A Female Reporter Deliberately Makes Things Difficult, Tang Long's Answer Is Quite Interesting!

After every match, there is a short press conference, usually attended by the head coach and a player selected before the game.

However, it is Mancini's habit not to arrange anyone in advance, choosing the best-performing player on the spot after the match as a form of moral reward.

Icardi, who scored a brace, was originally selected.

But as luck would have it, the Argentine striker was randomly selected for a doping test.

Mancini pondered for a few seconds and simply decided to have Tang Long join him.

Upon arriving at the press conference venue, the cameras and microphones were already waiting for them.

Seeing that the person beside Mancini was Tang Long, the reporters on the scene were a bit bewildered, glancing sideways at the 18-year-old Chinese teenager.

The reporters all knew Mancini's habit, so they were somewhat confused by Tang Long's appearance.

Everyone started whispering among themselves.

"This isn't right, why isn't Icardi here after scoring a brace? It doesn't fit Mancini's habit."

"I heard Icardi went for a doping test and couldn't make it in time."

"But even so, the second-best performer should be Hernanes, who had a goal and an assist."

"At the very least, it should have been Palacio, who opened the scoring!"

"Why is Tang here? Does Mancini think he was the best Inter Milan player?"

"Are you kidding? Maybe it's just to give the newcomer some exposure."

This was Tang Long's first time attending a Serie A press conference. Since it was so sudden, he hadn't prepared much and didn't say much, mostly listening to Mancini speak.

Inter Milan had just secured a 4-0 away victory over AS Roma, so Mancini was naturally in high spirits, beaming with smiles.

He was naturally well-versed in such press conferences, capable of rattling off answers with his eyes closed.

Although Mancini expressed respect for AS Roma.

He was merciless in his condemnation of Totti's violent tackle on Icardi from behind!

"I played for Lazio during my playing days and participated in the Rome Derby; I've known Totti since then."

"I didn't expect that 20 years later, Totti's temper would still be this explosive. As the captain of AS Roma, his actions were far too excessive."

"I condemn any malicious fouls on the pitch, and I believe those of you sitting here feel the same way."

Losing both the match and their composure on their home turf!

The local Roman media reporters were also feeling deflated and had little desire to ask questions.

On the contrary, the reporters from Milan were very active with their questions!

A blonde female reporter from La Gazzetta dello Sport had her eyes fixed on Tang Long like a magnet the moment he stepped into the room, following his handsome figure.

When she finally snatched the opportunity to ask a question, she didn't hesitate to address Tang Long first.

"Tang, hello. How does it feel to make your debut at a post-match press conference as an Inter Milan player? You look quite nervous. There is a bottle of water in front of you; if your palms are sweating, you can take a sip to calm your nerves."

A ripple of good-natured laughter spread through the room.

Insiders know that Italian female reporters are like this; they love to tease those green yet handsome young players.

Generally speaking, young players are not very mature when facing the media and often make fools of themselves.

If they can make a young lad feel awkward, nervous, sweating on the forehead, and not knowing where to put his hands, they feel a sense of accomplishment.

It's like the satisfaction of a mature woman hunting a younger man~

This is considered a harmless little quirk in the media world.

Mancini also smiled and tilted his head to look at Tang Long.

Tang Long, however, responded with a counter-question.

"This lady, I would like to ask you, when was the first time you went to conduct an interview as a reporter?"

"About eight years ago, the year I just graduated from journalism school."

"Did you feel nervous back then?"

"A little nervous, but," the blonde reporter tapped her temple with her pen, "I was very well prepared, so as soon as I saw the interviewee, I immediately got into the zone and wasn't nervous anymore."

"I am the same as you were back then, lady. I was very nervous, but as soon as I saw you, I wasn't nervous anymore."

Another burst of laughter erupted in the room.

But this time, the laughter was mixed with applause!

Mancini's eyes lit up.

Tang Long's ease and composure in the face of the media during his first press conference surprised him.

Mancini was an old acquaintance of this female reporter, Bernardi from La Gazzetta dello Sport.

In his first match back with Inter Milan, a 0-3 away loss to Sampdoria, Bernardi's sharp questions had once put him in a difficult spot, making him want to walk out.

He had even privately told the Inter Milan press officer not to give the microphone to this unruly woman in the future.

Later, Bernardi somehow got hold of Mancini's number and sent him a text message, sincerely apologizing, saying that if she hadn't done that, the editor-in-chief would have docked her performance bonus, and she had no other choice.

This left Mancini unable to decide whether to laugh or cry.

Bernardi had originally intended to tease Tang Long, but she hadn't expected to be countered so easily.

She found herself amused by this!

Oh my, it seems this little guy isn't someone to be trifled with.

"Tang, if you had to choose a Man of the Match for today, who would it be?"

Bernardi refused to admit defeat and immediately launched a second wave of questioning.

Everyone present could hear the hidden meaning behind her words.

According to Mancini's usual style, the players brought to the post-match press conference were always the ones who had performed the best.

The best performer tonight was undoubtedly Icardi, who had scored a brace.

If Icardi couldn't make it due to a drug test, it would be Hernanes or Palacio.

In any case, it certainly wouldn't be Tang Long!

Tang Long didn't try to hide anything, admitting that he wasn't the best player on the pitch.

However, his next sentence left the reporters in attendance feeling somewhat surprised.

"If I had to name a Man of the Match, it would definitely be our captain, Ranocchia!"

"As a center-back, he made our defense impenetrable. We kept a clean sheet against Roma, and that was the foundation and key to our victory."

Mancini hesitated for two seconds before immediately chiming in with a standard official response:

"Ranocchia's performance tonight was very steady. As a tall, homegrown defender, he is worthy of my trust."

Bernardi blinked her eyes.

Having already asked two questions, the press officer politely asked for the microphone back.

But she held onto the mic, refusing to let go, and looked at Mancini again.

"Mr. Mancini, how would you evaluate Tang's performance tonight?"

Mancini crossed his hands on the table, his thumbs circling each other.

"Many reporters have asked me why Tang was able to sign with the first team, and tonight he gave the best answer."

"He provided two assists in ten minutes; such efficiency makes me very satisfied."

"As an attacking player, Tang's passing ability has seen visible improvement. I am very optimistic about his future; Inter Milan needs young players like Tang."

He wanted to add a few more words, but Bernardi interrupted him.

"I want to ask you specifically, which two assists are you referring to?"

Mancini felt it was a strange question.

"The first was his cross that led to the penalty, and the second was the assist to Icardi in the final moments. Is there any doubt about that?"

"I must correct you, Mr. Mancini. According to the latest post-match statistics released by the Serie A league, Tang only has one assist—the one you mentioned that led to the penalty."

"Isn't the ball for Icardi's goal a pass from Tang?" Mancini was stunned.

Bernardi smiled triumphantly.

She picked up the phone on the table, pulled up the replay of the final seconds where Hernanes passed the ball to Tang Long, and walked up to place it in front of Mancini.

"Mr. Manager, perhaps you didn't have time to watch the replay. The assist for that final goal belongs to Hernanes; Tang didn't touch the ball."

Mancini looked down at the phone.

The slow-motion footage, which he hadn't seen before, showed the play clearly.

Just as Hernanes's pass was about to touch his body, Tang Long suddenly spread his legs slightly, letting the ball pass straight through!

This dummy pass deceived all of the Roma defenders.

It tore the Roma defensive line apart in an instant.

Even Mancini had been fooled by Tang Long.

He had been convinced all along that Tang Long had flicked the ball through.

"Oh, so that's how it was..."

Mancini scratched his graying hair, his eyes looking a bit dazed.