CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 24: HE TURNED SOCCER INTO BASKETBALL (PART 2)

He...

There’s no time left.

After San Remo’s celebration, there were only three minutes of match time left, with an additional three minutes of stoppage time.

Six minutes, which is completely insufficient for Palermo to break through San Remo’s goal twice. After all, they had spent eighty minutes before and couldn’t even break through once.

Lu Yang, who rewrote the score and ended the game, continued to refresh his own stats in the remaining six minutes.

As the referee blew the whistle three times.

Lu Yang’s stats were locked in.

successful aerial duels throughout the match.

tackles.

interceptions.

breakouts.

Two goals.

He achieved a super triple-double!

Such stats are impressive even in basketball, let alone in football?

After the match, Lu Yang, who scored twice, undoubtedly became the best player of the match.

He was interviewed by the media.

Reporter: "Why were you the one to take that penalty? We know you’re not the team’s penalty taker, your technique isn’t the best, plus... this match was so important."

Lu Yang: "Someone has to take that responsibility, especially when teammates aren’t in the best form."

Reporter: "Why did you execute a Panenka penalty? Were you worried it might get saved?"

Lu Yang: "I felt it, so I just did it. The outcome of any shot is unpredictable."

Reporter: "So you gambled? Did you not consider what consequences the team would face if you failed with such an important penalty?"

Lu Yang: "I don’t like the way you put it. I think I just said, the outcome of any shot is unpredictable, no one is irresponsible to the team, besides... I scored."

Reporter: "Okay, then let’s talk about the other chip shot. You did have other options at the time, such a rash shot, what if you didn’t chip it over the goalkeeper’s head, then..."

Lu Yang: "But I did chip it over. You’re from Palermo’s media, right? I understand your frustration about missing out on the top spot, but please don’t assume we should lose. We, San Remo, are now just two points away from third place!"

"If we can be directly promoted, why play the playoffs? That’s our determination, understood!"

Lu Yang’s final words revealed San Remo’s determination.

Reporters whispered after Lu Yang left: "They want to get into the top three?"

"My God, San Remo really has a chance, they’re at 63 points, while Bisceglie and Franca Villa in second and third are both at 65 points, one game can change the standings!"

"Arrogant fellows! Palermo is ahead of them at 64 points!"

"Even Catania has 60 points, if Catania catches up, based on head-to-head and goal difference, they could be ahead of San Remo too!"

The crowd was abuzz.

Not yet realizing that San Remo was only four points behind the top of the table.

With five rounds of matches, anything could happen, why can’t four points?

...

The Italian D League hasn’t been this lively in a long time.

This season, teams in the relegation zone were determined early, leaving the last spot to escape the struggles.

However, the promotion zone is fiercely contested, and as of now, it has not been settled.

Even the current top team, Tulis, doesn’t dare to claim they’ll definitely be in the top five by the end of the season.

Likewise, it’s not just the top six that are tightly packed; even the seventh-place Potenza Football Club theoretically has a chance to break into the top five.

But that’s provided they don’t lose any matches from the next round, with at most one draw.

This is a very daunting task.

But Potenza’s captain Borges believes they can achieve it.

And to prove this point, he released a video of himself on social media.

Not a video of playing football, but kicking tree stumps.

In the video, Borges repeatedly uses his calf to kick tree-trunk-thick logs, eventually breaking two logs in succession, which made him look exceptionally fierce.

At the same time, he specifically tagged San Remo’s star player Morici.

Because Potenza’s next opponent is none other than the unstoppable, currently on a seven-match winning streak in the league, San Remo!

Undoubtedly, this is a threat.

Though not explicitly stated, Borges will surely focus on defending Morici in the next match, perhaps even using unconventional means to affect Morici’s health and alter the game.

This goes against the essence of competitive sports.

But it’s not uncommon in lower leagues.

Firstly, because the regulations in lower leagues are not strict enough.

Secondly, because lower leagues don’t make much money, even if something outrageous happens, one could just decide not to play anymore.

Thirdly, the bookmakers can more easily manipulate such matches.

In top-tier matches, there are too many factors deciding the outcome, even a substitute from a big club can change the game instantly. While it’s not impossible for bookmakers to influence such games, it’s mostly unfeasible.

Lower leagues don’t attract as much attention, allowing more freedom.

So, experienced betting friends rarely get involved with lower league matches, as they would lose everything, it’s practically a trap.

In light of this situation, Lu Yang contacted Hans.

"Hey, Lu, what can I do for you?" Hans is always keeping an eye on the Italian D League.

"Someone is threatening my teammate, in the next match, he wants to break Morici’s leg." Lu Yang was very angry.

"So..." Hans asked.

"I hope the next match attracts a lot of attention, beyond the Italian D League level!" Lu Yang said.

Hans thought for a moment, then said, "I need a gimmick, something that can attract fans from other levels. How about... we hold a video meeting tonight, with Maniero, Arthas, Sotu, and us together."

Lu Yang thought for a while: "Alright."

After hanging up, Lu Yang dialed Sotu’s phone.

"Lu Yang, what’s up?" Sotu was a bit surprised, Lu Yang wasn’t one to cause trouble outside, he was obsessed with training.

It’s known that Morici had reported to the coaching staff that Lu Yang had recently turned down an offer from Sofia, knowing that at the season’s end, what’s more important.

My goodness, unbelievable.

It was Sofia!

"We might have trouble, coach." Lu Yang’s tone was heavy.

"You mean Potenza’s Borges?" Sotu, a competent coach, has already grasped some external factors.

"It’s him, but not just him." Lu Yang said concisely.

Sotu was stunned.

The latter half of the sentence was somewhat beyond his expectations, but he quickly realized.

If Potenza could harm San Remo’s key players, why couldn’t others?

San Remo’s current success is due to the contribution of the entire team.

But there’s always someone who changes the game for the team.

Rondo, it’s already a lot without anyone targeting him; he previously felt unwell and was substituted, but nothing serious was found. Still, the doctors suggested he rest a match.

Vedian, to be honest, as San Remo’s finisher, if he gets hurt, San Remo will suffer greatly.

But Vedian has already been eyed by several Serie B teams, and if someone targets him now, their reputation would be tarnished in the entire football world. Even San Remo would demand an investigation under widespread attention, and which lower league club could withstand scrutiny?

Especially teams like Potenza with many rogues and hooligans in their ranks.

If investigated officially, at least four main players on their team would be out of action for a while.

Then there’s only Lu Yang and Morici left.

Functionally speaking, Lu Yang’s stats seemingly surpass Morici’s, but Morici is truly the brain of the team!

Lu Yang is like a special commando, capable of single-handedly playing the hero and taking down the enemy leader.

But Morici is the leader who can gather a group of ordinary people and lead them to fight against the enemy.

The loss of the latter would cripple San Remo instantly.

From another angle.

From the perspective of difficulty to strike.

1.81m, known for defense, strong in confrontations, tough and fierce in play.

1.72m, looks easy to bully, plays a creative midfield role, the brain.

Who do you think is easier to deal with?

Borges’s vocal threat is very unethical.

But if San Remo doesn’t show a tough stance, then in the next few matches, there might be another Borges!

This is what’s truly lethal.

How could a butcher not be aware of the consequences of being targeted by thugs?