The two newbie reporters were very excited. They took pictures of two people coming out of the Pinenti training ground. One was a security guard, and the other was holding an umbrella. Lightning flashed across the night sky, and they saw the man's face clearly. It was the Inter Milan manager, Li Ang. The face of an Asian was too easy to recognize.
The security guard handed an umbrella to Cassano, and Li Ang shook hands with Cassano. Then, they returned to the Pinenti training ground together.
"Big news," Kyle said excitedly as he quickly pressed the shutter.
Tina was also excited. Their wait had paid off. Cassano appeared at the Pinenti training ground, and he was personally welcomed by the Inter Milan manager, Li Ang. How explosive would this be?
The two people involved naturally did not know that they were secretly photographed by the paparazzi.
Li Ang and Cassano had a short conversation.
It was indeed a short conversation. There were only a few sentences in total, and the conversation was similar to the following:
"I'm here, Mr. Li Ang. You promised me that when I'm here, you'll agree to let me transfer to Inter Milan."
"I only said that I'll consider …"
"Okay, so what's your decision now?"
"I still need to think about it."
"Do you want me to go out and run around the Pinenti training ground? If you like, "Cassano shouted.
Li Ang wanted to cover his face. He really could not understand Cassano's brain circuit. He had no grudges with Cassano, and he did not have a bad taste. Why would he torture Cassano?
*****
Li Ang was very curious about why Cassano insisted on transferring to Inter Milan. In the original historical trajectory, Cassano eventually joined Sampdoria on loan from Real Madrid, and did not join Inter Milan.
Li Ang did not know whether to laugh or cry at Cassano's reply. When Antonio Cassano was interviewed by the media, he was asked which team was most likely to win the Serie A title next season. Cassano voted for Inter Milan, believing that Inter would achieve three consecutive Serie A titles.
One day later, a reporter interviewed a retired cleaner from Bari named Gennaro Cassano. The reporter asked Gennaro Cassano, "Antonio said that Inter Milan will win three consecutive Serie A titles. What do you think?" The retired cleaner expressed that he was not optimistic about Inter Milan … and said that Antonio Cassano's vision was not good. Well, that was all.
Then, Antonio Cassano called Gennaro Cassano and questioned why he had to oppose him. The two cursed each other over the phone and asked about each other's female relatives.
It was worth mentioning that Gennaro Cassano was the father of the Italian football genius, Antonio Cassano.
That's right, you didn't read it wrong. Zhe and Antonio were father and son.
Cassano grew up in a civilian neighborhood in Bari called "Old Bari." He and his mother, Giovanna, lived in a small basement for a long time. The window was as high as the street. Every time it rained, the rain would flow into the room through the gaps in the window. He and his mother depended on each other since childhood. Because his father, Gennaro, already had a wife and four children, the famous Cassano was only an illegitimate child.
Gennaro Cassano was 65 years old this year. He was a cleaner for the Bari government and had just retired three years ago. He had a bad reputation. Some people said that he was a scoundrel. This might be a bit exaggerated, but he did do illegal things like smuggling cigarettes. Although Cassano was only an illegitimate child, Gennaro did not give up on "educating" him from a young age. It was just that this kind of education was more achieved through violence. Gennaro had an iron rod wrapped in tape. Whenever Cassano contradicted him, Gennaro would use this iron rod to teach him a lesson. The young Antonio had suffered a lot from it. Even today's Cassano wasn't known for his speed. Back then, he couldn't outrun his father who was in his prime. Naturally, he couldn't avoid a good beating.
A filial son was born under the rod. However, the relationship between Cassano and his father had long been broken. The night before he joined Roma, Cassano's mother, Giovanna, invited Gennaro home for dinner and told him that Cassano had become a Roma player. Just as Gennaro was excited about his son, Giovanna asked Gennaro to make a choice. He could either leave his wife and be with her, or they would never see each other again. Gennaro chose his family. From then on, the father and son were very close to each other.
After that night, the relationship between Antonio Cassano and his father, Gennaro Cassano, finally broke down. From then on, they were like strangers. They did not even greet each other when they met on Bari Street.
It could be said that the relationship between the two sides was extremely bad.
*****
This time, the father and son had another "confrontation" through the media.
Inter Milan was completely the background of the father and son's battle.
Originally, for Cassano, an interview predicting Inter Milan's third consecutive championship was very normal. These words were said and forgotten. It was nothing. However, after the "provocation" of the man he hated, this matter became unusual.
Cassano had been worried about what would happen if Inter Milan could not defend their league title.
He was really worried. Even when he was exercising with his girlfriend, he was a little absent-minded.
Later, when Cassano was discussing his future with his agent, his agent suggested that he choose to return to Serie A to play. At this time, Cassano's mind flashed. Since he chose to return to Serie A to play, why not choose Inter Milan? I, Antonio Cassano, am so good. If I join Inter Milan, then who can stop Inter Milan from winning the league title?!
I can escape from Madrid and give that old guy a hard slap in the face!
It's great!
The more Cassano thought about it, the more he felt that this plan was perfect.
Then, there was a follow-up story. Cassano took the initiative to express his goodwill to Inter Milan. Inter Milan's boss, Massimo Moratti, welcomed him, but the manager, Li Ang, rejected him.
If it were any other player who took the initiative to express goodwill and was rejected, they would definitely be annoyed and not think about joining Inter Milan. However, this was Cassano. Li Ang's rejection did not make Cassano angry. Instead, it made the bad boy, Cassano, very happy. He, Cassano, admired people with ability. I, Cassano, am an Italian genius, but Li Ang didn't like me. He's really good. No wonder he's a Champions League manager. He's so arrogant. You don't want me? I'm going to play under you.
Because of these two factors, Cassano was at odds with Inter Milan and Li Ang. He vowed to join Inter Milan no matter what.
If it were anyone else, they would not have said these things to others. However, Cassano did not care. When Li Ang asked, he directly said all these things.
*****
"I won't let that bastard be proud. I must beat him!"
Finally, Cassano took a towel to wipe his wet arms and said to Li Ang casually, "I'm an Italian genius! You're the best manager in Serie A, and we're a perfect match! With us, we can sweep Italy! "
Li Ang did not know whether to laugh or cry. He was speechless. He really did not expect Cassano to insist on coming to Inter Milan to play football for this reason. It was so dramatic that it could even be said to be a child's play. Reality was indeed more bizarre than fiction.
Then, Li Ang thought about it and felt that Cassano was really a little pitiful. Cassano was regarded as Italy's chosen one because on the day he was born, Italy just happened to win the World Cup. This was widely praised by the media and cited as an anecdote. However, after all, on the day Cassano was born, let's think about it. On July 12, 1982, the whole of Italy was immersed in the joy of winning the World Cup. Only his mother, holding the newborn Antonio, did not know whether to be happy or sad. No one would sympathize with or care for her, a single mother who gave birth out of wedlock. Because the whole of Italy was laughing, who would notice a weak woman crying alone in a corner?
Then, he grew up under a stick in his childhood.
Tsk. Thinking about it this way, Li Ang suddenly felt that Cassano's current brain circuit was not normal, and there were no other major problems. It was really not easy.
Then, looking at Cassano's sincere and expectant eyes, Li Ang could feel that this bad boy really wanted to join Inter Milan, only because he was "fighting" with his father and wanted to "help" Inter Milan achieve the great cause of three consecutive league championships!
Li Ang also had to admit that Cassano was a genius. If Cassano performed normally on the field and did not cause trouble off the field, he would definitely be a genius player that any manager needed.
Li Ang had previously rejected Cassano because he was worried that Cassano was a bomb that would cause trouble and bring chaos to the Inter Milan locker room.
What if Cassano could guarantee that he would not cause trouble?
*****
"Antonio, Inter Milan and I do need your help." Li Ang said, "It's just that I need an obedient player. In Pinenati, I am the boss!"
"Of course, you are the boss! I won't steal your position as the boss. " Cassano said. At the same time, he felt that this Chinese man's words really made him feel comfortable. Listen, Mr. Li Ang also said that Inter Milan needs me.
Li Ang gently touched his forehead. He realized that if you were to be secretive, it was really impossible to communicate with Cassano.
"I only have one request for you." Li Ang said directly, "Be obedient! Don't cause trouble! "
"That's not a problem. I never cause trouble." Cassano immediately expressed his position.
"Uh …" Li Ang stared at Cassano for a while and felt a headache.
"The rain hasn't stopped. Do you want me to go out for another run?" Cassano urged.
"There's no need." Li Ang did not know whether to laugh or cry. He carefully considered it and finally said, "Let your agent contact the club. We will communicate with Real Madrid."
"Okay." Cassano first nodded excitedly and then had an expression that said, "I knew you needed my help."
*****
The next day, a local Milan tabloid, the Milan Messaggera, broke a big news: Inter Milan and Real Madrid were in talks about Cassano's transfer to Inter Milan and the negotiations were coming to an end. Cassano would return to the Italian game after a year and a half.
The media had reported a lot about Cassano's return to Italy this summer. From Fiorentina to Sampdoria to Lazio and other teams were rumored to be in contact with Cassano. However, it was later proven to be fake news.
However, this time, the Milan Messaggera seemed to have very solid evidence. The newspaper took a picture of Cassano appearing outside the Pininati training base and being personally greeted by the Inter Milan manager, Li Ang.
Although Cassano was drenched in the heavy rain and looked very embarrassed, it was indeed Cassano.
Although the person who "greeted" him was holding an umbrella and could not be seen clearly in the heavy rain and darkness, under the lightning and careful observation, it did look very much like the Inter Milan manager, Li Ang.
Therefore, the Milan Messaggera report immediately attracted the attention of the Italian fans.
In particular, the Inter Milan fans were eagerly looking forward to Cassano joining Inter Milan.
Of course, there were also people who were skeptical. They did not think that it was a good thing for Inter Milan to bring in Cassano. They thought that Cassano's eccentric and unpredictable character might affect the stability of Inter Milan's locker room. Moreover, with Li Ang's tough tactics, it would be difficult for him to get along with Cassano …
Even the Inter Milan players were harassed by the media, asking them to express their views on their possible "new teammate," Cassano.
These players were all old foxes. Even the youngsters like Mata and Modric had experience dealing with the media. Before they understood the manager's attitude, they were very cautious. They either refused to respond or praised Cassano in a formulaic manner. They did not directly respond to the matter.
*****
After the Inter Milan football club received Li Ang's approval, Moratti, who had long admired Cassano, was also very happy. He took the initiative to participate in the negotiations with Real Madrid for Cassano's transfer.
Real Madrid had long wanted to send away Cassano, a big trouble, but Cassano's salary was too high and he had a bad track record. Therefore, they had not been able to reach an agreement with other clubs.
If Inter Milan was willing to take over, Real Madrid would naturally be more than happy to.
Inter Milan was also aware of Real Madrid's attitude, so they firmly held the initiative in the negotiations.
In the end, Inter Milan not only got Cassano, but also successfully persuaded Real Madrid to bear most of Cassano's salary in his first season at Inter Milan … (In the original history, Cassano's first season at Sampdoria was when Real Madrid bore most of Cassano's salary. Cassano's salary was 4.2 million euros, and Real Madrid bore 3 million euros.)
On August 1, 2007, the Inter Milan football club officially announced that the Italian star player, Antonio Cassano, officially joined Inter Milan from Real Madrid on loan and buyout.
Real Madrid loaned Cassano to Inter Milan for a season for zero loan fee. In this season, Real Madrid would bear 3 million euros of Cassano's 4.2 million euros salary. At the end of the season, Inter Milan would forcibly buy out Cassano for a transfer fee of 3 million euros.
A year and a half ago, Real Madrid acquired the Italian star player, Cassano, from Roma for a transfer fee of 5 million euros. Madrid was cheering that Real Madrid had picked up a big bargain. Now, the people of Madrid could not wait to send the Italian star player away for a mere transfer fee of 3 million euros. They were even willing to bear most of Cassano's salary for a season … From Roma to Madrid, and then from Madrid to Milan, the trajectory of Italy's number one bad boy had undergone a subtle change.
PS: Weakly begging for a guaranteed monthly ticket.
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