From the moment they entered Italy,
Shane Carter had not felt much of anything resembling "friendliness."
After all, this was a country where racial discrimination was still a serious problem.
After showing off in front of AC Milan's fans,
Shane was immediately surrounded by his teammates.
Everyone rushed to slap him on the shoulder and the head.
"Great job, Shane!"
"Ohhh!"
"That was fucking brilliant!"
"They can't keep up with our tempo!"
"Get another one! Score another one!"
The Atlético Madrid players roared as some of them clenched their fists and shouted back at the AC Milan fans who were still giving them the finger, booing them, and throwing all kinds of objects.
The cheers of the five thousand Atlético supporters who had traveled to San Siro echoed through the entire stadium.
"Atleti! Atleti! Atleti!!"
"SU!!!"
...
"Atlético Madrid have scored! Even though AC Milan set up with three holding midfielders at home, they still couldn't stop Shane Carter's performance. Under his rhythm, AC Milan look completely lost. Allegri's team are behind at home, and that is absolutely not good news for them. Atlético Madrid have the all-important away goal!"
"Shane's performance is world-class! It's really hard to imagine that a player just nineteen years old can perform with such maturity in a Champions League knockout match. He could even be called a midfield master!"
"Shane Carter led Atlético Madrid to the Europa League title last season. His performance at the European Championship was stunning. Even so, some people still felt he needed more time to prove himself. But now, on the knockout stage of the Champions League, Shane Carter is still putting on a breathtaking display!"
"He is Atlético Madrid's brain, heart, and even their lungs! He can run, pass, dribble, and shoot. He is a defensive wall, a midfield commander, the source of Atlético's attacking inspiration, and their finisher. In other words, he is Atlético Madrid itself!"
In the commentary box,
aside from the Italian commentators,
every other commentator was racking their brains trying to find new ways to praise Shane Carter.
Muntari was furious.
He stared at the Atlético players celebrating beneath the stand behind the goal and clenched his fists.
Even though AC Milan were playing with three holding midfielders,
his defensive task was the heaviest, because he was the pure defensive specialist.
And this goal had gone in right under his nose.
His interference had done absolutely nothing.
The main reason was that Shane's shot had come so suddenly that he hadn't reacted in time.
If not, he would have gone into the tackle even if it meant committing a foul.
"Don't dwell on it. It's just one goal..."
Montolivo patted his midfield partner on the shoulder.
Muntari nodded.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
One goal would absolutely not destroy AC Milan's morale.
This was a top-class giant.
...
Simeone was thrilled.
They had earned a precious away goal.
That gave Atlético Madrid the most important advantage in a two-leg knockout tie.
Shane was right.
This AC Milan side still had the name of a giant, but in terms of actual strength, they no longer matched the status of an European powerhouse.
That was not to say this AC Milan side was weak.
It was just that,
compared with the Milan team led by Ancelotti—the one with Inzaghi, Kaká, Pirlo, Seedorf, Nesta, Maldini, and Gattuso—
this version of Milan was, in truth, rather ordinary...
After celebrating,
he went to the sideline.
And shouted at Shane, "Keep going! Keep doing that, Shane!"
Strike while the iron was hot.
If they could get more away goals,
why wouldn't they?
....
While Atlético Madrid were celebrating the goal, Allegri pulled several of AC Milan's core players aside and gave them instructions personally.
He told them to tighten up the formation and not to be pulled around too easily by movement and passing.
For now,
AC Milan should stop thinking about attacking.
First, stabilize the defense and ride out Atlético's momentum.
....
Allegri's judgment was spot on.
After play resumed,
the leading Atlético Madrid did indeed try to keep attacking and go for a second goal.
But their attack was held up by AC Milan's compressed defensive line.
At this point,
besides Balotelli,
all of AC Milan's other players had come back to help defend.
It was an upgraded version of "chain defense."
AC Milan were being completely pinned back.
For a giant club, being pinned down like this at home by the opposition was certainly embarrassing.
The commentators also criticized AC Milan's approach.
A European giant of this stature, being so timid at home?
The camera repeatedly cut to Allegri on the touchline.
But obviously,
Allegri was not going to react to those criticisms.
He needed to stabilize the situation first.
They absolutely could not concede again in the first half.
Under those circumstances,
the first half ended with Atlético Madrid leading 1-0.
Atlético were ahead by a single goal for now.
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