CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 25: THE CROWN PRINCE OF PURPLE LILY EMERGES!

That night, an online video meeting commenced.

The organizer was Sotu.

The participants were former Serie A top star Maniero.

One of the top ten agents in Italian Football, Arthas.

A columnist for the authoritative Italian media, Live Football Report, Hans.

And San Remo player Lu Yang.

Morici did not participate, and that was Sotu’s decision.

Because Morici was the focus of tonight’s meeting.

He was far from knowing the dangers he was about to face.

If he participated, he might have been affected mentally.

Either scared out of his wits.

Or trying to prove he’s not afraid, thus seeking confrontation, creating trouble for himself.

There are plenty of real-world examples like this.

The strategy of goading, although an obvious trick even children know from the Thirty-Six Stratagems, actually has a very potent high-level effect, a mind strategy targeting one’s core.

Almost no one can remain unaffected by this strategy.

Because the influence begins the moment you hear the opponent’s words.

Only Sotu has this sort of influence, to organize such a meeting.

But Hans was somewhat surprised by Lu Yang’s influence.

Admittedly, Maniero wasn’t invited by Lu Yang, but does it make any difference?

Maniero still showed up.

"So, you’re worried that San Remo’s core players will continue to face similar threats in future matches, even malicious fouls on the field?" Maniero summarized.

Sotu nodded.

In fact, such a situation shouldn’t only occur now.

Normally, a team’s newcomers, especially well-performing ones, would encounter this situation as early as the beginning of the second half of the season.

Everyone looks down on newcomers; it’s driven by experience, just like most people once underestimated themselves.

And when newcomers perform well, most of those who initially looked down on them become angry, especially opponents.

Then, they’ll use the worst language and actions to punish newcomers, making them understand that newcomers should behave like obedient lambs.

Similarly, when newcomers face targeted defenses or even attacks, it’s normal to struggle to cope initially.

That’s why many newcomers hit a "rookie wall" in the second half of the season.

Those in poor form may continue like this into their second season.

But there are exceptions, where they can show those targeting them that the more they attack, the more they’ll lose! Like scoring more goals, making more assists, dribbling past more defenders, and so on.

Facing challenges head-on is always one way to solve issues.

But it’s tough.

And for a team like San Remo, this shifts to the end of the season because Morici only started playing mid-season.

He is just now beginning to face the siege of the veterans.

It’s not Lu Yang being targeted because Morici is the core of the team, and with Morici and Lu Yang in the same team, it’s clear who the easy target is.

"I’ve actually experienced this situation." Maniero shared his experience, "In the youth team of the Italy Team, I never did exceptionally well, nor did I take on the responsibilities a core should bear, all because of these reasons."

"Rough fouls, strong defense, and multiple players marking me, making me lose my way in the forest of enemy muscles. Until..."

Maniero looked at Sotu.

And Sotu smiled slightly.

"Until this guy known as the Butcher got called into the national team, my nightmare finally ended." Maniero laughed, "He cleared every obstacle for me."

Sotu also smiled, "So many times I wondered, did you spot my bodyguard attributes early on, and that’s why you had Hans find me, get me famous, and thus noticed by the national team? You were always waiting for me in the national team, weren’t you?"

Maniero smiled without speaking, neither confirming nor denying.

"But still, I’m afraid you can’t stop malicious fouls against players." Arthas frowned, "Lu Yang provides sweeping coverage, with his strong defense, but he can only help share Morici’s pressure tactically, he can’t possibly take the hits for Morici, can he?"

"Who says he can’t?" Maniero’s expression changed, "Do you know how many yellow and red cards Sotu received in the national team? Do you know how many malicious fouls he committed? It’s quite different from his league behavior, where he’s indeed fierce but rarely so extreme and nasty!"

Arthas was stunned, it did seem... indeed like that?

Hans, having the authority on this, had orchestrated both Sotu’s notoriety and fame, and was very clear about Sotu’s records.

"He did it for me! Without Sotu, I’d have been crippled long ago!" Maniero said.

Everyone felt a shiver down their spine.

The bond of male camaraderie was evident.

Everything was so clear.

Any unscrupulous attempt toward Maniero, Sotu would definitely retaliate!

Anyone maliciously crashing into Maniero, Sotu would surely make them lie down in the next round.

Anyone who attempted to take out Maniero, Sotu would ensure they experienced the might of the Butcher early!

This was the perfect match in the Italy National Team.

The brain Maniero and his bodyguard, the Butcher Sotu!

Italy isn’t short of defensive midfielders, but no one can do it better or more extremely than Sotu.

In the national team’s matches, he’s not on the field to play the game, he’s entirely there revolving around Maniero!