As the referee's whistle sounded, the game officially began. The players on both sides who had experienced the holiday were a little out of shape on the court, so the situation was very dull.
Nagi's performance was remarkable, whether it was a one-on-one breakthrough, an impact on the defense line, or an offensive organization, he did it brilliantly.
But unfortunately, other teammates failed to seize the opportunity. Lazio's backfield Nesta and Favalli's twin stars firmly controlled the safety of the penalty area.
In the 69th minute, Inter Milan organized an attack in the front field. Di Biagio sent a through ball from the front of the penalty area. Nagi in the penalty area quickly started and successfully reversed offside.
The goalkeeper also attacked in time to save the ball. Nagi stopped the ball with his right foot, and then stepped on the ball to perform a Marseille maneuver, successfully avoiding the defender's sliding tackle and the goalkeeper's arms, and shot the empty goal. succeed.
1:0! Inter Milan scored a valuable goal!
The tie was broken, and the players on both sides gradually entered the competitive state, and the fierce competition began. Inter Milan coach Cooper made successive substitutions and adjustments. He first replaced Recoba and put on a central defender to strengthen the defense.
In the 75th minute, he replaced Vieri with Ronaldo, and Ronnie returned to the game after two months!
Ronaldo played very conservatively when he first played. He was more cautious than when he came back for the first time. He tried not to make big moves. When facing a tight defense, he passed the ball quickly and did not dare to engage in strong physical confrontation. , obviously he doesn't want to get hurt all the time.
In the 87th minute, Nagi made a one-on-one breakthrough on the right side. After passing Negro, he was about to cut across the penalty area. Unexpectedly, the 30-year-old Lazio veteran became angry and uprooted Nagi from behind.
Nagi only felt a sharp pain in his calf, and then he fell to the ground clutching his calf in pain.
The referee's whistle blew immediately, stopping the game. He hurried to the confrontational players, separated them, and then gave Negro a red card.
Negro also regretted very much in his heart, how could he make such an irrational action, he grabbed the teammate who wanted to distinguish for him, then sadly walked to the player's tunnel, and looked back from time to time to see how Nagi was doing.
The familiar warmth wrapped around Nagi's calf. He knew that he had suffered another serious injury and his body was recovering automatically. He couldn't continue the game. The head coach Cooper replaced him with the last substitution.
Afterwards, Nagi was sent to the best hospital in Milan for examination. Horacio Bohm, the technical director, personally went to the scene to follow up the situation. He silently prayed in his heart that Nagi would not suffer a devastating injury like Ronaldo did, the current Inter Milan can no longer bear this blow!
Soon the doctor's examination report came out, it was just a simple sprain, and only needed to rest for two to three weeks. Hearing this news, Bom's hanging heart finally fell.
He quickly took out his mobile phone to report to Inter Milan chairman Moratti. Moratti was also very anxious at this time. He answered the phone and asked about the situation directly. Negro should pay for this flagrant foul!"
At the press conference after the game, Cooper praised Nagi's performance as always: "In the first game of the second half of the league, he was the only one in the team who was in good condition. This is a player who is extremely self-disciplined. Every player Coaches love players like that."
"Regarding the malicious foul suffered by Mina," Cooper changed his tone and said angrily: "We will lodge a protest with the Italian Football Association, hoping to impose additional penalties on the foul player."
"The camera captured it clearly, that is not an action that should appear on a football field."
Negro also accepted an interview with reporters after the game. He expressed his apology to Wang Feng: "I'm really sorry. At that time, I just made such a dangerous move in my head. I regret it and worry about Mina's status."
"Whether the Football Association imposes additional punishment or not, I will accept it."
The next day, the media reported on the game and Nagi's injury. The headline of Gazzetta dello Sport read: "Ronaldo is back, Mina is injured." It is definitely not good news for Inter Milan to suffer a malicious foul and stop.
"Corriere dello Sport" analyzed in a malicious tone: "When Ronaldo was injured, Nagi stood up and helped Inter Milan keep up with the championship sequence. Now it is Ronaldo's turn to stand up and lead Inter Milan to move forward. ."
The Italian Football Association finally issued a heavy fine to Negro, banned for 7 games and fined 10,000 euros. This kind of malicious foul was not allowed.
But this ticket was a bolt from the blue for Lazio, who are striving for a place in the Champions League. Their left wing defense would have big problems, and the club was actively looking for a replacement for Negro.
To be on the safe side, Nagi still has to stay in the hospital for a few days for a detailed review, and the fans of Inter Milan also came to the hospital to visit him the next day.
Standing in front of Nagi's hospital bed, Ronaldo said very fortunately: "Mina, fortunately, you didn't suffer any serious injuries. Professional players are most afraid of such sudden accidents."
Then he said enviously: "Your physique and luck are too good. If this kind of foul is placed on me, it is estimated that I will have to rest for several months I am afraid that his fragile knees can no longer be used. To withstand such a strong impact again.
Materazzi said indignantly: "That Negro guy, when he debuted in Bologna, his defense was quite dirty. After being spotted by Lazio, he restrained a lot. I didn't expect that this time he would suddenly go back."
Everyone chatted for a while before leaving. They asked Nagi to rest well, and the results of Inter Milan were handed over to them.
In the next two days, Nagi felt that he had almost recovered, but the doctor still refused his discharge application and asked him to observe for a few more days. Even Bohm and Cooper were dispatched to persuade him in turn, so he could only be bored and continue to stay in the hospital.
After all the examinations were finally completed, the doctor advised Nagi to rest for three weeks. Therefore, in order for him to compete for the league championship and the Europa League in a good state, the club decided to let him miss the next three rounds of the league and the week.
After returning home, Nagi was also strictly restricted to the training plan. He could only exercise for one hour a day and practice with the ball for one hour, under the joint supervision of Abel Le Goff and Inter Milan's team doctor Alexander Glover.
Nagi was quite helpless about this, only those who were supervised exercised, and he had never seen anyone who was not allowed to exercise under supervision, he could only call his old friend Carl Beth, hoping that he could fix some new gadgets for him.
As expected, Beth did not disappoint Nagi. He sent Magi the just-released Nintendo NGC game console, including its first game "Luigi's Mansion" and "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles".
"It hasn't been officially released in Europe yet, so I got it back from the United States." Beth boasted on the phone.
Nagi doesn't understand these things, but this doesn't prevent him from turning into a gamer to pass the boring time.
While Nagi was recuperating, Inter Milan went to Perugia to prepare for the 18th round.
The first confrontation with Perugia was in the first round. At that time, Nagi contributed two passes and two shots to win the opponent. Now that the league is over half, Perugia's ranking is tepid and it is difficult to compete for a seat in the Europa League. Inter Milan Everyone feels that this is a game that should be won.
Coach Cooper formed a four-four-two formation. Recoba, who was often active in the midfield, was promoted to the striker position to partner with Vieri, and Ronaldo continued to come off the bench.
After the start of the game, the situation did not develop as everyone expected before the game. Perugia midfielder Tedesco and striker Frizzas successfully connected, which caused great trouble for Inter Milan and created several quite Threat of offense.
In the 41st minute, Perugia's efforts finally paid off. Tedesco sent the ball into Inter Milan's penalty area with a clever lob. Frizzas, who was in ambush, pierced Toldo's handle with a header. door.
In the second half, Inter Milan's performance still did not improve. In the 59th minute, Frizzas took the ball in the penalty area and hit the goal, but was saved by goalkeeper Toldo. Perugia extended its lead.
After the goal, Ahn Jung-hwan looked crazy. He took off his jersey while running. This was his first goal of the season!
Inter Milan coach Cooper couldn't sit still anymore. He made a substitution adjustment in the 60th minute and replaced Ronaldo in advance.
In the 81st minute, Inter Milan got a corner kick and the ball flew to the back of the penalty area. After stopping the ball in the chest, Ronaldo directly volleyed and scored a goal for Inter Milan. This goal was also Ronaldo's first goal of the season.
But it was too late. Inter Milan lost 1:2 to Perugia and suffered its second defeat in the league!
Since Juventus defeated Venice 1:0 and Roma beat Verona 3:2, Inter Milan fell to third place in the standings.
After the game, negative comments from the media and fans flooded to Inter Milan, mainly on the head coach Cooper. Gazzetta dello Sport wrote an article sarcastically: "Mina covered up a lot of problems at Inter Milan when he was on the court. His absence brings it all to the surface, Inter Milan is the same as last season, nothing has changed."
"We haven't seen the defensive training that Cooper is proud of in Inter Milan. He also castrated Inter Milan's offense. Why can't Ronaldo be guaranteed more playing time?"
"If Inter Milan continues like this, Mina will be powerless even if he returns, and they will fall out of the championship sequence."
Cooper also had a hard time. He was very worried about Ronaldo's physical condition, so he reduced his playing time. He didn't expect it to become the fuse of the defeat.
This game was completely popular in South Korea. Many Korean media reported the game and believed that Ahn Jung-hwan's goal was the key goal to determine the outcome of the game.
That was the goal against the giants Inter Milan and against the alien Ronaldo!
Some South Korean media even wrote an article saying: "Mina's injury exposed his fatal shortcomings, and Ahn Jung-hwan's lore against Inter Milan could not conceal his superstar qualities." The article believes that Nagi's first half of the Serie A game went smoothly because he was not troubled by injuries. Coupled with the strong support of his teammates, Ahn Jung Hwan's ability to defeat the top is the embodiment of strength.
This point of view has received wide approval in South Korea. Fans believe that under the leadership of Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan, the South Korean national team will surely achieve a historic breakthrough in the World Cup at home!
In the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia in the middle of the week, Inter Milan will face the Serie B team Empoli. Coach Cooper thought twice and put Ronaldo on the bench.
After the start of the game, Inter Milan's offense was still a big problem. Although it had an absolute advantage on the scene, it just couldn't be converted into a goal.
In the first half, the two sides fought 0:0. In desperation, Cooper could only replace Ronaldo at the beginning of the second half. With his support in front, Inter Milan's offense gradually became more threatening.
In the 65th minute, Consicao quickly dribbled the ball and broke through from the side. He passed the ball before the defensive player blocked it. The ball drew an arc on the turf and came to the defense line. Vieri who inserted in the middle took advantage of the situation Hit the door, and finally penetrated the gate of Empoli.
In the 77th minute, Vieri and Ronaldo formed a pass control cooperation in the penalty area, and finally Ronaldo scored the second goal to seal the victory.
However, at the end of the game, Inter Milan was seized by Empoli to get a goal back.
In the end, Inter Milan defeated Empoli 2:1 and advanced to the quarterfinals.
In the 19th round of Serie A, Inter Milan played against Parma at home. The already precarious situation forced Cooper to send Ronaldo to start the game. This was his first start this season.
With the support of the home fans like a tsunami, Inter Milan launched a frenzied attack on Parma. However, Parma's defense led by Cannavaro and Junior was very tenacious, blocking wave after wave of offensive for the visiting team In the 72nd minute, Parma launched a quick counterattack, and Cannavaro dribbled the ball to break through. Using the pass cooperation with Ramucci, he tore apart Inter Milan's defense.
In the end, Cannavaro pushed through the net in the penalty area and helped Parma score the only goal of the game.
0:1! Inter Milan suffered a two-game losing streak.
To make matters worse, the "Lucky team" Chievo, who was originally ranked fourth, continued their dark horse performance in the first half. They successfully surpassed Inter Milan and moved further in the standings, while Inter Milan fell to the fourth position.
On the shore of Lake Como in the early morning, Nagi was doing jogging training accompanied by Legoff and team doctor Glover. During this period, Glover kept asking Nagi how his feet felt.
Yesterday, club chairman Moratti personally called to ask Nagi g about his current injury and whether he could come back early.
In the past ten days, all of Nagi's injuries have almost recovered. He watched Inter Milan slipping from the standings step by step, feeling extremely uncomfortable in his heart, and desperately wanted to return to the game.
"Mina, let's conduct another comprehensive test. If there is no problem, I can approve you to play." Glover said.
"Don't worry, Mr. Glover, I feel very good now, and there will definitely be no problem." Nagi said firmly.
After the examination was completed, Nagi's physical report was quickly sent to the head coach and the club's top management. Looking at the word "completely healthy" in the report, head coach Cooper walked up and down the office excitedly.
During this period of time, he was so worried that his hair was going bald, and now he can only hope that Nagi can turn the tide and stop the decline of Inter Milan.