Chapter 352： Battle of the Backwater

On April 6, in the thirty-second round of Serie A, Naples played away to Catania.

Just five minutes into the opening, Hamsik opened the scoring for Napoli.

In the 16th minute, Cavani received Lichtsteiner's cross from the right to give Naples another victory.

As the season progressed, Lichtsteiner became more comfortable on the right flank at Naples, and his performance was getting better and better.

Coincidentally, just three minutes into the second half, left-back Vargas, unwilling to be lonely, received an assist from Biglia, slanted to the front of the penalty area, and hit a rage shot with his left foot, giving Naples another victory, 3-0.

In the end, Naples won 3-0 away from Catania.

…

Inter Milan is a bit later than Napoli.

But in the away game against Atlanta, Mancini's team took a 1-0 lead with a goal from veteran Vieira in the 21st minute of the first half.

In the 74th minute of the second half, Balotelli scored another victory, 2-0.

The Inter Milan teenager has performed better and better in the Serie A this season, leaving a deep impression on people. He soon became a recognized talent and hope for the future in Italy.

Only Gao Shen shook his head with regret in private.

"He is indeed a genius. God sculpted his body almost according to the template of a perfect center, but missed his brain, which is a pity!"

Gao Shen sometimes wonders, why does Italy specialize in such players?

For example, Cassano, this guy is definitely a joke.

How talented is Cassano? At that time, he was also recognized as a genius by the world. He was like that in Rome, and he was able to join Real Madrid in the first phase of Galaxy Battleship. How could it be possible to say that he had no talent?

Looking at him now, he didn't get out in Real Madrid, but when he returned to Serie A and joined Sampdoria, he was immediately a thigh.

Genius is something that really can't be hidden.

Balotelli is also a genius, but like Cassano, he is a joke.

Is it a soil and water problem in Italy?

...

...

A week later, the thirty-third round of Serie A.

The first focus of this game is the showdown between Juventus and AC Milan.

The two sides fought hard for the top four in the league.

But unfortunately, Ancelotti's team failed to have the last laugh on the road. Although they were behind 0-1, they successfully reversed with the big Inzaghi's brace, but then Salihamidzic Two goals in a row.

In the end, AC Milan lost 2-3 away to Juventus.

Ancelotti's team has a very slim chance of reaching the top four.

…

Naples is sitting at home against Atalanta.

Before the game, some media broke the news that Gao Shen was once close to coaching Atlanta, and he felt a little bit close.

Atlanta adopts a four-four-two parallel stance on the road, and the overall focus is on defense.

Obviously, the head coach Del Neri is also quite afraid of the advanced Naples.

The two sides played zero-to-zero in the first half, but in the second half, Napoli invested more on the offensive end.

First Hamsik scored a goal, and three minutes later, Pellet assisted Callejon and then scored another victory.

In the end, Naples defeated Atalanta 2-0 at home.

…

Inter Milan is the finale, at home against Fiorentina.

The two sides also shook hands in the first half, but the goals of Cambiasso and Balotelli, who returned from injury in the second half, helped Inter Milan beat Fiorentina 2-0 and scored three points again.

After winning two consecutive rounds, Balotelli scored in two consecutive rounds, and this talented teenager became famous.

At the same time, Mancini's team finally stabilized.

Everyone can see that Inter Milan's performance has gradually stabilized after the wounded gradually returned.

Although he still hasn't played a satisfyingly strong force, it is not a problem to beat his opponent steadily.

But it is a pity that Napoli's lead is already clear.

In the words of Gazzetta dello Sport: "If Mancini's team came out of this state early, the championship would not have lost the suspense so early, and Mancini would not have suffered so much criticism and blame for it."

But what if in this world?

...

...

On the evening of April 16, the Coppa Italia semi-final.

Naples are at home against Fiorentina.

In the second round of the match between the two sides, Napoli defeated Fiorentina 2-0 at home.

Prandelli also learned the lessons of that game. When visiting the San Paolo Stadium, he adopted a more secure three-back play and faced Napoli in a four-three-one-two formation.

This made the game very stalemate.

The Viola under Prandelli was young but talented.

Young players such as Montolivo, Pazzini, Kuzmanovic and Osvaldo have all gained a firm foothold this season, and under Prandelli's training, they have gradually become the backbone of the team.

In addition, there are powerful stars such as Mutu, Vieri and French goalkeeper Frey.

This Fiorentina can be ranked fifth in this season's Serie A for a long time, and its strength is evident.

Even, Prandelli and his team are ambitious to go further in the standings and rush into the top four.

Fiorentina held on tight, allowing Napoli's attack to fail time and time again, despite Napoli's main force and creating a threatening attack from the start.

The real turning point came in the second half.

In the 65th minute, after Napoli completed a steal in the frontcourt, Cavani succeeded in stealing the ball and passed it back to Rakitic. Gu Si

After the Croatian midfielder intervened to stop the ball, a sudden shot from the outside of the penalty area pierced the goal of Fiorentina and opened the scoring for Naples, 1-0!

This goal caused some confusion in Fiorentina. Just one minute later, Fiorentina attacked too much. After David Luiz intercepted the ball, he quickly sent a long pass.

Di Maria caught up along the left side at a very fast speed, stopped the ball and entered the penalty area. When facing goalkeeper Frey's attack, he decisively picked a pass to the right, Sanchez rushed over and easily pushed the empty goal and succeeded. Another game for Naples.

Two to zero!

After that, the two sides completely let go, setting off a confrontational battle, frequently creating opportunities.

In the 78th minute, Cavani stopped the pass from Parejo in the top area of ​​the penalty area, turned around and shot a furious shot, which was worthy of scoring the upper right corner of the Fiorentina goal.

This is a dead end in an absolute sense, and there is nothing Frey can do about it!

Three to zero!

But before the end of the game, in the 86th minute, Fiorentina counterattacked, Mutu sent a low pass, Pacini hit a volley with his left foot, Handanovic made a save, but the ball hit He hit the inside of the post and bounced into the Naples goal.

One to three!

Pacini's goal kept Fiorentina's hopes of promotion.

But it's just hope.

…

While Naples beat Fiorentina 3-1 at home, Inter Milan took on Roma away.

In the first half, Mex used a corner kick to give Roma a head start.

After changing sides and fighting again in the second half, Vucinic assisted Perotta in the 54th minute and scored another victory.

Spalletti's team did their best to be able to participate in the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, and strive to win the trophy at their home.

Inter Milan is also not to be outdone.

Mancini gave up Ibrahimovic this game, but reused Suazzo and Balotelli.

In the 60th minute, Portuguese midfielder Pele, who came off the bench, scored a goal for Inter Milan.

After that, the two sides came and went, but neither of them could score again.

In the end, Inter Milan lost to Rome 1-2 away.

But Pele's goal kept Inter hope alive.

Mancini also repeatedly stressed after the game that after returning to the San Diego Stadium, Inter Milan will advance to the final.

...

...

This weekend, the thirty-fourth round of Serie A.

Due to the deadly fight against Fiorentina in the middle of the week, Gao Shen rotated the team's lineup.

In the away game against Turin, Napoli's defense made mistakes. Domic and Garrick fought for a long time. Two mistakes made Naples concede two consecutive goals in the first half.

Although Napoli struggled to catch up in the second half and Mertens scored a goal, it was ultimately difficult to save the game.

One to two, Naples lost away.

…

Thanks to a small victory by Inter Milan, they managed to recover three points.

After the round, Napoli's lead was cut from seven to four.

With four rounds remaining in the league, the championship has once again been in suspense.

But Gao Shen publicly stated at the post-match press conference that there was no so-called suspense at all.

"From the moment we were seven points ahead, the championship was decided!"

...

...

A week later, Naples regrouped and made a great effort to beat Siena 3-0 at home, and won a hearty and exciting victory. UU Reading disappointed all those who guessed that Naples would decline before the game. .

At the same time, Inter Milan's resurgence of the championship dream died again.

Inter Milan beat Cagliari 2-1 with goals from Cruz and Materazzi at home.

Mancini's side continued to chase Napoli in the standings and did not give up.

...

...

On May 4th, in the thirty-sixth round of Serie A, Naples challenged Parma away.

The two sides also have deep grievances. As early as last season in Serie B, Naples defeated Parma, which made this traditional Serie A team lose face.

Now, the two sides meet again in Serie A. The Parma coach has become the former Inter Milan coach Cooper. Knowing that Napoli will be distracted by the Coppa Italia in midweek, Parma is determined to drag the game into a tough fight.

In the 23rd minute, Lucarelli assisted Boudin and opened the scoring for Parma.

But then, Vidal's goal equalized for Naples.

After that, the two sides played full of gunpowder, and the referee also took out cards continuously.

Parma midfielder Mariga was sent off with a red card before the end of the first half.

After changing sides in the second half, Pellet successfully reversed the score for Naples.

But four minutes after the reversal, Nainggolan clashed with Parma defender Falcone, and both were sent off with red cards.

Four minutes later, Gasparoni was also sent off.

In the end, Napoli reversed Parma 2-1 with goals from Vidal and Pellet.

But four yellow cards, four red cards, also made the game special.

…

A day later, Inter Milan away to AC Milan.

This is not only the Milan derby, but also the last battle for Inter Milan to compete for the Serie A championship.