These days, Tang Long has consistently used AI Cloud Training to enhance his personal passing skills.
He's even reduced the time spent watching match footage.
Actually, this also involves a certain balance issue.
Watching more match footage to feed the AI system can continuously improve the system's capabilities.
But as one thing increases, another decreases, so Tang Long also has less time for Cloud Training.
Sometimes he can't help but muse, "If only I could Cloud Train in my dreams!"
Besides the balance between the two.
Tang Long discovered another tricky issue.
He's been training with the tool partner Iniesta in the Cloud Training Ground for some time.
He originally thought his passing stats would continuously improve until reaching a full score of 99!
But ever since his passing reached 70, the growth has slowed drastically.
It's even stopped entirely.
This brings back the original dilemma.
Should he use the time outside training, eating, and sleeping for watching matches to improve the Cloud Training Ground's capabilities;
Or should he utilize all available time to strive to raise every indicator to the current threshold?
...
Wednesday morning, at the Inter training base.
Chiwo, holding a framed document, stood on the top floor of the office building, watching Inter players sweat profusely on the field.
"Do you smoke?" Mancini waved the cigarette box in his hand, "Ossorio brought this back for me during his company-paid trip to South America, it suits my taste well, supposedly not available within Italy."
Chiwo declined with a smile.
"Mr. Mancini, although I've retired, I never smoke or drink, and even carbonated drinks I consume sparingly."
Mancini squinted, the smoke making his expression hard to discern.
"I retired in 2001, with my final career station being the Premier League's Leicester City, where players privately enjoyed smoking, but I never touched it, the smell of smoke alone made me nauseous."
"But ever since I became a head coach — my first stop was Florence, I picked up the habit of smoking."
"People say there are 60 million coaches in Italy, each with their own perspective on football, in this country, being at the helm of a Serie A team means enduring immense pressure, aside from smoking, I can't think of other ways to relieve the stress, Chiwo, can you tell me?"
"I don't know either, Mr. Mancini, I've never been the head of a first team, perhaps I haven't faced the difficulties you've encountered." Chiwo answered truthfully.
Mancini nodded.
Then he placed the cigarette on the ashtray.
Standing with Chiwo in front of the wide glass window, overlooking the training ground from the 7th floor.
"You've watched the training from this office for several days, you also saw the conflicts between the different factions within the team the other day, what are your thoughts?"
"I saw the entire conflict, clearly it's because of Tang."
"And?"
"It's evident that Tang has a good relationship with both the Argentine gang and the Italian Local Gang, with Icardi and Ranocchia standing up for him, which I didn't expect."
"Exactly, Tang has gained the locker room's support, which is important for me," Mancini paused, "Of course, it's also beneficial for himself."
Chiwo raised the document in his hand.
[Special Training Plan for First Team Player Tang]
"The training volume is quite large, and will take up his entire winter break; I have no issue with it, just unsure if Tang is willing."
"He must be willing, rest assured Chiwo, you can see the desire for fame in his eyes, this desire will drive his inner fighting spirit, pushing him to chase his goals relentlessly like a hyena."
"Mr. Mancini, I must say, I'm pleased we agree on cultivating Tang, in the entire youth team, I'm the only one who supports him."
"You don't have to thank me, helping Tang also helps myself, it's mutual benefit; one day when you become a head coach of a team, you'll understand."
Mancini combed through his partly gray hair.
Strands of hair mingled with his fingertips.
He shook his head, letting the hair fall.
"When I started my career at Bologna at 17, I was very young, my height was even still growing.
Back then, we had a full-back named Cabraja who continued playing even at 38.
I thought then, what a distant age 38 must be, as unreachable as stars in the far depths of the universe.
Yet now in a blink, I'm turning 50 this year, I read an Eastern philosophy book once, it said at 50 you understand destiny, but what is my destiny?"
Chiwo shrugged, showing a puzzled expression.
"Mr. Mancini, what you're saying is too profound, I don't comprehend it; if there's nothing else, the training is nearly over, I'll go down to find Tang now."
...
Assistant Coach Herrera blew the whistle signaling the end of training.
Due to the previous conflict, everyone restrained themselves this time.
No major defensive moves occurred.
Especially towards Tang, defenders intentionally held back.
Players dispersed, some noticed Chiwo approaching.
"Hmm, isn't that the youth team assistant coach Chiwo? What's he doing here?"
"No idea, training's over."
"Don't you know? Chiwo has been promoted by Mancini to the first team."
"Ah ha? In that case, Herrera's old position might be in jeopardy."
"Indeed, given Chiwo's standing in this club, being Mancini's assistant is a seamless fit."
Assistant Coach Herrera also noticed Chiwo.
Players speculating on things, he naturally knew.
Herrera greeted Chiwo somewhat reservedly.
"Hey, you're here, Mr. Chiwo!"
Chiwo merely nodded, without a word, heading straight to Tang Long, and they began conversing.
Herrera felt neglected, a pang of resentment in his heart.
Wasn't it agreed I'd retire at season's end? Why does it seem like things are unfolding unexpectedly...?
"Mr. Chiwo, we meet again!"
"Yes, we meet again, Tang!"
The mentor and protégé reunited with a hearty hug.
"How's playing in Serie A feel? Quite different from the youth league, right?"
"Absolutely different pace, compared to the youth team, everyone's actions have sped up by 1.5 times, the offensive and defensive rhythm is particularly fast, even when coming off the bench, I feel very exhausted."
"Is your ankle feeling better?"
"So-so, those two defenders from Genoa tackled me hard, and then the other day Medel struck me again, my ankle moves and runs, but always feels slightly off."
Chiwo nodded, then looked Tang Long up and down.
"Tang, take off your clothes."
Tang Long hesitated, then took them off.
"Not enough, take off your pants too, along with your shoes and socks, all your clothes, remove them all!" Chiwo said.