in disbelief.

Russian player Zhirkov volleyed with his left foot from an unmarked position at the front of the Italian penalty area. Buffon flew and blocked the ball out of the near post.

At the end of the first half, Italy was temporarily behind 0-1.

In fact, it was clear that the Azzurri had more opportunities in the first half, but their ability to seize opportunities was not as good as their opponents.

Well, I’m talking about Balotelli.

On the way back to the locker room, Leo silently walked to Bashen's side.

"Mario, today is indeed just a warm-up match, but it may be related to the opportunity to play in the European Cup.

So I hope you can show your best level as soon as possible in the second half, do you understand? "

In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again. Before the game started, Russia replaced Malafeev with main goalkeeper Akinfeev, and Italy replaced main goalkeeper Buffon with De Sanctis.

Indeed, for the head coaches of both sides, checking the status of the players is the primary goal, and the result of the game is not important.

But it's different for the players on the field.

Leo dribbled the ball in the middle and suddenly accelerated, passing Schrokov and passing straight!

Balotelli kept in mind what Leo said and did not dare to relax at all.

I saw Bashen calmly dribbling the ball out of the double-team of two Russian defensive players!

Then he broke through three people in succession and fired a powerful volley from the outside of the foot on the sideline of the penalty area!

Akinfeev, who just came on the field, may not have had time to enter the state yet and watched Balotelli's shot go into the net.

One to one!

Italy equalized the score!

A minute later, Pirlo sent a pass. Cassano took the ball and passed it to Balotelli.

Then Balotelli pushed and shot into the empty goal!

Unfortunately, the referee's whistle had already sounded and Cassano was already in an offside position when he received the ball.

But it was not over yet. After Leo handed the ball to Pirlo, he turned around and penetrated to the outside of the penalty area.

Balotelli withstood the Russian defender's confrontation in the middle of the penalty area and returned the header with a header. Leo entered the small penalty area and followed up with a blast shot!

Two to one!

Italy overtook the score!

After that, the two teams made continuous substitution adjustments.

Montolivo, Giovinco, Di Natale, Thiago Motta, David Thornton and other players came on as substitutes.

The Russian side also replaced players such as Pavlyuchenko, Kokorin, and Kombarov.

In the 77th minute, Maggio and goalkeeper DeSanctis made a passing error in the backcourt. Shrokov seized the opportunity to score another victory for the Russian team!

Two to two ties!

In the end, this score was maintained until the end of the game, with Italy and Russia tied.

The only warm-up match before the European Cup ended in a draw.

(End of this chapter)