I AM the Football Star

Chapter 73: Chapter 31: Maybe Fifth, Maybe First!

Halftime, visiting team locker room.

All the players remained silent, and the atmosphere in the locker room was extremely somber.

Sotu hadn’t come in yet; he was having a private chat with Vedian. Following the last match, Vedian’s performance continued to be off in this match.

But the reasons were different.

Last game, his playing style wasn’t smooth, which was a natural reason, and no one blamed him.

But this match... he was a bit too selfish.

However, he’s not a player who can break through the opponent because his body can’t withstand it; when the opponent bumps into him, he loses the ball.

Clearly, Vedian has fallen into the trap of chasing stats.

He currently has 24 goals and 10 assists, but saying 25+10 versus 24+10 has a completely different effect.

He is too eager to score.

But due to losses of key players on the right wing, both Morici and Lu were more focused on defense this game. They needed to stabilize the first half, allowing the players on the right to adapt to the starting match feeling, and then find opportunities in the second half.

This strategy of waiting and winning steadily is something Vedian, a boy with little education, doesn’t quite understand.

He felt they should be attacking fiercely in the first half.

As a result, he lost possession too many times, putting enormous defensive pressure on the team, which led to the opponent finally executing a beautiful play to penetrate the defense.

Vedian had problems, and Sotu was going to solve them.

But this doesn’t mean others weren’t at fault.

”Guys, sorry, I want to say a few words.” Lu Yang stood up in the locker room. ”I’m not here to blame anyone; I just want to share some news I know to ease everyone’s minds.”

”I know the team’s attempt to purchase top players, even stars, has made some people anxious, but it really doesn’t need to be. You know, the issue of the new San Remo stadium, which Russell Group and the city government have been negotiating, has been resolved, and they expect to start construction in the second half of this year.”

Some players were confused about what Lu Yang was talking about regarding the match.

Lu Yang said: ”Guys, this is a real big move! Russell’s investment in this project is enormous, but the returns are equally huge. The reason why the city government agreed to grant them such precious land is because Russell promised to bring Sanremo Football Club to a higher level of competition!”

”A team’s upgrade is not just about moving from D to C division; there are many hardware requirements, like training grounds, youth training institutions, management departments, and so on. How much is our annual salary playing in the Italian D Division? Eight thousand or ten thousand euros?”

”But as a manager of a rapidly developing club, an annual salary would be at least fifty thousand euros, and that’s for an office job!”

”As San Remo expands rapidly, these managers will have many people under them, and they could even become club executives in the future. Think about it; as legendary players of the club, Morici and I won’t even mention it because we’re still young, but Jack, Tony, Benjamin, if any of you retire in the next few years, the team will definitely keep you and offer you a position to continue shining.”

”Then, you will become the first batch of veterans of the team! Whether they bring in Latu Yidi or Ancelotti, Perrotta or Carrel, it won’t conflict with you, understand?”

”They may be top stars, but you all are San Remo legends!”

Lu Yang’s words sparked everyone’s thoughts.

Indeed, if San Remo truly grows into a large club quickly, then as the first generation of creators of its legend, they are indeed the club’s heroes!

Would positions like youth team head coach, club’s first scout, business manager, fan association leader, club news director be hard to get at that time?

Not difficult at all.

Because at that time, the club will often be most in need of people.

Even after leaving the pitch, they could still have stable jobs, or even better career opportunities.

This prospect is truly wonderful.

After all, most of them are around thirty years old, and this age is considered the end of a career for football players in this era.

Compared to becoming famous on the pitch, they favor opportunities in other fields more because thirty is still a very young age in many other areas.

”Of course, all of this must be based on us being the creators of the San Remo legend! If the team doesn’t enter Italian Third Division next season, those stars won’t come, and we might continue to languish in Italian D Division. Legends will just be nonsense.”

”God has handed us the key to control our destiny, and the decision to turn it lies in this match. Win the match, the legend continues, and things will be better for all of us.”

”If we lose, we will continue to languish without needing anyone to replace us.”

”Do you choose victory or defeat?”

In the locker room, many fell into deep thought.

”Tell me loudly, do you choose victory or defeat!” Lu Yang loudly questioned!

”Victory!” Everyone shouted together.

”Louder!” Lu Yang continued.

”Victory!”

”Didn’t eat, brothers?” Lu Yang’s temples bulged.

”Victory, victory, victory!”

In the San Remo visiting team locker room, an extremely intense roar erupted.

Standing at the door, Sotu and Vedian exchanged a glance, seemingly realizing there was no need for Sotu to motivate them from inside.