Chapter 374: Said Two Goals, Then Two Goals It Is
"AC Milan is playing way too easily—they've completely controlled the tempo and are applying immense pressure in the midfield and forward lines, making it nearly impossible for Reggio Calabria to launch any effective counterattacks!"
You need possession to counterattack in the first place!
Reggina was struggling just to get a hold of the ball.
Even when they did manage to start a counterattack, they couldn't even reach AC Milan's penalty area before being broken up or intercepted in midfield.
Gattuso showed excellent defensive awareness.
He made multiple crucial interceptions and tackles, ensuring AC Milan's backline was under no real pressure.
Seeing how dominant the situation was, even Milan's full-backs were pushing up frequently.
With both teams locked in midfield battles and their formations compressed, Šimunić's passing ability began to shine.
Through balls, long passes, short defensive organizing passes—Šimunić grew more and more comfortable, putting in a great performance.
AC Milan eased off the intense pressing; with a two-goal lead, midfield control became the priority.
They followed Ancelotti's plan carefully—playing for possession and control.
Šuker frequently dropped deep to add passing options, ensuring teammates were never isolated or trapped.
Every player with the ball had nearby options in a triangular setup when viewed from above.
And at the center of every triangle? Pirlo.
With his exceptional vision and control, Pirlo dictated the tempo and gradually wore down Reggina.
He kept forcing their players to run, and whenever they relaxed even a little, Pirlo would slip in a pass to keep the pressure on.
Mental and physical fatigue—these are the nutrients for victory.
Before long, the first half ended.
During the halftime break, commentator Aldo Serena continued enthusiastically analyzing the match.
"From what we've seen, Reggina has to make major adjustments—disruptive ones—or else they'll never break Milan's midfield stranglehold."
"But we must also acknowledge: Reggina doesn't have a midfield organizer like Pirlo, or a deadly striker like Šuker."
"Still, we can hope they'll make some creative changes in the second half."
"And on Milan's side, with a two-goal lead, Ronaldo's debut seems ever closer!"
Aldo Serena rubbed his hands in excitement. "Since leaving Inter in 2002, Serie A hasn't seen this explosive Brazilian forward. Now, five years later, he returns—what kind of performance can he deliver? Will he start today?"
Just as he finished speaking, Serena saw Ronaldo jogging out of the player tunnel, warming up during halftime.
Ancelotti clearly intended for Ronaldo to make his debut today.
That was exactly the plan.
Ronaldo was brought in to serve as a backup for Šuker and to share the league burden.
Even with his 100 kg weight and failing several fitness indicators, Ancelotti still decided to sign him.
Just like Ronaldo said, "Do you want me to run or score goals?"
Of course—score goals!
Even though Ronaldo couldn't run like before, had lost his explosive speed and power—
He was still Il Fenomeno, Ronaldo.
His first touch.
His finishing.
His experience.
These could all still contribute to Milan's scoring ability, and Ancelotti wanted to test that as soon as possible—just in case.
Second half—sides switched.
Reggina made two substitutions during halftime.
Lanzaro and Leon went off.
Missiroli and Bille came on.
This was an attempt to strengthen their attacking midfield.
That's just how stubborn Reggina was.
Plenty of teams in world football live and die by attacking football.
They'd rather go down swinging than park the bus in an ugly game.
In Serie A, known for its defense-first culture, Reggina stood out.
But it also made the matches more exciting.
Even if Reggina were always the ones getting hurt.
The second half began.
Šuker was still strolling along the backline.
Yes—strolling!
Ancelotti had given strict orders: before the 65th minute, Šuker wasn't allowed to run hard, not even to drop back.
He was only to try for headers or poach in the box.
Ancelotti would rather see him casually walk near the defense than attract fouls with flashy moves that could lead to injuries.
But Šuker wasn't that obedient anymore.
If he couldn't drop back for the ball, then he'd engage in physical duels with the defenders.
After getting fouled and knocked down a few times—
He was putting serious pressure on the defenders.
And on Ancelotti.
Finally, unable to take it anymore, Ancelotti made his move at the 55th minute.
Number 99 Ronaldo came on for number 10 Šuker.
Ricardo Oliveira replaced Ambrosini.
Seedorf dropped back into central midfield.
The formation shifted to a 4-3-1-2 with a central attacking midfielder.
"Ten more minutes, Coach—you're going back on your word!" Šuker complained.
Ancelotti remained expressionless: "I told you to stroll on the pitch. Instead, you were brawling with their defenders. Can you guarantee you won't get fouled harder next time—or injured?"
Šuker wanted to say "Yes," but Ancelotti clearly wouldn't believe it.
"Sit down."
Maldini pulled Šuker back, put a finger to his lips to shush him, and shook his head.
Ancelotti was truly angry this time.
And when "Fat Carlo" gets mad—that's not a good thing.
Šuker immediately obeyed and sat down.
"Go. Just score once and your mission's done!" Ancelotti called out to Ronaldo, who was adjusting his shorts.
Ronaldo tucked his shirt in, tightened the drawstrings, and turned with a serious face: "I'll score two."
Šuker rolled his eyes.
A lousy reverse-psych trick.
But unfortunately, that kind of thing worked perfectly on simple-minded Ronaldo.
"Ronaldo! Finally, he steps onto the San Siro wearing Milan's number 99 shirt!"
"Once the best striker in the world, what will he show us today?"
Ronaldo entered the pitch.
At that moment, the eyes of several Reggio Calabria players lit up.
It felt more like a fan meet-and-greet than a match.
The only pity? They were on opposing teams—opponents, even enemies.
Still, sharing a pitch with childhood idol Ronaldo—what a thrill.
"Kaká continues driving down the half-space. Since Šuker came off, Kaká's play has grown even sharper. He dribbles down the wing—cross incoming—he's looking for Ronaldo... Ahhh! That attack is broken up!"
"Milan corner—Pirlo to take—Kaká flicks it to the far post—Ronaldo controls it—oh! Reggio Calabria keeper Pelizzoli makes the save!"
"The danger's not over—ball lands at Seedorf's feet—stepovers, quick shift—shoots!"
"Ohhh! Another brilliant save by Pelizzoli—still in play!"
The ball rolls out of the box—right to Ronaldo.
Without hesitation, he shoots.
Not much power, but the placement is perfect.
It slips between two defenders, just as the keeper's getting up—and rolls into the net.
"RONALDO! Just seven minutes after coming on, he scores! A precise shot with a tricky angle—almost impossible to stop even with a save attempt!"
"Milan extends their lead again—Il Fenomeno Ronaldo, welcome back to Serie A!"
After scoring, Ronaldo raised one finger to the camera.
Only Ancelotti knew what it meant.
"That's one."
87th minute—after countless attacks and counters, Reggina's defenders were clearly exhausted.
Ronaldo, despite tiring too, still had enough juice for technique.
He knew he had another chance.
87th minute—Pirlo threaded a direct pass from deep.
Ronaldo dribbled, reached the penalty area, and started doing stepovers.
Not the legendary "pendulum" move—
His body couldn't handle that kind of explosive load anymore.
These were basic stepovers—slow footwork—but the rhythm unsettled the defender.
The moment they hesitated—Ronaldo shifted, carved out an angle, and fired with his left foot.
The ball flew past Pelizzoli again.
In the final moments of regular time—Ronaldo scored his second.
Standing tall, he raised two fingers—
"Said two goals, then two goals it is."