I AM the Football Star

Lu Yang, who had dived to the ground, stabilized his posture with a run and arrived at this spot just in time.

Facing the soccer ball falling from above, Lu Yang had no hesitation.

A volley with the right foot!

To prevent the ball from flying off, Lu Yang aimed for a low drive.

This shot was so twisted, Lu Yang’s waist almost turned into a pretzel.

After kicking, he landed on his back and rolled over.

But the ball quickly drilled past the feet of Udinese’s defenders amidst the chaos.

Swish!

The ball hit the side netting with a crisp sound.

Then, the ball stirred up a spray of white netting.

”GOAL! A brace! Lu Yang also completes a brace! Scored!”

”In the sixty-ninth minute, Lu Yang helped San Remo equalize the score!”

”This was a spectacular volley! It showcased Lu Yang’s superb shooting skills!”

”The pass from Sogel was absolutely beautiful! That lob was full of imagination!”

”I have to praise Lu Yang; his shooting skills, in my opinion, rank among the top five in the world!”

”Ahem! Please spare some reputation for Brother Lu, being ranked top five in shooting isn’t entirely flattering.”

”Today’s match is quite intense. Both sides have done well in their defensive work, yet they’ve also had heroes step up.”

”I have a feeling this match is likely to go into extra time. If it does, San Remo might have some advantage since they have more substitute players and all are in good form.”

”Yes, while Udinese’s lineup is reasonable, their bench has players either too old or too young, lacking in players who can shoulder a heavy responsibility.”

San Remo’s rotation strategy not only alleviated the team’s game pressure but also greatly honed their substitute players.

Apart from a few core players, the abilities of San Remo’s key substitutes are infinitely close to those of the main players, allowing for seamless replacements.

If it goes into extra time, players like Versachi, Fernandez, Matias, Calafiori, Palacios, and Belletti could all potentially become game-changers.

Sure enough, the head coach of Udinese noticed this issue.

He couldn’t let the match go into extra time.

Udinese made the first substitution in the seventy-second minute, a triple change, appearing desperate.

These three changes were position-for-position swaps, indicating that Udinese was satisfied with today’s tactics.

But no goals came in the ensuing match.

The Udinese coach looked grim.

He glanced at the time; the match had reached the eighty-eighth minute.

Extra time seemed inevitable.

”Oh! Candreva actually got past Kaint! What a beautiful Rabona maneuver!” The commentator suddenly got excited, ”Dribbling forward! Candreva charges into the penalty area!”

”Oh! Candreva goes down!”

”San Remo’s center-back Naji collided with Candreva; there was physical contact!”

”The main referee blew the whistle! He’s pointing to the penalty spot!”

”Penalty! Yellow card! Candreva has gripped San Remo’s destiny by the throat!”

”Naji’s defensive move was too aggressive, but it was also due to Candreva’s choice of breakthrough direction. Candreva was likely aiming for that penalty! Naji fell for it!”

”Candreva showed technique, experience, skill, and intelligence in this match; he was perfect!”

”San Remo is hanging by a thread! If this penalty is scored, San Remo will likely be eliminated!”

”Can San Remo’s miracle of reaching the Italian Cup for two consecutive years be extended? Or will Udinese, under the leadership of Candreva, launch a challenge for the championship for the first time in five years?”

”Naji made a grave mistake!”

”This penalty is too deadly!”

Quickly, Candreva stepped up for the penalty.

Bang!

Areola dived to the left.

However, as he flew through the air, the ball, like a rainbow, fell into the net.

Panenka!

Candreva actually took a Panenka penalty!

In an instant, the whole Makabaka Stadium erupted in applause.

Countless Udinese fans went wild.

”Candreva! Candreva!”

”Italian Cup, finals, champions!”

”Defeated the miracle! Udinese defeated the miracle!”

Udinese fans were akin to madness.

This was their first opportunity in five years to touch the championship glory.

Moreover, what they defeated was considered the miracle of all Italy!

San Remo was already set to achieve a miracle in the league, with only uncertainties in the UEFA Europa League and Italian Cup.

But now, in the Italian Cup, Udinese accomplished a little of that first.

They were the first to defeat the miracle before San Remo’s Europa League opponents.

It’s worth mentioning that San Remo’s Europa League semifinal opponent is also a Serie A team.

That is... Inter Milan!

Naji held his head with his hands, eyes red.

His hands even trembled slightly.

This was one of the few opportunities he had to start an important match this season.

Though he had performed well before, making several crucial interventions.

But this time... he personally ruined the San Remo miracle.

He always thought he wasn’t afraid of anything until this moment, realizing he feared losing.

Terrified!

”Hey, what are you doing? The match isn’t over yet!” Bernulin came over and patted Naji on the back of his head, ”Stay focused, forget about that goal, your defense was correct, although the result wasn’t ideal!”

After speaking, Bernulin began instructing everyone to quickly position themselves to prepare for kick-off.