Chapter Summaries

Dejan Lu’s dribbling statistics sparked media claims that his ability was declining, but he answered the criticism by dazzling Juventus in the opening minutes of their league match. The chapter ended with Dejan Lu down after Cesar kicked his foot, prompting Boskov to urgently call for the team doctor.

• An article questioning Dejan Lu’s form led the Sampdoria chairman to take him for a medical examination, which found no injury, while Dejan Lu dismissed the statistics as misleading.
• Roberto Mancini visited Dejan Lu to complain about media criticism, and Monica celebrated receiving a scholarship as the couple discussed finding a house.
• Dejan Lu wrote Adriano Galliani’s name in the Death Note after seeing the decline story on television, and Galliani was left behind when a work truck departed the construction site.
• Italian media and Juventus supporters urged Luigi Maifredi to challenge Sampdoria, but Maifredi privately doubted that Dejan Lu was declining.
• Dejan Lu drew a Denilson experience card and, after Juventus and Sampdoria began their match, dribbled past several defenders and created an early chance.
• Cesar kicked Dejan Lu in the foot near the Juventus penalty area, and Boskov called urgently for the team doctor.

Dejan Lu returned from a staged injury scare and dominated Juventus with relentless dribbling, leading Sampdoria to a 3–0 away victory. The match left Baggio reflecting on the difference in their supporting casts, while young Gianluigi Buffon decided he wanted to join Sampdoria.

• The medical team found that Dejan Lu had only a bruise, and he admitted he had exaggerated the collision to pressure the referee before returning to the pitch.
• Dejan Lu repeatedly dribbled past Juventus defenders, scored after beating five players, and finished the first half with fifteen successful dribbles.
• At halftime, Dejan Lu told Baggio that Sampdoria’s stronger teammates gave him an advantage, while Boskov urged the team to prove it did not rely only on Dejan Lu.
• Roberto Mancini scored from Dejan Lu’s assist, then added a spectacular scorpion-kick goal from Dejan Lu’s corner to extend Sampdoria’s lead.
• Sampdoria beat Juventus 3–0, and Baggio thanked Roberto Mancini for standing up for him during the Fiorentina match.
• After watching Dejan Lu’s performance, Gianluigi Buffon told Lorenzo Buffon that he wanted to play for Sampdoria.

After Sampdoria advanced past Red Star, Dejan Lu prepared to face AC Milan in the UEFA Super Cup first leg while Roberto Mancini waited for his child to be born. Dejan started up front and scored, celebrating the birth of Mancini’s son Filippo as the chapter ended.

• After Dejan Lu’s criticism of Juventus and Boskov’s complaints about rough defending, Zico, Donadoni, and young Gianluigi Buffon also spoke out about Italian football’s treatment of skilled players.
• Sampdoria lost 2-1 away to Red Star but advanced on aggregate, then drew 0-0 with Parma as Dejan Lu remained on the bench.
• Before Sampdoria’s Super Cup match against AC Milan, Boskov confirmed Mancini would miss the game because his wife was due to give birth, and Dejan Lu volunteered to play striker.
• At Ferraris Stadium, Dejan Lu and Lanna threatened Milan, while AC Milan’s Dutch stars tested Sampdoria’s defense and Redondo struggled against Gullit and Rijkaard.
• After Lanna sent the ball forward and Redondo played a through pass, Dejan Lu beat Pagliuca with a shot off the crossbar and celebrated with a message for his godson Filippo.

Sampdoria and AC Milan traded goals in a tense match, with Dejan Lu repeatedly trying to beat Baresi’s offside trap. After Gullit put Milan ahead, Dejan Lu equalized with a deft finish and appeared to escape injury as Roberto Mancini watched from the hospital.

• Dejan Lu tried to exploit AC Milan’s defensive line, while Baresi repeatedly caught him offside and Sampdoria and Milan created chances at both ends.
• Gullit broke forward from a cleared corner and crossed for Van Basten to head Milan level, making the score 1-1 at halftime.
• In the dressing room, Vialli told Roberto Mancini that Federica was doing well, and the Sampdoria players promised to win for the newborn Filippo.
• Gullit scored with a powerful shot early in the second half to give AC Milan the lead, and Dejan Lu encouraged Redondo after he blamed himself for the goal.
• Redondo sent a chipped pass behind Milan’s defense, and Dejan Lu controlled it and scored past Pagliuca to equalize.
• Dejan Lu fell while celebrating, but he soon got up and continued toward the stands as Roberto Mancini worried about his safety from the hospital.

Sampdoria beat AC Milan 4–2 in the first leg of the UEFA Super Cup as Dejan Lu scored four goals and Rijkaard was sent off. After the match, Dejan Lu celebrated with his teammates and visited Mancini’s newborn son before Kumatani Gensuke brought him a completed animation to watch.

• Dejan Lu scored a hat trick to put Sampdoria ahead, then scored again late in the match to make it 4–2 and set a new UEFA Super Cup scoring record.
• Rijkaard received a straight red card after a confrontation with Lombardo, leaving AC Milan a man down.
• Sampdoria celebrated the first-leg victory, while Van Basten praised Dejan Lu and vowed AC Milan would not give up in the second leg.
• Dejan Lu and his teammates visited Federica and Mancini’s newborn son, Filippo, at the hospital.
• Kumatani Gensuke visited Dejan Lu and showed him the completed animation.

Dejan Lu dealt with newspaper attacks, encouraged Virgil to stand up to manipulative classmates, and prepared with Sampdoria for their Champions League match against Bayern Munich. As Sampdoria reached the stadium, their traveling supporters saluted Dejan, and he returned their gesture.

• Kumatani Gensuke told Dejan Lu that Archer's storyline had drawn criticism from powerful people, and Dejan asked him to deliver a letter to Fujimoto-sensei.
• Dejan Lu read Lothar Matthäus's attack on Van Basten and an African fan's mockery of Dejan, then decided to confront the fan when he returned to Italy.
• Dejan Lu overheard Valeria pressuring Virgil for match tickets, praised Virgil for refusing, and encouraged him to value true friends.
• Dejan Lu dismissed Vialli's rumor about the Soviet Union, discussed Sampdoria's draw against Bayern Munich, and later helped Sampdoria defeat Atalanta 4–1.
• Sampdoria traveled to Munich, where Dejan Lu learned the team was preparing carefully for Bayern and saw the crowd turn out to watch them arrive at the stadium.
• Sampdoria's 3,000 traveling supporters saluted Dejan Lu in response to a newspaper jab, and he returned their salute.

Sampdoria faced Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League second round, with Dejan Lu responding to the controversy surrounding him by scoring three times in the opening minutes. Bayern were left stunned as Sampdoria took a commanding lead at Munich Olympic Stadium.

• Before kickoff, Sampdoria's fans supported Dejan Lu, and Roberto Mancini gave him the captain's armband.
• Dejan Lu led Sampdoria's early press, then finished a rapid attack with a backheel after 47 seconds to put Sampdoria ahead.
• Effenberg fouled Roberto Mancini during Sampdoria's next attack and received an early yellow card.
• Dejan Lu curled a knuckleball free kick past Raimond Aumann to make it 2–0 within two minutes.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past Bayern defenders and scored off the post to complete a hat trick in 5 minutes and 47 seconds.

Dejan Lu scored five goals in the opening nine minutes as Sampdoria crushed Bayern Munich 5–1, then left the pitch and became the center of a storm of press coverage. After the Ballon d’Or rules were changed to include players from every European team, Dejan woke at home to find Roberto Mancini waiting for him.

• Rossi praised Dejan Lu after he scored a fourth goal, and Lanna injured Effenberg with a tackle that forced Bayern to substitute him.
• Dejan Lu scored twice more to put Sampdoria 5–0 ahead before the ninth minute, then requested a substitution and left the pitch as Chiesa came on.
• Bayern scored once before the final whistle, and Boskov defended Dejan Lu’s celebration and early departure at the press conference.
• European newspapers published sharply contrasting reports about the match, while L’Équipe announced that the next Ballon d’Or selection would include players from all European teams.
• Dejan Lu woke at home after Monica had left and found Roberto Mancini waiting in the living room with his T-shirt collar turned up.

Dejan Lu and his teammates rescued a drowning child, and Dejan earned a new system skill before coming off the bench to help Sampdoria defeat AC Milan. The chapter ended with Boskov discovering that the gear lever was missing from his beloved car.

• Dejan Lu, Roberto Mancini, Vialli, and Redondo went to the beach, where they helped rescue a struggling child and brought him safely ashore.
• Dejan Lu read that the system upgrade had granted him Matthäus's Blessing and a new mission to win a title while earning his teammates' recognition.
• Boskov rested Dejan Lu against AC Milan, but sent him on in the 87th minute; Dejan's shot produced a rebound that Roberto Mancini put into the net for Sampdoria's winning goal.
• Dejan Lu credited Mancini, Vialli, and Redondo with sharing the rescue, while Boskov considered making him the team's next captain.
• Boskov and Pezzotti discussed Sampdoria's squad and upcoming matches before Boskov found that the gear lever had vanished from his ZIM.

Dejan Lu helped Sampdoria and Genoa campaign to buy Ferraris Stadium, sparking a dispute with Genoa City Hall. Before the teams met Napoli, Dejan drew a single-match experience card for Lothar Matthäus, while Diego Maradona struggled to cope with his recovery from drug addiction.

• Mancini complained about Dejan Lu’s late-night noise on a radio advice program, then hurt his hand punching the wall.
• Mantovani told Dejan Lu that Genoa wanted his help persuading City Hall to sell Ferraris Stadium, and Dejan agreed to speak in support of the purchase.
• After Sampdoria beat Pisa, Dejan Lu praised the fans and argued that teams should own their stadiums; fan protests and political maneuvering followed.
• Before the match against Napoli, Dejan drew a Lothar Matthäus experience card and learned from Careca that Diego Maradona was trying to distract himself from his addiction recovery by pursuing women.
• Dejan Lu unleashed a powerful warm-up shot that Pagliuca failed to stop, and Pagliuca discovered the ball was leaking air.

Sampdoria faced Napoli in a tense match as Dejan Lu’s speed and playmaking created repeated chances, while debutant Matracci scored after Dejan gave him a penalty. Dejan then scored a thunderous free kick in first-half stoppage time, leaving Giovanni Galli on the ground calling for medical help.

• Careca told Diego Maradona to keep up his abstinence, and Diego denied acting strangely before the match.
• Dejan Lu won the coin toss for Sampdoria, then surged past Napoli’s defenders on an early counterattack before Ferrara stopped him with a sliding tackle.
• Matracci impressed with a long-range shot, received a yellow card after a clash at a corner, and later scored a penalty Dejan Lu had handed to him after his first attempt was ruled out for encroachment.
• Diego Maradona dribbled through Sampdoria’s defense and nearly scored, while the referee denied Vialli’s penalty appeal at the other end.
• Dejan Lu won a penalty after Corradini brought him down, and Matracci converted it on his retake to put Sampdoria ahead.
• In first-half stoppage time, Dejan Lu assisted Roberto Mancini’s break with a long pass, then scored the resulting free kick with a powerful shot that left Galli calling for the medic.

Dejan Lu scored a free-kick hat trick as Sampdoria defeated Napoli 4–1 at San Paolo Stadium, earning applause from the home crowd. After Diego Maradona admitted he was inferior until he could beat Dejan, Pelé predicted Sampdoria would win Serie A and the European Champions Cup under Dejan’s leadership.

• At halftime, Diego Maradona challenged Dejan Lu to face Argentina, but Dejan said the match was not his decision and doubted a Serie A All-Star team could beat Sampdoria.
• Dejan Lu helped Sampdoria defend against Napoli and launched a long pass that sent Vialli through, though Vialli’s shot hit the post.
• Dejan Lu scored a curling free kick to give Sampdoria another goal, then scored a third free kick for a hat trick as Napoli’s players and fans watched in amazement.
• Diego Maradona scored for Napoli, but Sampdoria won 4–1, and Maradona admitted after the match that he was inferior to Dejan until he could beat him.
• Pelé told a reporter that Dejan played more beautifully than Maradona and predicted Sampdoria would win Serie A and the European Champions Cup under Dejan’s leadership.

Dejan Lu prepared for Sampdoria’s Lighthouse Derby against Genoa, attracting Pelé’s attention and drawing packed, fervent support at Ferraris Stadium. He scored a long-range opener and then a powerful free kick, but collapsed immediately afterward, leaving his condition uncertain.

• Dejan Lu went shopping in Milan with Monica and Sampdoria teammates, then arranged handmade suits for Matracci and Lanna.
• Sampdoria beat Bayern Munich 2–0 without Dejan Lu, while anticipation grew for the Lighthouse Derby and Pelé arrived to watch him play.
• Sampdoria supporters filled Ferraris Stadium with banners and chants as the team pressed Genoa from kickoff.
• Dejan Lu bullied Torelli off the ball and scored from more than forty meters to put Sampdoria ahead.
• Eranió fouled Dejan Lu during a counterattack, and the referee showed him a yellow card.
• Dejan Lu scored a powerful free kick, then stumbled and fell as Boskov called for the team doctor.

After recovering in the hospital, Dejan Lu watched Sampdoria win the UEFA Super Cup against AC Milan and lifted the trophy despite being injured. He faced questions about Pelé’s criticism and the papers’ reports of his encounter with Sophie Marceau, then returned to Sampdoria’s starting lineup on December 15.

• Dejan Lu dismissed Pelé’s criticism of his playing style while recovering from an injury that doctors expected to keep him out for at least two months.
• Sampdoria drew 1–1 with AC Milan at San Siro and won the UEFA Super Cup 5–3 on aggregate, with Dejan Lu celebrating and lifting the trophy from the stands.
• During halftime, Dejan Lu met Sophie Marceau in the stadium restroom, and The Sun later reported their encounter.
• Dejan Lu told reporters he respected Pelé and would try to rely less on his physical strength, while Boskov said he would not rush Dejan’s recovery.
• After reports suggested Dejan Lu would miss matches until after Christmas, Trapattoni saw his name on Sampdoria’s starting lineup for the December 15 match at the Meazza.

Dejan Lu used a single-match experience card to fill Sampdoria’s defensive gap and partnered with Matracci at center-back against Inter Milan. He scored the opening goal from a corner and led a dominant defensive display, leaving Sampdoria ahead and Inter struggling to break through.

• Dejan Lu drew a Mats Hummels experience card, volunteered to play center-back, and Boskov paired him with Matracci while Chiesa entered the starting lineup.
• Dejan Lu took the captain’s armband and helped stop Inter Milan’s early attacks, including Matthäus’s drive and Klinsmann’s flick from a corner.
• Dejan Lu headed in Roberto Mancini’s corner to give Sampdoria the lead, then continued to intercept Inter Milan’s attacks and protect Matracci.
• At halftime, Boskov praised Dejan Lu and Matracci, while Dejan Lu warned Boskov about the worsening situation in Yugoslavia.
• In the second half, Dejan Lu beat Klinsmann to a header and made further clearances as Matracci repeatedly won aerial duels; Rossi called the pair Sampdoria’s Wall of Sighs.

Dejan Lu scored a last-second winner to give Sampdoria a 2–1 victory over Inter Milan, then spent the night with Monica and The Princess in Milan. On the way home, Matracci and Lanna secretly beat Dunga in Dejan’s name, and Dejan later found Virgil waiting at school after a mishap with a classmate.

• Dejan Lu repeatedly stopped Inter Milan’s attacks, but Matthäus scored to put Inter ahead before Dejan headed in Roberto Mancini’s final corner for a 2–1 Sampdoria win.
• After the match, Dejan Lu met Monica and The Princess at a house in Milan and stayed there overnight.
• Matracci asked Pagliuca about Dejan’s enemies, then persuaded Lanna to help him disguise himself and ambush Dunga outside his home.
• Dejan Lu took a taxi back toward Genoa with Giuseppe Esposito and gave him tickets to the final match of 1990.
• At Virgil’s school, Dejan Lu learned that Virgil had accidentally pulled down a classmate’s skirt and had called Marianna Mancini using Roberto Mancini’s phone.

Dejan Lu learned that Enrico Chiesa’s future success would bring him a valuable business skill, then returned to Sampdoria and prepared for the delayed match against Roma. After Roma defended cautiously, Dejan Lu broke through their defense and scored the opening goal.

• Dejan Lu read the system’s account of Enrico Chiesa’s future, gained the Chiesa on the Wind skill, and decided to invest in Chiesa’s later business.
• Sampdoria drew with Bari, and Dejan Lu came on against Torino to provide an assist in another draw.
• Dejan Lu helped Roberto Mancini move house, then watched Sampdoria draw Dynamo Dresden in the European quarterfinals.
• Dejan Lu drew a Claudio Caniggia single-match experience card before Sampdoria faced Roma at Ferraris Stadium.
• Roma defended with five defenders, but Dejan Lu intercepted Giannini’s pass, dribbled through the defense, and scored past Sevone.

Dejan Lu scored four goals as Sampdoria overwhelmed Roma, who managed to answer with two goals of their own. After the match, Giannini swapped shirts with Dejan Lu and explained to Totti why a captain had to keep believing in victory even against a stronger opponent.

• Dejan Lu scored twice to give Sampdoria a 2–0 lead, while Giannini urged Roma to keep fighting.
• Giannini scored from long range to pull Roma back into the match, but Dejan Lu soon restored Sampdoria’s two-goal advantage.
• Dejan Lu scored twice more, including a chipped finish over Sevoone, and Boskov substituted him to protect him from injury.
• Giannini and Völler combined to score Roma’s second goal late in the match.
• Giannini swapped shirts with Dejan Lu, then told Totti that a captain had to talk tough and believe his team could defeat a powerful opponent.

After news of Falcone’s Mafia assassination unsettled Dejan Lu, Roberto Mancini, and their teammates, Sampdoria faced Juventus at Ferraris Stadium. Dejan Lu scored directly from a corner after a dazzling dribble, and Juventus resorted to fouling him as the match continued.

• Dejan Lu and Roberto Mancini discussed Falcone’s assassination, and Pezzotti warned Sampdoria’s players to contact the police if they saw suspicious strangers.
• Dejan Lu scored and assisted as Sampdoria beat Fiorentina 3:0, then Sampdoria defeated Bologna by three goals.
• Before the Juventus match, Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for Vasilis Hatzipanagis and answered questions at a press conference alongside Boskov and Baggio.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past several Juventus players, set up a shot for Vialli, and then scored directly from the resulting corner to give Sampdoria the lead.
• After kickoff, De Agostini fouled Dejan Lu again and received a yellow card, while Redondo warned him to stop.

Sampdoria beat Juventus 4–2 after Dejan Lu scored a hat-trick and set up Pari’s goal, while Baggio and Häßler scored for Juventus. Dejan left the match after a challenge, Redondo was sent off, and Boskov and Dejan defended Redondo at the press conference.

• Pagliuca saved Schillaci’s close-range attempt before Dejan Lu curled a shot in from the left wing to put Sampdoria further ahead.
• Häßler scored a free kick, but Dejan Lu answered with an acrobatic volley to complete his hat-trick and restore Sampdoria’s two-goal lead before halftime.
• After halftime, Dejan Lu beat Juventus defenders and crossed for Vialli, whose saved header fell to Pari for Sampdoria’s fourth goal.
• Boskov substituted Dejan Lu after De Agostini knocked him over, and Redondo was later sent off for a tackle on De Agostini.
• Baggio scored a late long-range goal as Juventus lost 4–2, then Boskov and Dejan defended Redondo at the press conference.