Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tang Long's return to Inter Milan sparks joy and anticipation.
• Gianluigi Buffon, after two years of retirement, announces his comeback to Serie A with Palermo.
• Buffon deletes his comeback announcement after learning about Tang Long's return to Inter Milan.

Character Developments

• Tang Long's return fuels Inter Milan's confidence and reignites Ranocchia's passion for football.
• Buffon, initially excited about his comeback, becomes hesitant and fearful upon learning about Tang Long's return.

Significant Themes

• The psychological impact of past defeats on athletes (Buffon's fear of Tang Long).
• The influence of a player's return on a team's morale and performance (Tang Long's effect on Inter Milan).

Character Interactions

• Tang Long's presence instills confidence in his teammates, particularly Ranocchia.
• Buffon's fear of Tang Long leads him to consider retiring again, causing tension with Palermo's owner.
• Palermo's owner persuades Buffon to honor his contract, setting up a potential confrontation with Tang Long.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tang Long returns to Inter Milan, triggering a series of events.
• Icardi also returns to Inter Milan, reuniting with Tang Long.
• Robertson joins Inter Milan at Tang Long's persuasion.
• Inter Milan's ticket sales boom, setting records.
• Inter Milan's preseason performances are impressive, with Tang Long delivering four assists in a match against Bayern.
• Inter Milan's first Serie A match of the season is against Palermo.

Character Developments

• Tang Long: Returns to Inter Milan, takes on a leadership role, and demonstrates his exceptional passing skills.
• Icardi: Returns to Inter Milan, eager to prove himself and play alongside Tang Long again.
• Robertson: Joins Inter Milan, looking to rebuild his career under Tang Long's guidance.
• Ranocchia: Returns from retirement, bringing experience and leadership to the team.
• Mkhitaryan: Joins Inter Milan, reunites with Tang Long, and accepts a reduced role.

Significant Themes

• Homecoming and nostalgia for Inter Milan.
• The power of Tang Long's return to inspire and unite the team.
• The blend of youth and experience in Inter Milan's squad.
• The team's determination to rebuild and succeed.

Character Interactions

• Tang Long and Icardi: Reunite, eager to rekindle their on-field chemistry.
• Tang Long and Robertson: Tang Long persuades Robertson to join Inter Milan, fostering a mentor-mentee relationship.
• Tang Long and Mkhitaryan: Reunite, looking forward to playing together again at the end of their careers.
• Inter Milan players: Bond over their shared determination to succeed and rebuild the team together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tang Long returns to Inter Milan after a decade, playing his first match at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
• He assists in a goal scored by Frattesi, showcasing his predictive abilities and understanding of his teammates.
• Palermo, the opposing team, struggles to cope with Tang Long's anticipatory play.

Character Developments

• Tang Long: Proves he's still a top-tier player despite his age and past injury, demonstrating exceptional predictive skills and understanding of his teammates' movements.
• Frattesi: Shows promise as a late runner and finisher, impressing Tang Long and the audience.
• Buffon: Struggles to keep up with Tang Long's play, highlighting his age and vulnerability.

Significant Themes

• Aging and experience: Tang Long's return to Inter Milan and his performance highlight the value of experience and adaptability in football.
• Anticipation and prediction: Tang Long's ability to anticipate his teammates' movements and the opposition's reactions is a central theme, showcasing his unique skills and the AI Green Pitch Engine's integration with his mind.

Character Interactions

• Tang Long and Frattesi: Their successful combination play leads to a goal, forging a bond between the two players.
• Tang Long and Buffon: Their long-standing rivalry is reignited as Tang Long outsmarts Buffon twice in quick succession.
• Inter Milan fans and Zhang Lu: Their enthusiasm and support for Tang Long's return, as well as Zhang Lu's accurate commentary, contribute to the chapter's atmosphere.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tang Long, a Chinese footballer, returns to play for Inter Milan after recovering from a serious injury.
• In his first match, he scores a goal and provides an assist within ten minutes against Palermo.
• Tang Long's goal is a powerful shot past his old rival, Buffon, into the top corner of the net.

Character Developments

• Tang Long regains his confidence and pride upon returning to the field, scoring his first goal after recovery.
• Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan's starting center forward, shows admiration and respect for Tang Long, acting like a "fanboy."
• Icardi, another former Inter Milan player, feels overlooked and receives encouragement from Tang Long to play by instinct.

Significant Themes

• Redemption and comeback: Tang Long's return to the field after a serious injury and his impressive performance symbolize his redemption.
• Respect and admiration: Lautaro Martinez's behavior towards Tang Long highlights the respect and admiration younger players have for experienced, skilled players.
• Teamwork and understanding: Tang Long's interaction with Icardi emphasizes the importance of understanding and cooperation between teammates.

Character Interactions

• Tang Long and Lautaro Martinez: Lautaro Martinez admires Tang Long and is happy to support him, showing no signs of jealousy or resentment despite taking a step back in the spotlight.
• Tang Long and Icardi: Tang Long encourages Icardi to play by instinct, showing understanding and support for his teammate.
• Tang Long and Buffon: The two rivals have a tense interaction, with Buffon muttering about Tang Long's luck and Tang Long scoring a powerful goal past him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inter Milan's first Serie A match of the season against Palermo ends in a 6-0 victory.
• Icardi scores a hat-trick, and Tang Long scores twice and provides four assists.
• Buffon, the opposing goalkeeper, freezes and concedes a goal to Icardi, sparking discussion about his performance.

Character Developments

• Icardi regains his form and confidence, scoring crucial goals against a familiar opponent (Buffon).
• Tang Long proves his return to form after a serious injury, providing multiple assists and scoring goals.
• Buffon struggles with his performance, leading to self-reflection and questions about his future.

Significant Themes

• Aging and the impact on football careers (Tang Long, Icardi, and Buffon).
• The power of chemistry and partnership in football (Tang Long and Icardi's connection).
• The pressure and expectations that come with a legendary past (Buffon's struggles).

Character Interactions

• Tang Long and Icardi's chemistry and friendship are highlighted through their seamless cooperation on the pitch and off it (celebrating together).
• Buffon and Icardi's history and rivalry are evident in their intense one-on-one moment during the match.
• Buffon's interaction with the press reveals his frustration and self-doubt after the match.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ranocchia, a 37-year-old veteran, is still playing for Inter Milan, aiming to lead the team to Serie A victory and potentially play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• He struggles with his declining physical abilities, particularly his agility and stamina, which affects his confidence and performance.
• Inter Milan faces Palermo in the opening round, and Buffon's poor performance serves as a warning to Ranocchia about the risks of playing at an advanced age.
• Tang Long, now back at Inter Milan, helps Ranocchia regain confidence and adapt to his aging body by teaching him to anticipate opponents' moves instead of relying solely on emergency reactions.

Character Developments

• Ranocchia: Struggles with self-doubt due to his aging body but ultimately regains confidence and adapts his playing style with Tang Long's help.
• Tang Long: Acts as a mentor and friend to Ranocchia, helping him overcome his fears and adapt to his declining physical abilities.

Significant Themes

• Aging and decline in physical abilities.
• Adaptation and reinvention in the face of change.
• The importance of experience and wisdom in football.
• The bond between teammates and friends.

Character Interactions

• Ranocchia and Tang Long: Their friendship and mutual support help Ranocchia overcome his fears and regain confidence in his abilities.
• Ranocchia and his family: His family's love and support encourage him to continue playing and fighting for his dreams.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inter Milan plays away against Roma in Serie A.
• Tang Long scores the opening goal, showcasing his midfield mastery.
• Ranocchia performs his signature "Bow-step interception" against El Shaarawy, shocking everyone.
• Inter Milan wins 2–0, remaining top of the Serie A table.

Character Developments

• Ranocchia overcomes his initial nerves and plays a crucial role in the match, demonstrating his experience and leadership.
• Tang Long proves his worth as a superstar, orchestrating Inter Milan's attack and scoring the opening goal.
• El Shaarawy struggles to accept being dispossessed by Ranocchia's "Bow-step interception."

Significant Themes

• Aging and decline in physical abilities vs. experience and anticipation.
• The value of a superstar player in football.
• The importance of leadership and teamwork.

Character Interactions

• Tang Long and Ranocchia exchange no words but communicate effectively through actions, showing their understanding and trust in each other.
• El Shaarawy approaches Ranocchia after the match, expressing admiration for his "Bow-step interception" and frustration at being dispossessed.
• Ranocchia's family and the Italy National Team's assistant coach support him from the stands.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inter Milan wins the Serie A title after a 16-year drought, led by Tang Long and Icardi.
• Icardi wins the European Golden Shoe with 38 league goals.
• Tang Long fulfills his promise to Icardi, helping him win the Golden Shoe.
• Tang Long becomes a father; his child is born on the same night as Inter's title win.
• Tang Long runs into Yaya Toure at a park, and they reconcile, with Toure revealing who leaked information to The Sun during Tang Long's Manchester City days.

Character Developments

• Tang Long: Becomes a father, maintains his form and leadership, and helps Icardi win the Golden Shoe.
• Icardi: Wins the European Golden Shoe, overcomes personal struggles, and reunites with Tang Long at Inter Milan.
• Yaya Toure: Retired, obtains an agent's license, and apologizes to Tang Long for past actions.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and Rivalry: Tang Long and Icardi's relationship evolves from teammates to rivals and back to teammates.
• Redemption and Achieving Dreams: Both Tang Long and Icardi overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.
• Time and Change: The passage of time brings changes in careers, personal lives, and relationships.

Character Interactions

• Tang Long and Icardi: Their bond strengthens as they help each other achieve their goals.
• Tang Long and Yaya Toure: They reconcile and make amends for their past disputes.
• Inter Milan players: They celebrate their Serie A title win together, emphasizing team spirit and camaraderie.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author reflects on the completion of a 2 million-word novel over a year, the longest they've written.
• The novel's progress was delayed due to work commitments, leading to an apology to readers.
• The book's subscription peaked at over 7,000 and settled at nearly 6,700 by the end.
• A reader's review is shared, praising the book's professionalism and technical details but criticizing the protagonist's invincibility and lack of tension.

Character Developments

• The author mentions several characters who ran from the beginning to the end of the story, including Berni, Chivu, Mancini, Icardi, Ranocchia, Bonazzoli, and Guarin.
• The author regrets not doing justice to Icardi's character, who was overpowered in the novel but was the youngest top scorer in Serie A's history in reality.

Significant Themes

• The importance of shaping character relationships over simple match reporting.
• The challenges of pacing and leveling in a novel, with the author acknowledging their struggle in this area.
• The attempt to experiment with an abrupt ending during the UEFA Champions League final, which was a point of contention among readers.

Character Interactions

• The author highlights the interweaving and conflicts of characters as a key aspect of the novel, with teammates becoming opponents in major tournaments and familiar teammates undergoing changes in status and strength.
• The reader's review mentions the earlier Inter Milan matches having more pressure, passion, and unity among teammates, which they preferred.

Future Plans

• The author plans to release a new book next month and write a few side stories after returning from a trip to Chengdu.

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Five-year-old Tommaso Berni attends his first football match at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence with his father.
• He witnesses a match between Fiorentina and Inter Milan, featuring star players like Baggio, Antognoni, Socrates, Matthaus, Klinsmann, and Berti.
• Little Berni notices the goalkeeper and substitutes who aren't actively playing, sparking his curiosity.
• He watches Fiorentina's substitute goalkeeper, Tolisso, who appears relaxed and comfortable, unlike the players on the field.
• After the match, his father tells him that professional players earn big money, inspiring Berni to dream of becoming a footballer.

2. Character Developments

• Little Berni: Develops an interest in football and becomes curious about the role of the goalkeeper and substitutes.
• Old Berni: Shares his passion for football with his son, introducing him to the game's stars and the team's struggles.

3. Significant Themes

• Curiosity and Wonder: Little Berni's innocent questions and observations highlight his curiosity about the game and its various roles.
• Dreams and Aspirations: The chapter explores Berni's budding dreams of becoming a professional footballer, inspired by the idea of earning big money.
• Perception vs. Reality: Berni's view of football is initially limited, focusing on the excitement and rewards, while his father hints at the challenges and hard work involved.

4. Character Interactions

• Little Berni and Old Berni: The father-son duo shares a bonding moment as Old Berni introduces his son to the world of football and discusses his dreams for Berni's future.
• Little Berni and Tolisso: Although they don't interact directly, Berni's fascination with Tolisso's relaxed demeanor on the bench plants an idea in his mind about the goalkeeper's role.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The new book "Champions Handbook" is released, detailing the achievements of Inter Milan's treble-winning team.
• The book lands in the hands of Lin Hao, an unknown Serie C midfielder, igniting his ambition.

Character Developments

• Lin Hao: Initially an unknown and overlooked player, he transforms into a driven and determined individual with a clear vision for his future in the midfield.

Significant Themes

• Ambition: Lin Hao's desire to redefine the midfield and leave his mark on the game.
• Legacy: The weight of the Inter Milan treble and the champions' handbook, which sparks Lin Hao's pursuit of greatness.
• Perseverance: Lin Hao's commitment to earning his place on the field through hard work and dedication.

Character Interactions

• While not explicitly detailed in this chapter, the chapter sets the stage for future interactions between Lin Hao and his teammates, coaches, and opponents, as he strives to prove himself and make a name in the world of football.