After Lu Yang spoke up, it wasn't long before the Italian Football Association also made a statement.
They firmly expressed their support and protection for Lu Yang, stating that Lu is an outstanding player, a hero of San Remo, and more importantly, a hero of Italian football.
Italian football might have missed out, but it's this very reason that makes Italian football cherish everything now and strive to do better.
Lu Yang and San Remo represent the new face Italy presents to the world of football!
At this moment, Italian football and Lu Yang became deeply intertwined.
At least, if Italian football were to find an image ambassador, it would definitely be Lu Yang.
Someday in the future, when you think of Italian football, you'll remember Lu Yang's face.
Due to this controversy, the Sanremo Music Festival has gained more recognition, suddenly becoming a globally renowned music festival.
If it's held again next year, the scale might be astonishing.
At least, with a year to go, the San Remo City Government has already received countless sponsorship applications from big investors.
The value of next year's Sanremo Music Festival will surely exceed people's expectations.
Some institutions even predict that the tourist flow and economic benefits generated in San Remo next year might increase by 20 to 30% because of the Sanremo Music Festival!
It's no exaggeration!
Of course, that's all for the future.
For now.
April 25th.
The final event in San Remo's series of matches.
The Italian Cup semi-final officially kicks off.
The match is between the host San Remo and the Serie A team Udinese.
Udinese is considered a middle to lower table team in Serie A, which means sometimes they must fight to avoid relegation.
But this year, they're doing well in the league, ranking eleventh, with no relegation danger and no hopes for European competition, so their players and fans are relatively relaxed at this stage.
They can go all out for the Italian Cup!
In this regard, they seem to be in better shape than San Remo.
However, if they lose in the Italian Cup, their season is essentially over.
Because they find it hard to win any honors.
This kind of state is not good for both the team and the players.
So Udinese takes this Italian Cup semi-final very seriously.
They believe it's impossible for San Remo to play on three fronts constantly.
The Italian Cup is what San Remo should most likely give up.
And indeed, their chance looks promising, facing San Remo's packed schedule.
Moreover, Udinese is also in relatively good form recently.
Especially their number ten core player, Dino Candreva!
In the last three matches, he scored two goals and assisted three, averaging almost two goal involvements per game.
If there was a Player of the Month award in Serie A, Dino Candreva would certainly be the one for April.
Meanwhile, San Remo also lined up their recent fiery formation today.
Bai Zhami, Sogel
Lu Yang, Morici, Canyes
Lam, Kaint
Bernulin, Naji, Camihong
Areola
Palacios has been feeling a bit unwell due to the congested schedule, so he's sitting on the bench, allowing Naji to start.
Truth be told, Naji has matured a lot this season.
Next season, he might replace Palacios's starting position.
Palacios is fine with this.
Because he knows that at his age and level, playing Serie A as a substitute is still okay, but as a main player... it's really too exhausting, and there's a high chance of facing criticism, which is unnecessary.
Naji is still young, so taking some flak doesn't matter.
"Everyone gathered at the Makabaka Stadium. This stadium is rented by San Remo, and from next season, San Remo's matches will return to San Remo city, where they have built a four-star stadium, reaching a top standard even in Serie A!"
"So each match here is one less to watch! Recently, every match has not only been a full house, but ticket prices from scalpers have skyrocketed, already three to five times the original price."
"But very few fans are willing to sell their tickets, as they all prefer to watch San Remo's matches themselves because while matches are frequent, miracles are not, and every game now seems to be a miracle for San Remo!"
"In the league, how long can their unbeaten journey continue?"
"In the Italian Cup, they became the only team from the Italian Second Division still in the cup, while the rest are all Serie A teams! This is also the second consecutive year where a team from the Second Division or below has reached the Italian Cup semi-finals!"
"In the Europa League, no team from the Italian Second Division has ever reached the semi-finals, and even among other leagues outside the Five Major Leagues, it's also very rare to have reached the Europa League semi-finals!"
"Oh! We see Lu Yang and Candreva embracing. Morici also joins them; they hug tightly while the crowd applauds warmly."
"Those who follow this year's Italy National Team matches should know why! Lu Yang and Morici saved the Italy National Team, but actually, Candreva and Drake did too!"
"No player would refuse to play at such a critical moment. Moreover, no player would forcefully request to come off at such a crucial time! Candreva's actions command the heartfelt respect of all footballers!"
On the field, the three who hugged exchanged casual words.
"Thank you for keeping football just football," Candreva is apparently also a loyal listener of Lu Yang's speeches, "Yesterday, I called my son and told him I'd accompany him to play football this weekend, and he was very happy."