I AM the Football Star

Chapter 364 - 107: Starters and Substitutes, Champagne at Halftime (Part 2)

When it comes to injuries, many issues are actually very subtle.

Why do some players seem like Ironmen, but turn into fragile players once they join certain teams?

This is closely related to the team’s training intensity, mechanisms, and the level of the team doctors.

Some seemingly insignificant details often have a great impact on injuries.

Moreover, recovery from injuries is extremely slow. Anyone who has had a deep cut or similar injury should be very aware of this.

Even if the wound has seemingly healed for more than half a year, if you apply force to the previously injured area, you still feel a sharp pain.

This is the origin of the term "old wounds" frequently mentioned in martial arts novels.

Under conservative treatment, a slightly deeper wound can take more than two years to fully heal, to the point where there is no pain.

Let alone severe strains in key areas?

So without a doubt, Lu Yang’s injury hasn’t healed.

Even though he tries his best to appear normal, he cannot fool Morici.

Lu Yang was silent for a moment, then looked up at Sotu and Morici and said, "I don’t care what you guys think, I must play this match! No one can stop me."

"This is extremely important to me!"

Lu Yang is very determined.

He has embarked on a path of no return.

Either play the final, obtain the Ironman Maniero envisions, and be exempt from injuries henceforth.

Or opt for surgery to recuperate, but even after healing, the wear on his meniscus is irreversible, and his playing style will inevitably lead to another major injury eventually.

Moreover, the most crucial point is that if he chooses the latter, Lu Yang doesn’t know if he’ll have another chance to get Maniero’s Ironman.

He has a premonition.

If he doesn’t play in this Italian Cup final, the Ironman may never appear again.

Or he might find it very difficult to achieve Maniero’s expectations.

Because even if he develops a new tactic, he will no longer be the miracle kid in Maniero’s mind capable of making up for all regrets!

Besides, Lu Yang is not used to stopping short of winning a championship!

It’s already the New Year, everyone’s here, we are all relatives, and it’s still kids. How can one be content without giving it a try?

...

May 25th, the day finally arrived as scheduled.

Italy, Milan, San Siro Stadium.

The Italian Cup final is about to start.

Before the match began, the stadium was packed, the San Siro Stadium with a capacity of over eighty thousand had not been filled for a while.

Such a spectacle is exactly what the Italian Football Association wishes to see.

Given that this is the last match related to the Champions League final team before the Champions League, the whole of Europe is focusing on this match, hoping to glean more content about AC Milan from it.

A lot of media attended this match, and a variety of stars and celebrities also gathered here.

Though to the AC Milan fans, this is more like a dress rehearsal.

But for the fans supporting San Remo, this is the endpoint of their entire season.

Although this match is held at AC Milan’s home ground, according to the Italian Football Association’s rules, AC Milan fans are primarily located in the South Stand.

The North Stand of this stadium, usually the haunt of die-hard Inter Milan fans, is given to San Remo’s fans this time.

The rest of the areas are the territory for a large number of neutral fans.

In other words, except for being more familiar with the venue, AC Milan won’t receive more favoritism in this stadium.

Even their home dressing room has temporarily been handed over to San Remo for use, which is a reflection of the Italian Cup’s care for the underdog teams.

Before the match, both sides announced their starting lineups.

For San Remo, as everyone expected, Lu Yang was more of a mascot, sitting on the bench.

San Remo’s starting lineup today is:

Fernandez, Sogel, Becher’s

Latu Yidi, Morici, Versachi

Camihong, Naji, Palacios, Matias

Jalard

Of them, Jalard, who was injured in the battle at Rome, had a good post-match examination result, with no real fractures. A week after the match, he was back on the field.

While San Remo’s other two bench warriors Bai Zhami and Belletti are on standby on the bench, they are likely to play, as this is San Remo’s fixed rotation tactic.

On the other side, AC Milan’s announced starting lineup was terrifying.

Although three players from their regular starting lineup did not make it to today’s list and two are on the bench, in this match’s starting lineup there are notably two core-level starters.

They are Serie A’s star player Izalelt, and AC Milan’s defensive bulwark, AC Milan’s captain, Serie A’s number one left-back Praxedes!

These two are the core players of AC Milan, one being the offensive core, the other the defensive core.

With these two, even if AC Milan’s other players are all substitutes, they still have the level of a Serie A strong team.

Moreover... not all playing with them are substitutes.

Two core players, three main players, four substitutes, two youth trainees... AC Milan’s starting lineup is quite impressive.

Basically, removing the two youth trainees, this lineup is their B squad for competing in Serie A.

In the stands, Martivini beamed with joy.

AC Milan knows how to please; next year’s schedule will surely be easy, all arranged!

Martivini could have sat in a box today, but he chose the stands, as he hoped more people would see the smile on his face.