Chapter Summaries

Dejan Lu watched Sampdoria struggle against Inter Milan in the Italian Super Cup before deciding to enter late, despite Boskov’s concerns about Matthäus’s rough play. With Sampdoria trailing 2–0 in the eighty-sixth minute, Dejan Lu insisted the match was not over.

• Prince Charles praised Dejan Lu and Sampdoria in an interview, while Dejan Lu decided Suzuki should pay him more when he renegotiated his contract.
• At breakfast, Dejan Lu discussed buying a house with Mancini and Federica, then read Matthäus’s boastful remarks about Inter Milan and their title chances.
• Dejan Lu received a pager message from Diego promising to defeat him, then called back but found Diego’s phone switched off.
• As Sampdoria fell behind Inter Milan in the Italian Super Cup, Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Stefan Effenberg and waited on the bench while Boskov held him back.
• After Matthäus headed Inter Milan’s second goal in the eighty-sixth minute, Dejan Lu entered the match without first getting Boskov’s approval and told Mancini that Sampdoria could still win.

Dejan Lu came on late and transformed the final, setting up Sampdoria's first goal before scoring a long-range equalizer himself. Inter Milan were left scrambling to survive the remaining minutes and force extra time.

• Boskov sent Dejan Lu on, and Lanna passed him a free kick near Sampdoria's own box.
• Dejan Lu launched a long pass that Vialli squared for Roberto Mancini to score, making it 2:1 eight seconds after Dejan Lu entered.
• Boskov called Enrico Chiesa to warm up as Inter Milan restarted play and Sampdoria pressed for possession.
• Dejan Lu carried the ball past halfway and struck a shot from distance that beat Zenga and leveled the final.
• Trapattoni ordered Inter Milan to hold on and drag the match into extra time.

Sampdoria completed a dramatic comeback against Inter Milan, winning 4–2 after Dejan Lu created the final two goals in stoppage time. The chapter ended with Paolo Maldini watching the victory and worrying about AC Milan’s upcoming match against Sampdoria.

• Dejan Lu dropped back to defend, then launched a counterattack that let Vialli assist Roberto Mancini for Sampdoria’s 3–2 lead.
• Baresi urged Inter Milan to keep fighting, and Lothar Matthäus drove forward as Inter chased an equalizer.
• Zenga fouled Roberto Mancini during a counterattack and was sent off, forcing Inter Milan to bring on Astutillo Malagò for Lothar Matthäus.
• Dejan Lu curled the resulting free kick into the net, completing Roberto Mancini’s hat trick and securing Sampdoria’s 4–2 victory.
• Paolo Maldini watched Sampdoria celebrate and worried that AC Milan would not be able to defend Milan’s honor in their upcoming match.

After Sampdoria won the Italian Super Cup by scoring four goals in eight minutes, the team celebrated its victory and Dejan Lu answered questions at the press conference. He praised his teammates and defended Mancini, while Trapattoni suggested Inter Milan might have won if they had signed Dejan.

• Sampdoria celebrated its Italian Super Cup victory as Mancini lifted the trophy and the squad posed with Boskov, Mantovani, and Dejan Lu.
• Dejan Lu went to the press conference after Pezzotti told him reporters wanted to speak with him.
• Trapattoni took responsibility for Inter Milan's defeat and said signing Dejan might have changed the result, prompting questions about Inter's German players.
• Boskov ruled out winter signings, and Dejan credited Sampdoria's collective effort for the comeback.
• Dejan praised the royal family’s support for Sampdoria and spoke about the Princess’s charitable work.
• Dejan described Mancini as a refined, compassionate gentleman and said the nickname Mancio suited him despite his earlier red card.

Dejan Lu and Sampdoria shared a Milan shopping trip, then returned to training as Roberto Mancini celebrated his hat-trick with an awkward James Bond act. After Samp drew 1–1 away to Lecce, Antonio Conte approached Dejan Lu as a devoted fan and asked to exchange shirts.

• Dejan Lu admitted to Roberto Mancini that he had deliberately knocked on the wall, then joined him and Monica for a shopping trip in Milan.
• Roberto Mancini appeared in the locker room dressed as James Bond and teased Marco Lanna, until Dejan Lu sent everyone out to train.
• Dejan Lu was rested against Lecce, where Antonio Conte scored before Salzano equalized for a 1–1 draw.
• Antonio Conte ignored Roberto Mancini after the match, told Dejan Lu he admired his motorcycle riding, and asked to exchange shirts with a personal inscription.

Dejan Lu and Roberto Mancini took their Genoa teammates to Milan to buy motorcycles after the squad caught the riding trend. The team enjoyed choosing their bikes, while Dejan Lu realized his influence could make him more valuable to motorcycle brands.

• Monica told Dejan Lu that major brands had begun inviting her to model, and he praised her beauty over breakfast.
• Roberto Mancini arrived and invited Dejan Lu to join him and several teammates on a trip to Milan to buy motorcycles.
• Dejan Lu teased Roberto Mancini about bringing a parent, and Monica encouraged the men to go have fun.
• Roberto Mancini explained that Conte had likely sparked the team's interest, while Dejan Lu considered how his popularity could improve his endorsement fees.
• The Genoa players arrived in Milan and enthusiastically tried motorcycles, and Dejan Lu told Roberto Mancini to enjoy the process of choosing one.

Sampdoria prepared to face AC Milan as both teams fielded their strongest lineups. Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for peak Kaká before the match began.

• Photos of Sampdoria's players riding motorcycles appeared in British newspapers and prompted motorcycle manufacturers to promote their brands.
• Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, and Van Basten discussed how difficult Dejan Lu would be to defend against, while Rijkaard dismissed the threat.
• At Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Boskov instructed Sampdoria to watch AC Milan's Dutch players closely and insisted the team pass to Dejan Lu.
• Dejan Lu drew an experience card for Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite's 2006–2007 Champions League semifinal performance against Manchester United.
• Sampdoria and AC Milan announced their strongest starting lineups before entering the tunnel, where Maldini introduced himself to Dejan Lu and praised his style.

Dejan Lu led Sampdoria against Milan, probing their formidable defense with clever passes and movement. Sampdoria created several chances, but Milan repeatedly shut them down, and the match remained unresolved.

• Roberto Mancini gave Dejan Lu the captain's armband before Sampdoria took the field against Milan.
• Dejan Lu won the coin toss and chose which side Sampdoria would defend before the match began.
• Dejan Lu launched a counterattack that ended with Vialli's shot blocked by Baresi and cleared by Maldini.
• Milan countered after a corner, and Tassotti struck a powerful shot that bounced back into the penalty area.
• Dejan Lu switched positions and passes to pull Milan's defense toward the right flank, but Costacurta and Ancelotti stopped Sampdoria's attack with a foul.

AC Milan took the lead against Sampdoria, but Dejan Lu stayed patient and exploited a counterattack to equalize with a long-range shot from beyond the halfway line. The match was level as Sacchi’s defense was stunned by Dejan’s unexpected strike.

• Dejan Lu told Attilio Lombardo to attack Milan’s right side and tire Costacurta and Tassotti before he moved forward.
• Van Basten finished Milan’s coordinated attack with an overhead kick to put his team ahead.
• Paolo Maldini stopped Dejan Lu’s counterattack, and Pagliuca saved Van Basten’s shot after the striker beat Sampdoria’s offside trap.
• Dejan Lu and Marco Lanna pressured Rijkaard into losing the ball, and Pari sent a through pass to Dejan Lu.
• Dejan Lu evaded Tassotti’s sliding tackle and fired from more than forty meters, beating Andrea Pazzali and equalizing.

Dejan Lu helped Sampdoria hold off AC Milan before scoring a decisive counterattacking goal in the rain. The chapter ended with Ferraris Stadium celebrating him as Captain Dejan.

• Cruyff noted Dejan Lu’s expanded shooting range as AC Milan’s defenders struggled to contain Sampdoria’s threats.
• AC Milan played cautiously after Dejan Lu’s long-range goal, and neither side scored before halftime.
• Dejan Lu told Chiesa he had conserved his energy while waiting for AC Milan to tire, then joked with his teammates in the dressing room.
• After the restart, rain made the pitch slippery, and Roberto Mancini’s corner kick mishap gave AC Milan a chance to counterattack.
• Pagliuca stopped Van Basten’s attack and launched the ball forward, allowing Dejan Lu to race past Tassotti and evade Baresi and Rijkaard.
• Dejan Lu beat Andrea Pazzali with a shot into the net, and Ferraris Stadium hailed him as Captain Dejan.

Dejan Lu scored a spectacular late solo goal to seal Sampdoria’s 3–1 win over AC Milan, after first showing sportsmanship when Van Basten fell injured. After the match, Dossena learned that his son had called a demolition company about destroying his school, prompting the school to plan a home visit.

• Dejan Lu’s opening goal left Baresi and Milan’s defenders stunned, but Baresi urged his teammates to regroup and defend.
• Dejan Lu stopped an attack after noticing Van Basten had fallen, and Sacchi sent Diego Fuser on as Van Basten left the pitch.
• Boskov strengthened Sampdoria’s defense as AC Milan pressed for an equalizer, but Dejan Lu broke away from a corner and scored after an eighty-meter run to make it 3–1.
• After the final whistle, Dejan Lu exchanged banter with Paolo Maldini and his Sampdoria teammates.
• Dossena borrowed Roberto Mancini’s phone and learned that his son had called a demolition company about destroying his school, leading the school to arrange a home visit.

Dejan Lu and his teammates gathered at Dossena’s home to meet Virgil’s teacher and principal, then spent the afternoon joking and talking over a barbecue. The gathering ended when Marco Lanna arrived in tears after his girlfriend broke up with him.

• Dossena hosted Dejan Lu, Mancini, Vialli, and Lombardo, hoping they would help encourage Virgil to take school seriously.
• Silvia Ricci and Principal Conte visited and discussed Virgil’s poor attention in class and his talent for drawing comics.
• Principal Conte praised Dejan Lu and declared his confidence that Sampdoria would win the Cup Winners’ Cup before drinking too much and leaving with Silvia Ricci.
• Dejan Lu reassured Lombardo that the team accepted him as he was, and Lombardo thanked him.
• Marco Lanna arrived on his motorcycle and announced through tears that his girlfriend had broken up with him.

After Marco Lanna cried over his breakup, Dejan Lu and the Sampdoria players watched a terrible motorcycle movie and slipped away to avoid comforting him. At home, Dejan watched AC Milan players discuss the match, where Van Basten praised Dejan as the better player.

• Marco Lanna cried as he told the players that his girlfriend had broken up with him after accusing him of slacking while helping her move.
• Dejan Lu and the others left Lanna with Lombardo, then watched Street Fury at Dossena's house and discussed motorcycle manufacturers seeking Sampdoria players as spokesmen.
• Dejan Lu and his teammates sneaked out the back to avoid Marco Lanna, then Dejan returned home and waited for Monica.
• Dejan Lu watched interviews in which Paolo Maldini recalled challenging him to go out after a loss, Baresi praised his dribbling, and Van Basten said Dejan had played better.

Boskov gave Dejan Lu injury leave before Christmas, but Kumatani Gensuke kept him busy drawing at home while he waited for the holiday. After Sampdoria secured their break with a 4–1 win over Cesena, Dejan Lu went shopping with Mancini and found a building engulfed in flames.

• Boskov sent Dejan Lu for a medical examination and then granted him injury leave until after the break, despite Mancini’s objections.
• Dejan Lu returned home, where Kumatani Gensuke arrived to have him draw; Monica later suggested they buy their own place to avoid disturbing the neighbors.
• Sampdoria beat Cesena 4–1 away on December 16 and secured their Christmas break.
• Dejan Lu complained about having to ride in the cold as he and Mancini went shopping by motorcycle.
• On their way back from the store, Dejan Lu and Mancini saw a roadside building erupt in a raging fire.

Dejan Lu used his motorcycle to rescue an unconscious mother and child trapped in a burning building, leaping between rooftops with them strapped to his bike. He escaped the fire and raced toward the hospital, leaving the stunned onlookers and reporters behind.

• Dejan Lu and Roberto Mancini arrived at a large fire, and Dejan learned that residents might still be trapped inside.
• After spotting signs that someone remained in the burning apartment building, Dejan ordered Mancini and two bystanders to bring his motorcycle to a nearby rooftop.
• Dejan knocked Mancini aside, used wooden planks as a ramp, and leapt his motorcycle into the burning building.
• Dejan found an unconscious mother and child, strapped them to himself, and rode them onto the roof before leaping to another building.
• Dejan rode off an awning to reach the street safely, then sped toward the hospital with the mother and child.

After Dejan Lu rescued a mother and son from a fire, he returned home to comfort Monica and joined Roberto Mancini, Federica, and Monica for dinner as news of his heroism spread. By dawn, European newspapers and officials had praised him, the Pope had invited him to the Vatican, and a mysterious late-night caller had worried about him.

• Dejan Lu helped the injured family’s father and slipped out of the hospital disguised in borrowed clothes.
• Dejan Lu returned home, where Monica tearfully embraced him, and Roberto Mancini and Federica joined them for dinner.
• The Pope praised Dejan Lu’s courage on television and said the Vatican would invite him and Sampdoria to visit.
• Roberto Mancini’s embellished account of Dejan Lu’s rescue aired on television, while Monica worried that reporters would harass her at school.
• Dejan Lu received a tearful late-night call from an unnamed woman, and Monica reacted jealously as the caller fell asleep on the line.
• European newspapers celebrated Dejan Lu’s rescue, Barcelona and Real Madrid were linked with him, and Mayor Merlo said Dejan would receive a medal and might be called Saint Dejan.

Dejan Lu and Monica traveled to Rome, where they spent an evening with young Totti before visiting Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti at Palazzo Chigi. Andreotti discussed Dejan’s reported mafia connections, then invited them to meet the waiting reporters.

• Monica took Dejan Lu to Rome, where Totti showed them around Campo dei Fiori and Dejan asked him to play for Samp, but Totti refused to leave Rome and upset his father.
• Dejan Lu told Totti that he had learned from teammates, describing Giuseppe Pari’s cautious choices when passing from the backfield.
• Monica and Dejan Lu went to Palazzo Chigi, where Giulio Andreotti welcomed them and explained the symbolic importance of taking photographs at the residence.
• Andreotti discussed Dejan Lu’s reported ties to the Calabria mafia, and Dejan said the British press had already scrutinized his uncle’s olive-oil earnings.
• Andreotti invited Dejan Lu and Monica to meet the reporters waiting in the courtyard.

Dejan Lu received two major Italian honors for saving a family and answered questions about his actions, motorcycle safety, and the Genoa mayor. After returning home with Monica, he reflected on politics and football, while Bernard Tapie faced a debate over Adidas's plans for Dejan Lu.

• Andreotti awarded Dejan Lu the Star of Italian Merit and the Grand Cross with Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
• Dejan Lu told reporters he would remain with Sampdoria, praised Ferguson, urged young people to ride motorcycles safely, and challenged Merlo to address Genoa's safety failures.
• Dejan Lu and Monica left Rome, returned to Genoa, and declined Roberto Mancini's invitation to spend Christmas with his family.
• Dejan Lu wondered whether Italy's honors also reflected China's influence and concluded that football and players could not escape politics.
• Bernard Tapie joined Adidas executives debating whether to recruit Dejan Lu with a buyout offer and company shares.

Dejan Lu spent Christmas with Monica, then returned to training as Sampdoria prepared for the end of 1989. After Sampdoria drew with Cremonese, Boskov canceled the team’s holiday and assigned Chiesa to clean the first team’s boots.

• Vialli delivered teammates’ Christmas gifts to Dejan Lu and talked with him about marriage and staying out of the spotlight.
• Vincenzo Mantovani delivered gifts from his grandfather, and Dejan Lu sent black tea back for Paolo.
• Dejan Lu and Monica celebrated Christmas together, and Sampdoria’s players returned to Genoa after the holiday.
• Sampdoria drew with Cremonese on December 29 without Dejan Lu in the squad, and Boskov canceled the team’s holiday.
• Chiesa complained about extra training and listed his wishes, so Boskov assigned him to clean the first team’s boots for a month as snow began to fall.

Sampdoria beat Lazio 2–0 after Roberto Mancini scored twice while Dejan Lu warmed up but never entered the match. Afterward, Marco Materazzi asked Dejan Lu to let him join Sampdoria and play alongside him.

• Dejan Lu watched Sampdoria face Lazio and noticed Giuseppe Materazzi on the opposing side’s bench.
• Boskov told Dejan Lu to warm up, but Mancini scored before Dejan Lu could enter the match.
• Mancini scored again from Vialli’s cross, and Sampdoria won 2–0 without using Dejan Lu.
• Boskov told reporters Dejan Lu had a muscle strain and praised Mancini’s performance.
• Mancini teased Dejan Lu after the match, then Dejan Lu gave his shirt to a fan and guided Mancini toward the tunnel.
• Marco Materazzi approached Dejan Lu and said he wanted to join Sampdoria to play with him.