Chapter Fifty-Eighth

Chapter Fifty-Eighth: New Tyrants

No one can stop this crazy trip to Atlanta!

This was the headline on the front page of Gazzetta dello Sport the next day, and the accompanying picture was of Degan embracing Belem on the edge of the stands after scoring the first goal. The high-profile Milan Derby has been selectively forgotten by people.

A draw without a goal, there is really nothing to say, the process of the game was extremely dull, the only bright spot was Kaka, he had a long-distance attack during the game, and was finally tripped by Materazzi in the penalty area, it's a pity The referee on duty refused to award a penalty kick.

Atlanta, which defeated Parma, continues to rank second in the standings and maintains pressure on Juventus. Now that the nine rounds are over, the difference in points between the two sides is only two points.

Everyone felt that if Degan was suspended for three games due to the previous violence in the training ground, perhaps the top spot in the league would now be occupied by Atlanta.

Of course there are some exceptions, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is the second in the scorer list. He also scored six goals in the nine rounds of the league. At the beginning, he said that he would use two games to catch up with Digan's goals. , He doesn't mention it anymore now, besides, it's a slap in the face. The gap of twelve goals is not so easy to chase, especially in Serie A, which is famous for its defense.

But this doesn't seem to affect his sense of superiority at all. The team he played for is a giant in Serie A, and the club where Degan is in is really grassroots.

"Atalanta will affect Juventus' dominance in Serie A? This statement is stupid. I don't feel any pressure now. Is Atalanta strong? Last time they stole a victory at the Alpi Stadium, It's all their luck, I think if you give them a hundred more chances, they won't be able to do it again! I don't worry about them threatening us at all now, we are Juventus and our goal is to win the championship , What about them? When did you hear that Atlanta was going to fight for the championship! As for the number of goals you get, mature players care more about the team's victory, only those stupid boys will score themselves all day Putting the ball on his lips, showing off everywhere, and he can score so many goals, it is entirely based on sacrificing the interests of the team! The Atlanta team is working hard to help him score goals, so it is naturally much easier!"

When Zlatan Ibrahimovic said these words, the first feeling was that he could not eat grapes. He said grapes were sour. Everyone knew that in Juventus' offensive system, the first choice was Trezeguet, and the second choice was Trezeguet. Is Del Piero, Ibrahimovic? He is far from qualified.

He emphasized that Degan didn't even bother to respond, but under the pressure of reporters, Degan, who was in a good mood recently, rarely gave face: "Every word that the Swede said seems to me like a The dog who was defeated, when he ran away, barked, it was meaningless at all. If you want to prove that he is better, you can compete on the field, but I don't think he has the guts. From the beginning, to the end Now, he's just a stupid barking dog hiding behind Juventus' huge body!"

What is a war of words? Just look at Digan. It is enough to say something like this. If you are not convinced, try it. Why so much nonsense!

After defeating Parma, Atlanta has been dubbed the title of Young Guard by media reporters. The young players in the team have been touted all the time, but they are not just satisfied with the title of Young Guard. There is a higher pursuit. Didn't "Gazzetta dello Sport" say that their journey this season is a crazy journey?

Then they will naturally go crazy to the end, it is the critical time, how can Degan have the mood to talk to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Before the start of the next round of the league, Atlanta still has a Coppa Italia game to play, but the second round seems to have completely lost its meaning. Although Pescara is at home, it is obviously too difficult for them to beat Atlanta by eight goals at home. people.

Degan did not enter the lineup in this game, and Albertini also sat on the bench with him. Despite this, Atlanta still won an away game and successfully advanced to the top 16.

Pacini scored twice in the game, and the Croatian boy Boudin also scored a goal. The final score was fixed at 4:1!

Atlanta will face the Serie A giants Lazio in the next round. Although the current situation of Lazio and Parma is somewhat similar, a strong team is a strong team. The overall strength of the round is still two blocks away from Atlanta.

In the tenth round of the league, Atlanta was a guest at Genoa to challenge Sampdoria, the sailors. Atlanta played extremely difficult in this game, falling behind twice in the game, but finally successfully reversed.

In the 34th minute, Natalie made a header error, and Sampdoria striker Barzani stopped the ball with his left foot 17 meters in front of the goal, and immediately scored with his right foot. 1:0

The game lasted until the end of the first half before Atlanta equalized the score. Lazari made a diagonal pass from the left to the front point. Even though Digan, who followed him, stopped the ball with his left foot and quickly turned around, he leaned on the opponent's defender Falcone. Thirteen meters in front of the goal, the right-footed curve ball hit the far corner.

In the second half, they changed sides and fought again. In the 57th minute, Sampdoria returned a pass from the left. Volpi rubbed the instep of his right foot obliquely in front of the penalty area. It was still Bazzani who rushed to the top in front of the goal. Although the goalkeeper Taibi reached out to block After a while, but still unable to prevent the ball from entering the net, he scored twice, which also allowed Bazzani to surpass Ibrahimovic and rise to the second place in the scorer list.

Of course Atlanta was not reconciled to failure. In the following time, they launched a wild attack around Sampdoria's penalty area. In the 73rd minute, Atlanta launched a counterattack from the left. Digan received the header and killed all the way to the goal. In the cross from the bottom line, Pacini's header bounced into the net, 2:2.

After equalizing the score, the Atlanta team made persistent efforts. In less than four minutes, Montolivo scored with the instep from the outside of the center. Digan volleyed from the right side of the penalty area and scored from the far corner, leading the score to 3:2 and scoring Personal twentieth league goal of the season.

In the 89th minute, Degan shot with his right foot in front of the goal and passed through Castellini's crotch. He was about to score, but was blocked by goalkeeper Antonioli. Croatian striker Boudin, who came off the bench, scored with a supplementary shot. , 4:2.

In the eleventh round of the league, Atalanta played at home against Chievo. Mandolini basically maintained the lineup of last weekend, but replaced Zenoni with a strained thigh muscle with Gaultieri.

The two sides staged a wonderful confrontation at the Blue Italian Stadium. In the second minute, Brigi passed through the Atalanta defense with a direct pass. Thiriboki missed it cleverly, but Cosato's shot was slightly higher. .

After just one minute, Atlanta returned the favor. Degan took the ball in the middle and split the side. Montolivo volleyed with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area and fired an anti-aircraft gun.

In the 10th minute, Tiriboki brought down Brigi in front of the penalty area, Baronio took a precise free kick, but Cosato's header fell right into Taibi's arms.

In the 26th minute, Atlanta got a good chance. Albertini stopped the ball from the right and made a pass. Degan's textbook right-footed volley shot was resolved by Marchegiani.

Albertini took a corner kick, Sala headed back, and Pacini followed up with a header that went wide of the right post.

In the 35th minute, Dana fouled Lazzari, Albertini took a free kick, Digan headed into the penalty area, and was about to get into the goal, but was destroyed by Manderley.

At the end of the halftime game, both sides failed to score a goal. After the start of the second half, the situation of the game was still anxious.

In the second minute of the second half, Natalie fouled Tiriboki, and Baronio took a free kick and was blocked from the bottom line.

In the 64th minute, Baronio made the ball, and Brigi followed up with a left-footed shot that missed the left post.

In the 68th minute, Montolivo passed the ball, Marchegiani attacked but missed the ball, fortunately Dana tackled it in time and destroyed it.

In the 72nd minute, Albertini took a corner kick, Degan nodded forward and ferried the ball, Pacini pushed a shot into the net in front of the goal, and Atlanta led 1-0.

This score was also maintained until the end of the game. Although Digan failed to continue his good state of scoring consecutively, he contributed an assist in the game.

After the game, Mandolini also praised Degan. He believes that Degan has become more and more aware of the important role he plays in the team, not only scoring goals, but also leading the team to victory.

After this game, Atalanta will continue their Coppa Italia journey and go away to Lazio. At the beginning of the game, Degan made a long-distance attack, broke through the opponent's three players, and forced Peruzzi to make a wonderful save.

After that, Odo's free kick was blocked, and Rocky's supplementary shot was blocked by Taibi on the goal line. This is also one of the few offensive opportunities for Lazio in this game.

On the other hand, Atlanta's offense was one wave after another. Lazio's goalkeeper Peruzzi also became the busiest one on the field, continuously resolving Atlanta's shots.

But Atlanta still took the lead before the end of the first half. In the 42nd minute, Atlanta took a corner kick. The old Portuguese defender Couto blocked it, but did not kick the ball far. Digan, who followed in time, kicked furiously at the ball. Shoot and hit the ball into the goal.

After the start of the second half, Lazio, who was behind, was eager to equalize the score, but there were many mistakes. The situation on the court was still dominated by Atlanta. Finally, before the end of the game, Albertini took a long shot and then went down. a city.

After winning the first round, Atlanta rushed to Brescia non-stop. After Baggio retired, Brescia seemed to have been sucked out of its soul. This season's performance is really unsatisfactory. Famous players like Da, Di Biagio, and Adani, but after the eleventh round of the league, they are still only ranked second to last in the league.

The game was played in heavy rain. Mandolini replaced the suspended Natalie with Gonnella in this game, and partnered with Sala in the back line.

After the opening, Brescia appeared not to adapt to the rain. In the second minute, Digan was brought down by Adani, and Albertini quickly took a free kick. Oh Pacini shot with his right foot in front of the goal and missed the right post.

In the thirteenth minute, Montolivo passed the overhead ball in the middle. Digan took the ball on the left side of the penalty area and turned to get rid of Di Biagio. After Montolivo stopped the ball, he cleverly dodged the defender and shot into the upper right corner with his right foot in front of the goal. Atlanta took the lead 1:0.

Brescia launched a crazy attack after conceding the goal. In the 20th minute, Martinez took a corner kick from the left, and Caracciolo headed the goal in front of the goal. Taibi reacted very quickly to block the ball out of the bottom line.

In the 36th minute, Montolivo's shot from the front of the penalty area was blocked. Albertini met the ball 25 meters in front of the goal and shot a low shot with his right foot. The ball was blocked by Castellazzi, but the ball did not bounce far. , Digan followed up in time and shot low with his left foot in front of the goal. The ball was blocked by Castellazzi, but it still got into the goal.

Two goals behind, Brescia is also desperate, forty-first minutes, Martinez took a free kick from the left, Caracciolo headed forward and hit the goal, Taibi reacted in time and lifted the ball over the crossbar.

Atalanta continued to control the situation in the second half, and almost expanded the score in the 72nd minute. After Degan and Pacini played a wonderful cooperation, Degan took a long shot, but was saved by Castellazzi.

In the last few minutes of the game, Brescia formed a siege to the gate of Atlanta, but in the end Atlanta still maintained its lead until the end, winning seven consecutive league victories.

"Everyone can see that we are now on the right path. Everyone in the team is very united. Whether it is the main force or the substitute, everyone is working hard to create the best record in Atlanta's history!"

After this game, Degan, who was once again elected as the best player, also seemed very excited when he was interviewed.

"It's a great feeling to score goals, but I care more about the team winning. Who said that? Yes! It's the Swede, but let's be honest, I'm not copying him! "

Before leaving, Degan did not forget to play a little joke with the reporter.

After this game, Atlanta was unbelievable and rose to the top of the standings. In this round, Juventus challenged Lecce and finally got a draw. They were also overtaken by Atlanta in terms of points and fell to second place. in the position of the name.

As for AC Milan, although they successfully appeared in the UEFA Champions League group, their results in the league are unsatisfactory, and they only rank sixth in the standings.

Galliani once again sent a goodwill signal to Degan when he was interviewed in a rush after the game: "We are happy for Degan's achievements, but I hope he can wear the AC Milan shirt. robe!"

Originally, Degan's call to AC Milan seemed very indifferent. Seeing that Atlanta's record is getting better and better, it seems that it is becoming more and more difficult for Degan to return to Milan.

The league has progressed to this point, whether people admit it or not, Atlanta is worthy of the title of newly promoted powerhouse.

If they can maintain their current status, they will be at the top of the league table, wait until the winter break, and then introduce a few powerful players to supplement the thickness of the team's bench. Since then, I have never come into contact with that honor.

Mandolini is also full of pride and ambition now. At the beginning of the season, all he thought about was how to avoid relegation, but now?

Mandolini couldn't help but start fantasizing about it!

With a magic weapon like Digan in their hands, coupled with outstanding young talents such as Montolivo, Pacini, and Lazzari, plus the assistance of veterans such as Taibi, Albertini, and Sarah, they Why can't you go for it.

Of course, the first thing this needs is the support of the club. There are 38 long games in Serie A. Depending on the current lineup, once the second half of the season, injuries increase and physical problems occur, the results will definitely fluctuate. It is impossible for them Every game is counting on Degan to explode.

But the question is how to get money out of the pocket of that stingy Mr. Chairman in Atlanta?

You must know that in the summer, other teams were busy signing in, but Atlanta was tight. The only transaction that paid the transfer fee was the introduction of Rivalta. The rest were either on loan or free transfer.

With this lineup, relegation, and even striving for a good ranking are enough, but there is obviously still a long way to go to make a breakthrough.

Not only Mandolini, Degan also made suggestions to the Atlanta chairman when he was interviewed by reporters.

"Atalanta's situation is very good now. I think we should take a long-term view and achieve even better results. However, the team's current lineup is not enough to support this goal. The team's management should do something. Action."

Mandolini followed up and told reporters: "The team is striving for the greatest success, but we need more powerful players to participate. I hope that the club can make greater investment during this winter break to help the team improve. Combat power!"

It's a pity that neither the head coach Mandolini nor the team's head star Digan received the proper response to the signals they sent.

Not only that, Degan even heard the news that the club might trade Pacini to Fiorentina during this winter break.

As a super Serie A fan in his previous life, Degan certainly knew that Paccini left Atlanta this winter and moved to Fiorentina.

But now that the team's performance is so good, the club still has to rely on selling players to cash in. Degan can't help but feel angry. Just when the team needs to strengthen its strength, the club has made a self-destructive approach. This kind of short-sighted behavior How could Digan not be angry.