Football: Starting from the 05 World Youth Championship

Chapter 342: Final Battle of Serie A Championship

On April 4, the 15nd round of Serie A kicked off.

As there are only eight rounds left in the Serie A, both the championship and relegation suspense will be revealed after these games.

In order to ensure relative fairness to each team, the Serie A officials specially arranged all the games in this round to start at the same time.

Inter Milan leads the Serie A standings by as much as 15 points, although they were unexpectedly tied by Reggina away from home in the last round, allowing Roma to narrow the gap to 2 points.

But such a huge lead will still make the followers feel desperate.

But in theory, the Serie A championship is still in suspense.

If Roma wins all the last eight games and gets 24 points, while Inter Milan scores less than 9 points, then Roma will have a chance to make a comeback.

But whether Roma can win the championship is not the initiative in their own hands. It depends on whether Inter Milan will give them a chance.

But considering Inter Milan's undefeated record this season, even if the last eight games are all tied, they will at least get 8 points. It will not be easy for Roma to win all the games.

So even if there is still theoretical hope, the outside world has already regarded this year's Serie A championship as Inter Milan's.

Compared with the suspense of the championship, everyone is more concerned about the suspense of relegation.

This year's Serie A relegation battle is particularly exciting. There are currently as many as 10 teams at risk of relegation, including once-rich teams such as Parma and Torino.

Especially Parma, after 31 rounds of competition, they only got 6 wins and 10 draws, with a pitiful 28 points.

Torino's situation is slightly better than theirs, but only slightly better.

Torino, which currently has only 32 points, is far from safe. In the next eight games, if they lose a few more games by accident, they will most likely be overtaken by the teams in the relegation zone.

Given the current complicated relegation situation in Serie A, the focus of this round of matches is the battle between Parma, third from the bottom, and Catania, fifth from the bottom.

This is a game worth six points for both teams.

Whoever can defeat the opponent can not only make his own situation safer, but also step hard on his competitor.

Before the game, most of the spectators were more optimistic about Parma, who was playing at home. After all, as a former member of the Serie A Seven Sisters, Parma still has some foundation.

However, the result of the game disappointed Parma's supporters. After 1 minutes of play, the score between the two teams was 1:.

This result is unsatisfactory for both sides, because getting only one point is not enough to quench their thirst, but may allow the lagging team to overtake them in the rankings.

But after the results of other matches came out, fans of both teams breathed a sigh of relief.

Ascoli, who were ranked last, were tied at home by Lazio and also only got 1 point.

Messina, the second-to-last team, suffered a 1-3 defeat at home to AC Milan, who had just returned from the Champions League.

Messina really wants to get points to avoid relegation, while AC Milan also feels the urgency to catch up.

The only difference is that they are not getting points for relegation, but for a place in the Champions League next season.

Because AC Milan paid too much attention to the Champions League and neglected the league, its current ranking in the league is not ideal.

They currently have only 50 points and are ranked 5th in the league, 4 points behind the 6th place.

Chasing six points in eight games is a lot of pressure even for a top team like AC Milan.

The Champions League semi-final will start on April 4, which is 25 days later.

In order to prepare for the Champions League semi-finals, AC Milan will inevitably be diverted a large part of their energy and must hurry up to catch up. When the Champions League approaches, their focus will once again shift to the Champions League.

Inter Milan's situation is similar to that of AC Milan, but because the lead is too huge and there is no pressure on points, Mancini is very calm when arranging the lineup and is far from being as hesitant as Ancelotti.

In order to take care of the main players who had just finished playing in the Champions League, Mancini made a lot of rotations in the league.

Lin Feng, Figo, Zanetti and Cambiasso and other main players were not included in the starting lineup and were kept on the bench. Some were even given a holiday by Mancini and were not even included in the main lineup.

But even so, relying on a lineup of half main players and half substitutes, Inter Milan still took a 2:0 lead in the first half.

However, Palermo was worthy of being Inter Milan's nemesis. At the beginning of the second half, they took advantage of the Inter Milan defender's mistake to score a goal. Then in a corner kick melee, they tied the score thanks to an own goal by an Inter Milan player.

The score remained 2:2 until the end of the game. Inter Milan missed a good opportunity and unfortunately failed to keep the victory.

In another game, Roma, which had just been slaughtered by Liverpool in the Champions League, showed its ferocious fangs again after returning to the league.

Facing the challenge of Sampdoria, Roma scored in many ways and defeated their opponent 4:0 at home.

After this game, the gap between Inter Milan and Roma further narrowed to 13 points.

Although the score difference is still very huge, considering that two rounds ago, the score difference between the two teams was 17 points, it has been narrowed by 4 points in just two rounds, and the next game is a direct dialogue between Inter Milan and Roma.

If Roma can beat Inter Milan in the decisive battle, the gap between the two teams will be further narrowed to 10 points!
If the score is really narrowed to 10 points, the situation will be difficult to predict.

Therefore, after this round of games, the outside world began to hype the issue of who would win the league championship again.

Looking back to the beginning of the month, few people thought there was anything wrong with Inter Milan's league title.

But just half a month later, the situation was very different.

It was almost the same group of people who had previously praised Inter Milan in various ways, believing that Inter Milan's championship was as sure as an old dog.

Now it seems that Roma is about to win the championship and Inter Milan is no longer viable.

I really don’t know whether they really think so or are deliberately creating hype to cater to readers.

The media's endless hype is not without effect.

When the outside world was discussing that Inter Milan might collapse and be reversed by Roma in an incredible way, it was difficult for Inter Milan's players not to be affected.

"Have you seen the media reports in the past two days?"

"See, they said we were going to lose to Roma and that we would lose the title if we lost the game. Isn't that bullshit?"

"That's right. It's not like we haven't played against Roma before. Don't we know the strength of the opponent?"

Before this game, Inter Milan had played against Roma twice, in the Super Cup and the league.

In the Super Cup held in Shanghai, Inter Milan staged a miracle after falling behind by three goals at halftime, and eventually reversed Roma with a score of 5:3 to win the first trophy of the season.

In the subsequent league, Inter Milan once again defeated Roma 4:1 away from home.

If we count last year's Coppa Italia final, Inter Milan has won three games in a row against Roma. Given the strength and head-to-head record of the two teams, the players certainly can't be fooled by media reports so easily.

"Haha, that's true. But Roma should not be underestimated. They scored three goals against us in the Super Cup, which is enough to prove that they are really good. Plus, Ade is on their team too. We have all been teammates with this guy and know how abnormal he is on the field.

So we must not be careless in the next game, if we really lose..."

Although the player did not continue speaking, others immediately understood what he meant.

If we really lose to Roma, does that mean that the outside world's predictions are correct?
……

Originally, Inter Milan did not take this game seriously, but after realizing that the outside wind had changed and even began to affect the confidence of the players in the team, they had to take it seriously.

"The outside world has hyped up this game too much. If we lose, it will probably severely damage the morale of the team.

Although it won’t cost us the league title, I’m worried it will affect the Champions League.”

“So we have to defeat our opponent in the next game and kill Roma’s spirit!”

Doesn’t the outside world like to hype that Roma is going to make a comeback?
Then defeat them at home and make Roma completely despair!

Mancini did what he said. All the main players who were not in the starting lineup in the last round appeared in this game.

Inter Milan, playing at home, fielded their strongest lineup and vowed to defeat their opponents.

After this game, there are still six games left in Serie A.

If Inter Milan beats Roma at home, the gap between the two teams will widen by 16 points and the suspense of the championship will be completely killed!
Faced with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Spalletti also sent out Roma's strongest lineup.

However, Inter Milan has the advantage of home court, and many players in the team did not participate in the previous game. At this time, both their physical fitness and condition are much better than their opponents.

But Roma is not completely without a chance of winning. Having won three consecutive games, their morale is high.

In addition, Roma has been eliminated from the Champions League, so they don't have to worry about the Champions League and can focus entirely on the league.

As Inter Milan is preparing for the Champions League semi-finals, they will certainly not dare to fight too hard in the league to avoid widespread injuries.

So even though the team is not as strong as its opponents on paper, it clearly has the advantage in morale and courage.

Now it depends on whether Roma can convert its morale lead into goals.

Before the game, Mancini made some mobilization in the locker room, but it didn't seem to have much effect.

The average age of Inter Milan's lineup is relatively old, and many players in the team are veterans over 30 years old.

Giving chicken soup to such a veteran will definitely not be very effective.

As for young players like Lin Feng, because they have a mature mentality, they don't really listen to the head coach's chicken soup.

Mancini felt very embarrassed and could only leave the space to the players themselves. He left the locker room first and went to the coaching bench to wait for the start of the game.

As soon as the coach left, the locker room immediately became lively.

Torres put his head close to Lin Feng and said to him with a smile:
"Oh, my friend, your good friend has a disease that will kill him if he doesn't score a goal. Can you pass him a few more balls and save him?"

Lin Feng glanced at Torres speechlessly. He was so old, but he was still like a child, playing in such a childish way.

Although I was complaining in my heart, my body was honest and played this childish game with the other party:
"My dear friend, although I really want to help you, in order to provide you with an assist, it requires the cooperation of nine players in different positions, including the goalkeeper, defender, full-back, defensive midfielder, wing forward and attacking midfielder. Why don't you ask them first?"

Before Torres could speak, other teammates started shouting:

"I disagree, I absolutely disagree!"

"That's right, why does this guy get all the good things? I can negotiate and I can score goals too!"

"Stop it, don't fight with me!"

Materazzi had a loud voice, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he suppressed the others with his loud voice:
"Although I'm not a striker, I've always wanted to score goals. Brother Lin, pass the ball to me when you get on the field. I guarantee with my character as the captain that I'll score a goal!"

Materazzi spoke with great confidence, but pointed his finger at captain Zanetti, as if he was swearing by the Luo River.

Zanetti was speechless, with the word "disdain" almost engraved on his face.

Damn it, what sin have I committed to have such a bunch of idiotic teammates? If this gets out, it will ruin my reputation for life!

After hearing what Materazzi said, Lin Feng said faintly:
"Ahem, actually, I also have a heart for scoring a goal!"

All of them fell down...

……

While Inter Milan's players were still chasing and playing in the locker room, Roma had already completed their pre-war mobilization, left the locker room, and came to the player tunnel outside to prepare to enter the field.

Standing in the player tunnel, looking towards the home team's locker room not far away and hearing the laughter and playfulness coming from inside, Adriano's expression was very complicated.

A year ago, he was one of the owners of this stadium.

But now, he visited as a guest.

This is the first time that Ade has returned to the Meazza Stadium since leaving Inter Milan.

He was very nervous, not knowing how the Nerazzurri who once regarded him as a king would view him now.

Will they hate or even insult themselves?

Will they think I'm a traitor?

When I step out of this passage, will I be greeted with applause or boos?
At this moment, the door of Inter Milan's locker room opened.

The Inter Milan players, neatly dressed, walked out of the locker room one by one.

Walking in front was the captain Zanetti. He was stunned for a moment when he saw Ade, then nodded to Ade with a smile.

The expected glaring or even loud scolding did not occur. Even though he was no longer a teammate but an opponent, the old captain's attitude towards him was still gentle and friendly.

The second person to come out from behind Zanetti was Lin Feng. After seeing Ade, he took the initiative to hug Ade and punched him in the chest:
"Come on and play well. If you lose, I'll treat you to dinner tonight!"

Seeing that his friend was still so enthusiastic and had no concerns about his identity, Ade finally let go of his guard and worry and responded cheerfully:
"Okay, we have a deal, whoever wins gets to pay!"

(End of this chapter)