I AM the Football Star

Chapter 4: Chapter 2: Iconic Goal Scene, Logging-Style Shooting

”Ball Control Basic, Player-level Skill, can grant you professional-level ball control ability.”

”Tackling Basic, Player-level Skill, can give you professional-level tackling ability.”

Lu Yang pondered his recent gains, it seems a lot of actions can earn rewards from the system. It’s a high degree of freedom, very cool.

Thinking differently, he conceded two goals and gained two skills; if he gave up more goals, wouldn’t he...

Cough, cough, refuse fake games, happiness for you and me.

”Now I believe you’re playing center-back.” Maniero stood with Lu Yang, ready for kickoff.

”Why, because I just showed some excellent defensive skills?” Lu Yang asked.

”Not really.” Maniero smiled slightly, ”But the spirit you showed trying to block the ball with your face reminds me of Milan’s iron-willed center-back.”

Among Milan’s four butchers, three have retired, and the youngest is still playing— a great center-back.

Being compared by Maniero to that player would make any player happy.

Lu Yang was no exception.

But this time, Lu Yang didn’t receive any rewards from the system.

”They’re already tired.” Maniero looked at Lu Yang, ”Do you understand what I mean?”

Lu Yang nodded, ”And I am just warming up.”

After the second half started, Maniero noticeably increased passes to Lu Yang.

Though the Butcher Team blocked time and time again, they quickly realized it was an open plan.

Younger players have much better stamina than them.

Although Lu Yang isn’t very fast, he’s not too slow either, and his repeated attacks exhausted the Butcher Team’s defense.

Under Maniero’s control, the Butcher Team pressed relatively forward, giving Lu Yang enough space to sprint.

But if they don’t press forward, the Butcher Team would regret it because Maniero would have ample opportunities, as seen in the first goal by Star Arrow Team from Maniero’s tearing and surgical pass.

Hard work paid off; in the seventy-eighth minute, Lu Yang finally got a golden opportunity.

Maniero seized the chance and delivered an over-the-top long pass, directly traversing the Butcher Team’s entire defensive line.

And although Lu Yang didn’t catch the offside trap, he overtook the Butcher Team’s defense purely with stamina and speed, rushing to three meters outside the penalty area.

He’s about to have a solo chance!

Bam!

A sudden slide tackle came.

The ball was touched first, followed by Lu Yang being swept away.

It was Sotu!

He knocked down Lu Yang, completing a thrilling defensive move.

Tweet!

The referee blew the whistle and showed Sotu a yellow card because his sliding tackle from behind was a dangerous action.

Sotu didn’t argue, accepting the referee’s decision, and helped Lu Yang up.

Actually, when Lu Yang fell, Sotu cushioned him to prevent Lu Yang from injury due to the fall.

Behind his fierce mask lies a sincere heart for soccer.

It’s well-known that off the field, Sotu is never fierce, contrasting many players who seem gentle on the pitch.

Wow!

Applause erupted from the stands.

It’s for Sotu’s sportsmanship and for Lu Yang’s hard-running efforts.

Bam!

Maniero executed the free kick perfectly, shooting over the wall into the goal’s corner.

Star Arrow Team equalized again!

Sotu and Maniero each contributed an assist and a goal!

After scoring, Maniero ran straight to Lu Yang, celebrating together.

The big screen focused on Lu Yang, and the cheers grew louder.

”See, that’s my buddy! We’re both San Remo youth players!” Lu Yang’s good friend, the big guy from Croatia, Morici, was exceptionally excited.

”He’s your buddy? That’s great, although his skills aren’t top-notch, he never stopped running, he’s working hard!”

”Yeah, you can see he’s tired, but he persisted.”

”This goal wouldn’t be possible without him.”

”He also got Sotu a yellow card, greatly reducing defensive pressure afterward.”

”San Remo? Is it a Serie B or Italian Third Division team?”

”Uh... we’re currently in the Italian D Division.”

”Let me see... oh, unfortunately, you’re in the relegation zone now?”

”That’s the first team playing; our youth players are really good.” Morici’s face reddened.

”Like Lu Yang? Maybe San Remo should give Lu Yang a chance; is he a central forward?”

”Uh, well, uh... he’s our center-back.” Morici’s face turned even redder.

He wanted to find somewhere to hide.

Meanwhile, on the field, Maniero and Sotu were also chatting with Lu Yang.

Being a celebrity exhibition match and not true rivals, many stars seize the chance to chat when they can.

”You should’ve been more decisive earlier, directly shooting. Real matches rarely provide absolute shooting opportunities. Lu, you play soccer, right? You look calm on the field, not like an ordinary fan.” Sotu spoke, then looked at Maniero.

Maniero nodded, ”Indeed, you should’ve shot. But Lu’s performance was already very good, given he’s playing center-back for the team.”

”What? Really a center-back? Hahaha!” Sotu laughed heartily without reserve, ”What kind of brain-dead manager lets a 1.78-meter, not particularly strong, and not very fast guy play center-back?”

”I admit I complimented your defense just now, but that was from a central forward’s perspective. If a center-back defends like you, the team’s goal could be smashed in half a season, conceding at least thirty-five goals!”