Ronaldo Takes the Field to Teach in Person; Tang Long Covers His Face: This Is a Meat Pendulum, Not a Pendulum Dribble!

The match has ended, and the Etihad Stadium is buzzing with excitement.

The Manchester City players were all beaming, high-fiving and hugging each other, while the Everton players looked somewhat dejected.

Stones, Everton's starting center-back, walked up to Tang Long, and the two started chatting.

"I didn't expect you to get past me like that on that last play," Stones shrugged helplessly. "I thought you'd use your usual Matthews Feint dribble to the right, but you just nutmegged me."

Tang Long patted Stones, who was half a head taller than him, on the shoulder and comforted him, saying:

"You did a great job, buddy. My swaying and the bicycle didn't shift your center of gravity. As for that groin slip, haha, it was just a sudden inspiration. But, but, you really need to watch the distance between your legs. Don't give me that chance again next time."

"Fine, next time at Goodison Park, I won't let you nutmeg me so easily!"

Compared to the tense atmosphere during the match, Tang Long and Stones' post-match conversation was as relaxed as that of ordinary friends.

This kind of scene is common in television broadcasts; the game is over, but life goes on.

For many Europe players, football is just part of their job; many of them, though not on the same team, can become good friends off the field.

Inside the players' tunnel at Etihad Stadium.

On the steps in a secluded corner.

Ranocchia, Tang Long, Handanovic, three former Inter Milan teammates, sat in a row, chatting casually.

The group chatted happily, with bursts of hearty laughter occasionally escaping their lips.

They talked about their past at Inter Milan, their former teammates, Inter Milan's current manager Laino, England's manager Mancini, and their new life in Britain.

Although Ranocchia and Tang Long had previously faced off against their former Inter Milan teammates Guarin, Podolski, and Shaqiri when Manchester City played against Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Liverpool.

But this is the first time that the three former teammates have sat together in a row, chatting freely in a secluded corner, undisturbed by the media and cameras.

"What do you think of the Premier League? Are you adapting well here?" Ranocchia asked Handanovic.

"Haha, captain, I'm so used to it, I love it here," Handanovic said. "Compared to Serie A, the Premier League is much faster-paced. The players here love to take long shots, and we often have powerful cannons blasting into the goal!"

"You know, my favorite thing to do is save long-range shots. No matter how spectacular they are, as long as you dare to shoot, I can save them. Sigh, you guys aren't goalkeepers, you can't understand the feeling of leaping high, stretching out your long arms, and punching the ball away. It's so exhilarating!"

As he spoke, he stretched out his long arms toward the ceiling.

As a goalkeeper, Handanovic certainly has the right to say that.

Although he is already 31 years old, after transferring from Inter Milan to Everton this summer for 20 million euros, this tall Slovenia goalkeeper immediately became an indispensable key player for the team!

His superb goalkeeping skills, decisive attacks, and domineering control of the penalty area have become a nightmare for many strikers;

As a champion player who played for a top Serie A club for three years, he also had unparalleled command in the defense, and his teammates listened to him.

Handanovic quickly won over Everton fans, who called him the team's best goalkeeper in the last 20 years.

I'm actually not in a very good mood today.

Handanovic turned around, grabbed Tang Long by the back of the neck with two large, pincer-like hands, and pinched him hard twice.

"You know what? Since I came to Everton, I've only conceded a maximum of two goals in all my matches. But today, coming to Manchester City, I conceded three in one go. I hope you didn't score that last goal."

Tang Long laughed loudly upon hearing this, "You have to blame Stones for this. If Ranocchia were in that position, I definitely wouldn't be able to get past him."

Afterwards, Handanovic and Ranocchia talked about family and children.

Tang Long had no experience in this area and couldn't get a word in edgewise, so he could only listen with a smile.

Just then, a hearty laugh swept over us like a spring breeze.

"Haha, this is so lively! Is this a discussion meeting? Can I join in?"

They all turned their heads in unison, their eyes fixed intently on the man who was slowly walking towards them.

"Mr. Chivu!"

The three voices rang out almost simultaneously, filled with undisguised surprise and excitement. They stood up in unison, their faces beaming with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

Chivu smiled and gave everyone a big hug; his hug was like the warm winter sun, warm and powerful.

When they hugged Tang Long, they held him very tightly and patted his shoulder hard.

Ranocchia, standing nearby, said to Handanovic, "See? It's obvious who Mr. Chivu likes the most; he's always so biased."

Compared to head coach Mancini, these former Inter Milan players have a better relationship with Chivu.

This is probably because Chivu was born in 1980, and is the same age as many of these players. The age difference is not large, and there is no generation gap when they talk to each other. They only share the same love and dedication to football.

The three of them shifted their positions, and the four of them squeezed onto the small steps.

Although only a few months have passed, both Chivu and these players have undergone tremendous changes in their identities.

Chivu left his beloved Inter Milan and followed in the footsteps of head coach Mancini to the British Isles, where he became an assistant coach for the national team.

Tang Long, Ranocchia, Handanovic also bid farewell to their familiar Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and embarked on their journey in the Premier League.

The four of them chatted for a while longer, almost forgetting the passage of time.

Those wonderful memories from the past played back in their minds like a movie, making them feel as if they had returned to the years when they fought together on the Apennine Peninsula.

When he got excited, Chivu even unbuttoned his long-sleeved shirt, revealing the prominent UEFA Europa League logo on his muscular biceps.

His eyes gleamed with pride and joy. "I will never forget this championship! I once reached the pinnacle of Europe as a player with Inter Milan; and now, as a member of the coaching staff, I'm once again conquering Europe with Inter Milan. These two feelings are completely different, yet both are equally exhilarating."

A hint of regret and disappointment flashed in Ranocchia's eyes as he sighed to Chivu, "If only you could have stayed at Inter Milan and been Inter Milan head coach. Laino is nowhere near as good as you."

Chivu simply smiled faintly, offering no direct answer, but his composure and confidence spoke volumes.

He revealed that his true mission at the Etihad was to serve as an assistant coach for the England national team, entrusted by head coach Mancini to observe England players at the match.

One of the key players being examined is Stones who started for Everton in this match.

"Mancini was impressed by the tall center-back's speed and agility, but unexpectedly, Tang nutmegged him. It seems Stones still has a lot to improve."

Chivu stood up and imitated for everyone the pathetic way Stones almost fell down after Tang Long stabbed him in the groin.

Amidst laughter, Tang Long also brought up the issue of his position with Chivu.

"Actually, I think that if I play as a striker, I can create a lot of one-on-one opportunities. I'm confident I can break through the defenders' defense, but Pellegrini put me in midfield again in this game."

Chivu nodded, thought for a moment, and then pondered:

"You definitely have the potential to play as a striker. Leaving aside this game, take the last match between Manchester City and Liverpool, that Pendulum Dribble you made really surprised me. Many top strikers can't execute that move as naturally as you."

He then changed the subject, continuing, "However, as the head coach, Pellegrini has his considerations. Your ball control and passing abilities in midfield are equally indispensable to the team. And don't forget, you also played as a defensive midfielder at Inter Milan! That was a tactic favored by Mr. Mancini, where the attacking midfielder is positioned deep. So, don't be surprised if Pellegrini puts you in that position for the next Pellegrini."

His words revealed his understanding and respect for the head coach's decisions. "After all, a head coach must consider the team's lineup and formation from a holistic perspective; otherwise, he is not a competent head coach."

After listening, Tang Long asked Chivu for advice on how to improve his one-on-one dribbling skills when playing as a striker.

Although both have left Inter Milan, Chivu will always be Tang Long's coach.

Upon hearing this, Chivu exchanged a smile with Ranocchia and joked, "Haha, your question really stumps me. I can teach you other things, but dribbling one-on-one isn't my forte. After all, Ranocchia and I are both defenders; our strength lies in defense and blocking, not dribbling."

"However, since you asked, I'll give you some advice from the perspective of watching the game from the stands."

"Hmm, your Matthews-style nutmeg dribble in the game today was very clever, with a great change of rhythm. However, your feints and stepovers against Stones weren't deceptive enough, and your movements lacked fluidity. Perhaps you could work on those aspects more."

At this point, Chivu paused, then clapped his hands and said:

"Oh dear, why are you asking me about dribbling? Go ask your agent, Ronaldo. He used to be the world's best at it; he can definitely teach you a lot."

"Is that enough? I really can't run anymore!"

"Alright, alright, I weigh over 200 pounds, do you think I'm still 18?!"

"Huff, huff, huff, I can't take it anymore, I need to rest, I'm done!"

So, as Ronaldo flew from the azure sky of Rio de Janeiro through the clouds and landed steadily in the fog of London, before he could even adjust his biological clock, which had been disrupted by the long flight, Tang Long's relentless calls came like a tidal wave, forcibly dragging him from the gentle embrace of his old flame in London to the arms of Manchester.

Upon meeting, Tang Long relentlessly pestered Ronaldo, insisting that the former king of the football field personally demonstrate his dazzling dribbling skills.

So the two drove to Ranocchia's mansion, which covered more than ten acres. The courtyard was spacious and the grass was lush, making it the perfect place to practice their ball skills.

The original plan was for Tang Long and Ronaldo to have a fair one-on-one duel.

However, reality turned out to be a farcical farce.

Tang Long could easily break through Ronaldo's defense every time, without even needing any fancy feints.

In contrast, Ronaldo, despite his massive 200-pound frame, could barely hold on while protecting the ball;

But once he tried to get past Tang Long, his steps became unusually heavy!

His feints seemed to be slowed down at 0.2x speed, each movement appearing so sluggish that he could only barely move forward by pulling on his hands.

After three rounds, Ronaldo was covered in sweat and couldn't be pulled any further.

Seeing that this wasn't working, Tang Long simply let Ronaldo dribble the ball alone and demonstrate his dribbling skills to thin air.

However, this attempt did not achieve the desired results.

Due to his excessive weight, Ronaldo's movements were extremely slow, and he couldn't lift his feet high enough. Even when facing nothing but empty air, his movements were surprisingly slow.

Those so-called dribbling moves were more like a ridiculous dance, completely lacking the alien flair of the past.

"Watch closely, this is my legendary Pendulum Dribble once shook the football world!"

Ronaldo shouted loudly and then began his performance.

His body swayed from side to side like a clumsy duck, the fat on his belly heaving violently with the movement, as if it were about to overflow at any moment.

Tang Long watched in disbelief, muttering to himself: This isn't Pendulum Dribble, it's a fleshy dribble!

Ronaldo's first two kicks were passable, but with his last kick, there was a loud "clang" as he stepped on the ball, lost his balance, and rolled to the ground like an out-of-control car with a deafening "thud".

"What happened? Was there an earthquake?!"

Ranocchia ran out of his house in a panic and saw Ronaldo lying sprawled on the Ronaldo, looking completely bewildered.

"No, it's nothing, I'm just a bit rusty, haha."

Ronaldo awkwardly got up, smugly brushed the dirt off his clothes, and gave a dry laugh to cover up his embarrassment.

Then, he turned to his little daughter, who was peeking out from behind Ranocchia, made an exaggerated face, and made the little girl giggle.

Tang Long couldn't help but cover his face.

While Mr. Chivu's suggestion was good, Ronaldo's guidance could only remain verbal; it wouldn't be effective once he was put into a real match. However, without concrete demonstrations, it's difficult to grasp the essence through mere words.

What should we do?