Chapter 274: Spark of competition
The final venue, Stade de France, is located in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris. It is not solely a football stadium but a multi-purpose sports facility suitable for various athletic events.
The stadium can accommodate 80,000 spectators. The 1998 FIFA World Cup final was held here, and the 2003 World Athletics Championships also concluded successfully at this venue.
For spectators, watching a match at this stadium feels somewhat uncomfortable because there are running tracks encircling the pitch and separating it from the stands. However, this does not deter fans from eagerly coming to the venue to cheer for their teams.
Both teams have a large fan base, leading to a frenzied demand for tickets to the final. Many locals in Paris complained online that they couldn't get tickets, hoping to relax by watching the final on the weekend but finding it impossible to obtain tickets.
In the luxury boxes on the top tier, Barcelona president Laporta calmly sips wine, occasionally chatting with his assistants. In stark contrast, Inter Milan president Moratti paces anxiously. The Nerazzurri have reached this stage, and it's now a question of whether they'll succeed in realizing their dream or fall short.
The players from both teams line up on either side of the player tunnel, awaiting entry onto the pitch. Inter Milan lines up in a 4-3-2-1 formation, with Toldo in goal, followed by Mihajlovic, Cordoba, Samuel, and Materazzi in defense. In midfield, there's Simeone, Zanetti, Pirlo, with Ribery and Wang Feng ahead of them. Upfront is Adriano.
Barcelona, on the other hand, adopts a 4-3-3 formation, with Valdés in goal, Oleger, Marquez, Puyol, and Van Bronckhorst in defense. In midfield, there's Deco, Edmilson, and Van Bommel. Leading the attack are Giuly, Eto'o, and Ronaldinho.
When Ronaldinho sees Wang Feng, his eyes light up, and he greets him with a smile: "Wang, it's been a while since the battles between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, hasn't it?"
"Since losing to you last time, I've been looking forward to our next encounter. God has been kind to me, giving me a strong team. This time, I'll definitely win!" responds the confident newly-crowned World Footballer of the Year.
Facing this confident opponent, Wang Feng replies firmly, "My teammates are also formidable. I believe with their full support, I'll have the last laugh!"
The spark of competition ignites in their eyes. It's only when other players remind them it's time to enter the field that they avert their gaze and follow their teammates into the stadium.
In the first half, Barcelona kicks off. Ronaldinho and Eto'o stand in the center circle. With a whistle from the Norwegian referee, Haug, Eto'o passes the ball to Ronaldinho, who then quickly sends it backward.
Adriano, Ribery, and Wang Feng advance toward the opponent's half, looking for an opportunity to intercept the ball.
Puyol controls the ball, adjusts, and passes it to Marquez, who then gives it to Deco. Seeing no opportunity, the three Inter Milan players retreat near the center circle.
Watching Barcelona's precise passing is indeed a delight. Each player's ball control and the trajectory and pace of the passes are excellent, making it difficult for their opponents to regain possession.
However, Inter Milan's tactics do not require ball possession; they only need to defend resolutely and counterattack swiftly to tear through the opponent's defense.
Deco chips the ball to Ronaldinho on the wing. Ronaldinho, with his agility, bypasses Simeone and passes to Eto'o. Under the close marking of Samuel and Simeone, Eto'o still manages to pass the ball into the penalty area.
Adriano is inside the penalty area, but Materazzi is marking him tightly. While discreetly interfering, Materazzi uses subtle movements to distract him. It's a common trick among defenders, usually unnoticed by the referee if not too obvious.
The Cameroonian forward doesn't force it. Although he's physically strong enough to shake off the Italian defender, shooting after shaking him off would render the attempt less threatening.
Instead, he immediately lays the ball back to Edmilson, who has just arrived outside the penalty area. With no other defenders around him, Edmilson shoots skillfully with his right foot, and the ball sails over Toldo's head into the net.
"Goooooooal! It's a goal! Just ten minutes into the game, Edmilson opens the scoring for Barcelona!"
"Eighty percent of the credit for this goal goes to Ronaldinho. Despite being double-teamed, he still managed to deliver the ball to Eto'o in the middle."
"The remaining twenty percent goes to Eto'o for his return pass and Edmilson for his excellent finish."
"What is Inter Milan's defense doing? Why are Mihajlovic and Cordoba both focusing on Giuly?"
"The passive situation and conceding the goal have pushed the Nerazzurri into a corner."
After taking the lead, Barcelona doesn't change their tactics or style. They continue to control the ball calmly, using passing to penetrate the opponent's defense, appearing very stable as a team.
"Look at this attack! Ronaldinho dribbles forward with the ball; he's truly agile, bypassing Simeone and passing to Eto'o."
"Giuly, Edmilson, and Deco are all pushing forward. Barcelona's attack looks relentless!"
"Eto'o passes back to Ronaldinho, who takes the shot! It's a goal!"
"This time, it's Eto'o who entered the penalty area, drawing the defense and then making a triangle pass to Ronaldinho, who shoots on the run!"
"Barcelona's attacking firepower is just too strong, with their front three shining brightly. Deco and Edmilson occasionally joining the attack, Inter Milan can't withstand it!"
"No wonder they are called the second Dream Team. The Nerazzurri now seem to be drifting further away from the championship."
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