Recaps

Dejan Lu became the hero of Sampdoria’s 2–1 victory over Inter Milan, drawing ecstatic fans and intense media attention. Boskov praised his flawless debut at the press conference, while Massimo Moratti left wanting to bring Dejan Lu to Inter Milan.

• Sampdoria fans celebrated Dejan Lu after his late winner, and chairman Mantovani saw the victory as proof that his summer gamble had paid off.
• Massimo Moratti watched Dejan Lu and considered buying Inter Milan so he could bring the young star to the Meazza.
• Dejan Lu kissed Monica through the security fence as fans and photographers gathered around them.
• Trapattoni accepted responsibility for Inter Milan’s defeat, saying he should have focused more on attack.
• Boskov told reporters there had been no conflict with Dejan Lu and said he had saved him for an appearance in perfect condition.
• Boskov called Dejan Lu’s performance flawless and praised him for dribbling past Lothar Matthäus, Bergomi, and Brehme.

After his sensational debut, Dejan Lu pitched his healthy-hamburger idea and planned a fast-food business with Monica. He left the chapter with a new car and a filmed hamburger advertisement featuring Roberto Mancini and Vialli.

• Dejan Lu told reporters that improved Italian-style hamburgers had helped unlock his potential and said he and Monica planned to open a restaurant.
• Mancini promised Dejan Lu a vehicle after Dejan defended him, then took him to Milan to choose one.
• Dejan Lu rejected an overpriced Ferrari F40 and chose a used 1978 M1 instead.
• Dejan Lu and Mancini visited Vialli, where Dejan asked them to film a hamburger advertisement.
• Vialli and Roberto Mancini performed awkward cartwheels and delivered a hamburger slogan in Chinese on camera.

Dejan Lu discussed a possible Italian fast-food brand with Vialli and Roberto Mancini, then gave Monica a car. He discovered that Giuseppe Bagnato had received a bizarre future from fate and gained the God's Finger skill.

• Dejan Lu, Vialli, and Roberto Mancini considered names for their fast-food brand, and Dejan Lu joked about making Roberto its mascot.
• Dejan Lu gave Monica a car to help her get around while she prepared for exams, and she mentioned that brands had contacted her former agent.
• Dejan Lu opened the system and read a vision of Giuseppe Bagnato becoming a famous Japanese film actor known for his hands.
• Dejan Lu acquired God's Finger, a skill that increased finger dexterity, strength, and speed.

Dejan Lu renewed his contract with Sampdoria while balancing football and his manga work, and he helped the team keep winning despite an influenza outbreak. After starting the Cup Winners’ Cup with a 4–0 victory, he traveled with the squad to Dortmund for an away match.

• Sampdoria extended Dejan Lu’s contract, raising his annual income to $200,000, while coaches noticed West German scouts near the training ground.
• Kumatani Gensuke met Dejan Lu about Weekly Shonen Sunday’s Pokémon project and anime adaptation, then treated Dejan Lu and Monica to dinner and gave them gifts.
• Dejan Lu assisted Ødegaard and scored against Brann in a 4–0 away win, prompting more media criticism of Galliani.
• An influenza outbreak forced Dejan Lu and other players to rest in turn, but Sampdoria avoided defeat and Mantovani began looking into better medical care.
• Boskov announced Dejan Lu would start against Dortmund, and the Sampdoria squad flew to Germany for the match.

Sampdoria arrived in Dortmund for their match against Borussia Dortmund, and Dejan Lu drew a Zinedine Zidane experience card before the game. In the stands, Franz Beckenbauer watched the matchup with Aki Schmidt, who wondered whether he was scouting for Bayern.

• Boskov let the players explore Dortmund in groups, while Marco Lanna eagerly planned to take photos for his girlfriend.
• Dejan Lu studied Japanese, and Lanna called his girlfriend before the team prepared for the match.
• Boskov warned the squad to manage their diets and perform well at Dortmund's intimidating Westfalenstadion.
• In the locker room, Dejan Lu drew the Zidane Single Match Experience Card for the 2006 World Cup Final.
• Franz Beckenbauer told Aki Schmidt he was curious about the new qualities of Dortmund and Sampdoria, and Schmidt teased him about scouting players for Bayern.

Sampdoria’s young players were rattled by Westfalenstadion’s atmosphere, but Dejan Lu sparked a stunning start against Dortmund. He assisted Vialli’s opener and then scored himself, leaving Sampdoria 2–0 ahead less than two minutes into the match.

• Boskov kept the submitted lineup, starting Dejan Lu and the surprising young Marco Lanna against Dortmund.
• Dejan Lu used a Maradona turn to evade Kroth and Zorc, then chipped a pass into the penalty area for Vialli to score.
• Dortmund tried to attack quickly after the restart, but Dossena won possession and Sampdoria moved forward again.
• Lombardo passed to Dejan Lu near the top of the arc, where Dejan Lu feinted past Helmer and shifted the ball across the defenders.
• Dejan Lu struck with his left foot past Deubel to make it 2–0 less than two minutes into the match.

Sampdoria’s Dejan Lu helped build a two-goal lead over Dortmund, and after Andy Müller scored from a free kick, Dejan Lu stunned the Westfalenstadion with a long-range strike. The chapter left Kumatani Gensuke discovering that Dejan Lu had left him a blank manuscript and a playful notice claiming the author was injured and the issue was on hiatus.

• Beckenbauer praised Sampdoria’s teamwork while Zorc tried to steady Dortmund’s frustrated players.
• McLeod and Müller combined to create a free kick, which Müller scored to make it 2–1.
• Boskov let Sampdoria keep pushing forward as Dortmund’s renewed momentum sparked a physical midfield battle.
• Dejan Lu struck the ball from more than forty meters and scored past Deibel, restoring Sampdoria’s two-goal lead.
• Kumatani Gensuke opened Dejan Lu’s manuscript envelope and found blank pages with a joke notice announcing an injury-related hiatus.

Dejan Lu dominated Dortmund, scoring twice as Sampdoria controlled the match. With the score threatening to become a rout and the home crowd growing volatile, Boskov decided to substitute Dejan Lu.

• Dejan Lu scored a long-range goal in the eighth minute, giving Sampdoria the lead and silencing Westfalenstadion.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past Kroht and fired a shot just over the crossbar.
• Dejan Lu curled a shot into the top corner, beating Deibel and extending Sampdoria’s lead.
• Pezzotti warned Boskov about the furious Dortmund crowd, and Boskov called for Dejan Lu to be substituted.

Dejan Lu led Sampdoria to a 6–1 victory over Dortmund with a dazzling performance that earned applause from the home crowd. Afterward, Dortmund’s coach and Franz Beckenbauer praised his play, while Boskov tried to keep the focus on the team.

• Chiesa prepared to enter as Marco Lanna crossed, and Dejan Lu drew in Dortmund’s defenders with a dummy that let Roberto Mancini score.
• Westfalenstadion’s fans applauded Dejan Lu as he left the pitch, and Beckenbauer was revealed as the first to start the applause.
• Sampdoria scored again and finished the match with a 6–1 win over Dortmund.
• Coppel took responsibility for the defeat and said Dejan Lu had dominated the match, while Boskov praised his talent and credited the team.
• Beckenbauer told a reporter he had applauded Sampdoria’s passionate football and said some opponents could not be beaten despite their best efforts.

After Sampdoria’s victory sparked political and sporting debate, Dejan Lu returned to Genoa with his teammates and befriended a young restaurant worker who dreamed of owning a motorcycle. As Dejan Lu and Mancini reached their apartment, a man waiting outside rushed toward Dejan Lu, crying out in Japanese that his teacher had finally returned.

• Newspapers in Germany and Britain reacted to Sampdoria’s win, mixing criticism of West German football with political arguments about reunification and Liverpool’s return to European competition.
• On the flight home, Dejan Lu joined Mancini, Vialli, and Pari in a game of Scopa and began winning after the first round.
• The Sampdoria players ate at Mancini’s favorite seaside restaurant, where Dejan Lu encouraged the owner’s young son to learn motorcycle mechanics and said he might compete in races with him.
• As Dejan Lu and Mancini arrived at their apartment building, a supposed homeless man ran up to Dejan Lu and shouted in Japanese, “Teacher, you’re finally back!”

Dejan Lu advised Sampdoria chairman Paolo Mantovani to demand a lucrative, long-term Japanese sponsorship deal, then returned home to celebrate Monica’s exam results. The chapter ended with Dejan and Monica’s bedroom noise irritating their neighbor Roberto Mancini.

• Dejan Lu asked Kumatani Gensuke about hiring Akinna Nakamori as his assistant, and Kumatani warned him to stay out of her troubles.
• Paolo Mantovani asked Dejan Lu for advice on Japanese sponsors, and Dejan urged him to seek a high fee, a long contract, and performance bonuses.
• Kumatani Gensuke returned to Dejan Lu and asked him to give advance notice before taking time off to find inspiration.
• Monica told Dejan Lu that she thought she had passed her exams, and he congratulated her over a lavish dinner.
• Dejan Lu and Monica went to bed, and their noise annoyed Roberto Mancini while Federica watched him react.

Dejan Lu’s rise in Serie A drew attention in China and provoked AC Milan vice president Galliani to set up a public comparison with Roberto Baggio. Before Sampdoria’s match against Fiorentina, Dejan reassured Mancini, drew a Flórián Albert experience card, and surprised Baggio by inviting him to join Sampdoria.

• Chinese television and newspapers introduced Dejan Lu to the public as a Chinese player excelling in Italy.
• Sampdoria fans favored calling Dejan the Commander, while Italian newspapers praised his play and gave him the headline title “Emperor.”
• Galliani praised Dejan but predicted his success would fade, then pointed to the Fiorentina match as a test against Baggio.
• On the team bus, Mancini asked Dejan whether Sampdoria could win, and Dejan reassured him before the match.
• Dejan drew a single-match experience card for Flórián Albert ahead of Sampdoria’s game against Fiorentina.
• At the pre-match handshake, Dejan told Baggio he admired his style and asked him to come play for Sampdoria, leaving Baggio stunned.

Dejan Lu wore Boskov’s Orthodox wristbands as Sampdoria faced Fiorentina, then dazzled the defense with a behind-the-back bull tail that created a dangerous chance. The match continued with Dunga closely marking Dejan Lu as Verchowod moved to support the attack.

• Boskov gave Dejan Lu Orthodox-cross wristbands because he believed they would bring good luck, while Roberto Mancini noticed that Dejan Lu had become the coach’s favorite.
• Fiorentina began cautiously, and Roberto Mancini charged forward but lost the ball after cutting inside and pushing it too far ahead.
• After Verchowod demanded more pressure, Marco Lanna carried the ball forward and passed it to Dejan Lu, while Dunga quickly tracked back to mark him.
• Dejan Lu used an outside-of-the-foot behind-the-back bull tail to get past Dunga and crossed into the box, where Battistini headed the ball out for a corner.
• Roberto Mancini took the corner, Fiorentina cleared it, and Dunga continued following Dejan Lu as Verchowod moved toward the ball.

Dejan Lu dominated Fiorentina with dazzling dribbles and scored twice, while Roberto Baggio answered with a free-kick goal. Sampdoria continued to threaten after Fiorentina’s equalizer, and Dejan Lu left the match with another spectacular finish.

• Dejan Lu dribbled past Volpecina and Pioli, then cut past Dunga and Landucci to score for Sampdoria.
• Roberto Baggio attempted a Maradona turn, earned a controversial free kick, and curled it into the goal to equalize.
• Dejan Lu helped launch an attack toward Vialli, whose cross was collected by Landucci.
• Pari intercepted Battistini’s pass, and Dejan Lu raced past Dunga and Pioli before beating the defenders and Landucci to score again.

Dejan Lu's dazzling solo run put Sampdoria ahead of Fiorentina, and he set up Roberto Mancini to score again after Fiorentina restarted play. Dunga retaliated by shoving Dejan Lu, triggering a chaotic fight that ended with the team doctor being called.

• Dejan Lu humiliated Fiorentina's defenders during a solo run, leaving Dunga sprawled in the penalty area.
• Baggio restarted play, but Fiorentina's attack failed when Verchowod beat him to Volpecina's cross.
• Pagliuca launched a counterattack, and Dejan Lu raced down the right before crossing low for Roberto Mancini to score.
• Dunga shoved Dejan Lu after Mancini ran over to celebrate, and Sampdoria's players rushed into the fight.
• Roberto Mancini kicked Dunga, Marco Lanna sent him through the advertising boards, and Pagliuca stepped on his fingers as someone shouted for the team doctor.

After Dejan faked an injury to protect his teammates, Sampdoria won 3-2 and he recovered in the hospital while Baggio praised him publicly. Berlusconi blamed Galliani for AC Milan’s embarrassment and ordered him to leave Italy for a construction project in Malawi.

• Dejan stayed down after Dunga’s foul, and the referee sent off Dunga, Roberto Mancini, and Lanna as Sampdoria eventually won 3-2.
• Baggio defended Dejan at the press conference and called his play elegant, while reporters questioned him about Dunga and compared the two players.
• Boskov had Dejan taken to San Raffaele Hospital, where doctors found nothing wrong, and Monica stayed with him overnight.
• Dejan’s teammates visited him, and he encouraged little Verchowod to pursue his ideals.
• Berlusconi scolded Galliani over the attention Dejan had drawn and ordered him to leave Italy for Malawi.

After Pelé publicly condemned Dunga, Dejan Lu made a restaurant endorsement deal with Roberto Mancini and received a system mission requiring him to earn regular playing time. Learning that Sampdoria’s next opponent was Juventus, Dejan Lu decided he needed to talk to Boskov about returning from the hospital.

• Vialli, Dejan Lu, and Roberto Mancini left the hospital after seeing off the father and son, then watched Pelé condemn Dunga in a televised interview.
• Dejan Lu offered Roberto Mancini permanent authorization to use his likeness at his restaurant in exchange for the IOU, and Mancini accepted.
• Dejan Lu considered future restaurant advertising plans and saw a system prompt saying Pelé viewed him as a phenomenal player, but he needed to earn Cooper’s trust by playing over 25 matches or win a title after leaving in the winter break.
• Dejan Lu learned from a newspaper that Sampdoria’s next opponent was Juventus and decided to speak with Boskov about leaving the hospital.

After recovering enough to leave the hospital, Dejan Lu watched Sampdoria struggle against Juventus before Boskov finally sent him onto the pitch. In Malawi, Adriano Galliani fled an attempted robbery, determined to survive and make something of himself.

• Dejan Lu left the hospital, and Roberto Mancini and Vialli brought him home to celebrate with Monica and Federica.
• Dejan Lu joined Sampdoria's squad for the Juventus match, though Boskov initially planned to keep him on the sidelines.
• Juventus took the lead through Sergei Aleinikov, and Boskov eventually agreed to bring Dejan Lu on after Sampdoria's attack faltered.
• Adriano Galliani left a restaurant in Lilongwe when he saw several men approaching him with ill intent.
• Galliani threw a locked bicycle at the men and ran, imagining Milan's streets filled with lilies as he struggled beneath the sun.

Dejan Lu came on for Sampdoria and strengthened their midfield with relentless defending, then scored from Lombardo’s corner to equalize against Juventus. The match was still ongoing as Sampdoria pulled level.

• Zoff watched Dejan Lu enter the match and began considering inviting him to Juventus.
• Dejan Lu took control in midfield, shielding the ball, pressing Juventus, and helping Sampdoria connect with their forwards.
• Dejan Lu hurried back to head Zavurov’s dangerous cross out for a corner.
• After Vialli won a corner at the other end, Dejan Lu asked Lombardo to take Sampdoria’s set piece.
• Dejan Lu broke free of his marker and headed Lombardo’s corner into the net to equalize.

Dejan Lu scored a late volley to give Sampdoria a 2–1 win over Juventus, then helped see out the match after dominating in midfield. As Sampdoria prepared for their next Cup Winners' Cup match, Roberto Mancini and Dejan Lu worried about Marco Lanna's relationship and finances.

• After Salzano won another corner, Dejan Lu suggested a short routine, and Sampdoria worked the ball into the box.
• Verchowod's header was blocked, and Dejan Lu volleyed the rebound past Stefano Tacconi to put Sampdoria ahead.
• Dejan Lu intercepted a late Juventus pass, and Carlo Longhi blew the final whistle; Zoff then asked Dejan Lu to join Juventus, prompting Boskov to charge over before Dejan stopped him.
• Zoff praised Dejan Lu at the press conference, while Pezzotti attended in Boskov's place.
• At Sampdoria's next Cup Winners' Cup match, Roberto Mancini and Dejan Lu watched from the stands and discussed Marco Lanna's finances and relationship.

Dejan Lu considered Nintendo’s offer to adapt Pokémon and agreed to meet with them, while preparing Sampdoria for a difficult away match against Roma. Before the match, he drew a single-match experience card for Francesco Totti’s performance in Italy’s Euro 2000 semifinal against the Netherlands.

• Kumatani Gensuke visited Dejan Lu and told him Nintendo wanted to discuss adapting Pokémon for its GameBoy console.
• Dejan Lu agreed to meet Nintendo, saying he cared more about getting his work to a wider audience than related fees.
• Boskov told Sampdoria’s players to defend carefully, seize scoring chances, and pass to Dejan whenever they could.
• The players discussed fears of nuclear war and conspiracy theories before Dejan Lu used the system lottery.
• Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Francesco Totti in Italy’s Euro 2000 semifinal against the Netherlands.

Dejan Lu met young Francesco Totti before Sampdoria’s match against Roma and invited him to consider joining Sampdoria. Dejan set up Vialli for an early goal, while Totti argued with Mancini in the stands.

• Roma manager Luigi Radice watched Dejan Lu warm up and praised his talent.
• Dejan Lu asked mascot Francesco Totti about his ambitions, offered him advice, and invited him to Sampdoria.
• Sampdoria attacked early, and Dejan Lu chipped a pass over Roma’s defense for Vialli to score.
• Mancini worried that Dejan Lu’s partnership with Vialli threatened his place in the team.
• Totti told Mancini he was considering Dejan Lu’s invitation but dismissed Mancini’s status as second captain.

Dejan Lu scored another spectacular goal against Roma, lobbing Giovanni Cervone after dribbling through pressure. Watching from the stands, Francesco Totti realized that a captain had to earn authority through his ability on the pitch.

• Roma's players and Luigi Radice struggled to understand how Dejan Lu had scored despite their defensive numbers, while the home crowd rallied behind the team.
• Vialli dispossessed Ruggiero Rizzitelli, and Dejan Lu drove forward past Giannini and Desideri as Roma's fans urged their players to stop him.
• With five Roma players surrounding him, Dejan Lu curled a powerful lob over Giovanni Cervone and into the goal.
• Rossi praised Dejan Lu's skill as Sampdoria's players celebrated, and Totti concluded that a captain needed to be the best player and command respect through strength.

Sampdoria routed Roma 5-0 after Dejan Lu scored a spectacular goal, and Dejan spoke with Totti and Roberto Mancini after the match. A system notification then showed how Totti’s future might unfold and granted Dejan the Coward Buster skill.

• Roberto Mancini and Totti traded insults as Chiesa waited to enter the match.
• Dejan Lu set up a chance for Salzano, then scored from a corner after sending the cleared ball back into Roma’s box.
• Boskov sent Chiesa on as Dejan Lu left the pitch, and Dejan later found Roberto Mancini and Totti in the stands.
• Dejan Lu told Totti he could stay in Rome and offered to help him if he ran into trouble.
• Sampdoria defeated Roma 5-0, while Roma received five yellow cards and two red cards.
• Dejan Lu read a system notification about Totti’s possible future and received the Coward Buster skill.

Dejan Lu and his teammates relaxed in Rome after their victory before he returned home and received a letter from manga artist Mitsuteru Yokoyama praising his work. Dejan Lu discussed his recent stories with Kumatani Gensuke and left him considering how Ogawa might teach people to defend themselves.

• Dejan Lu, Roberto Mancini, and Vialli discussed football, celebrities, and a possible Sampdoria invitation while they waited for their bus in Rome.
• Dejan Lu and the others watched two planes pass overhead, then returned home with their teammates after the match.
• Kumatani Gensuke delivered Dejan Lu a letter from Mitsuteru Yokoyama praising his children’s work and urging him to guide young readers through his stories.
• Kumatani Gensuke asked whether Dejan Lu’s recent manga had become less profound, and Dejan Lu explained that he wanted to offer readers warmer stories.
• Kumatani Gensuke asked Dejan Lu to have Ogawa teach readers ways to protect themselves, and Dejan Lu understood what he meant.