Chapter 237: The Price Paid
Ricardo's goal gave his team a 3-0 lead, but he was immediately taken to the hospital for examination.
Mancini held back his concern about Ricardo's injury and focused his attention on the game in front of him. Despite leading by a large margin, he learned the lesson of being held to a draw by Roma and replaced Ricardo with Donny van der Meyde, continuing to maintain the threat up front and keeping Valencia from fully engaged in attack.
However, in the 73rd minute of the game, Valencia still pulled a goal back.
The goal was scored by "Joker" Aimar, a star who was once one of the famous River Plate twins, and he and Saviola were once considered the best successors to Maradona.
However, Saviola wasted his time in the big club, and Aimar took the lead in Valencia, and the situation of the two was different.
Aimar is also an idol of Messi, his style used to be very flashy, and his skills at his feet were excellent, but after years of immersion in La Liga, his skills have gradually become practical, often killing with a simple stop.
That was the case with this goal, as Di Vaio broke down the right and connected up with Aimar to get the ball to his feet.
Aimar slid the ball past and gracefully shook off his little brother Burdisso for the national team and slotted the ball into Fontana's goal.
However, this ball was not the clarion call for their counterattack, but the beginning of their nightmare.
Three minutes later, Adriano made a clever pass, and Van der Meyde received the ball and scored to extend the score to 4:1.
Two minutes later, C. Zanetti's cross set Adriano into the back of the net.
In stoppage time, Stankovic burst into the box with the ball and knocked it cross, and Cruz came on as a substitute for Adriano to score an empty goal.
In the end, Inter Milan beat the opponent 6:1, and this opponent is not a cat or dog on the side of the road, but the La Liga champion last season!
The match was also considered to be a reflection of the superiority of Italian football over Spanish football.
Marca reported that "Inter Milan beat the Spanish team in the way that the Spanish team does best". Inter Milan's skillful possession of the ball in this game, and the flexible interspersed running in the front court, are indeed very "Spanish".
However, they also paid a price.
News from the hospital: Ricardo has a dislocated left shoulder joint and will be out of action for 4-6 weeks.
No one is happiest at the news, as they will face Inter Milan "away" in the next round without having to face a thried-off goalscorer like Ricardo.
"Honey, are you alright?" Stella's voice on the phone was full of worry.
At this time, Licardo had already brought a brace for immobilization, and he could not wear a cast due to a shoulder joint injury, which was more depressing.
Fortunately, it's just a dislocation, not a large tuberosity avulsion, otherwise it wouldn't have recovered in 4-6 weeks.
"I'm fine," said Ricardo with a wry smile, "just take a break and be with you." ”
How could it be okay...... It was suddenly interrupted when the state was at its hottest, and it is still unknown whether he will be able to return to his form and rhythm after his comeback.
Finally got a firm foothold, got the main position, is running in with the team, and now the injury is stopped, God knows if there is a main position waiting for him after the comeback? Maybe Mancini will be able to use another line-up.
All in all, the injury couldn't have come at a better time.
Stella comforted him softly and hung up the phone. Immediately followed by the broker Fabiano. Farah, Ronaldo, and some media friends all called to inquire about the situation, and Ricardo replied in a unified tone with a smile: "I'm fine, don't worry." ”
It wasn't until he got on the plane and turned off his mobile phone that he got some peace.
As soon as he got off the plane and turned on the plane, he received another call from Mancini. He was delayed in hospital treatment, the team had already returned to Milan, he originally thought Mancini had fallen asleep, but he did not expect Mancini to sleep at this time.
"Hi Robert." Licardo pressed the ON button.
"I've spoken to Comby about your injury," Mancini asked with concern, "how are you feeling now?" ”
"Not bad," Licardo laughed, "thanks for your concern." ”
"What I want to tell you is, don't be psychologically burdened. You've managed to make an impression on me, and I'll continue to give you a chance as long as you stay where you are when you're recovering from your injury. ”
"Thank you."
After a pause, perhaps feeling that his previous words had little power, Mancini changed his words: "What I want to say is that I will let you start at the same time as Ronaldo and Adriano, and tailor tactics for the three of you." But you have to stay where you are. ”
Ricardo was finally moved: "I will try, Robert, thank you for your attention." ”
"No thanks, you've earned it all for yourself. Rest early. ”
With three goals and nine assists in six league appearances and five goals and two assists in three Champions League appearances, Ricardo is not complacent, but he also feels that few people in this world can do this.
The number of goals is normal, but the number of assists is a bit exaggerated. The main reason is that he is too familiar with Ronaldo, he has watched countless Ronaldo's game videos, and he knows how Ronaldo will run with his eyes closed, so he can always give Ronaldo just the right assist.
After getting off the plane, Ricardo rented a car and went home.
The driver is a fan of AC Milan, but he also has a good impression of Ricardo, and has been persuading Ricardo to abandon the dark and turn to AC Milan all the way. When Ricardo arrived at the door, he also asked Ricardo for an autograph, and then exempted Ricardo from the fare.
Truth be told, Ricardo would rather pay 10 times the fare than sign it. But in order to maintain his character, he still fulfilled the AC Milan fan's wishes with a smile on his face and insisted on giving fares and tips.
"Honey, look at you," Stella rushed out, carefully hugging Ricardo and looking at his left shoulder in pain, "It hurts, doesn't it?" ”
"It's okay, didn't I put you to sleep?"
"Knowing you're hurt, how can I possibly sleep." Stella cautiously helped Ricardo through the door.
Licardo couldn't help me: "Don't help me, I'm not so fragile, just a little injury." ”
"I know you pros think it's a minor injury, but I think it's serious. It's not easy for you to sleep at night, right? ”
"The doctor said that sleeping during this time will be affected, and it will be fine next week."
"Are you hungry or not, I'll make you something to eat."
"No, hurry up and rest, you still have a job tomorrow."
Ricardo now just wanted to sleep with his head covered, though he also knew that the pain in his shoulder would keep him awake for several nights on end.
The only good news for him is that the shoulder injury will not affect his football career. If it is an injury to the knee, ankle, Achilles tendon and other parts, it is impossible for him to have such a relaxed mentality.