I AM the Football Star-Chapter 449 - 126: Italy Going Home?

"What a pity! Pirola’s header didn’t score!"

"The team that misses a goal will be punished; this is one of the most formidable mysteries in football! Italy National Youth Team was not spared!"

"Mancini is too fast, no one in Italy can keep up with him. He has a chance to complete a hat trick in this match!"

"Oh! Cortino made a controversial defense!"

"Yellow card? Yes, a yellow card! But this is Cortino’s second yellow card!"

"That was definitely a poor defense! The free-kick from this position poses a great threat!"

"The key point is Cortino’s two yellows turned into one red, and he’s been sent off. Italy Team will have to fight with ten men in the next ten minutes! Even the mighty Manchester United wouldn’t be able to hold their heads high against the weak Young Boys with ten men! Not to mention Italy National Youth Team is not as good as England Youth Team!"

"Considering they are already trailing by a goal, after this free-kick, they might be behind by two goals! Their match result is almost destined!"

"Italy National Youth Team’s journey in this European Youth Championship has ended. They failed to advance to the semifinals."

"It’s a bit unfortunate. I can feel that this Italy National Youth Team is going through some positive changes, but this defeat might end such changes."

"Yes, Maniero failed to lead the team to make a breakthrough, he might have disappointed some fans."

"Now, we can roughly evaluate the changes Maniero brought to the National Youth Team. He hasn’t made the National Youth Team better, at least in terms of results this is true!"

"The aggressive dual attacking midfielders seemed to increase Italy’s goals, but Italy’s defense has also worsened."

"You can’t look at it that way. Italy was mostly in the group of death, with Spain, Poland, and England. All three teams have strong attacking power. I actually think Italy’s defense has improved."

For a moment, the commentators had varied opinions.

Everyone had their views.

But the consensus is... everyone believes Italy’s journey in this European Youth Championship is over.

Even Luo Cheng, who was commentating on the match, said with a heavy face: "The match isn’t over, perhaps Italy can hold on a bit longer. After all, Lu Yang is a player who’s very good at creating miracles. In the last ten minutes, let’s see if Lu Yang can still deliver some exciting performance!"

But unfortunately, beneath such commentary, there were many rational fans rebutting.

"Is it this time, and we’re still looking at Lu Yang?"

"Lu Yang is human, not a god. Encountering this England, how can he hold on just with his head?"

"Alas! What a pity for Lu Yang’s brilliant performance, two wonderful assists!"

"Cortino’s two yellow cards were both obtained from tackling Mancini; this Great British Imperial Star is truly unstoppable! Damn!"

On the field, Mancini is placing the football.

The team’s first free-kick taker is the midfield core, but he has already withdrawn from this European Youth Championship.

So Mancini naturally takes the lead.

Moreover, if he scores another goal, it’s a hat trick.

Who else but Mancini should take this kick? 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Hey... don’t say it, Rashim really stepped forward.

"Do you need me to assist you?" Rashim is a good kid, accustomed to working hard without complaints, stepping forward to prepare to help Mancini.

But the fans didn’t know this, they thought Rashim wanted to take this free-kick.

Mancini shook his head, indicating no need.

At the same time, Lu Yang was heading toward his side’s penalty area but was stopped by Morici.

"We’re behind, and it’s meaningless for you to participate in defense!" Morici spoke.

"I..." Lu Yang looked into Morici’s eyes.

"Only your vision can seize every opportunity as much as possible." Morici said, "We’re fighting with ten men; the opportunities we can get are few. This is something even Sevajos and Pompey couldn’t do... only you... only you!"

Then, Morici pushed Lu Yang, leaving him in the front.

"Trust everyone! We can defend against this ball!" Morici was full of confidence.

The team is not about one person, no one can play all positions on the field... oh... remembering Lu Yang’s five consecutive saves, Morici changed his wording... no one can simultaneously play all positions on the field.

Hence, you must learn to trust your teammates.

Lu Yang’s act was somewhat unexpected to the commentators.

Because at the club, penalty area defense, tracking back, corner kick defense, free-kick wall, these tedious tasks were all voluntarily participated by Lu Yang.

On one hand, Lu Yang is tall, Morici wants to be the wall but the goalkeeper doesn’t agree, hahaha!

On the other hand, Lu Yang’s physical confrontation and heading skills are both excellent.

Finally, Lu Yang’s vision is great; his ball handling in dangerous areas is very impressive, whether it’s ball control or massive breakout, it’s all very clean, no random plays, no owngoals.

Otherwise, encountering someone like Naji and Lin Huang, you really want to cry but can’t cry.

So not letting Lu Yang track back, this might be another big mistake by Italy.

Of course, this sentence is warranted after Mancini scores the free-kick.

Soon, Mancini was ready.

The wall was also positioned under Areola’s command.

Bang!

Mancini took the free-kick.

The football’s curvature was high, successfully crossed the wall, flying towards the top left corner of the goal.

This was almost an impossible angle to save.

Unless the goalkeeper is tall, has strong athletic ability, and is prepared for this ball.

A second later, bang!

A large hand blocked the ball’s path to the net!

Areola soared in the air, his right hand like the hand of God, actually filling the defensive gap, appearing in the corner area!

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