Chapter 34 (Supplementary Match and Serie A Oscar)

After the 19th round of Serie A matches, Milan faced Atalanta in a rescheduled match from the 12th round midweek.

The match was originally scheduled for November of last year, but was forced to be interrupted after seven minutes due to the chain reaction triggered by the death of a Lazio fan.

Since Pato's arrival, Ancelotti has stopped relying on the Christmas tree formation and has been experimenting with a 4-3-1-2 formation in the matches following the winter break.

The same strategy was employed in this match, with Fino and Pato forming a two-striker partnership, Kaká playing as the attacking midfielder behind them, and Seedorf dropping back to displace Ambrosini.

In this match, Fino met Simone Inzaghi, Inzaghi's younger brother, for the first time. Inzaghi had been loaned from Lazio to Atalanta this season.

Because they share similar genes, the Inzaghi brothers look very alike, but they are quite different in terms of personal temperament and are not easily confused.

The elder Inzaghi was exquisite and glamorous, with a beauty that was almost aggressive, while the younger Inzaghi's facial features were much rounder and softer, making her look more gentle.

The two brothers standing together easily evoke the image of red and white roses—equally beautiful, yet each possessing its own unique charm.

Although both played as strikers, Simeone's career was far less successful than his brother's. Before he was even 30, he was already being loaned to several clubs.

Out of curiosity, Finodo glanced at Simone a few times, and Simone came over to talk to him in a friendly manner.

“Ciao, Fino, I’m Simone, Pippo’s younger brother. Last season, Pippo told me that Milan’s youth academy had produced a very talented young player. He has always had a good eye for talent, and sure enough, this season, fans all over the world have come to know you.”

Fino smiled and extended his hand to Simone.

"Pippo often talks about you in the locker room. You two have a really good brotherly relationship."

At this point, they should have been exchanging compliments, but Simeone's career has been quite bumpy these past few years, so it's better to just laugh it off than engage in awkward praise.

Milan didn't play well in this match, including Fino.

In the first half, Pato and Seedorf took several wild shots, while Fino was heavily marked by the defenders and had very few opportunities to touch the ball. His only contribution was drawing a yellow card.

Even so, Milan still scored the first goal, but it was Atalanta's Doni who scored.

Yes, it was an own goal.

It was a corner kick opportunity. Pirlo took the corner from the left, and Atalanta's defender got to the near post, but he didn't pay attention to the direction when clearing the ball, and the ball flew straight towards Gattuso.

Gattuso volleyed the ball, which deflected off Doni's head and nestled into the net before Doni's horrified gaze.

Whether it's a penalty kick, a header, or an own goal, any goal that scores is a good goal.

But before Milan fans could even celebrate for a few minutes, Atalanta equalized the score.

Also taking advantage of a corner kick opportunity, Tissone took the corner, Guarente jumped at the near post and flicked the ball with his head to the far post, where Langella, waiting at the far post, headed the ball into the goal.

After the own goal, Milan's luck seemed to get even worse. Shots from Fino and Kaká were both saved by Atalanta's goalkeeper Coppola, and even Pirlo missed a free kick.

The two sides went into halftime with the score tied at 1-1.

Ancelotti was in a bind. He knew his tactics were sound, but the players had inexplicably lost their way. At this point, besides offering words of encouragement, he had no other options.

After the start of the second half, Milan's situation did not improve, so Ancelotti substituted Pato with Ronaldo, hoping that Ronaldo could use his individual ability to break the deadlock.

To everyone's surprise, Ronaldo also immediately joined the ranks of those who lost their way after coming on, becoming completely disoriented.

Ancelotti had a bad feeling. Could there really be such a thing as metaphysics? Was Milan cursed by someone?

A draw is acceptable, but a single point is not enough. As the match neared its end, Ancelotti had already resigned himself to his fate.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. In the 88th minute, Atalanta scored again. Substitute Simone Inzaghi faked a shot and then passed the ball to Kalac in the left side of the penalty area, tricking Kalac out to block the shot. He then immediately passed the ball across to Tissone in the middle, who tapped it into the empty net.

Atalanta secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Milan at home.

When he left the field, Fino had a droopy mouth and looked unhappy; he was very dissatisfied with his performance in the game.

Kaka, who had seen it all, gently comforted him: "Fini, no team is invincible. We'll win next time."

“If we lose even after giving it our all, it means we’re not as good as them, and I won’t be angry. But it’s like we were all sleepwalking, which is so inexplicable.” Fino didn’t think they were any worse than Atlanta, but they still lost.

Pirlo shrugged beside him and said, "That's just how it is sometimes. You haven't experienced Istanbul yet..."

Under Kaká's horrified gaze, Gattuso slapped Pirlo's head with his large hand, interrupting Pirlo's words.

“Shut up, don’t let me hear that word again!” Gattuso said through gritted teeth.

Even though they had avenged themselves, that match remained a nightmare for all the players who had experienced it.

Fortunately, a few days later, in the 20th round of the league, the players regained their form in the home game against Genoa.

Pato scored twice, helping his team win 3 points.

The day after the match, the players arrived at Milanello for training as usual. Two days later was the rescheduled match of the 15th round of the league, and Milan had no time to squeeze in a holiday.

Training ended early in the afternoon, and the players needed time to tidy themselves up before attending the 11th "Serie A Oscars" awards ceremony together in the evening.

Galliani would not allow the players to attend the banquet looking sloppy; the nickname "Milan's Model Team" had to be firmly maintained.

With AC Milan's finances becoming increasingly strained, brand sponsorships have become especially important. In addition to the team's performance, the players' good looks are also crucial in attracting sponsors.

Every time the players attend an event, it's an opportunity to showcase their good looks and attract brand sponsorships. Anyone who dares to be unkempt and neglect their appearance is going against Galliani!

Under Galliani's supervision, the entire Milan team shone brightly as they walked the red carpet, instantly becoming the focus of the cameras.

The cameras followed Milan as she entered, creating a grand spectacle that attracted the attention of many guests.

Materazzi curled his lip and turned to Ibrahimovic, saying, "What's the point of dressing up so flamboyantly every day when your grades aren't even that good?"

Inter Milan were the Serie A champions last season and the mid-season champions this season. Why did AC Milan take away their glory?

But Ibrahimovic had no time to pay attention to Materazzi; he was staring at Nesta with his eyes glued to him.

Nesta looks really handsome today. The suit makes him look even taller, his hair even more flowing, his features even more handsome, and his temperament even more outstanding... In short, he is dignified, elegant, and good-looking in every way.

It's just that Cabrini next to me is a bit of an eyesore.

Fino keenly sensed Ibrahimovic's burning gaze, a gaze that burned with love for Nesta and hatred for him.

These brainless fans are terrifying. Even when I look at Maldini, my eyes aren't that burning.

He tugged at the hem of Nesta's suit jacket, and as Nesta leaned closer, he whispered in his ear, "Sandro, shall we sit together in a bit?"

Nesta nodded.

Fino turned to look at Eevee and saw that Eevee's expression had worsened, and the anger in his eyes was almost palpable.

"Great!" Fino smiled slightly.

The Serie A Oscars include player awards such as Best Player, Best Domestic Player, Best Foreign Player, Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, and Best Newcomer. The Best Player award is chosen from the Best Domestic Player and Best Foreign Player categories, and all awards are selected by Serie A players through voting.

In addition, to increase fun and participation, the organizers also set up awards such as Goal of the Year and Most Popular Player, which are voted on by fans.

This year, a special award for the best player of the decade has been set up, which is voted on by Serie A players from the past 10 best players, with the gimmick of "the crown of champions".

AC Milan is not only the focus of attention tonight, but also a favorite to win awards.

Unsurprisingly, Kaká won the Best Foreign Player award, marking his third time receiving this honor.

However, Pirlo lost to Totti in the race for Best Italian Player. The Serie A Oscars have been held 11 times to date, and Totti has won the Best Italian Player award five times – a remarkable record.

Pirlo's defeat was a great disappointment to Fino.

In Fino's eyes, Pirlo was a groundbreaking genius, a true master.

Because of his position, his performance in the team may not seem as dazzling as Kaká and Totti, but his importance to AC Milan and the Italian national team is absolutely paramount.

Fino believes that many years from now, when people look back on football history, Pirlo will be one of the most brilliant figures in the hall of fame.

There was little suspense in the Best Player selection; Kaká had no reason to lose to Totti. Kaká became the only player in the history of the Serie A Oscars to win the Best Player award twice.

Nesta was nominated for Best Defender, but the award ultimately went to Inter Milan's Materazzi.

Fino gently patted his hand and slipped a candy into it.

Nesta himself had no regrets; Materazzi's performance was well-deserved, and he accepted it wholeheartedly. Besides, Nesta had won this award many times before, and perhaps this particular prize was more appealing to him.

Nesta lamented that Fino wasn't eligible for the Best Young Player award, which went to Fiorentina's Montolivo. Montolivo performed well, but not as spectacularly as Fino in the second half of 2007. Unfortunately, Fino played too few games in the 2006/07 season to even qualify for a nomination.

Buffon was also ineligible for a nomination. In the 2006/07 season, he was playing for Juventus in Serie B, and the Best Goalkeeper award was ultimately won by retired Lazio goalkeeper Peruzzi.

However, Buffon won the Most Popular Award among fans in the fan-voted awards, so he didn't go home empty-handed.

The most sensational award for the 10-year best player went to Ronaldo. When he won the Serie A best player award in 1998, he was still wearing an Inter Milan jersey. After 10 years of ups and downs, he returned to Milan and to Serie A.

After the awards were announced, many people questioned Ronaldo's selection, because Ronaldo had never won the Serie A title, so how could he be considered the "crown of champions" of Serie A?

But this was indeed the result of the players' votes. Ronaldo is an idol of a generation and the strongest player on earth in the hearts of many players.

Rumors have already circulated that Ronaldo will return to Brazil to spend the final years of his career after his contract with Milan expires. Before the "Alien" leaves Europe, this more sensational award may be a tribute and blessing from Serie A players to Ronaldo.