August 26, Italian Super Cup.
This was the prelude to the upcoming league season. This year, the Italian Super Cup was once again outsourced, with the match held in Los Angeles, USA.
The two teams competing were AC Milan and Inter Milan.
After 90 minutes of play, AC Milan narrowly won the match 1-0.
The only goal ca in the 89th minute, scored by Ronaldinho wearing AC Milan's number 80 jersey.
Despite the victory, AC Milan couldn't feel happy at all.
Throughout the ga, they were in an extrely passive state.
Mourinho's Inter Milan showed very strong defensive ability.
Compared to previous Inter teams, this one seed infused with so new kind of power, with each player fighting fiercely.
AC Milan risked Pato's injury to assist Ronaldinho in scoring the goal.
Though they won, their number of shots was pitifully low. anwhile, Inter Milan's counterattacks constantly threatened their goal. If Inter had been a bit luckier, Milan might have conceded early on.
AC Milan lifted the Italian Super Cup, marking the first trophy won under coach Tassotti.
Tassotti exhaled slowly.
He turned and walked toward the players' tunnel, intending to shake hands with Mourinho.
"This was a great match!" Tassotti smiled and offered his hand.
Mourinho stopped, his eagle-eyed glare filled with contempt.
"Great? Where exactly did you see 'great'?"
Tassotti was stunned.
It was supposed to be a polite remark—why was the Portuguese man being so aggressive?
Mourinho walked away directly, with no intention of shaking hands, leaving Tassotti trembling with anger.
But that was not the end.
At the post-match press conference, Mourinho tore the ga apart rcilessly.
"A disgusting match! Mistakes all around, but what disgusts most is that despite all the errors, no one capitalized on them. If this is Italian football, then I'm truly disappointed!"
The "Special One" remained the Special One, his words sharp and cutting.
His statent shocked the Italian dia.
Seeing the fiery eyes around him, Mourinho sneered:
"I will prove it! One season is all the ti we need to gel, and then except for Inter Milan, the rest of Italy will weep!"
With that, Mourinho turned and left.
Italian journalists were furious.
"Arrogant Portuguese! Who gave you the right to criticize Italian football?"
"With your ugly tactics? Hey! Inter lost the trophy! What's so special about you?"
"Ridiculous Portuguese, your comnts are a joke!"
Mourinho suddenly stopped, turned back to the stage, grabbed the microphone, and loudly declared:
"I won the Champions League with Porto, breaking the monopoly of the big clubs!"
"I won two Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup, and one Community Shield with Chelsea!"
"Everyone calls a champion coach!" Mourinho said coldly, "Before you criticize , ask yourself if you have that qualification!"
His words silenced the entire room.
At that mont, they truly realized just how mad Mourinho was—completely off the charts!
Tassotti stood dumbfounded, watching Mourinho.
This was his first ti coaching a club, and he'd been trying to imitate Ancelotti all along.
But Mourinho's behavior completely bewildered him.
Is this really how you lead a team?
That evening, Mourinho's first Serie A ga sparked massive controversy.
Almost all Italian dia unleashed furious criticism on Mourinho.
So called him arrogant.
So said he lacked respect.
So said he spewed nonsense.
But no one said he was "bad."
Looking at the entire Italian Super Cup match, Inter's defense was well-organized, improved significantly from last season, all under Mourinho's first leadership.
If given more ti, what could he achieve?
Under Mourinho's sharp remarks, the spotlight turned to himself.
Everyone talked about Mourinho.
No one discussed Inter losing the Super Cup or AC Milan's victory.
Even Inter fans were stunned.
What kind of person did the club hire as coach?
After the Italian Super Cup, AC Milan imdiately prepared for the league.
Šuker's injury still required a long recovery.
For now, Tassotti had to place his hopes on Kaká.
"I hope that for the next half-season, before Šuker returns, you can be the team's core," Tassotti said seriously.
Kaká nodded in understanding.
Though the team had Ronaldinho and Shevchenko, Shevchenko was no longer the explosive Ukrainian striker he used to be.
The "football wizard" had long fallen, tainted by alcohol and won.
Pato was not fully mature yet.
Only Kaká could bear the pressure as Šuker's temporary replacent.
Moreover, Tassotti knew how to use Kaká—the tactical setup left by Ancelotti, placing Kaká as the attacking midfielder responsible for leading the offense.
Tassotti was anxious.
He wasn't sure he could reach Ancelotti's level.
But he had to play the role well.
Kaká returned to the locker room, where Ronaldinho, Cafu, Dida, Pato, and others gathered.
Pato excitedly ran up to him.
"There's a party today, a Brazilian party. You'll co, right?" Pato looked at Kaká expectantly.
Nearby, Ronaldinho and the others smiled at Kaká.
Kaká hesitated a mont and said, "Sorry, I don't drink. Have fun."
He politely declined.
Then he looked at Pato, "Are you going?"
Pato scratched his head.
"They invited , so I can't say no."
Pato thought they were all national teammates and wanted to maintain good relationships to secure his place on the Brazil team.
Kaká nodded, "Okay, got it."
Pato glanced at Kaká, then happily headed out with Ronaldinho and the others.
Ambrosini frowned watching this but said nothing.
Gattuso and Inzaghi stayed silent as well.
The Eastern European group—Šimunić, Šimić, and others—were quiet.
Their "boss" was gone; they needed to keep a low profile.
After a while, Inzaghi stood up.
"I'm going on a date."
With that, he left.
Gattuso followed imdiately.
Nesta, Gilardino, and others left one after another.
Kaká watched everyone leave, feeling sowhat bitter.
Compared to the previously lively locker room, now it felt so unfamiliar.
Before, they were all energetic, excited for the league and the Champions League, wanting good results.
They could unite as one.
But now, Milan was like a loose pile of sand.
Three factions:
The Brazilians played and partied.
The Eastern Europeans kept a low profile.
The local Italians lacked motivation—not exactly giving up, but no longer spirited.
The feeling was awful.
Kaká drove past his own house and went straight to Šuker's villa.
"I'm already like this, and you still co mooch off ? Are you even human?" Šuker opened the door, shouting loudly.
Kaká finally exhaled and raised the boxed food in his hand.
"I'm treating you today!"
"Co in!"
The two ate together.
Kaká complained nonstop, clearly unhappy with the locker room atmosphere, coming here to vent.
Šuker couldn't really comfort him. Even if Šuker were there, he couldn't change the mood.
This was what happened after Maldini left.
After Milan lost competitiveness and cohesion, this was inevitable.
Suddenly, Šuker asked, "Have you thought about transferring?"
Kaká was stunned.
But this ti, he didn't directly refuse; instead, he stayed silent.
This was hesitation.
Clearly, Kaká was wavering.
Šuker was definitely leaving.
And after Šuker left, what aning did Kaká have staying at Milan?
Kaká beca sowhat lost about his future.
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