Sotu: "No, this isn’t anyone forcing Lu Yang; quite the opposite, it’s Lu Yang’s own decision. But as his head coach, I have a duty to remind him when he might not fully understand the severity of the situation."
"The conservative treatment he chose seems like it could allow him to recover in time for the Italian Cup final, but that recovery isn’t complete. In this state of pseudo-recovery, he’s highly susceptible to injury again, which could lead to a relapse."
"With his style of play, a single long shot might be enough to cause such a consequence. And once the injury recurs, there’s a high chance it could turn from an ordinary injury into a stubborn one that will trouble him repeatedly in the future."
"This will impact a player’s future. I don’t want Lu Yang to make a choice that could potentially harm his future career. I believe the fans also hope to see an ever-improving Lu Yang, not just a fleeting success."
"If San Remo wins tomorrow’s match, we will clinch the Italian Third Division championship early. At that time, I hope the fans can help persuade Lu Yang to undergo complete treatment ahead of time!"
At this moment, although in the same camp, Sotu made a different decision from Martivini, Russell, and Maniero.
Ninety-nine’s intimacy isn’t just talked into existence!
Of course, the latter three did not blame Sotu because in reality, Sotu’s speech didn’t change anything.
However, even among the three, their positions aren’t completely identical.
Martivini truly hopes Lu Yang can appear on the pitch, otherwise the legendary Italian Cup journey he single-handedly fashioned for San Remo would suddenly wilt at the most exciting moment, ending in anticlimax.
Russell similarly hopes Lu Yang can bring new honors to the team, filling the blank in the club’s history without a cup championship. He has faith in Lu Yang, knowing San Remo can’t set sail without him.
As for Maniero... although also worried about Lu’s injury, deep down he is someone who is filled with a thirst for championship glory.
If it were Maniero himself, in such circumstances he would definitely choose to battle while injured.
This isn’t because he doesn’t care about Lu Yang, but because he sees Lu Yang as one of his own, hoping Lu Yang makes the same choice he would. Even if Lu Yang misses out because of it, like Maniero gambled his coaching career on the European Youth Championship, causing the coaching stint to be less than smooth, Maniero would still be without regret.
Adults, often there are no perfect choices.
Maniero and Sotu were heartbroken in the European Cup final years ago, linked to his own injuries.
Had it not been for playing while injured, Maniero’s style of play could have sustained him for three more years!
Though outsiders don’t know, Maniero indeed retired due to injury.
He couldn’t conquer his injury, playing injured without gaining the final honor, but he never regretted it. However, he hopes if Lu Yang makes the same choice, it will lead to different results.
Braving the injury for something worthwhile!
April 27th.
The thirty-ninth round of the Italian Third Division.
Renat was the unfortunate one.
Back when the price for Vedian was forty thousand euros, they found it steep. They tried to push the price down during the winter window but didn’t buy, resulting in half a season later Vedian being no longer within their yearning, finally sold for a sky-high price of 1.5 million euros.
Now, they have become the backdrop for San Remo’s early championship victory, once again imprinted into the glorious history of San Remo.
In this match, Morici scored one goal and assisted twice, dominating the game.
His personal stats have reached eight goals, twenty-one assists!
Only two assists shy of Lu Yang’s forty-three goals and twenty-three assists.
Italian Third Division matches have now completely turned into tools for San Remo to gain stats, no challenge for San Remo.
Additionally, in this match, Sogel and Bai Zhami each scored a goal.
At the end of the match, the pitch erupted with enthusiastic celebration, celebrating San Remo’s early championship win.
Afterwards, there was a simple championship ceremony on the pitch.
Since this isn’t San Remo’s home ground, when the team returns to San Remo, a larger-scale championship ceremony is planned for the afternoon and evening that day.
The surprising aspect was, on this match’s stands, indeed there were fans who, during the championship celebration, pulled out banners thanking Lu Yang for his contribution to the team and hoping he would rest ahead to ensure a complete recovery before participating in other matches.
How foresighted the fans are, for instead of unrealistic Italian Cup trophy, the fans hope a healthy Lu Yang leads San Remo in tackling Serie B next season.
Prior to playing against Samp and Rome, San Remo fans dared to imagine success in maintaining Serie B status, and in three years stimulating the challenge for Serie A.
When Lu Yang smashed Samp, reversed Rome, a bold idea emerged in the minds of San Remo fans.
How about... next year we move up another level?
From Italian D Division, one leap each year, until Serie A?
This is bold!
Indeed, harder than an Italian Third Division team winning the Italian Cup!
This requires the team’s strength and stability.
So in dreaming for next season, most San Remo fans support Lu Yang recovering.
However, the situation soon underwent new changes!
Previously mentioned, the chance of San Remo defeating AC Milan in the Italian Cup final is infinitesimally close to zero, unless they can achieve something remarkable in the Champions League...
May 1st, Champions League semi-final first leg, AC Milan vs. Real Madrid.