Witnessing Tang Long at that decisive moment, like a dazzling meteor streaking across the sky, he sent the ball miraculously into Udinese’s goal with an unimaginable lob from the midfield, completing that breathtaking game-winner.
Wang Wen, the director of CCTV5 sitting in the stands, felt his emotions ignite like a launched rocket.
He was about to pull out his phone to capture the heart-stirring scene, recording this moment in history.
Suddenly the crowd behind him pushed him forward!
With a stumble, he toppled over from his seat to the row below.
Around Wang Wen, no! In the whole high-level stands of the stadium!
It was as if an invisible magic had awakened, and all the fans spontaneously left their seats.
Like a flood breaking through a dam, rushing and surging to the front railing of their respective stands.
This name, like war drums, like thunder, was shouted by tens of thousands of throats simultaneously!
The shouts, screams, roars, and cheers intertwined, forming a sound wave that shook the skies, dyeing the entire stadium and even the setting sun with the colors of victory.
Just when everyone felt regret for Icardi, thinking that Inter’s last fantastic attacking opportunity was over, and the match would end with a 2:2 score;
At the moment when everyone was self-consoling that a draw, for an Inter with no rotation for many matches, for the players on the field whose stamina was already exhausted, could still be an acceptable end.
Tang Long stood up at the last moment!
He proved to the 80,000 fans in Meazza Stadium one thing: the outcome of a game often comes down to the last few minutes, only those who endure to the end are true men!
At this moment, Tang Long not only conquered the game but also won the hearts of Inter fans.
With Tang Long’s game-winner, Inter Milan defended the honor of Meazza Stadium with a 3:2 score.
All Inter Milan players rushed toward Tang Long!
In the center of the crowd, a dozen hands lifted his body, tossing him into the air time and again!
Italy, Slovenia, Brazil, Germany, Colombia, Argentina, Japan...
Teammates of different colors and nationalities firmly supported his body.
At this time, it was exactly five in the afternoon in Italy.
The fiery clouds’ brilliance was like burning flames, spreading across the sky, enveloping Meazza Stadium in a layer of golden light.
The pitch, under this illumination, seemed to be burning as well.
For Inter Milan’s players, though this was just an ordinary Serie A match, the significance of this game was extraordinary for each person.
This week, they successively experienced matches in the Coppa Italia, UEFA Europa League, and Serie A, almost entirely relying on a single starting lineup to secure three victories.
By next week, they would resume the brief one-match-a-week pace.
After enduring this painful and tough period, they could finally take a breather and relax!
Mancini, with mixed feelings, shrugged and smiled.
He felt an indescribable sense of absurdity.
Well, I initially just wanted to hold a draw in this game to vent my dissatisfaction.
But since we won, then so be it!
He went to the Udinese coaching area to shake hands with the opposing main coach, Stramaccioni.
Stramaccioni’s face was filled with anger.
From three points to one point, then to a big fat zero!
This young coach, under 40 years old, was dealt a heavy blow at Meazza Stadium, plummeting straight from heaven into the Mariana Trench.
He just hastily touched fingers with Mancini.
He didn’t even hold the other’s hand, and walked into the player tunnel alone, head down.
Mancini didn’t bother with him; instead, he approached Udinese’s assistant coach Stankovic behind Stramaccioni.
"Haha, dear Serbian! I didn’t expect us to meet again under such circumstances."
Mancini gave Stankovic a hug.
Mancini and Stankovic were more than familiar with each other.
They had many unforgettable intersections in their lives.
From 1997 to 2000, Mancini, as a player, spent three years playing for Lazio in the latter part of his career.
During these three years, he fought side by side with then-teammate Stankovic.
Together, they helped the Lazio Corps win the 1999-2000 Serie A League Champion!
In that glorious season, Stankovic, as a midfielder, made many assists to forward Mancini.
Who would have thought that just two years later, Lazio star Mancini would transform, becoming the head coach of Lazio~
And his relationship with Stankovic changed from teammates to mentor and student.
Lazio was merely a stepping stone for Mancini as a head coach.
In the hot summer of 2004, he came to a giant club—Inter Milan.
Upon joining Inter, Mancini’s first transaction was bringing his former teammate Stankovic, with a transfer fee of four million euros, from Lazio to Inter.
Thus, the two spent another four years as mentor and student at Inter Milan.
Time flew by, and six or seven years passed in a flash!
Stankovic had retired and became an assistant coach for Udinese, leading the team to challenge opponents at Inter’s home.
From teammates to mentor and student, and then to opponents.
Such a shift in roles is something many players and coaches encounter multiple times in their careers.