Tang Long had heard about the factions within the dressing rooms of big clubs in his past life.
This isn't really hard to understand.
Where there are people, there is 'jianghu' (a community with its own rules)!
It's the same in the workplace for an ordinary employee, just as it is in a football club's dressing room!
Especially for a European powerhouse club like Inter.
Although the Blue-Black Corps' performance has declined in recent years and hasn't made it to the Champions League zone.
Nonetheless, from historical achievements to the traditional status in fans' hearts in the football world.
Inter Milan is still one of the top three clubs in Serie A and around the top ten in Europe!
The players who earn a salary at Inter are all top-level stars~
Although on the surface, they seem harmonious on the field.
But privately, factionalism is extremely common.
After Uncle Berni finished talking about the four major factions in Inter, he went silent.
He just sipped his coffee with a smile, silently watching Tang Long, as if waiting to observe his reaction before offering further explanation.
Tang Long called over a waiter to refill Uncle Berni's coffee.
He noticed a detail!
In the earlier conversation, when Berni mentioned the Italian Gang within Inter, he named Ranocchia, Andreolli, and Dambrosio.
But Berni himself wasn't mentioned.
He's Italian too!
"Uncle Berni, how's your relationship with the Italian Local Gang?" Tang Long asked tentatively.
Uncle Berni seemed to have anticipated Tang Long's question, put down his coffee, and said smoothly:
"That's a good question!
Although I'm Italian, I don't belong to the Italian Gang. In fact, I've never participated in any factional activities at Inter.
You ask why?
Ha! As a third goalkeeper who was added just to fill the European youth training quota, someone who barely plays a game or two in a season, I have no need to get involved in certain things, and even if I did, it would be pointless.
You should know that in a club like Inter, not everyone takes sides, and even those from the same cultural background don't necessarily stick together.
For example, there's Hernane in the midfield, a Brazilian, but he never hangs out with the South American Gang led by Gualin. Instead, he has a pretty good relationship with the Argentine Gang.
And as for me? I just earn my 500,000 annual salary honestly, retire in a year or two, and at my age, I've seen through certain things."
Tang Long couldn't detect any sense of melancholy one might expect from a player in the twilight of his career in Uncle Berni's words.
Instead, he seemed relaxed and at ease.
He appeared unwound, and it was clear they were heartfelt words.
Tang Long nodded.
Since Berni wasn't involved with any faction, what he said was more credible.
Tang Long continued to ask Berni for guidance.
Berni, with an experienced stance, said to Tang Long:
"Tang, if you were a superstar like Messi and Ronaldo, you wouldn't need to join any faction, because you'd be the club's most central asset, and the board would keep you firmly within its grasp.
But at this stage, as a bottom-tier first-team player, the first thing you need to do is establish a footing.
If you want to challenge the South American Gang led by Gualin, you must join a faction — the Argentine Gang, Italian Local Gang, or Former South Gang. Which do you think suits you?"
At this moment, two scenarios came to Tang Long's mind!
Both occurred in the last home match against Genoa.
The first scenario was about Icardi from the Argentine Gang.
After he assisted Icardi in scoring, everyone thought it was just an accidental mishit.
But Icardi asked him whether it was intentional or accidental.
From Icardi's eyes, Tang Long saw half trust, half confusion.
Clearly, this striker with top-level Serie A positioning awareness had a much higher understanding of passing and positioning lines than his teammates.
The second scenario was about Ranocchia from the Italian Gang.
The penultimate pass for Icardi's winning goal came from Tang Long.
After passing the ball, he was brutally tackled by Genoa's two center-backs!
Afterward, everyone on the field was celebrating Icardi's game-winner.
But only teammate Ranocchia came over and asked if Tang Long was injured.
"Uncle Berni, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions?"
"Haha, don't ask me, I just helped you analyze the situation. As for what you want to do, that depends on you."
Berni paused for a moment and then thoughtfully said:
"Tang, having mixed in professional football for many years, I have joined factions with others in the dressing room when I was young, which taught me a lesson.
To gain someone's support, you must meet their needs.
What do they need, and what can you provide? Whether you can fulfill each other's needs is the key to whether you can come together!"
That evening.
Tang Long didn't rush to review game routes to feed the AI in his dorm at the base.
Nor did he enter the Cloud Training Ground.
He carefully recalled the conversation with Berni over coffee that afternoon.
First, he immediately ruled out the Former South Gang. The only main player was Handanovic, Kovacic was a rotational player, and Korshin was a fringe figure. The Former South Gang was quite weak in Inter.
That left only the Argentine Gang and the Italian Local Gang.
The former has many members occupying many key positions.
The latter holds the crucial captain's seat.
"What do they need, and what can you provide? Whether you can fulfill each other's needs is the key to whether you can come together!"
Berni's words alerted Tang Long.
Currently, the Argentine Gang has the greatest influence in Inter.
The recently retired legendary captain Sane蒂 is rumored to be entering the executive ranks.
If he could be protected by the Argentine Gang, he naturally wouldn't fear Gualin's South American Gang.
But would the Argentine Gang accept him?
Why would they protect a Chinese person?
After all, he was just a lower-level figure in Inter.
The same applied to the Italian Local Gang.
What benefits could Tang Long bring to the Italian Gang? What needs could he satisfy for them?
Tang Long opened his computer and pulled up the starting lineup for Inter against Genoa.
He circled two players.
Icardi of the Argentine Gang.
Ranocchia of the Italian Local Gang.
"Icardi is Inter's top scorer this season. According to my past life's memory, he'll win the Serie A Golden Boot at the end of the season."
"Ranocchia is Inter's captain, the defensive leader, often communicating with referees, as Italian referees prefer interacting with local players."
"Hmm..."
With this in mind, Tang Long had basically made up his mind.
He glanced at the time; it was now eight-thirty in the evening.
Tang Long immediately opened the AI Cloud Training Ground and entered training mode.
Once again choosing Iniesta as his sparring partner.
"Bang bang bang——"
"Bang bang bang——"
On the empty field, their passing sounds echoed.