Chapter Summaries

Dejan Lu spent a holiday with Roberto Mancini and Sampdoria teammates before the team traveled to face Atalanta. After Caniggia put Atalanta ahead, Dejan Lu’s powerful run and pass set up Roberto Mancini’s equalizer, leaving the match tied.

• Dejan Lu read newspapers and magazines, then joined Roberto Mancini, Redondo, Vialli, Dossena, and Virgil for billiards and dinner in Genoa.
• The Italian Football Federation suspended Redondo for two matches, and Sampdoria later beat Parma 2–0.
• Sampdoria players discussed the Gulf War and European conflicts before Dejan Lu drew a Gareth Bale experience card ahead of the match against Atalanta.
• At Gavis Stadium, Atalanta counterattacked in the ninth minute and Caniggia scored after Pagliuca’s tackle left the ball loose.
• Dejan Lu accelerated past Borini and crossed into the goalmouth, where Roberto Mancini scored to equalize for Sampdoria.

Dejan Lu led Sampdoria’s rout of Atalanta with a long solo run, another breakaway goal, and a bicycle kick, then set up Roberto Mancini to score. Sampdoria continued to dominate as Atalanta’s defense and morale collapsed.

• After Dejan Lu’s opening assist, Chiesa left the match injured and Vialli came on as Sampdoria’s first substitute.
• Dejan Lu stole the ball from Paulinho, but Caniggia’s long-range shot was saved by Pagliuca.
• Dejan Lu sprinted from his own half past Atalanta’s defenders and scored to put Sampdoria ahead.
• Dejan Lu scored again with a bicycle kick from Lanna’s cross, sending the ball into the top corner.
• Dejan Lu dribbled between Paulino and Bonacina before crossing for Roberto Mancini to score Sampdoria’s next goal.

Dejan Lu helped Sampdoria advance to the European Cup semifinals, then turned down Marseille’s initial approach while Monica considered an endorsement deal with Adidas. Sampdoria drew Real Madrid, and as the teams faced off at Ferraris Stadium, Dejan Lu gained a Zidane match experience card and explained why he preferred building a great club with his teammates.

• Dejan Lu came off after scoring a hat trick and providing two assists, but Sampdoria still beat Atalanta 8–2 away.
• Dejan Lu watched Paolo Verchowod reach the chess final, where Paolo placed second after conceding a game because he felt his opponent was distracted and under pressure from his father.
• Dejan Lu assisted three goals in Sampdoria’s 5–0 win over Dynamo Dresden, then saw the team beat AC Milan 2–0 and Pisa 3–0.
• Tapie offered Dejan Lu a stake in Adidas and a personal brand deal, but Dejan Lu referred negotiations to Monica, who said she would compare the offer with Nike’s.
• Sampdoria beat their East German opponents 8–0 on aggregate and drew Real Madrid in the semifinals, prompting a wave of predictions and taunts from players and the press.
• Before the first leg against Real Madrid, Dejan Lu drew a Zidane single-match experience card and told reporters he preferred building a giant club with his teammates to joining one.

Sampdoria hosted Real Madrid in a fiercely anticipated Champions Cup match, and Dejan Lu gave the home side an early lead with dazzling dribbling and a powerful finish. Dejan then scored an astonishing long-range lob to make it 2–0, leaving Real Madrid reeling as Sampdoria took control.

• Sampdoria and Real Madrid emerged to a roaring crowd at Ferraris Stadium, where Real Madrid’s Paco Llorente injured himself during warm-ups and was replaced before kickoff.
• Andrew Wardle started the match, and Real Madrid targeted Dejan Lu while Sampdoria built attacks through Redondo and the midfield.
• Dejan Lu spun past Javier Villaroel, but Fernando Hierro blocked his early long-range shot.
• After Sampdoria defended a Real Madrid corner, Dejan Lu launched a counterattack, combined with Dossena’s advance, beat Solana and scored past Pedro Guerrero.
• Real Madrid captain Sanchis reorganized the defense, but Dejan Lu struck a lob from beyond the center circle that sailed over Guerrero and into the net.

Sampdoria overwhelmed Real Madrid as Dejan Lu scored repeatedly, leaving the Spanish side trailing 5–1 in the first half. Real Madrid struggled to contain him, while Francesco Totti began reconsidering whether Roma was the best place for his career.

• Di Stefano shifted Hierro into midfield, but Dejan Lu helped Sampdoria turn a Real Madrid attack into a counter and win a free kick.
• Mancini delivered a corner, and Pari headed in Dejan Lu’s setup to put Sampdoria 3–0 ahead.
• Hugo Sánchez scored from a free kick, briefly giving Real Madrid a goal and lifting the team’s spirits.
• Francesco Totti questioned Real Madrid’s reputation, and Riccardo Totti suggested that winning trophies might matter more than staying with Roma.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past Real Madrid’s defense and scored to complete a hat trick, extending Sampdoria’s lead to 4–1.
• Dejan Lu beat three defenders with a Sombrero flick and scored again, bringing Sampdoria’s lead to 5–1.

Dejan Lu scored his fifth goal in Sampdoria’s 7–2 Champions Cup semifinal win over Real Madrid, while Míchel was sent off after a confrontation with Matracci. After the match, the team celebrated together, and Dejan Lu decided to play the second leg at the Bernabéu after Sanz vowed Real Madrid would fight back.

• Dejan Lu blocked the furious Real Madrid players from starting a fight, and Boskov sent Chiesa to warm up.
• Dejan Lu finished Roberto Mancini’s pass with a powerful shot to give Sampdoria a 7–1 lead, his fifth goal of the match.
• Míchel headbutted Matracci during a second-half corner and received a red card; the teams each scored once in the second half, leaving the final score 7–2.
• Di Stefano accepted responsibility for the defeat at the press conference and said he would leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, while Dejan Lu declined to explain Matracci’s exchange with Míchel.
• Dejan Lu celebrated with his teammates at karaoke and reassured Lanna and Matracci about their personal troubles.
• After reading Sanz’s promise that Real Madrid would fight back at the Bernabéu, Dejan Lu decided to play the second leg.

Sampdoria prepared for the second leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu amid hostile fans and intense media attention. Dejan Lu took the captain’s armband and led the team out, having drawn a Kylian Mbappé Experience Card.

• UEFA officials discussed staging a sponsored all-star friendly in Britain after The Princess praised Sampdoria and proposed a match at Wembley.
• Dejan Lu and his companions investigated a supposed school ghost, caught young thieves stealing sports equipment, and celebrated Monica securing him a lucrative Adidas deal.
• Sampdoria lost to Roma and Bari before traveling to Madrid, where Jesús Gil offered Atlético Madrid’s stadium for training and arranged practice matches.
• Real Madrid fans jeered Sampdoria as the team arrived at the Bernabéu, and Dejan Lu told reporters he would give his all regardless of who watched.
• Dejan Lu received the captain’s armband, drew a Kylian Mbappé Experience Card, and led Sampdoria out to face Real Madrid.

Sampdoria faced Real Madrid at the Bernabéu with a 7–2 first-leg advantage, and Dejan Lu silenced the home crowd by scoring twice in the opening minutes. The chapter ended with Dejan Lu flicking Lombardo’s cross into the net for another goal.

• Dejan Lu kicked off and scored after eleven seconds by sprinting past Real Madrid’s defenders and shooting into the far corner.
• Redondo launched a long pass, Solana missed his attempted clearance, and Dejan Lu chipped the ball over Guerrero to make it 2–0.
• Real Madrid struggled to advance the ball as Sampdoria’s pressure and Dejan Lu’s movement unsettled their defense.
• Lombardo carried the ball down the right and crossed into the goalmouth, where Dejan Lu turned and scored with his heel.

Sampdoria overwhelmed Real Madrid at the Bernabéu as Dejan Lu scored three more goals, pushing the aggregate score to 11–2 and his match tally to six. Real Madrid tried to keep fighting despite their humiliation and Matracci’s injury, but the chapter ended with Dejan celebrating his sixth goal before halftime.

• Real Madrid’s fans waved white handkerchiefs after Dejan Lu’s third goal, while Vialli, Roberto Mancini, and Dossena joked about Sampdoria’s strength and Lombardo took reassurance from Dejan’s praise.
• Hierro and Hugo Sánchez urged Real Madrid to regroup, but a dangerous free kick nearly produced a goal before Redondo blocked the ball and was kicked by Sánchez.
• Lanna drove forward past Villarroya and passed to Dejan, who scored with a powerful shot to make it 4–0 in the match and 11–2 on aggregate.
• Buffon decided to seek out Sampdoria’s youth coaches himself, while Juan Carlos I and Felipe chose to remain in the stands as Real Madrid continued playing.
• Matracci was injured blocking Hierro’s shot, so Boskov sent Pellegrini on as Sampdoria’s substitution; Dejan then beat Hierro and Solana before scoring again to make it 5–0.
• Dejan scored a sixth goal after Redondo’s diagonal pass took a deflection into the net, then celebrated with a front flip as Redondo held up six fingers.

Dejan Lu led Sampdoria to a 16–2 aggregate demolition of Real Madrid, then left the Bernabéu to shop and commission commemorative jewelry. The victory shook European football, brought Sampdoria national recognition, and prompted UEFA to plan a showcase match against Dejan and the Italian stars.

• Dejan Lu scored six goals at the Bernabéu, set a personal record, and left the pitch early with Sampdoria leading 13–2 on aggregate; his teammates added three more goals afterward.
• Dejan Lu went shopping in Madrid with Piers Morgan, joked about his girlfriends, and commissioned jewelry commemorating Sampdoria’s elimination of Real Madrid.
• Sampdoria returned to Genoa, where Boskov stopped the players from celebrating in public, while Dejan Lu went home and resumed practicing against a wall.
• European newspapers and broadcasters covered the 16–2 aggregate score, with Ferguson praising Sampdoria and the press mocking Real Madrid’s defeat.
• The Prime Minister’s Office congratulated Sampdoria and considered honoring the club and Italy’s 1990 World Cup team, prompting Paolo Maldini to thank Dejan Lu.
• UEFA officials chose Wembley for a proposed match between the Serie A All-Stars and a European Championship All-Star team, and decided to promote it as the Dutch Trio against Dejan Lu.

Cassano impressed retired Dutch coach Piet de Visser, but rejected his offer to join a Dutch club because he wanted to play for Sampdoria. As Sampdoria prepared to face AC Milan in the Champions Cup final, Dejan Lu drew a single-match experience card for young Ronaldo and assured his nervous teammates they would win.

• Eight-year-old Cassano escaped a truck driver, dominated a schoolyard football match, and caught Piet de Visser’s attention with his talent.
• De Visser offered to recommend Cassano to Ajax or PSV Eindhoven, but Cassano rejected him and said he wanted to join Sampdoria to play with Dejan.
• Rijkaard publicly criticized Cruyff’s comments about the final, prompting German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to respond to Rijkaard’s reference to Germany’s past.
• Sampdoria clinched the Serie A title against Lazio, then finished the season with victories over Torino, Lecce, and Inter Milan, where Dejan scored twice in three minutes.
• Dejan and Monica proposed selling player cards through Monica’s Hamburgers to promote a fan-selected all-star match, and UEFA agreed to hold the match before the next European Championship.
• On the day before the Champions Cup final, Dejan drew a single-match experience card for young Ronaldo, then reassured Verchowod and his teammates that Sampdoria would win against AC Milan.

Before the Champions Cup final, Dejan Lu rallied Sampdoria and confidently predicted he would score against AC Milan. He opened the match by carving through Milan’s defense and then beating goalkeeper Sebastian Rossi to put Sampdoria ahead.

• Dejan Lu deflected reporters’ questions about the Royal Family and backed Sampdoria at the press conference, saying he would score in the final.
• Dejan Lu told Sampdoria’s players that AC Milan had never beaten them and urged them to win the Champions Cup and complete a historic treble.
• Dejan Lu and Baresi agreed on the coin toss, and Sampdoria chose to kick off as both teams fielded their starting lineups.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past AC Milan’s defenders and struck a shot against the post, narrowly missing an early goal.
• After Matracci’s corner was cleared, Verchowod intercepted Donadoni’s pass and launched a counterattack with a long ball to Dejan Lu.
• Dejan Lu raced behind Milan’s defense, feinted past Sebastian Rossi outside the box, and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Dejan Lu repeatedly threatened AC Milan with powerful dribbles and survived their aggressive defending as both teams traded attacks. After Van Basten equalized, Dejan Lu scored a spectacular solo goal to put Sampdoria back in front.

• Sacchi told Baresi to let Dejan Lu receive the ball more often, hoping his demanding dribbling would wear him down, and Baresi passed the instruction to a worried Maldini.
• Lanna and Dejan Lu combined to dispossess Donadoni, while Matracci blocked Gullit's chip and then cleared a corner as Sampdoria defended Milan's attacks.
• Dejan Lu broke through AC Milan's defense twice, hitting the crossbar on his second attempt, while Van Basten later equalized with a bouncing shot.
• Redondo sent Dejan Lu through on goal, but Maldini and Rijkaard tackled him; after players from both teams confronted one another, Mancini's free kick was caught by Rossi.
• Dejan Lu escaped Rijkaard's repeated fouls and a two-man trap, then finished a long solo run with a shot past Rossi to give Sampdoria the lead.

Dejan Lu scored twice in the second half as Sampdoria took a commanding 4–1 lead over AC Milan in the Champions Cup final. The chapter ended with Rijkaard down in Sampdoria’s penalty area after Redondo kicked him in the chest.

• At halftime, Boskov told Sampdoria to cover AC Milan’s attacks down the right and limit Gullit, while the players joked together in the locker room.
• Eight minutes into the second half, Sacchi replaced Ancelotti with Daniele Massaro, but Sampdoria’s pressing soon let Redondo win the ball and Dejan Lu dribble past AC Milan’s defenders to score.
• Sacchi brought on Marco Simone for Donadoni, and Lanna tackled Simone for a yellow card; AC Milan then created two set-piece chances, but Pagliuca saved Massaro’s shot.
• After Rijkaard fouled Dejan Lu, Dejan Lu exchanged passes with Roberto Mancini, controlled Mancini’s chipped return, and scored his fourth goal of the match.
• AC Milan attacked again, and after Simone crossed into the box, Rijkaard fell alongside Van Basten before Redondo kicked him in the chest as they contested the loose ball.

Dejan Lu led Sampdoria to a 5–2 victory over AC Milan in the European Champions Cup final, scoring his fifth goal after refusing to be substituted. Sampdoria celebrated their European title, while Dejan defended Redondo’s retaliatory foul and explained his friendship with The Princess at the press conference.

• Redondo kicked Rijkaard, received a red card, and left the pitch as Dejan Lu calmed the confrontation and supported him.
• Van Basten scored a penalty to make it 4–2, and Dejan Lu refused Boskov’s attempt to substitute him while Sampdoria adjusted to playing a man down.
• Dejan Lu beat Rossi and scored his fifth goal of the match in stoppage time, sealing Sampdoria’s 5–2 win over AC Milan.
• The referee ended the match, and Sampdoria celebrated with their fans before receiving their medals and lifting the European Champions Cup trophy.
• Monica and The Princess visited Dejan Lu on the pitch, and Dejan later completed a drug test and attended the press conference.
• Dejan Lu told reporters that he was friends with The Princess and defended Redondo by blaming Rijkaard’s repeated fouls for provoking the retaliation.

After Sampdoria celebrated their Champions Cup triumph, Dejan Lu returned to training and prepared for the Italian Cup final against Roma. In the opening minutes at San Siro, he scored with a long-range strike, giving Sampdoria the lead.

• Sampdoria celebrated their Champions Cup victory in Bari, while Dejan Lu returned to the hotel and later slept through the team's trip home.
• Newspapers praised Sampdoria's victory, discussed Dejan Lu's Ballon d'Or chances, and reported on football news across Europe.
• Dejan Lu received the Endless Battle Cry skill and prepared for the Italian Cup final while Sampdoria's players struggled to regain their focus.
• Dejan Lu handed the captain's armband to Roberto Mancini before Sampdoria faced Roma at San Siro.
• Dejan Lu moved into central midfield, combined with Redondo to advance, and scored with a long-range shot past Cervone.

Dejan Lu led Sampdoria to a 4–0 halftime lead over Roma in the Italian Cup final, scoring twice and assisting Vialli before completing a hat trick just after the break. He left the pitch after the fourth goal and went to the private box, where The Princess began another private encounter with him.

• Dejan Lu scored a long-range opener, then helped Sampdoria control Roma through his midfield play with Redondo.
• Dejan Lu chipped a pass into the box for Vialli to score, putting Sampdoria 2–0 ahead.
• Dejan Lu scored from a free kick to make it 3–0 before halftime, while the Sampdoria players celebrated with champagne in the dressing room.
• Dejan Lu scored a long-range goal immediately after the second-half kickoff, completing his hat trick and making the score 4–0.
• Boskov sent Chiesa on for Dejan Lu, who left the pitch and went to the private box, where The Princess pulled him into a corner.

After Sampdoria completed an unprecedented four-trophy season, Dejan Lu celebrated with his teammates, attended the club’s championship parade, and traveled with Monica and Redondo for promotional events. The chapter ended as Dejan heard that Slovenia and Croatia had declared independence and realized the Yugoslav civil war had begun.

• Dejan Lu joined Sampdoria’s celebrations after the team defeated Roma and won the Champions Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Serie A, and Italian Cup.
• Sampdoria received their medals and celebrated at the Astor Hotel, where Dejan Lu spent time with Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates.
• Dejan Lu agreed to attend events and book signings, then joined Sampdoria’s four-trophy parade and promised the fans the team would keep fighting for honors.
• Gianluigi Buffon tried to get Dejan Lu’s attention during the parade but failed to reach the Sampdoria players.
• Dejan Lu traveled with Monica and Redondo for promotional appearances before meeting The Princess in London.
• Dejan Lu heard on the radio that Slovenia and Croatia had declared independence and recognized that the Yugoslav civil war had begun.

Dejan Lu learned that Paolo Mantovani survived his crisis and founded Sampierdarenese with help from The Princess and Monica, then gained skills that could protect his brothers. He spent a relaxed day in London with Monica and Redondo, whose museum prank cleared the queue at the Sherlock Holmes Museum, where Monica hinted at a private adventure.

• Dejan Lu worried about Boskov as news of war in the Balkans spread, then received a system account of Paolo Mantovani founding Sampierdarenese after his son Enrico took control of his assets.
• Dejan Lu saw how Sampierdarenese rose through the divisions, reached Serie A and the Champions Cup semifinals, and received the skills Great Personality and Turn Danger into Safety.
• Dejan Lu, Monica, and Redondo planned a London outing, read reports about Balkan independence and football transfers at breakfast, and dodged reporters on their way to Apsley House.
• Arthur Valerian Wellesley, the 8th Duke of Wellington, met the trio and offered to show them around Apsley House after Redondo wondered what it was like to live in a museum.
• Redondo diverted the queue outside the Sherlock Holmes Museum by shouting that Michael Jackson was at Madame Tussauds, then joined Dejan Lu and Monica inside.
• Monica whispered to Dejan Lu that she wondered whether he wanted to experience doing that thing in Sherlock Holmes's home.

Dejan Lu toured London with Monica and Redondo, drew a huge crowd at a Harrods signing event, and met Manchester United manager Ferguson at a Universiade rehearsal. The chapter ended with Dejan encouraging the athletes before the competition.

• Dejan Lu, Monica, and Redondo toured the Sherlock Holmes Museum, dined at Kettner's, and watched Mamma Mia.
• Dejan Lu held a crowded signing event at Harrods, where Princess Stephanie gave him car keys and Redondo helped protect him from fans.
• Dejan Lu met Ferguson at the Universiade rehearsal, discussed Manchester United's squad, and declined to join the club.
• Dejan Lu delivered a speech urging the Universiade athletes to value their effort, represent their country, and keep challenging themselves.