The players from both sides lined up on either side of the officiating crew.
Even the Italian players who had been talking pessimistically earlier became serious.
"Italian brothers, behold our homeland rising, already crowned with Scipio's helmet, the hero's cap..."
Paolo Borromeo found it all rather surreal. He had just shaken hands with his younger brother, Paolo.
The two had grown up together, and their bond was closer than that of the Boateng brothers and the like.
He, a Brazilian, was representing the Italy National Team.
His younger brother, the Italian crown prince, was captain of the China National Team.
Hahaha.
For no reason at all, he felt like laughing.
Fortunately, he held it in. Otherwise, the media would surely have something else to say.
"Alright, let's take a look at the starting lineups."
China lined up in a 4-3-3 with a single holding midfielder:
Goalkeeper: Huang Carl,
Defenders: Huang Jose, Huang George, Huang John, Huang Kado,
Midfielders: Huang Paolo, Huang Raul, Huang Libo,
Forwards: Huang Kaiwen, Huang Keji, Huang Mosi.
Italy lined up in a 4-3-3 with two holding midfielders:
Goalkeeper: Lorenzo Torriani,
Defenders: Daniel Maldini, Matteo Gabbia, Giorgio Scalvini, Goglichidze,
Midfielders: Mattia Liberali, Paolo Borromeo, Tonali,
Forwards: Kevin Maldini, Enrico Raspadori, Lorenzo Colombo.
"Honestly, it's hard not to call this an AC Milan civil war when you see these lineups. At a glance, nearly all of them are products of the Milan Youth Academy. Colombo even said when he transferred that he wanted to return to AC Milan one day, but AC Milan simply had no place for him."
"Yes, Italy's tactics today are somewhat conservative. Rather than choosing the more attack-minded Pisilli, they went with Tonali. They're looking to find opportunities through defense."
"Huang Paolo once said that he and Kaka's son were as close as brothers.