I AM the Football Star

Chapter 10: Chapter 4: Hidden Dragon and Phoenix Chick—Can He Really Play Center Back? (Part 2)

”He feels like a lone soldier in battle, desperate to the point of losing confidence.”

Tom has worked at San Remo for over ten years and agreed deeply with what Sotu said: ”Our midfield has always lacked an offensive core, so we can only play defensive counterattacks. Last season, with Rondo, our defense was relatively stable. When we didn’t concede, the defender could kick the ball long, and Vedian’s speed could close out the game.”

”Last season, we were once in the promotion zone. If it weren’t for Rondo’s serious injury at the crucial moment of advancing in the Third Division, we’d have been a team from the Italian Third Division. And that’s precisely why Vedian was willing to stay another season to help us try for promotion again.”

”But unexpectedly, in the second match this season, Rondo got injured again, and the team, the fans, and even Vedian were in despair.”

”Vedian lost his edge in the first half of the season. Even his signature passing and shooting lost effectiveness due to a lack of confidence. He remains with the team only because Renat is beginning to doubt his talent, intending to wait and see.”

Sotu scoffed, ”Hmm, by the time they finish waiting, Vedian will be beyond their budget! In this world, what comes without risks... Oh, are you sure that kid wants to play defender instead of forward?”

That kid, defender, forward, clearly this refers to Lu Yang.

Tom shrugged, ”He said it’s not time to play forward yet. He’s currently more knowledgeable about playing defender, confident he can make San Remo’s defensive line impenetrable again.”

Sotu held his forehead.

How interesting.

A center-back at one meter seventy-eight, and still impenetrable?

Who gave him the confidence?

Originally, there were expectations for Vedian’s speed to break through, then pass to Lu Yang, so Lu Yang could score with his mesmerizing lumberjack-like shooting.

Now it seems this forward combo is but a pipe dream.

In that match, Lu Yang won’t be able to repeat, right? That was just a flash of inspiration from a common man.

Lu Yang is merely an ordinary, even inferior, center-back.

Sotu kept muttering to himself, seemingly trying to convince himself, but the light in his eyes had yet to fade, suggesting he didn’t truly accept this view.

If Lu Yang is indeed ordinary, why could he break through my defense twice?

Why could he always receive Maniero’s bizarre high difficulty passes?

And why do Maniero and I keep thinking about him?

Beep!

The whistle sounded, and the San Remo first team training match officially started.

The group in yellow vests was the main lineup, and the group in red vests was the substitute lineup.

Lu Yang and Morici both wore red vests.

And without a doubt, Vedian wore a yellow vest.

From the start, Vedian displayed his stunning speed. Before the substitute lineup could fully adapt, he directly dribbled the ball through the middle.

A yellow whirlwind swept across the field, instantly breaking through the substitute lineup’s midfield.

No... he didn’t completely shake off everyone; the substitute side had a small figure not far from Vedian.

It’s Morici!

Unlike other small organizer-type midfielders, Morici seems not to like being too forward; his position was initially a bit more backward. Now just giving him the chance to block Vedian.

Morici moved swiftly, yet did not directly charge at Vedian but pressured from the side.

But even so, Vedian flicked the ball, speeding up further, still quickly bypassing Morici.

Yet the next moment...

Bang!

Lu Yang appeared on Vedian’s attacking path, taking the ball away first.

”Nice one!” Sotu suddenly clenched his fist from the sideline, appearing exceptionally thrilled.

He originated from midfield, so seeing a ball being intercepted made him particularly excited.

The coordination between the midfield and Lu Yang just now was flawless!

Indeed!

It’s teamwork!

Morici and Lu Yang!

As a Divine-level disruptor, Sotu knows very well that defense also involves teamwork.

Firstly, Morici’s position fully demonstrated his defensive awareness. This type of midfielder shouldn’t appear in the team’s holding midfielder position, but he did.

Then facing Vedian’s rapid advance, Morici didn’t rashly challenge but instead blocked Vedian’s attack path with his body, forcing Vedian to change direction.

Although seemingly outpaced by Vedian’s one step, he had already driven Vedian towards Lu Yang’s defensive zone.

Likewise, Lu Yang performed admirably in this defense.

He and Morici had an unparalleled tacit understanding, as if knowing Morici would definitely force Vedian in this direction.

Moreover, the timing of the final tackle was crucial.

If Lu Yang tackled early, Vedian could adjust the ball to bypass Lu Yang since he hadn’t yet released the ball, even if it meant some additional lateral dribbling.

If Lu Yang tackled too late, before he could touch the ball, Vedian could do so first because he had the speed.

But it was neither too fast nor too slow; Lu Yang took action at the moment when Vedian couldn’t adjust.

This tackle showcased Lu Yang’s defensive awareness, tackling sense, and his personal explosive power, which is still quite good among center-backs.

Just one defensive coordination made Sotu see Lu Yang and Morici with new eyes.