CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 65: LU YANG IS NOT THAT SIMPLE

The main referee gave Lu a yellow card. Lu did not argue for himself; he accepted the yellow card. But no matter how many chances he had to redo it, he would have done the same after getting up just now.

On the field, he never regrets.

Similarly, the main referee also gave Gubbio’s player number five a yellow card.

His foul undoubtedly deserved such punishment.

Near the left side of the penalty area, there was an excellently positioned free kick.

Lu and Morici stood in front of the soccer ball.

"You do it, give them something to see!" Morici voluntarily offered the free kick opportunity.

However, Lu quietly shook his head and said: "My elevator free kick is a power-driven style, suitable for the 25 to 30 meters area and requires to be directly facing the goal. This kind of sharp-angled free kick requires a high level of curvature that I am not quite adept at right now."

Lu spoke truthfully. He had his strengths, but also his weaknesses.

Curved free kicks are currently slightly superior for Morici.

For now, at least.

Once Lu developed Beckham’s Arc and Curved Moon Blade, it would be time for Morici to say goodbye to being the first-choice free-kick taker. Thinking of this, he even felt a bit sorry for Morici’s future.

The two discussed briefly and then positioned themselves behind the ball together, one facing directly, the other to the left.

Lu’s position was more fitting for taking the free kick.

Whereas Morici’s position seemed like he was just there to push the ball sideways.

It was similar to the setup in the 2018 World Cup, during Germany’s 2:1 last-minute victory against Sweden, where Reus set up Kroos by pushing the ball.

Of course, the position of the free kick itself was different, just the setup was similar.

Quickly, Gubbio set up their wall.

Their players were all focusing on Lu.

Because it was clear that Lu would definitely be the one to take this kick.

Even though Morici was San Remo’s main free-kick taker.

But... Lu was currently San Remo’s leading scorer, with six goals in three matches already.

With such impressive form, no one dared to refuse him taking the shot, not even the team’s core, Morici.

That is the privilege of a super striker... well, a goal-scoring super left-back can have the same privilege.

Plus, given Lu’s grudge against Gubbio’s player number five and his vengeful nature, how could he not take the shot himself?

So, Morici’s movements drew no attention.

Then...

Bam!

The ball suddenly soared, bending around the wall with an exaggerated curve and, under the Gubbio goalkeeper’s helpless gaze, drilled into the net.

Almost all players on the field had no reaction at this moment.

Except for Morici and Lu, every player on the field was stunned.

Gubbio didn’t expect Morici would take the shot.

Nor did San Remo.

After all, with Lu’s form so hot, why would he let Morici take it?

"That’s so Lu!" San Remo’s right winger Fernandez shook his head in admiration.

"What do you mean?" Versachi asked.

"He only takes charge when the team is at its toughest, putting everything on his shoulders. He has never been interested in free kicks and penalties when leading!" Fernandez looked at Lu with admiration in his eyes.

Even though he was slightly older.

A big brother is a big brother, not determined by age.

Versachi nodded in agreement and then said to Fernandez, "Congratulations, it seems you’ve found a way to fit into this team."

Sogel, who was beside the two, nodded in agreement.

Flattering Lu is the survival rule currently on the rise in San Remo.

Hurry up and showcase yourself before the trend of ’flattering Lu’ entirely takes over, or else it might be too late to flatter him later.

It’s just a pity for Morici, the team’s core.

Despite scoring a truly wonderful free kick, most players were amazed and looked appreciatively at Lu.

As if the goal was scored by Lu’s sheer willpower.

Thankfully, Lu soon hugged Morici to celebrate.

Because of the rules, Morici’s goal also counted as an assist for Lu.

According to current Italian Football Association rules, goals resulting from earned penalties or free kicks are recorded as assists.

In the first half, Lu dominated the field with one assist and one goal.

Moreover, more than the stats, it’s his actual on-field performance that left a profound impression.

If efficiency was the goal, Lu could have created at least three more threatening attacks in this match.

But he didn’t.

He chose to humiliate the opponent’s player number five.

This behavior might have slightly disregarded the team’s interests.

However, considering the on-field advantage Lu created, combined with showing the team who could lead them to victory, it became a privilege of a leader player.

He could, at appropriate times, prioritize his own emotions over the team’s interests.

As long as it didn’t cause actual harm.

It could be said that San Remo has indulged Lu too much.

Tom, too, had concerns about this.

He worried it might affect San Remo’s cohesion and fighting strength.

It could affect cohesion because one person excessively enjoying privileges may create an imbalance in others’ mindset, breeding internal conflicts.

It could affect fighting strength because if Lu squandered too much ball possession without creating corresponding advantages, the risk of conceding from counters increased significantly.