"On May 27, 2007, the Meazza Stadium was a moment of farewell. In the 20062007 Serie A season finale, Inter Milan beat Turin 5-0 at home. Ronaldo opened the scoring for Inter Milan and Figo scored from the penalty kick, scoring the fifth goal for Inter Milan. The two superstars who were about to leave Meazza were replaced by Manager Li Ang at the last moment of the game. They received the applause of the fans …"
"After the game, Inter Milan Manager Li Ang spoke highly of Ronaldo and Figo. The Chinese man said that lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy with Ronaldo at the Stade de France a year ago was the pride of his life."
The hanging TV in the bar was broadcasting the sports news. Just yesterday, the 20062007 Serie A season officially ended.
It had been a year since Li Ang's Inter Milan won the treble in the summer of 2006.
The summer of 2006 had an important impact on the Serie A League and Italian football.
The 'Calciopoli' exploded.
In the shadow of the 'Calciopoli', the Italian team went all the way to the end of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. They beat France in the final on penalties and stood at the top of the world. Zidane had Materazzi on his head. The scene of the French superstar's desolation brushing past the World Cup was the most unforgettable memory of this World Cup.
Winning the World Cup did not dispel the haze over Italian football. The verdict of the 'Calciopoli' incident came out. Juventus was sentenced to be demoted. The Bianconeri would start the new season in Serie B with a deduction of nine points, a fine of 120,000 euros, and the loss of three home games. The former Club General Manager Moggi and the former Chairman Giraudo would not be involved in football-related matters for five years.
The Rossoneri would retain the qualification to play in Serie A next season, but would be deducted eight points in the new season. Thirty points were deducted from the previous season, but AC Milan was still ranked third and would participate in the next season's UEFA Champions League qualifiers. One home game was deprived and a fine of 100,000 euros. The club's Vice-President Galliani would not be involved in football-related matters for nine months. AC Milan's official Meani would not be involved in football-related matters for two and a half years.
Lazio also avoided relegation and would continue to compete in Serie A in the new season. However, they would be deducted three points in the new season and thirty points from the previous season. They would lose their European qualification, lose two home games, and be fined one hundred thousand euros. The club chairman, Lotito, is not allowed to participate in football-related matters for the next two and a half years.
In addition, Fiorentina also avoided the punishment of being demoted, but they would be deducted 15 points in the new season and 30 points from the previous season. They would lose their European qualification, be deprived of two home field qualifications, and be fined 100,000 euros. The club's chairman, André de la Vallée, was not allowed to participate in football-related matters for the next three years. The club's honorary chairman and owner, Diego De La Vale, was not allowed to participate in football-related matters for the next three years and nine months.
*****
The results of the 'Calciopoli' punishment had a huge impact on Italian football and the Italian League, especially in the 20062007 Serie A season. Inter Milan, the only club among the powerhouses, was one step ahead of many competitors before the season had even started. Their biggest enemy, Juventus, went to Serie B.
Therefore, in the 20062007 Serie A season, Inter Milan could be said to have left everyone in the dust from the beginning of the season. In the words of Milan Gazzetta dello Sport, Coach Li Ang's Inter Milan's steady progress made people tremble.
Finally, in the 20062007 season, Li Ang led Inter Milan to win the league ten rounds in advance, making history as the first team to win the Serie A title in advance.
The defending of the Serie A title was not surprising. After the 'Calciopoli' incident, almost no one doubted that Li Ang's Inter Milan would continue the Serie A hegemony.
Li Ang and Inter Milan's goal was to defend their title in the UEFA Champions League. However, their road to defending their title suffered a major blow. In the quarterfinals, Li Ang's Inter Milan and Mourinho's Chelsea staged the most 'tenacious' and 'ferocious' confrontation in the history of the Champions League. A total of five players from both sides were sent off in the two rounds. The referee showed a total of five red cards and sixteen yellow cards in the two rounds. The total score of the two rounds was two to two. Both sides were forced to a draw by their opponents at their home ground with a score of one to one. Finally, in the penalty shootout, Chelsea won. Inter Milan's road to defending their title ended when they were only one step away from the semifinals.
To be honest, Inter Milan, as the defending champion, finally fell in the quarterfinals and lost in a penalty shootout. This was not unacceptable for Inter Milan and Li Ang.
However, the problem lay with Inter Milan's nemesis in the same city, AC Milan. The old AC Milan was dragged all the way forward by a Brazilian golden boy named Kaka. Finally, on the night of Athens, they succeeded in avenging Liverpool and stood at the top of Europe.
After Inter Milan stood at the top of Europe last season, AC Milan also stood at the top of Europe, which was a good thing for the city of Milan and Italian football.
However, for Li Ang and Inter Milan, it was a failure.
*****
"Darling, what are you thinking about?" Alice kissed Li Ang's cheek and put a glass of water on the table in front of her dazed husband.
Yes, they were married. Just a year ago, in the summer when Inter Milan won the Treble, Li Ang and Alice held a grand wedding in China.
The Central TV Sports Channel even broadcasted the wedding live.
For the Chinese fans, Li Ang's wedding was the closest stage for them to get close to the world's top football superstars.
On the day of the wedding, the Inter Milan team, including Ronaldo, Adriano, Figo, Mata, and other star players, as well as Albertini, Ribéry, Diego Milito, Pepe, Benzema, and other star players that Li Ang had coached. In addition, Inter Milan's top management, including Moratti, also came to attend the wedding.
The Chinese sports media even called the wedding the "wedding of the century." It was an unprecedented grand occasion.
It had been more than a year since the wedding. Alice had been gradually reducing her working hours. On the one hand, she had to accompany Li Ang. On the other hand, the two were preparing for a child. For the Li family, who had a strong traditional view, having a child at the age of 30 meant that Li Ang's parents couldn't wait to hold their grandchildren.
*****
"It's nothing. Don't worry." Li Ang hugged Alice and smiled gently. He did not want his work and emotions to affect Alice's mood.
Alice did not continue to ask. She helped Li Ang with a massage. After a while, the tired Li Ang fell asleep and snored.
Alice bent down and took out a newspaper from under the coffee table. It was the Turin Sports News. On the front page, there was a huge headline: The End of Li Ang's Inter Milan Legend!
In fact, this statement was really biased. Inter Milan defended the league title and also reached the top eight in the Champions League. This season could not be considered a failure. However, in the context of AC Milan winning the Champions League, Inter Milan's problems were infinitely magnified. It seemed that AC Milan stood at the top of Europe while Inter Milan did not. This was a huge failure!
Now, this huge headline was crossed out by Li Ang, and there were a few sentences written next to it.
Alice was already self-learning Chinese and had made great progress. She could read the Chinese on it:
Bastard!
Damn it!
I just took a nap!
I will be back!
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