Chapter 167: Nothing is impossible !
The Decisive Battle with Juventus Approaches!
At the pre-match press conference, head coach Cooper reluctantly admitted that Inter Milan was in trouble, but he believed there was still a chance. However, the media on-site believed he was just putting on a brave face and had no other option but to rely entirely on Wang Feng.
On the other hand, Juventus coach Lippi showed enough caution in his interview: "We cannot deny that we have a certain advantage, but we will never underestimate our opponents. Inter Milan has superstars who can change the game's situation, and we must bring out all our strength and form to compete with them."
In this match, Cooper deployed a 4-5-1 formation, with Toldo in goal:
Defense: Zanetti, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Cordoba
Midfield: Di Biagio, Ribery, Dalmat, Zanetti, Emre
Forward: Wang Feng
Although they were in a disadvantaged position, Cooper still chose to place Vieri on the bench to strengthen the team's defense. Inter Milan's defense could not afford to be pierced again! As for the attack, Cooper could only rely on Wang Feng leading the front line.
At the beginning of the match, both sides fiercely contested possession in midfield, with Inter Milan seemingly at a disadvantage but not allowing their opponents any good chances.
After a stalemate for some time, Juventus created a great opportunity. Dalmat fouled Nedved in midfield, giving them a free kick in the attacking half. The Czech player floated the ball into the penalty area.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Toldo chose to come out, punching the ball away with one fist, landing near the edge of the penalty area. Pirlo seized the first opportunity and volleyed the ball over the bar.
Just 5 minutes later, Juventus struck again. After Nedved intercepted Ribery's pass, he sent a long ball forward, and Trezeguet outjumped Zambrotta to head the ball, setting it up for Pirlo nearby.
Pirlo smoothly dribbled into Inter Milan's penalty area, with Zambrotta stumbling and falling in the process. The Italian calmly shot, breaking the deadlock on the field.
Juventus took the lead!
The atmosphere at the Stadio delle Alpi instantly erupted, with many fans already starting to celebrate prematurely, as if they had already reached the cup final.
Even after conceding a goal, Inter Milan showed no improvement. Despite having more players in midfield, they were still suppressed. The connection between the midfield and the front and back lines was poor, making it difficult to form effective attacking plays, and the pressure on the defense was immense.
In the 35th and 42nd minutes, Juventus attacked into Inter Milan's penalty area twice in succession. Trezeguet's shot even hit the post. If it had been a little off target, Inter Milan would have been in big trouble.
At the end of the first half, Inter Milan trailed by one goal, with an aggregate score of 2-4.
One can imagine the celebratory scene in Juventus' locker room at this moment. In contrast, Zambrotta was holding his head, still regretting his mistake, while captain Zanetti sat in the corner dejectedly, and other players exchanged glances in silence.
"Everyone, Juventus is celebrating their victory," Wang Feng suddenly spoke up. "I don't know what you all think, but I refuse to accept this. There are still forty-five minutes left, and football is round. Anything is possible."
"I won't let them off easy. Even if we fail, we'll scrape off a layer of their skin."
Inspired by Wang Feng and Zanetti's fierce words, everyone gradually regained their spirits. After experiencing last season's double championship and winning two trophies this season, a sense of pride had quietly emerged in the Inter Milan team, the pride of champions, never bowing down!
Shortly after the start of the second half, Inter Milan got a corner kick opportunity, and Wang Feng decided to take it himself, with Inter Milan players lurking in various positions in the penalty area.
Materazzi lurked outside the small penalty area, and Juventus clearly understood his threat, sending tall defender Thuram to mark him.
When Wang Feng took the corner kick, Juventus' defense realized that the ball was not intended for Materazzi at all. Who was it for?
The ball flew low and fast towards the near post, and a small figure suddenly leaped out, arriving at the ball's landing area and heading it towards the goal like a lion.
Goalkeeper Buffon was positioned very far to the right and was surprised to see the ball heading towards the goal, desperately diving to save it. Unfortunately, his arm span was not impressive enough, and he could only watch as the ball entered the net.
"Goal!!! Inter Milan pulls one back!!! Ribery's header!"
"Oh my God, what kind of tactic is this from Inter Milan, letting a 1.7-meter-tall guy go for a header, and it worked!"
After scoring, Ribery excitedly ran to Wang Feng's side and hugged him tightly. He didn't expect the ball to actually go in!
During training sessions, they had practiced this tactic, with taller players attracting attention and Ribery "stealing" a header. The effect was quite good.
All of this was thanks to Wang Feng's precise passing—not too high, not too low, and perfectly positioned.
With the score level, Inter Milan pressed on. In the 66th minute, Wang Feng received a pass from Ribery near the edge of the small penalty area. With his back to the goal and Ferarra pushing hard to prevent him from turning, and Montero also rushing towards him, Thuram was very vigilant in preventing other Inter Milan players from making runs. It seemed like there was no opportunity, so the ball could only be passed out of the penalty area to organize another attack.
At that moment, Ferarra applied too much force, and his entire body leaned on Wang Feng's back. Wang Feng made a sudden move, leaning back to push Ferarra away.
In that split second, he used the back of his right foot to flick the ball, passing it through Ferarra's dangling leg and rolling straight into the goal.
Buffon was busy marking other players' runs and didn't expect the ball to suddenly roll towards him, completely beyond his expectations. Therefore, he couldn't make any move.
Inter Milan leveled the aggregate score! Now, they were only one away goal behind!
Juventus was demoralized by these two inexplicable goals, and for a moment, they didn't know how to play. In contrast, Inter Milan surged forward. Five minutes later, they launched another counterattack.
Di Biagio quickly dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area, passing it to Wang Feng on the right. Wang Feng, running at high speed, leaped high, with his waist already at the height of Juventus defender Davids' head.
Wang Feng forcefully nodded the ball towards the goal, and it flew past the crossbar into the net.
"Goal!!!! Wang Feng's header! Saving Inter Milan!"
"Now they lead Juventus 3-1, with an aggregate score of 5-4!"
"Inter Milan's performance on the field vividly illustrates football—nothing is impossible!"
This score held until the end of the match, with Inter Milan knocking Juventus out and advancing to the Italian Cup final!
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