The match against Pisa, the score didn’t change further.
Without Naji, Pisa completely lost their chance to catch up.
San Remo secured a three-to-one victory, achieving two consecutive wins at the start of the league and remaining at the top of the Serie B standings, with great momentum.
Nine goals in two matches, they are simply on fire.
But, frustratingly, in the post-match news, the big news of San Remo’s consecutive wins was overshadowed by reports like "Naji and Sotu at odds."
It’s extremely rare for someone to openly challenge Sotu, the Butcher.
Especially since Sotu is San Remo’s head coach.
"Problems in the main framework? Internal discord, how far can San Remo go like this?"
"AC Milan’s genes not acclimatizing in San Remo? San Remo’s homegrown talent Naji showing attitude towards Sotu?"
"Irritated! Saint One Peak refused to shake hands with Sotu after being substituted!"
"Rushed back to the locker room for a shower? Naji’s true nature, Sotu’s actions too easily destroy young players’ confidence!"
"Seven-minute substitute, Naji’s anger is justified, it’s the greatest disrespect to a professional player!"
"This is professionalism and a sense of mission! Sotu substituted the young player after seven minutes, putting the team’s interests first!"
"Forgot to take the opponent’s jersey after exchanging? Lu hurriedly left after the match, rushing into the players’ tunnel first!"
...
In the locker room.
Naji hadn’t showered yet; he was sitting silently on his seat, deep in thought.
On his face, there indeed remained some traces of anger.
It’s described as remnants because there was also some... deeply unsettling expression on his face.
It seems he realized what exactly he had done.
"Pack up your things, come with me." Lu Yang went straight into the locker room, grabbed the car keys, and left the locker room without even washing up.
Naji followed him.
The two men had just finished playing, especially Lu Yang, drenched in sweat, got directly into the car.
Um, Morici’s car.
Vroom!
With a rev of the engine, the car left Makabaka Stadium.
More than ten minutes later, Lu Yang drove to a small beach nearby; the environment here wasn’t great, and the quality of the sand was poor, with not many people around.
Not all beaches are crowded with people.
"Lu, I know what you want to say. I was indeed a bit irrational, but the boss was too..." Naji roughly understood what Lu Yang meant.
Lu Yang is a very good teammate and also the captain of the team; he works diligently on the field and often takes the lead off the field as well.
Naji respects Lu Yang as the captain.
But Lu Yang raised his hand to stop Naji, saying, "Naji, how old are you? Almost twenty-three, right? You’re a bit older than me, but you know I’m actually quite mature, so... I hope we can have an adult conversation."
Naji was startled.
It was his first time seeing Lu Yang so serious.
He instinctively nodded.
"Do you think you’re outstanding?" Lu Yang asked.
Naji frowned.
This question is quite aggressive.
Especially coming from Lu Yang.
Honestly, what kind of young player dares to say they’re outstanding in front of Lu Yang?
The internationally recognized ones might include Enriquez, Mancini, Pavovsky, Melcan, and Sevajos, among others, perhaps more in the 22-25 age bracket.
But... even players like Enmanpa get owned by Lu Yang during actual matches, right?
Brother Lu is really good at face-smacking.
So... how is Naji supposed to respond?
In fact, this sudden, serious interrogation made Naji feel a bit... humiliated.
It’s inexplicably this sudden damn sense of pride that got shattered.
Naji: "What do you mean? I may not be a very talented player, but I believe I have made it this far, and I consider myself to be excellent."
Lu Yang looked at Naji.
Three seconds later, he shook his head.
"No, you said it wrong," Lu Yang said. "You are a talented player, whether it’s based on today’s football standards or compared to the heights you could potentially reach."
"You think your talent is average, but in reality, your talent surpasses 80% of central defenders! You are squandering your talent, wasting the skills God has given you."
Naji looked puzzled.
Am I really that amazing?
"No need to pretend to be confused, you actually have always known this!" Lu Yang exposed Naji’s "performance." "Otherwise, you wouldn’t smile so calmly after scoring an own goal."
"You wouldn’t go to the nightclub as usual the day after the team got a draw."
"You wouldn’t remain complacent without pressure after the team brought in a strong central defender."
"Because you know you’re full of talent, and you’re worth waiting for by the team and the fans."
"Whether it’s Palacios or Bernulin, none of them will suppress your playing time for long because they’re much older, and their peak won’t last long."
"San Remo hasn’t brought in a central defender of your age or in their prime for many reasons, but surely among them is the consideration of your thinking and respect for you."
"You are well aware of this, and because of it, your expectations for yourself aren’t high."
Naji was left speechless by Lu Yang.
Because, in fact, deep down inside... he might have really thought this way.
This treatment could be described as being spoiled like a favored son.
Because Naji himself is, after all, San Remo’s very own son.
In terms of lineage, Naji is far purer than even Lu Yang, San Remo’s homegrown talents.