Initially, Tang Long didn't have any great expectations of making a substitute appearance in this Serie A match.
Whether it was Chiwo's advice at the training base,
or Berni, the third goalkeeper, joking with him on the bus,
or even Tang Long's own understanding of his abilities—the system rated him at just an Italian Third Division level.
Tang Long simply came to the first team with the mindset of watching a match at Meazza Stadium up close for free.
"Today's primary task is to feel the rhythm of a Serie A match. This is Serie A—the pace is completely different from our youth team. Also, it'd be great to make a few appearances in front of the first-team coach, Mancini, and get him familiar with my face."
With this mindset, Tang Long sat relaxed on the bench.
"Hello, everyone in the audience!"
Here we are broadcasting for you the 11th round of the 2014-2015 Serie A season, Inter Milan hosting Genoa.
Now let's briefly introduce the starting line-ups of both teams.
Oh?
Inter has changed their formation, and they are only deploying a lone forward, Palacio!
The progression of the game indeed went as Berni, the third goalkeeper, had predicted.
Mancini learned a lesson from the 0-3 away defeat to Sampdoria in the last round.
At home, he played straightforward defensive counter-attacks.
Main striker Icardi sat on the bench due to injury.
The team placed the lone and aging 33-year-old Palacio upfront.
They massed a large number of laborers and enforcers in midfield and defense.
Mancini's approach was very direct and pragmatic.
That was to ensure defense first, steal a goal from Genoa, and then hang on until the end of the match.
They were aiming for a 1-0 scoreline!
However, Mancini's plans weren't going smoothly!
Since Inter didn't take the initiative to attack, Genoa took control of the ball.
In the 15th minute of the first half, Genoa, playing away, took charge and launched a very threatening attack.
Faced with a high ball from Inter, Genoa's midfield giant Kuzuka leaped up high and headed it back.
"Mine!"
Former AC Milan player Girardino outmuscled little Juan and flicked the ball backwards to the wing.
Santana got the ball!
"This winger named Santana is a speedster!"
"Don't be fooled by his name; when he gets going, he's not slower than a Lamborghini!"
"Santana starts, making a powerful dash with the ball!"
"He bypasses Inter's left-back Jonathan!"
"Santana crosses the ball from the wing—"
In the penalty area, a red figure ghostly appears.
It's Girardino!
He accurately judged the drop point and headed it in between the two-meter gap of Inter's center backs, scoring!
"Haha, I just love this feeling!"
Girardino, tongue out, celebrated wildly with his teammates.
At that moment, he still felt like he was wearing the red and black stripes, playing in a Milan derby!
Inter's substitute bench was left dumbfounded.
Only 15 minutes in, and they're trailing at home?
"Oh no, oh no, made a mistake, boss made a mistake..."
Berni covered his mouth with his towel and whispered softly to Tang Long beside him,
"Did you see that? We didn't hold the defense. Now, we have no choice but to push forward and attack."
Amidst the piercing boos at Meazza Stadium,
Mancini, dressed in a suit and tie, started sweating profusely!
The broadcast camera lingered meaningfully on his close-up.
The bulging vein on Mancini's forehead became visible to everyone.
He felt as if many eyes were glaring fiercely at him.
"Keep your spirits up, it's still early; play like it's our home, show some momentum, be bold in your actions!" Mancini clapped hard, trying to rally the players on the field.
But the players on the field seemed a bit confused.
Weren't we supposed to hold back?
How do you show momentum while holding back?
Inter, trailing by a goal at home, had no choice but to come forward and attack.
Their formation this match was 361.
The positions of midfield wing-backs Jonathan and Yuto Nagatomo started pushing forward!
Attempting to use the width of the pitch to pass the ball around and stretch the opponent.
However, Genoa, who caught Inter off guard with an early goal, was very pragmatic.
"Want to play offensive with me? Sorry, not playing anymore!"
Coach Gasperini waved his hand, and the whole team retreated!
In an instant,
the two teams completed a switch in their attack-defense formations.
Inter attacked, Genoa defended!
The unexpected early goal left Inter somewhat flustered, and the players appeared quite anxious.
It was difficult to penetrate the ball into the opponent's box through short passes.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Midfielder Gualin could only keep shooting long balls!
The lone striker Palacio was jumping with frustration!
"Why are you so impatient, watch my positioning, stop shooting blindly!"
With nothing to show for their siege, the first half ended.
Inter Milan was trailing 0-1 at home against Genoa.
The home team locker room.
Bam!
Mancini kicked the door open and walked in.
He threw his suit forcefully onto the ground.
"What kind of crap are you playing, you guys, if this were seven years ago when I coached Inter, I would've sold all of you and asked Moratti to get me a new batch! Crap, it's all crap!"
Mancini kicked a water bottle, which burst open, splashing water onto Tang Long sitting in the back.
Berni calmly handed Tang Long a towel.
The locker room fell silent, with only Mancini's rant echoing.
"Is Mancini always this temperamental?" Tang Long asked in a low voice.
"Hehe, don't be fooled by his gentlemanly demeanor in front of the media; everyone in the locker room knows his fiery temper, just like Ferguson, Mancini also has a hairdryer treatment!"
As soon as Berni finished speaking, they heard Mancini using a mournful tone, almost like singing an Italian opera.
"Oh my God, that goal, our defense was pierced so easily; even if I put in our third keeper, Kuzuka wouldn't have been able to head that ball so easily, he was completely open!"
Pffft!
Berni couldn't help but burst into laughter!
Mancini paused, eyeing the corner of the locker room.
"Who's laughing, who," Mancini turned his head to Tang Long, "was it you laughing?"
Tang Long quickly waved his hands, "Not me!"
Mancini glared at Tang Long and then aimed his hairdryer directly at midfielder Gualin.
"Gualin!"
Gualin, who was drinking water, was startled and choked.
"Present!"
Mancini: "Why are you blindly shooting, you're playing football, not basketball. You're constantly shooting from outside the box, do you think you're shooting threes?"
Gualin: "Huh? I just felt there weren't any passing opportunities, after all, the opposition retreated so much, their box is full of players."
Mancini: "Be patient, a bit more patient, especially when you have the ball often, distribute the ball more to our wing-backs, stop shooting from distance!"
Gualin was Colombian and not the most patient.
Especially after hearing Mancini criticize his long shots as if they were three-point shots in basketball.
The boy felt aggrieved!
"What's this," he mumbled under his breath, "Mazzarri always encouraged me to take long shots, I scored 9 goals last season."
"What did you say?!!!"
Mancini was stunned.
His whole body was trembling!
It was a face twisted with rage!
Even the other teammates in the locker room, eyes wide, stared at Gualin.
Everyone knew.
Gualin misspoke!