Chapter 242: Chapter 242
Seville arrived at Berlin International Airport three hours ahead of Inter Milan.
The arrival of this La Liga team did not create much of a stir in Berlin.
After all, Seville is not a typical world-class team and doesn’t have many fans locally in Germany.
But Inter Milan is different.
As soon as Seville’s players left, security at Berlin International Airport suddenly increased!
Hundreds of security personnel were maintaining order.
Welcoming the arrival of the entire Inter Milan team!
As a solid international elite club.
Despite Inter Milan’s unsatisfying results in recent years, it still has numerous fans worldwide, including in Berlin and Germany.
In 1998, the alien Ronaldo represented Inter Milan and won the UEFA Cup.
His classic pendulum dribble in the game drove many fans globally crazy, and they adored Inter Milan as well.
Inter’s players were walking towards the hall from the airport’s air bridge, and about a hundred meters from the exit, they could already hear the German fans’ cheers.
These Inter fans in Germany who eagerly waited at the exit started cheering uncontrollably as they saw Inter players’ images through the airport hall’s surveillance screens.
Tang Long walked together with Berni, carrying a backpack and pulling a suitcase.
"Do we really have so many fans for our club in Germany?" he asked.
"Heh heh, speaking of which, Inter has quite a connection with Germans!" Berni explained in a veteran’s storytelling manner.
In 1986, Inter Milan’s chairman Pellegrini invited the famous golden coach Trapattoni from Juventus.
After taking office, Coach Trapattoni successively brought in Germany’s famous "Troika" — Matthaus, Bremmer, and Klinsmann.
The joining of three German foreign aids greatly boosted Inter Milan’s overall strength!
In the 1988-1989 season, the Blue-Black Corps created a new record in Italy’s top football league in the two-point system era with 26 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses for a total of 58 points, effortlessly winning the title!
In 1989, Inter Milan easily defeated the champion of the Coppa Italia, Sampdoria, and claimed the Italian Super Cup for the first time in history.
Inter’s German Troika could undoubtedly be called one of the best offensive lines globally, shining alongside AC Milan’s famous "Dutch Trio" at the time.
"Tang, even though your popularity in Italy is high, I must admit, the only big star when it comes to all of us here is Podolski!"
Berni pointed at Podolski, who was walking in front of the team.
Tang Long saw Podolski, wearing stylish sunglasses, ruffling his hair meticulously in front of a mirror in the hall.
As the only German in Inter’s team, returning home to his compatriots, Podolski felt the burden of being an idol, aiming to have a good personal image while greeting the fans shortly.
When Tang Long passed by Podolski, the German star turned his head and grabbed him.
"Tang, quickly check if my hairstyle is okay, or should I apply some more hair gel?" Podolski was somewhat anxious.
"Ha ha, what does your hairstyle matter here? This is your home court. Even if you shaved your head, you’d still be the most popular one." Tang Long said.
"Ha ha, that’s right, German fans love me, yeah, this is indeed my home turf, and I must have a great showdown in front of my fellow countrymen!" Podolski walked forward confidently, without looking back.
Podolski walked jauntily, full of cheer.
Thinking about performing for his fellow compatriots in Berlin was a delightful and exciting thought.
Once, when he was not performing well at Arsenal and was pushed out to join Inter Milan.
As he aged, many German media sort of implied that Podolski’s career was on the decline.
Unexpectedly, this season, Podolski played extraordinarily well at Inter Milan!
Joining Inter in the winter break, the former Prince of Cologne appeared in 17 matches, scoring seven goals and assisting in seven.
For the upcoming UEFA Europa League final, Mancini had already informed him early on that he would be starting.
Podolski is back again!
Surely when Podolski stepped out, a round of enthusiastic cheering erupted on the scene!
German local fans generously showered applause and cheers upon this German star abroad.
Feeling great, Podolski didn’t bother being stylish anymore, took off his sunglasses, and happily signed autographs and took pictures with the fans.
Compared to Podolski, other Inter players didn’t enjoy the same treatment.
When Ranocchia, Handanovic, Gualin, and others walked by, only a few fans reached out for high-fives.
Tang Long also quietly walked past, pulling his suitcase.
But to his surprise, an earth-shaking sound erupted on the scene!
Drum drum drum drum drum!
It wasn’t applause or cheers; it was intense drumbeats!
The drum sound was incredibly loud.
The rumbling noise even vibrated the floor beneath.
Tang Long’s feet felt numb.
As he raised his head, he was suddenly amazed!
Before him stood over a hundred Inter fans with black hair and yellow skin, all wearing his Inter number 99 jersey.
Among them, ten people stood in a row, each carrying a large traditional Chinese red drum at their chests.
And in front of these ten people, respectively stood another ten, each holding two thick drumsticks, side-head looking at him while drumming.
"drum drum, drum drum drum—Tang Long!"
"drum drum, drum drum drum—Tang Long!"
Tang Long stood dumbfounded, and before he could react, the leader surged forward and stuffed a large bouquet into his hands.
"Go Tang Long, give Seville a good beating and win the UEFA Europa League!"
"Tang, you’re our idol!"
"Go for it, the hope of the whole village, everyone’s counting on you!"
Upon further inquiry, Tang Long found out that among these hundred or so people, a few were Chinese students studying in Berlin.
But more were specially flying over from China to watch the UEFA Europa League final!
According to these compatriots, family members are here in Berlin to support Tang Long!
"Thank you for the support from my fellow compatriots. Tomorrow’s match will certainly meet expectations, just watch!"
Feeling elated, Tang Long almost fulfilled everyone’s requests for photos and autographs.
A young female fan with straight long black hair even kissed Tang Long’s cheeks twice~
Tang Long wasn’t angry; he happily signed for her.
The earth-shattering drumbeats continued to resonate through Berlin International Airport.
The hall had virtually turned into a private show for Tang Long.
Passing tourists stopped curiously to look over, wondering what the exciting event was.
Meanwhile, all Inter’s players had already become dumbfounded.
Especially Podolski...
He originally thought as the German player, enjoying the welcome among his fellow countrymen, no one in Inter could surpass him.
Unexpectedly, the airport star was not him but a Chinese person.
Podolski scratched his head somewhat confusedly.
He couldn’t understand why there would be so many fans of Tang Long in Berlin and such a big commotion.
Mancini smiled quietly, dragging his suitcase as he walked past.
"Did you see that? This is what a true star is like." Mancini smiled as he spoke to Chiwo beside him.
Chiwo laughed aloud and gave Mancini a thumbs up.
"Look at this commotion; when I won the treble in 2010 and returned to my homeland Romania, I didn’t get such a reception as Tang does!"