I AM the Football Star

Chapter 540: Chapter 147: The Newly Promoted Wall and the National Team’s Narrow Escape? (Part 2)

Who let the team end up with two consecutive draws?

Even though they’re at the top of Group C, it doesn’t stop the rankings from falling, which sounds quite laughable.

However, this matter was quickly overshadowed by other issues and didn’t trigger a widespread discussion.

To be frank, San Remo is still at the top of the standings in both their league and European competition!

Even if Lu Yang was silent for one match, he is still currently the top scorer in Serie B.

The truly discerning media and fans wouldn’t criticize Lu Yang at this moment.

Because the risk of getting slapped in the face is too great.

Even if you want to kick someone when they’re down, you have to wait until they’re actually at the bottom, right?

San Remo and Lu Yang are still at the top; acting so early is quite impatient.

...

The matter drawing away all this attention is a big one.

Nowadays in Italy, it’s not just one industry being talked about, but the entire nation.

The most important affair is just one thing, and that is... the European Cup qualifiers for the Italy National Team!

From October 7th to October 13th, it’s national team match days.

Italy has to finish two games during this period, which are the final two matches of their European Cup qualifiers.

If they win both, Italy will squeeze into the top two at the last moment and gain direct qualification.

But if they can’t achieve a complete victory, they’ll become the third in the group.

According to this European Cup’s rules, besides the best performing third place team gaining direct entry to the European Cup finals, the remaining eight group third-place teams have to pair up and play two additional matches, and only the winners can enter the final tournament.

And once Italy isn’t second in their group, they certainly won’t be the best-performing third place either.

It is precisely this possibility of heaven or hell that has attracted the attention of all Italians.

And the Italy National Team didn’t let everyone down this time!

In the penultimate qualifying match, Italy continued their poor performance, only leveling the score by the 80th minute thanks to a solo close-angle blast from the great Italian left-back, Praxedes, captain of the AC Milan Team.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Roman Iron Waist Dele made a long shot that led to a precious corner opportunity.

The Juventus Prince Zebra Ancelotti, returning from injury but still out of form, took the corner kick.

Former Juventus captain, now San Remo’s defensive leader Bernulin leapt high in the box and successfully scored with a Lion’s Head Shake!

The Italians secured a precious victory.

After the match, the major media outlets were frantically dramatizing this epic game.

”Tears in the Eyes! Juventus Connection Seen Again! Zebra Fans Plead for Bernulin’s Return!”

”Most Successful Aerial Duels in the Match! Wolf King Perrotta Did All He Could!”

”Recovered but Still Out of Form? Yet Who Dares to Question His Dedication to Italy?”

”The Iron Waist Still Roars! Dele Created the Last Chance, Stop Asking if He’s Done!”

”The Great Italian Left-Back! Praxedes Worthy of the Captain’s Armband!”

”Fatal Killer Move! Bernulin: We Never Give Up, Scored Because I Remembered Lu!”

”Saving Italy From Afar? Bernulin States He Learned Killer Moves at San Remo!”

”Never Say Die! Italy Still Has Hope for Qualification!”

Clearly it was the Italian players fighting hard, but in the end, they helped to defuse the situation for San Remo and Lu Yang.

It has to be said, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

But is the situation for the Italy National Team really that good?

At least Maniero doesn’t see it that way.

Especially when Vincent, in an interview, stated, ”Everything is on the right track, we will win the crucial match and advance to the European Cup! This match is the best proof of Italian spirit!”

Vincent left in a car after the interview, while Maniero was in the car.

”Are you sure we are on the right track?” Maniero asked with a frown. In fact, he shouldn’t be appearing at this moment.

Why wasn’t there any boasting about Maniero after Italy’s win this time?

On one hand, Maniero ordered Martivini not to boast for now, to give the Italy National Team a good environment to play.

Everything should be discussed after the final match.

This is Maniero’s patriotic big picture.

On the other hand, it’s also because Maniero didn’t meddle much with the national team recently; he gave Vincent absolute respect.

As long as Vincent remains the head coach of the Italy National Team, this respect will be there.

But... when Maniero found out Vincent couldn’t take responsibility for the Italy Team, his sense of ownership made him say something; he couldn’t just watch the Italy Team sit idly by.

Was the last match really that good?

Look at who scored!

Martivini, Bernulin!

That’s two defenders for god’s sake!

And they’re not even the tall defenders on the team; they’re both central defenders around 1.86 meters.

What does this indicate?

It shows that Italy’s attack hasn’t really been effective.

Perrotta is a top-level pivot, but if you only use him as a pivot, then it somewhat wastes the combat power of this Serie A top five or even top three super forward.

Don’t know how to cross from the wings?

With a tall guy of 1.93 meters, shouldn’t you design some set-piece tactics and corner kick tactics for him?

Always letting people retreat to respond, never treating them as finishers, look at the gap in goals between club and national team, is this his problem?