Recaps

Dejan Lu arranged his move from Manchester United to AC Milan, with Redondo and Buffon also set to join him, while Totti wrestled with whether to leave Roma. Germany won the European Championship final against the Czech Republic through Bierhoff’s golden goal, and the chapter ended with Totti deciding to go to Milan too.

• Dejan Lu persuaded Redondo to leave Manchester United with him, while Totti hesitated and Buffon eagerly said he wanted to join Milan.
• Dejan Lu told Ferguson he was leaving for AC Milan, and Ferguson accepted Milan’s enormous offer and considered which players to take in return.
• Buffon signed for Milan on a co-ownership deal, and the press reported that Dejan Lu and Redondo would move there for Desailly plus £45 million.
• Dejan Lu predicted Germany would win the European Championship final, and Vogts refused UEFA’s offer to call up two players outside the official squad.
• Bierhoff came on as a substitute, equalized with a header, and scored again in extra time to give Germany the golden-goal victory over the Czech Republic.
• After Germany’s victory, Totti told Dejan Lu he had decided to join Milan.

Dejan Lu left Manchester United, joined Redondo at AC Milan, and was welcomed by ecstatic fans as the club unveiled them and signed Francesco Totti. After settling into life in Milan and taking a holiday, Dejan returned to training, where he greeted Paolo Maldini with another joke about his Ballon d’Or ranking.

• Dejan Lu and Redondo gave farewell speeches at Old Trafford, then flew to Milan and received a huge welcome from fans.
• Dejan Lu and Redondo signed their Milan contracts, appeared at San Siro, and spoke to reporters and supporters during their unveiling.
• Milan completed the signing of Francesco Totti for eight million dollars plus George Weah, and Dejan Lu’s family bought a large house in Milan.
• Dejan Lu holidayed in Cagliari with Monica and The Princess while Redondo worked on his autobiography.
• Dejan Lu returned to Milanello on July 20, signed autographs for fans, and greeted Paolo Maldini with a joke about his Ballon d’Or finish.

Dejan Lu joined AC Milan’s training, dazzled Paolo Maldini, and became embroiled in the team’s jokes and arguments as Sacchi took charge. As Milan prepared to face Fiorentina in the Italian Super Cup, Dejan Lu promised to stand up for Baggio against his former club.

• Dejan Lu used a Míchel Laudrup experience card to humiliate Paolo Maldini in a one-on-one training drill, while Verchowod watched and Baresi joined in the teasing.
• Dejan Lu met Milan’s players, including Totti, Buffon, Redondo, and Baggio, and joked with them about the team’s cliques, captaincy, and crowded squad.
• Sacchi returned as Milan’s manager, laid down his team-first approach, and named Baresi captain, Paolo Maldini vice-captain, and Dejan Lu third captain.
• Totti created goals in consecutive training matches as the Italian press debated how Sacchi should fit Milan’s stars into his formation.
• Milan prepared to meet Fiorentina in the Italian Super Cup, where Baggio’s former club and its fans still resented his departure; Dejan Lu promised to stand up for him.

Dejan Lu made his long-awaited AC Milan debut against Fiorentina, persuaded Sacchi to let Baggio play on the wing, and scored a spectacular free kick to give Milan the lead. The match continued with Milan ahead as the players returned to the center circle.

• Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for late-career Cristiano Ronaldo and asked Baggio to play on the wing while he took the striker role.
• Sacchi agreed to the position change, and Dejan Lu received a rapturous welcome from Milan fans at San Siro.
• Fiorentina threatened on a counterattack, but Baresi intercepted the pass before Batistuta could break through.
• After Cois fouled Baggio, Dejan Lu confronted Fiorentina's players, and the referee awarded Milan a free kick.
• Sacchi chose Dejan Lu to take the free kick, and Dejan Lu scored with a dipping shot that left Toldo helpless.
• Milan celebrated the opening goal, and both teams returned to the center circle as Baggio admired Dejan Lu's free-kick range.

Dejan Lu scored twice for AC Milan against Fiorentina, helping Milan regain the lead and extend it before he signaled for a substitution. The chapter ended with Dejan Lu asking to come off after scoring his third goal of the match.

• Fiorentina equalized when Batistuta scored from an indirect free kick inside Milan's penalty area after Tassotti pinned the ball beneath himself.
• Totti crossed from the right, and Dejan Lu scored with a turning side-hook to put Milan back in front.
• Ranieri adjusted Fiorentina's defensive assignments, but Milan continued to create chances as Fiorentina struggled to build attacks.
• Baggio sent Dejan Lu through on goal, and Dejan Lu beat Toldo with a shot from outside the penalty area to complete his hat trick.
• Dejan Lu turned toward the sideline and gestured for a substitution.

Dejan Lu scored a hat trick in Milan’s 3–2 Super Cup win, then left early because his stomach felt unwell and reunited with Monica. After the team celebrated at a nightclub, Dejan’s jokes about Paolo Maldini’s speed became newspaper-worthy gossip and ended with Maldini being mocked in the locker room.

• Dejan Lu asked to come off after scoring a hat trick, telling Sacchi that his stomach felt uncomfortable, then met Monica before returning for the trophy presentation.
• Milan beat Fiorentina 3–2, and Dejan joked with Maldini and Costacurta about celebrating together at a nightclub.
• At the press conference, Ranieri criticized AC Milan for playing Totti on the wing, while Sacchi defended his tactics and said Dejan had no special privileges.
• Maldini treated Dejan, Costacurta, Totti, and Buffon to a night out, where Dejan teased Maldini about being quick on the draw.
• The newspapers covered Milan’s victory and the players’ nightclub visit, while Dejan read that Manchester United had signed Ronaldo.
• After Dejan told Costacurta that a woman had refused to spend the night with Maldini because he was too quick, the locker room laughed and Maldini’s face darkened.

Dejan Lu agreed to become Christian’s godfather and visited Paolo Maldini’s family, where he bonded with the baby and discussed investments. Milan began the season strongly, reached the next round of the Italian Super Cup, and prepared to face Porto in the Champions League, while Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Deco.

• Paolo Maldini asked Dejan Lu to become Christian’s godfather, and Dejan Lu agreed to visit during the break.
• The transfer window closed, and Milan opened the Serie A season by beating Verona 6–1, with Dejan Lu scoring twice and assisting three goals in one half.
• Dejan Lu and The Princess visited Paolo Maldini’s home, met Christian and the Maldini family, and discussed investing in racehorses and property.
• Dejan Lu carried The Princess home, and newspapers published photographs of them the next day.
• Milan beat Empoli home and away in the Italian Super Cup and drew Porto, Rosenborg, and Gothenburg in Champions League Group D.
• Before Milan’s Champions League match against Porto, Dejan Lu drew a 2003–2004 Champions League final single-match experience card for Anderson Luis de Souza.

Dejan Lu faced his former club Sampdoria as AC Milan visited Ferraris Stadium, where he scored twice in the opening stages. Milan led 2–0 as Sampdoria struggled to contain their attacks.

• Dejan Lu and his Milan teammates warmed up to cheers from Sampdoria supporters before the match began.
• Baggio threatened Sampdoria’s goal early, but Ferron blocked his shot at the near post.
• Redondo won the ball forward and set up Dejan Lu, whose powerful long-range shot gave Milan the lead in the sixth minute.
• Totti received a yellow card after shoving Karembeu, and Dejan Lu calmed him before he could escalate the argument.
• Paolo Maldini intercepted Montella’s attack and drove Milan forward, then supported Dejan Lu as he cut inside and curled a second goal past Ferron.

Dejan Lu scored a hat-trick as Milan took a 3–1 lead over Sampdoria by halftime, then assisted Totti’s second-half goal to make it 4–1. Locatelli replaced Dejan Lu, who left the pitch to applause from Ferraris Stadium.

• Montella scored a header for Sampdoria after Evani delivered a precise cross, bringing the score to 1–1.
• Dejan Lu scored from outside the penalty area to complete his hat-trick and give Milan a 3–1 halftime lead.
• Eriksson replaced Karembeu with Giovanni Invernizzi and Ikepeano with Salzano at halftime, improving Sampdoria’s possession and attack.
• Redondo launched a long pass to Dejan Lu, who cut inside and set up Totti to score Milan’s fourth goal.
• Locatelli replaced Dejan Lu, and Ferraris Stadium applauded him as he left the pitch.

After Milan extended its winning streak, Dejan Lu prepared to face Roma while Totti struggled with hostile supporters and worries about his education. At the pre-match press conference, Sacchi rejected claims that Milan depended too heavily on Dejan, insisting every player mattered.

• After Milan beat Sampdoria 5–1, Sacchi defended his handling of Dejan Lu at a press conference before leaving to go home.
• Dejan Lu read newspaper coverage of Milan, discussed Verchowod’s concerns about Paolo, and later advised Totti about choosing a partner.
• Milan won its September matches, including a 7–0 victory over Rosenborg in which Dejan Lu scored a hat trick, and Diego Maradona said he wanted to defeat him.
• Ahead of Milan’s match against Roma, supporters mocked Totti over his transfer and education, and Dejan Lu suggested ways he might earn a university degree.
• At the pre-match press conference, Bianchi defended his record and Sacchi dismissed statistics suggesting Milan’s attack relied on Dejan Lu.

Milan fell behind 2-0 to Roma while Dejan Lu stayed on the bench, as Francesco Totti struggled with the home supporters’ abuse and Sacchi’s criticism. After Rossi was injured, Dejan came on and scored immediately, giving Milan a lifeline.

• Rome supporters booed Totti, and Roma took a 2-0 lead through Marco Lanna and Balbo.
• At halftime, Sacchi berated Milan’s players, and Dejan Lu pulled Totti back before he could confront the coach.
• Dejan Lu drew an Anthony Cassano single-match experience card while waiting for Sacchi to make a substitution.
• After Rossi was injured, Gianluigi Buffon replaced him and Dejan Lu came on for Davids.
• Paolo Maldini intercepted a pass and sent the ball forward, and Dejan Lu beat two defenders before scoring from the edge of the penalty area.

Dejan Lu came on for AC Milan against Roma and turned a 2:1 deficit into a 4:2 lead, scoring twice and setting up goals for Baggio and Totti. The chapter ended with Sacchi claiming his substitution plan had never relied too heavily on one player as stoppage time began.

• After Dejan Lu scored, Totti joined him in taunting Roma's furious fans, and play was suspended while order was restored.
• Dejan Lu pressed Lanna, then sent a precise pass to Totti, whose backheel found Baggio to equalize at 2:2.
• Totti lifted a pass over Roma's defense, and Dejan Lu beat Steschek to score AC Milan's 3:2 comeback goal.
• After Totti and Dejan Lu pressed Tommasi, Redondo lofted the ball forward, and Dejan Lu controlled it with his chest before scoring a long-range volley for 4:2.
• As stoppage time approached, Sacchi celebrated the likely victory and insisted that his tactics did not depend too heavily on any one player.

AC Milan defeated Roma after Dejan Lu scored his fourth goal from a spectacular Totti assist, and the match ended with Roma’s fans booing Totti. At the press conference, Bianchi clashed with reporters while Sacchi defended his tactics and denied that Milan relied too heavily on Dejan.

• Dejan Lu pressed Roma’s defenders, then scored his fourth goal after Totti flicked Redondo’s pass over the defense with a back-to-goal Scorpion Kick.
• Sacchi substituted Totti for Locatelli, and Totti celebrated with Dejan Lu and provoked the Roma fans as he left the pitch.
• Locatelli fouled Tommasi shortly after play resumed, and the referee ended the match; Marco Lanna exchanged jerseys with Dejan Lu.
• Dejan Lu reassured Buffon, who hoped Rossi would remain injured long enough for him to earn more playing time.
• Bianchi argued with reporters about Roma’s defeat and substitutions, then walked out of the press conference after they questioned his tactics and the injury to Rossi.
• Sacchi told reporters that using Dejan as a late attacking substitute was part of his tactical plan, not proof that Milan depended too heavily on one player.

Dejan Lu spent a relaxed day with Totti, Buffon, and the Maldini family before AC Milan prepared to face Diego Maradona’s Napoli. Milan took the field at San Siro, where Maradona immediately challenged Dejan and the opening exchange ended with Redondo dispossessing him.

• Dejan Lu refused Buffon’s invitation to go to the seaside, but agreed to join Totti and Buffon after Totti said Francesco expected him to come.
• Dejan Lu met Paolo Maldini and Adriana at Lake Como, then spent the picnic with their family while Totti and Buffon entertained the visiting students.
• Dejan Lu returned to training the next day, and Buffon told him that he and Frey had gone to a bar after Dejan left the picnic.
• Milan beat Gothenburg 3–1 away, then prepared to face Diego Maradona’s Napoli at San Siro; Dejan Lu drew a Scott McTominay single-match experience card and chose to use it on the wing.
• Diego Maradona carried the ball at Dejan Lu in the opening minutes, evaded Dejan’s sliding tackle, and tried to chip a pass forward before Verchowod headed it away.
• Redondo shielded the loose ball from Diego Maradona and knocked him down, prompting Bordin to shove Redondo before Maradona pulled Bordin away.

AC Milan took the lead against Napoli through Dejan Lu, Diego Maradona equalized with a brilliant free kick, and Dejan Lu restored Milan’s advantage with a direct free kick. The chapter left Maradona watching Dejan Lu’s latest goal with visible frustration.

• Baggio sent an indirect free kick into Napoli’s area, and Dejan Lu headed it toward goal before Taliaferro caught it.
• Maradona drove through Milan’s defense, but Baresi and Verchowod stopped Napoli’s attack before Totti launched a counterattack.
• Totti quickly restarted play after a foul, Savićević crossed from the right, and Dejan Lu scored with an airborne side volley.
• Maradona beat Dejan Lu down the flank, won a foul from Paolo Maldini, and scored a spectacular free kick to equalize for Napoli.
• Dejan Lu set up Totti and Baggio’s attack, won a foul near the byline, and scored directly from the resulting free kick to put Milan back ahead.

AC Milan faced Napoli, with Dejan Lu and Diego Maradona trading spectacular free kicks before Milan led 2–1 at halftime. Dejan Lu scored twice more after the break, leaving Milan 4–1 ahead and Maradona disappointed.

• Maradona scored a free kick that echoed Dejan Lu’s earlier goal, but Buffon saved Maradona’s next attempt just before halftime.
• Napoli made two substitutions after the break and began creating counterattacking chances against Milan.
• Baggio struck the crossbar with a free kick, and Dejan Lu scored from the rebound after Ayala headed the ball out of the box.
• Dejan Lu pounced on Altomare’s loose ball and blasted it into the net to extend Milan’s lead.
• Boban and Baggio advanced the ball before Dejan Lu scored again with a powerful long-range shot, making it his fourth goal of the match.

AC Milan beat Napoli 4–2 after Maradona scored a late goal, and Maradona announced that he would retire at the end of the season. Milan remained unbeaten and prepared to face Atalanta after Filippo Inzaghi publicly promoted himself as a potential signing.

• Maradona scored past Buffon in the final minutes, but the referee soon ended the match with AC Milan leading Napoli 4–2.
• At the press conference, Maradona announced that he would retire at the end of the season, while Dejan Lu praised him and defended Franco Baresi.
• The next day, Dejan Lu called Redondo, who said he was going to watch a fashion show.
• AC Milan crushed Gothenburg 9–1, with Dejan Lu scoring six goals, and remained unbeaten as November approached.
• Filippo Inzaghi said he could make good use of chances created by his teammates and suggested AC Milan needed a player like him.
• Before Milan's home match against Atalanta, Totti and Buffon urged Baggio to teach Inzaghi a lesson.

AC Milan traveled to Turin to face Juventus, with Dejan Lu drawing a Johan Miku experience card before the match. Dejan scored in the opening minutes after combining with Baggio, leaving Juventus and Lippi facing an early setback.

• France Football announced a Ballon d'Or shortlist of fifteen players, including Dejan Lu, while the press debated Piero and Zidane.
• Baresi worried about Juventus's recent signings and Van Basten's injury, while Dejan Lu dismissed Totti's confidence about becoming Milan's core.
• At the press conference, Lippi refused to rank Piero and Zidane, while Sacchi said Buffon would keep opportunities despite Rossi's recovery.
• Dejan Lu drew a Johan Miku Single-Match Experience Card, then prepared to face Juventus's Zinedine Zidane.
• Juventus started with Zinedine Zidane and Vieri in attack, while Milan fielded Buffon, Dejan Lu, Baggio, and Totti.
• After Buffon stopped Vieri's early chance, Dejan Lu combined with Baggio and chipped the ball over Peruzzi to put Milan ahead in the third minute.

AC Milan faced Juventus in a tense match, with Dejan Lu guiding the attack and Buffon stopping several dangerous chances. Totti scored a free kick to give Milan a two-goal lead, but Zidane answered with a goal, leaving the match unresolved.

• Juventus struggled to break through Milan’s defense in the first half, while Buffon denied Boksic and Totti learned from Zidane’s quicker passing.
• After the break, Buffon stopped Zidane’s through ball, and Totti raced forward before Borini fouled him just outside the penalty area.
• Dejan Lu let Totti take the free kick, and Totti scored with a low shot through Juventus’s wall.
• Milan pressed harder after Totti’s goal, but Peruzzi cleared Dejan Lu’s pass before Juventus launched a counterattack.
• Zidane received Joković’s long clearance, cut inside past Baresi, and curled a shot into the far corner.

AC Milan defeated Juventus 3–1 after Dejan Lu scored a late solo goal, and he later received a call from Wenger asking for recommendations of promising Italian players. The chapter ended with Dejan Lu considering Wenger’s request.

• Zidane scored for Juventus, but Dejan Lu’s long-range attempt and AC Milan’s pressure kept Juventus on edge.
• Dejan Lu drew defenders away during a corner, while Paolo Maldini’s header went just wide.
• Totti provoked Zidane, and Lippi substituted Zidane for Piero after the two players shoved each other.
• Dejan Lu scored AC Milan’s third goal after a long pass from Albertini and a run through Juventus’s defense.
• AC Milan won 3–1, and Dejan Lu thanked the supporters before returning home and eating with The Princess.
• Wenger called Dejan Lu and asked him to recommend promising Italian players.

Dejan Lu discussed Arsenal’s recruitment approach with Wenger, then joined Totti and Redondo in mistakenly suspecting Buffon of having an affair before visiting Lorenzo Buffon’s family. As the Milan derby approached, Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Recoba and prepared to face Inter Milan.

• Dejan Lu told Wenger that recruiting very young Italian players and scouting Dutch talent could help Arsenal, while Wenger’s French connections gave him strong options.
• Totti called Dejan Lu to report that Buffon was supposedly seeing an older woman, so Dejan Lu and Redondo followed Totti to investigate.
• Dejan Lu discovered that Buffon was visiting relatives and spent the evening with Lorenzo Buffon, hearing stories about his football career and athletic family.
• Inter Milan chairman Moratti promised to keep investing in star players, while Hodgson and Cruyff sparred publicly over the importance of the derby.
• Before Milan’s November 24 derby against Inter, Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Álvaro Alexander Recoba Rivero, and both teams entered a roaring San Siro.

AC Milan overwhelmed Inter Milan in the Milan Derby, with Dejan Lu scoring twice and Totti adding a solo goal after the match began. Inter Milan struggled to respond as the chapter left Milan leading 3-0 and Van Basten frustrated by his lack of a goal.

• The Milan and Inter Milan starting lineups were announced before Stefano Braschi started the derby at San Siro.
• Dejan Lu scored from 56 meters just eighteen seconds after kickoff, stunning Pagliuca and giving Milan the lead.
• Dejan Lu doubled Milan’s lead with a flick past Anthony Pagani and a chip over Pagliuca.
• Inter Milan’s players struggled to build attacks as Milan pressed and controlled the match.
• Totti evaded Berti’s tackle and scored from outside the box, putting Milan 3-0 ahead while Van Basten remained scoreless.

AC Milan crushed Inter Milan in the derby as Dejan Lu and Totti repeatedly broke through their defense. After Dejan Lu scored again in the second half to make it five goals for himself, he gestured for a substitution.

• Totti scored a solo goal as AC Milan surged ahead, and the first half ended with the team leading 5–0 after Dejan Lu scored twice.
• Moratti watched Dejan Lu dominate and resolved to make a huge bid for him at the end of the season.
• AC Milan’s players joked about schoolwork and their children in the dressing room during halftime.
• Dejan Lu and Totti pressed Inter Milan after the break, and Dejan Lu dribbled through defenders before scoring his fifth goal of the match.
• Dejan Lu gestured toward the touchline for a substitution after seeing Pagliuca’s exhausted expression.

AC Milan defeated Inter Milan 7–0 in the derby, with Dejan Lu scoring five goals and giving an assist before attending a press conference with Sacchi. After the match, Dejan worked on a manga story and then heard that Beckham had met an Italian girl online and wanted advice about sending her money for a plane ticket.

• Dejan Lu left the pitch to cheers, and Van Basten later scored Milan’s seventh goal against Inter.
• Sacchi defended Milan’s team performance at the press conference, while Hodgson and Zanetti addressed Inter’s heavy defeat.
• Dejan Lu told reporters he had come off early because he felt unwell and promoted Monica’s Hamburgers while praising Moratti.
• Dejan Lu sketched a manga plot involving a brainwave device, Pokémon, and Archer before going to bed after two in the morning.
• Beckham called Dejan Lu to explain that he had met an Italian girl online and ask whether he should send her money for a plane ticket.

Dejan Lu investigated Beckham’s online girlfriend and discovered that she had lied about her identity and circumstances. After Dejan told Beckham the truth, Beckham wondered whether Maria had lied because she feared being hurt again.

• Beckham told Dejan Lu that Maria was a struggling student from a family with a failing vineyard, and Dejan offered to investigate before helping her financially.
• Dejan learned that Redondo had also heard from Beckham, while Totti mocked Beckham for sending money to someone he had never met.
• After Milan’s 6–1 win over Piacenza, Dejan, Redondo, Totti, and Buffon drove to Brescia and found Maria running a café.
• Dejan discovered that Maria was thirty-two, divorced with three children, had a high school education, and had lied about her family background and identity.
• Milan finished the Champions League group stage with a 3–0 win over Rosenborg and beat Reggina 3–0 before preparing to face Sampierdarenese.
• Dejan told Beckham the truth about Maria, and Beckham asked whether she might have lied because she was afraid of being hurt again.