Four New Signings Make Their Debut, as Inter Go All Out for Champions League Qualification!

It was early January 2015.

Tang Long had just finished the final set of bench presses in his prescribed workout at the gym. Exhausted, he collapsed onto the bench, sweat pouring off him like rain and pattering onto the floor, even splashing up in little droplets!

"Ah... I really can't do this anymore..." Tang Long groaned.

Chivu stood to one side, writing [85KG] beside Tang Long's bench press result.

The numbers were clearly written with gusto, the pen digging so hard into the page that it tore through the paper.

"Excellent! Today's the last day of the winter break. Let's review how things went over the past month."

For the past twenty-odd days, Tang Long had trained his body in the real world with Chivu during the day, and had been extremely careful about his diet.

At night, he had hurried over to the AI Cloud Training Ground to put in extra work.

The results had been remarkable!

His stamina had increased to 80, his strength to 78, and his jumping to 77.

His passing had also risen to 78!

"This is amazing, Tang! You can run 3,400 meters in the 12-minute run now. You've already reached the average level of a Serie A player. If you build up your strength a little more, I think that, physically speaking, you're ready to play a full 90 minutes!"

The progress had completely exceeded Chivu's expectations.

Within the limits of Chivu's understanding, he couldn't explain what was going on.

Maybe this was just talent!

Talent was the only explanation Chivu could come up with for Tang Long's astonishing progress.

Tang Long got up from the bench and wiped away the scalding beads of sweat pouring down his head.

"That's great, Mr. Chivu! I can finally start!"

"Don't get excited too soon." Chivu was afraid Tang Long might get arrogant. "The 12-minute run only tests your basic stamina. But on the pitch, knowing when to jog and when to sprint—that's a skill in itself."

Chivu put it plainly, and Tang Long understood. It was really a question of how to manage his stamina.

Every opponent was different, and the situation on the pitch could change in an instant.

For a starter, managing his stamina over 90 minutes wasn't so much a matter of fitness as it was a matter of footballing intelligence. It took a clever mind to anticipate and analyze the game.

But that was the last thing Tang Long needed to worry about!

He had the smartest football AI brain in the world, and his powers of anticipation surpassed everyone else's!

All he had to do was work hard enough to get his body and technique to keep up with his anticipation, until his thoughts and movements were perfectly in sync.

He could not only think of it, but do it too!

Chivu studied Tang Long's physique closely.

When he saw the clearly defined biceps, chest, and abs beneath Tang Long's sweat-soaked shirt, he couldn't help marveling to himself.

"Tang, take all your clothes off, just like last time!"

Having learned from the previous experience, Tang Long didn't hesitate this time.

He quickly stripped down to his red underwear.

Chivu, for his part, stripped completely naked too.

In the gym, the two muscular men stood facing each other.

Standing beside Chivu now, Tang Long no longer felt inferior as he had a month ago.

He could clearly feel that his physique was even better defined than the Romanian's.

"Your muscles have really come in. You've got great definition. My body fat percentage is higher than yours—I can't compete with you!"

Just like last time, Chivu pinched the muscles in several parts of Tang Long's body.

For a moment, he felt dazed.

A brand-new Tang Long had emerged!

Looking at the youthful frame before him, that of an 18-year-old, Chivu saw vitality that was impossible to conceal. Beneath his taut skin, muscle fibers bulged.

The 34-year-old Chivu saw the shadow of himself playing for Ajax 15 years earlier.

Back then, he too had been young like Tang Long, fierce in his play, and fearless as a young bull. His career had seemed full of possibility, and he had been brimming with hope for the future.

Though he had won everything at Inter Milan, earning honors and a salary that made people envious,

which professional footballer could retire and honestly say he had no regrets?

If his skull injury hadn't caused his form to decline so quickly in 2011, perhaps, at 34, he could still be playing at the highest level in Europe alongside old teammates like Eto'o, Maicon, Cesar, and Cambiasso, enjoying the cheers and applause of the fans!

"Fifteen years... Time passed faster than I thought. It all went by in the blink of an eye..."

Tang Long noticed that Chivu was looking at him strangely.

Just then, the gym door clicked open.

The female staff member responsible for managing the club gym had returned from her vacation.

When she saw Tang Long and Chivu inside, she jumped in fright!

"Ah! Why is anyone in here?"

Then she saw the two men standing naked and gazing at each other. Her heart gave a little jump—

"Sorry to interrupt. You two carry on!"

Bang! She shut the door with a giggle and ran off.

Inter Milan had enjoyed a fruitful winter transfer window!

Although fans often teased sporting director Ausilio for disguising his expense-paid trips as business travel,

there was no denying the veteran director's professional abilities.

Especially after the €10 million he had been given was brutally slashed in half.

Ausilio had still managed to proudly rent half of Europe for just €5 million!

[Four new signings make their debut. Fans, are you ready?]

That was the headline displayed prominently on the front page of Inter Milan's official website.

In the photo, the four new signings wore Inter Milan jerseys as they posed together in the club's trophy room around the 2010 Champions League trophy.

Nervousness, pride, confidence, youthful unease...

All kinds of expressions showed on their faces.

The biggest name was 30-year-old German striker Podolski, from Arsenal!

Podolski had scored 12 goals for the Gunners last season, but had lost his place in the team during the first half of this season due to tactical reasons.

Ausilio had acted decisively, bringing him in on loan for just €600,000.

"For a very small fee, we've acquired a big-game player who has made over 100 appearances for the Germany National Team. His experience in major tournaments is invaluable. We believe his arrival will help us go all out for Champions League qualification!"

The sporting director was positively beaming as he spoke to the media.

(Inter Milan officially announce the signing of Podolski)

The second new signing was 21-year-old all-round midfielder Brozovic.

As Inter Milan's biggest signing of the winter window, the Croatian had cost Ausilio a hefty €3 million loan fee. That alone had eaten up more than half of the €5 million in his hands. It had pained Ausilio for a long time, and it was only after repeated discussions with Mancini that the transfer was confirmed.

The return of fullback Santon was also cause for celebration among Inter Milan fans!

A key squad player during the treble-winning era, Santon was friends with Balotelli and was also known as the Prince of Meazza.

The Prince's return was an important boost for Inter Milan's injury-ravaged defense.

However, after having his meniscus removed, he had been only average at Newcastle. His future at Inter Milan remained to be seen.

The last new signing was Swiss midfielder Shaqiri, from Bayern!

He had the dribbling and speed Inter Milan desperately needed, making him an important tactical addition.

All told, the four new signings had cost €4 million.

Ausilio had filed an invoice for €5 million, pocketed €1 million in kickbacks, and was feeling very pleased with himself~

In his own words, "The club had a good winter, and I got my fill too. It was a busy trip, but nobody came away empty-handed!"