The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 251 Let the second chase the third
  Inter Milan once again became the biggest winner of the Serie A Oscars, with the Nerazzurri winning eight awards including Best Player and Best Foreign Player.

And Leo, who won three awards alone, was naturally the most beautiful person tonight.

Milito also gained two trophies and gained a lot.

But after receiving the award, everyone went back to their homes.

Milito, Cesar, and Samuel all have to continue to recover from injuries, and Leo doesn't have a moment to rest. When he returns to the training ground, he has to prepare with everyone for the next game in three days.

On January 1, Inter Milan faced Naples in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals away from home.

Needless to say, Napoli is in hot form this season and currently ranks third in the standings behind the Milan duo.

Inter Milan started this month with the New Year's first game against Naples on January 1, and basically played a game every three days, one after another.

As of today, twenty days later, it is already their seventh game this month.

In such a devilish schedule, the Nerazzurri's soldiers' physical fitness inevitably suffered a serious crisis.

Leonardo also had to undergo a certain degree of rotation.

Teenagers Coutinho and Pazzini partnered up front.

Stankovic serves as the attacking midfielder, and Thiago Motta, Mariga and Cambiasso sit in the midfield.

Left back Chivu, right back David Thornton, Cordoba and Ranocchia formed a central defender combination, and the goalkeeper was Castellachi.

Obviously, in the view of head coach Leonardo, it is more important to use this cup game to rest most of the main players.

Naples' starting lineup today is exactly the same as the one that challenged Inter Milan at San Siro 20 days ago.

Inter Milan won that game 3-1. Today they will play at the Sao Paulo Stadium. It is hard to say what the result will be.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, the Italian national anthem was played before the Coppa Italia match.

Leo took a break today and sat on the bench. The head coach still has some leeway. If the game situation is delicate, it is not impossible for him to be replaced.

Inter Milan, playing away from home, took the lead to kick off. In the first ten minutes of the game, the two sides played very stalemate, and neither team could get a chance to shoot.

Chivu was intercepted in the frontcourt and Naples counterattacked quickly!
  During the counterattack, Lavezzi ran 30 meters and then passed the ball to the left. Dossena made a pass and Cavani pushed the ball into the door from the middle!
  However, referee Valeri called Cavani offside, and slow-motion replay showed that Cavani was at least half a body offside when Dossena passed the ball.

But if it’s overstepped, it’s overstepped, and there’s not much to say.

The first shot of the game resulted in a goal, but unfortunately the goal was disallowed for offside.

The supporters of the home team in the stands of the Sao Paulo Stadium booed the referee in dissatisfaction.

Inter Milan then stepped up its attack.

Stankovic's header flew over, and Pazzini's continuous dribbling in the middle was blocked. Stankovic volleyed with his right foot from the right side of the penalty area, and the ball missed the far post!

The home team immediately counterattacked. Gargano hoisted the ball into the penalty area. Chivu was collided when he provoked an aerial challenge. His body lost his balance and his upper arm hit the ball.

But the referee didn't say anything, and Hamsik's volley was blocked by the defensive player.

There was another controversy on the court. Naples players believed that Chivu was suspected of handball, while Inter Milan players accused the opponent of a collision and foul first.

Referee Valery shook his head and was unwilling to make any penalty.

The game continued, and with the referee's laissez-faire, the players on the field inevitably became more aggressive.

In the 26th minute, Paul Cannavaro flew up and tackled Pazzini and was given a yellow card by the referee.

This is also the first yellow card of the game.

Dossena passed the ball from the left, Cavani flexibly dribbled past Ranozia and faced the goalkeeper, but Castellachi saved the ball.

Stankovic volleyed vigorously from the outside of the penalty area. The ball hit the leg of the Naples defender and changed the line. DeSantis saved the ball bravely!
  In the 40th minute, Cambiasso took a corner kick from the left. Chivu headed the goal unguarded but failed to hit the goal.

A minute later, Thornton made a pass from the right, and Naples stole the ball to form a counterattack!
  Cavani made a precise through ball, Lavezzi passed Cordoba's volley from the penalty spot, and Castellachi fought hard to save the ball!
  Immediately afterwards, David Thornton made a pass from the right, and Cambiaso shot with his left foot near the arc of the penalty area in the middle!
  The ball was subconsciously lifted by DeSantis with one fingertip and then bounced off the crossbar!
  Inter Milan missed an excellent scoring opportunity, and the shot just now was the closest to a goal in the first half so far.

The home team launched a counterattack again, and Motta received a yellow card for a tactical foul on Gargano.

Naples took a free kick from the wing into the penalty area, and Gargano's header went over the crossbar.

In half-time stoppage time, Lavezzi's long shot after dribbling through the middle was still too high.

At the end of the first half, the score was zero to zero, and neither side could break the deadlock.

In fact, this result is acceptable for Inter Milan.

They used a rotating substitute lineup to play Naples' main team away from home, and it was not easy to maintain a draw.

And this also means that as long as Inter Milan makes some adjustments in the second half, they may be able to win this game easily.

Leonardo said he didn't care about this Coppa Italia match, but wouldn't it be better if he could advance without any effort.

Neither side made any substitutions during the halftime break, and the situation on the court was still very stalemate after the start of the second half.

In the 46th minute, Gargano's long shot from the front of the penalty area missed.

Coutinho then broke through Pazienza and volleyed with his right foot from the outside of the penalty area slightly above the top of the crossbar.

Naples' counterattack quickly hit the opponent's penalty area. After Aronica and Stankovic met, the ball suddenly flew towards the goal. Castellachi made a timely save and got the ball.

Hamsik and Lavezzi hit the wall and then passed diagonally. Cavani's low shot was blocked by Ranocchia.

In the 54th minute, Stankovic suddenly lay on the field in pain while running. It seemed that he had a muscle strain.

The Serbian limped off the court with the help of two team doctors and headed directly to the locker room passage.

Leonardo was speechless. He glanced at the bench and curled his lips at Leo.

Okay, there is no rest as promised, Leo warms up urgently and comes on as a substitute.

Now that he has played, the game cannot end so hastily.

Seeing Leo take the field, less than 2,000 Nerazzurri who were traveling with the team burst into cheers in the stands.

They have long been looking forward to Leo being able to play to change the situation.

As for the players on the field in Naples, they didn't need the head coach Mazzarri to say anything, and they consciously strengthened their targeted defense against Leo.

With his first touch of the ball after coming on the field, Leo received a pass from Motta and was about to move forward when Gargano and Pachienza double-teamed him.

"You didn't even give me time to feel my feet. What a headache."

Leo complained secretly in his heart, but there was no hesitation in his movements.

Pulling the ball with his left and right feet, he accelerated and rushed out of the gap between the two.

Then he faced Cannavaro and Campagnaro directly and did not continue to dribble the ball by himself. He poked the ball behind him with his right foot and cleverly!
  Pazzini formed a one-man attack, but Naples defender Aronica made an overhead kick to resolve the danger.

Naples made a substitution, Dossena was replaced by Zuniga.

For both sides, it is actually best to end the game within ninety minutes.

It would be uncomfortable to have to drag it into overtime or even a penalty shootout.

Although Napoli is slightly better than Inter Milan, their schedule in January is equally intensive.

Both teams have league games to play in four days. Fortunately, Inter Milan sent a rotating lineup today.

Naples is in a miserable situation. Now the people on the field have to continue playing after three days.

So Mazzarri's intention is obvious, to strengthen the offense and score goals as soon as possible to kill the game!
  Cavani sent a direct pass from the frontcourt, and Maggio was knocked down from behind by Cordoba at the front of the penalty area. Referee Valery did not express any comment.

Naples coach Mazzarri protested again on the sidelines, but to no avail.

Gargano took a free kick from the right. Cannavaro stopped the ball with his chest and gave it to Maggio, but Castellachi got the ball first.

Campagnaro made a pass from the right, and Cavani's header in front of the goal was confiscated again by Castellachi.

Continuous offensives failed to achieve results, and the home team's players and fans gradually became a little impatient.

Cordoba felt some tension in his shoulder muscles at this time, and Bonucci came on as a substitute.

The central defender combination of Bonucci and Ranocchia seems to have a tacit cooperation that is more reassuring.

Naples formed a five-on-four situation during the fast break. Lavezzi passed Ranocchia on the left and passed in. Cavani interfered with Bonucci's header and passed it. Hamsik got the ball from the back and flew over. Chivu tackled the goal with his left foot from the small penalty area!
  Castellachi fell down and subconsciously blocked the ball. Hamsik grabbed the second point and shot again. Inter goalkeeper Castellachi was helpless, but Ranocchia blocked the inevitable goal with his header on the goal line. out!
  The almost certain chance to score was blocked by the Inter Milan defender, and Naples' morale was severely damaged.

Cavani and Lavezzi's two consecutive attacks were still blocked by the Nerazzurri's defensive players.

Hamsik's long-range shot went a little too far, and Castellaci drove the ball forward with a big kick!

A chance for Inter Milan to counterattack quickly!

Leo was the first to launch a quick thrust before anyone could react!
  Judging the placement accurately, Leo stopped the ball on his chest and passed Campagnaro!
  There was a large open space in front of him, and Leo accelerated a second time, leaving everyone far behind!

Naples goalkeeper De Sanctis decisively abandoned the goal and rushed outside the penalty area!

Leo just made a slight dunk, changed direction to avoid DeSanctis's upper grab, and then pushed the shot into the empty net with his right foot!

The ball is in!
  One to zero!

Leo couldn't miss this opportunity!

His goal helped Inter Milan break the deadlock on the field!

In the 88th minute of the game, the visiting team took the lead!
  Counting the time left in the stoppage time, there are only six or seven minutes left at most. Can Naples save the situation?

There was not much time left for the home team. Naples was lagging behind, the players on the field were in poor physical condition, and the situation was in danger.

Lavezzi made a pass from the right, and Pachienza's header hit the side net!
  Cavani accidentally hit Chivu on the head during the fight and was given a yellow card by the referee.

Realizing that he had been too anxious to act rashly, Cavani hastily apologized to Chivu.

Entering stoppage time, Campagnaro's left-footed volley from outside the penalty area hit Bonucci's left shoulder and was blocked!

The fans in the audience shouted for a penalty kick, but the referee Valery refused to award it.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with Valery's penalty. Naples took the initiative to kick the ball towards Bonucci.

If this can also lead to a penalty kick, then it will be too easy to get a penalty kick in the future, as long as the forward kicks the opponent's player's arm, which is not much simpler than hitting the ball into the goal.

No miracle happened. In the end, Inter Milan defeated Naples 1-0 at the Sao Paulo Stadium, successfully eliminated their opponents and advanced to the semi-finals of the Italian Cup!
  After Leonardo took over the coaching position of Inter Milan, although his performance fluctuated slightly due to injuries, he was still quite good overall.

The three fronts advance together to defeat powerful enemies. The Brazilian was beaming with joy when being interviewed after the game.

“This is a victory in the spirit of Inter Milan.

We won against a very strong Naples team in the away game, and the whole team tried their best.

Regarding the starting lineup, I will definitely choose the players with the best physical condition and best competitive condition to play.

The league is one thing, the Coppa Italia is another.

Although some players did not play many games in the league, their performance today was pretty good. "

After talking about his views on this victory and why today's lineup was chosen, a reporter asked about Leo.

Leonardo listened to the other party's question carefully and shook his head nonchalantly.

"It's a cliché again, everyone knows that Leo is the core player of Inter Milan.

Originally I wanted him to take a rest, but he has played many games in a row this month and is already very tired.

In the end, he was replaced because Stankovic was injured and came off the field, and there was no other way.

Of course, everyone saw Leo's performance after coming on the field, and the goal that changed the game was also brilliant.

It is a blessing for me as a head coach to have such an outstanding player.

Wouldn't it be a bit stupid not to reuse Leo for the so-called purpose of making the team not rely on a certain player?
  He is an Inter Milan player, why can't we rely on him?

Do some people have brain problems? As long as they fully trust Leo, he can bring victory to the team!

There are always boring idiots who question such a simple matter. I don’t want to answer such mentally retarded questions anymore. "

Back in Milan, the Nerazzurri players had no rest and had to continue painful training to prepare for the next game.

Leo could clearly feel that his teammates were quite tired during training.

This is just daily training.

"They are all professional players. I hope everyone can adjust their condition."

Inter Milan's first goalkeeper Cesar has been recovering from his injury for a long time.

During his absence, Leonardo has been stuck with Castellachi.

Castellachi had a heroic performance in the Coppa Italia match in midweek, and the veteran proved that he can also perform miracles.

However, Castellachi is recognized as a "nerve knife". He is invincible when he is in good condition, but sometimes makes people sigh and shake their heads.

Such an unstable goalkeeper is okay in other teams, but it seems a bit unsatisfactory in a team like Inter Milan that is competing for the championship.

Cesar's injury has not actually fully recovered. Although he has returned to the team for training, he has only performed some individual recovery training.

At the last moment before the game against Palermo on January 1, Cesar strongly asked the team doctor to conduct a physical examination on him again.

Cesar finally barely passed the physical examination and thus qualified to compete with his "injured leg".

How to put it, Leo respects Cesar's spirit, but doesn't understand it.

Are you so eager to come back? It can't be that he is worried that his position will be taken away by Castellachi.

It would be fine if there were no serious consequences. But what if he went out to fight too early because the injury was not completely healed, and the injury worsened? Wouldn't it be worth the loss?
  On January 1, a focus match in the 30nd round of Serie A began. The defending champion Inter Milan faced the powerful rival Palermo at San Siro.

Since September 2005, 9, Inter Milan has remained unbeaten against Palermo.

Therefore, the home team has an absolute psychological advantage.

Both teams experienced a tough battle in the Italian Cup in midweek, but compared to Palermo who narrowly advanced through a 120-minute battle, Inter Milan's physical condition is more optimistic.

Of course, the Nerazzurri's injuries and attrition are still serious. Milito, Samuel, Stankovic, Chivu and Cordoba are all absent due to injuries, and Kolarov has accumulated yellow cards and suspensions.

Leonardo was forced to make some adjustments to the starting lineup, with Cesar returning from injury as the starting goalkeeper.

Thornton serves as left back, Maicon serves as right back, Bonucci and Lucio partner as central defenders.

Leo leads the midfield, with Motta and Zanetti forming a partnership.

Pandev formed a trident with Eto'o and new aid Pazzini.

Players such as Coutinho and Ranocchia are on standby.

Inter Milan, playing at home, took the lead.

In the third minute, Inter Milan took the lead in attacking. Leo passed the ball to the right. Maicon dribbled the ball inside and then cut in front of the penalty area. He shot furiously with the outside of his right foot in front of the penalty area. The ball missed the left post!

One minute later, Palermo's attack hit the frontcourt!
  Ilicic went straight to the right. Thornton first stole the ball and hesitated and missed it, then made an offside error. Cassani passed the ball from the right and broke through Thornton before making a low pass!

Miccoli hit the goal with his right foot from close range and hit the ball into the top corner!

One to zero!

Inter Milan fell behind early at the start.

Unexpectedly, Palermo would score the goal so quickly, and the Nerazzurri in the stands were speechless.

Of course, the Nerazzurri, playing at home, could not accept this result and quickly launched a counterattack.

Maicon passed the ball from the right into the penalty area, and Pandev's powerful header from the back hit the goal crossbar.

Eto'o received Leo's direct pass from the left and then passed the ball. Pazzini's shot from the center was missed. The Palermo defender almost kicked the ball into his own door when making a clearance!
  A minute later, Motta shot high with his left foot from outside the penalty area.

In the 16th minute, Leo took a corner kick from the left, and Lucio beat Balzaretti's header!
  However, the ball failed to move due to interference from the Palermo defender, and the visiting team's goalkeeper Sirigu got it easily.

Then Lucio collided with Pastore when he was dribbling the ball in the backcourt and fell to the green field. The referee did not whistle.

Amid the boos from San Siro, Inter captain Zanetti appealed to referee Rizzoli.

"He must have committed a foul. He hit someone."

Rizzoli was unmoved and shook his head firmly.

In the 25th minute, Nocerino got the ball in front of the penalty area, but Maicon made a too fierce tackle and was easily passed by his opponent!

Nocerino took the ball diagonally to the edge of the penalty area and fired a powerful volley. Cesar couldn't make the save and the ball went into the lower left corner of the goal!

Two to zero!
  Palermo, playing away from home, leads by two goals!

The home team seemed a bit stunned. In less than half an hour, they fell behind their opponents 2-0 at home.

Leo stood up at this time and clapped his hands to attract the attention of all his teammates.

"The game is not over yet. Look at the fans in the audience. They haven't given up yet. Are we about to give up?
  Believe me, scoring goals, equalizing, overtaking, there is nothing we cannot do, we are Inter Milan! "

Under the mobilization of the team deputy, the Nerazzurri began an all-out attack!

Three minutes later, Motta's powerful volley from the outside of the penalty area caused the goalkeeper to let go. Eto'o scored with a supplementary shot, but was ruled offside by Rizzoli.

Leo encouraged the team again, it doesn't matter if this goal is not counted, there will be another goal.

Maicon passed the ball from the side. Motta stopped the ball on his chest and turned around to volley. The ball was slightly higher than the crossbar.

In the 39th minute, Thornton made a low pass from the left. Eto'o shot with his right foot from the front of the penalty area. The ball was blocked by Sirigu and then missed the baseline!
  Leo took the ball and was about to take a corner kick, but the referee gave Palermo a goal kick.

Leo:? ? ?
  He smiled helplessly and had no choice but to throw the ball back to Siligu.

The first half of the game was coming to an end, and Inter Milan actually trailed 0-2 at home.

In the 45th minute, Leo got rid of the siege of Nocerino and Bacchinovic, broke through to the right and made a pass.

After Pazzini received Leo's cross from the outside of the penalty area, he stopped the ball and turned around to get rid of Migliaccio's personal defense!

Inside the penalty area, Pazzini made a slight adjustment and volleyed with his right foot, and the ball went into the lower left corner of the goal!

Two to one!

Before the end of the first half, Inter Milan finally got a goal back!
  In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again, and the Nerazzurri continued to launch a fierce offensive.

Leo made a direct pass from the frontcourt, and Eto'o fired a powerful right-footed shot straight into the far corner of the goal, but Sirigu fought hard to save the ball!
  In the 50th minute, Palermo took the lead in substitutions. Kasami came on to replace Miccoli, the hero of the goal.

Derio Rossi wanted to strengthen control of the midfield to relieve the pressure on the team's defensive end and maintain a two-to-one lead.

However, the reality was not what the head coach of Palermo thought. After replacing the only forward on the field, the visiting team's offensive threat was greatly reduced.

This actually allows Inter Milan to further attack!

Not everyone can play without a striker.

Leo sent another through ball, and Pazzini was a little slower and missed the chance of a single shot.

In the 61st minute, Maicon made a breakthrough pass from the right. Pazzini grabbed a header from the center and the ball flew into the lower right corner of the goal!

Two to two!
  Inter Milan tied the score!
  Pazzini scored twice in his first start for the Nerazzurri.

Kasami, who came on as a substitute, broke into the penalty area and was brought down by Motta. The referee whistled a penalty kick and showed Motta a yellow card.

Pastore took the penalty, but the Argentine midfielder's furious shot was bravely saved by Inter goalkeeper Cesar!

Cesar screamed to the sky after saving the penalty!
  Inter Milan's morale has been greatly boosted and they are attacking across the board!
  In the 73rd minute, Pazzini broke into the penalty area and Palermo center back Munoz fouled Pazzini from behind!

Rizzoli whistled for a penalty kick and showed Munoz a yellow card.

Leo stood at the penalty spot, so naturally it was left to him to take the kick.

Facing Siligulio, he did not accept any interference at all, calmly shot the ball with his right foot and sent the ball into the lower left corner of the goal!

Three to two!
  Inter Milan achieved a reversal!

From falling behind by two goals to overtaking the score, the Nerazzurri fans at the scene felt like a roller coaster.

They all chanted Leo's name and cheered him.

In the end, the score of 3 to 2 was maintained until the end of the game. Inter Milan allowed the second to chase three and narrowly won three points.

(End of this chapter)