In recent days, aside from routine training, eating, and using the restroom, Tang Long has devoted all his energy to the cloud training ground.
His coordination with the sparring tool Iniesta is also getting better and better.
He discovered that every time he chooses a sparring tool for passing, a subtle number appears above the candidates' heads—[Skill Level].
Beckham, Pirlo, Luo, Harvey, and others are all at 0%.
As Tang Long has chosen Iniesta multiple times, his skill level with Iniesta has risen to 40%.
The score for each training session is also getting higher.
Initially, it was 6.5, then it gradually increased to 7, 7.5.
The direct feedback is a noticeable improvement in Tang Long's short passing skills!
From Monday to Friday, Tang Long spent over 50 hours in cloud training in these five days.
The total number of passes with Iniesta exceeded 50,000!
Short passing skills increased from 55 to 68!
This passing score is already the average passing level of a mid-fielder in Serie B.
He has reached the level of a mediocre professional player.
Although he is still struggling to compare with the main home players of Inter, such as Kovacic, Hernanes, and Medel.
But during routine training, he can barely keep up with his teammates' rhythm.
He will not make outrageous passing errors.
On Saturday afternoon.
The entire Inter team took the high-speed rail to Rome, heading to the Olympic Stadium to challenge the Red Wolf.
During the final adaptation training on Sunday morning, Inter players went to the Olympic Stadium to familiarize themselves with the field.
In the scrimmage, Tang Long delivered a brilliant ball to Icardi, helping him easily score.
"Nice, Tang, that pass was very comfortable."
Icardi turned back with a smile and gave a thumbs-up.
After training, when showering in the locker room.
Tang Long proactively moved to the shower stall next to Icardi.
The economic situation in Italy hasn't been good in recent years, and the Rome club also lacks the funds to improve the stadium's basic facilities.
The shower at the Olympic Stadium still has early-century facilities.
There are no partitions in the shower.
So Tang Long and Icardi were completely exposed to each other.
There's a saying that when two men meet each other in this setting, it's the closest moment in their relationship.
This "meeting" in such a context is not just about physical visibility but also implies a kind of openness and acceptance in spirit.
"I feel like your passing is actually not bad," Icardi said, covered in suds, rubbing his hair, and squinting at Tang Long, "It's not as bad as Gualin said, at your age, it's already good enough!"
"It's mainly because you're good at positioning; if it were someone else, even if I got the pass in place, they wouldn't score."
"Haha, I'm not being modest; my forward skills are still ranked in Serie A. Look, I'm neither stout nor tall but can still play center, all relying on positioning and shooting skills."
"It's obvious, otherwise, how could you score 9 goals in 11 league rounds? I think you'll have no problem claiming the Serie A Golden Boot!"
This remark clearly ignited Icardi's inner passion.
He quickly washed the foam off his head, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and excitedly told Tang Long:
"You know, Tang, if I win the Serie A Golden Boot, I'll be the youngest Golden Boot in the 100-year history of Serie A at 22!"
"Sure, you have no problem; as long as someone gives you more assists, not just the Serie A Golden Boot, you might even claim the European Golden Boot!"
"European Golden Boot? You dare to think more than I do! I should start with Serie A first."
This shower conversation brought Icardi and Tang Long's relationship closer by another layer.
...
On Sunday afternoon, before the match.
Outside Rome's Olympic Stadium, the crowd was roaring, bustling!
The atmosphere was so intense it seemed to ignite the entire city of Rome.
The Mediterranean winter sun shone warmly on the faces of the home team fans, reflecting their burning eyes full of anticipation.
The red Rome jerseys were fluttering like flames amidst the crowd, contrasting sharply with the blue sky.
Not far away, a group of fans spontaneously organized warm-up activities.
They chanted the team's slogans and performed coordinated movements, seemingly accumulating energy for the upcoming match.
"Rome! Rome!"
"Those who defend Rome's colors are our heroes!"
"Rome! Rome!"
"Those who defend Rome's history are our heroes!"
The air was filled with the aroma of hot dogs and coffee.
The stalls of vendors were packed with all kinds of knock-off jerseys and scarves.
Strangely, the knock-off merchandise stall was about 100 meters from Rome's official club store.
There were also club staff maintaining order on site, but they seemed to turn a blind eye to these copyright-infringing practices, even chatting and laughing with them over a cigarette.
This relaxed scene would definitely not be seen in the Premier League.
"Uncle Gary, how's business lately? How many shirts can you sell in a day?"
"Haha, business is good today; I've already sold 12 jerseys and 18 scarves!"
"Today we're playing Inter at home; it's a hot match. You'll surely make a fortune!"
"Mainly because my goods are cheap enough; at your official store, a genuine jersey costs 79 euros, and adding a number costs another 10 euros, but my knock-offs are only 15 euros, pick any number you want, only a fool buys genuine jerseys from you!"
"Exactly, exactly, only fools buy; I'm not buying! Given the current economic situation in Italy, anyone who comes to the site and spends forty-five euros watching a game is a big spender; only fools buy genuine jerseys! By the way, where do you get your jerseys from and how much do they cost?"
"From Yiwu, China; the cost is 5 euros each with free shipping for 100 pieces!"
Inter's blue bus slowly drove into the stadium.
Suddenly, boos arose all around!
But the boos didn't last, they soon turned into cheers!
The Rome fans in red jerseys swarmed to both sides of the VIP channel fence.
The home team's bus arrived!
"Totti! Totti! Totti!"
"Wolf King Totti!"
The fans called Totti's name due to their admiration for him; after all, he is the Wolf King of Rome.
But what made fans even more excited was that Totti was the only player on the entire Rome bus to open a window!
Totti waved to the fans!
This handsome Italian man, with a face as sharply defined as an ancient Greek sculpture, had steadfastness shining in his eyes.
Totti pointed to the end of Inter's bus, then smiled and made a gesture as if he was going to punch them.
This gesture instantly ignited the fans' passion!
"Beat them up!"
"Get them! Defeat Inter!"
"Let the Milan people know the power of Rome!"
"Go Totti, go Rome!!!"
Inter's bus slowly entered the garage of the Olympic Stadium.
Tang Long sat in the last row of the bus, looking out the window.
The clamor of Rome fans gradually faded away.
Berni took off his headphones and couldn't help but complain to Tang Long:
"These southerners are really noisy, my headphones can't even cover it!"
"Every time Rome plays Inter, it's like they're hyped up. Isn't it because they were overwhelmed by Inter to win the championship in 2006 to 2008 for two consecutive years? These southerners, they're all country bumpkins!"