Chapter 564: Chapter 37: Positioning, Positioning

Inzaghi’s positioning clearly caught Ramos off guard a bit, as he successfully broke the offside trap from behind Ramos, directly facing Casillas. If not for Casillas’ heroic performance, Milan would have scored the first goal right at the start.

Ramos widened his eyes in surprise, clearly not knowing when Inzaghi ran past him, while Pepe also looked bewildered.

On the sidelines, Mourinho’s face gradually turned serious.

Although the media kept talking about Ibrahimovic, when facing the media, the Portuguese firmly maintained that Inzaghi was the most dangerous one for Milan, and the striker he feared the most.

The water bottle dropped heavily to the ground.

Mourinho muttered words to himself, all of which couldn’t be separated from the provocation of the Milan fans on the sidelines.

But Mourinho quickly calmed down and even laughed out loud. He walked to the sidelines, loudly calling Pepe’s name, hoping that this “Martial Monk” could show some real skills.

“He is indeed the man who dances on the offside line.”

“He clearly put Real Madrid’s defense in a difficult position.”

“The attacking line composed of Inzaghi and Ibrahimovic looks effective this match.”

“In this match, Inzaghi is very eager to score.”

“With just one goal, he can tie with Raul and Gerd Muller for the top scorer in European competitions. If he can score twice, then he will surpass Raul and Gerd Muller to become the top scorer in European competitions.”

“At the same time, if he only scores one goal, he can match Milan’s superstar Van Basten’s 124 goals. Two goals, and he surpasses Van Basten.”

Inzaghi appears to be highly motivated in this match.

On the field, he’s like someone always ready to “pick up money.” In a blink of an eye, he’d reach a dangerous spot.

Mourinho’s movements on the sidelines clearly put pressure on Real Madrid’s defense. When Chen Zhong noticed the defense tightening, he silently retreated a bit to help his teammates relieve the pressure.

A football match is full of ups and downs, sometimes requiring defense, sometimes ball control, and sometimes attack.

With Milan’s morale high, it’s clear they need to defend for a bit first rather than taking risks.

Chen Zhong’s retreat also boosted the morale of Real Madrid’s defense line, making them visibly more relaxed. But that isn’t necessarily a good thing.

“Pepe!!!”

Chen Zhong shouted Pepe’s name loudly, but the boos from San Siro Stadium clearly made Pepe unable to hear Chen Zhong’s call.

“Real Madrid’s ball control.”

“Ibrahimovic’s active pressing.”

“What long legs!”

“Pepe’s ball was intercepted!”

“Danger!”

The Milan fans in the stands instantly became excited, and Mourinho on the sidelines eagerly shouted.

After snatching the ball, Ibrahimovic ignored all his teammates. With piercing eyes, he focused on Real Madrid’s goal, marched forward, and cut into the penalty area.

“Ibrahimovic’s interception!”

“Pepe shouldn’t have made such a mistake!”

“Let’s see how he handles this ball!”

“Teammates are calling for the ball!”

“But Ibrahimovic doesn’t seem to have any intention to pass.”

“Dribbling forward all the way.”

“Casillas leaves the goal to charge forward!”

Ibrahimovic’s gaze was cold. Facing Casillas, he tapped the ball with his foot, then raised his leg.

Casillas was thrown off balance for a moment but quickly regained his footing and rushed to the side.

However, Ibrahimovic changed the rhythm, made a pause, and then shot again.

The ball curved through an arc, descending toward the goal.

Casillas’ eyes relaxed slightly, because from this angle, the ball should miss the post and fly out.

But at this moment, a red-and-black figure appeared at the goal wall.

It was!

Filippo Inzaghi!

His long, flowing hair danced in the air as he jumped high from three meters in front of the goal, scoring with a header into the empty net!

Goal!

Milan scored the first goal!

1:0

Milan fans in the stands raised their hands in cheers. It was as if they saw the dawn of advancing, and the hero was their “Super Pippo”!

Allegri, who initially looked desperate, saw an out-of-control Ibrahimovic yet independently took a decisive action at a critical moment. Yet Inzaghi, when his teammate went solo, still actively wanted to “pick up the wallet”!

And ultimately, he did succeed.

This scene left both Allegri and Mourinho a bit speechless.

But that’s Inzaghi for you.

He always scores goals that seem easy, but oddly enough, others just can’t get into those positions.

Inzaghi gave a thumbs-up to Ibrahimovic, seeming to say, your cross~amazing!

After a brief hesitation, Ibrahimovic also gave a casual smile, as if to say, yes, that was a cross. Even if the king comes, it’s still a cross.

What evidence do you have to prove that shot was an attempt?

Would my shot be that off-target?

Damn, it was definitely a cross!

I specifically aimed for Inzaghi.

“Inzaghi!”

“Scored first for Milan.”

“Ibrahimovic’s shot-turned-cross.”

“All I can say is, Inzaghi’s active positioning gave him a chance.”

After celebrating, when passing by Chen Zhong, Inzaghi slowed his pace, as the two had been teammates for half a season, training, dining, and playing together…

Inzaghi looked at Chen Zhong and spoke, “Chen, did you see that?”

“As long as you actively position yourself, there will always be opportunities.”

“If you don’t run, you’ll get nothing.”

While attacking just now, apart from Inzaghi actively running, the rest of Milan’s players had already stopped, giving up.

They thought, since Ibrahimovic wouldn’t pass anyway, they might as well watch him perform.

But not Inzaghi!

Inzaghi had a strong feeling that there was a chance somewhere to score.

So he went for it, and then scored.

That’s the kind of player Inzaghi is. He always seems to “pick up the loose ends,” and he’s passionate about it.

This keen sense, throughout the entire football world, besides Inzaghi, only two others are like him.

One is Chen Zhong; the other is the currently very popular Luis Suárez.

The Uruguayan is called the “new Inzaghi” by many fans, an opportunistic player. Although few associate Chen Zhong with Inzaghi, he clearly also has Inzaghi’s sharp sense.

It’s precisely because of this keen sense that Chen Zhong’s insertion from the back is so “awesome”!

This season, many teams are using the “false center forward” tactic of inserting midfielders, including Pellegrini, who succeeded with it last season at Real Madrid. But even with players like Baptista, who has used a similar strategy at Real Madrid, they still fell several levels short.

The main reason here is that maybe the midfield is decent all around, but in attacks, they lack that keen sense.

Either they fiercely shoot from a distance or recklessly charge forward, have poor footwork, or their IQ is just too low.

None are like Chen Zhong.

The electronic screen continues to play the replay of Inzaghi’s goal.

When it freezes on Inzaghi’s back displaying the number 69 Milan jersey, Milan fans raise their hands high in celebration.

Chen Zhong watched this scene and gritted his teeth.

Alright!

I’m not saying I have to win.

But I really don’t want to lose.

Before this match, Chen Zhong also had a moment of confusion.

After all, the team had already secured the top spot in the group, so letting Milan go wouldn’t be impossible.

But now…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep