Chapter Summaries

Dejan Lu met Sir Alex Ferguson in London before traveling with Monica and Redondo to Japan for Sampdoria’s preseason tour. After autograph sessions and the team’s arrival, Sampdoria began its tour against the Japan National Team, where Dejan Lu scored after beating several defenders and the goalkeeper.

• Dejan Lu, Redondo, and Monica shared drinks with Sir Alex Ferguson, who recalled his career and gave Dejan Lu his home phone number.
• Paolo Mantovani told Dejan Lu that Vujadin wanted to return to Yugoslavia, and Dejan Lu urged him to reconsider because of the danger in the Balkans.
• Dejan Lu met Kumatani Gensuke and Shigeo Aiga in Japan, then held autograph sessions that drew enthusiastic praise from readers.
• The Sampdoria squad arrived in Japan, where Roberto Mancini reunited with his teammates and Boskov felt reassured by their motivation.
• Sampdoria faced the Japan National Team in Tokyo, and Dejan Lu dribbled past Ihara Masami and Matsunaga Tatsuya before scoring with his left foot.

Sampdoria crushed Japan 9–0 in Tokyo as Dejan Lu scored repeatedly, including a hat-trick, and left the Japanese players and fans stunned. After criticizing the team’s lack of determination while praising Matsunaga Tatsuya’s early saves and urging better youth development, Dejan Lu celebrated with his teammates and woke up drunk beside someone who was not Monica.

• Nakayama Masashi urged Japan’s players to show courage, but Sampdoria continued to dominate as Miura Kazuyoshi and Moriyasu Hajime struggled against the visitors.
• Dejan Lu scored a hat-trick with a free kick, leaving Miura Kazuyoshi consumed by jealousy as Japan fell further behind.
• Lanna won another free kick, and Dejan Lu redirected Roberto Mancini’s curling delivery into the net with a Scorpion Kick.
• Dejan Lu added another goal after Lanna crossed and then scored again from Redondo’s pass, prompting Matsunaga Tatsuya to break down in tears before Dejan Lu was substituted for Chiesa.
• Sampdoria won 9–0, and Dejan Lu told reporters that Japan lacked determination, praised Matsunaga Tatsuya, and said youth development could help Japanese football improve.
• Dejan Lu treated the Sampdoria team to dinner in Ginza, drank too much, and woke up leaning against someone whose height told him they were not Monica.

Dejan Lu spent time in Tokyo with Izumi Sakai and Shizuka Kudo while Japanese media celebrated his football fame, then returned to Italy as Sampdoria prepared for the new season. In the opening match against Roma, he scored with a powerful shot to put Sampdoria ahead.

• Dejan Lu welcomed Izumi Sakai to his hotel room, and she stayed the night with him and Monica before falling asleep in his arms the next morning.
• Japanese television praised Dejan Lu with an exaggerated nickname, and he filmed a Big John jeans commercial with Shizuka Kudo, later visiting an arcade and spending the night with her.
• Dejan Lu returned to Italy with Sampdoria, and Monica reported that the European All-Stars vote had boosted business at their stores by 33 percent.
• Sampdoria began the new season against Roma, where Dejan Lu greeted former teammates Salzano and Carboni before the match.
• Dejan Lu collected a Gabriel Batistuta experience card, then received a pass from Redondo and scored past Cervone with a powerful right-footed shot.

Sampdoria overwhelmed Roma in the Italian Super Cup as Dejan Lu scored four goals and Roberto Mancini added another. Boskov believed Sampdoria could defend their Champions Cup title and become the competition’s final champions before its format changed.

• Dejan Lu opened the scoring with a powerful strike, then added a long-range goal after Redondo won the ball from Carboni.
• Dejan Lu scored again after Redondo and Roberto Mancini linked up to create a chance, leaving Roma trailing by three goals.
• Dejan Lu set up Roberto Mancini to score, prompting Sampdoria to celebrate their commanding lead and new-season form.
• Giannini urged Roma to keep fighting, but Sampdoria continued to threaten, and Pagliuca stopped Völler’s volley after Matracci deflected it.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past Roma’s defenders and passed to Roberto Mancini, who scored another goal.
• Boskov and Pezzotti discussed the Champions Cup’s upcoming format change, and Boskov expected Sampdoria to win its final edition.

Sampdoria defeated Roma 5–1 to win another trophy, and Dejan Lu handled the press conference before the new season began. After a run of early-season results and receiving a new skill, Dejan Lu faced Inter Milan, who scored early, but he equalized before the chapter ended.

• Sampdoria beat Roma 5–1, and Dejan Lu and Roberto Mancini lifted the trophy together.
• Dejan Lu drew a crowd at the press conference, answering questions about the match, Shizuka Kudo, and Brazilian football.
• Sampdoria won their next matches and Dejan Lu and Redondo became honorary citizens of Genoa; Dejan Lu then received the Power of the War God skill.
• Dejan Lu drew a Diego Alberto Milito single-match experience card before Sampdoria hosted Inter Milan.
• Klinsmann put Inter Milan ahead with an acrobatic finish shortly after kickoff.
• Dejan Lu scored past Zenga to equalize for Sampdoria after Inter Milan's defense failed to stop his run.

Sampdoria crushed Inter Milan 6:2 as Dejan Lu scored four goals, leaving Inter’s manager and players divided over their internal problems. After the match, Dejan praised AC Milan and defended Paolo Maldini while reporters questioned him about the game.

• Dejan Lu scored twice in quick succession to put Sampdoria ahead 3:1 against Inter Milan.
• Dejan Lu beat Bergomi and scored again, then later chipped in a fifth goal before Chiesa replaced him.
• Inter Milan’s players argued after the final whistle, while Orico said the team could do better if it united.
• Sampdoria and Inter Milan finished the match 6:2, with Roberto Mancini and Matthäus each scoring once.
• At the press conference, Dejan Lu praised Capello and AC Milan, then defended Bergomi and Paolo Maldini against reporters’ criticism.

Dejan Lu joined Sampdoria’s first team in confronting Roberto Mancini’s rival, Andrew Del Piazzi, then helped the team advance in the Champions Cup and prepared for a difficult match against Atalanta. After Atalanta’s stretching tactics threatened to open space for a counterattack, Dejan Lu scored by dribbling past four defenders and chipping the goalkeeper.

• Dejan Lu accompanied Roberto Mancini and Sampdoria’s first team to Andrew Del Piazzi’s beach gathering, where they learned that Del Piazzi had used the feud as a way to pursue business connections with the club.
• Del Piazzi publicized the gathering in the newspapers, and Dejan Lu later confronted reporters about his claims and decided to teach him a lesson.
• Sampdoria beat Gothenburg 6–0 to advance in the Champions Cup, drew 2–2 with Parma, and had their days off canceled after Boskov’s car was stolen.
• Dejan Lu drew Frank Ribery’s single-match experience card before Sampdoria faced Atalanta, whose manager Giorgio Bruno hoped to impress bigger clubs with his team’s tactics.
• Atalanta tried to stretch Sampdoria’s formation before launching long balls, but Redondo disrupted a pass toward Caniggia and started a counterattack.
• Dejan Lu received Lanna’s pass, dribbled past four Atalanta defenders, and chipped goalkeeper Ferron to score.

Sampdoria overwhelmed Atalanta as Dejan Lu scored repeatedly in a 5–1 victory, then Boskov kept the same starting lineup for the upcoming Genoa derby. Dejan Lu drew a John Arne Riise experience card before the teams prepared to face each other at Ferraris Stadium.

• Dejan Lu scored a low shot after Vialli's pressing helped Sampdoria win possession, then celebrated with the fans and spoke with Giuseppe Ricci about his new bar.
• Caniggia tried to break through Sampdoria's defense, but Redondo won the ball and passed to Dejan Lu, who set up Mannini's attack before scoring a spectacular volley for his hat trick.
• The Princess watched Dejan Lu play with Henry Mountbatten, who asked whether Dejan could become the father of the King of Britain if she married him.
• Dejan Lu scored again from long range, then helped Sampdoria extend their lead to 5–1 before Boskov substituted him and Genoa manager Osvaldo Bagnoli learned Sampdoria would keep its full starting lineup for the derby.
• Boskov explained that he wanted to build team chemistry ahead of the UEFA Super Cup and Toyota Cup, while Dejan Lu drew a John Arne Riise single-match experience card and prepared for the match against Genoa.

Dejan Lu overwhelmed Genoa in the Lighthouse Derby, scoring four goals as Sampdoria built an overwhelming lead. Genoa briefly threatened from a counterattack, but Dejan Lu answered with another long-range strike to put the match beyond reach.

• Lanna and Matracci vowed to defend Dejan Lu after Genoa players provoked him, and Dejan Lu opened the match with a powerful shot that struck the crossbar.
• Dejan Lu seized the ball inside the penalty area and scored Sampdoria’s first goal after Braglia’s attempted save hit the frame.
• After Sinorini fouled Mancini, Dejan Lu scored from a free-kick routine, then completed his hat trick with a shot past Braglia.
• Caricola urged Genoa to launch a surprise attack, and Pagliuca narrowly saved Scuravi’s shot during their counterattack.
• Mannini sent the ball to Dejan Lu, who drove through a crowd of Genoa defenders and scored from long range to leave Genoa with no chance of resisting.

After Dejan Lu accidentally injured Genoa’s Ibrahim Blanco with a shot, Sampdoria and Italian football officials worried the incident might affect his mentality, but Dejan remained unfazed. Sampdoria traveled to Manchester for their Champions League match against Manchester United, and Dejan drew a single-match experience card for Eric Cantona as the teams prepared to play.

• Dejan Lu’s shot injured Ibrahim Blanco, and both teams’ medical staff treated Blanco as Dejan left the pitch for Chiesa.
• Sampdoria beat Genoa 6–2, while Boskov and the Italian Football Federation took steps to shield Dejan from media pressure and arrange psychological support.
• After Sampdoria defeated Torino, The Princess hosted the squad for dinner in Manchester, where Dejan covered the restaurant windows so Redondo could relax away from reporters.
• Alex Ferguson prepared Manchester United to face Sampdoria, motivating his players and warning them not to mock Marco Lanna.
• At the press conference, Ferguson joked about stopping Dejan, while Dejan praised Manchester United’s spirit and predicted Ferguson would build a dynasty.
• Dejan returned to the locker room, found the captain’s armband on his jersey, and drew an Eric Cantona single-match experience card for the 1994–1995 Charity Shield.

Manchester United took an early lead against Sampdoria, but Dejan Lu equalized with a dazzling individual goal and continued to threaten Peter Schmeichel. Dejan Lu then scored again beneath the crossbar, leaving Sampdoria ahead as the match continued.

• Dejan Lu won the coin toss and chose for Sampdoria to kick off.
• Kanchelskis lost the ball to Dejan Lu, but Manchester United counterattacked and Mark Hughes scored from Irwin’s cross in the third minute.
• Dejan Lu created chances for Roberto Mancini and Matracci, but Schmeichel saved both attempts.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past Manchester United’s defenders and scored after Schmeichel blocked his first shot.
• Dejan Lu combined with Lanna to launch another attack, then controlled the cleared ball and scored beneath the crossbar.

Sampdoria dominated Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Dejan Lu scoring twice and setting up Lanna as the visitors extended their lead. Dejan completed his hat trick early in the second half, putting Sampdoria ahead 4–1.

• Dejan Lu stunned the Old Trafford crowd with his skill, and Ferguson urged Manchester United to focus on stopping him.
• Redondo and Sampdoria controlled midfield, and Lanna scored from Dejan Lu’s pass to make it 3–1 before halftime.
• Boskov told Sampdoria to maintain their lead, while Ferguson encouraged Manchester United’s players to keep fighting.
• Dejan Lu beat Irwin, combined with Vialli, and scored past Schmeichel to complete his hat trick and make it 4–1.

Dejan Lu scored a hat trick against Manchester United, then helped a young painter in Manchester before Sampdoria returned to Italy. After Sampdoria advanced in the Champions Cup, Dejan faced Diego Maradona and Napoli, who took an early lead at San Paolo.

• Dejan Lu came off to applause as Chiesa entered, and Manchester United scored twice late to narrow the final score to 4-3.
• Dejan Lu met The Princess after the match, then encouraged young Johan Giordanio to pursue painting and offered to arrange lessons.
• Ferguson read the newspapers and discovered that Manchester United's youth players had gone to a nightclub in Bolton.
• Sampdoria returned to Genoa, beat Anderlecht to advance in the Champions Cup, and traveled to face second-place Napoli.
• Dejan Lu and Maradona exchanged words before kickoff, and Maradona scored with a quick free kick to give Napoli the lead.

Diego Maradona led Napoli in a fierce match against Dejan Lu and Sampdoria, hoping his renewed form would finally bring him a victory over his rival. Sampdoria came from behind and extended their lead, leaving Napoli and Maradona facing defeat.

• Diego Maradona opened the match in strong form as Napoli pressed Sampdoria with an aggressive 4-3-3 and frequent fouls.
• Dejan Lu beat Napoli's defense with his speed and passing to set up Roberto Mancini's equalizer.
• Pellegrini was injured and replaced by Pari, who scored after Dejan Lu created a chance with Chiesa.
• Napoli attacked again through Diego Maradona, but Sampdoria's defense blocked the move and launched a counterattack.
• Dejan Lu sent a precise pass to Chiesa, who scored against Napoli to give Sampdoria a two-goal lead.

Sampdoria beat Napoli 3–1 after Dejan Lu scored a stoppage-time goal and created all four of his team’s goals. After the match, Redondo sparked controversy at the press conference by praising Dejan Lu and insulting Diego Maradona, while reporters asked Boskov about Capello hiring a Chinese wizard to deal with Dejan.

• Chiesa scored for Sampdoria, and the players joked in the locker room before Napoli began the second half with an aggressive attack.
• Diego Maradona set up Careca to equalize for Napoli, but Dejan Lu helped Sampdoria defend against Napoli’s repeated attacks.
• In stoppage time, Dejan Lu evaded Napoli’s defenders and scored the winning goal, sealing Sampdoria’s 3–1 victory.
• Diego Maradona exchanged shirts with Dejan Lu and told him he would try to beat him next time.
• Redondo told reporters that Dejan Lu was better than Diego Maradona and other famous players, risking trouble with Argentina’s national team.
• A reporter asked Boskov whether he had heard that Capello had hired a Chinese wizard to deal with Dejan Lu.

After Redondo’s inflammatory press conference drew criticism, Capello secretly bought an incantation to counter Dejan Lu, while the media focused on the coming Sampdoria–AC Milan match. Dejan gained Diego Maradona’s Indomitable Soul skill and prepared for the match as Galliani, fearing witchcraft might injure Dejan, sought a witch of his own.

• Boskov regretted letting Redondo speak at the press conference, while Capello concluded that Dejan’s extraordinary ability had a supernatural explanation and arranged to meet a supposed wizard.
• Capello visited a barber shop in a dangerous neighborhood, paid a dark-skinned man for an incantation, and rejected the suggested black-dog-blood ritual.
• The press debated Redondo’s remarks about football legends, and Dejan received the Indomitable Soul skill after the system described Diego Maradona’s lifelong efforts to beat him.
• Dejan and his teammates attended a Genoa City Hall event, while Beckenbauer and Pelé commented on Dejan’s talent and Berlusconi announced a two-million-dollar bonus for an AC Milan win.
• At the Sampdoria–AC Milan press conference, Capello denied hiring a witch, Boskov and Dejan avoided ranking Dejan among history’s greatest, and Paolo Maldini praised his father.
• Dejan drew a David Beckham single-match experience card, while Galliani read reports about Capello’s supposed witchcraft and called a contact in Lilongwe to find a witch who could kill an Italian.

Sampdoria and AC Milan traded goals as Dejan Lu assisted Roberto Mancini, Rijkaard equalized, and Dejan Lu restored Sampdoria’s lead with a free kick. The chapter ended with Capello unfolding a Chinese note from a wizard and realizing he could not read it.

• Dejan Lu switched to the right flank, and Sampdoria took the lead when his long pass set up Roberto Mancini’s goal.
• Rijkaard equalized for AC Milan with a header from a corner kick.
• Dejan Lu sent Roberto Mancini through again, and Baresi fouled him to stop the attack.
• Dejan Lu curled the resulting free kick into the goal to put Sampdoria ahead.
• Capello opened the wizard’s note and discovered it was written in Chinese, which he could not read.

Dejan Lu used deep positioning and precise long passes to help Sampdoria beat AC Milan 4–2, scoring the decisive goal himself. After the exhausting match, the story left Dejan preparing for the upcoming clash with Manchester United while Capello sought a Chinese tutor.

• Dejan Lu scored an extraordinary S-shaped free kick to put Sampdoria ahead, then repeatedly created chances with long passes from deep.
• AC Milan tried to pressure Dejan Lu through Paolo Maldini, but Dejan escaped tackles and continued setting up attacks.
• After halftime, Paolo Maldini scored from a rebound to level the match, but Dejan Lu soon assisted Roberto Mancini’s header to restore Sampdoria’s lead.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past Maldini and AC Milan’s defenders before scoring to make it 4–2, and Sampdoria held on to win.
• Dejan Lu said his deeper role had helped the team but left him tired ahead of the Manchester United match, while Capello asked Berlusconi to find him a Chinese tutor.

Vialli hosted Dejan Lu and their teammates for a tuna dinner before Sampdoria faced Manchester United in the Super Cup second leg. Dejan Lu scored a hat trick in the opening seven minutes, leaving Sampdoria in control and Manchester United facing a potential rout.

• Vialli welcomed Dejan Lu and their teammates to his house for dinner, where they ate tuna and joked about Paolo and French people.
• Monica told Dejan Lu that Diane planned to attend the Super Cup to cheer for Manchester United.
• Dejan Lu drew a George Best experience card before Sampdoria hosted Manchester United at Ferraris Stadium.
• Dejan Lu scored nine seconds after kickoff with a long-range shot, giving Sampdoria an early lead.
• Dejan Lu beat Irwin and Schmeichel to score again, while Giggs was left shaken after losing possession in the buildup.
• Dejan Lu completed his hat trick in the seventh minute after dribbling past Manchester United's defenders and beating Schmeichel.

Dejan Lu scored five goals as Sampdoria defeated Manchester United 5–0, winning the UEFA Super Cup 9–3 on aggregate. After lifting the trophy, he praised Manchester United’s resilience at the press conference and predicted they would improve under Ferguson.

• Dejan Lu scored his fourth goal after dribbling past Manchester United’s defenders, making the aggregate score 8–3.
• Steve Bruce rallied Manchester United after Dejan Lu comforted him, but Sampdoria continued to dominate and Chiesa replaced Dejan Lu.
• Dejan Lu dribbled past several defenders and scored his fifth goal, then left the pitch to applause as Sampdoria led 5–0.
• Sampdoria won the match 5–0 and the UEFA Super Cup 9–3 on aggregate; Dejan Lu lifted the trophy after receiving his medal.
• Dejan Lu underwent a urine test and joined Boskov and Ferguson at the press conference, where he said Manchester United would learn from the defeat and improve.