Before the match, the head coach suddenly informed you that you will be playing as the team's center-back in the next match, with the task of withstanding the opponent's frontline assault, are you afraid?
What if the opposing frontline consists of Ibrahimovic, skilled in taekwondo, and the player known as "King" Adriano?
Inter Milan kicks off, and Mourinho stands on the sidelines with a hint of expectation looking at his "disciples".
He hopes that the team can break the opponent's goal in the first minute of the match. If this goal is achieved, then the rest of the match will be easier.
"They've kicked off."
"Passed to the flank."
"Pass it again."
"Adriano!"
Inter Milan first distributed the ball to the flank, then tried to strike behind Milan's formation while it was being stretched.
Ibrahimovic and Adriano's impact is extremely strong; Milan's midfield simply cannot stop them, and Beckham is even pushed directly to the ground.
Even though Chen Zhong had anticipated the ball's landing spot, he was still a step slower than Adriano in acceleration. In such a situation, he could only resort to a tactical foul.
The two tangled and fell to the ground.
"Beep beep beep!"
The referee blew the whistle, and the Inter Milan fans in the stands hissed in anger at Chen Zhong's action, while the Milan fans were not to be outdone, elevating the derby atmosphere to the maximum.
Ancelotti looked a bit nervous at the referee, while Mourinho waved his arms on the sidelines, excitedly indicating that this should be a red card.
"Adriano is down on the ground."
"The referee blew the whistle."
"This is a tactical foul."
"Let's see how the referee decides."
"A free kick was awarded."
"Will there be a card?"
Inter Milan's players skillfully surrounded the referee, trying to pressure him. If they could get Chen Zhong booked with a yellow card at the start of the match, they would hold a significant advantage in the game.
They could fully focus on exploiting Chen Zhong, disrupting his mentality, pressing him into getting a second yellow card, which would then turn into a red and get him sent off.
Even if the opponent doesn't fall for it.
Being on a yellow card, he'll be cautious when making defensive moves.
However, perhaps because the game had just started, and the referee had a more lenient disposition, he shook his finger dismissively in the face of Inter Milan players' pressure.
Then he pointed at Chen Zhong, indicating for him to come over.
"I touched the ball first!" Chen Zhong explained in broken Italian, gesturing with his hands.
"I saw it clearly."
"But I need you to tone down your actions. If you keep doing this, I will card you."
The referee sternly cautioned Chen Zhong, as the standards for fouls in football are continually evolving. Ten years ago, Italy's football fouls were much "dirtier" than now; tackling from behind was attempted frequently. Rules like direct red for showing studs have only been implemented in recent years. Many a genius was destroyed by brutal fouls back then.
This referee was quite senior and might have experienced those times.
Fans from both teams watched the referee's actions and tone, each with a thoughtful gaze. Players tend to adjust based on the referee's penalty standards.
"Inter Milan has a free kick in the front field."
"The referee didn't show a card, just a verbal warning."
"It seems this referee's penalty is relatively lenient."
"Milan's penalty area is packed with players."
"Cambiasso stands in front of the ball."
Chen Zhong did not go to be part of the wall; his task was to mark Ibrahimovic.
The two pushed and shoved; Ibrahimovic placed his hands on Chen Zhong's chest and shoulders, while Chen Zhong kept one hand on the opponent's waist, the other arm extended, continually watching Cambiasso.
Ibrahimovic, standing at 195CM, upon feeling Chen Zhong's rigidity, mockingly said with a plastic smile, "You're going to mark me? You think you can mark me?"
The Swede apparently didn't take Chen Zhong seriously. He drew out a hand, raising it high to catch Cambiasso's attention, as if saying, look here, look here, brother!
I can completely handle this guy beside me.
Cambiasso, standing by the ball, noticed this but didn't respond. He aimed at the goal, stepping forward, one step, two steps, three steps.
Everyone's gaze focused on him.
"Bang!"
The ball traced an arc, Milan's wall jumped high, but it bypassed their wall, heading directly towards Ibrahimovic.
In the moment Cambiasso passed the ball, Ibrahimovic tried to shake off the nearby Chen Zhong. The two pushed each other, but neither could gain an advantage.
Ibrahimovic couldn't jump, and Chen Zhong couldn't push him away.
"This works!"
Chen Zhong braced against Ibrahimovic's chest with his shoulder, estimating the ball's landing spot with his eyes. If it followed its current trajectory, it would fall in front of him and bounce towards the goalkeeper.
However, Ibrahimovic would not accept this fate, and finding it difficult to jump, he simply didn't jump at all.
Feeling the pressure on his chest, he sidestepped, then lunged forward, completing a header with a clumsy movement, stunning everyone.
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