Chapter 275: Pair burst
When seeing Inter Milan fall behind by two goals shortly after the start, Moratti didn't seem as anxious anymore. He sat back in his comfortable sofa-shaped seat, pouring himself a glass of red wine.
Beside him, the technical director, Bomm, was a bit puzzled: "Mr. President, why aren't you worried now? We're two goals down." Moratti shook his wine glass and said, "Because I suddenly realized that being anxious is useless. In the previous two finals, each one was thrilling. Until the last moment, you never know who will have the last laugh."
"I believe in our players, I believe in Wang Feng!"
Moratti wasn't worried, but on the coaching bench, Mancini and Wang Feng on the field were a bit anxious. Under Barcelona's pressure, Inter Milan's attacks couldn't even get started.
They had to figure out a way. Wang Feng didn't know what strategy Mancini would have, but he felt that the counterattack needed to be stronger. So he ran to the midfielders and hoped that after they got the ball, they could decisively loft it forward. "Trust me, I'll catch up."
As time passed to the 37th minute, a shot by Barcelona was collected by Toldo. He immediately threw the ball to Samuel. Thinking of Wang Feng's words, the Argentinean sent a long pass directly, flying from the backcourt to the frontcourt.
The Barcelona players hadn't fully reacted yet, but Wang Feng, like lightning, started up. He consecutively bypassed the chasing Decco, Edmilson, and Marquez, intercepting the ball in the 30-meter area in the frontcourt.
At this point, there was only Puuyol, who was both attacking and retreating, in front of him. Near the edge of the penalty area, Wang Feng suddenly slowed down, feinting with his right foot to shoot directly. The Spanish defender could only stick out his leg to block, but Wang Feng moved the ball to the left, dodging the defense, and then shot into the net with a strong shot, with the belated Marquez rushing into the goal.
1-2! Inter Milan pulled one back! This goal instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the Nerazzurri fans in the stands. They were originally drooping their heads like frostbitten eggplants, but now they were excitedly screaming and cheering. Many companions hugged each other with tears of joy, constantly chanting, "We can do it, we can do it!"
After scoring, Wang Feng didn't choose to fish the ball out of the goal line. Instead, he encouraged his teammates who came to celebrate. There was still a lot of time, and more importantly, to stabilize the defense first, and then look for counterattack opportunities like this.
Originally, everyone thought this score would be maintained until the end of the first half, but unexpectedly, Barcelona organized another attack. After Ronaldinho's breakthrough on the right, his cross was broken out by the timely arrival of Cordoba.
Decco took this corner kick. The referee watched the time and blew the whistle. He would only give Barcelona one last chance to attack, but they seized it!
Like a flexible fish, Ronaldinho shuttled in the penalty area. He suddenly broke free from marking and headed the ball from close range, grazing his forehead and quickly diving into the right side of Inter Milan's goal.
1-3! Barcelona once again expanded the score!
This blow was too heavy for Inter Milan. When they left the field, all the players lowered their heads, their faces full of worry as they walked into the dressing room.
Wang Feng also felt very distressed. In the first half, he had very few touches, only two shots in total, and scored one goal. If he could have more chances, there might be hope for a comeback.
But Inter Milan couldn't hold onto the ball at all, and the precarious defense made the midfielders and defenders shrink back. At this time, Mancini walked in, and he said loudly, "Everyone, cheer up, we still have a chance!"
"Adriano, take a break in the second half. Sebastien, you'll come on later. Make sure to stabilize the team's defense."
The Brazilian striker was taken aback. He indeed didn't have many opportunities in the first half and had been running back and forth. But now that the team was two goals behind, shouldn't they strengthen the attack? Why substitute him with a defender?
Mancini continued, "Wang, in the second half, go up front as far as possible, just like our first goal. Whenever someone gets the ball, immediately organize a counterattack and pass the ball to Wang!"
"As long as we don't concede any more goals, just two goals behind, Wang will definitely bring us back!" Seeing the coach's trust in himself, the players gradually regained their spirits. Wang Feng naturally didn't say much. He patted his chest and said, "Yes, everyone defend well, and then trust me to handle the ball!"
Back on the field again, Rijkaard saw the fiercely competitive Inter Milan and couldn't help but feel a little emotional. They were indeed not easy to deal with. As long as Wang Feng persisted, the other players still had hope of working hard.
But the Dutchman was determined to win the Champions League trophy, so he made substitutions, bringing on Iniesta for Edmilson and Larsson for Van Bommel, continuing to strengthen midfield control and firmly suppress Inter Milan.
With Sebastien's addition, Inter Milan's defense became even tighter, but Barcelona controlled possession and attacked without urgency.
In the 65th minute, Cordoba intercepted the ball in the backcourt and passed it to the nearby Samuel, who then gave it to Ribery. Ribery didn't stop the ball but passed it directly to Wang Feng.
In just three passes, the ball went directly from their own penalty area to the midfield. After receiving the ball, Wang Feng quickly turned and rushed towards the frontcourt. Beside him, Puyol was running and trying to press him, even preparing for a foul.
Knowing that there would be no teammate to support him in front, and that the opportunity was fleeting, Wang Feng kicked the ball forward with a big stride, not confronting Puyol but overtaking him from outside the field to chase the ball.
His speed was fully demonstrated in this chase. Even though he took a detour, he still caught up with the ball before Puyol, then rushed into the penalty area. The Spanish defender was left far behind.
Facing goalkeeper Valdes, Wang Feng swung past him like a pendulum with a big movement, then pushed the ball to his right foot and shot into the empty goal with a strong shot.
2-3! Wang Feng scored twice, once again giving Inter Milan fans hope!
This wonderful pass and run also made commentators around the world sigh. "Wang's speed is really outstanding. Puyol couldn't even commit a foul."
Ronaldinho looked at the nearby Chinese superstar with a complicated expression. He could feel that Barcelona's overall strength was superior to Inter Milan's, but because of Wang Feng's presence, the team's victory was never secure.
At this point in the game, Ronaldinho had contributed seven shots and two goals, while Wang Feng contributed four shots and two goals. In terms of efficiency, Wang Feng had the upper hand, but in terms of threat, the two were evenly matched.
It was difficult for Inter Milan's defense to stop Ronaldinho, and it was difficult for Barcelona to stop Wang Feng. Both teams had to put in more effort to defend against these two superstars.
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