I AM the Football Star-Chapter 528 - 144: Europa League Debut, Little Bald Baby 2
"In fact, due to playing on the flanks, Lu Yang’s defense is more daring and intimidating."
"San Remo will face their first Europa League match midweek next week, against the strong French team Ness. Whether Lu Yang can neutralize Ness’s offensive core, Boe, may determine the outcome of that match!"
"Alright, the second half is about to start, let’s return to the game!"
Second Half.
Sixty-fifth minute.
Canyes takes off again, directly attacking the opponent’s flank, causing chaos for Ascoli.
Ascoli has heavily fortified the flank where Canyes is located.
Canyes passes to Morici, who makes a wide pass to the advancing Lu Yang beyond the midfield line.
Morici is one of the few who can make a far-reaching pass that reaches the ball faster than the opposing defenders, thanks to his unique technique.
Lu Yang receives the ball before the opposition can close in, still hastening toward him.
Bam!
Lu Yang makes a decisive 45-degree super through ball from the flank.
The ball heads straight for the top of the penalty arc.
More like a shadow striker or attacking midfielder, Fernandez easily receives the ball.
Yet, in the space to hold the ball, he chooses not to dribble but lets it slide lightly off his foot, passing it forward.
This pass, smooth like chocolate.
Sogel in the penalty area had already set off, perfectly matched with the ball.
Beside Sogel, the nearest defender still had a two-body gap.
Sogel one-on-one!
Bam!
Sogel confidently steps up, shooting without controlling the ball to directly challenge the goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper fails to dive in time, allowing the ball to slip past the goal line.
Three to zero!
San Remo getting increasingly familiar with the 3-5-2 formation, players one by one starting to find their rhythm.
Fernandez, in limited game time, successfully opens his assist tally.
While Sogel, with two goals in three matches, ranks fifth on the Serie B top scorer list!
Of course, there are three others sharing the same rank.
But it’s still impressive.
As the midfield advantage expands, Sogel’s opportunities become better than in a three-forward lineup, potentially leading to more goals.
After this goal, Sotu starts warming up several players.
He’s making substitutions.
Seventieth minute, Sotu makes a bold move, using all three substitutions at once.
This style, similar to the life-risking Magic Bird and Qi Xuan Sect.
Camihong comes on, replacing Matias.
Bai Zhami comes on, replacing Fernandez.
Finally, Naji comes on, replacing Palacios.
Sotu doesn’t set obstacles for Naji, as Naji had already been in his office, crying and pleading, saying "I’m sorry.".
Sotu is quite generous.
But if Naji causes any more trouble this match, Sotu fears he might not be able to keep his blood pressure in check.
Fortunately, Naji performs consistently without issues this match.
After coming on, Bai Zhami is exceptionally active, and with Lu Yang becoming more excited as the match approaches its end, they take turns pressing the opposing right-back.
Ultimately, Bai Zhami successfully cuts inside during an attack, feints past a defender, and charges into the penalty area.
Sweeping pass in front of the goal, creating significant threat.
Sogel is tightly marked, but no one expected a small figure to dash in.
Pretending to be inactive for more than ten minutes, Morici exploits a blind spot in vision to evade the defenders, sneaks into the penalty area, and makes a direct spot shot.
The ball sinks into the net without suspense.
Morici scores!
San Remo, four to zero!
Ascoli suffers a crushing defeat!
The fans in the stands begin to leave gradually with five minutes remaining, expressing their despair.
San Remo secures another victory, achieving three consecutive wins at the start of Serie B.
Lu Yang, with one goal, one assist, and multiple orchestrations, wins the Man of the Match award consecutively three times.
San Remo’s firepower shocks the entire Serie B.
Not only three straight wins but also three consecutive big wins, scoring thirteen goals in three matches!
Who in Serie B can withstand such firepower?
...
"Italy’s Gatling! San Remo scores thirteen in three matches, dominating Serie B, unbeatable!"
"Leading the top of the leaderboard! When will San Remo stop their winning streak?"
"Invincible? How can Ness defeat such a San Remo?"
"The strongest fourth-seeded team! Don’t underestimate such a San Remo!"
"Ness in danger! San Remo is about to invade!"
"Three-time MVP! How do we counter this kind of Lu?"
San Remo’s three consecutive wins have excited not only the local San Remo media but also the football media in the nearby French city of Ness.
Judging by their headlines, San Remo’s media might even feel as though they are the local newspapers.
This... this overpraise of San Remo?
Is it necessary?
It’s just a UEFA Europa League group match, the first one at that, and they are already using media tactics?
Ness media’s attitude puzzles many.
But if you understand the relationship between Ness and San Remo, you’ll know the reason behind their comments.
Ness is France’s second-largest tourist city, only behind Paris, with over four million visitors to the city annually.
Yet, against this backdrop, locals prefer to visit surrounding areas during their leisure.
The saying "home flowers aren’t as fragrant as wild ones," Ness locals are well familiar with everything in Ness. When they want to relax, most choose San Remo, on the nearby Italy border.
