Chapter 252: Don't hate the club
"I gained a lot in Banfield, even so loyal fans who called 'Tractor' because of my abundant physical fitness," said Zanetti, smiling.
Wang Feng smiled knowingly, thinking of those lovely Genk fans. Perhaps they didn't support a top-tier team, but they always found their own joy, beyond just winning or losing.
"In 1995, President Moratti brought back to Inter Milan. I am truly grateful to him. When I found out that Inter signed , I was so excited that I went to buy my first suit just to attend the press conference properly," Zanetti said.
Wang Feng, hearing this, felt sowhat nostalgic, recalling his first encounter with Moratti and Zanetti in a hotel years ago. "Wang, you'll be leaving Milan next season, won't you?" Zanetti suddenly remarked.
Wang Feng was sowhat startled as the ball rolled past him. Zanetti chuckled, "Don't be so surprised. I can still guess things like this."
He walked up and patted Wang Feng on the shoulder. "I understand your choice. I just hope you won't leave with resentnt towards the club. It would be a pity, because you would be one of the greatest players Inter Milan ever had."
Wang Feng shook his head. "I never had such thoughts. I also love Inter Milan. If possible, I've always wanted to keep playing for her."
"Yeah, Serie A is showing signs of decline. Poor comrcial operations, chaotic managent, and a lot of murky things that are no longer suitable for talents like you. You need a broader stage," Zanetti said.
"Let's work together one last ti to bring the highest honor to Inter Milan!" Zanetti extended his hand, and Wang Feng firmly shook it. "Definitely!"
Afterward, Zanetti began inviting guests to dinner, and Wang Feng, under his warm invitation, tried the so-called "Four Treasures of Argentina" Mate tea, which had a strong bitter taste that wrinkled his brow into a twist.
Seeing Wang Feng's reaction, Zanetti burst into laughter. "Wang, is it really that bad? I find the taste quite good. And Mate tea is quite suitable for athletes. It not only boosts immunity but also enhances endurance and aids digestion. Let bring so back for you later."
Wang Feng tried a sip but refused to drink more. Seeing Zanetti still promoting it, he could only cover his mouth and shake his head repeatedly. The taste almost made him gag.
Curious, Lu Yao also took a sip, her reaction similar to Wang Feng's. It seed this thing was indeed unfriendly to those who hadn't tried it before.
After the cheerful banter, the group enjoyed a hearty al, and Wang Feng bid farewell with Zanetti. Through this exchange, he realized Zanetti's deep affection for Inter Milan. Despite the cruelty of professional football, there would always be warmth, such as Zanetti for Inter Milan, Totti for Roma, Maldini for AC Milan, and so on. This was also part of the charm of football.
In Serie A's second round, Inter Milan faced Palermo away. Palermo is the capital of Sicily, located in the northwest of the island, near the diterranean Sea.
Like many Italian football clubs, Palermo has a long history. Founded 105 years ago, they once competed in Serie A in the 1970s and reached the finals of the Coppa Italia three tis.
However, due to Sicily's relatively small size, they quickly declined and dropped to Serie B. In 2002, the astute Italian Zamparini took over the club. His reforms and signings revitalized the team.
In 2004, Palermo returned to Serie A and successfully avoided relegation last season, indicating their capability.
With a capacity of 36,000, the Renzo Barbera Stadium was sixty percent full, a decent number considering Sicily's total population.
The ho fans cheered incessantly for their team, but the gap in strength couldn't be bridged by re cheering. In the first half, Wang Feng received the ball with his back to the goal, executed a brilliant turn with a chip pass into the box, assisting Ribery's goal.
In the second half, Pisaro dribbled down the flank and crossed into the box, where Adriano scored for the visitors again, sealing Inter Milan's clean 2-0 victory.
After the match, Palermo's fans didn't turn angry but rather stood up to applaud the players' performance. It was evident that the football atmosphere here was very harmonious.
Midweek, the UEFA Champions League group stage ignited, and Inter Milan traveled to Slovakia to challenge At?ia. The top Slovak league comprises only 12 teams, with the champion earning a Champions League qualification spot, starting from the first round.
At?ia started their Champions League journey from July 12th. They eliminated Kairat from the Kazakh Premier League in the first round, Shelbourne from the Irish Premier Division in the second round, and Anorthosis from the Cypriot First Division in the third round, successfully entering the group stage!
This was also the first ti a Slovak team had reached the Champions League group stage, causing great excitent among fans nationwide. What made them even happier was the draw. Apart from Inter Milan, they had a chance against Porto and Glasgow Rangers.
Making it to the Champions League round of 16 for the first ti, creating history for the team, seed not impossible! The 12,000-capacity Basaka Stadium was fully packed. Although knowing the ho team was unlikely to win, seeing world-renowned stars made it worth the ticket price.
As Inter Milan's team entered the stadium, they imdiately drew cheers from the fans in the stands, leaving the visiting players puzzled. Ribery whispered, "Boss, why are these fans cheering for us? It feels like we're playing at ho."
Wang Feng shook his head. He wasn't sure what the fans were thinking, but the European football market was indeed bustling. A Central European country with only about five million people could have so many passionate fans.
It's worth ntioning that the Slovak national team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
There were no upsets in the match result. Wang Feng scored twice, and through a corner kick, he assisted Materazzi in scoring another goal. He was substituted off after 60 minutes.
Substitute Martins scored again in the final monts, sealing At?ia's fate with a final score of 4-0.
In Serie A's third round, Inter Milan welcod Lecce at ho. Wang Feng scored two goals again, and Pisaro added another, helping the team secure a 3-0 victory.
In the fourth round of Serie A, Inter Milan faced Chievo away and encountered their first setback since the start of the league. To be fair, the referee's decisions were much better under the pressure of Inter Milan's managent and public opinion compared to the previous two seasons.
Thirty-year-old Cordoba, twenty-nine-year-old Zambrotta, and thirty-three-year-old Materazzi, the passage of ti had weakened the once solid defense.
Although Wang Feng contributed with a goal and an assist, Cordoba missed two defensive marks, leading to a 2-2 draw.
After four rounds, Juventus and AC Milan both had four consecutive wins, occupying the top two spots in the standings, while Inter Milan ranked third with three wins, one draw, and a better goal difference.
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