After signing with AC Milan, I will be the king of football!

Chapter 1729: Chapter 469: Guardiola’s Alchemy Box

”I tell you, Huang Kaiwen’s playing really sucks today. Up to now, he’s only got one goal and one assist. Feels like he’s really declining.”

”Yeah, his first shot even hit the post and bounced back before it went in.”

”Isn’t that just like Bonera’s goal? Except Bonera’s was for Manchester United, against his own goal.”

”Got it, selling Bonera to Manchester United was just to weaken a UEFA Champions League rival, playing the undercover role at crucial moments. Let’s see if Sir Alex has the courage to use Bonera when they meet Manchester United in the Champions League.”

Guardiola thought for a moment but still didn’t let the players warm up.

The second half had just started a little while ago, and he wanted to wait a bit longer.

Guardiola called Rakitic over to the sideline.

Rakitic hesitantly asked, ”Coach, is there something wrong with how I’m playing?”

The lost goal in the first half was directly related to him.

”No.”

Guardiola put his arm around Rakitic’s shoulder and said, ”In a while, swap positions with Ramos. Let him play center-back, and you go to the flanks; this way you’ll be more familiar. Tell him not to push forward too much. In the middle, he just needs to be a passing option, no need for him to advance so far forward with long passes.”

”Alright, coach.”

Rakitic nodded.

But he felt a bit bitter inside.

Would switching positions make Ramos stay in position anyway?

It would be better to have him play in the middle; at least he’d be closer to the goal. Going to the flanks and defending the penalty area would be tough.

Seeing Rakitic’s unhappy face, Guardiola said, ”Ivan, I’ve always thought you’re very promising; you’ll be an important player for Milan. I need you to take on more responsibility. Although you’ve been at Milan for a short time, I think you can definitely be Kevin’s successor and the next captain. This is the time to perform, show the team that you can play well in any position!”

”I understand, coach!”

Rakitic nodded vigorously.

Although Guardiola’s words were a bit exaggerated, the idea of succeeding Huang Kaiwen still made Rakitic very happy.

Taking over the armband from Maldini and taking it from Pogba are completely different scenarios.

Whether being a captain is honorable or not depends largely on who the previous captain was.

If any lousy player can be a captain, even the captain’s armband of a top club would lose its value.

Guardiola smiled and nodded as he watched Rakitic’s enthusiastic back.

He actually wanted to substitute Rakitic because he was really not comfortable playing center-back.

But now with two players injured, only one substitution left, it made the situation very passive.

Guardiola had to save the substitution for either Huang Kaiwen or another injured player.

”Pandev is warming up on the sidelines; Deschamps is ready to use the last substitution.”

”Yes, he wants to keep strengthening the attack. Deschamps is really going all out today. He’d rather risk losing by more to possibly equalize or even turn the game around.”

”Now the camera is on Inter Milan’s legendary forward Zamorano. The 1+8 jersey back then was quite a sight. He probably wishes he could get on the field to help Inter Milan score.”

Inter Milan, restarting play, seemed a bit hesitant.

Deschamps’ tactic essentially was counterattack defense.

Guardiola was the one who preferred possession.

But Milan was quite withdrawn today, scoring entirely through counterattacks.

Inter really couldn’t find any opportunities.

Sneijder, holding the ball, saw Milan’s half filled with players and had to pass it back again.

Stanković received the ball and immediately turned to pass to the left to Coutinho, who accelerated with the ball forward.

His nimble footwork was typical of Brazilian players; after getting past Kaka, Gattuso hesitated a bit.

Because Sneijder from the center also moved forward.

”Go directly for him, he’s right-footed!”

Huang Kaiwen shouted as he chased back.

Coutinho’s weaker foot was quite poor, and he wasn’t strong in confrontations either.

Just right for Gattuso who liked physical challenges.

Hearing Huang Kaiwen, Gattuso charged up decisively.

Coutinho, constantly maneuvering the ball with the outside of his foot, panicked. He didn’t expect Gattuso to be so decisive, and after Gattuso got close, Coutinho had a hard time even trying to turn around to pass back.

Gattuso, with low gravity and quick movements.

Just as Coutinho turned, Gattuso had already used both his hands and feet to block Coutinho’s passing path.

Coutinho tried to turn again for a direct breakthrough, but Gattuso was much more agile than he imagined. With Rakitic, playing as a side back, coming up for support, Coutinho could only kick the ball toward Gattuso’s body.

The ball hit Gattuso’s thigh and went out of bounds.

Gattuso gave a thumbs-up to Huang Kaiwen.

He wasn’t very familiar with this newcomer from Inter, but seeing his small steps with the ball, he naturally thought of players like Messi and Robben.

Unexpectedly, his dribbling was far worse.

Huang Kaiwen waved with a smile.

Coutinho was a typical system player; he had to have the team built around him to perform at a high level.

Though all left-sided, Yellow Ball King was different.

He was not like James, Little Bird Coutinho, or those guys, lacking obvious weaknesses in confrontations, and with a high willingness to cooperate, so far Huang Kaiwen had not faced particularly tough times.

Sannetti rushed directly to the front, leaning against Huang Kaiwen.

Huang Kaiwen asked helplessly, ”Javier, the ball is over there, is this necessary?”

”But if I don’t mark you, the ball will soon be at your feet.”

Sannetti said, putting his hand on Huang Kaiwen’s waist, fearing he might start off suddenly.