Chapter 253: Late bloomer

Chapter 253: Late bloomer

After the end of the game, the Colombian defender appeared somewhat despondent, standing with his hands on his hips and staring blankly ahead, seemingly still immersed in the regret of his mistakes.

Zanetti approached him and said, "Ivan, stop dwelling on the past. Let's focus on the future. Come on, let's go back to the locker room and rest."

Cordoba, coming back to his senses, nodded and began walking towards the sideline. However, he felt a twitch in his right leg, which had prevented him from keeping up with the opponent's forward during the game.

Zanetti quickly noticed this and asked for details. After learning about his feeling, he said, "I had a similar feeling during last year's Champions League final, and then I got injured. You should let the team doctor take a look at you."

The two returned to the locker room and immediately called for the team doctor. After a check-up, the doctor said, "This is a muscle injury caused by overexertion. You need to be hospitalized for treatment." Cordoba frowned, not expecting to be injured at this time. "How long do I need to be absent?" he asked.

"It will probably take at least a month. I will report to the coach and the management. Once we're back in Milan, I'll take you to the hospital," replied the doctor before hurrying out.

"Damn it!" Cordoba pounded the chair in the locker room. "Maybe you should have reported your physical condition to me earlier so I could arrange rotations better." Mancini walked in and said, "After returning to Pinetina, everyone will undergo a detailed physical examination!"

Cordoba lowered his head in shame. He had indeed been too stubborn, which was partly due to his personality and experiences, resilient and unwilling to admit defeat.

Cordoba debuted in 1995, just a year before Colombia, led by "Golden Lion" Valderrama and "Black Hurricane" Asprilla, was favored by everyone in the World Cup in the United States.

But primary defender Escobar's own goal against the United States led to the team's elimination in the group stage, a huge upset. Even more terrifying was that Escobar was shot dead by gang members after returning home.

After the game started, Fiorentina, led by Toni, took the initiative and launched a fierce attack against the Nerazzurri. Samuel, who replaced Cordoba this season after transferring from Real Madrid, had not yet fully adapted.

In the 17th minute, Toni continuously dribbled in front of the penalty area, successfully deceiving the Inter Milan defense and seizing the opportunity to shoot from long range, piercing the home team's goal first! Truly a top striker in his prime! Wang Feng, who hadn't had time to defend, couldn't help but sigh. With his keen sense of the game and delicate technique, seizing fleeting opportunities was his specialty, wasn't it?

A sense of competitiveness rose in his heart, and in the 33rd minute, he responded. It was an Inter Milan counter-attack, Wang Feng dribbled the ball into the frontcourt, facing two defenders.

He first raised his right foot as if to shoot, causing one defender, Uifalusi, to extend his foot to block. But when the raised foot landed, the force was small, changing the shot to a feint, shifting the ball to his left foot, and then using the toe to flick the ball to the left, evading Uifalusi's defense.

Facing another defender, Viali, he used the same method. Feinting with the left foot and actually flicking the ball with the right foot, the ball then came to the right foot. With no obstacles in front of him, Wang Feng shot with his right foot, equalizing the score, 1-1!

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. The fans in the stands only saw Fiorentina defenders Uifalusi and Viali rashly trying to block, but they failed to intercept the ball. Instead, they allowed Wang Feng to seize the opportunity and score.

Only the three of them in the situation understood the danger and the technical content involved. Wang Feng's body posture and shot preparation were all real. If the Fiorentina defenders hadn't moved to block, it would have been a real shot.

Uifalusi and Viali didn't dare to gamble on not intercepting, so they made the most appropriate defense. But what followed was what set Wang Feng apart from other forwards. He was able to instantly dissipate the force, turning a powerful shot into a gentle flick. This level of control was jaw-dropping.

At halftime, the score remained tied, but the overall strength of Inter Milan gradually took the upper hand in the second half. In the 67th minute, Inter Milan attacked in the frontcourt, and Ribery sent the ball to Wang Feng's feet inside the penalty area.

With his back to the goal, Wang Feng stopped the ball. At this time, Viali, who was defending him, was pressing against him and secretly pulling his shirt, preventing him from turning around.

So he had to take the ball outside the penalty area. The approaching Dainelli tried to intercept, and both players kicked the ball with force, causing it to rise into the air. Seeing this, Wang Feng jumped up, lifted his right leg, and hit the ball with the back of his right foot before the Fiorentina player could head it.

Bicycle kick! The ball went straight to the lower right corner of the goal, and goalkeeper Lupatelli watched helplessly as it rolled into the net.

2-1! Inter Milan eventually reversed Fiorentina, securing the final victory. Wang Feng continued to lead the top scorers' list with 8 goals, ahead of Toni's 5 goals.