I AM the Football Star

Chapter 79: Chapter 33: Italian D Division’s Ultimate Battle, Genius Connects_2

”Wait! This jersey... number 24? Who is it?”

”Lu? Who is that?”

”It’s Lu Yang! My God, Sofia is holding Lu Yang’s jersey cheering for the players’ entrance! Is she a fan of Lu Yang? Or is it just a coincidence?”

”Which Lu?”

”The Lu with the breathtaking thirty-three-meter overhead kick!”

”Him? Damn! This... it can’t be... my goddess wouldn’t have anything to do with him, right...”

...

With all eyes on them.

The players from both teams entered the field.

The players from Tulis were a bit surprised because the home field of San Remo was a bit... too intimidating!

Thousands of enthusiastic cheers were crazier than any home crowd they had encountered this year.

Of course, Tulis’s players didn’t really understand what was happening.

They just felt that San Remo’s fans were a bit too happy, too high-profile, and they should quiet them down a little!

The match kicked off.

Tulis quickly showed everyone why they were sitting at the top of the standings.

Through fifteen passes, within less than ten minutes of the opening, they sent the football into San Remo’s goal.

”GOAL!”

Tulis’s substitute players were more excited than the players on the field.

Because they knew how many big names were watching this match.

And who wouldn’t be thrilled to prove their excellence in front of Sofia?

”It’s mine!” Naji stood up to take responsibility as the opponent celebrated.

”It’s not your fault, it’s my fault.” Morici shook his head.

Tulis’s control over the game was just too strong.

They played possession football, which is quite rare in the lower leagues.

Because the primary requirement for possession football is solid fundamental skills from the players.

And in the lower leagues, how could players have good fundamentals?

This lost goal wasn’t because any individual San Remo player was overwhelmed by others or had a gap exploited.

It was purely because the opponents used possession to tear San Remo apart, leading to a goal.

As San Remo’s ”on-field coach,” this goal was indeed Morici’s responsibility.

But...

Morici couldn’t immediately find a solution because the difference in overall strength between the two teams was significant.

This was a one-sided match!

Even with the team’s full-strength lineup, Morici felt this match was likely unwinnable.

Not to mention the huge gap on the right flank of the team?

The game resumed.

Although San Remo’s formation today seemed like a 433, their right forward retreated for defense, and the right-back didn’t advance. In essence, they were playing a 442 formation.

This was Sotu’s requirement, focusing on defense.

Even after conceding a goal, San Remo still focused on defense.

”If we can’t hold the first half, why would we think we can hold the second half? Holding the first half and attacking fiercely in the second half is the only way for a weak team to overcome a strong one!”

Sotu’s tactics were very clear.

The concept was also rather correct.

After all, from the just-concluded 38th round of La Liga, the fact truly supports this.

Strong teams like Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid both conceded goals before the 20th minute, but in the end, they both made comebacks scoring twice, killing off their opponents.

This proves that when facing truly strong teams in crucial battles, you’ll never be able to fully defend against them.

Therefore, the second half is when the result is decided.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be considered strong teams.

How can a team that isn’t strong in crucial battles be called a strong team?

But Tulis’s strength, even in the first half, made it difficult for San Remo to defend.

In the 39th minute, Tulis once again executed perfect possession control.

After a dazzling series of possession and coordination, they performed a triangle pass from midfield, the right-back galloped forward, and a powerful shot once again broke the San Remo Stadium.

The Tulis right-back celebrated wildly, pounding his chest fiercely in front of San Remo’s players.

Perhaps he had his reasons for being excited, but his actions seriously angered the San Remo players, especially Naji, who felt he was out of position again.

A conflict was on the verge of breaking out, but Lu Yang rushed over in time to hold back his teammates.

”Don’t get a card, you’re more important than anyone in the second half!” Lu Yang said this to Naji.

Naji lowered his head.

After calming his teammates, Lu Yang pointed to the opposing right-back without saying much.

The opposing right-back had a smirk on his face.

What does that mean?

Wanna mess with me?

Bring it on!

Soon, the first half ended with San Remo trailing zero to two.

In the locker room, after Sotu spoke, Lu Yang also said a few words, activating the effect of the ”Spiritual Leader.”

In the second half, Tulis’s possession was still sharp.

Even in that sharpness, they added a layer of playfulness.

Their players began attempting some unconventional moves.

Like a Rabona, backheel passes, and even an audacious rainbow flick by the opposing right-back which, although unsuccessful, was very annoying.

Apparently, during the halftime break, they were also made aware of the number of celebrities watching this match.

”Oh, we can see that Tulis’s players are having a great time playing. It’s surprising to say, in everyone’s impression, Lu Yang has never been a technical player, but he managed to score and assist using flashy moves like these.”

”Perhaps it’s because of Lu Yang’s strong physical attributes and Morici’s excellence that makes people think Lu Yang is a rough player, but he’s not rough at all!”

”They, along with Vedian, are perhaps the only few players in San Remo who aren’t inferior to Tulis’s players.”