I AM the Football Star

Regarding the friendship match... it was Lu Yang who connected the domestic clubs.

As long as Lu Yang is playing in Europe, each year, some clubs will use his connections to play friendship matches inland.

For those European clubs, expanding influence inland while earning some extra revenue, why not?

As for inland itself, this cultivates the football atmosphere.

It also allows domestic fans to see the stars they love firsthand, fulfilling their dreams.

Additionally, it helps some domestic clubs build bridges to communicate with European clubs, giving more young players in China the opportunity to play abroad.

Overall, it’s generally a win-win.

But that’s on a macro level.

On a micro level, head coaches and players may not see it that way.

Because playing against inland football clubs, Bar?a can’t test their training camp results.

They can’t even test the level and performance of the substitutes.

Because the opponent is really too weak.

Gudiola can endure it; he surely has to give face to Brother Lu.

Moreover, Gudiola knows this Bar?a team too well, not playing a warm-up match before the season starts isn’t a big deal.

In Gudiola’s design, Lu Yang can perfectly replace Moreira’s position and do more than Moreira.

Because Lu Yang has good stamina, runs a lot, and actually understands the extreme ball control tactic better than Moreira.

At least, that’s how it appears.

Moreira might understand deeply as well, but he doesn’t agree, so he won’t play according to extreme ball control methods.

Although Lu Yang also dislikes it, his purpose here is to deeply learn extreme ball control, so naturally, he follows the rules initially.

Later... there might be some minor changes, and that’s something both Gudiola and Lu Yang would like to see.

But the players really find it difficult to give face to Lu Yang.

The relationships are not good, there are even conflicts.

As a result, you ask us to play three more matches.

Most of the players certainly don’t enjoy it.

Even though they get paid, who isn’t a very famous star at a club of Bar?a’s level?

In these three to five days, running a few venues is likely more profitable than playing these few matches.

And there’s still the hassle of flying for so long, isn’t it annoying?

So, under Mebarak’s influence, that’s why so many players didn’t come tonight.

Some were truly tired, and some... truly didn’t give face to Lu Yang.

But soon, Ortiz felt fortunate to have come.

Because this Lu Yang was completely different from what he imagined.

What is the common perception of Lu Yang in the market?

Tough guy!

Strong!

Indefatigable runner!

Scores goals like crazy!

Makes numerous iconic scenes!

Big heart!

King of comebacks!

Miracle child!

Exceptionally strong spirit attribute!

Impulsive!

Arrogant!

Confront! Confront! Confront!

Focused on the game, but not entirely focused on football!

Major presence in the entertainment circle!

Lu Yang has many labels.

But overall, there’s definitely no wisdom, tactical master, or life mentor!

They’re really irrelevant!

However, during this dinner, Lu Yang and Gudiola happily drank toasts, enjoying their meal.

During the meal, Gudiola and Lu Yang talked about San Remo’s tactical system.

Lu Yang unexpectedly spoke openly: ”I know what you want to ask, the full-backs push up and become central midfielders, the attacking midfielders and wingers take turns pushing up and shifting wide... right?”

Gudiola laughed immediately: ”Indeed, although these are specific changes, I can see the designer’s game philosophy in them.”

”In the designer’s eyes, players don’t have positions; it’s the pitch that has positions.”

”When a player reaches a certain position on the pitch, they shouldn’t be doing what a player should do, but what that area requires them to do!”

”Did I get it right?”

Lu Yang nodded: ”Expert indeed! In fact, this concept has always existed in football but hasn’t been emphasized or separately researched.”

”When the opponent attacks from a corner, our central forward goes back into the box to compete for headers, that’s the clearest example.”

”In that moment, is he doing a forward’s job? No, he’s a central defender!”

”Likewise, a midfielder or even a defender often scores from long shots in the opponent’s penalty area. In such cases, are they defenders? No, they’re doing a forward’s job, they should be forwards!”

”That’s why I score a lot, regardless of if I’m a central defender, central midfielder, or attacking midfielder, winger.”

”I’m not obsessed with what to do, but I’m capable of doing the right thing in the right place while doing the fundamental job well!”

Many Bar?a players had their eyes enlightened.

This perspective was indeed novel.

No one had paid attention to this prior.

Gudiola said: ”But to achieve your effect, it means that a player has to be versatile... at least they need to possess multiple abilities. For example, a right-back needs abilities for both right-back and central midfield positions.”

The others looked at Canisell.

He doesn’t seem... to have the abilities for central midfield.

Canisell’s dark face turned pale, umm... definitely paler.

Could he possibly lose his starting position due to such unreasonable demands?

Bar?a indeed has always wanted to strengthen the right-back position, they’re not very satisfied with Canisell.

Luckily, in the critical moment, Lu Yang shook his head and said: ”Excess is not ideal! It is actually very difficult to completely replace players of different positions, the duties of a central midfielder and right-back are completely different, and players capable as central midfielders will find being a right-back hard.”

”Even if abilities can meet both, in terms of mentality, habits, tactical requirements, it’s tough to change.”