Chapter 171: Sprint !

Chapter 171: Sprint !

On April 10, 2003, the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals kicked off at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. Hosting the match was the Nerazzurri, while their cross-town rivals AC Milan had to travel to Amsterdam, Netherlands, to face Ajax.

Valencia, who traveled from afar, deployed a 4-4-2 formation. Before the match, Benitez emphasized the defensive arrangements, particularly focusing on Capone, Pellegrino, Ayala, and Raul Albiol, aiming to contain Wang Feng's attacking threat.

Vincente, Albelda, Rufete, and Aimar in midfield were tasked with disrupting Inter Milan's midfield and forward connection, preventing Wang Feng from linking up with other teammates.

Up front, Carew and Sanchez, with one tall and the other fast, collaborated to both contest aerial duels and exploit Inter Milan's defensive line with speed.

Benitez and his team racked their brains, finally crafting a relatively comprehensive lineup to challenge Inter Milan.

Once the match began, Inter Milan indeed encountered trouble. Due to the home advantage, the players' mentality inadvertently became anxious, thinking about winning more to ease the away leg.

Benitez successfully guessed Inter Milan's mindset, instructing Valencia to play patiently from the start, trying to control possession and slow down the pace of the game.

The anxious Inter Milan players indeed made mistakes! In the 21st minute, Cordoba's eager interception fell into a trap, leading to a defensive lapse, allowing Albelda to successfully pass the ball into an open space.

With no one marking him, Sanchez easily scored, contributing significantly to Valencia!

Inter Milan was now in trouble. Their midfield organization became even more chaotic. Under Valencia's defenders' stern pressure, Wang Feng temporarily couldn't find a way through and could only keep roaming on the field, hoping to create opportunities.

"As the match approaches its end, Wang Feng covers over seventy meters, bypassing four defenders in succession, and slots the ball into Valencia's net!"

"Hold on to your seats, folks! According to the data we've just received, Wang Feng's average speed during the run reached 22.5 km/h!"

"No wonder Valencia's defensive players couldn't catch up with him. Remember, in the International Association of Athletics Federations World Athletics Championships held in Paris last September, Jesse Owens, the men's 100-meter champion, set a world record with a time of 9.78 seconds."

"If we convert Wang Feng's speed, well, his hundred meters time would be 9.98 seconds! And don't forget, he's been running almost the entire match, with that damned ball!"

Wang Feng's speed was too fast to stop. He crashed into the advertising boards at the edge of the field due to inertia.

There were abrasions on his arms and thighs from the friction, some places even breaking the skin. His whole body was burning with pain. He wanted to push himself up with his hands but couldn't muster the strength.

The Inter Milan teammates who rushed to celebrate felt something was wrong. They quickly called for the team doctor with a stretcher and rushed onto the field. Faced with Zanetti's anxious inquiry, Wang Feng waved his hand, indicating that he was just exhausted.

The team doctor treated his external injuries while complaining, "Wang, you're pushing yourself too hard. I was watching with my heart in my mouth. Now what you need to do is get off the field and rest."

Wang Feng gasped for air, still wanting to continue, but head coach Cooper forcefully substituted him and had him carried off the field on a stretcher. When Wang Feng left the field, all the home team fans at the San Siro Stadium stood up and gave him a warm applause.

The full-time whistle soon blew, and Inter Milan drew 1-1 with Valencia, with the visitors scoring an away goal. It was believed that when Inter Milan went to Valencia's home ground, they would face a fierce battle.

After the match, Wang Feng was taken to the hospital for a detailed examination. The doctor's conclusion was fatigue, and it would be best to rest for a round. But at such a crucial moment in the title race, Wang Feng was very worried.

"Wang, you always step up when the team faces its toughest moments. Now it's our turn. Trust us. In the next round against Brescia, we'll definitely give it our all!" Captain Zanetti said when visiting Wang Feng.

"Just take a good rest and prepare for the upcoming showdowns with AC Milan and Valencia," head coach Cooper nodded. "This is the decision of the coaching staff and the club's top management. You're exhausted. Don't think about anything else. Just rest."