Chapter 266: Offensive war
Due to the recent instability in Inter Milan's defense in the past few rounds of matches, Villarreal coach Pellegrini expressed confidence at the pre-match press conference that he would lay the foundation for advancement at the Meazza Stadium.
However, at the moment the game began, a great sense of fear surged through him. The thunderous cheers of over seventy thousand people, the home team's overwhelming offensive pressure, all made him realize that this place, like Camp Nou and Bernabéu, was a devil's home ground, and Inter Milan was no less formidable than Real Madrid or Barcelona!
Just two minutes into the game, Wang Feng contributed with a stunning shot that hit the crossbar heavily, seemingly striking the hearts of the Villarreal coaching staff and players as well.
"Wang Feng's form seems as excellent as ever. Let's hope Inter Milan's defense can maintain a good state and not repeat the mistakes of the previous match against Udinese," remarked the commentator in the broadcast booth.
In the following match, Inter Milan continued their strong offensive. Wang Feng assisted Ribéry and Adriano in bombarding the visitors' goal, with each shot feeling like a heavy hammer hitting Pellegrini. He could only silently pray that the team could withstand this wave of attacks before having a chance to plan their own offense.
Wang Feng was the absolute protagonist on the field, constantly roaming and revitalizing Inter Milan's entire front line. While Villarreal's defense adopted a tight marking strategy, it didn't seem very effective because he was just too agile.
In the 11th minute, Wang Feng received a pass from Zanetti in front of the penalty area. Gonzalo and Senna, two defensive players, quickly closed in on him, but Wang Feng, with a feinting move, successfully maneuvered between them, penetrating into the penalty area, with the defensive line instantly converging on him, forming a encirclement.
Completely focused on Wang Feng, they failed to notice a blue-black figure quietly entering the penalty area, a detail Wang Feng keenly caught sight of.
Originally intending to attempt a forced breakthrough shot, he now had a better idea. With a tap of his right foot, the ball squeezed out between Venta and Arzo.
Ribéry on the right side of the field saw the ball rolling directly towards him. What precise timing! The Frenchman thought, adjusting his posture, lifting his left foot to execute a chip shot.
Villarreal's goalkeeper, focusing on defending Wang Feng's shot, was caught off guard when he suddenly passed the ball to Ribéry on the other side. Hastily diving to save, he failed to touch the ball.
"Goooooooooooal! It's in! Ribéry opens the scoring for Inter Milan!"
"Thanks to the link-up between Wang Feng and Ribéry, Wang Feng is the hero of this goal. After penetrating into the penalty area past two defensive players and attracting the opponent's full attention, it left space for Ribéry to calmly receive the ball and take the shot."
Ribéry, after scoring, appeared excited and tightly hugged Wang Feng, saying, "Boss, I knew you'd see me!" The fans in the stands cheered loudly, calling out Ribéry's name.
Just when everyone thought Inter Milan would secure a big win, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Villarreal's forward Fran erupted. This La Liga Golden Boot winner was no pushover. Taking advantage of Inter Milan's relaxation after the goal, he suddenly exerted force, dribbling past Mihajlovic in the penalty area and firing a powerful shot with his left foot to equalize the score for the visitors, less than five minutes after the first goal.
Pellegrini on the sidelines jumped up excitedly. That's it! No matter how fierce Inter Milan's attack was, there would always be moments of slowdown.
He just didn't expect the team to concede a goal so quickly. But equalizing the score still satisfied him because it was an away goal.
In the following time, both sides fell into a stalemate, with Inter Milan's morale gradually declining from the roaring momentum at the start. Wang Feng knew he had to do something.
In the 40th minute, Inter Milan midfielder Maclayle lifted the ball to the right, and Wang Feng ran along the sideline to find the landing spot. With two defensive players closing in beside him, he learned from the experience of conceding the previous goal, and instead of rushing forward, the other players stayed back, ready to counterattack while guarding against potential gaps.
Wang Feng slowed down near the landing spot, and the two defensive players took the opportunity to block his attacking route. It seemed impossible to break through, but at that moment, the center-back Senna suddenly widened his eyes. Wang Feng lifted his right foot and kicked the falling ball in a way similar to kicking a shuttlecock.
The ball soared towards the center, just clearing the two defenders' encirclement, as Wang Feng ruthlessly squeezed through them.
Once again catching up to the ball, there were no other players within two meters around him, but this was only temporary. Villarreal's defense would soon close in.
Seizing this opportunity, Wang Feng shifted his body and lifted his left foot high, forcefully kicking the ball still in the air. The incoming defender Gonzalo only heard a "bang," as a streak of lightning shot past him, swiftly piercing into Villarreal's goal, leaving the goalkeeper dumbfounded on the goal line.
"It's in! Goooooooooooooal! Wang Feng's volley helps Inter Milan take the lead again!"
"This is a very exciting goal. From receiving the ball, Wang Feng's handling is full of imagination. Who would have thought he would break through the encirclement with a side kick and then immediately shoot without stopping, giving Villarreal's defense no chance to adjust!"
"Of course, to achieve this level, it probably requires ultimate ball control, timing, power, and angle of force. It can definitely be called an art on the field."
The first half ended with a score of 2-1. As they returned to the field, theoretically, the yellow submarine with a slight disadvantage should tighten their defense and look forward to the second leg at home.
But Pellegrini didn't do that. He knew Wang Feng's terror. If they gave up attacking and focused solely on defense, they might not be able to hold on. The players' physical fitness and mentality were also big issues.
His idea was correct. Villarreal's proactive attacking attitude caught Inter Milan off guard. In the 51st minute, Rickelme and Jose De's offensive cooperation posed a threat. The latter's shot was punched out by Toldo with a single fist, earning the away team a corner kick.
Rickelme lofted the ball into the penalty area, and amidst chaos, Fran once again burst out, finding a gap in Inter Milan's defense line with a header, scoring his second goal.
2-2! The fans in the home stadium couldn't sit still. This was the Meazza! If this continued, Inter Milan would be in danger.
Someone started chanting Wang Feng's name, and soon the entire stadium echoed with synchronized voices. Countless times in history, Inter Milan's "King" never let them down.
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