Continuous Dribbling Past Four Players to Score: Hitting Back at Barca in Their Own Style!
The moment Tang Long stepped onto the pitch, the Georgia Stadium, 2,000 kilometers away from Milan, erupted in enthusiastic screams!
We've finally waited for you, Tang Long!
Our omnipotent hero!
Many fans had tears welling up in their eyes, hot tears streaming down their faces, their emotions oscillating between excitement and despair.
They were acutely aware of a reality that was incredibly cruel to them!
This will be Tang Long's last match for Inter Milan.
Or to be more precise, it was the last ten minutes or so that fans could watch Tang Long running on the pitch in his Inter Milan jersey!
"You will always be the brightest light at the Meazza!"
The unified shouts from the Inter Milan fans in the stadium were incredibly powerful, piercing right into Tang Long's heart.
He stood on the field, looking around.
The layout of the Georgia stadium felt unfamiliar to him.
He didn't even recognize half of his teammates.
But the passionate shouts of the Inter Milan fans in the stands have never changed!
In that instant, a raw, intense tension surged into my heart.
He was breathing rapidly, and his calves began to tremble.
This sense of tension felt completely foreign to him!
He hadn't been this nervous even in the UEFA Europa League final against Sevilla.
This feeling reminded him of how he felt last November when he made his Serie A debut as a substitute for Inter Milan.
Tang Long thought to himself, "Why am I feeling nervous? It's strange. This is clearly an insignificant match for me. I'm already a Manchester City player. Why am I still feeling both nervous and excited about the Inter Milan fans cheering for me?"
"You must keep a close eye on Tang Long. If you can keep an eye on Tang Long, you will cut off Inter Milan's lifeline"—this was what Barcelona coach Enrique repeatedly emphasized to his players before the match.
However, when the Barca players saw Tang Long come onto the field, they looked very relaxed and showed no sign of trying to get into a good mood.
Neymar, the Brazil striker who came on as a substitute at almost the same time as Tang Long, also had an undisguised smile on his face.
He even went up and hugged Suarez, and the two joked, "If you don't give me an assist, I won't let you leave after the game!"
As for Tang Long's appearance, head coach Enrique did not react much, standing there indifferently, and did not even discuss with his assistant coach Inter Milan's response to this substitution.
From the perspective of the entire Barcelona team, Tang Long's appearance in the 80th minute was more of a commemorative one.
This was his final farewell match as an Inter Milan player.
It won't play any substantial role in determining the final outcome of this UEFA Super Cup.
Barca, the Europe winners this season, have already secured the UEFA Super Cup, taking a solid step towards their quintet!
This is an unchangeable fact for everyone; even God couldn't change it.
At this moment, Tang Long's mind was exceptionally clear.
He clearly predicted the course of the upcoming match and the comparison of the two sides' strengths.
Tang Long thought to himself, "Given the current overall strength of both teams' players, it's impossible for us to turn the game around. The score difference is too huge. Even if you switched the Barca players and the Inter Milan players, it would be impossible to score 5 goals in 10 minutes to turn the game around."
He thought to himself, "I shouldn't have played, but since I'm here, I have to show some skill and not let down the fans! A comeback is impossible, but scoring a goal against Barca to boost morale, save face, show them Inter Milan's true strength, and give them a strong comeback isn't something I can't do."
Tang Long walked over to Bonazzoli, and the two whispered to each other.
Bonazzoli nodded nervously, his jersey already soaked with sweat.
Tang Long came on as a substitute.
This not only boosted the morale of the entire Inter Milan team.
Inter Milan also regained some control of the midfield.
Although he played as a defensive midfielder, he was in the position that Medel had been substituted out of.
This position was quite far from Barca's goal, but it was precisely because of Tang Long's effective play in the backfield that Inter Milan's defense finally had a much-needed chance to breathe.
The ball started being passed around.
Although Barca still dominated possession and pressured Inter Milan, Inter Milan was no longer as helpless as before, and the balance of power between the two sides had subtly shifted.
Neymar, a player who can't stand being the center of attention.
He was born on the streets of Brazil and exudes the unique, elfin spirit of Samba football.
After receiving a pass from Iniesta in the 85th minute, Neymar drew Tang Long's attention, with the two taking turns attacking and defending.
The standoff continued, and the ball ended up on the sideline near the substitutes' bench.
Neymar was facing Tang Long, swaying his body back and forth, constantly shifting his center of gravity, trying to get past him.
As he made a feint, his eyes inadvertently glanced at Inter Milan's bench.
When he realized that all eyes were on him, the Brazil striker's vanity began to soar, and he started to get arrogant and conceited.
"You Serie A bumpkins, let me show you how La Liga's top players can outplay your key players!"
In the blink of an eye, Neymar first performed two consecutive stepovers with his left and right feet, then flicked the ball to the right with his right foot—pretending to cut inside, drawing Tang Long to the inside!
He then pulled the ball back with his right foot, creating a one-meter-wide opening on the outside flank.
Just when everyone thought Neymar would take a touch with his left foot and continue his advance down the wing...
Suddenly, he sandwiched the ball between his feet, one in front of the other, and used his heel to send the ball flying in a beautiful parabola behind him!
"Rainbow Flick!"
The Inter Milan players on the bench exclaimed in surprise.
However, perhaps because he had just come on and his feet were still warmed up, and Tang Long had anticipated Neymar's intentions.
Although the ball was lifted over Tang Long's head, Neymar was trapped behind him, lost his position, and failed to dribble past him.
Nevertheless, Neymar's spectacular performance earned praise from the Barca players on the bench just five meters away.
Rafinha, who was substituted off the field, turned to his teammates with a smile and said, "This guy is still so mischievous!"
The soccer ball bounced in front of Tang Long.
He positioned himself to protect the ball, while Neymar closed in from behind.
The Rainbow Flick is a very dazzling and imaginative technique in Samba football.
They are also a beautiful sight on the basketball court.
However, in professional football, whichever player is hit by Rainbow Flick, it is undoubtedly a blatant provocation!
This season, Neymar once performed a Rainbow Flick over Villarreal's left-back in a La Liga match.
He went over, but was kicked to the ground by the opposing full-back, causing Neymar to roll like a top five or six times.
Like the Villarreal full-back, Tang Long was also extremely unhappy.
However, unlike him, Tang Long disdained to retaliate by kicking people.
He prefers to teach Neymar a lesson through football.
The football was still slightly bouncing in front of him, and just as it was about to lose its elasticity and fall completely onto the grass, Tang Long flicked his leg, pointed his right studs at the top of the football, and lightly pushed down.
The football, subjected to the applied rebound force, bounced up again instantly.
Just as the soccer ball bounced past Tang Long's knee-high --
With a flick of the outside of his right foot, like a gentle breeze, he brushed the bottom of the ball, then executed a 180-degree turn on the spot, bypassing Neymar was marking him closely, and charged towards Barca's half along the outside of the sideline!
Neymar is 176cm tall, which is already half a head shorter than Tang Long, who is 182cm.
He was thin and far less strong than Tang Long.
Earlier, when he was close to Tang Long, his vision was already mostly blocked.
He had no reaction to Tang Long's backhand flick and turn, only to suddenly see a bright light before his eyes—and then the man was gone.
"Ah, ah?"
Neymar turned his head sharply and saw Tang Long calmly dribbling forward.
All that's left for him is a silhouette that he can only look up to from afar.
Wow, a perfect lobbed pass to get past the defender!
This time, it was the Barca substitutes' turn to gasp in surprise.
Compared to Neymar's flashy but impractical Rainbow Flick, Tang Long's backheel lob dribble was not only more practical but also visually stunning!
Meanwhile, everyone on the Inter Milan bench jumped up and went to the sidelines because they saw Tang Long suddenly accelerate and cut inside towards the center!
Two sharp sounds!
Facing Iniesta, Tang Long used his opponent's signature La Croqueta, to completely wipe him out!
Iniesta's short legs flared out, and he nearly tripped over himself.
"Holy crap!"
Inter Milan substitute player let out a gasp!
Everyone took a step forward, some even about to step onto the field!
Iniesta, who had been beaten, cried out in alarm and tried to pull Tang Long aside to draw a foul, but he couldn't stop him.
With Barcelona leading by four goals, all the players were relaxed, including veterans like Iniesta.
Rakitic's defensive cover was too slow, allowing Tang Long to slip past him and continue dribbling towards the middle.
Tang Long's unstoppable advance from the backfield with the ball was unstoppable!
Bang bang bang--
Bang bang bang--
Amidst the rhythmic slapping and dribbling sounds.
Tang Long's mind was filled with the scene of his first substitute appearance for Inter Milan.
He remembered Mancini's furious outburst at Guarin in the locker room that day;
He remembered Berni waving a towel to cheer him on, the whistling wind seeming to echo in his ears;
I remembered Nagatomo Yuto bowing to me and shouting "Alli"...
His debut for Inter Milan was as a substitute, and his farewell game was also as a substitute. Perhaps this is just fate.
They were about to reach the edge of the penalty area.
The two center-backs, Mascherano and Pique, were on high alert!
They all abandoned their defense against Bonazzoli and rushed forward to surround Tang Long.
Having witnessed Tang Long dribble past two players, neither Pique nor Mascherano had complete confidence that they could defend against Tang Long one-on-one.
Therefore, the two decided to attack together, leaving the young Bonazzoli, whom they considered a no-brainer, behind to create an offside trap.
Bonazzoli has become much smarter now.
Whenever he plays football with Tang Long, it's as if he's taken a smart pill, and his football IQ increases by 50%.
He knew he was offside, and even if Tang Long passed the ball to him, it wouldn't make a difference.
Bonazzoli quickly retreated, moving to a position further away from the edge of the penalty area, Pinzi with the last Barca defender.
Just as he finished his final retreat and was about to catch his breath, the ball bypassed the four legs of Mascherano and Pique, went through their legs, and rolled right in front of him!
Bonazzoli was taken aback!
He immediately tensed up, not daring to relax at all, and used his left foot to stop the ball, glancing up at the goal.
"The angle is a bit off, and it's still the left foot. Should we shoot or not?"
Hesitating for a moment, he took another step forward, causing the angle between him and the goal to become even smaller.
Tang Long's precise through ball tore apart Barca's defense, and the two center-backs, Pique and Mascherano, hurriedly spread out. Pique went up to block Bonazzoli, while Tang Long also rushed towards the goal.
For the first 80 minutes of the match, these two key Barca center-backs had never looked so disheveled.
"This kid's going to transmit! Block his transmission line!"
Mascherano followed closely behind Tang Long while directing Pique.
However, what happened next dealt a heavy blow to the Barca players!
Bonazzoli did not shoot, but instead passed the ball. However, the pass was not the cross-court shot that Pique and Mascherano had anticipated.
My ankle suddenly jerked—and I landed in an inverted triangle shape!
Mascherano suddenly felt a gust of air around him.
I instinctively reached out, but felt nothing.
Tang Long had stopped his forward charge at some point, and with a sudden stop, he used the change in rhythm to shake off Mascherano, and then unleashed a powerful shot with the instep of his foot near the penalty spot!
He could have easily slotted the ball home, but he insisted on blasting it!
I'll shoot you to pieces!
The football slammed into the bottom left corner, leaving Barca goalkeeper Ter Stegen with no chance to react!
This consolation goal not only brought the more than 20,000 Inter Milan Expeditionary Army fans to a roar of cheers, but also deafened the stadium.
This made Barca coach Enrique's expression on the sidelines extremely unpleasant!
What embarrassed him was not that Barcelona conceded a goal after leading 4-0, but the way they conceded.
He chipped the ball past Neymar with a backheel Tang Long, then La Croqueta past Iniesta with a croquet-style pass, and then, amidst the blocking of Pique and Mascherano, delivered a highly concealed through ball to Bonazzoli.
Bonazzoli then made a run down the wing and delivered a surprise cutback, leaving Tang Long unmarked and allowing him to score.
Isn't this the same scoring method Barcelona is familiar with?
Treat the person the same way you treat them.
Inter Milan scored a Barca -style goal, breaching Barca's defense!
Enrique knew that Tang Long did this on purpose, because based on his understanding of Tang Long, he rarely used the backheel flick and the La Croqueta move in Serie A.
Using this against Barca today is clearly a way to showcase your skills, especially the techniques that Barca players are good at. It's a challenge to compete with Barca players!
Newly promoted Inter Milan coach Laino was also applauding enthusiastically.
The slapping was so loud that my hands were almost red and swollen.
"That was so satisfying! Even if we can't win, we should at least dampen Barca's spirits!"
Meanwhile, in faraway Milan...
Sporting director Ausilio was nearly driven mad in his office.
He was busy with his transfer while watching this Inter Milan match.
Although the 0-4 scoreline after 80 minutes was ugly, it was within Ausilio's expectations.
However, when he saw Tang Long come on as a substitute in the 81st minute, his eyes nearly popped out of his head in shock!
Ausilio was stunned, his body trembled, and he quickly picked up his phone to call Laino.
He dialed more than a dozen times, and the phone rang for a full five minutes before it was finally answered when Tang Long scored a goal.
Before Laino could even speak, Ausilio launched into a tirade on the phone:
"Laino! Are you fucking crazy?! Why did you bring on Dom? Don't you know he's about to transfer to Manchester City? What if he gets injured? The transfer falls through, can you take that responsibility? You'll never earn 70 million euros in your entire life!"
(There's another chapter coming out at midnight; those who can't wait can read it tomorrow morning.)