Chapter Summaries

After winning the FA Cup, Dejan Lu and Manchester United traveled to Rome for the Champions Cup final, where the buildup intensified and Dejan reunited with Totti. The chapter ended with Totti confidently placing Sri Lanka in Madrid, Spain, after mistaking Dejan’s hint about their upcoming opponent.

• After Dejan Lu was substituted, David Beckham delivered two assists as Manchester United defeated Liverpool and won the FA Cup.
• Dejan Lu and Ferguson criticized the referee’s inconsistent decisions at the press conference, and the Manchester United players celebrated their victory afterward.
• Dejan Lu flew with Manchester United to Rome, where fans and football legends gathered ahead of the Champions Cup final against Real Madrid.
• Dejan Lu met Totti, who complained about Roma’s dressing room and stayed at the Manchester United hotel.
• Roberto Mancini quizzed Totti about Sri Lanka, and Totti concluded that it was in Madrid, Spain.

Before the Champions Cup final in Rome, Dejan Lu faced a crowded city, intense media attention, and questions about Real Madrid, while rumors surfaced about Milan changing hands. The chapter ended with Manchester United preparing to take the field and Dejan Lu drawing Francesco Gento López’s single-match experience card.

• Dejan Lu joked with Roberto Mancini, Totti, and Redondo before Paolo Maldini visited and told him that Galliani might buy Milan from Berlusconi.
• Dejan Lu hosted Italian players for dinner, and Manchester United familiarized themselves with the stadium before match day.
• Reports and former players praised Dejan Lu, while fans in Rome and television pundits voiced support for him and Manchester United.
• A huge influx of visitors jammed Rome’s roads, delaying Manchester United’s bus on its way to the stadium.
• At the press conference, Arsenio denied problems with Laudrup, and Ferguson provoked him by discussing signing Hierro.
• Dejan Lu confidently said he had no reason to lose in Rome, then returned to the dressing room and drew Francesco Gento López’s single-match experience card.

Dejan Lu led Manchester United against Real Madrid in the Champions League final, using his speed to unsettle their defense and set up Cantona’s opening goal. Manchester United held a 1–0 lead as the chapter ended with Totti asking a child to identify Roberto Mancini.

• Dejan Lu emerged to a thunderous reception at Rome Olympic Stadium, where footballing princes and royal guests watched the final.
• Manchester United and Real Madrid began with matching 4-4-2 formations, and Dejan Lu’s runs immediately troubled Chendo and the Madrid defense.
• Redondo intercepted Laudrup’s dribble and launched a counterattack, but Dejan Lu’s low cross was blocked before Buyo collected the ball.
• Redondo won the ball from Laudrup again and sent Dejan Lu forward, whose cross allowed Cantona to head Manchester United into a 1–0 lead.
• Arsenio instructed Luis Enrique to follow Dejan Lu and disrupt his runs, while Real Madrid struggled to find a response to his pace.
• Totti teased Roberto Mancini about Cantona’s ability and asked a child to identify Mancini, who the child called an uncle who sold hamburgers.

Manchester United dominated Real Madrid in the Champions League final, with Dejan Lu scoring to make it 2–0 before halftime. As the teams prepared to return to the pitch, Dejan Lu approached Raúl Blanco and invited him to play for Manchester United.

• Dejan Lu’s speed unsettled Real Madrid, while Redondo repeatedly dispossessed Laudrup and helped Manchester United control the play.
• Beckham sent a long pass forward, and Dejan Lu outran Chendo and beat Buyo to score Manchester United’s second goal.
• Raúl González watched Dejan Lu and reconsidered his image of Real Madrid as Manchester United overwhelmed his team.
• Real Madrid threatened from a late corner, but Dejan Lu blocked Alkorta’s header and Gary Neville cleared the ball before halftime.
• In the dressing room, Ferguson urged Manchester United to stay focused, and Dejan Lu then approached Raúl Blanco to invite him to play for Manchester United.

Manchester United answered Real Madrid’s second-half goal with four of their own, led by Dejan Lu, and took a commanding 5:1 lead in the Champions League final. With twenty minutes remaining, Raúl recognized the gulf in strength as Manchester United celebrated what appeared to be an assured victory.

• Raúl was flattered by Dejan Lu’s invitation to join Manchester United, but Hierro pulled him away and told him Real Madrid was no worse.
• Laudrup scored for Real Madrid after a cross dropped outside the penalty area, cutting Manchester United’s lead.
• Dejan Lu beat Real Madrid’s defenders on a counterattack and crossed for McClair to score one minute after Laudrup’s goal.
• Dejan Lu scored from close range after Beckham’s corner and Cantona’s headed flick, putting Manchester United 4:1 ahead.
• Cantona scored from the edge of the box after Buyo punched away a corner, extending Manchester United’s lead to 5:1.
• Raúl watched Manchester United celebrate and realized Real Madrid could not match Dejan Lu’s strength.

The narrator took apart the air conditioner to clean it but had not put it back together. The fan was not enough to beat the heat, leaving the narrator drenched in sweat.

• The narrator took apart the air conditioner to clean it.
• The narrator left the air conditioner disassembled.
• The narrator found that a fan could not cool the room and became drenched in sweat.

Manchester United crushed Real Madrid 7–1 in the Champions League final, winning the Seven Sisters as Dejan Lu led the victory. After the final whistle, Raúl swapped shirts with Dejan Lu, and the team celebrated as Dejan Lu lifted the trophy; Monica and The Princess then joined him on the field.

• Sanchis steadied Real Madrid’s players as they struggled against Manchester United’s dominance.
• Dejan Lu sprinted through Real Madrid’s defense and scored to make it 6–1.
• Giggs scored Manchester United’s seventh goal from Dejan Lu’s through pass, and Ferguson substituted Dejan Lu so the stadium could applaud him.
• The referee ended the match, and Sanchis helped the tearful Raúl to his feet before Raúl swapped shirts with Dejan Lu.
• Dejan Lu and Ferguson lifted the Champions League trophy as Manchester United celebrated winning the Seven Sisters.
• Cantona invited Dejan Lu on a summer vacation, and Monica and The Princess joined him on the field.

Manchester United celebrated its Champions Cup victory over Real Madrid as Ferguson discussed retirement and Dejan Lu assessed the European Championship. Dejan received new system skills and a vision of Kasper Schmeichel’s future, while newspaper coverage of the final hinted that AC Milan wanted him back in Italy.

• Arsenio took responsibility for Real Madrid’s defeat and announced that he would resign, while Ferguson said he was considering retirement but might continue managing Manchester United.
• Ferguson revealed that Manchester United planned to sign a wide player, a defender, and a midfielder, and Dejan predicted Arsenal would challenge the club next season.
• Dejan discussed the European Championship, praised Ferguson’s tactics, and joked that Real Madrid lost because the final was in Rome rather than Madrid.
• At Manchester United’s celebration banquet, Dejan spoke with Stefano, Beckenbauer, and Blanchett before returning to his room with Monica and The Princess.
• Dejan’s system awarded him Juanito spirit and Real Madrid’s Five Eagles, then revealed Kasper Schmeichel’s future as a talent agent and granted Dejan two more skills.
• Newspapers praised Dejan’s performance in the final, and The Sun reported that AC Milan was interested in bringing him back to Italy.

Manchester United returned home after winning the Seven Sisters and celebrated with a massive victory parade and ceremony at the Theatre of Dreams. As Ferguson praised the team and Dejan Lu, the celebration remained underway.

• On the flight home, Beckham, Gary Neville, Redondo, and Dejan Lu discussed possible striker signings, including Ronaldo and Shearer.
• Dejan Lu met with Kumatani Gensuke, who said he was being transferred back to Japan as President of Weekly Shonen SUNDAY, and they discussed a Pokémon football story for a future World Cup film.
• Dejan Lu and Redondo joined Manchester United's victory parade, where Redondo spoke about retirement and starting an autobiography.
• Ferguson told Dejan Lu he would discuss signing Ronaldo, while Dejan Lu urged him to pursue the Brazilian striker.
• Manchester United's bus traveled through enormous crowds before the team returned to the Theatre of Dreams for a trophy ceremony.
• Ferguson praised the club's success and named Dejan Lu the best player in the world as the ceremony continued.

Dejan Lu watched England draw with Switzerland at Wembley before AC Milan owner Adriano Galliani visited with an offer to bring him to San Siro. Galliani offered a world-record salary, influence over transfers, and Milan shares, and Dejan Lu agreed to work with him.

• Dejan Lu welcomed Totti and Buffon to Manchester and sent them to stay with Redondo ahead of the European Championship.
• Dejan Lu attended England's opening match at Wembley with his friends and watched Alan Shearer score against Switzerland.
• Roberto Mancini bet Dejan Lu that England would win, but Switzerland equalized and the match ended 1–1.
• Galliani told Dejan Lu that he owned AC Milan and offered him a lucrative transfer with a share of the club.
• Dejan Lu accepted Galliani's offer and shook hands with him.

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.