Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 879 606: The 93:20 Miracle Returns! He Watered Manchester City's First Champions League Title with His Blood! (Part 2)

After the cheeks became fuller, the youthful look faded, transforming the oval face into a square face, coupled with the deliberately left shallow beard, the whole person looked very fierce, and the appearance seemed much older than the actual age.

"Just wait until the season ends, our next opponent is Juventus!"

Bonazzoli felt Chiwo's sharp gaze, a gaze that was no different from ten years ago in the youth team, perhaps even sharper now.

"Alright, boss, I promise you, I will focus on recovering from the injury."

Bonazzoli paused, shifted the topic, and tentatively asked, "By the way, I heard Uncle Berni just returned from Madrid. So, did Tang agree to come back to Inter? I can't wait to work with him again. Time flies; the last time we partnered was in 2018, and now it's been seven years."

Chiwo remained noncommittal, only saying softly, "You don't need to worry about the transfer. Just focus on your recovery."

...

Three of the six planned tasks for the day were already completed.

Chiwo began the fourth task, communicating alone with Captain Ranocchia to understand the recent situation in the locker room.

This is a very important task, because as a coach, once you lose control over the locker room, you also lose your voice in the team.

Although Chiwo is a purebred veteran of Inter, he has yet to win a championship in his coaching career, compared to Lippi, Mancini, Mourinho, who have coached Inter over the past 30 years, he remains an outright rookie.

Ranocchia walked into the player's office after finishing additional training following his regular workout in the gym.

He is already 37 years old, soon entering his forties.

Compared to his younger days, this Italian handsome man has cut off his flowing long hair, leaving the short hair common among middle-aged men of his age.

Though his face still remains handsome, the years have visibly marked traces on his appearance.

"To be honest with you, boss, the current atmosphere in the locker room is not good. The players lack confidence in defeating Juventus. Since Tang left Inter, our record against Juventus has been really poor, particularly in the last couple of seasons, including Coppa Italia, we've already lost four consecutive times."

"The players are anxiously awaiting the return of key striker Bonazzoli; he's our weapon on the front line. He's scored 18 goals; he's our top scorer." Ranocchia glanced at Chiwo, noticing Chiwo didn't respond, then realized Bonazzoli's return is unlikely, causing his heart to tighten.

"However, I promise you, as long as I'm with Inter one day, I will do everything I can to motivate them, especially for this weekend's league match..."

Ranocchia paused, gritted his teeth, and said, "Juventus wants to win the championship at our home ground, unless they crush over my bones. As the captain of Inter, as the oldest player, I will fight for this blue and black jersey until the last moment!"

The Italian central defender returned to Inter five years ago.

From 2015 to 2020, after playing for Manchester City for five years, winning four Premier League titles, two Champions League titles.

Despite Manchester City manager Guardiola repeatedly urging him to stay, Ranocchia, yearning to return home, communicated with Inter and submitted a transfer request to the club.

"I still want my two children to receive education in Italian schools, sorry, Pep, my roots are not in England."

That year, Manchester City was undergoing Financial Fair Play scrutiny in Europe, with unprecedented severity.

CEO Belada believed a 32-year-old Ranocchia was at the final stage of cashing out, waiting a year or two more, he'd become unsellable.

In the summer of 2020, Ranocchia returned to Inter for a transfer fee of 15 million euros.

This amount was 20 million euros less than when he transferred from Manchester City to Inter in 2015.

"Good, in this team, your words are what I trust the most," Chiwo punched Ranocchia's chest.

Chiwo said, "By the way, have you really made your decision?"

Ranocchia nodded without hesitation, "Yes, Mr. Chiwo, I have decided. I've owed too much to my family for football, it's time to return to them, and besides, I'm already 37, I'm old, my physical condition no longer meets my standards, so it's time to retire."

The short-haired Ranocchia, with a faint scar lying across his forehead.

If one didn't know beforehand, no one would notice this scar or understand the story behind it.

At this moment, in the Inter coach's office, Chiwo and Ranocchia sat facing each other, he looked at this scar, knowing its position, knowing it came at the cost of blood.

...

June 2017, Cardiff Millennium Stadium.

Champions League finals.

After the first half ended 1:1.

In the second half, Real Madrid launched a storm-like counterattack.

In the 65th minute, the ball passed between Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Marcelo, with Bell speeding up on the wing for a low shot outside the penalty area, stopped by then Manchester City goalkeeper Bravo outside the penalty area.

While everyone was rejoicing, C Luo suddenly appeared outside the penalty area, greeted the ball with a volley, and the ball went straight into the net!

2 to 1!

Real Madrid took the lead!

Cheers at Cardiff Millennium Stadium continued for a long while, dressed in white, Real Madrid fans stood up collectively, raised hands, worshipping their football king, C Luo!

"Ronaldo!!!!"

C Luo sat on the edge of the stand near the advertising board, arms crossed, smiling.

After that, Zidane strengthened defense, and Real Madrid contracted collectively.

These players, couldn rely on their leading Champions League experience across Europe, took defensive counterattacks to the extreme.

As long as they hold firm, Manchester City breaking through with ball movement becomes extremely difficult.

Guardiola made constant substitutions, physically exhausted Agüero was replaced by Bonazzoli, with Sane and Mkhitaryan also playing.

Even though Tang Long continuously created opportunities with breakthroughs on the left wing, Navas made consecutive god-level saves, coupled with Tang Long's bad luck, hitting the post twice, by the time the match entered injury time, Manchester City still hadn't leveled the score.

Just as Real Madrid fans were starting to open champagne.

In the third minute of injury time.

Tang Long made an inside cut from the left and shot; the ball touched Ramos' back and went out the baseline.

Manchester City got a corner kick.

Set-piece specialist Kolarov took the penalty.

Kolarov breathed heavily, only at the last moment adjusted his breathing, sprinted, and kicked the ball!

As Ramos jumped to compete for the header, suddenly, a shadow moved ahead, darting in front of him.

It's Tang Long!

He didn't jump as high as Ramos but had already predicted the drop point, which was his huge advantage in positioning. Tang Long instantly directed the ball's path, a glance-over-the-shoulder motion, the forehead gently nudged, altering the ball's trajectory!

This sudden change caused chaos in Real Madrid's penalty area, heads bobbing, and shouts echoing!

"Mine!!!"

At the far post, 195 cm tall Ranocchia shouted nearly to the point of breaking his voice, he leaped in flight, executed a high aerial dive, overpowering Varane, widened his eyes, sent the ball into the goal!

Realizing the post was right in front of him from his exerted force, Ranocchia charged fearlessly into it!

With a clang, the whole goal trembled, even the broadcast camera from goal-angle shook!

"The ball's in!!!"

"Manchester City scored!"

"93 minutes, they miraculously equalized the score!"

"From Tang Long's assist at the near post, Ranocchia's header relay hammered into the goal at the far post!"

"This is heading into overtime!"

"Haha, everyone at Real Madrid is holding their heads, the duck in hand flew away, they have to wait a bit more!"

"Wait..."

"9320!"

"Officially set scoring time at 93 minutes 20 seconds!"

"Miracle, an unparalleled miracle!"

"In the final Premier League game of 2012, Manchester City in the match against Queens Park Rangers scored at this time defeating the opponent, reversing the situation, claiming the club's first Premier League title!"

"Five years later, 9320 reappeared in the Champions League finals!"

"Manchester City got dragged back from the brink of death!"