Even for the goalkeeper position, if it weren’t for Italy winning the European Cup, their main goalkeeper Donaruma might not have been able to win the best goalkeeper award.
There are two people whose performances are not inferior to his.
One is the Swiss goalkeeper, Jan Somer.
The other is the Spanish emergency goalkeeper, Unai Simon.
Coincidentally, these two goalkeepers shone in the same match.
On July 3, 2021, in the quarter-finals of the European Cup, Switzerland vs Spain!
The former made ten saves in this match! He blocked high and low, refusing Spain’s bombardment, almost single-handedly dragging the game into a penalty shootout, nearly helping Switzerland defy fate.
Meanwhile, the latter actually saved more penalties than Somer in the shootout, literally denying Switzerland’s comeback story, and giving the Spanish a dignified victory and a chance to continue their run.
Unai Simon, in terms of professional quality, along with his ridiculous own goal, he doesn’t count as a top goalkeeper and perhaps will never become a top-level one.
But just talking about saves, he’s almost at a world-class level!
"Are you serious?" Sotu still hadn’t processed it, what gibberish is Lu Yang speaking?
"Trust me, at least for this match, no one is more suitable than me!" Lu Yang patted Sotu on the shoulder and then found the team’s veteran goalkeeper to borrow his gloves.
His hands weren’t big enough; Jalard’s gloves wouldn’t fit, but the substitute goalkeeper’s gloves were just right.
Commentators from various TV stations broadcasting the match were dumbfounded.
"Uh, Lu Yang is putting on the substitute goalkeeper’s gloves?"
"The San Remo substitute goalkeeper sat back on the bench. They have no substitution slots left, so an on-field player has to take up the goalkeeper position."
"What does this mean? Is Lu Yang going to the goalkeeper position?"
"Oh my god! Is this a joke? Lu Yang, he’s..."
"We just found out that Lu Yang has played multiple positions like central defender, left back, and defensive midfielder before. Maybe... sorry, I still think this is bullshit, but that’s the goalkeeper!"
"Lu Yang is only 1.83 meters tall, which is a bit of a disadvantage for a goalkeeper. But perhaps San Remo has no better choice, Naji has the height, but Naji... never mind, I’m afraid he can’t even tell the direction of the goal."
"Lu Yang has extremely strong mental toughness, known as a big-hearted player, perhaps this is why Sotu chose him to be San Remo’s goalkeeper for the penalty shootout."
"Uh... are you sure it was Sotu who chose Lu Yang? Wasn’t it Lu Yang who approached Sotu?"
"Ahem, Lu Yang is on the field. San Remo has no substitution slots left, so they greet the challenge with ten players."
The match continued quickly.
But neither side made any shots.
San Remo kept control of the ball until the end of the match.
Then, the tense and exciting penalty shootout is about to commence.
Don’t look at how San Remo often played into extra time in the Italian Cup.
But they always tenaciously defeated their opponents.
Penalty shootout?
This is the first time!
For all San Remo’s players, this is definitely not a good thing.
Both head coaches are intensively arranging the penalty takers and their order.
Soon, the penalty shootout officially began.
Rome kicked first.
Their first penalty was to be taken by the dual vice-captain, Drake.
Drake held the ball, walked over, his eyes always fixed on Lu Yang.
A player like him, hasn’t he seen all kinds of big games?
Playing tricks?
San Remo is playing with fire!
Perhaps they think that letting a player like Lu Yang, who attracts attention, attempt to save penalties is a good idea.
Anyway, they’re going to lose.
Getting some publicity is also a gain.
Right?
But Drake believes, even if there’s no goalkeeper, at least you need to find a tall one.
An inch longer, an inch stronger, which is very useful in a penalty shootout.
A big player over 1.90 meters standing in front of the goal, stretching his arms, ordinary players basically don’t know where to shoot, because wherever they feel is within the opponent’s save range.
And 1.83 meters does not have this deterrent power.
Drake tried to find retreat and cowardice in Lu Yang’s eyes, to confirm his own thoughts.
But to his surprise, Lu Yang’s eyes were as deep as the sea, as calm as a lake.
This kid wasn’t nervous at all.
After Drake set the ball, he slowly took a few steps back.
After the main referee blew the whistle to signal for the penalty, he started moving towards the ball with small, quick steps, his body slightly arched.
Bam!
Almost the moment Drake lifted his leg, Lu Yang’s left hand suddenly flicked slightly to the left.
The movement was minimal.
Then, almost synchronously with the ball, Lu Yang lunged to his right side.
Bam!
The ball hit Lu Yang’s palm, was deflected by him, flying past the goal line!
Wow!
The whole stadium burst into cheers!
He saved it!
Lu Yang actually saved Drake’s shot?
Drake’s face was stiff, he was a bit incredulous.
His penalty was saved?
This kid... really knows how to be a goalkeeper! Really knows how to save penalties!
Damn!
"I was careless, treated him as a normal goalkeeper!" Drake didn’t lose his mind; he returned and conveyed the information he had perceived to his teammates.
Although this might affect his teammates’ performance, it might also help them.
Lu Yang is too unconventional.
His saving technique is very strong!
In fact, Drake had already tried to lower his appraisal of Lu Yang’s goalkeeping ability.
He really worried that if he said "This kid’s saving skills might not be worse than Ameluci" his teammates’ mentality might crumble.
Ameluci, in the team’s training matches, is almost a dominant presence.
Players who practice shooting with him are always in the most tormenting situation.
Because your shooting confidence will be utterly destroyed by him.
The second goalkeeper of the Italy National Team!
Moreover, if he were in almost every other strong football nation, Ameluci would qualify to be the number one national goalkeeper!
On San Remo’s side.
The first penalty taker is... Lu Yang!
Ameluci stood on the goal line, watching Lu Yang with focus and calm.
But in his mind, he kept seeing the goal Lu Yang scored before halftime.
If... if there’s another shot like that, could he save it?
Ameluci unconsciously shook his head.
Couldn’t save it!
It was too fast!
But the problem is, can Lu Yang still make such a shot?
His knee?
Can it still bear such terrifying force?