Chapter 158: The Milan Derby in the Champions League Semifinals (Part II)
"If you continue to play like this, Inter Milan is a bit hanging." Ricardinho commented.
Everyone on the field understands the ball, so they can naturally see the situation. Fabiano said, "They'll have to make some adjustments, or just expect Ronnie to have a flash of inspiration." ”
"I guess Cooper has this idea, solidify the defense, and then wait for Ronnie to become an alien to dominate the game." Rico's words made everyone laugh.
Derby battles are naturally indispensable. Di Biagio knocked out Gattuso and sent both sides close to exploding. Ronaldo was then elbowed by Costacuta during a scramble, and although the referee showed Costacuta a yellow card in time, the Inter players still came close to getting into a big fight with the AC Milan players.
The opening 10-minute game was more than intense and not exciting.
But as the players on both sides gradually got into the groove, the excitement began to increase.
Shevchenko's incisive cross into the middle gave Gattuso a great chance to shoot from the edge of the box, but his shot went just wide of the post.
Soon Inter Milan also colored, Materazzi made a long pass from the backfield, Ronaldo stopped the ball on his chest, picked the ball on his toes, and passed Maldini, who pounced fiercely. Then, under Maldini's interference, he advanced more than 20 meters with the ball and fired a powerful shot from the right side of the penalty area.
It's a position he's very good at, and the quality of his shots is so high that Abbiati didn't make a save at all, just turned his head to watch the trajectory of the ball in a daze. Unfortunately, in the end, the ball hit the top edge of the crossbar and bounced off the bottom line.
It was also Inter's best chance of the first half.
AC Milan scored once in the 22nd minute, when Seedorf's through ball from the ribs gave Inzaghi a one-on-one chance, and the "best opportunistic striker in the world" certainly couldn't miss out and got home with ease. However, the referee blew the whistle for Inzaghi offside.
In front of the TV, everyone breathed a sigh of relief except for Kaka. Everyone regards Inter Milan with Ronaldo as their home team, only Kaka, because he is almost certain to join AC Milan, so the balance of feelings has tilted towards AC Milan.
In the ensuing period, the game was spent in a dense conflict and injuries to the players. Inter Milan players Conceição, Córdoba, Toldo, Emre and Recoba were kicked and sent to the sidelines for brief treatment. Throughout the first half, both sides received a total of five yellow cards, and the popularity of the game can be seen.
The two sides went into the break with a score of 0-0, and Ricardo discussed with his teammates the performance of both sides in the first half and the layout of the two managers.
In terms of tactics, Cooper is undoubtedly the passive side, and the arrangements he makes are basically targeted by the opponent, and it is difficult for Inter Milan to play a smooth attack. AC Milan, on the other hand, played more aggressively and controlled the tempo better, threatening Inter Milan's goal several times.
If no adjustments are made, Inter Milan's second half will be even tougher.
Cooper was also aware of this, and at the beginning of the second half, he made two substitutions, replacing the mediocre and less confrontational Recoba with Martins, a teenager known as "Inter Milan's next 10 years", and replacing Italian international Di Biagio with a more technical and creative midfielder Dalma.
Inter Milan were immediately refreshed after a substitution, and five minutes later, they found a good chance to score.
Dalma and Emre combined in the middle, with the latter poking the ball out before going down the ground after being knocked over by Gattuso. Due to the principle of attacking advantage, the referee did not stop the game.
Although Emre lost his centre of gravity and his pass was a little off course, Ronaldo kept the ball in the driver's seat. After a series of shaking, Ronaldo managed to get out of the trap of Maldini and Costacuta, and fired a shot from a tight angle in the box, but Abbiati couldn't save and the ball rolled into the net. Inter Milan leads 1-0!
The moment the goal was scored, Ricardo jumped to his feet and yelled like a child to express his excitement.
Rico also got up and improvised a short samba jump.
If they can keep this score until the end, Inter Milan will enter the Champions League final after a 30-year absence!
However, AC Milan took advantage of Inter Milan's slackness and immediately launched several fast attacks and achieved results.
Four minutes after Inter's goal, Seedorf turned to get rid of Dalma and crossed with his right foot to the left side of the box, and Shevchenko took the ball. Córdoba's defense was in place and blocked Shevchenko's shooting angle, but Sheva buckled with his left foot, and the ball happened to pass under Córdoba's crotch, and the Ukrainian nuclear warhead swept with his right foot 7 meters in front of the goal when his body was out of balance, blasting the ball into the upper left corner of the gate, although Toldo subconsciously reached out to block it, but did not touch the ball at all.
The score became 1:1! AC Milan, on the other hand, had a valuable away goal and they began to retract defensively.
Inter Milan are in a hurry and if the scoreline continues, they will be ruthlessly knocked out of the competition.
Cooper replaced midfielder Emre with teenager Cuarón and offered a desperate three-striker strategy, while the two wing-backs were all in position, acting as two wing-backs, desperate to attack.
But before they could score, there were holes in their defence. In the 74th minute, AC Milan counterattacked, Rui Costa advanced with the ball in the middle, passed the midfield and distributed the ball to the left side, Shevchenko took the ball on the left side of the penalty area, shook off Cannavaro laterally and shot hard, once again penetrating Toldo's ten fingers.
AC Milan leads 2:1!
In front of the TV, Licardo and the others were silent. Although Kaka was very happy, he secretly glanced at his teammates with serious expressions, but he didn't dare to celebrate. I'm going to get beaten.
AC Milan made a quick substitution after the goal, Serginho came on for Inzaghi and Ambrosini for Rui Costa, which was a signal to strengthen the defence.
At this moment, Inter Milan must score 2 more goals to make a comeback!
Inter Milan's players were aggressively looking for opportunities on the pitch, but their midfield was disorganized and only relying on Ronaldo's individual ability to break through could pose a threat. But AC Milan is also defending Ronaldo's multiple soldiers, even if Ronaldo has three heads and six arms, it is difficult to make a difference!
In the 85th minute, Ronaldo dribbled past three people and passed the ball diagonally into the penalty area, Martins used his speed to get rid of Maldini's defense, chased the ball and volleyed to help Inter equalize.
But it's not enough, it's not enough!
In the last few minutes, Licardo and others watched the game almost standing, watching Inter Milan attack again and again in vain, and finally the referee blew the whistle three times to announce the end of the game.
Watch as the players on the AC Milan bench rush to the pitch to celebrate, as they eliminated Inter Milan on away goals to reach the Champions League final.
watched Ronaldo, Zanetti and others suffer and be lonely on the sidelines, shedding heroic tears.
Ricardo clenched his fists. Wait for me for another year, and I'll help you next year, and together we'll get back all that we've lost!