Chapter 634: Chapter 72: Front-Page Headlines!

FIFA Club World Cup Final

When Chen Zhong first scored with a super long shot, piercing through Inter Milan’s defense, many around the world thought that Chen Zhong winning the Ballon d’Or was as good as guaranteed.

Although there were some disadvantages in team honors, Chen Zhong’s personal performance data was impeccable.

Sassel’s miraculous shot prevented Inter Milan from conceding a third goal, theoretically, the match was not yet completely over.

They still had hope of a comeback.

But all the fans watching the match could feel that the pace was completely under Real Madrid’s control.

"Real Madrid’s attack."

"Maicon."

"Successfully intercepted the ball."

"Trying to counterattack."

"But Chen Zhong intercepted this ball."

"Sent a through pass through the center field."

"Ronaldo!"

"It’s Ronaldo again."

Chen Zhong handled the ball in the center, then delivered a through pass to Cristiano Ronaldo, who quickly took off with the ball. Under the interference from Lucio, he managed a decent quality shot.

Unfortunately, it did not challenge the goalkeeper.

In the subsequent time, Inter Milan, who were strictly defending, did not give Real Madrid any more good opportunities.

"The first half is over."

"Real Madrid enters halftime with a two-goal advantage."

"Let’s see if Inter Milan can make adjustments during the halftime break."

The halftime break quickly passed, and in the second half, Inter Milan completely reverted to the style once coached by Mourinho, while Benitez stood on the sidelines with a grim expression.

He used the first half’s defeat to prove just what his "level" was.

"Inter Milan’s attack."

"60 minutes into the match."

"Maicon charges straight through, breaking into the right side of the penalty area."

"A beautiful one-two combination."

"Diagonal pass."

"Milito!"

"Sadly, it missed the goal."

Milito regretfully clutched his hair, while Benitez muttered on the sideline, clearly dissatisfied with Milito’s wasted chance.

In the 70th minute of the match, he substituted Milito.

After Milito left the field, substitute Biabiany didn’t make Inter Milan’s offense more ferocious, rather, Real Madrid gradually picked up the pace.

In the 75th minute, Kaka broke into the penalty area, but Sassel’s position was excellent, giving Kaka no good angle to shoot at, and the ball was easily caught by Sassel.

Real Madrid completely sealed the victory in the 80th minute of the match. Chen Zhong received the ball and lofted a graceful pass over the top.

Kaka controlled the ball perfectly, bypassing the goalkeeper Sassel, and then scored easily into an open goal.

Eventually, Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 3-0, successfully climbing to the top of the FIFA Club World Cup, becoming world champions.

This match left many fans disappointed, as the Ballon d’Or favorite, Sneijder, was almost invisible during this match. Inter Milan struggled greatly in the first half, even though they returned to their most comfortable rhythm in the second half, it was already too late.

At the post-match press conference, Benitez outrightly refused interviews, leaving the press area.

Awaiting him would be fines from the club, while Mourinho, after saying a bunch of unrelated things, chuckled and said, "I said long ago, if he wants to succeed, he needs to mimic me."

Since taking over Inter Milan, Benitez had always hoped to lead the team out of Mourinho’s shadow, but now he found that only by becoming Mourinho’s "shadow" could Inter Milan win.

This, of course, was a "humiliation" for Benitez.

Initially, Benitez didn’t want to say anything, but after Mourinho’s comment, he openly threatened the club when he returned to Italy for media interviews.

This Spanish coach dropped a bombshell during an Italian media interview!

Benitez angrily stated, "Either buy me four players, or go talk to my agent about the termination! I’ve had enough."

"The FIFA Club World Cup is an important honor, we didn’t win the championship, but that’s not entirely my fault."

"After the match, I kept telling myself, we must plan for the remaining season."

"But I need 100% support from the club!"

In truth, up to this point, Benitez’s remarks were still somewhat acceptable to Inter Milan’s executives, but then the Spanish coach erupted.

"I deserve respect; when I first arrived here, the club promised to help me bring in three players to build a stronger team."

"But not a single new player joined over the whole summer."

"Yes, not one new player, it was all the ones left from Mourinho’s time!"

Fuming, Benitez said, "I am a professional coach and deeply respect my work."

"Now, there are only three paths placed before everyone: One, the team sets a plan to immediately purchase four players in January; Two, continue as we are, without any plan, making one person (referring to the head coach) bear all the responsibility, then keep dragging this until May; Three, the president goes to talk to my agent, see if there can be another way if they no longer support me."

"It’s just that simple."

Benitez’s eyes shone brightly as he straightforwardly said, "I know, some people will talk about the just-concluded match!"