August 28, Beijing Bird’s Nest Stadium.
"Hello, viewers in front of the TV, this is CCYV5 Sports Channel, and we are broadcasting the upcoming Italian Super Cup match. I’m your good friend, Huang Jianjun! Sitting on my left is a famous football commentator from ’Super Football’, Teacher Luo Cheng."
"Hello, everyone, I’m Luo Cheng. I’m glad to commentate on this match for you."
"Teacher Luo, what are your thoughts on this match? Between Juventus and San Remo, who do you favor more?" Huang Jianjun asked.
Luo Cheng smiled and took out a San Remo support placard, saying, "I’m the first twenty-year-old fan of San Remo in the country, of course, I support San Remo."
"But don’t think I’m being irrational; my support is actually well-founded."
"On the Juventus side, the team’s leading striker Prince Zebra Ancelotti has not yet recovered from injury. Their star player, Italy’s national goalkeeper Gianluigi Audi, had to rush to the hospital because his eleven-year-old son suffered an injury during a Juventus U13 training session, breaking an arm, so Audi couldn’t be at Bird’s Nest Stadium."
"Moreover, this summer, Juventus’ former captain and defensive maestro Bernulin transferred to San Remo, leaving their defense without a commander. I believe San Remo will surely score in this match!"
Luo Cheng makes his point convincingly, knowing the opponent deeply. It’s more fitting to call him a twenty-year Juventus fan than a San Remo fan.
To this, Huang Jianjun had a different view: "You can’t compare it this way. Speaking of personnel changes, San Remo had much more movement this summer. They’ve brought in so many players; it’s not going to be mixed well immediately."
"Plus, although Juventus lost three giants, their central forward is equally strong. That Croatian Divine Striker Manzuyovich is definitely the most underrated player in Serie A, no doubt. In world football, he’s one of the ten most underrated stars!"
"He can completely obliterate any defense alone!"
"Also, let’s not forget, Juventus is a championship-level team in Serie A, while San Remo just got promoted to Serie B this year. It’s uncertain how they’ll perform."
Luo Cheng immediately countered: "It’s true that Juventus is Serie A champions, but they focus more on testing new players and new tactics in this match. For them, it’s more of a warm-up than a competition."
"But for San Remo, this is the honor they desperately desire. The mindset investment of both teams is extremely uneven, and I favor San Remo players who thirst for honor more."
Both sides went back and forth, neither yielding, creating an effective discussion.
And the broader fan base is discussing in the same manner.
This match is extraordinarily popular, causing a football storm across Asia.
Fans from nearby South Korea and Japan are envious of domestic fans.
With the rise of the domestic economy, they’ve received more privileges from big clubs and leagues in aspects of football matches, star operation markets, match timing, and broadcaster supply.
This scene is all due to a small Serie B player, Lu Yang.
Is a player’s influence really this significant now?
For a moment, the football associations of these two countries contacted their players playing overseas, asking them to bring some of those league matches to their own countries.
But the replies were mostly like "What are you thinking, brother?", "Are you crazy?", "I’m just a little substitute", "I’m human, not a god!", "Can a player really get involved in this?", "Our club president doesn’t even have this power."
After inquiries, everyone realized that not only Serie B players but even top players and core players of strong teams in the Five Major Leagues never had a consultative role in such matters.
So why can Lu Yang?
Through this research, some seasoned fans recognized Brother Lu’s energy.
Playing well isn’t scary.
What’s scary is having effective and equal exchanges with the big players like Sotu, Maniero, Martivini, Arthas, and Hans.
As the discussion unfolds, the match has already begun.
In today’s match, Juventus’ formation is still their regular 4-2-3-1.
But there’s been considerable personnel change, with four new signings, two substitutes, and a youth player starting.
It can be said Juventus treats this match as a mock exam, testing their players for problems and amending them. This season, their goals are to secure their fourth consecutive league title and compete for the Champions League!
Thus, an Italian Super Cup doesn’t interest them.
There are such trophies in abundance in Juventus’ trophy room; they can hardly fit them.
Similarly, on the other side, San Remo has also lined up a brand new and bold formation.
It’s precisely the rumored 3-5-2, or perhaps 3-2-3-2!
With dual forwards Sogel and Fernandez.
The midfield consists of left-winger Lu Yang, midfielder Morici, and right-winger Canyes.
Defensive midfielders Latu Yidi and Lam.
A trio of central defenders Bernulin, Palacios, and Matias.
In this formation, Fernandez starting doesn’t come as a surprise.
San Remo is fighting on multiple fronts this season, and Fernandez and Bai Zhami will appear alternately in various matches.
Compared to Bai Zhami’s impact, Fernandez is more suitable for team-oriented matches, able to perfectly cooperate with frontline players.