Chapter Summaries

Inter Milan and AC Milan prepared for a high-stakes Milan Derby, with Inter aiming to extend their winning streak and AC Milan determined to end it. The match began with AC Milan taking the initiative, and they scored immediately after Zhang Lu predicted Inter’s defense would hold firm.

• The Champions League quarterfinal draw set out possible semifinal paths, while Chelsea, AS Roma, and Bayern Munich faced domestic title deficits.
• Inter Milan prepared to host AC Milan in the 263rd Milan Derby, and Mancini planned to rotate the lineup while keeping Lin Feng in midfield.
• Mancini selected Beckham and Cruz to start, paired Zanetti and Vieira in defensive midfield, and chose Barzagli and Samuel at center-back.
• On March 11, the full Meazza Stadium watched the derby begin, with AC Milan attacking more aggressively despite having less rest.
• Zhang Lu praised Inter Milan’s strength and predicted their defense would trouble Milan’s forwards, but AC Milan scored right after his remarks.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ronaldo scores against his former club, Inter Milan, giving AC Milan an early lead in the Milan Derby.
• Inter Milan, despite conceding, maintains composure and continues playing patiently.
• Inter Milan's midfield strategy involves two cores: Beckham at the back and Lin Feng in the frontcourt, with flexible attacking variations.
• Inter Milan's defense is effective in neutralizing AC Milan's counterattacks, particularly by marking Kaka and Pirlo.
• Inter Milan's forwards struggle initially, but Lin Feng scores a crucial equalizer just before halftime.

Character Developments

• Ronaldo: Scores against his former club, causing mixed emotions among Inter Milan fans and management.
• Lin Feng: Plays a pivotal role in midfield, scoring the equalizing goal and demonstrating his versatility as a 'shadow striker'.
• Beckham: Proves his worth as a defensive midfielder, launching accurate long passes to initiate attacks.
• Barzagli: Impresses in defense, earning praise from Zhang Lu and fans.
• Torres and Cruz: Struggle initially but contribute to the equalizing goal, with Torres setting up Lin Feng.

Significant Themes

• The impact of a player's past on their current club (Ronaldo's return to Milan).
• The importance of patience and composure in football (Inter Milan's response to conceding early).
• The effectiveness of a double-core midfield system (Beckham and Lin Feng's roles).
• The influence of a player's form and fatigue on performance (Torres and Cruz's struggles).

Character Interactions

• Ronaldo vs. Inter Milan fans and management: Mixed emotions due to Ronaldo's goal.
• Lin Feng and Beckham: Effective midfield partnership with clear division of labor.
• Inter Milan's forwards (Torres and Cruz) vs. AC Milan's defense: Struggle initially but combine for the equalizing goal.
• Inter Milan's defense (Samuel and Barzagli) vs. AC Milan's attack: Effective in neutralizing Kaka and Pirlo's influence.
• Mancini vs. his tactical decisions: Considers pushing Lin Feng up as a 'shadow striker' during halftime.

Inter Milan took control of the Milan Derby as AC Milan’s attack faded under fatigue, and Torres scored a late counterattack goal to put Inter ahead 2–1. AC Milan were left with little time to recover the match.

• AC Milan pressed hard after halftime, but Inter Milan’s defense stifled their attacks and limited Kaka’s influence.
• Ancelotti replaced Oddo with Cafu, while Inter Milan later brought on Figo, whose crosses created dangerous chances.
• As AC Milan’s exhausted players struggled to keep pace, Torres hit the post after Lin Feng sent him through on a rapid counterattack.
• Grosso strained his thigh and was replaced by Maxwell, after which Pirlo nearly scored from a free kick that struck the junction of the post and crossbar.
• Zanetti stopped Kaka’s dribble, and Inter Milan countered from the resulting corner as Lin Feng released the ball to Cruz.
• Cruz cut the ball back from the byline, and Torres finished into the far corner to give Inter Milan a 2–1 lead.

Key Plot Points and Events

• AC Milan loses to Inter Milan 2:1 in a crucial city derby, ending their 15-match unbeaten league streak.
• AC Milan is now eight points behind the top four with 11 rounds remaining, risking missing out on the Champions League.
• After the match, AC Milan's management considers strengthening their midfield and striking force, with Ronaldinho being a potential target.
• Inter Milan's management considers hijacking Ronaldinho's transfer but decides against it due to financial constraints.

Character Developments

• Kaka, despite his best efforts, cannot lead AC Milan to victory due to fatigue and age.
• Maldini, the AC Milan captain, shows kindness and support to Lin Feng, telling him "The future is yours!"
• Lin Feng, after exchanging shirts with Maldini, feels inspired and motivated.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for success and redemption in football, as seen in AC Milan's and Kaka's performances.
• The importance of team balance and strategic planning, as discussed by the commentators regarding AC Milan's lineup.
• The impact of transfers and financial power in football, as seen in the potential Ronaldinho transfer and Inter Milan's consideration of it.

Character Interactions

• Kaka and Ronaldo struggle to lead AC Milan to victory, with Kaka eventually running out of energy.
• Lin Feng and Maldini exchange shirts and share a moment of camaraderie and mutual respect.
• Berlusconi and Moratti, the respective owners of AC Milan and Inter Milan, are both interested in Ronaldinho's transfer but for different reasons.

Inter Milan beat Ascoli and widened their Serie A lead over AS Roma, while Lin Feng returned to China for national-team training. The Football Association accepted Bayern Munich’s invitation to play a friendly in Hong Kong, and the chapter ended with China preparing to face Uzbekistan in three days.

• Inter Milan rotated its squad and defeated Ascoli 2–1, then learned AS Roma had drawn with Fiorentina and fallen 15 points behind.
• Totti faced criticism after missing a penalty, then went to thank Roma’s furious supporters beneath the stands.
• Lin Feng left Italy and joined the National Football Team’s training camp ahead of its friendly against Uzbekistan.
• The players were shocked to hear Bayern Munich had proposed a friendly against China in place of the planned World All-Star Team match.
• The Football Association accepted Bayern’s invitation, prompting debate among fans about China’s chances against the German club.
• The team focused on its Uzbekistan friendly, which was three days away.

Lin Feng and the National Football Team dominated Uzbekistan in a Macau friendly, scoring early and creating chance after chance. Lin Feng won a penalty in the 18th minute, leaving China poised to extend its lead.

• Macau Stadium filled with mainland and local fans as Zhu Guanghu fielded Lin Feng, Chen Tao, Feng Xiaoting, and other players against Uzbekistan.
• Lin Feng created an early chance for Chen Tao, then Uzbekistan began double-teaming him.
• In the fifth minute, Lin Feng nutmegged a defender with a pass into the goalmouth, and Han Peng scored to make it 1:0.
• China continued to control the match and threaten Uzbekistan's goal while Bakaev produced Uzbekistan's first shot in the 16th minute.
• In the 18th minute, Lin Feng dribbled into the penalty area and was shoved down from behind, earning China a penalty.

Lin Feng and the Chinese team overwhelmed Uzbekistan in a friendly, building a 3–0 first-half lead before substitutes carried the score to 5–1. The match ended with Uzbekistan scoring a late consolation goal after China had secured a crushing victory.

• Lin Feng scored a penalty to put China 2–0 ahead, then Han Peng headed in Zhao Junzhe’s corner for a third goal in the 22nd minute.
• China eased off in attack while staying solid in defense, and the 3–0 score held through halftime.
• Gao Lin, Dong Fangzhuo, and other substitutes came on in the second half, while Feng Xiaoting and Zhou Haibin helped contain Uzbekistan’s attacks.
• Zhai Yanpeng crossed for Dong Fangzhuo, whose header was ruled to have crossed the line, making it 4–0 in the 81st minute.
• Gao Lin scored in stoppage time after his shot rebounded off the post and a defender, extending China’s lead to 5–0.
• Shishelov beat the offside trap and scored for Uzbekistan a minute later, leaving the final score at 5–1.

Gao Lin scored a hat trick in the National Football Team’s 7–2 friendly win and tied the team record, while Lin Feng returned to Inter Milan as the club prepared for the Champions League quarterfinals. Inter beat Parma 2–0, and AS Roma’s 1–1 draw with AC Milan widened Inter’s league lead to 17 points, leaving the title race nearly settled.

• The National Football Team defeated Uzbekistan, with Lin Feng playing a central role in the team’s attacking success.
• After Australia cancelled its friendly, the National Football Team beat Guangzhou Pharmaceutical 7–2, as Gao Lin scored a hat trick and tied the National Team record held by Su Maozhen and Zhang Yuning.
• Lin Feng returned to Inter Milan, where Mancini rested him and rotated the squad ahead of the Champions League quarterfinals.
• Inter Milan defeated Parma 2–0, with Torres and Materazzi scoring.
• AS Roma took the lead through Adebayor, but Pirlo’s free kick earned AC Milan a 1–1 draw despite Roma’s late pressure.
• The draw left Inter Milan 17 points ahead of AS Roma with nine league rounds remaining, and fans began discussing the records Inter could still set.

Inter Milan traveled to Manchester to prepare for their Champions League match against Manchester United, while the media built up a Chinese Derby between Lin Feng and Dong Fangzhuo. Dong Fangzhuo earned a place in Manchester United’s squad, leaving his chances of appearing uncertain.

• Inter Milan arrived in Manchester and trained at Manchester City’s base, where the players complained about their own club’s outdated facilities.
• Ferguson sent scouts to monitor Inter Milan, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney prepared for their showdown with Lin Feng.
• Lin Feng dismissed comparisons with Rooney and gave reporters a diplomatic answer about Dong Fangzhuo, whose relatives and friends then hoped to travel to Manchester to watch him play.
• Lin Feng promised to treat Dong Fangzhuo and Sun Jihai to a meal after the match, though Zhao Xuri was away on loan.
• Manchester United included Dong Fangzhuo in its squad after his strong training performances, and he calmly accepted that playing would depend on his preparation and luck.

Before Inter Milan and Manchester United kicked off their Champions League quarterfinal, AC Milan drew with Bayern Munich and AS Roma lost heavily to Liverpool, leaving Inter Milan as Serie A’s main hope. The match began at Old Trafford with both teams missing key players, and Lin Feng helped create an early chance for Inter Milan.

• AC Milan led Bayern Munich twice through Pirlo and Kaka, but Van Buyten scored twice to earn Bayern a 2-2 draw.
• Liverpool came from behind to beat AS Roma 3-1, deepening Serie A fans’ hopes that Inter Milan would advance.
• Zanetti calmed Inter Milan’s nervous players in the tunnel, and the team entered a packed Old Trafford for the quarterfinal.
• The referee started the match, with Cruz and Barzagli replacing the suspended Torres and Materazzi for Inter Milan.
• Figo won an early free kick, and after Ferdinand cleared the ball, he and Vieira exchanged angry words.
• Lin Feng and Figo worked a short corner to get past O’Shea and Brown, then Lin Feng struck toward goal.

Lin Feng threatened Manchester United early before beating three defenders in a spectacular solo counterattack to score. His goal left Ferguson stunned and Cristiano Ronaldo questioning whether he could outshine him.

• Lin Feng forced Van der Sar to tip his early shot over the crossbar, then sent a free kick just above the goal.
• Scholes fouled Lin Feng near the penalty area, and the referee awarded Inter Milan a free kick after giving Scholes a verbal warning.
• Manchester United increased their pressing as Inter Milan's early attack faded, and Cristiano Ronaldo briefly received treatment after colliding with Grosso.
• Barzagli intercepted Rooney's pass and launched an Inter Milan counterattack, with Lin Feng breaking forward against three defenders.
• Lin Feng powered past Carrick, flicked the ball over Heinze, and headed it beyond Brown before slipping into the penalty area.
• Lin Feng calmly placed the ball past Van der Sar to score, leaving Ferguson shocked and Cristiano Ronaldo doubtful about competing with him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Manchester United faces a difficult position after Lin Feng's goal for Inter Milan.
• Cristiano Ronaldo scores a spectacular goal in the 23rd minute, equalizing the match at 1-1.
• The first half ends with both teams level.
• In the second half, Manchester United becomes more aggressive, leading to a heated exchange between players and fans.
• Scholes is sent off with a red card in the 54th minute due to a foul on Lin Feng.

Character Developments

• Cristiano Ronaldo steps up and scores a crucial goal, demonstrating his growth and importance to the team.
• Ferguson becomes increasingly frustrated with his team's performance and uses his hairdryer treatment at halftime.
• Scholes' aggressive play leads to his dismissal, showing his commitment but also his lack of control.

Significant Themes

• Growth and Improvement: Cristiano Ronaldo's continuous development is a central theme, showing his increased skill and importance to Manchester United.
• Aggression and Control: The balance between aggressive play and maintaining control is explored through Manchester United's second-half performance and Scholes' red card.
• Rivalry and Conflict: The tension between Manchester United and Inter Milan, as well as their fans, highlights the intense rivalry in football.

Character Interactions

• Ferguson and Manchester United Players: Ferguson's frustration with his team's performance leads to a stern halftime talk, pushing the players to play more aggressively.
• Scholes and Lin Feng: Scholes' foul on Lin Feng leads to his dismissal, highlighting the intense competition and tension between the players.
• Manchester United and Inter Milan Fans: The fans of both teams engage in verbal conflict, reflecting the intense rivalry between the clubs and their nations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Manchester United's Paul Scholes is sent off with a red card in the second half, leaving United to play with ten men.
• Ferguson adjusts tactics, moving Solskjaer to midfield, leaving Rooney isolated up front.
• Inter Milan, led by Lin Feng, controls the tempo, using possession to tire out Manchester United.
• In the 62nd minute, Inter Milan scores a brilliant team goal, finished by Crespo, making it 1:2.
• Ferguson brings on Fletcher for Solskjaer to strengthen defense, but Inter Milan continues to press.
• In the 71st minute, Crespo's goal is disallowed due to a controversial yellow card for diving, which also means Crespo will miss the second leg.

Character Developments

• Sir Alex Ferguson: Struggles to adapt to the numerical disadvantage, makes conservative substitutions, and shows concern for the team's energy levels.
• Wayne Rooney: Initially isolated and ineffective, later drops back to midfield and shows good technique and passing ability.
• Lin Feng: Demonstrates exceptional control, vision, and passing ability, orchestrating Inter Milan's attacks and controlling the tempo of the match.

Significant Themes

• Adversity and Adaptation: Both teams face adversity (Manchester United with the red card, Inter Milan with the referee's decision), and their ability to adapt determines their success.
• Possession and Control: Inter Milan's use of possession to tire out Manchester United and control the match highlights the importance of these aspects in modern football.
• Referee Decisions and Their Impact: The referee's controversial decision to book Crespo instead of awarding a penalty significantly impacts the match and Inter Milan's future lineup.

Character Interactions

• Ferguson and His Players: Ferguson struggles to find solutions, while his players tire and struggle to cope with the numerical disadvantage.
• Lin Feng and His Teammates: Lin Feng's interplay with Figo, Crespo, and others results in a stunning team goal, showcasing their understanding and teamwork.
• Inter Milan's Players and the Referee: Inter Milan's players and coaching staff argue with the referee over the controversial decision, highlighting their frustration and disbelief.

Lin Feng scored twice and assisted another goal as Inter Milan beat Manchester United 3–1 at Old Trafford in the Champions League first leg. Mancini substituted the injured Lin Feng, and the match ended with Inter holding a commanding advantage before the return leg.

• Fletcher fouled Lin Feng outside the penalty area, and the referee booked Fletcher and awarded Inter Milan a free kick.
• Lin Feng and Figo used a rehearsed routine as Lin Feng drove the ball beneath the jumping wall and scored Inter Milan’s third goal.
• Ferguson regretted passing up the chance to sign Lin Feng after watching him score twice and assist another goal.
• Mancini substituted Lin Feng to protect his injured leg, and Manchester United’s attacks failed to produce another goal.
• Inter Milan beat Manchester United 3–1 away, leaving fans confident while some supporters warned that the team still had to take the second leg seriously.

Ferguson vowed that Manchester United could still overturn their Champions League defeat, while Inter Milan returned to Milan with a commanding first-leg advantage and became the bookmakers’ title favorite. Mancini rested several key players against Reggina, and Inter Milan finished with a goalless draw.

• Ferguson defended Manchester United’s chances of a comeback, prompting support from British reporters and debate among rival fans.
• Inter Milan returned to Milan, where hundreds of fans welcomed the team and asked Lin Feng about his injury.
• Bookmakers moved Inter Milan to first place in the Champions League odds, while Mancini said his immediate goal was reaching the semifinals.
• Mancini rested Lin Feng, Figo, and Zanetti for Inter Milan’s match against Reggina.
• Inter Milan failed to score against Reggina’s defensive approach, and the teams drew 0-0.

Inter Milan prepared for the Champions League second leg against Manchester United amid fears of violent fouls and fan unrest, while Moratti secretly arranged a hostile reception for the visiting team. After Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled past Burdisso early in the match, he ignored Rooney and prepared a long-range shot.

• Inter drew with Reggina while Totti's brace gave Roma a win, reducing the gap to fifteen points with eight league matches left.
• Mancini warned Moratti that Manchester United might use injurious tactics against Lin Feng, and Moratti arranged media coverage and hired temporary workers before United arrived.
• Manchester United's players were met by hostile crowds at Milan airport, where clashes injured dozens and brought UEFA's attention to match security.
• UEFA kept the match in Milan after police maintained order, and Ferguson worried that the hostile atmosphere and strict referee Lubos Michel could affect the game.
• In the third minute, Cristiano Ronaldo used a sudden stop-and-go move to leave Burdisso on the turf, then charged forward and prepared a long-range shot instead of passing to Rooney.

Inter Milan absorbed Manchester United’s early attacks before Lin Feng led a sudden change of pace and repeatedly threatened Van der Sar’s goal. As Lin Feng broke toward the penalty area again, Richardson tripped him just outside the box, leaving Manchester United facing a dangerous free kick.

• Cesar blocked Cristiano Ronaldo’s early shot, and Ronaldo later sent a direct free kick over the crossbar.
• Inter Milan targeted Carrick to disrupt Manchester United’s counterattacks, while United tried to advance through the flanks against Inter’s organized defense.
• After Manchester United’s pressure faded, Lin Feng combined with Zanetti and forced Van der Sar into a full-stretch save with a long-range shot.
• Figo crossed for Cruz to head the ball down to Lin Feng, whose volley beat Van der Sar but struck the post.
• Richardson tripped Lin Feng at the edge of the penalty area as he moved toward goal, and Ferguson reacted in anguish.

Lin Feng scored a spectacular free kick after speaking up to ensure Richardson received only a free kick, but Manchester United mounted a fierce comeback and narrowed the aggregate deficit. The chapter ended with Lin Feng launching a counterattack as Manchester United surged forward.

• Lin Feng told the referee that Richardson had fouled him outside the penalty area, and the referee awarded Inter Milan a free kick while showing Richardson a yellow card.
• Lin Feng curled the free kick around Manchester United’s wall and scored past Van der Sar, making Inter Milan’s aggregate lead 4:1.
• Manchester United pressed forward, and Carrick scored after Samuel’s clearance fell to him, bringing the match score to 1:1.
• Heinze crossed for Giggs to set up Alan Smith, who volleyed Manchester United’s second goal and reduced the aggregate score to 4:3.
• As Mancini ordered Inter Milan to defend, Lin Feng privately arranged with Torres and Cruz to counterattack, then sent a long ball forward when Manchester United pressed him.

Torres equalized for Inter Milan with a solo goal before halftime, and Mancini adjusted his defense for the second half. Lin Feng later scored directly from a free kick for the second time in the match, leaving Manchester United stunned.

• Torres powered past Manchester United’s defenders and beat Van der Sar to make the score 2:2 in the 44th minute.
• After halftime, Mancini brought on Stanković and moved Zanetti to left-back, while Manchester United began the second half without substitutions.
• Zanetti helped contain Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lin Feng intercepted his pass to start an Inter Milan attack that ended with Torres’s shot being saved.
• Lin Feng evaded Cristiano Ronaldo’s press and drove forward, forcing Carrick to bring him down near the penalty area and receive a yellow card.
• Lin Feng curled the resulting free kick around the wall into the top-right corner, scoring his second direct free kick of the match.

Lin Feng’s second free-kick goal put Inter Milan 6:3 ahead on aggregate and drained Manchester United’s morale. Ferguson brought on Park Ji-sung to mark Lin Feng, who helped create a dangerous chance for Stanković before the chapter ended with Park’s passing briefly impressing South Korean fans.

• Lin Feng scored a second free kick, widening Inter Milan’s aggregate lead and leaving Manchester United’s players hesitant to attack.
• Ferguson substituted Alan Smith for Park Ji-sung and instructed him to mark Lin Feng.
• Park Ji-sung followed Lin Feng closely, while Lin Feng adapted by releasing the ball quickly and moving to create space for his teammates.
• In the 73rd minute, Lin Feng combined with Maicon and Figo before passing to Stanković, whose long-range shot Van der Sar saved.
• Ferguson shouted at Park Ji-sung after Lin Feng helped create the chance, then Park set up Cristiano Ronaldo for a shot that went wide in the 79th minute.