After every match, there's a brief press conference, usually attended by the head coach along with a player selected before the game.
However, Mancini's habit is not to arrange anyone beforehand; instead, he chooses the best-performing player post-match as a spiritual reward.
Icardi, who scored twice, was initially chosen.
But coincidentally, the Argentine striker was selected for a urine test.
After thinking for a few seconds, Mancini decided to have Tang Long join him.
When they arrived at the press conference, the media was already waiting with their cameras.
Seeing Tang Long beside Mancini, the journalists were a bit puzzled, looking sideways at the 18-year-old Chinese boy.
The journalists were aware of Mancini's habits, so Tang Long's presence was a bit baffling.
They started whispering among themselves.
"This isn't right. How come Icardi, who scored twice, isn't here? This doesn't match Mancini's habit."
"I heard Icardi went for a urine test and couldn't make it."
"But even so, the second-best performer should be Hernanes, with a goal and an assist."
"At the very least, it should be Palacio, who scored the opener!"
"Why is Tang here? Does Mancini think he's the best-performing Inter player?"
"What a joke, maybe it's just to let the new player get some exposure."
Tang Long was attending a Serie A press conference for the first time, caught off guard without much preparation, so he didn't say much and mainly listened to Mancini speak.
Inter won 4-0 against Rome away from home, so Mancini was naturally pleased and beaming.
He was well-versed in handling such press conferences, able to talk smoothly even with his eyes closed.
Despite expressing respect for the Rome team,
Mancini harshly criticized Totti's reckless tackle on Icardi without holding back!
"During my playing days at Lazio, I played in Roman derbies and had already known Totti back then.
I can't believe, after 20 years, Totti's temper is still so fiery. As Rome's captain, he's gone too far.
I condemn any malicious fouls on the field, and I believe those sitting in front of me share the same view."
Losing both the game and face at home!
Local journalists from Rome were dispirited, lacking the desire to ask many questions.
On the contrary, journalists from Milan were very eager to ask questions!
A blonde journalist from Milan Sports Daily, ever since Tang Long stepped into the venue, her eyes seemed magnetically attracted, always following his handsome figure.
When she finally got the chance to ask a question, she unhesitatingly directed it at Tang Long first.
"Tang, hello. How do you feel attending your first press conference as an Inter player? You seem quite tense. There's a bottle of water in front of you; if your palms are sweating, you might want to take a sip to calm your nerves."
Laughter filled the room, full of good intentions.
Industry insiders all knew that Italian female journalists have this playful tendency with young, handsome, yet inexperienced players.
Younger players generally aren't very mature in front of the media and often end up making jokes.
If they can make the young guys feel awkward, nervous, and sweaty, unsure of what to do with their hands, the journalists feel a sense of accomplishment.
It's like the satisfaction of a mature woman flirting with a younger guy~
This is considered a harmless little piece of mischief in the media circle.
Mancini also smiled and turned his head towards Tang Long.
Tang Long simply responded with a counter-question.
"Ma'am, may I ask, when was your first interview as a journalist?"
"About eight years ago, right after I graduated from the journalism school."
"Were you nervous back then?"
"A bit nervous, but," the blonde journalist tapped her temple with a pen, "I was very well prepared, so as soon as I saw the interviewee, I immediately got into the zone and wasn't nervous anymore."
"I'm exactly like how you were back then, ma'am. I was really nervous initially, but once I saw you, I wasn't nervous anymore."
Another round of laughter erupted from the audience.
This time, the laughter included applause!
Mancini was slightly amazed.
Tang Long's ease at his first press conference with the media was somewhat surprising to him.
Mancini knew the female journalist well, she was Benatti from Milan Sports Daily.
In his first match back with Inter, after losing 3-0 away to Sampdoria, Benatti's sharp questions almost caught him off guard, making him consider walking off at one point.
He even told Inter's press officer privately not to give this difficult woman the microphone in the future.
Later, Benatti somehow got hold of Mancini's phone number and sent him a text, sincerely apologizing, saying if she didn't do it, her editor-in-chief would dock her performance bonus, and she had no choice.
This left Mancini both frustrated and amused~
Benatti originally intended to tease Tang Long, but didn't expect to be outmaneuvered by him.
Even she couldn't help but find it amusing!
Well, it seems this little guy isn't easy to mess with.
"Tang, if you had to pick the best player of the match today, who would it be?"
Refusing to give up, Benatti launched a second wave of questioning.
Everyone could hear the implication in her question.
According to Mancini's style, the chosen ones to attend the post-match press conferences are the best players.
Undoubtedly, Icardi, who scored twice, was the best performer tonight.
With Icardi unavailable due to the urine test, it should be Hernanes or Palacio.
There's no way it should be you, Tang Long!
Tang Long did not hide and admitted he wasn't the best player.
The next sentence, however, surprised the reporters somewhat.
"If I were to name the best player, it would undoubtedly be our captain, Ranocchia!"
"As a central defender, he fortified our defense, allowing us to keep a clean sheet against Rome, which was the foundation and key to our victory."
Mancini hesitated for two seconds and quickly added a diplomatic comment:
"Ranocchia's performance tonight was very stable, as a tall local defender, he's someone I can trust."
Benatti blinked a couple of times.
Having asked two questions, the press officer courteously asked her for the microphone back.
But she held on to the microphone and looked at Mancini.
"Mr. Mancini, how would you evaluate Tang's performance tonight?"
Mancini crossed his arms on the table, with his thumbs twirling around.
"Many journalists have asked me why Tang was able to sign with the first team; tonight, he gave the best answer.
He contributed two assists in ten minutes, and this efficiency makes me very satisfied.
As an attacking player, Tang's passing ability has visibly improved, and I am very optimistic about his future. Inter needs young talents like Tang."
He wanted to say a few more words, but Benatti interrupted him.
"I want to ask specifically, which two assists are you referring to?"
Mancini found it perplexing.
"The first was his cross that led to a penalty, and the second was the last-minute assist for Icardi; is there a problem?"
"I have to correct you, Mr. Mancini. According to the official Serie A statistics released after the match, Tang only had one assist, which is the one that led to the penalty."
"But wasn't Icardi's goal set up by Tang?" Mancini was taken aback.
Benatti grinned proudly.
She picked up her phone from the table, played the replay of the moment Hernanes passed to Tang Long, and showed it in front of Mancini.
"Coach Mancini, perhaps you didn't get a chance to see the replay, but the final goal assist came from Hernanes, and Tang didn't touch the ball."
Mancini looked down at the phone.
This previously unseen slow-motion showed.
As Hernanes' pass was just about to reach Tang Long—he slightly opened his legs and let the ball pass untouched!
This feint fooled all the Roman defenders.
Instantly tearing apart Rome's defensive line.
Even Mancini was deceived by Tang Long.
He had always thought that Tang Long had deflected the ball.
"Oh, so that's how it was..."
Mancini scratched his largely graying hair, his gaze a bit lost.