Recaps

Dejan Lu won the World Free-Kick Competition and then led Maradona's Friends against Brazil Legends in a star-studded exhibition semifinal. He scored early, while Brazil Legends answered with a slick attack that ended in a save, leaving the match in progress.

• Dejan Lu won the World Free-Kick Competition, with Mihajlović second and Deisler third.
• Dejan Lu drew the 1983–1984 Brazilian Série A experience card for Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira.
• Maradona's Friends and Brazil Legends began their semifinal, with Dejan Lu and Diego Maradona starting for the Friends.
• Dejan Lu tackled Zico, beat the aging Brazilian defenders on a solo run, and scored the opening goal.
• Brazil Legends combined quickly through Sócrates and Zico before Rivelino volleyed at goal, but Neri Pompido saved the shot.

Dejan Lu scored and assisted in Diego Maradona’s Friends’ testimonial tournament matches before their side defeated Milan Legends in the final. AC Milan then announced the signing of Filippo Inzaghi from Atalanta for $14 million.

• Dejan Lu watched Pelé score for Brazil Legends, then combined with Diego Maradona to score a header and celebrated by carrying him toward the stands.
• Dejan Lu scored on a fast counterattack after Matthäus and Diego Maradona broke through Brazil’s midfield, then left the pitch as Alemao came on.
• Diego Maradona’s Friends beat Brazil Legends 6–3 and advanced to the final against Milan Legends.
• Dejan Lu came on as a substitute in the final, recording a goal and an assist as Diego Maradona’s Friends won 4–3.
• La Gazzetta dello Sport announced that AC Milan had signed Filippo Inzaghi from Atalanta for $14 million after beating Juventus.

Dejan Lu returned to Milan after the holiday, helped Galliani weigh sponsorship offers, and hosted a dinner for his teammates as preseason approached. The chapter left off with Van Basten calling to recommend a PSV Eindhoven defender to Milan.

• Dejan Lu teased Buffon about Totti transferring to an Argentine high school, and Buffon asked Dejan Lu to help him obtain a university degree.
• Dejan Lu reviewed the transfer market as Milan pursued Inzaghi and considered several defenders, while Juventus added Chiesa and Montella to its shortlist.
• Galliani visited Dejan Lu to discuss sponsorship offers, and Dejan Lu rejected betting companies while considering the other brands and their advertising reach.
• Dejan Lu hosted a dinner for teammates, where Paolo Maldini discussed his new responsibilities as captain and father.
• Van Basten called Dejan Lu and said he wanted to introduce Milan to a defender from PSV Eindhoven.

Dejan Lu discussed Milan’s preseason, Stam’s transfer, and Totti’s discovery of a notebook about a lost treasure before having dinner with Totti and his father. The chapter ended with Totti stopping Dejan Lu from throwing away a shrimp shell because his father liked to eat them.

• Dejan Lu agreed with Van Basten that Stam was worth signing, then rejected Van Basten’s offer to invest with him.
• During Milan’s preseason, Dejan Lu, Costacurta, and Inzaghi joked about Maldini’s nightlife and chatted with their teammates at training.
• Totti told Dejan Lu that he had found a notebook describing expeditions to search for Mussolini’s missing treasure near Adanmello Peak.
• Dejan Lu saw reports of Deschamps joining Chelsea, Kluivert joining Juventus, and Ince joining Liverpool, then Milan signed Stam for eight million dollars and won a warm-up match 6–1.
• Totti invited Dejan Lu to dinner with his father, Enzo Totti, who thanked Dejan for looking after Francesco.
• Totti stopped Dejan Lu from discarding a shrimp shell and explained that his father liked eating them.

Dejan Lu joked with Totti and his father, planned Milan’s transfer targets, and then prepared for the Italian Super Cup against Juventus. Before kickoff, Sacchi took him to observe Lippi at the press conference.

• Enzo thanked Dejan Lu for looking after Totti, asked him to vet any future wife, and gave him a jade gift.
• Dejan Lu considered possible Milan signings, including Cafu, Sagnol, and Camonessi, while reading reports about clubs’ summer transfers.
• After Milan signed Zickler and closed its transfer window, the team traveled to Turin for the Italian Super Cup against Juventus.
• In the dressing room, Paolo Maldini scolded Dejan Lu and Billy for tricking him into a late night, while teammates shared stories about their vacations.
• Dejan Lu drew a Francesco Totti match-experience card before Sacchi summoned him to watch Lippi’s press conference.

At a tense press conference, Lippi stormed out after being challenged over Juventus's alleged doping, while Dejan Lu and Sacchi fielded questions before leaving. In Milan's Italian Super Cup opener against Juventus, Dejan Lu set up Inzaghi for the first goal, giving the new striker his first official Milan goal.

• A reporter questioned Lippi about Juventus's alleged doping, and Lippi angrily denied the accusation before walking out.
• Sacchi said Milan would keep its 4-4-2 formation and that its transfer business was basically complete, while Dejan Lu declined to criticize Juventus directly.
• Dejan Lu drew a Gianpiero Bonipeti Single-Match Experience Card, and Paolo Maldini took over as Milan captain.
• Milan and Juventus began the Italian Super Cup at Alps Stadium, with both teams fielding their new captains and summer signings.
• After Juventus's opening attack was halted, Redondo sent a long pass toward Dejan Lu, who flicked the ball into the penalty area for Inzaghi to score.

AC Milan led Juventus at halftime, then Dejan Lu scored a spectacular bicycle kick from Totti’s back-to-goal pass to extend the lead. Inzaghi resolved to stick close to Dejan Lu and Totti, whom he dubbed Milan’s Three Musketeers.

• Inzaghi celebrated Filippo Inzaghi’s opening goal with Dejan Lu and Totti, while plotting to build a friendship with Dejan Lu to secure his place in Milan’s lineup.
• Stam dominated Juventus’s attacks, and Milan went into halftime with a one-goal lead as Sacchi planned to substitute Dejan Lu to protect him from injury.
• During halftime, Paolo Maldini and the other Milan players discussed conspiracy theories, investments, and ideas for Totti’s fashion brand without settling on a name.
• Dejan Lu sprinted past Juventus defenders early in the second half, and Totti set up another attack with a clever overhead pass after Ferrara’s clearance struck Inzaghi.
• Dejan Lu scored with a flying bicycle kick, and Inzaghi decided to stick with him and Totti as Milan’s Three Musketeers.

After Milan defeated Juventus in the Italian Super Cup, Dejan Lu enjoyed a quiet day at home before returning to training amid rumors and restaurant talk. At the Miss Italy 1997 final, Filippo Inzaghi received a note from winner Mara Carfagna and blamed his carefree views on marriage on Dejan Lu, leaving Dejan determined to confront him.

• Milan beat Juventus 3-1, and the players celebrated on the bus while Sacchi and Tardelli discussed the team's winning streak.
• Dejan Lu read optimistic newspaper coverage of Milan and considered Matracci as a possible tall defender before spending his day off gardening and drawing.
• At training, Dejan Lu and Paolo Maldini joked about nightlife, while Redondo asked teammates for advice about opening an Argentine barbecue restaurant.
• Dejan Lu attended the Miss Italy 1997 final with teammates, and Mara Carfagna won the contest.
• Dejan Lu passed Mara Carfagna's note to Inzaghi, who told a reporter that he followed Dejan Lu's example by avoiding thoughts of marriage.

Milan faced Lazio in the league, and Dejan Lu set up Filippo Inzaghi for an early goal with a backheel pass. The chapter ended with Milan leading after Inzaghi scored past Marchegiani.

• Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Sergej Milinković-Savić.
• Totti and Paolo Maldini discussed Milan’s interest in signing Nesta before the match against Lazio.
• Milan and Lazio named their starting lineups, with Dejan Lu and Nesta set to face each other.
• Totti beat Signorini on the ball but lost possession after Nedved closed him down.
• Paolo Maldini passed to Dejan Lu, who backheeled the ball into Inzaghi’s run, and Inzaghi scored past Marchegiani.

AC Milan extended its lead over Lazio as Dejan Lu created two more goals for Filippo Inzaghi, who completed a hat-trick. Lazio struggled to contain Milan’s attacks, leaving Nesta frustrated by his lack of a direct duel with Dejan Lu.

• Dejan Lu’s movement and backheel pass helped Inzaghi score Milan’s opening goal, impressing Nesta and leaving Lazio’s defenders arguing over their marking.
• Nedved crossed for Boksic, but Stam headed the ball clear, and Milan launched a counterattack.
• Zickler passed to Dejan Lu, who flicked the ball through Amelia’s legs and played Inzaghi through to score Milan’s second goal.
• Dejan Lu reassured Totti that his movement and link-up play were helping the team despite his lack of a goal contribution.
• Totti intercepted Joković’s pass and set up a counterattack; Dejan Lu chipped the ball toward goal, and Inzaghi guided it in to complete his hat-trick.

After Milan crushed Lazio 5–0, Dejan Lu attended a party with teammates and met model Michelle Henzel. Milan then began its Champions League campaign with a 3–0 win over Košice, while the press discussed Dejan Lu’s Ballon d’Or rivalry with Ronaldo and Newcastle’s upset victory over Barcelona.

• Dejan Lu was substituted for Davids after Inzaghi completed his hat trick, and Nesta cramped up while watching him leave the pitch.
• Dejan Lu agreed to attend a party with Coco and Inzaghi, then traveled there with Redondo and Totti after Milan’s 5–0 win over Lazio.
• At the party, Redondo criticized a screenwriter’s film, and Dejan Lu spoke with Michelle Henzel, who later rested her head on his lap.
• Dejan Lu read that the media considered Ronaldo his main Ballon d’Or rival as Milan and Real Madrid were drawn into the same Champions League group.
• Milan beat Košice 3–0 in the opening round, while Faustino Asprilla scored a hat trick to lead Newcastle past Barcelona 3–2.

Dejan Lu and Milan traveled to Madrid for their Champions League match against Real Madrid, where he mocked Sanz’s promised bonuses and dismissed the club president’s attempts to provoke him. As match day arrived, Sacchi considered leaving Dejan Lu out of the squad but hesitated because Milan could lose without him.

• Milan won five consecutive league matches, while Dejan Lu discussed Henry’s talent and the problems caused by international duty and injuries.
• After Milan arrived in Madrid, Dejan Lu compared Real Madrid’s promised bonuses to rewards that could only be earned by beating Milan, then ignored Sanz’s media provocations.
• Dejan Lu, Totti, Redondo, and Buffon played blackjack at the hotel before Paolo Maldini called them to dinner.
• Sanz criticized Cruyff on television, and Milan’s players discussed Real Madrid’s strong lineup and Panucci’s transfer from Milan.
• On the way to the Bernabéu, Tardelli suggested leaving Dejan Lu out of the squad, but Sacchi hesitated over the risk of losing without him.

Dejan Lu began Milan’s match against Real Madrid on the bench, watched Real Madrid press aggressively, and urged Milan to move the ball faster. Milan took the lead through a Totti chip in the 24th minute, leaving Heynckes determined to equalize before Dejan Lu entered the match.

• Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Karim Benzema’s 2018-2019 Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich, then learned he would start on the bench.
• Dejan Lu and his teammates warmed up at the Bernabéu, where Milan faced Real Madrid’s star-studded lineup and its loud home crowd.
• Real Madrid pressed high after kickoff, and Dejan Lu went to the touchline to urge Milan to move the ball faster and use the width.
• In the 24th minute, Paolo Maldini sent a long ball forward, Inzaghi flicked it backward, and Totti chipped the ball into the net to put Milan ahead.
• Heynckes decided Real Madrid had to equalize quickly while Dejan Lu remained on the bench.

Milan dominated Real Madrid as Totti and Inzaghi helped build a commanding lead, while Sacchi repeatedly sent Dejan Lu to warm up without bringing him on. Dejan Lu finally entered in stoppage time, scored immediately, and Milan finished with a decisive win as Real Madrid’s players left in silence.

• Maldini launched a long ball that Redondo headed through Real Madrid’s defense, and Inzaghi set up Totti to score Milan’s second goal before halftime.
• Inzaghi credited Dejan Lu’s presence on the bench with unsettling Real Madrid, and Sacchi told Dejan Lu he planned to tease the opposition by making him warm up without playing him.
• Sacchi sent Dejan Lu to warm up several times, but Milan scored from a Totti free kick deflected by Inzaghi, so Dejan Lu returned to the bench.
• In the second minute of stoppage time, Sacchi substituted Dejan Lu for Davids, drawing boos from the Bernabéu crowd.
• Redondo lofted the ball forward, Dejan Lu flicked it over Hierro and scored past Canizares, and the referee ended the match.

After AC Milan thrashed Real Madrid, Sacchi and Totti faced provocative questions at the press conference, while Heynckes’s criticism of Real Madrid’s former managers stirred further controversy. Back in Milan, Dejan Lu enjoyed the aftermath with Paolo Maldini and Adriana, then learned that a Madrid silversmith planned to commemorate his warm-up routine with a statue.

• Sacchi joked with Tardelli after Heynckes ignored him, then defended his decisions and AC Milan’s strength at the press conference.
• Heynckes blamed Real Madrid’s low Champions League coefficient on its previous managers, then left the press conference to comfort his players.
• Totti praised Dejan Lu’s influence and rejected the claim that leaving Roma had made him a traitor.
• Newspapers and Capello mocked Real Madrid and Heynckes’s remarks, while Dejan Lu laughed at the coverage.
• Paolo Maldini and Adriana visited Dejan Lu and the mothers-to-be, and Dejan Lu learned that a Madrid silversmith was making a statue of him warming up.

Dejan Lu celebrated Milan’s success with his teammates, faced Inter Milan in the derby, and then helped steady the squad before Juventus’s visit. The chapter ended with him telling his tense teammates that he would start and that their mistakes would not cost them the match.

• Dejan Lu hosted a gathering where Milan players, including Inzaghi, Paolo Maldini, and Redondo, drank and discussed politics.
• Milan continued its winning run, with Dejan Lu scoring twice and assisting three times across two Italian Cup wins over Sampdoria.
• At a city banquet, Dejan Lu spoke with Moratti, who asked him not to make the Milan Derby too one-sided.
• Dejan Lu began the derby against Inter Milan on the bench as Simone gave Inter the lead, Inzaghi equalized, and Andre Cruz scored Milan’s winner.
• Totti celebrated making the Ballon d’Or shortlist, then his argument with Buffon became a Milanello joke after someone injured himself with a ruler.
• With the squad tense ahead of Juventus after Lippi praised Milan’s winning streak, Dejan Lu announced that he would start and reassured his teammates.