"There's still some time before the start of the game. We've already gotten the starting lineup for both sides. Even though Genoa killed them in the last minute of the last round of the league, Reya did not make any changes to the lineup. Clearly, he has a lot of trust in the players in this starting lineup. "
"The goalkeeper is Yezzo. The defensive line is still a three-back formation, with Contini, Cannavaro Jr, and Domić. The midfield is Grava, Gargano, and Berliachino. The Slovakian youngster, Hamsik, also continues to gain trust. In front of him is Savini. The forward line is the combination of Zalayeta and the Argentine Lavezzi."
At the same time, the starting lineup for Napoli was displayed on the television screen.
Napoli (3-5-2): 1 – Yezzo, 96 – Contini, 28 – Cannavaro Jr., 21 – Domić, 2 – Grava, 17 – Hamsik, 23 – Gargano, 18 – Bolliachino, 19 – Savini, 25 – Zalayeta, 7 – Lavezzi.
As the commentator said, there was nothing much to say about Napoli's starting lineup. Today's highlight was mainly on Inter Milan's side.
"Next is Inter Milan's side. Affected by injuries and suspensions, Inter Milan's starting lineup has changed a lot," Ferrari said.
"First of all, the changes in the defensive line. The team captain, Harvey Sanesi, is suspended due to injury. Today's starting right back is the Brazilian Mai Kong. This Brazilian defender, acquired by Li Ang from AS Monaco, has made great progress in the past two seasons. He's already considered one of the most promising right backs …"
"The left back is the Frenchman, Evra. He's now firmly in the main position. As for the center back, it's the Argentine Samuels and the Romanian Chivu."
"In the midfield, Carlos continues to be in the starting lineup. Sometimes I really wonder if this Spanish kid really doesn't know fatigue at all. The Croatian youngster, Modric, also continued to be in the starting lineup. The other Spanish youngster, David Silva, appeared in the starting lineup. Figo's departure was not only due to his brave retreat, but also due to the impact of Silva. His main position was not stable. Well, there's another player who is … "Ferrari's tone suddenly increased when he said this.
"Juan Mata, he will continue to appear in the midfield position. At least that's what the starting list shows. Then, here comes the question …" Ferrari immediately looked at the last two names on the list.
"Mata's appearance in the midfield means that Inter Milan will continue to play with two strikers today?" Rossi interjected.
*****
"Diego Milito will start!" Ferrari said the name of a starting striker.
Rossi continued to comment, "There's no doubt about it. Cassano and Agüero are injured, Adriano is suspended, and Li Ang now only has one striker, Diego Milito, available …"
"That's right. I think everyone is curious and wants to know who will be starting alongside Diego Milito." Ferrari's expression turned into one of surprise, which attracted the attention of his commentating partner. "That's right. I think everyone is very curious about who will be starting alongside Diego Milito."
"It seems that this starting lineup name has surprised my old buddy," Rossi said with a smile. They had just received the starting lineup list. In fact, Rossi did not know who Inter Milan's other starting striker was.
"The striker who will be partnering with Diego Milito is Mario Balotelli." As Ferrari read out the name, Mario Balotelli's profile picture and name appeared on the TV screen.
Then the TV screen displayed Inter Milan's starting lineup for today:
Inter Milan (4-4-2): 12 – Júlio César, 13 – Mai Kong, 25 – Walter Samuels, 26 – Cristian Chivu, 3 – Patrice Evra, 7 – Juan Mata, 6 – Juan Carlos, 8 – Luca Modric, 14 – David Silva, 22 – Diego Milito, 45 – Mario Balotelli.
"Mario Balotelli. Maybe some people still have some impression of this kid. In the pre-season friendlies, Mario Balotelli was given a chance to play in the First Team. However, I think many people are still unfamiliar with this kid, so it is necessary to introduce him. Mario Balotelli was born in Palermo on August 12, 1990. His parents are Ghanaian. When he was two years old, he was adopted by the Balotelli family in Brescia. Last year, he entered the Inter Milan youth team and was called up to the First Team to play in the pre-summer friendlies. It can be seen that Coach Li Ang admires this young player. However, I still find it very strange that Li Ang would actually let a seventeen year old who has never played in an official first team match start in this match. "Ferrary continued to speak.
"This is indeed a surprising starting arrangement. It is incomprehensible. Even if Li Ang admires this big boy and can try to give him a chance to play as a substitute, now he has directly arranged for him to start. Obviously, this is bound to become the focus of discussion after the game."
"If Inter Milan loses today's game, Coach Li Ang's shocking starting arrangement will become the focus of criticism after the game!" Ferrari said.
*****
Not only was the commentator shocked by the starting arrangement, but the Inter Milan fans in front of the TV were also shocked.
"Mario Balotelli? Who is this kid? "
"I know, he is from the youth team. He seems to be performing well!"
"No matter how good the youth team's performance is, it doesn't mean anything. This is the Serie A League!"
"It's still because there is no one available!"
"Yeah, if Agüero and Cassano weren't injured and Adriano wasn't suspended, Li Ang wouldn't have sent this kid!"
"But he can't send this kid. We can play as a lone striker."
"We have to believe in Li's vision. Maybe, maybe … this kid can surprise us," someone said. However, as his voice became softer and softer, it was clear that even he didn't believe his own words.
*****
In the home team's locker room at the Meazza Stadium, Li Ang was making the final arrangements for the team.
He had carefully studied today's opponent, Napoli. Although Napoli's manager, Reya, seemed to be a manager with a variety of tactics and could play as a back four or a back three, after careful study, you would find that Reya's tactics were more based on defense. Napoli only conceded 29 goals in 42 Serie B games last season, one less than Juventus, which showed Reya's defensive skills.
It could be said that Reya was an authentic Italian manager who advocated defense. However, his resume of leading his team to promotion four times in a row proved that his philosophy was successful. Before leading Napoli to promotion, he had led Cagliari, Vicenza, and Brescia to promotion to Serie A. He was a veritable "promotion expert." However, he only had two Serie A seasons in the past, and both of them ended in relegation.
A conservative old-fashioned Italian manager. This was Li Ang's evaluation of Reya.
"Napoli's most likely formation today is a 3-5-2. However, Reya's 3-5-2 is actually a 5-3-2 counterattack formation. The two flanks are handed over to the two full-backs, Savini and Grava, who are more focused on defense." Li Ang said to his players, "These two players are strong in defense and weak in offense. They are very cautious and won't press too far. This means that there will be a disconnect between their two wings and the center field at some point!"
As he spoke, Li Ang drew a big cross on the tactical board!
"What we have to do is to cut Napoli's center field in half!"
"Pay attention to Hamsik. This kid plays an important role in Napoli's offensive tactics!" Li Ang glanced at Carlos. "Juan, I'll leave this kid to you!" “
Carlos nodded vigorously and looked at Hamsik's name on the tactical board as if he wanted to dig out the name and swallow it.
*****
"Use our offense and goals to tell the Neapolitans that the defensive line they are so proud of is just a piece of paper in front of us!" As he spoke, Li Ang glanced at Li Ang. The kid seemed to be distracted, which made Li Ang not very satisfied. "Lieutenant Balotelli, what are you thinking about?" “
Hearing Li Ang call Balotelli a lieutenant, the players held back their laughter. They already knew that Balotelli was crazy about Brothers. This interesting kid fantasized that he was Lieutenant Winst.
Diego Milito, who was sitting next to Balotelli, quickly poked him.
Balotelli came back to his senses and looked at the manager with an innocent expression. "Ah, coach?" “
"What are you thinking about?" Li Ang asked again, "Is there something bothering you?"
"I haven't thought about how to celebrate after the goal." Balotelli looked distressed.
Li Ang almost choked. Then he glanced at his assistant, Banderas, which meant, You're still worried that this kid is nervous? Look at him. Does he look nervous? He hasn't even played yet, and he's already worried about how to celebrate the goal.
"Let's shoot with a machine gun," Li Ang said half-jokingly.
"Awesome!" Balotelli cheered out loud, but then his face turned bitter again.
"What's wrong now?" Li Ang asked in a bad mood.
"I haven't practiced my autograph yet. What should I do when the fans ask me for an autograph after the game?" Balotelli looked at the manager with a distressed expression, but said very seriously.
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