The teams entered halftime with a score of 1-1.
In the visiting team’s locker room.
Assistant coach Herrera was very dissatisfied with the conceded goal in the first half!
He severely criticized left-back Santon, attributing the goal to that defensive failure, letting Callejon get through cleanly.
"Santon, you have an undeniable responsibility for this conceded goal. You’ve played in the Premier League for three years, haven’t you? Is this how you defend so recklessly in the Premier League too? You let that Spanish winger fool you completely!"
Santon was momentarily speechless!
This was his first appearance after returning to Inter in the winter transfer window.
He was cleanly bypassed by Callejon, known as the Spanish little motorcycle, directly leading to the conceded goal.
Santon felt very upset. The 24-year-old player lowered his head.
"I’m sorry, coach. I apologize for my mistake. At that moment, my knee just couldn’t turn back, but I promise this kind of situation of being outplayed will never happen a second time!"
"A second time? You’re still thinking about a second time? Absolutely no second time," Herrera sneered, his tone filled with disdain, "This is Serie A, defense is the foundation of everything. If your knee can’t withstand this level of competition, I really don’t know the point of you returning to Inter."
These words made Santon’s heart skip a beat.
Can’t my knee withstand Serie A matches anymore...
Remember, when he debuted at 17, he was hailed as the next Maldini in Italian football!
Once representing Inter on the Champions League stage, he successfully froze C Luo from Manchester United’s era, earning the Portuguese player’s respect by voluntarily exchanging jerseys after the match.
But today, the coach actually said I don’t deserve Serie A level matches?
I’m only 24 years old...
Am I destined to only play in the lower leagues?
An unprecedented sense of shame surged through him, making Santon’s head buzz!
His eyes turned red. This nearly six-foot-tall man could only silently turn his head and sit down.
Chiwo frowned and stood up.
The Romanian had a straightforward Eastern European personality and felt very displeased seeing a former teammate verbally humiliated in such a manner by an Inter assistant coach.
What does Herrera count as?
Just Mancini’s lackey.
What qualification do you have to go against Santon!
Moreover, the knee is his sore spot, it’s been the tragedy of his career!
Criticizing someone without hitting their weak points is common decency, don’t you understand?
Chiwo’s gaze whipped toward Herrera.
"Herrera, Santon is my former teammate. He is one of the players who was part of the club’s treble-winning team in 2010, and he came from Inter’s Youth Training Camp, a true and genuine Inter man. Please show some respect when you speak!
Also, Santon suffered a serious injury at Inter, and his meniscus was even removed, just like my skull bone fragments. We’ve both lost parts of our body tissue. We have both given our all to this club!"
Herrera didn’t expect Chiwo to counter him in front of all the players in the locker room.
His facial muscles twitched a few times as he struggled to contain his inner anger and said:
"I’m just a coach. I don’t care how great the achievements of my players in the past are, as long as he doesn’t play well, I have to point it out. It’s my duty!"
"But Mr. Herrera," Tang Long suddenly interjected, "apart from that mistake, Santon’s performance in the first half was flawless. If I remember correctly, he successfully defended against Callejon twice in one-on-one situations afterward, and also won multiple challenges in the box. He’s a good defender."
Seeing Tang Long speak up, Italian Local Gang leader Ranocchia couldn’t hold back either.
"Mr. Herrera, Santon needs more encouragement. His experience and fighting spirit are beyond doubt. One mistake doesn’t mean anything. He will prove himself at Inter because this is his home."
Herrera sensed that the situation might be slipping out of his control.
He promptly stopped the topic and shifted to the tactical deployment for the second half.
Tang Long noticed Santon looking at him with eyes full of gratitude.
The players took to the field.
In the player tunnel, Tang Long intentionally walked over to Santon.
"Don’t mind what Herrera says. This guy won’t be at Inter for long. Santon, if you want to attack, boldly move up the flank. I’ll give you the ball!"
"Okay, I returned to Inter to prove myself again. Thank you, Tang!" Santon and Tang Long high-fived.
Inter kicked off the second half.
As the referee blew the whistle, a voice also echoed in Tang Long’s mind.
- [AI feeding achieved phased results, Green Grass Wisdom Engine (Intermediate) expands data analysis coverage.]
Soon, this phased result was directly reflected in Tang Long’s eyes!
Before, the AI system only rapidly transmitted big data analysis information to Tang Long via brainwaves during critical passing stages.
But now, it was different.
Tang Long found that as long as the ball was rolling and players were moving, his brainwaves were continuously receiving AI information!
- [7 players amassed on our left flank, still detecting 4 players moving toward the left side. Please shift the ball horizontally to the right to pull apart the opponent.]
Tang Long decisively transferred the ball to the right flank, and Podolski received the ball with no one marking him.
The width suddenly widened, the situation opened up!
- [Defensive midfielder Mavic out of position! Hamsik has an 87.65% possibility of playing behind him, please quickly retreat to cover.]
Hamsik passed the ball to Mavic’s vacated side.
Just as the Serbian midfielder felt a chill, Tang Long charged back on a diagonal run!
A slide tackle disrupted the line, preventing Higuain from getting the ball!
Mavic quickly returned to his position, hastily thanking Tang Long.
- [Quickly move to the flank to receive Santon’s high ball.]
Higuain and Callejon charged toward Santon like tigers.
They knew the early famous Italian star had a bad knee and targeted him for bullying!
But Santon has seen big matches.
He calmly made a turn, quickly moved the ball to the flank, and kicked a high ball forward with his left foot!
Shaqiri on the left didn’t get the ball, but Tang Long happened to appear on the path of the ball!
"He’s slicing in, quickly assign someone to follow!"
The black defender Koulibaly hurriedly followed.
This defender is fast with long legs, Tang Long didn’t have the confidence to get past him.
Koulibaly faced Tang Long, raised his hand towards his teammate Albiol, which meant, don’t panic, I’m here, steady as a rock!
Is it really like that?
Tang Long discreetly slipped the ball through, passing between Koulibaly’s long legs!
The ball reached Santon’s feet!
"What? Santon suddenly appeared in the attacking midfielder area!"
"When did he rush up?"
"It seems he switched positions with Tang Long!"
"He passed over Gargano!"
"Santon shoots from the top of the arc, goal!!!!"