Chapter 826: Chapter 200: A Different European Cup, Protect Russia and Struggle with Portugal

After the match, with two goals and one assist, Lu Yang was named Man of the Match.

The other players also gave him very high praise in their interviews.

Zidane: "There’s nothing much to say. Applauding for peace is what I should do. The Italy Team is incredible, they accomplished something unbelievable, they have immense spiritual strength, and they fought with everything they had for peace!"

Now this is what you call the art of language.

They accomplished something unbelievable!

What was that?

They pulled level with the France Team.

On the surface this sounds like a compliment to the Italy Team, but in fact it’s raising the France Team to a ridiculous height.

Of course, Zidane wasn’t lying either; from the run of play the France Team were indeed hugely dominant.

If it hadn’t been for France’s bad luck, the score should have been five-three, instead of the Italy Team taking a point.

For Italy, this result exceeded their original target.

But for the France Team it’s a bit heartbreaking.

In the next two matches they have to win both to be sure of qualifying.

Kuba, the French centre-back from Atlanta: "I hadn’t faced Lu Yang before, I didn’t know he’d be this fast! It’s unbelievable! I tried everything, but I just couldn’t stop him."

Plazza, the defensive midfielder from Arsenal: "He’s really solid physically, his ability in duels far exceeded my expectations. At first I was worried that if I bumped into him I’d get called for a foul, but it turns out I was overthinking it. Next time I meet him, I won’t hold back, whether it’s with Arsenal or with the France Team!"

Lande, the centre-back from Paris Saint-Germain: "Apart from respect, I honestly can’t think of any other word to describe Lu Yang in this match. My ability in physical battles isn’t as weak as some people imagine, but Lu Yang’s strength and speed absolutely exceed most people’s estimation of him!"

Robben: "He really is fast. Whether in defense or attack, he was very eye-catching. I had a few chances this match that I didn’t take; otherwise we should have won."

Alpha: "I’m very happy to have got on the pitch and scored a goal. This one point is also very important for us. We’ll keep working hard and won’t let down the support of so many France fans!"

When even the opponents are talking him up like this...

You can imagine what his teammates are saying.

As for that awful phase in the first half when Finger was desperate to prove he was the core and ended up running the game into the ground, who even remembers it now?

There’s no doubt that after this match, the identity of the Italy Team’s attacking core already has an answer.

It has to be Lu Yang!

What’s more, even Morici’s playing time is now guaranteed to a certain extent.

Even if Morici comes on as a substitute, that will still eat into part of Finger’s minutes.

Finger’s starting spot in the national team suddenly doesn’t look... all that... secure.

If you’re not even guaranteed to start, what the hell are you fighting for the "core" role for?

Of course, even though this match was brilliant and destined to be a classic, not everyone was happy about it.

Aside from Finger, who now runs the risk of losing his place, Ancelotti, who has a good personal relationship with Finger, was also feeling uncomfortable.

Because he struggled badly in this match.

Italy didn’t build the attacking system around him; instead they mostly had him playing as a wingman.

For Ancelotti, that’s pretty hurtful.

Because Ancelotti’s playing style isn’t suited to being overly targeted.

He has a bit of that Fox in the Penalty Area feel.

But he also has a certain level of dribbling and ability to take players on.

In short, he needs Perrotta to set up the artillery for him, and he needs someone else to draw aggro and share the defensive fire.

He needs two wingmen.

But in the current Italy Team there are only two men up front; where is Ancelotti supposed to find a third?

Lu Yang!

Lu Yang was supposed to be Ancelotti’s wingman, but now it’s turned around and Ancelotti has become Lu Yang’s wingman.

This is absolutely not what Ancelotti wanted to see.

And... as for that last goal by the Italy Team, Morici’s pass was indeed stunning.

But... if Lu Yang hadn’t gotten on the end of it, that ball would have been a garbage pass, a wasted chance!

And considering the speed of the ball, the position, the distance to the opposition centre-backs and so on, that pass was clearly tailor-made for Lu Yang. There isn’t a second player in the entire Italy Team who could have reached it.

At San Remo, maybe Bai Zhami could have.

But what about Ancelotti?

What does it mean when you play a ball that I, Ancelotti, am destined never to reach?

Can’t you play a pass that only I, Ancelotti, can get on the end of?

Ancelotti is convinced that given the situation at the time, laying the ball off to him would have been the more reasonable attacking choice!

All the signs point to one thing: that brat Morici with the rebellious streak at the back of his head doesn’t take him seriously at all.

Back in the playoff as well, it was Morici who stepped up and grabbed free-kick duties.

Ancelotti can honestly say he’s very pissed off with Morici.

But after a draw that’s as good as a win, Ancelotti can’t really complain about anything.

However, don’t give him the chance, or he’ll definitely make the team feel his anger.

...

The day after the European Cup opener, the whole world was shaken by this match.

Because Italy, China, and France all spoke out in succession, verbally condemning the Croatia-related incident and exerting pressure through public opinion.

The whole affair was officially dragged into the spotlight.

It’s inconvenient to go into detail about these things, but in short it has to do with suppliers.

Without those supplies, how are you supposed to fight, with your bare heads?

This sort of stance immediately sparked widespread discussion in the international community.