Inter Milan defeated Napoli in an away game and won the 27th game of the league tournament. This result was not unexpected.
In this round of the league tournament, Roma, Juventus, and AC Milan and other powerhouses also won one after another.
Subsequently, all of Italy's attention was focused on a game to be played in the middle of the week. AC Milan would play the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at the San Siro stadium on their home ground. This game was postponed for a week because the previous game between Inter Milan and Liverpool was also at home.
The Italian side hoped that AC Milan could surpass Arsenal and join Inter Milan and Roma in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Some of the football legends and public opinion were more optimistic about AC Milan. Lippi and others expressed that Milan had the DNA of the Champions League and would advance smoothly.
On the Arsenal side, the French manager, Wenger, was full of confidence for the team's advancement.
In the first game, Adebayor did not score and "let go" Milan at home, but Wenger appeared to be full of confidence. Through the first game, he seemed to have grasped AC Milan's bottom line. "We completely dominated the game in the first game, which made us full of confidence."
After arriving in Milan, perhaps because he was too confident, Wenger unexpectedly dragged Inter Milan down in an interview with the media. "We beat Inter Milan 5 to 1 at the San Siro. This was a psychological boost. At that time, we were in a desperate situation and had to play a big game. We did it. This time, our spirits are high again and we are full of confidence. " In November 2003, Arsenal swept Inter Milan 5 to 1 in an away game. Henry scored two goals and shone brightly.
"We are very confident in this stadium. Whether it is Inter Milan or AC Milan, we are confident that we can beat them! "
Wenger's words caused dissatisfaction among the Italian reporters at the scene. The Milan Gazzetta dello Sport reporter immediately retorted, "Li Ang's Inter Milan?"
Although Li Ang didn't have a good relationship with the Italian media, Li Ang's Inter Milan was very strong in the face of foreign enemies. At this time, the reporters were proud of Li Ang.
"I haven't played against them yet, but if we can get past AC Milan, maybe we'll meet Inter Milan …" Wenger said.
After that, a reporter immediately found Li Ang and relayed Wenger's words.
The Inter Milan manager's reply was even more domineering. "We won't choose our opponents. We just have to be ourselves!"
Although he did not directly confront Wenger to his face, Li Ang remembered this matter in his heart. He had never been a magnanimous person. Why did you, Wenger, bring up Inter Milan for no reason in the match between AC Milan and Wenger?! Huh?!
*****
In the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals between AC Milan and Arsenal, Li Ang gathered the whole team to watch the game live at the San Siro stadium. The Champions League had entered the quarterfinals. Although the draw for the quarterfinals had not been carried out yet, it was undeniable that Li Ang's Inter Milan still had a certain chance of meeting Wenger's Arsenal. Being able to watch the game live was also good for preparation in advance.
At the end of the ninety-minute game, on the electronic scoreboard at the San Siro stadium, AC Milan defeated Arsenal by 2: 0!
Arsenal left with a score of 2: 0. In the technical statistics, Milan had one more shot than the Gunners. The home team also had the advantage in corner kicks and other statistics, but this actually did not reflect the actual situation on the field. If they compared the chances created, Arsenal could really repeat the 5: 1 that year.
Fàbregas's long shot to break the goal was not an absolute chance. However, in Li Ang's view, AC Milan's loss was inevitable because Arsenal had too many chances to break the deadlock. In the 28th minute, Adebayor's shot was pushed over the crossbar by Kalac, and the horn blew for the Gunners' counterattack. In the 34th minute, Fabregas's powerful shot hit the crossbar. In the 47th minute, Senderos blocked a shot in front of the penalty area and was unlucky enough to kick into the goalkeeper's arms. In the 51st minute, Pirlo made a mistake, Adebayor passed the ball, and Eboue's powerful one-on-one shot hit the side net. In the 74th minute, Walcott charged into the gap from the right, but in a one-on-one situation, he chose to cross instead of shooting directly. In contrast, AC Milan had few chances, and most of them came from set pieces. They were completely passive in the mobile game.
The shooting statistics of 14: 13 for both sides concealed the truth of the comparison of chances. AC Milan's shots were more hurried and long shots after they could not tear apart the defensive line, while Arsenal's chances of passing and receiving were much more. There were three one-on-one chances. The British News Agency's headline after the game said, "Milan's era ended by Arsenal."
In terms of ball control, running, physical confrontation, and one-on-one footwork, Arsenal had the overall upper hand. Youth had become their biggest weapon at this moment. In most cases, they were faster than you, had more explosive power, had more stamina, and had the upper hand in physical confrontation. Naturally, their technical play was more incisive and vivid. Milan were led by the nose most of the time, and it was not surprising that they were dragged down in the second half.
*****
After two 90-minute games, whether it was at home or away, Arsenal did completely suppress AC Milan, playing 180 minutes under the pressure of the former European champions. The Gunners' advantage in terms of the content and strength of the game far exceeded the "appearance" of a total score of 2: 0.
Compared to 5: 1 in the past, Arsenal's one "fly in the ointment" of this game was their grasp of opportunities. In the game against Inter Milan in 2003, the Gunners did not have much of an advantage. In the first half, they were in a stalemate with their opponents. In the second half, they took the lead and counterattacked sharply. Almost every hit was a sure hit. Henry and Pires' goals were fleeting opportunities under counterattacks. If Ebu and the others were calmer in the face of opportunities today, it was not impossible to repeat the great victory of that year.
But in terms of the overall ability of the team, Wenger had reason to feel more pleased. He was very proud after the game. In Wenger's view, compared to the past, Arsenal now lacked a superstar like Henry, who had outstanding individual ability. But they had built a whole offensive system around Fàbregas, relying on the pass to establish an advantage, wear down and disintegrate the opponent. If the 5: 1 in the past was more a reflection of the individual ability of Henry and the others, today's 2: 0 was an overall superior victory, or even a victory on a higher level.
"The current Arsenal is very strong, we have nothing to fear!" Wenger made a strong statement in the press conference after the game, which was also seen by the meddlesome Italian media as Wenger's tough response to Li Ang's tough statement.
The "kind" reporter once again found Li Ang to ask his opinion on Wenger's words.
"There's nothing wrong with that. Of course the manager has confidence in his team, just like how I always have confidence in my players," Li Ang said.
Later, Li Ang did not forget to take a dig at his old rival AC Milan. "I reminded them to be careful of Arsenal and Adebayor, but they didn't listen …" He shrugged as he spoke with a look of regret.
In front of the television, the AC Milan fans gritted their teeth in hatred when they saw this scene.
"I'd like to see if you'll still be in such a good mood if Inter Milan meets Arsenal …" The AC Milan fans left angry comments on Li Ang's personal website.
"Come on, come on, who's afraid of who? We'll avenge you! "The Inter Milan fans responded in a post, which sounded very much like their manager's tone.
*****
On the second day after the game, the draw for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and semifinals was held in Nyon, Switzerland.
The guest of honor for the draw, the former AC Milan star player George Weah, first drew Inter Milan's name. Then, he took out a lot ball from another lot holder. He opened it and glanced at the name on it. A strange smile appeared on his face as he showed the lot paper to the crowd.
"Arsenal!"
There was a burst of exclamation at the scene, and then many people laughed.
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