Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions
Chapter 97: De Bruyne VS Tang Long, a showdown between 2 genius players!

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: De Bruyne VS Tang Long, a showdown between 2 genius players!

This season, Inter is competing on three fronts.

The league, domestic cup competitions, and the UEFA Europa League.

Looking back at the goals at the start of the season, everything is focused on the league; only by finishing in the top three in the league can we ensure Champions League qualification for next season.

Playing in the Champions League can bring the club an additional financial income of over 50 million euros every season, and the club’s popularity can be revitalized, returning Inter Milan to its deserved height and value.

The majority shareholder Toshihiko, is a businessman from Indonesia, who took over Inter from Moratti with a very clear purpose.

Through proper operations, increase the club’s market value, then sell—this is low buy high sell to achieve profit.

This is a typical sports businessman; compared to Moratti who supported Inter for years and devoted his family’s efforts to the blue and black jersey, only to struggle to keep it, Toshihiko is here to profit as a capitalist without any emotional attachment to Inter.

Therefore, after Inter defeated Celtic and entered the UEFA Europa League top eight, and before the match against Wolfsburg for the top four,

Toshihiko had a constructive discussion with sports director Ossilio.

Ossilio conveyed the bosses’ words directly to Mancini: "Just take it easy in the UEFA Europa League, don’t expend too much energy, send some young players from the youth team to play, and save strength for the league."

Of course, Mancini wouldn’t be foolish enough to send young players to be thrashed 0-5.

This would not only damage Inter’s reputation but also expose himself to public criticism.

"Rest assured, Ossilio, I understand what the boss means, I know what to do."

As a result, Mancini fielded a complete substitute lineup as usual, stating publicly that after the weekend league’s tough battle, he needs to give more opportunities to players who haven’t had a chance to play for substitutes to get more practice.

The team returned to the traditional 4-3-1-2 tactics, with Palacio and Bonazzoli starting.

In midfield, Tang Long, Gualin, Medel, Podolski, and Shaqiri all sat on the bench.

The defensive line also rotated heavily, even the goalkeeper was changed to second-choice Carizzo.

It was clear that the goal was to abandon this match.

However, Mancini has his management style; he wouldn’t tell the starting players to give up, if these substitutes could play beyond expectations and defeat the opponents, it would be an unexpected joy; anyway, the UEFA Europa League will be played by them following thereafter, playing to whatever level they can reach is fine~.

He even motivated them before the match.

"Come together, take down these Germans!"

Compared to Inter, Wolfsburg has a stronger desire to enter the top eight!

This season, after 20 rounds in the Bundesliga, they are only ranked 10th in the league; relying on the league to advance to the next season’s Champions League is impossible, but the UEFA Europa League is a possibility to strive for.

Wolfsburg players’ value isn’t much different from Inter’s, and with almost their full team facing this match, they controlled the situation from the start.

Compared to Italy, the atmosphere in German stadiums is more intense; Volkswagen Arena, which only accommodates 30,000 people, still loud with chants.

In the 34th minute of the first half, Wolfsburg’s midfield core De Bruyne showed his might!

A 40-meter ground curve long pass near the midfield circle, the football like a spinning top, skimming the ground, bypassing Inter’s central defender Andreolli, to accurately deliver it to the feet of tall striker Dost, single-handedly overcomes the goalkeeper and scores!

The crowd erupted with cheers, and Belni on the bench was stunned.

"Wow! Who is this blonde kid, his low curve is so precise, how did he do it?" Belni rubbed his hands and asked Tang Long.

At that time, De Bruyne, in January last year, 2014, transferred from Chelsea to the Bundesliga Wolfsburg for 22 million euros.

Mourinho did not favor this midfielder, hardly giving him much opportunity.

As the Belgian media lament that a talented player is unlikely to realize his potential, destined to fall short.

De Bruyne found new life in Bundesliga!

Although Wolfsburg’s performance this season is not ideal, the Belgian midfielder has initially shown his talent, contributing 10 assists in half a season, ranking first in the Bundesliga assist chart, quite impressive.

"He’s called De Bruyne, a Belgian, only 21 years old, in the future, he’ll become one of the world’s best midfielders," Tang Long told Belni.

This pass made Tang Long secretly impressed, such technical footwork requires at least a passing accuracy of 95 or above, and at the moment Tang Long’s skills are far from reaching De Bruyne’s level.

In the second half, Mancini did not make any moves.

On the contrary, Wolfsburg’s coach Black Gold surprisingly substituted a midfielder enforcer Gustavo.

The purpose is to relieve the defensive pressure on De Bruyne, freeing the Belgian midfielder to focus more on attacking.

De Bruyne’s performance continued, and in the 65th minute, he broke through on the flank, overpowering full-back Jonathan, and sent out another high-quality curved cross!

Tall striker Dost overwhelmed Inter’s central defender Andreolli and scored with a header in the middle!

On the stands, Inter’s legends who specifically came to watch the match frowned.

"It’s hopeless, completely overwhelmed by De Bruyne!" Cambiasso slapped his thigh, frustrated.

"Buddy, haven’t you noticed? Mancini doesn’t want to win this match, these substitutes can’t compete against Wolfsburg’s full team," Milito spread his hands.

"The UEFA Europa League is still a European competition, why not fight for it? Winning the championship allows direct entry into next season’s Champions League," Samuel clearly felt disgruntled.

"Under the current situation, unless Tang and Icardi are put on the field, it’s pointless, let’s see if Mancini will make adjustments," Eto’o still held hope.

Led by De Bruyne, the team from the city of Volkswagen subjected Inter’s defense to heavy pressure.

The third goal was only a matter of time.

Mancini wasn’t in a hurry, until the 80th minute, he made two substitutions.

Tang Long and Icardi took the field simultaneously!

Don’t get it wrong, Mancini isn’t looking for a comeback.

He didn’t even give any tactical instructions to the two, merely told them to get physically active.

Tang Long understood Mancini’s intention was for them to warm up for the weekend’s league match.

However, Icardi was displeased.

"What’s the point of warming up, Tang? Don’t listen to Mancini’s nonsense," he secretly told Tang Long, "Since we’re up, let’s play seriously, you give me an assist!"

Seeing the two main players on the pitch, Inter’s substitute players instantly got spirited.

Finally, they had a backbone now!

Especially with Tang Long on the field, the situation instantly showed a direct effect.

The connection between midfield and attack dramatically improved, with the offensive levels beginning to appear.

A neural signal rushed quickly:

-[According to data analysis, Wolfsburg’s left-back Rodriguez is relatively slow, likes to advance recklessly, has many unreasonable defensive positions, please exploit the space behind him]