Chapter 27 "Score a goal with my blessings..."

After the match started, Inter Milan immediately demonstrated their strength as the league leaders, with their attacks flowing smoothly and layer by layer, and their defense as impenetrable as an iron wall.

Ancelotti looked grave; he was genuinely unsure whether the Milan players' aging bodies could hold on.

In the 4th minute, Inter Milan's right-back Maicon made a high-speed run from the backfield into Milan's half. At this point, Maicon was already showing signs of becoming the "world's best right-back," with abundant energy and excellent performance in both attack and defense, capable of covering the entire right flank by himself.

He received a pass from Zanetti on the right side of the penalty area, adjusted his angle, and crossed from the right, aiming at Ibrahimovic, who was 11 meters in front of the Milan goal.

Nesta, of course, wouldn't let Ibrahimovic receive the ball easily; he called for Kaladze to join him in double-teaming Ibrahimovic.

Despite being double-teamed, Ibrahimovic used his superior physique to break free and, without stopping the ball, unleashed a powerful right-footed volley. The ball sailed over the crossbar amidst the commentator's gasp, giving Dida a fright.

After their attack on the right flank failed, Inter Milan shifted their offensive focus to the left. Maxwell dribbled forward but was intercepted by Oddo. Chivu rushed in to assist, and the two used a clever series of one-two passes to get past Oddo's blockade.

After reaching the byline, Maxwell crossed from the left wing. Nesta was already prepared and headed the ball powerfully out of bounds.

It's not Milan's style to be on the defensive all the time. Soon, Milan's midfield and attack began to exert their strength.

Jimenez encountered Gattuso while dribbling forward.

Gattuso has a fierce appearance and a strong physique. He is aggressive and intimidating on the field. Even though his defensive moves are clean and he rarely commits malicious fouls, his opponents are still very wary of him.

Facing Gattuso's charge, Jimenez showed a hint of fear. He glanced left and right, but there was no suitable opportunity to pass the ball.

At this moment, Gattuso closed in, leaning forward slightly by half a body length, forcing Jimenez off his path by squeezing him, and looking for an opportunity to steal the ball.

Gattuso's defense was impenetrable, making it even harder for Jimenez to find an opportunity to shoot. After a few seconds of stalemate, taking advantage of Jimenez's unpreparedness, Gattuso cleanly intercepted the ball and made a through pass to Pirlo to organize the attack.

Pirlo sent a long pass into the attacking third, where Seedorf received the ball with his back to Samuel's pressure, turned and chipped it over the top of the net to Inzaghi on the left side of the penalty area.

Inzaghi also opted for a first-time volley, but missed the target due to Cordoba's interference.

Kaka then dribbled into the penalty area from the right flank, and his feint shot from a tight angle fooled Samuel, but not his senior teammate, Brazilian goalkeeper Cesar, who blocked the ball out of bounds.

After a brief period of probing each other, the midfield battle gradually intensified.

The ball was unable to be passed out from midfield for a long time, and some players from other positions also rushed to help. For a while, there were more than a dozen players gathered in the midfield. Even the forwards who were waiting to receive the ball in front of the goal, the defenders who were guarding the opposing forwards, and the goalkeeper who was guarding the goal, who had not joined the midfield battle, were all anxiously standing on tiptoe to observe the situation.

When people are packed together, the constant stream of small, unexpected actions really tests the referee's eyesight.

In the 13th minute, Pirlo pulled Zanetti from behind and was penalized for a foul by the referee.

Pirlo was indignant. If this counts as a foul, why didn't Jimenez's tugging at Ambrosini count? Why didn't Cambiasso's push on Seedorf count?

Pirlo waved his little hand rapidly in front of the referee, while Nesta and Gattuso pressed forward to pressure him. However, the referee remained unmoved, ignoring Pirlo's protests and issuing him the first yellow card of the match.

Pirlo was greatly puzzled, and before he could continue to explain, Ambrosini carried him away.

Ambrosini noticed the referee's impatience; there was no point in arguing any further.

In the 18th minute, Inzaghi was brought down by Cordoba in the Inter Milan penalty area, suffering a leg injury, and went off the field to receive treatment.

Fino anxiously followed his teammates over, but Ancelotti pushed him away and told him to warm up. If Inzaghi's injury couldn't hold on, then Fino would be the first choice to play.

Fino could only jog back to the bench to change his clothes, glancing back at Inzaghi repeatedly as he ran, his worry impossible to hide.

There is competition between Fino and Inzaghi.

This season, Milan's preferred formation is the 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation, which means that only one striker has a chance to play in each game, and all strikers are competitors.

Ancelotti has a clear definition of each striker's role, so the competition between Fino and Inzaghi is not obvious.

Inzaghi is experienced but his age means he doesn't have as much stamina, so he focuses on international competitions, and he is a key striker in the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.

Fino was physically strong and still in a period of rapid growth, needing a lot of matches to gain experience, so Ancelotti used him in the league.

If they encounter a tough opponent in the league, and Inzaghi has enough stamina, Ancelotti will still choose to bring on the veteran to provide support.

Ronaldo has had very few opportunities to play due to his constant injuries, while Gilardino has lost out in the competition and become a substitute.

Although there has never been any conflict between Inzaghi and Fino, speculation about their relationship has never stopped.

How could Inzaghi, who has always been extremely eager to play, possibly be willing to reduce his playing time?

And how could the younger and stronger Fino be content to just stay in domestic competitions? Which young man doesn't want to see a bigger stage?

The outside world views the relationship between Inzaghi and Fino as one of a former king whose strength still remains and a new king whose power is growing. The former king hinders the new king's development, while the new king squeezes the former king's living space.

A battle between the two kings is inevitable.

Inzaghi has always dismissed such speculation with a laugh. He is indeed extremely eager to play, but no one can play the entire season. To reduce injuries, rotation is an inevitable choice.

Moreover, he harbored a secret desire for Fino, and if a battle was inevitable, he hoped it would take place in bed.

But he dared not ponder Fino's thoughts. Could an ambitious young man in his formative years really tolerate someone blocking his way? At least he himself couldn't tolerate it at Fino's age.

In order to get more playing time, Inzaghi moved between several clubs before finally settling down in Milan.

Now, facing the opportunity to replace him, Fino showed no joy; his eyes were filled with worry for him. This made Inzaghi's eyes light up. How could this not be love?

Inzaghi's injury was not serious, and he returned to the field after receiving treatment.

Cordoba's foul on Inzaghi earned him a yellow card, and the referee awarded Milan a free kick.

The penalty was taken by Pirlo again. Still fuming from the card, Pirlo showed no mercy, unleashing a rapid, curving shot with the inside of his right foot. The ball sailed over the wall and into the top left corner of the goal, giving Milan a 1-0 lead.

After taking the lead, Milan's mentality remained unchanged, and they continued to solidify their defense, leaving Inter with no opportunity to exploit.

Similarly, Inter Milan's defensive intensity also made it difficult for Milan to extend their lead.

Both sides traded blows, making for a very exciting game, but neither side managed to change the score.

Inter Milan didn't get a chance to equalize until the 28th minute.

Maicon dribbled up the right flank, and Maldini immediately moved to intercept him. Maldini made a stylish sliding tackle to push the ball towards the center, where Kaladze and Cruz both rushed forward to contest for the ball.

Ultimately, Cruz got there first, controlling the ball before Kaladze could react. He delivered a low cross from the right side of the penalty area, targeting Ibrahimovic at the far post.

However, Dida did not give Ibrahimovic a chance to get to the ball; he immediately slid down to intercept and pushed the ball outwards with one hand.

The ball flew right towards Jimenez.

Jimenez was overjoyed and volleyed the ball with his left foot from 8 meters out, but the ball hit Nesta who was clearing it and was then caught by Dida who hadn't had time to get up.

Dida got up and threw the ball, Gattuso dribbled forward a few steps and then passed it to Pirlo, who then passed it to Kaká.

After receiving the ball, Kaká began his signature long run, with Zanetti close behind him.

Samuel stepped forward to intercept, but Kaka managed to shake him off with a series of changes of direction. However, his efforts were not entirely in vain, as he slightly slowed down Kaka's sprint.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zanetti finally caught up and double-teamed Kaká with Cambiasso. Kaká chose to combine with Seedorf to break through, but was tripped by Cambiasso.

The referee did not blow the whistle to stop the game. The referee saw very clearly that Cambiasso did not commit a foul. He only tripped Kaká unintentionally after losing his balance.

Neither Kaka nor Cambiasso were injured; it was Samuel who was injured…

It wasn't until after the ball went out of play that people noticed Samuel was lying on the ground. Replays showed that when he was defending Kaká, his body couldn't keep up with Kaká's change of direction, causing him to twist his ankle.

Samuel was carried off on a stretcher, and Materazzi came on as a substitute.

Inter Milan finally equalized in the 36th minute.

Ibrahimovic had the ball near the left byline, drawing the attention of three Milan defenders before passing it to Cambiasso in the center. Cambiasso immediately delivered a low cross, which Inter's other striker, Cruz, controlled with his back to goal against Kaladze before turning and unleashing a powerful shot.

The ball passed between Kaladze's legs and went into both goals.

The score was 1-1, and the game was back to square one.

After Inter Milan scored, the game became a stalemate again, with both sides battling fiercely for possession.

Before the end of the first half, the referee issued four more yellow cards.

Gattuso blocks Maxwell, yellow card!

Jiménez fouls Pirlo, yellow card!

Materazzi pulls Kaká, yellow card!

Ambrosini fouls Gimenez, yellow card!

The yellow card scramble resulted in no goals for either side, and the two teams returned to the locker room with a 1-1 score.

Shortly after the start of the second half, Ancelotti made two substitutions in quick succession. Gattuso, who was playing with an injury and had a yellow card, was replaced by Emerson, while Fino replaced Inzaghi.

Fino waited on the sidelines for Inzaghi to come off the field. He raised his hand to give Inzaghi a high-five, but Inzaghi hugged him and kissed his hair.

"Score a goal with my blessings!"