Chapter 173: Wonderful confrontation
Wang Feng sat in the VIP box at the San Siro Stadium for the first time, watching an Inter Milan match. He couldn't help but feel impressed by the gradual recovery of his teammates' form, which gave him more confidence for the road ahead.
A week later, they would still be in Milan, facing their heavyweight rivals AC Milan in the title race. As the season progressed, AC Milan had several opportunities to overtake Inter Milan, but they had dramatically missed each one, leaving Inter at the top of the table for a whole 28 rounds.
This match was considered by many as the most crucial round in determining the winner of the Serie A title.
In the tunnel before the match, players from both Inter Milan and AC Milan did not display the same hostility as the fans. Whether they were Italian national team players or South Americans, they were very familiar with each other and had good relationships.
Matthias and Inzaghi were in conversation, while Nesta and Di Biagio were seen shoulder to shoulder. Shevchenko approached Wang Feng and asked, "Wang, why is your body so strong? Why don't you ever suffer from injuries?"
Shevchenko had missed most of AC Milan's games this year due to injury, only shining in crucial matches and in the Champions League. Since he and Wang Feng were acquainted from FIFA's award ceremony, this question didn't seem out of place and had a hint of teasing.
Wang Feng chuckled and patted his body, saying, "Of course, because I'm strong enough." Shevchenko was left speechless by this response, and the two chatted for a while before returning to their teams just before the match was about to start.
Once the game began, the friendly atmosphere from before disappeared, replaced by tension and competitiveness.
AC Milan adopted an aggressive approach from the start. Inzaghi dropped back to receive the ball and executed a splendid one-two with Serginho, attempting to lob the ball to Shevchenko in the penalty area.
However, the ball was cleared by Materazzi, and Costa won the first ball. After pulling it to the right side of the penalty area, he suddenly crossed it. Shevchenko made another run, aiming for a header, but Zambrotta intervened effectively, holding off Shevchenko and clearing the ball out for a corner.
AC Milan continued to press aggressively, refusing to relent without a victory.
In the 17th minute, Ambrosini carried the ball in midfield, using his body to fend off Di Biagio and sending a precise pass to the left side of the penalty area.
Inzaghi received the ball, but Cordoba quickly closed him down. Inzaghi attempted a forced cross from the byline, but no one was in the box to receive it. However, the ball traversed the entire penalty area to the right side, where Serginho collected it.
After exchanging a glance with Shevchenko, Serginho feigned a breakthrough, drawing Zambrotta's attention, before making a diagonal pass to Shevchenko inside the penalty area. Shevchenko received the ball and took a direct shot, which Torlodo attempted to save but failed to reach in time.
AC Milan opened the scoring!
The San Siro, or rather, the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, erupted into celebration. The pulsating red and black colors became dominant, while the blue and black areas emitted boos.
Shevchenko was in excellent form in this match! Wang Feng couldn't help but remark, "Now it's our turn." His fighting spirit burned intensely.
In the 20th minute, Inter Milan launched an attack. Di Biagio carried the ball on the left flank into the opponent's half and, faced with Nesta, sent a long cross across the entire pitch. Wang Feng accurately received the ball on the right side.
Their partnership often involved such extensive transitions to unsettle the opponent's defense. Of course, this relied on Wang Feng's precise judgment of the landing spot and his flawless ball control.
After controlling the ball, Wang Feng passed it horizontally to Ribery nearby and quickly surged forward. Ribery gently flicked the ball with his toe, sending it high into the air over the approaching Maldini, before returning to Wang Feng's control range.
A beautiful one-two! Wang Feng, positioned near the edge of the penalty area, didn't hesitate and immediately took a powerful shot. With a loud "bang," the ball roared like a cannonball into AC Milan's goal.
"Goooooal!! Inter Milan equalized!! Just three minutes after the first goal!!"
"Inter Milan's extensive transitions in the attacking third are incredibly lethal. AC Milan's defense hasn't reacted yet, and Wang Feng broke through to the edge of the penalty area."
"He didn't hesitate, taking a shot immediately. It all happened so fast that even the fans at the stadium were momentarily stunned before realizing that it was a goal."
Wang Feng didn't celebrate the goal extravagantly; instead, he glanced at Shevchenko and shrugged, as if to say, "I can score one too." The infuriated Ukrainian stomped his foot.
The first half ended in a draw, which wasn't good news for AC Milan. During halftime, Ancelotti devised an attacking strategy, intending to bring on Rivaldo and adopt a formation with three forwards to mount another assault.
As the second half began, AC Milan's attack intensified, putting Inter Milan's already shaky defense under even more pressure. Wang Feng actively participated in defense, making several interceptions against the opponent's balls.
But danger loomed. In the 57th minute, AC Milan won a corner kick. Serginho delivered the ball into the penalty area, finding Inzaghi in the middle. However, Inter Milan's defense was too tight for Inzaghi to threaten with a header.
In a critical moment, Inzaghi spotted Rivaldo at the far post and decisively headed the ball across. The Brazilian, living up to expectations, made a forward run and shot, once again giving AC Milan the lead!
In the 71st minute, AC Milan launched another attack. Shevchenko's shot was blocked by Toldo, and Materazzi cleared the ball with a big kick. The midfield was chaotic, and Di Biagio managed to steal the ball.
In the moment he got the ball, he immediately, without hesitation, launched a long pass to the frontcourt, where AC Milan's players were positioned very high, leaving their own half almost empty.
At that moment, a figure darted out from the crowd, Wang Feng, who had been waiting for an opportunity. He maintained his understanding with Di Biagio and began accelerating the moment the opponent touched the ball.
Offside trap succeeded! At this moment, in AC Milan's half, only the charging Wang Feng and the airborne ball were visible, while the defending players behind were desperately chasing, but they were already several positions behind.
AC Milan's goalkeeper, Dida, quickly abandoned his goal, trying to intercept the falling ball before Wang Feng. However, the ball descended faster than he expected, and near the top of the penalty area, Wang Feng stretched out his leg and brought the ball under control.
Helplessly, Dida could only rush towards Wang Feng, fouling him before he entered the penalty area! At this moment, he didn't care if the referee would show a card. If he didn't commit the foul, Inter would have scored.
Facing the aggressive Dida, Wang Feng controlled the ball and suddenly turned his body, easily dodging him, even denying him the opportunity to foul.
Marseille turn!
With an empty goal in front of him, Wang Feng gently pushed the ball, and it slowly rolled into the net.
2-2! Inter Milan equalized once again!
This attacking spectacle ultimately ended in a draw, a favorable situation for Inter Milan.
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