Chapter 150 Announcement

When Zhang Jun returned to Milan, he spent a day adjusting to the time difference and threw himself back into training. He seemed no different from usual, except for being a little quieter. His teammates no longer talked about his father, afraid of upsetting him.

In the match that AC Milan played in his absence, they defeated the newly promoted Vicenza team 4-1 away from home and were already ranked first in the league standings, leading Juventus by virtue of goal difference.

Filippo Inzaghi came on in the last ten minutes of that match, symbolically announcing his return from injury. He did not score a goal, did not have a shot, and his performance was mediocre. Everyone was still looking forward to Zhang Jun's return, because the next league match would be a very, very important match, which would attract worldwide attention. This was the world-famous Milan Derby: AC Milan would face Inter Milan at San Siro.

Zhang Jun was also eager to get started, wanting to use a goal in this important match to comfort his father's spirit in heaven.

However, Ancelotti was hesitant to let Zhang Jun start. Inzaghi had recovered from his injury, but was not in good form; Zhang Jun's father had just passed away, and he had missed a match, so no one knew how he was doing. In the end, he had to turn to the Milan Lab for help. After a comprehensive examination of Zhang Jun, the Milan Lab told Ancelotti that Zhang Jun's physical condition was very good and there was no problem with him playing.

The authority of the Milan Lab was almost unquestionable, so Ancelotti made up his mind to put Zhang Jun in the starting lineup for the Milan Derby.

Zhang Jun was very happy to be able to start in such a match, but his agent, Hua Fang, brought him bad news.

"Did you have a conflict with reporters at the Capital International Airport?"

Zhang Jun nodded, knowing which matter Hua-jie was talking about.

Hua Fang sighed, "You are a public figure now. Do you know that every move you make represents your public image? What's more, you are now the spokesperson for the Youth Foundation. You are a role model for 300 million young people in China. How can you take actions of hitting people?"

Zhang Jun frowned, "I didn't hit him, I just pushed him..."

"But you also cursed a very nasty swear word, right?"

Zhang Jun remembered the phrase "Gan ni ta ma de zazhong," (fuck your mother, you bastard) and nodded in acknowledgment.

Hua Fang was almost driven crazy, "How can you just spout out such vulgarities? Good heavens! You never care about those media, but do you know that the domestic media is in an uproar?"

Zhang Jun shook his head.

"Now there are roughly three situations: those who support you, those who condemn you, and those who are watching the excitement. And currently, those who condemn you have the upper hand. Your incident has even made it onto mainstream non-sports media."

Zhang Jun was a little surprised, "It's not that serious, is it?"

"Haven't any media called to ask for an interview with you?"

Zhang Jun shook his head, "I didn't turn on that phone." The "that phone" that Zhang Jun was talking about was the one he bought in the Netherlands at the beginning, and later the number was gradually known by many reporters, so it basically became a work interview contact phone. At that time, Zhang Jun had a good relationship with the media, and this phone rang many times. Later, he fell out with the media, so he rarely used it and switched to a new phone, and only a very few people knew the number.

"Anyway, I've received a lot of requests to interview you, but I've turned them all down. I don't think you're in a good state to accept interviews right now."

"What's wrong, Hua-jie?" Zhang Jun heard Hua Fang's tone was very serious.

"The reporter who was pushed by you and the newspaper he works for have already sued you in court in Beijing, demanding that you formally apologize to them, and demanding compensation from you, including medical expenses, lost work expenses, compensation for photographic equipment, and mental distress, totaling 2.61 million RMB." After Hua Fang calmly reported this number, Zhang Jun jumped up excitedly, "You're joking!"

"The court hopes that we and them can reach an agreement through negotiation, an out-of-court settlement..."

"Impossible!" Zhang Jun waved his hand and interrupted Hua Fang's words, "They are clearly trying to extort money, to blackmail me, to make a fuss over a minor issue! I don't think that pushing him once and cursing him once requires me to compensate him 2.61 million. If he thinks his mental state has been damaged, I still want to sue him for damaging my mental state!" His father had just passed away, and Zhang Jun was in a bad mood, and someone ran into the muzzle of his gun.

"I think it's more likely that they're using you to hype themselves up," Hua Fang said, "So my suggestion is that you issue a statement to apologize and compensate them with some money. Otherwise, if they hype it up, the ones who will ultimately benefit the most will definitely be them."

"No! I admit that I was emotionally agitated at the time, a little impulsive. But I don't think there's anything wrong with me pushing him and cursing him. Everyone present heard how he asked me the question, that should definitely not have been asked in that situation! I can compensate him for his medical expenses, compensate him for a camera, compensate him for his lost work expenses, but I won't pay a penny more for other expenses! What mental damage has he suffered? He's simply doing it on purpose!" Zhang Jun walked back and forth excitedly in front of Hua Fang. "Hua-jie, if they file a lawsuit, very good, I will accompany them to the end! If the result is not acceptable to me, I will appeal! I will appeal all the way to the Supreme People's Court of China!" These last words were very childish, Zhang Jun was sulking.

Since Zhang Jun didn't turn on his phone, many reporters couldn't contact him, so they had to adopt a "roundabout tactic", trying to find out something from Kaka, Yang Pan, An Ke, and Li Yongle.

Under Zhang Jun's extremely bad mood, Li Yan did not have any special privileges either. If he wanted to interview, he could only interview his friends.

After hearing about this, Kaka smiled at Li Yan and said, "That reporter is really lucky that Zhang Jun only pushed him once. If it were me, I would have given him a hard kick."

An Ke, the main goalkeeper of Dortmund, even shouted loudly in a manner that was very inconsistent with his status, "I've seen shamelessness, but I've never seen such shamelessness! They're just hyping it up!"

Yang Pan then said, "I respect Zhang Jun's decision. There's no need to be polite to this kind of scoundrel." Even Ancelotti shook his head after hearing the reporter's retelling of the incident, "I understand Zhang Jun's mood at the time very well. That reporter doesn't know how to talk."

The support of friends and coaches did not make Zhang Jun much easier. On the eve of an important match, his anxiety actually had a tendency to worsen. Because the reporters couldn't get through to his mobile phone, he still had to come to training. So many Chinese reporters could always be seen outside the training ground, surrounding and intercepting Zhang Jun.

Hua Fang told him that she, as his agent, would handle this matter in full, and that before her official reply came out, he should not talk about it, so as not to be seized upon by some people with ulterior motives. So, facing the reporters' encirclement, he had no choice but to run away each time in a very ungentlemanly manner.

Under these circumstances, everyone seemed to have forgotten that the city derby with Inter Milan was in two days.

Seeing the attention Zhang Jun was getting now, Ancelotti had considered whether or not to let him start. But in the end, he still chose to believe in Zhang Jun and left him in the starting striker position, partnering with Andriy Shevchenko.

They would also compete against Inter Milan's trident composed of Vieri, Adriano, and Martins.

Ilary Blasi, the beautiful host of Sky TV, said in her program that Zhang Jun is now a "focal point", with troubles off the field and having to prove himself again on the field. What happens off the field will affect what happens on the field, and what happens on the field will also affect what happens off the field, so it depends on how he handles it.

But Zhang Jun did not admit this statement.

"I will score, no doubt." Facing Andrea Cagliani, a reporter from the Italian *Milan Sports*, Zhang Jun said very seriously. Cagliani asked many questions, but Zhang Jun only said this one sentence. He didn't want to say anything more, and would show them everything on the field.

In fact, only Zhang Jun knew how important this match on October 28 was to him. Scoring in the Milan Derby would greatly consolidate his position in the team, which goes without saying. In addition, it was also a goal to comfort his father's spirit in heaven. Another point was that Sophie's birthday was exactly during the period when his father passed away, and everyone was in no mood to celebrate. Sophie didn't even mention it. But Zhang Jun still remembered, and now he wanted to use a goal to celebrate Sophie's birthday. In a match like the Milan Derby, he could no longer arrogantly announce that he would score a hat-trick. Scoring one goal was indeed the most realistic thing to do.

Based on the above three points, Zhang Jun had to score this goal.

Yang Pan sat in the living room, watching Zhang Jun busily packing his equipment early in the morning, and clicked his tongue, "Zhang Jun, the match is at 9:30 tonight."

"I know, I know. It's just that I can't calm down now, so I have to find something to do for myself." Zhang Jun opened the packed bag again, took out the things inside one by one, changed the order and method, and put them back in again.

Yang Pan rolled his eyes, "If you really have that interest, I suggest you clean the room, and wash the bed sheets, quilt covers, and curtains. Then take the bedding out to dry... Oh, and! Our two cars should also be wiped. In fact, life is not boring, it's just that you are not good at discovering it."

Zhang Jun immediately shook his head like a rattle, "I won't do it! It's too tiring!"

"Then you should take a break, I'm tired of watching!" Yang Pan took advantage of Zhang Jun's inattention and snatched his bag over, "Sit!" He patted the sofa.

Since the bag was snatched, Zhang Jun had no choice but to sit down obediently.

"Are you nervous? Is this the first time you've played in such an important match?" Yang Pan asked.

Zhang Jun nodded.

"In fact, you don't need to put so much pressure on yourself. I can understand your mood now, but what I want to tell you is: when you go on the field, forget all the extra things and just think about the match." Yang Pan knew that Zhang Jun's recent situation was very bad. The court in Beijing had formally accepted the newspaper's lawsuit request, and Hua Fang had also flown back to China to hire a lawyer for Zhang Jun to fight the lawsuit. His father had just passed away, and the lawsuit was starting here, which was really annoying.

Zhang Jun nodded, not saying anything. But Yang Pan didn't know if Zhang Jun had really listened.

This is one of the most watched city derbies in the world. For every match, television media from more than 100 countries and regions around the world broadcast it. The San Siro stadium, which can accommodate 85,000 people, is packed to capacity. The colored smoke produced by the fireworks set off by the fans covers the entire stadium, like a thick fog.

The Italian Football Association will always put this match after 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, because the best is always saved for last.

This is the Milan Derby in Italy.

In this city, two colors are eternal themes: red and blue. Half is flame, half is ocean.

The Milan Derby is attracting much attention due to the intricate relationship between AC Milan and Inter Milan. The two clubs are both opposed to and dependent on each other. They are not like Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​nor are they like the Glasgow Rangers and Celtic, hating each other for a hundred years. In fact, they have a good relationship, and there are often some player exchanges between the two teams.

There is a very interesting thing. The great captain of AC Milan, Franco Baresi, initially chose Inter Milan, not AC Milan. It was only because Inter Milan didn't want him that he switched to AC Milan, but instead became the leader of Milan and played for AC Milan until now - after retiring, he entered the club's senior management and served as the coach of the Milan youth team. And Inter Milan's standard-bearer, Giuseppe Bergomi, initially chose AC Milan to start his football career, but AC Milan didn't like him, so he turned to Inter Milan. Unexpectedly, he stayed until he retired and became Inter Milan's iconic figure from the 1980s to the 1990s.

It can also be seen from this that the relationship between the two clubs is very subtle.

Even among the current AC Milan players, there are two main midfielders who came from Inter Milan, namely Pirlo and Seedorf.

Zhang Jun saw that Pirlo was more excited than usual in the locker room, and he could understand Pirlo's mood at this time. It's a bit like Real Madrid's standard-bearer Raul's feelings for Atletico Madrid. Pirlo grew up in the Inter Milan youth team and became famous in the Italian National Youth Team. At that time, he played as an attacking midfielder, which made many experts very optimistic. However, Inter Milan traditionally does not value attacking midfielders. Pirlo rarely gets to play in Inter Milan. He was once loaned to Brescia. When he returned to Inter Milan, he realized that there was completely no place for him here. Just when people were lamenting that another rising star had fallen before it rose, he went to AC Milan, but AC Milan's midfield was also full of talents, Seedorf, Rivaldo, Rui Costa, plus himself, four number 10s could all play as attacking midfielders. However, Ancelotti was very smart and let Pirlo change to playing as a defensive midfielder. Pirlo, who changed from an attacking midfielder to a defensive midfielder, fully utilized his good overall view, accurate long passes, and ability to grasp the rhythm of the match, and jumped to become one of the most popular defensive midfielders in Italy.

Despite achieving great success at AC Milan, he still cannot forgive Inter Milan, just as Raul can never forgive Hill for disbanding the Atletico Madrid youth team. Therefore, he is very motivated every time he participates in the Milan Derby at AC Milan.

Zhang Jun shook his head as he looked at Pirlo, and then went to busy himself. Isn't he full of energy today?

Li Yan and Cagliani sat side by side, waiting for the match to begin in the press box.

The stands were already full of spectators. The AC Milan and Inter Milan fans' stands faced each other from afar. Fireworks had already been lit there, and the red, green, and blue flames were very prominent in the stands, while a large amount of colored smoke slowly gathered and gradually covered the sky above San Siro.

"This is the Milan Derby!" Li Yan couldn't help but sigh.

This is the Milan Derby!

Zhang Jun lowered his head and ran into the San Siro stadium. Thunderous cheers rang in his ears.

This kind of fanatical atmosphere made Zhang Jun truly feel like he was in a top club. This was the kind of match he had dreamed of!

Zhang Jun stood next to Kaka, looked up at the sky, "Dad, you're watching me from above, right."

"This match is very important to Zhang Jun. Currently suffering from media criticism, he has just lost his father, and he urgently needs to prove himself in this match. I don't think there is a better stage than the Milan Derby. Hmm, the referee blows the whistle, and the match begins!"

Sophie curled up on the sofa in the living room, watching the live broadcast of this important eighth round of Serie A match from Sichuan Sports Channel.

It was now 2:30 a.m. on Monday, and she had to go to work in the morning.

"Dear viewers, the Milan Derby that we are broadcasting for you has kicked off. The Italian Football Association, for the convenience of television broadcasting, has put this most watched match on the European football scene this week at the end, making it the finale. But this has made our Chinese fans suffer, having to stay up late to watch the match on Monday morning and then go to work. However, I believe that the two teams in Milan will definitely present us with a wonderful match. The focal point of this match is Zhang Jun, who has just finished dealing with his father's funeral. After missing a match, what kind of performance will he have in his first Milan Derby?"

Just as the commentator was talking non-stop, AC Milan had already launched its first offensive, reaching the front of Inter Milan's penalty area.

Kaka took the ball in the center, and Inter Milan's main defensive midfielder, Cristiano Zanetti, closely marked him, not allowing him to pass or shoot the ball comfortably.

Helpless, Kaka had to pass the ball back to Pirlo.

Pirlo took the ball and looked up to find someone. Inter Milan was worried about his long pass, so the defense line immediately moved forward slightly, preparing to create an offside.

But Pirlo just passed the ball to the right back Cafu, who had come up to assist. Just after Cafu received the ball, he suddenly kicked a diagonal long pass from 40 meters away from the goal, sending the ball to Inter Milan's penalty area!

At the moment when Cafu crossed, Inter Milan's defense line moved forward as a whole, and Shevchenko was immediately in an offside position. At the same time, Materazzi raised his hand to signal Shevchenko's offside.

But at this moment, Zhang Jun suddenly rushed out of the crowd and rushed to the front of the goal, a late insertion! He accelerated while running, jumped high, and the football flew over just right, a diving header!

A rebounding ball, the football hit the ground, and then bounced up and flew towards the goal!

Toldo had already jumped up at the moment Zhang Jun headed the ball. He thought of the general direction of Zhang Jun's header, but he didn't expect that Zhang Jun would head a bouncing ball that hit the ground, which caught him a little off guard.

The cheers of San Siro had already sounded in advance.

But Zhang Jun headed the ball a little too straight. After Toldo jumped up in place, almost instinctively, he stretched out his left hand, flicked his fingertip, and pushed the incoming ball out of the crossbar!

The ball didn't go in!

Just a corner kick!

Zhang Jun looked at the football brushing past the crossbar and waved his hand in annoyance. He headed the bouncing ball because he wanted to catch Toldo off guard. He didn't expect that the 34-year-old Toldo would still be so flexible, blocking his close-range shot with just his fingertip.

The cheers of San Siro turned into sighs in an instant. And Inter Milan's fans shouted excitedly, "Saint Toldo! Saint Toldo!"

After the corner kick was taken by Pirlo, it was directly cleared by Inter Milan's defender and did not pose any threat.

Zhang Jun turned his head to look at Toldo in front of the goal, and then ran back.

Dad, it seems that the goal will have to wait a little longer.

When the ball that Zhang Jun headed hit the ground and bounced towards the goal, Sophie thought it would definitely go in and raised her hands to cheer. But immediately Toldo made her regretfully slap the sofa armrest hard, it was actually saved!

Seeing Zhang Jun clasping his hands together and shaking them helplessly a few times, Sophie knew that he must be very regretful in his heart. If he could score a goal at the beginning, everything would become wonderful.

Li Yongle, in the player box at San Siro, breathed a sigh of relief. If AC Milan scored a goal first, the following matches would be difficult to play. He understood Zhang Jun's mood very well, but this did not mean that he could accept Inter Milan's defeat as a result.

AC Milan is currently leading in the standings, and Inter Milan is also following closely - only three points behind, ranking third. So this match is one that they cannot lose no matter what.

Under the year of coaching by the young coach Roberto Mancini, Inter Milan finally has its own mature style and style of play. So far, the things that Inter Milan has shown are increasingly convincing that this season, they are truly capable of competing for the Serie A title.

As a member of Inter Milan's first team, Li Yongle was ecstatic for every victory of the team. Even if it was his good friend Zhang Jun, he did not want him to score in this match.

Now Inter Milan is a team, not a group of stars.

Inter Milan quickly launched an offensive, implementing a "retaliatory blow" against AC Milan.

Stankovic passed the ball on the left wing to the Brazilian striker Adriano in front. After the latter took two steps, he suddenly took a long shot from 27 meters away!

The football was fast and tricky, and AC Milan's Brazilian goalkeeper Dida could not save it, and could only watch helplessly as the football quickly swept past his fingertips.

AC Milan was shocked, but the football slammed hard on the top of the crossbar, bounced high, and fell out of the baseline.

In just five minutes, the feelings and expressions of the AC Milan fans and the Inter Milan fans were reversed.

"Great! In just six minutes after the start, both sides have had a threatening shot! Both teams are very familiar with each other, and they are not polite. They came up and started fighting with real swords and guns! The fans who stay up late are really lucky, this match will be very, very exciting!" The commentator on the sports channel said with a slightly excited tone.

Sophie on the sofa couldn't help but feel a jolt. She was now trembling slightly all over, with excitement, tension, worry, and anticipation, all kinds of feelings. The fanatical atmosphere of the Milan Derby, even through television broadcasts, allowed Sophie, who was thousands of miles away, to feel it clearly.

Watching Adriano hit the ball on the crossbar, Li Yan also slapped the railing in front of him hard, as regretful as all the Inter Milan fans. Although he had more contact with AC Milan due to work needs, from a personal point of view, he supported Inter Milan.

Cagliani was a red and black fan, and Li Yan was a blue and black fan.

In his heart, the most perfect ending for this match was for Zhang Jun to score a goal as he wished, proving to people that there was no problem with his state. But Inter Milan scored two goals and won 2:1.

Of course, the process should be tortuous, ups and downs, and suspenseful, so that most people would think that Inter Milan's victory was just good luck.

But for the fans of both sides, the result of such a match is far more important than any ups and downs in the process.

Both sides had a threatening shot, and the fans of both sides had a moment of expectation and regret, and the atmosphere at the scene was ignited at once.

Cagliani turned his head and shrugged at Li Yan beside him, "This is the Milan Derby!"