Chapter 65: Striding forward
Fiorentina defended their league title, and many of the old giants of Italian football were in mourning, and everyone could feel that the rise of a new club was completely inevitable, and that was the last thing they wanted.
Moggi, the former general manager of Juventus, said in an interview: "I don't want to deny the strength of Fiorentina, but the strength of Fiorentina is not good news for Italian football, their way of monopolizing the championship will only make Italian football less and less competitive, and for a long time, it will be a disaster, and the level of football in a country is definitely not something that a team can support, but Fiorentina is destroying this foundation." ”
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi also followed suit: "The current Serie A league has become more and more boring, Fiorentina is the champion, other teams can only compete for second place, I don't know if there will be anyone willing to watch Serie A in the past!" ”
In contrast, Inter Milan have been very quiet, with Jose Mourinho and his team now silently licking their wounds, waiting to win a bet with Deegan next year.
Someone spoke, and the media began to chatter, and in general, Fiorentina is dominant, which has destroyed the foundation for the development of Serie A, and a league without competition has no future.
To put it bluntly, Fiorentina should dismiss all the current players and then change the team to play the game, preferably from the third division 2.
"I feel that there is a sour smell in the whole Italian football world now, some cheeky guys are always saying some nonsense about not being able to eat grapes, saying that grapes are sour, Fiorentina is dominant, this is what we have worked hard to fight, we welcome competition, like competition like Inter Milan, saying that we have destroyed the foundation of Italian football, I want to ask, according to where!? Is it because we defended the title? A team that has been around for 100 years, with only four league championship trophies in the Hall of Fame, I really don't know what exactly we have destroyed. If some people really want to say this, it's better to wait until we embroider a star on the team crest, because when Juventus and AC Milan dominated Serie A in the past, I didn't hear anyone say that they undermined the foundation of Italian football. ”
When Degan fought back, he was extremely sarcastic and sarcastic, although he did not name names, but everyone knew who he was talking about.
"I think some people can rest, they just can't see the good of others, yes! That's right! We are not a wealthy family, we are a purple lily on the outskirts of Florence, if they want to overthrow our rule, just come, say those, it will not make us break our bones, it will only make everyone in the world laugh and be generous! ”
When Berlusconi was a guest on a TV talk show, he learned about Degan's words, and the old man was immediately angry, and immediately criticized: "I think that young man completely lacks respect for an old man who has contributed to the development of Italian football!" ”
Deegan immediately retorted, "I will only respect people who deserve respect, like some people who are full of. Fang, a stinky old man with bad morals, I owe any favor. ”
It is said that Berlusconi, after learning about Digan's evaluation of him, vomited three liters of blood, and almost lost his life.
Of course, it is only said that the more accurate news is that after the end of the recording of the TV program, Berlusconi organized a lot of flesh and blood to hold a non-existent event in his home. Cover. Big. Yes, as a result, the old man was admitted to the hospital for treatment due to physical exhaustion, and the treatment recommendations announced in the end were banned one by one. Desire!
The Berlusconi family has lost face, and even the overall image of AC Milan has plummeted, which is not to do Degan's business.
After winning the league title, they had the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Chelsea in midweek.
In the first leg, Fiorentina won 4-1 away from home, and the suspense of the game was basically over, and Hiddink's only chance to continue the magic was that Prandelli would choose to rotate the squad in order to cope with the next busy schedule.
But when the game started, all the previous speculation was gone, and Prandelli sent the strongest line-up, only making a change at right-back, with Maggio resting, but it was not Bonucci who came on, but the youngster Desiglio.
Guus Hiddink seemed to have taken advantage of Fiorentina's weakness and chose to attack Fiorentina's right flank from the start of the game, but with the help of the midfielder, Desiglio's performance was eye-catching.
Desiglio is no longer the weak boy he was when he first came to Florence, and after nearly a season of hard work, his body has gradually become stronger, and his technique has not improved a lot.
In the fifteenth minute of the first half, Desiglio also had a very good performance. Cole assisted up front, Drogba and Anelka were already in place, and it was at this moment that Desiglio suddenly came from the side and made a flying tackle that allowed Ashley. Cole's superstar has suffered a big loss.
The game-deciding goal came in the 37th minute, when David Beckham's wide pass, Degan's header and Mutu's shovel into the net, completed the revenge of the Vipers, who had been ruthlessly abandoned by Chelsea, to score against their former club in two consecutive games.
There is no suspense in the next game, Chelsea must score five goals if they want to win, and this task is not to say Chelsea, even if they pull the world all-star team over, it is impossible.
The only thing Chelsea could do now was try to finish the game and save face for the Blues, and Branislav Ivanovic equalised just before half-time with a header from a corner.
But at the beginning of the second half, Fiorentina's fast attack scored again, and Digan's volley made Cech only look at the ball and sigh.
2:1!
Fiorentina eliminated Chelsea 6-2 on aggregate to reach the final for the second year in a row and are now waiting for their final opponents.
The next day, the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals between Manchester United and Arsenal began, and Manchester United, who won the first leg by a small goal at home, hoped to eliminate Arsenal this time, reach the final, beat Fiorentina, and make up for the regret of last season, however, Arsenal has reached the semi-finals of the Champions League six times before, and has maintained the proud record of reaching all the finals.
Speaking to the British media before the game, Beckham looked ahead to his opponents in the final, saying he hoped Fiorentina would meet their former club Manchester United in the final.
Beckham said: "It will undoubtedly be very interesting to meet Fiorentina on a stage like the Champions League final, where I have many good memories, although I had a falling out with Alex Ferguson because of the Flying Bootgate incident, but now I have been relieved, since I left Manchester United in 2003 to join Real Madrid, I have not played with Manchester United with the team, he has not played in the Champions League since 2007, if Fiorentina can meet Manchester United in the final. For me, it was undoubtedly fantastic. ”
David Beckham, who was once the hero of Manchester United's Champions League tribulation, also has mixed feelings about the possibility of a good old club meeting in the Champions League final: "I have always stressed that if I could choose again, I would never leave Old Trafford. After all, that's where I've always wanted to start and end my career. However, now I have to look back in a different way, because I have been there for more than 10 years and have had great success and, more importantly, have made great friendships with a lot of great friends. ”
For the mentor Alex. Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham still remembers with gratitude: "It was a great fortune to be able to play for Manchester United under Alex Ferguson because I learned the ethics of a professional football, from the time you get up to the time you go to bed at night, everything about football, you know, it was an experience I gained when I was younger, and it was enough to benefit me throughout my career, even when I was questioned and criticised on and off the pitch, I was able to sit back and relax, and I look forward to him leading Manchester United to victory over Arsenal. Yes! Very much looking forward to it! ”
The Gunners have the advantage of being at home, with the Red Devils having never won at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners are unbeaten in 24 home games in the Champions League. The Red Devils have won just once in their last 10 away games against the Gunners, winning 2-1 at home to Manchester United in the Premier League this season. In addition, the two sides have previously met in a knockout format, with United leading 1-0 in the first leg on three occasions, only to be able to knock out their opponents on only one occasion.
Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are currently the two longest-serving managers in the Premier League, with the "Lord" taking charge of Manchester United in 1986 and the "Professor" taking charge of Arsenal in 1996, with the two leading the team to an equal score, both winning 14 and drawing 10.
However, the historical numbers are not entirely on the Gunners' side, as the Reds have not lost on the road in the Champions League for more than two years, and a draw will undoubtedly ensure the Reds progress to the final, and in fact, even if they lose, United have a chance of progression, as Arsenal failed to score away from home in the first leg.
Judging from the combat effectiveness of both sides, the Red Devils' attacking power is trustworthy, after the first leg, Wenger admitted that he was extremely lucky to concede only one goal, and this time Arsenal returned to home, and could only respond to Manchester United's fierce attack with a broken defence, Klich was not available, and it is unknown whether Sylvester can play. In addition, with Robin van Persie injured and likely to be sidelined, Arsene Wenger will have no choice but to change the formation and get the second leg into the Gunners' own accustomed rhythm.
However, the result was undoubtedly disappointing for the professor, and in the end, the Red Devils Manchester United defeated the Gunners Arsenal 3-1 to reach the final 4-1 on aggregate, the second season in a row that the Red Devils have qualified for the final, and they will meet Fiorentina in the Champions League final for the second year in a row.
Originally, it was expected that the game would be a battle of dragons, but the game began to surprise the fans, with Arsenal making a series of mistakes at home and United settling the battle in just 10 minutes.
In the eighth minute, Manchester United crossed from the left side of the penalty area by Camuro, Arsenal defender Gibbs tried to clear the ball, but accidentally fell, and Goryeo stick Park Ji-sung shoveled the goal from outside the edge of the small penalty area.
Less than three minutes later, the Red Devils were back in the back when Arsenal striker Robin van Persie fouled Camuro at the back, and Camuro fired a direct free-kick from 30 yards out that went straight to the Arsenal goal, but Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia couldn't save it and could only watch the ball go into the net.
United extended the aggregate score to 3-0 and Arsenal had to score four goals in a row to turn the tables at home thanks to two crucial away goals, but it was clear that this was an almost impossible task for an Arsenal side who have been in average form this season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also admitted after the game that a bad start was the key to the defeat: "We conceded two goals in three minutes, which was too bad and then we knew it was impossible to qualify and we kept playing just for the honours. ”
But United's goalscoring performance wasn't over yet, and in the 61st minute, United fought back quickly, and Camuro latched on to Rooney's pass from outside the box and slotted home.
Arsenal, who had been fighting for honour, only saved face in the 76th minute, when Fletcher was sent off for a behind-the-back tackle on Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas in the penalty area, and Van Persie converted a penalty.
Arsene Wenger was undoubtedly the most disappointed man in this game, from the anticipation at the beginning, to the regret and disappointment after conceding two goals in a row, and then to the despair when witnessing the team's dying struggle, it was a great spectacle of the game, and the Arsenal boss even admitted after the game, "Manchester United are indeed a better team and deserve to be promoted".
It is rare to see a professor show weakness like this, but Manchester United has no flaws at all, making Wenger really helpless to break the enemy.
Camuro and Wayne Rooney are visible heroes, but Manchester United's steady control of the lead is inseparable from the huge contribution of the midfield, and the contributions of Anderson and Fletcher are also obvious to all.
Anderson, who was once considered "cured" in the season, has recently played a series of good games and has become a commonly used and favorite pawn for Ferguson. The Brazilian is no longer confined to the dilemma of playing as a midfielder or a midfielder, and now his role is freer. Defensively, he is responsible for tackling and intercepting, relying on excellent awareness to anticipate the opponent's passing lanes in advance, even if he fights with the Arsenal midfielder, he will not suffer, and he has the physical strength to complement Rooney and Evra.
When attacking, Anderson's courage to insert is also the key to Ferguson's courage to not let go of the striker, the Brazilian can continue to respond on both wings, and his excellent physical fitness and running are rare among South American players, often like a whirlwind to the opponent's hinterland, the lord also let him play, in the game Anderson kicked a very creative hanging door, almost knocked on the door of Arsenal, several corner kicks are also very quality. Don't forget, in the Porto era, he was known as "Ronaldinho second" and won the European Golden Boy Award.
Towards the end of the season, Anderson's attendance has improved, which is not surprising given that the Brazilian has always played well in key games without stage fright.
In this life-and-death battle with Arsenal, Anderson fought frantically in the midfield, completely disrupted Arsenal's offensive and defensive system, and also relied on breaking through to make the Gunners' defensive line loud, and its activity even annoyed Fabregas, the photo of the top of the two heads became a classic, Anderson sometimes seemed reckless, but once he used it well, his opening double axe can sometimes indeed overcome obstacles all the way.
Anderson's play can satisfy Ferguson, but his best partner Fletcher is full of regrets, in fact, with Manchester United's three-goal lead, even if the Scottish midfielder let Fabregas complete the shot, it will not hinder the overall situation, but Fletcher, who is too responsible, still got off the tackle, although he kicked the ball first, but at the same time his legs were locked to bring down Fabregas.
Fletcher did not deliberately foul, and there was no problem with the penalty awarded, and the red card was issued directly, which seemed to be too harsh, which is why Ferguson repeatedly negotiated complaints with the fourth official during the game.
Fletcher's excellent defense in this game is obvious to all, the Scot not only has headers, but also top tackles on the ground, and his absence will certainly have an impact on Ferguson's formation in the final.
After the game, slow motion showed that Fletcher's tackle did get the ball first, and the penalty had little impact on the outcome of the game and whether Manchester United qualified, but this red card was likely to decide Fletcher's Champions League fate.
Fletcher is Ferguson's favorite player, the lord does not want him to miss such an important game, in an interview after the game, Ferguson said: "The referee's enforcement of the game is quite fair, but this red card is still regrettable, we will appeal, Fletcher is undoubtedly one of the most important players of Manchester United in the game, he cannot participate in the Champions League final, it is undoubtedly a huge regret." ”
Even the opponent Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger felt that the red card for Fletcher was too harsh.
The Champions League final will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on 27 May, and United still have some time to appeal Fletcher's red card ban, which may be pardoned if they are lucky. If the penalty can't be changed, then Fletcher will have to follow the back of Scholes and Keane and have no choice but to miss the Champions League final.
If Fletcher couldn't get on the pitch, Anderson would probably have to go up, but his combination with Carrick and Paul Scholes has been admittedly out of step before, and most of the few losses United have had been made by the Brazilian paired with the two passers.
If the final continues with a three-midfield formation and Ryan Giggs or Scholes is deployed to organise the attack, it is likely that the lord will continue to use Park Ji-sung in order to find balance and consolidate the midfield and stabilize the back.
The Champions League final was still a little way off, and after confirming their opponents, Fiorentina immediately turned their attention to their next game, which was to host Sampdoria in the 36th round of the league.
Despite winning the championship in advance, Prandelli said before the game that he wanted to win the game on his home turf.
Although Digan, David Beckham and other main players did not enter the starting lineup, Fiorentina, who played in a round of lineups, still won the game with goals from Cavinaghi and Arteta, and won a victory against Sampdoria.
Then, in midweek, they faced Chievo in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, with Digan still not in the starting line-up, Pazzini and Mutu partnered up front, and finally thanks to Mutu's hat-trick and Ranocchia's header, Fiorentina beat their opponents 4-0 and reached the final with one foot.
Then at the weekend, Fiorentina had to travel to Lecce again, and Degan started and eventually scored a hat-trick with an overhead kick in both halves to see his tally for the season increase to 39, one short of 40.
They then face the second leg of the Coppa Italia against Chievo in midweek, where Prandelli has been on the bench in all positions and has even called up a couple of youth players on the bench, with the likes of Deegan not even travelling with the squad to play away from home.
In the end, Fiorentina still won 2-0, and Cavinaghi scored twice to help Fiorentina overcome their opponents and enter the final of the Coppa Italia with their heads held high.
Next is the final round of the league, home to AC Milan, the Wright brothers duel again, the current transfer rumors on Kaka's body continue, and some media even asserted before the game that this game will become the swan song of the Wright brothers duel in Serie A.
During the game, the Wright brothers also became the focus of attention, and every duel attracted everyone's attention, Kaka scored first, and a long-range shot from outside the box made Fiorentina substitute goalkeeper Lupatelli have to raise his hand in surrender, but then Digan received a pass from Arteta and scored with a header to equalize.
Both sides fought hard for the rest of the game and AC Milan must pick up a point to secure a place in next season's Champions League.
Degan's goal in the second half poured cold water on AC Milan up and down, and the news from another venue that Roma had a 3-0 lead over Cagliari.
If this result is maintained until the end of the game, AC Milan will miss the Champions League for the second year in a row, which is completely unthinkable for AC Milan.
The 2-1 scoreline continued until the end of the second half, and this time Kaka was the hero of AC Milan, as his breakthrough resulted in a foul by Vincent Kompany and the referee decisively awarded a penalty.
AC Milan have their destiny in their own hands.