[February X, 2015, Overcast, Light Rain]
"This week is my last at the dormitory in the base.
Found a house in Milan city, three bedrooms, one living room, fully renovated, with a bus stop and tro station just downstairs, making it convenient for mom when she arrives. I hope her leg will slowly get better here.
I rember the day I signed the first-team contract, I made a fool of myself. I was so happy my hands were shaking, and the pen tip even tore the paper.
Coach Chiwo said I can succeed with the Italy U-21 National Team and Inter. I’m really grateful to him; he often chats with , unlike Mr. Mancini, who is so cold.
This year has been tough. After Coach Mazzari promoted from the youth team, he was dismissed, and when Mancini arrived, he said he wanted to loan to Palermo.
I cried that night. Palermo is too far; mom has never been to the south, and I’m worried she won’t adapt to the climate there.
I begged Mancini for a long ti, and only then he agreed to keep for another season, but my playing ti has been limited.
My childhood friend Crito is already a starting fullback at Florence, and he invited to Lenza to hang out. I didn’t go.
Because I know he’ll definitely brag about how happy he is to play in Serie A every week.
I’ve scored two goals now, one in Serie A and one in Coppa Italia, both assisted or coordinated by Tang.
A few days ago Ronar ca to the training ground, and seeing him made so excited!
That day I trained very hard, but Assistant Coach Mr. Herrera told I need to work harder because Tang’s shooting ability has improved so fast, almost like mine as a forward.
This made a bit frustrated. What have I been doing all these years? Why is my talent not as good as Tang’s?
But speaking of Tang, I love him so much! Without him, I couldn’t have signed this contract, and my inco wouldn’t have increased so much. Now I no longer have to worry about mom’s rehabilitation expenses.
It’s funny, I always lie to Tang that I sneak out at night to pick up girls.
In reality, I just go to mom’s place to do household chores for her and help her with leg rehabilitation exercises.
Every night when I co back, I’m exhausted, so I buy so drinks at the black bar, and that’s why I sotis look drunk.
If it weren’t for staying at the base with three als provided, I wouldn’t want to leave mom.
Tomorrow is the Milan Derby! If nothing unexpected happens, I probably won’t have the chance to play; mom’s dream of seeing play in the Milan Derby on TV will fall short again.
But I firmly believe we will win this derby because Tang is healthy now, and Icardi’s in great form!
He’s only four years older than , but he seems so much stronger. Maybe it’s the talent.
I don’t have his talent, so I can only work even harder.
Just like my father said before he passed away, being able to play for the Inter First Team, I’m already the pride of our family. I think dad would be happy for too."
Bonazzoli ticulously writes in his diary and then puts the notebook in a bag in the room.
The room is filled with packed bags.
He gets up, pulls open the curtains, and turns to see that the light is still on in the room next door belonging to Tang Long.
"Good luck, brother, you will beco the hero of the Milan Derby!"
Bonazzoli vigorously waves his fist at Tang Long’s window.
...
Sunday, local ti 6:30.
Dusk falls, Milan’s sky is softly adorned by streetlights and the neon lights from distant skyscrapers.
And amid this bustling scene, near the azza stadium, an unusual excitent is gradually collecting!
On both sides of the streets, vendors push stalls filled with various snacks and souvenirs, shouts echoing one after another.
The aroma of grilled corn, the rich scent of coffee, and the enticing sll of fried fries intertwine, creating a prelude for the taste buds.
The vendors selling pirated jerseys are still rampant; so even set up their stalls right at the entrance of the club’s official store, soliciting shoppers.
"Hey! You surely don’t rember the derby in 1998; I was sitting right behind the north stand goal, watching Ronaldo dribble past the goalkeeper into an empty net!"
Occasionally, bursts of cheers or whistles erupt from the crowd.
That’s when soone ntions classic monts from past derbies or legendary stories of so star players, instantly igniting a resonance among those around.
There are also families, parents holding their children’s hands, their little faces painted in team colors—blue or red, eyes twinkling with infinite hope for this football feast.
As the match ti approaches, a giant electronic screen outside the stadium plays the historical monts between the two teams, drawing people to stop and watch.
And amid this noise.
The azza stadium stands quietly in the night, like a giant about to unveil its mysterious veil, waiting to witness this fiercest and most historically significant Serie A showdown.
The lights gradually brighten, sketching the entire concrete stadium, as if announcing to every arriving fan:
"Here is the stage of dreams and challenges, the holy ground of the Milan Derby, everything is ready!"
Inside the player tunnel.
Substitutes gradually walk onto the field; the main players are still queued, waiting.
Previously, familiar players from both sides would always exchange a few words in the player tunnel.
But today is different!
Whether Inter Milan or AC Milan, players from both teams remain silent, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Occasionally, soone glances towards the opposing lineup, eyes showing no kindness, only hostility.
The third goalkeeper Berni passed by Tang Long, pulling him by the neck.
"Kid, are you ready to go to battle? God bless you."
Tang Long said nothing, but made an OK gesture to Berni.
"Go!" The referee orders, leading the team to set off!
At the end of the narrow origin tunnel, the doorfra shimred with light.
With every step Tang Long takes, the brightness of the doorfra grows increasingly dazzling.
When he’s a ter away from the door, a halo blinds his eyes.
As he steps forward to enter the field, a giant TIFO poster hits his eyes, Tang Long instinctively takes a deep breath—
"Hiss..."
The north stands, symbolizing Inter’s totem, the blue-black serpent spirit, glaring at AC Milan’s players, hissing with its tongue!
Looking again towards the south stands.
AC Milan: We trample the snake underfoot!
Pointy tip against wheat awn!
These TIFO’s are also a beautiful scenery on the field!
Inside the CCTV5 studio.
Comntator guest, General Fan Fan Zhiyi, is full of praise for the TIFO display of both sides!
"He Wei, the depth of European football culture is fully displayed at this mont; even without watching the match tonight, just seeing these exquisitely crafted items is an ultimate visual feast!"
"Just as Coach Fan said," He Wei nods, "Inter’s mascot is the serpent spirit, symbolizing the team’s keen hunting ability like a python!"
"While the city rival AC Milan is directly opposed, letting Milan’s historical century crusader red-clad cardinal, stepping on the blue python, raising the victory banner, this aning is self-evident, hahaha, satisfying!"
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