Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 899 - 620: Lautaro Becomes a Fanboy! Argentina National Team Star Willingly Plays Second Fiddle, First Goal After Return!

If in recent years, Real Madrid has experienced lows, then such lows were precisely due to Tang Long's torn cruciate ligament in his knee.

Though filled with stars like Bell, Benzema, and Modric, any one of them capable of winning the Ballon d'Or;

But this Real Madrid could do without anyone, except Tang Long!

During Tang Long's days of injury, Real Madrid's frontline was weak, often losing matches, and that moment, the huge pressure from the media said Tang Long might follow in the footsteps of his agent Ronar's player era.

One day, Tang Long lay alone on his hospital bed, staring dazedly at the gloomy sky outside the window—he felt as though the whole world was denying him, his once confidence and pride shattered in the booing.

But tonight, that feeling vanished into thin air!

As he returned to the Apennine Peninsula, standing on the grass at Meazza Stadium, the pride of the past filled his entire body once more!

"Tang!!!!"

Amidst the cheers of over eighty thousand fans.

Tang Long charged, dribbling all the way forward!

This was a running cover provided to Tang Long by Mkhitaryan and Lautaro.

The two crossed positions from the midfield, creating distance, and by the time Tang Long dribbled all the way to the top of the box arc, the two were still pulling the corresponding Palermo defenders along their routes, with no intention to request the ball—

But anyone who understands football knows, the intention is clear!

"Tang Long has sprinted to the top of the box arc!"

"Neither Mkhitaryan nor Lautaro is asking for the ball!"

"The intention is very clear, it's for Tang Long to directly go for it!"

"Tang Long decisively kicks the ball!"

"The force is immense!"

Accompanied by a booming sound captured by the stadium's audio equipment, Tang Long's powerful shot with the edge of his foot flew past Buffon's ten-finger barrier, hitting the top left corner of the goal dead-on!

Right foot striking the ball, fully exerting force before it lands, Tang Long leapt into the air, watching wide-eyed as the ball pierced Buffon's goal.

Whoosh—

Tang Long landed back down, letting out a deep breath.

A sense of immense relief filled his whole body.

Finally.

Goal scored!!!

Though after returning to Inter, Tang Long's position shifted somewhat back, returning to a midfield role.

However, the years at Manchester City and Real Madrid engraved the DNA of a forward into this Chinese player's bones.

In conversations with Inter's coach Chiwo before the season, Tang Long said:

"I can assist my teammates, but subconsciously I still insist that I am a person good at scoring goals, which is a mission I must face and bear as a football player."

Chiwo was not at all surprised by Tang Long's words, he said:

"You're right, you're born for scoring goals, even if you're playing center back for me, you'd still score and clinch the top scorer title, you're born for victory."

The whole stadium cheered for Tang Long's goal, but Buffon dared not lift his head to look at Tang Long.

Even after getting up from the ground, twenty meters apart, he saw Tang Long smiling right at him—a smile incredibly familiar.

Ten years ago, when Buffon played for Juventus, every time Tang Long scored against Juventus, Buffon could see that confident and domineering smile on his face.

"Hmph, dumb luck!" Buffon muttered grudgingly, retrieved the ball from the goal, and kicked it away.

...

Previously, Tang Long's assist already sparked global discussion, and now, upon his return from injury, his consecutive assist and goal within ten minutes naturally caused a global news explosion!

Countless fans shed tears during the live broadcast.

These tears were not just of shock but of emotion!

-[Tang Long back again, one goal and one assist in ten minutes, capable of everything!]

-[Haha, facing old rival Buffon in the first match, they truly are inseparable!]

-[Palermo's fate is bitter, Buffon's fate is even bitterer!]

-[This goal's power is intense, it seems Tang Long's knee has truly recovered!]

-[With Tang Long's current overall strength, even if his knee is only seventy percent healed, he's still invincible in Serie A!]

-[Did you see? Lautaro and Mkhitaryan were pulling to the sides to cover Tang Long, that's the treatment of a superstar!]

-[Exactly, last season it was always others covering for Lautaro, now that Tang Long is here, Lautaro has to step back!]

-[Will this affect Lautaro and Tang Long's relationship?]

-[Overthinking! Look who rushed to embrace Tang Long first after the goal, it was Lautaro!]

-[Indeed, this main striker of Argentina's national team looks like a fan boy in front of Tang Long!]

-[He's clearly filled with admiration for Tang Long!]

-[There's only one king of Meazza, and that's the Chinese player, Tang Long!!!]

Everyone was cheering and applauding for Tang Long.

Chiwo and Berni, their eyes were red.

They know, even just recovering from a severe injury, with his innate strength, Tang Long will eventually shine in Inter like never before—even if he encounters some adaptive challenges in the early matches of the season.

Such challenges are faced by every new player joining, and Tang Long is no exception.

Because Serie A today is not quite the same as when Tang Long played in Serie A ten years ago.

Even though tactics still emphasize meticulous cooperation, defensive skills have continuously improved.

But what these two Inter coaches did not expect was that for a healthy Tang Long, no league needs an adaptation period.

It's true in the Premier League, it's true in La Liga;

After ten years away, returning to Serie A, it's still true!

Amidst everyone's cheers.

Tang Long saw Icardi's slightly lonely figure.

Yes, just like Tang Long, Icardi too returned to Meazza Stadium after ten years.

Yet the fans gave all the cheers to Tang Long, neglecting the once deadly striker on this field, Mauro Icardi.

"Mauro, run according to your feelings, I'll pass according to mine, let's give Buffon a training lesson together."

Tang Long walked up to Icardi, whispered a sentence, and then walked past directly.

Icardi was stunned, just as he wanted to respond, Tang Long had already left him with a departing silhouette.

Looking at this silhouette, Icardi recalled memories from ten years ago.

Ten years have passed, yet this Asian man's silhouette remains so agile and upright.

This silhouette is a nightmare for opponents but a dream for teammates.

"Follow where it feels right to run, yes, if I just follow where it feels right to run, Tang's pass will certainly reach, because we once fought side by side, he's the one who understands me best!"

With this thought, Icardi charged forward, searching for gaps in Palermo's defensive line...