Tang Long sat in the corner of the locker room, hearing Gualin's words clearly.
He glanced at Berni beside him.
Berni gave Tang Long a bitter grimace.
"It's suicidal, Gualin is being suicidal..."
The other teammates remained silent.
No one would speak for Gualin at this time.
As professional players.
The Inter players were well aware.
Even Tang Long knew.
Gualin had made a big mistake!
He used the tactical arrangements of former coach Mazzari to protest against current head coach Mancini!
This is indeed suicidal!
A major taboo in the workplace!
No matter how much Mazzari trusted you, Gualin, what does it matter?
He's already gone!
Inter is now led by Mancini, not Mazzari!
Logically, the Inter players all serve a prestigious club.
Before coming to Inter, they were already seasoned at various clubs.
Such a basic workplace principle shouldn't be unknown.
In 2010, when Benitez first joined Inter, he ordered the club staff to tear down the portrait of Mourinho hanging in the stadium corridor.
So what if the Portuguese was Inter's legendary coach?
Inter now is under my command!
Mancini smiled sinisterly at Gualin.
"Well, Gualin, seems like you like Mazzari a lot!
Mazzari is quite familiar, we've known each other for over a decade. He's now taking his severance pay from Inter and going back to his hometown in southern Italy to grow grapes. Should I give him a call and let you join him in growing grapes?"
Gualin suddenly realized, jumped up, and quickly waved his hands in defense, "It's not like that, coach, what I meant was, um..."
Mancini would not listen to any of Gualin's explanations now.
He pushed Gualin away and then glanced at the other players in the locker room.
New officials start with three fires.
To establish authority, the first fire—
Will cut from Gualin, the former protege of Mazzari!
"Guys, I need to make some adjustments in the second half; we are forced to attack. I don't want any result other than three points from this game."
Mancini's gaze scanned around and then landed on Tang Long in the corner of the locker room.
"That black-haired Asian kid, get up!"
Seeing Mancini pointing at him, Tang Long was shocked and quickly stood up.
"From the youth team? Can you understand Italian?"
Mancini asked Tang Long in English.
Tang Long nodded and then stammered in unsteady Italian:
"I can understand, my English is okay, Italian is a bit poor."
Mancini nodded expressionlessly.
"In the second half, Gualin is off, you're on!"
Upon hearing this.
The locker room was in uproar!
Everyone looked at Tang Long with incredulous eyes.
Are you kidding!
Subbing off the main midfielder Gualin for a rookie from the youth team?
"Who is this guy? Do you know him?"
"Nope, who knows!"
"Crazy, has this kid played a professional league match before? It's nuts to sub him for Gualin..."
"Do they not want to win?"
"Ah, no way, this is our home field!"
Mancini ignored the whispers of the crowd, unwilling to listen.
Just coldly looked at Gualin.
The purpose was clear.
It's targeted at you!
Gualin's face was dark.
His complexion like rotten pig liver.
Mancini was very pleased with Gualin's reaction.
With a broad wave, he directly left the room.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to declare:
"I don't care about what honors you've won, which national team you played for, or how you're a hero in your country. I'm just telling you all, if you openly defy my tactics, even a rookie from the youth team can replace you!"
Berni stared at the dumbfounded Tang Long.
Swatting him with a towel on the butt.
"Haha, what are you dazing for, hurry up and warm up, put on your shin guards, and get ready to play!"
...
Inter Milan players walked solemnly through the player tunnel.
Tang Long, on the other hand, was overjoyed!
Who would have thought!
The Serie A debut would start like this?
Surprised?
Excited!
He kept adjusting his shin guards and fiddled with his shorts, busily preparing.
The Brazilian wing-back Jonathan passed by Tang Long and glanced at him, then whispered to Campaniello beside him:
"Home field, behind 0-1, putting on a youth player who's never played in a professional league; huh? Has Mancini given up? Are we still playing, how to answer the over fifty thousand spectators?"
Campaniello sighed, "The shot hit the standout bird; who told Gualin to speak nonsense, now we're screwed!"
Look at his stammering Italian; I have no idea how to communicate on the pitch with him, I can't speak English."
Striker Palacio worriedly approached Tang Long.
"Hey, to win in the second half, we need a lot more movement, I need you to often run diagonally towards me, drag away defenders, give me space, understand?"
Palacio, an Argentinian, spoke Italian with an Argentinian rural accent; Tang Long understood partially.
He repeated in Spanish.
Naturally, Tang Long was even more puzzled!
"Ugh, forget it, I'll handle it myself, headache!"
Palacio puckered his lips, waved his hand, and left.
Inter captain Ranocchia noticed Tang Long's predicament.
At 1.95 meters tall, he towered over Tang Long, who stood at 1.82 meters.
The 26-year-old center back, like a big brother, slung his arm over Tang Long's shoulder.
"Your name's Tang, right? Tang, don't be nervous; I'm telling you, follow your youth team's tactics, lots of movement. You're young, need to share the load with the old guys!
Also, think ahead before you take possession; this is Serie A, very fast-paced!
After you get the ball, try to pass to Kovacic since Gualin's not in, he's the central organizer.
If the opponent is pressing closely, just clear it decisively, better to clear than to lose possession, understand?"
Ranocchia poked the team crest on Tang Long's chest with a fist.
"Wearing this jersey, you're fighting for Inter's honor, for the sixty thousand fans here, go for it, kid!"
Ranocchia gave Tang Long a thumbs up.
As Tang Long stepped onto the Meazza stadium.
A rush of heat surged from his heart!
Tang Long clenched his fists tightly!
His childhood idol Ronar once roamed this century-old field in the same blue-black stripes.
Now.
I've done it too!
Inter Milan.
Meazza stadium.
Here I come!
(Tang Long's idol Ronar)