CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 27: THE BUTCHER REBORN—ANGEL OR DEVIL_2

"In that match, Sotu also received a red card due to a melee on the field, as the opponent’s midfield thug repeatedly committed malicious fouls against Maniero. It’s worth noting that in that match, the Italian Team, later reduced to ten men, achieved ultimate victory!"

"Lu Yang’s intervention was more to protect the team’s core, Morici."

"Lu Yang walked towards the edge of the pitch, with Sotu waiting for him at the sideline. Would Sotu angrily reprimand Lu Yang?"

"No! Sotu showed no anger; he began applauding in advance. What’s going on here!"

"Oh! In the stands, Maniero stood up; he too started applauding!"

"Carrel also stood up; he was clapping as well."

Clap, clap, clap!

The audience erupted with enthusiastic applause.

At that moment, even the fans were indifferent to the outcome.

They only wanted to give Lu Yang the most enthusiastic applause and cheers.

"Lu! Lu! Lu!"

They were praising him like a hero, escorting Lu Yang into the player’s tunnel.

Soon, under the pressure from San Remo players and the entire audience, the Head Coach ’remembered’ Borges’ recent malicious foul, therefore showing Borges a yellow card, which resulted in two yellows turning into a red.

Borges was then sent off the field.

Moreover, Potenza’s number eight and three players also received yellow cards for their malicious fouls on the field. Though they were the ones being hit, they actively engaged in offensive actions.

They are both Potenza’s defensive players, meaning Potenza’s upcoming defensive pressure will be substantial.

In the remainder of the match, Potenza players did not target Morici with malicious fouls again.

This might be because Lu Yang was standing at the player tunnel, watching the field attentively.

No one dared provoke this lunatic again.

He, just like his Head Coach, is a butcher on the field!

After the full ninety minutes of the match, the Head Coach did not provide any stoppage time; he was anxious to leave the field dominated by the butcher.

San Remo defeated Potenza one to zero, not only ending Potenza’s hopes of promotion but also elevating their standing to fourth on the league leaderboard!

Yet none of this made much of a ripple.

Because after the match, the entire Italian Football was shaken by Lu Yang’s 1V3 feat.

Eastern Boxing King, suddenly emerging!

Crown Prince of Purple Lilies and Butcher the Second, appearing simultaneously in the same match!

More terrifyingly, they are actually the same person!

...

"Crown Prince of Purple Lilies appears! A powerful shot replicates Carrel’s goal against Inter Milan last season!"

"Carrel has found his heir; he applauds and cheers for Lu Yang!"

"Field thug? The butcher has raised another butcher, receives a straight red for rough foul!"

"Is this playing football or murder? San Remo player Lu Yang punches and kicks, turning a football match into a boxing match!"

"Controversial Italian D Division player Lu Yang, is he the next King of Purple Lilies or the next butcher?"

"Angel or devil? Helping the team win the match, yet very likely to jeopardize the team’s promotion prospects!"

"Controversial action! Sotu is likely to face investigation and disciplinary action from Italian Football for applauding Lu Yang!"

Various headlines occupied the front page of all Italian football media overnight.

Even the news of Juventus clinching a league three-peat and Naples’ six-to-two triumph over Atlanta was overshadowed.

It wasn’t just Italian Football; this incident had a significant influence across European Football.

Especially among Fleet Street, England folks.

"Signs of Italian Football rising! The midfield twin stars from back then reappear!"

"If the Italian football scene nationalizes them, the nightmare from ten years ago will soon return!"

"New Maniero and the butcher! This Italian D Division team is not simple!"

The power of English media is undeniable.

They can make Premier League stars the hottest globally, make an unknown person famous with a single goal, equally capable of rendering even a key national team player worthless.

They excel at creating and destroying stars.

In the absence of major national team competitions, they sometimes even experience "foreign moon shines brighter" moments.

Like this time.

Ten years ago, the Italy Team fought fiercely with the England Team for World Cup qualifying spots, ultimately secured the precious spot.

While the England Team had to face the daunting playoffs, barely qualifying during the last round thanks to a stellar star performance, almost missing the World Cup.

The butcher Sotu from that match left a deep impression on the English people, especially with his brawl with England players, causing his fame for a while.

And now, this player named Lu Yang, coached by Sotu, is so much like that butcher from back then.

Especially with their cold gazes when leaving the field.

"Many say Lu Yang was too impulsive, but having watched the entire match, I don’t think so. He was very calm; he did it deliberately; otherwise... his teammates might have retired injured in this match." Premier League’s notorious thug Tessli’s assessment of Lu Yang is the mainstream opinion among English people, "This is a form of responsibility; he knows his primary task on the field."

"Protecting the core is Lu Yang’s duty, and he achieved it. Subsequently, no one fouled the 23rd player again; this is the deterrent of Lu Yang’s punches!"

"Although saying this may lack enough respect for football in many people’s minds, I still must say, sometimes in football matches, it’s not just about football!"

Explosive!

The name Lu Yang and images of the Italian D Division match spread widely on social media.

But when these accusations returned to the Italian D Division field, from the league perspective, there were finally people criticizing Lu Yang.

"Undoubtedly his actions were wrong; he prematurely sounded the horn of San Remo’s failure to promote to Italian Third Division this season!"

"Lu Yang’s malicious brawl punishment will definitely be more than just a red card. He is very likely to face additional suspension from the Football Association. Without Lu Yang, San Remo can hardly maintain its winning streak!"

"So far, Lu Yang has scored thirteen goals and provided nine assists for San Remo. He has decided the outcome of one match after another numerous times, bringing San Remo a series of three points. Without Lu Yang, San Remo relying only on Vedian alone will struggle to guarantee victory."

"Similarly, Lu Yang’s current league interception king and tackle king statistics also prove his dominance in defense; without Lu Yang, San Remo’s defensive line will drop at least one level!"

"He safeguarded San Remo’s core, yet also in some sense sacrificed another core of San Remo. Yes, in tactics Lu Yang is not San Remo’s core, but in statistics, in fans and the team’s hearts, he is absolutely one of San Remo’s cores!"

This reportage sounded the horn of criticism against Lu Yang.

Precisely because the entire Italian football scene and even European football are focusing on this matter, the Italian Football Association must swiftly and judiciously handle everything.

They decisively issued the accountability for Lu Yang.

Due to intentional aggression, brawling on the field, and causing severe negative impact, the Italian Football Association imposed fines and additional suspension on Lu Yang.

A fine of ten thousand euros and a four-match suspension!

Upon this news, the Italian D Division was in uproar.

The hefty fine is unbearable for an Italian D Division player’s salary.

And the four-match suspension means Lu Yang will miss the rest of the season’s matches.

This is practically a deadly blow to San Remo.

To be fair, given Lu Yang’s actions, this punishment is not excessive.

...

Under the storm, Lu Yang’s season seemed to end prematurely.

Even three Italian Third Division teams made offers to Lu Yang.

There were even rumors that Serie B teams were evaluating Lu Yang’s value.

And Lu Yang just finished counting the rewards from winning this round of matches.

"Ding! You received acclaim from superstar Carrel, received random gift package*1."

"Ding! You received your first career red card, received random gift package*1."

Lu Yang opened all packages and acquired the player skills "Destructors" and "Knee Bounce."

The former is a positional skill that can be activated as long as Lu Yang appears in the midfield or defense.

This will slightly improve his defense capabilities, enhancing his speed, eruption, balance, strength, jump, foot power, tackles, interceptions, breakouts, blocking, stamina, and other abilities.

However, it will moderately weaken his long passing, short passing, tight ball control, curvature, attacking runs, dribbling, and ball control abilities.

But overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, making it a very good skill.

Especially under Lu Yang’s foundation of Copper Wall and Iron Wall, the boost from Destructors is strong.

And "Knee Bounce" is an up-ball skill, having a certain breakthrough attribute at the proper time, similar in effect to the V-shaped Pull, though not as commonly used, very showy.