I AM the Football Star

Chapter 947: Chapter 229: Champions League Group Draw, Veteran Retirement!

August 31.

The first round of Serie A kicks off.

As the newly promoted team, San Remo’s schedule this year is surprisingly favorable.

Their first-round opponent is a relegation-caliber team, Cagliari.

San Remo today deployed their lineup from the European Super Cup.

However, in terms of central defenders, Alme started, replacing the veteran Palacios.

As for Bernulin, he is still on his rest period and has not returned to the team.

On September 8 there’s a national team matchday, and San Remo might let Bernulin rest until he returns directly in the third round of Serie A.

You could say, when it comes to taking care of veterans, San Remo has really done a great job; truly considerate!

This move is quite a way to win people’s hearts.

Coupled with Bernulin being suspended by UEFA for five matches, the vacation he lost this summer is nearly compensated!

A man in his mid-thirties, with a family—wife, kids, parents, elders—all needing care, and without two months off each year, he simply couldn’t live!

Bernulin isn’t short on money; he can easily decide who gets the main center-back position if he loses his lifestyle.

Who’s afraid of whom?

As the match began, Alme, who started, made a mistake.

A weak back pass directly gifted the opponent’s forward a perfect assist.

One to zero!

Cagliari took the lead within the first ten minutes.

The Cagliari fans in the stadium went wild, starting large-scale celebrations.

"A newly promoted team should have the awareness of a newly promoted team!"

"Serie B teams really can’t cut it!"

"This center-back from Barça is so mediocre!"

"A goal assist for the ages, hilarious!"

"Without Bernulin, there’s not a single capable player on San Remo’s defense!"

"Another goal!"

This is Cagliari’s home ground; the fans of San Remo who traveled here are feeling utterly frustrated.

But their frustration didn’t last long.

Because this team has someone who always knows what the fans and the team need.

Five minutes later, another goal was born.

But does San Remo need merely a goal?

Yes, but not just that!

Initially, San Remo tried to create threats from the left flank.

But Bai Zhami was blocked by the opponent.

So the team could only play a back pass.

Delarre returned the ball to Alme.

Alme made a transfer pass, opting not to give it to Kaint, but to Morici instead.

This undoubtedly sped up the transfer rate.

Otherwise, Kaint would have had to pass it to Morici again, wasting some time.

Morici made a direct pass to Lu Yang.

Lu Yang received the ball on the right-side flank area.

Bang!

Lu Yang accelerated with a ball push, opting to go directly to the bottom, eating up the opposing midfielder’s defense with his incredible explosiveness and speed.

Lu Yang followed by cutting inside, blocking the chase route, and pushed into the penalty area.

He has an opportunity to shoot!

But he didn’t choose to do so!

He continued dribbling.

Many feel Lu Yang isn’t being realistic.

Too much dribbling in the penalty area only leads to losing shooting opportunities.

Is Lu Yang too cautious now, restrained by the tag of Serie A, making him hesitate to play as freely as before?

Previously, Lu Yang would shoot whenever he had a chance.

The King of Long Shots, it’s not just a joke!

Most of his shots came from beyond the large penalty box, three meters away even!

"Lu Yang’s playing style today is so un-Lu Yang! Does he think a winger must break into the penalty area to prove their value?" the commentator on the field anticipated the outcome of this dribbling.

Because...

Cagliari’s central defender attempted to move in to block Lu Yang but was half a beat slow.

Cagliari’s goalkeeper reacted swiftly, choosing to rush out immediately.

The central defender and goalkeeper, one left and one front, surrounded Lu Yang.

Previously, Lu Yang had the chance not to shoot, but now there’s no chance to shoot at all.

However...

Lu Yang suddenly leapt forward, executing a C Luo Heel Cut tricking, and broke out from the left front.

Before the goalkeeper and center-back could double close him down, he squeezed out.

Meanwhile, behind him, the horizontally moving center-back collided with the rushing goalkeeper, resulting in a messy fall.

Only then did Lu Yang lightly flick the ball, sending it into the net.

"Oh! Lu Yang got past the goalkeeper! He wasn’t restrained, and honestly, I think he’s even more relaxed than last season!"

"His form is fantastic, visibly fast, and extremely agile!"

"The daring artist, isn’t that what Lu Yang’s all about? He doesn’t dribble for dribbling’s sake; he dribbles for a better shot, which is fundamentally different from those wingers who don’t dare to shoot!"

"Oh! Lu Yang ran to the San Remo fan area, signaling for louder cheers. He’s letting his fans vent, because just minutes ago, these fans faced frustration!"

"Cagliari fans have realized, and they’re booing loudly. Lu Yang didn’t provoke them; he returned to the field, with no malice towards Cagliari fans, but... as a player, he must take away a victory from here."

"This is San Remo’s debut Serie A goal, let’s congratulate Lu Yang! He’s setting many records at San Remo!"

Soon, the match continued.

The last three minutes of the first half.

San Remo got another good opportunity.

Kaint charged forward overlapping with Lu Yang, and under Kaint’s pull, Lu Yang easily cut inside.

Facing the physically colliding central defender, Lu Yang not only withstood the pressure but also attempted to dribble and evade multiple times.