Inter Milan had clearly shifted their defensive focus to his side.
With Matthäus stationed nearby as well, even Diego Maradona might not have been able to make much happen.
When Matthäus played deeper, he had shut Diego Maradona down completely.
"Should we make another adjustment?"
Pezzotti asked.
The assistant coach was somewhat worried about Dejan Lu.
The midfield could offer him too little support.
"Let's wait and see," Boskov said, shaking his head.
Dejan Lu might yet bring him an even bigger surprise.
Besides, the score was level now. Whoever made the first change might be the one to break the balance.
And that change might not necessarily be positive.
Against Inter Milan, he had no desire to see a point already in hand turn into nothing.
Besides, the extra point for a win was not tempting enough.
Inter Milan launched another attack. Bianchi carried the ball down the left and beat Lombardo, while Mannini closed him down quickly.
Bianchi carried the ball sideways for quite some time without finding an opening to pass, so he could only lay it back.
Mateoli, who had pushed up to support him, immediately sent the ball back toward Matthäus.
Pari and Cerezo spotted it and rushed out at once.
Neither of them wanted to see Matthäus get the ball.
That bastard had outstanding attacking talent.
But people could never outrun the ball. Before the two of them got within a few yards, Matthäus had already collected it. The German's touch was slightly heavy this time, and he stumbled a little as he ran forward.
His feet were unsteady, and his balance was all over the place.
That only made Pari and the other player hesitate to press him.
But Matthäus was still Matthäus. The moment he regained his balance, he turned sideways and flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, sending it flying toward the right wing.
Berti barely needed to adjust before chipping the ball into the box.
The cross was too high. Klinsmann had retreated almost to the edge of the penalty area, and under heavy pressure, his leaning header lacked power and went straight into Pagliuca's arms.
"Damn it, can't you show a little more fight?"
Holding the ball, Pagliuca shouted, "Dejan scored one, and now Inter Milan are focusing on defending him. What are you lot doing? Fuck, I'd have been better off buying a few abalones from a seafood restaurant than relying on you!"
Verchowod could not hold back a laugh.
Pagliuca was cursing the attacking players, so it had nothing to do with him.
If not for him, Mannini, and Pagliuca's iron triangle today, Inter Milan would have been leading by a huge margin already.
The team captain Pellegrini had suffered wildly inconsistent form because of injuries. Once hailed as the new Baresi, he could now only play as a defensive fullback.
Dejan Lu had not received much support either, largely because of Pellegrini.
In the stands, Rivera pointed toward the attacking end and said, "Neither Vialli nor Roberto Mancini is used to playing with opposing defenders on his back. That keeps Dejan from maximizing his style of play."
"Are you hoping I'll go on and fight alongside Dejan?"
Riva asked with a smile.
Looking at it that way, he and Dejan Lu would have made quite a good match.
As one of the most complete forwards in Italian history, he had exceptional physical attributes.
He rarely came off worse in physical battles inside the box.
"If you were thirty and on the pitch, Dejan would play much more comfortably," Rivera said.
At the end of the day, Roberto Mancini was not a traditional striker. His style was closer to a second striker or a Number 9.5.
Vialli was not an out-and-out striker either. His attributes were balanced. Whether it was pace, physicality, shooting, technique, or anything else, none was truly top-tier, but all were at a respectable level.
Most importantly, he was good at seizing opportunities.
He liked to have room to sprint when he played and disliked standing still up front.
If Rivera had been arranging things, he would have had Vialli pin Brehme back. As long as Brehme left his position, Vialli would make runs forward while keeping an eye on the offside trap.
Roberto Mancini would continue doing his own job, using his movement to link play, connecting Dejan Lu with his teammates, and speeding up the passing.
That style of receiving, taking a touch to adjust, then passing clearly wasted opportunities.
Target men, poachers, second strikers, Number 9.5s... all of them would eventually be replaced by modern forwards because football tactics required players to perform more functions.
When a team needed high balls, if you could not do it, you had to be substituted.
When the team needed you to drop back, if you lacked playmaking ability, you had to be substituted.
What team could afford to buy so many players?
These days, the most common reason for changing strikers was to prepare for an aerial bombardment.
After watching today's match, Rivera felt that he had gained a deeper understanding of Total Football and player roles.
In the seventy-seventh minute, Giuseppe Baresi appeared by the touchline.
His younger brother Franco was more famous, but Giuseppe was very capable as well.
The brothers' careers were also full of drama. Giuseppe had first wanted to join Milan, but he was not selected, and that set him on the path to an Inter Milan career.
His younger brother Franco wanted to be on the same team as his brother. He trialed at Inter Milan but was rejected for being too slight, and Milan gained a legendary figure as a result.
The two brothers had been forced to become cross-city rivals.
Rossi asked in confusion, "Is this a like-for-like substitution? Inter Milan's defenders have all played well today."
There was also the fact that Giuseppe Baresi's form had begun to decline after winning the title last year.
Trapattoni put an arm around Giuseppe Baresi's shoulder and instructed him, "You've seen the situation on the pitch, right? Sampdoria's attacks are all coming from that kid's side."
"What do you need me to do, boss?"
Giuseppe Baresi asked directly.
"Good. That's the spirit. No wonder you're my captain." Trapattoni patted his shoulder and said, "Once you're on, switch over and mark that young man. Stay glued to him."
"Got it, boss!"
Giuseppe Baresi nodded forcefully.
Klinsmann fired wide again, and the fourth official raised the substitution board.
"My God, Alessandro Bianchi is the one coming off. Is Trapattoni planning to play five at the back?"
Giuseppe Baresi soon gave the answer through his actions.
He ran into midfield and had Berti switch to the other side.
That left Rossi completely stunned.
In midfield, it was Baresi plus Matthäus. In defense, Brehme plus Bergomi.
Fuck, was that level of defense meant to stop aliens from Planet Zenith?
Rossi had forgotten he was in the broadcast booth and could not help complaining, "This is ridiculous. Such a defensive arrangement is completely outrageous. I have no idea what Trapattoni is thinking. But I want to say one thing to this young man Dejan: you can already be proud. Not even in a World Cup final would any team deploy such defensive strength. I'm already a fan of this young man."
The star defensive players of two elite European teams, West Germany and Italy, had all been placed on one side.
"Relax. One goal is already pretty good."
Roberto Mancini said to Dejan Lu.
He did not even know how to mock Inter Milan's coach.
Did that old bastard have a grudge against Dejan?
"I'm not under any pressure."
Dejan Lu said with a smile.
Since Inter Milan had tilted their defense toward his side, he could keep creating pressure and make chances for his teammates.
Trying to dribble headfirst into the strongest defense on the planet would be idiotic.
Roberto Mancini nodded.
After play restarted, Giuseppe Baresi went straight for Dejan Lu.
Man-marking!
That kind of defensive posture was uncommon in Italian football, where catenaccio relied on teamwork.
As soon as Pari got the ball, Dejan Lu ran forward.
Baresi followed him almost constantly. He was a little slower, but whenever Dejan Lu stopped, Baresi would catch up.
Pari noticed that as well and chose to send the ball to the left.
Lombardo did not stop it, knocking it forward immediately. Mateoli had not expected him to be so decisive and lunged at empty air.
After successfully knocking the ball past his opponent and running around him, Lombardo chose to carry it diagonally.
Matthäus had just prepared to meet him when he saw Dejan Lu running over with Baresi in tow.
Captain Baresi was strong, but his speed simply could not keep up.
Matthäus had no doubt that if he left his position, Lombardo would pass to Dejan Lu.
Fuck!
He was pinned down.
He could not move now even if he wanted to.
Roberto Mancini had clearly noticed it too, and he dropped back decisively.
Mandorini was already a step late when he rushed out of the box. After Roberto Mancini collected the ball, he played a through pass, and it rolled right past Mandorini into the penalty area.
Chance!!!
Some excited fans had already risen to their feet.
Vialli was someone they could trust.
But they had forgotten Brehme. This wall of West Germany almost instantly threw himself to the ground, stretching out his leg with everything he had.
It was too decisive.
He got the slightest touch on the ball with his toe, changing its path.
Vialli, who had been sprinting straight ahead, was forced to change direction and collect the ball on the left side of the penalty area. By the time he got it again, Riccardo Ferri was already tight beside him.
The two wrestled all the way toward the byline. Vialli failed to find room to shoot, and Ferri got there first, barging both man and ball out.
Boskov violently swung his arm on the touchline, expressing his disappointment.
Lombardo, who had organized that attack, also walked back in disappointment.
Inter Milan's players had given him a hard time today, and it reminded him that Serie A was not so simple.
Even though he had already spent seven years in the lower divisions.
Lombardo instinctively turned his head.
Dejan Lu, who had also arrived from the lower leagues, seemed like his complete opposite.
The other man had fit right in with the team the moment he arrived.
He had not received an early chance, yet he scored as soon as he came on and was immediately subjected to Inter Milan's relentless attention.
Even so, he could still tie down some of Inter Milan's players.
Lombardo could not help shaking his head with a bitter smile.
The gap between a genius and an ordinary person was truly enormous.
If he had faced that kind of defense, never mind technique, he would not even have been able to handle it mentally.
"Time's almost up. Should we make another substitution to strengthen the attack?"
Pezzotti walked to the touchline and asked.
"Have Salzano warm up. We have to make a change."
Boskov nodded.
It was time to make a substitution and take a gamble. Inter Milan had also sent their substitutes to warm up.
Matthäus played a direct pass through midfield to a teammate. Berti received it at the edge of the penalty area, saw no opening, and chose to pass back.
Matthäus, charging up at that moment, met the ball and swung his right foot straight through it.
The ball struck Catanec's leg and bounced out for a corner.
Both managers used the opportunity to make substitutions.
Salzano high-fived Vialli and stepped onto the pitch, while Inter Milan replaced Mateoli with Dario Morello.
"The coach said to seize any opportunity, but under no circumstances can we lose the ball."
Salzano said after coming on.
The match had entered stoppage time. They absolutely could not lose the point already in hand.
Inter Milan's corner was cleared out of the box by Verchowod's header.
Pari collected the ball, turned, and launched it forward immediately. Attack and defense switched sides as players from both teams surged from Sampdoria's penalty area toward Inter Milan's half like a tide.
"Get him! Don't give him any chance!"
The moment he saw Dejan Lu get the ball, Trapattoni shouted.
Two opposing players rushed at him. Without a moment's thought, Dejan Lu curled the ball away with his left foot.
The pass was slightly inaccurate, but Inter Milan's backfield was open. The ball traveled from the right side of the defensive half toward a central-left position in the attacking half.
The fresh-legged Salzano charged quickly, but one foot stepped too far ahead while running and he nearly tripped over the ball. Morello, tracking back, took the chance to press him, so Salzano hurriedly knocked it back to Lombardo.
Klinsmann immediately latched onto Lombardo after he received the ball, leaving him no choice but to carry it back toward the middle.
The quick attack failed to develop. Inter Milan's players had already retreated into the penalty area, making some excited Sampdoria fans sit back down.
Though the scoreline was low, this match had been full of twists and turns.
Both teams had displayed top-level tactical and technical ability at both ends of the pitch.
Carrying the ball to the edge of the penalty area, Lombardo turned and played a diagonal cutback toward the right.
Dejan Lu suddenly dropped back to receive it, while Pari, running forward, continued charging into the box.
Smack—
Almost the instant he received the ball, Dejan Lu used the inside of his left foot to guide it forward. The ball obediently rolled into the right side of the penalty area, and Pari adjusted in stride before driving a low square pass across goal.
Although Brehme immediately slid in to intercept, he was still a step too late.
But the ball was too close to goal. Zenga rushed out and smothered it beneath him, while Salzano, arriving to meet it, could only leap to slow himself down and avoid crashing into the goalkeeper.
Boskov kept craning his neck and licking his lips on the sidelines.
The old Yugoslav coach felt that being a football manager was a little too thrilling.
The wild surge of adrenaline, followed by expectation turning into disappointment—those ups and downs were more than he could take.
Zenga quickly threw the ball out, and Boskov immediately grew tense again.
Until the final whistle blew, he simply could not relax.
Even after more than ninety minutes, Lothar Matthäus was still like a rutting beast, striding forward with the ball at his feet and an unstoppable momentum.
Sampdoria had pushed up a little too high this time, leaving Cerezo with no choice but to fight while retreating.
Morello, who had only just come on, charged forward as well. Together with Klinsmann, who had not tracked back, it became four against three in that half.
Inter Milan had fewer men, yet they were the attacking side, and Mannini, who had pushed forward to support the attack, had not made it back into the box.
Even if he gritted his teeth and sprinted desperately, he probably would not make it back in time to defend this one.
Verchowod moved wide to cover for Mannini and spread his arms as he shouted, "Go straight through the middle! Luca, move inside!"
Catanec rushed out at once, fearless.
But Matthäus barged him aside the moment they met.
Fortunately, Pari had tracked back by then and came in with a sliding tackle from an angle, blocking Matthäus's path.
Matthäus could only pass to the advancing Baresi.
The Inter Milan captain had joined the attack as well.
Dejan Lu did not track back. His teammates had already returned to their own half, and it was more important for him to stay near midfield and wait for a counterattacking chance.
Baresi tried to cross, but Cerezo lifted a foot to block it, and the ball returned to the Inter Milan captain.
This time, Baresi passed to the overlapping Feri, who scooped the ball into the box from the flank.
"Leave it to me!"
Pagliuca roared and charged straight out of his goal, punching the ball away with one fist.
The deflected ball struck Klinsmann, who had been trying to head it, and flew out to the right. Pellegrini saw the opportunity and, without a second thought, carried the ball forward.
Boskov's eyes widened.
Someone was there!
There was someone up front.
Salzano was making a run down the left.
And Dejan Lu was sprinting madly forward on the right.
Almost instantly, Boskov shouted what was in his heart. "Pass it right! To Dejan!!!"
Bang—
Pellegrini, who had solid passing ability, finally produced his best play of the match. With a push of his right foot, he sent a precise grounded through ball forward.
The ball traveled accurately from the back half to the right side of the attacking third.
Boskov barely dared breathe. It was too close to the touchline—would it go out?
Bergomi stopped retreating and charged directly at Dejan Lu.
He wanted to put Dejan Lu under pressure. Even if he could not win the ball, forcing him into a mistake and preventing him from controlling it would be good enough.
Click.
Dejan Lu controlled the ball with the outside of his left foot.
Bergomi took two steps forward and was about to stick out a foot, but Dejan Lu did not adjust at all. With the outside of his left foot, he flicked the ball onward, and it obediently rolled past Bergomi's foot toward the space behind him.
Another knock-and-run!
The first touch and the dribble past his man came in one fluid motion.
That single move ignited the entire Luigi Ferraris Stadium.
Apart from the away supporters' section, almost everyone rose to their feet.
His arms spread to keep his balance, that distinctive running style.
The young Number Seven had the ball again, and Brehme's desperate chase had everyone's nerves stretched taut.
After a brief consideration, Zenga chose not to come out. A teammate was there to disrupt the attacker, so it was better to stay in front of goal.
Brehme brutally leaned into him with his body, pressing Dejan Lu as they ran together toward the right edge of the penalty area.
Even with a defender on him, Dejan Lu's cut inside remained utterly resolute.
Only then did Brehme, battling Dejan Lu, realize the problem he faced.
Footwork!
Dejan Lu's stride frequency was faster than his, leaving him no chance to poke the ball away.
He could not wait any longer.
The West German defensive stalwart lowered his head and prepared to stick out a foot.
But in that brief instant when he lost sight of him, Dejan Lu burst away, going from level with him to half a body ahead.
Fuck!
Brehme hurriedly chased back. The last shred of reason kept him from reaching out with his hand as he ran diagonally behind Dejan Lu.
Zenga noticed it too and chose to rush out.
Fortunately, Brehme's position could block off some of the shooting angle, and the teammates tracking back through the middle surely would not give Dejan Lu time to set himself.
Zenga went down sideways, reaching with both hands to grab the ball.
But at that exact moment, Dejan Lu also scooped his left foot beneath the ball.
Bang—
With a crisp sound, the ball popped up. Zenga watched in despair as it went past him and plunged straight into the goal.
"Goal!!!"
"Goal!!!"
"Goal!!!"
"Dejan, Dejan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Paolo Rossi cried out at the top of his lungs, "Dejan has once again charged more than forty meters and scored the winner against Inter Milan! This eighteen-year-old had only just left Bing Er. In his very first Serie A appearance, he faced the defending champions, Inter Milan. Before him stood Inter Milan captain Baresi, the world's best midfielder Lothar Matthäus, and the defensive pillars of Italy and West Germany, Bergomi and Brehme. But this young man has shown us through his actions that defending a genius cannot be done merely by having numbers, even when those men are all among the best players in the world!"
"Rivera truly was once Italy's best midfielder. Dejan has proved his eye for talent with his actions. Galliani is in trouble now. Whatever he said in the newspapers before, he will have to swallow it all back. After watching this match, Milan's three dutchmen probably will not dare claim that they deserve Milan's foreign-player slots more than Dejan."
"I have a suggestion for Galliani: leave Italy and go to Ethiopia!!!"
Beep,
beep,
beep—
Luigi Agnolin, the referee who had barely had any presence throughout the match, blew two short whistles and one long one to signal the end of the game.
The Ferraris Stadium, which had been suppressed for ninety minutes, instantly transformed into an ocean of joy.
Boskov showed agility that did not match his age, beating everyone into the pitch.
The old father led his sons in singing a hymn of victory.
Roberto Mancini excitedly hooked an arm around Dejan Lu's neck and ran around everywhere. He was looking for Lothar Matthäus, hoping to mock that bastard again.
He had not expected Matthäus to run so fast.
Bergomi noticed the scene and walked over with his shirt in hand. "Want to swap shirts? You're very strong."
Dejan Lu pushed away Roberto Mancini's hand, took off his shirt, and handed it over.
Bergomi draped it directly over his shoulder.
Staring at Dejan Lu, he said, "From now on, I'll watch every one of your matches. I won't give you chances like I did today again."
Dejan Lu smiled and shook his head.
He wanted Inter Milan to still have a Robben trial card the next time they met too, but that was unrealistic.
Before Dejan Lu could say anything, Bergomi walked straight toward the players' tunnel.
Today had been a major setback in his career.
If the cameras had kept following him,
they would have discovered that the backbone of Italy's defense had his lips pressed tightly together, his teeth having bitten them bloody.
His resilience would not let this defeat discourage him.
But the strength Dejan Lu had displayed still made him sigh inwardly. Italian football might be about to change.
After finishing this match,
I had posted 8,000 words a day for two consecutive days.
Old Ye had to make this clear: during Qidian's new-book period, 4,000 words a day was the limit. I could not keep updating like this every day, or I would not even make it onto the recommendation lists. Too many words meant the data would not rise.
I hope all you big shots can understand.
Before you continue