Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 589 - 400: Inter legends’ box luxury gambling, Ronaldo bets against Manchester City!

This second leg of the Champions League knockout match has attracted the attention of the entire Italian media.

This season marks a new beginning for Inter Milan, returning to the Champions League after five years.

Although the team’s main lineup was disbanded, there were no big moves in the transfer market last summer.

However, relying on their solid historical background, Inter Milan still managed to break through surrounded by challenges, advancing to the top 16 as the second in their group.

But, drawing Manchester City in the knockout stage was definitely a bad sign for the Blue-Black Corps!

Seeing this draw, the media across Italy moaned in despair, generally believing that Inter Milan’s Champions League journey would likely end prematurely.

However, after the first leg, Inter Milan surprisingly drew 1:1 away against Manchester City, which delighted many, exclaiming it was unexpected.

"This is the best result we could have hoped for; it keeps our hopes of advancing alive!"

"Without Tang’s Manchester City, their strength is just so-so; we definitely have a fight with Manchester City!"

"In terms of historical depth, we still surpass Manchester City on the Champions League stage!"

"As long as we hold a 0:0 in the second leg, even if gods come down, they can’t do anything!"

Not just fans and the media, many former Inter Milan players and legends were also enthusiastically discussing the match.

Berni, far away in New York, United States, was awakened by the alarm clock at a little after 6 a.m., leaping out of his warm bed and turning on his computer.

Gualin’s Tottenham was eliminated early in the European War, but he still canceled many gatherings tonight to stay in front of the TV.

The second match between Manchester United and Atletico Madrid was the next evening.

Taking advantage of this gap, Icardi was also focusing on the Inter Milan vs. Manchester City match.

At this moment, his feelings were very conflicted!

He was cheering for his old club Inter Milan, hoping they would beat Manchester City and kick their city rival out of the Champions League.

But at the same time, he hoped Manchester City could advance.

After all, with European War distracting Manchester City, they would definitely rotate in the league, which increases Manchester United’s chances of making a comeback to win the league title in the final eight rounds!

Thinking it over, he could only secretly pray: It doesn’t matter who wins or loses, just don’t let Agüero score again!

Otherwise, if this guy keeps getting better in the European War, he might extend that to the league matches, and then my Golden Boot would be completely out of reach~

...

In the VIP box at the Meazza stadium.

Many Inter Milan legends gathered together.

Materazzi, Sneijder, Milito, Cambiasso, and other old teammates embraced and shook hands, talking about retired life and their glorious years at Inter Milan.

Vieri, Ronaldo, and Adriano surrounded a small coffee table, sipping red wine and reminiscing about past glories.

"Hey, everyone make a prediction about the match score; why don’t I open a betting pool, and you all come bet with me?" Materazzi shouted.

Everyone agreed vocally.

These players are legendary figures of Inter Milan, and many were part of the 2010 treble-winning team, all having deep feelings for this team.

So they all bet on Inter Milan either drawing or winning.

"I’ll put down 100 euros on us winning 1:0!" Cambiasso said.

"Haha, then I’ll put down 200 euros, if we win, let’s win 2:0!" Milito echoed.

Midfield master Sneijder was more cautious.

Based on the 1:1 score from the first leg, he thought Leno would definitely hold onto 0:0, which is what Inter Milan must strive for as the goal.

"I’ll put down 500 euros, the score will definitely be 0:0, this is the most realistic plan for advancement."

The box was filled with noisy shouting, everyone betting on Inter Milan winning, stuffing their cash euros into Materazzi’s hands.

Materazzi weighed the stack of cash in his hand and laughed,

"This won’t work, everyone says we’re going to win, no one says we’re going to lose, where will the winning money come from?"

Materazzi noticed Ronaldo had not spoken yet.

"Ronnie! You’re the only one who hasn’t said anything, either you bet on us to win, or you bet on Manchester City; otherwise, who will pay out the prize money if we win?"

The box erupted in laughter~

Everyone thought the idea was good.

Vieri joked:

"Of course! He must bet on Manchester City, this chubby guy is richer than all of us combined, picking money from his pocket is no big deal; he’s a big boss!"

Among the players present, Ronaldo indeed had the most wealth.

He’s the only one who successfully became a businessman and owns his own company after retiring.

His net worth is already as high as $500 million, and even if all these people present combined their wealth, it wouldn’t compare to his!

Putting aside Ronaldo’s business acumen, the name Ronaldo is truly resounding.

In a sense, it was synonymous with football of that era. Just the advertising fees and image rights were enough to keep him very wealthy for the rest of his life.

Amidst the good-natured laughter, Ronaldo nodded slightly, appearing extremely calm and composed.

"Sure, then I’ll bet on Manchester City to win. If I lose, I’ll pay you back double the money you put on Maratrazzi."

Materazzi gave Ronaldo a thumbs up, placed the money on the coffee table, and pressed it down with a bottle of red wine.

"Hey, don’t get too smug. I know what you’re thinking. Although Tang can play in today’s match, this is our home ground. No team can easily take away three points here, no matter the era!"

...

An hour before the match, during the warm-up, Manchester City players were taken aback.

They first noticed that this pitch seemed considerably narrower than usual.

For many players, it was their first time playing at the Meazza, but as soon as Tang Long and Ranocchia stepped out of the player tunnel, they immediately sensed something was off.

Tang Long had played on this pitch for most of the season, and Ranocchia even more so, having played here for many years.

Both were very familiar with the dimensions of this pitch.

However, they were surprised to find the width of the field had noticeably shrunk. Without even needing a tape measure, they could see that the sideline was significantly farther from the substitutes’ bench!

"What the heck? It’s at least two meters shorter, right?" Ranocchia exclaimed in surprise.

"More than that! The other side is shorter too. Altogether, it’s been reduced by at least four meters," Tang Long frowned.

Pellegrini quickly noticed the issue as well.

He realized that such a narrow pitch was very unfavorable for Manchester City to employ their passing and control tactics, utilizing the pitch’s width to stretch the opponent.

However, after discussing the matter with Inter Milan’s stadium staff, Pellegrini was informed that they had indeed reduced the field’s width.

Nonetheless, it was still within UEFA’s standard pitch requirements, so there was no room for compromise on this point.

Apart from the width, what troubled the Manchester City players even more was the poor state of the Meazza pitch!

Many Manchester City players complained that perhaps too much water had been applied to the pitch, making it feel incredibly slick and unstable.

When Pellegrini once again lodged a complaint with Inter Milan regarding the watering of the pitch,

Inter staff pointed to the other side of the pitch, where Inter Milan players were warming up.

"Mr. Pellegrini, there’s no issue with the pitch. You can see our players are also playing on this same pitch."

Tang Long had noticed a problem.

He observed that Inter Milan players wore cleats noticeably longer than usual, using SG.

Whereas Manchester City mostly used FG.

Longer cleats could provide more secure traction, especially on such a slippery pitch. Clearly, Inter Milan’s footwear was more advantageous for their performance.

Due to oversight, Manchester City hadn’t prepared SG cleats and it was too late for a last-minute adjustment.

Pellegrini and Inter’s staff immediately got into an argument, while Manchester City players were left baffled.

How were they supposed to play on such a field condition?

...

...

"With the referee’s whistle, the match begins!"

"Home team Inter Milan is attacking from left to right, while the visiting team Manchester City attacks from right to left!"

"The ball lands at the feet of Inter Milan’s center-back Andreolli, who kicks a long pass!"

"Oh, it seems like the pitch is overwatered; this long pass even sprays a wave of water?"

"Kandrewa moves to the flank, chasing the ball!"

"Indeed, it appears overwatered, and after landing, the ball suddenly accelerates!"

"Klichy chases it, his arm intertwining with Kandrewa’s as they tussle!"

"Kandrewa locks in his position and secures the ball!"

"What will he do with it? Center forward Bonazzoli is charging into the penalty area, and attacking midfielder Kovacic is also approaching!"

"Kandrewa turns his back, suddenly rolls over, and accelerates again. It seems he’s going for a low cross!"

"But Klichy’s speed isn’t slow, and he hasn’t been shaken off!"

"Kandrewa, Kandrewa feints!"

"Ah, Klichy slips and falls!"

"Kandrewa successfully dribbles past, charging towards the penalty area!"