When the Player Brutally Abused His Coach (Remember to help promote this, everyone!)

"Well done, kid! I knew you could do it!" Maniero rushed over in excitement, ruffling Lu Yang's hair repeatedly. Fortunately, Lu Yang had a buzz cut, or his hairstyle would have been ruined.

"A brilliant performance; you're going to be famous, young man!"

"An incredibly realistic shooting feint, very deceptive."

"It wasn't just the shot; his dribbling seemed to have a magical quality, leaving one with nowhere to plant their feet!"

"Kid, you're a professional player, right? You must be, otherwise, I'd suggest my former club sign you immediately!"

The legends of the Star Arrow Team came over one after another to celebrate the goal with Lu Yang and offer him their praise.

"Soto, come over here." Maniero beckoned to Soto, who was standing to the side with his hands on his hips, sighing. "I have a huge surprise for you."

Soto rolled his eyes at Maniero and walked over.

What kind of surprise could it possibly be?

It was just him showing off that he had finally beaten him, settling the score from their retirement match.

What a petty guy!

Soto guessed correctly; Maniero was indeed doing exactly that.

But what Soto didn't expect was that the kid, Lu Yang, would also rub salt into his wounds.

"Your defense is decent, but it's a pity your speed isn't fast enough." Lu Yang looked at Soto with a smile, repeating the trash talk Soto had directed at him earlier.

On the pitch, such trash talk can significantly affect a player's state of mind.

Perhaps the most famous instance of trash talk in history was what Materazzi said to Zidane during the World Cup Trophy final, which directly enraged Zidane, causing Zizou to headbutt Materazzi in the chest and receive a red card.

That became the turning point that cost the French team the World Cup Trophy.

"Is that your trash talk? Is it necessary, kid? This is just an exhibition match." Soto's composure wavered, though he wasn't angry; instead, he found the kid quite interesting. Didn't he know he was called The Butcher?

"The referee hasn't blown the whistle yet." Lu Yang gestured toward the referee, signaling that the match wasn't over and he wouldn't let his guard down.

"I'll remember you, Lu Yuan." Soto tapped Lu Yang's chest with his fist before turning to leave.

"His name is Lu Yang." Maniero twisted the knife.

Soto's back shuddered. He closed his eyes and muttered to himself: It's not awkward, it's not awkward. As long as I don't feel awkward, the awkward ones are the others.

One minute later, the referee blew the whistle three times, and the match officially ended.

The Star Arrow Team became the winners of this celebrity exhibition match.

Maniero, who contributed two assists and one goal, was named the Man of the Match.

He arrived at the media interview area, but just as the reporters were about to interview him, he walked away again.

Dozens of seconds later, he dragged Soto and Lu Yang back to the interview area.

The interview officially began.

Reporter: "Maniero, do you have anything to say about being named Man of the Match?"

Maniero: "I'm very excited; after all, this is my first official match since retiring. You know, the last Man of the Match was this guy beside me, and I think I've finally shaken off the shadow he cast over me."

After speaking, Maniero looked at Soto.

Soto: "Stop mocking me, Maniero. Who was it that said they were grateful I gave my all in his final match? True honor needs no one's charity!"

Maniero nodded, then patted Lu Yang beside him and said, "Yes, true honor needs no one's charity. My stats today were certainly better, but if I had to choose one Man of the Match from today's game, I would choose Lu Yang!"

The reporters were all very surprised, as they knew Maniero was not a man who liked to flatter others.

Giving his all was a requirement he held for both himself and his opponents.

It was true that he was kind, and many young players had received his private encouragement, but he rarely made public comments about young players.

What set him apart from many loud-mouthed legends was that he took responsibility for his words.

Reporter: "Are you serious? Of course, we don't deny that Lu Yang's goal today was brilliant, but..."

Maniero laughed: "But you can't judge a match by a single goal, right? Perhaps for a mature player, that's true. But for a young player, one flash of brilliance is enough to show the infinite possibilities within them."

"That's right, I am saying that Lu Yang possesses infinite possibilities."

"His trapping and ball control are very immature, his absolute speed isn't fast enough, his physique is still weak with poor physical resistance, and his shooting technique has issues... He has many flaws, but he still scored that brilliant goal. This is football! This is his talent!"

After Maniero finished speaking, some of the reporters even couldn't help but applaud.

Indeed, this is football.

Who said only those with overflowing talent and natural gifts can play football?

In the football world, there is no shortage of hardworking professional players who lack exceptional talent. They may not shine continuously, but just one moment of brilliance is enough to illuminate the lives of many.

Right, Cristiano Rona—pfft, Cristiano Ronaldo has talent, and Messi works hard!

"Actually, I have some explosive news today that I believe everyone will be very interested in." Maniero's lips curled slightly. "Soto, go ahead, announce it yourself."

The reporters all looked at Soto.

Previously, Soto had intended to restart his career in coaching, and many were speculating which team Soto would start with.

Milan was impossible; Milan's current record was perfect.

As for other Serie A teams, it was possible, but... there had been rumors previously that lower-league clubs had sent invitations to Soto.

Soto looked at Maniero with gratitude, knowing his old friend was building momentum for him. This would allow him to carry a wave of attention to that team, granting him stronger initial leverage—a great boon for the centralized power of a cold-faced, iron-fisted coach like himself.

Soto: "I have already agreed to join the Serie D team San Remo as their head coach for the second half of the season. San Remo is a very fine club, and I hope to begin a brand-new journey there."

Many reporters were stunned.

San Remo?

Serie D?

This... was truly unexpected.

Given Soto's stature, even if he didn't land at a powerhouse, he certainly had opportunities to coach in Serie A. At worst, Serie B; why would he go to Serie D?

Countless people were still digesting the news.

At this moment, Hans, a reporter from Live Football News, took a different approach and asked: "Captain, we can see from the replay that Lu Yang had a brief conversation with you before that shot. Can you disclose the content of your conversation at that time?"

"Were you motivating him, encouraging him to dare to attack, and thereby orchestrating this miraculous winning goal?"

Drama makes for better classics.

This reporter was clearly a master of fiction; his column surely lacked no readers, for he was far too skilled at weaving stories.

An accidental spectacular goal versus a spectacular goal scored after being guided and encouraged by a legend—the latter was undoubtedly what fans preferred to spread.

Any sport can never be without a narrative, or it will soon wither away.

Look at the NBA next door: from the era of contention after Jordan, filled with countless grudges and rivalries, to the current state where everyone is friends and brothers, teaming up and having fun—who knows how much viewership and influence has been lost.

"Indeed!" Maniero nodded.

The fans watching the interview on the big screen at the venue grew excited.

A legend was unfolding right before their eyes!

"In fact, Lu Yang is a semi-professional player," Maniero began. "And the most coincidental thing is... he is a youth player for the Serie D team San Remo, where he plays as a center-back!"

The reporters collectively wore expressions of confusion.

What?

Why do I recognize every word, yet when put together, I feel like I can't understand it?

Are you sure Lu Yang is a center-back and not a center-forward?

Could that beautiful Lumberjack Shot, those feints full of flair, and that unique dribbling rhythm really be produced by a rough-hewn center-back?

"At that time, I told him I didn't want to lose; I wanted to win. If he could help me win this match, I would give him a surprise: I would recommend him to his head coach so he could enter the first team!"

After speaking, Maniero put his arm around Soto and asked: "So now, may I ask, Mr. Head Coach, are you willing to give this young player a chance to enter the first team? You must know, he broke through your defense twice this match, created an assist in front of you, drew a yellow card, and scored a... spectacular goal!"

Boom!

The entire stadium was dumbfounded.

Countless people stood there with their mouths agape.

Three seconds later, the stadium erupted into the most intense cheers of the day!

"My god! Lu Yang is actually a professional player!"

"Is he really a center-back? A center-back who can score such a spectacular goal?"

"That's not the point, man! The point is that Lu Yang's head coach will be Soto! Can you believe it!"

"A youth player turned his own club's legendary coach into a sieve, putting up a luxurious stat line of one goal and one assist against him—I feel like I'm watching a movie!"

"I remember they had several arguments during the match, right?"

"Yes, it seems Lu Yang even trash-talked Soto."

"This... isn't that super awkward? Will Lu Yang be targeted by Soto in the future?"

"You're overthinking it. Lu is a youth player, and Soto will be the head coach of the San Remo first team."

"But I think The Butcher might just slaughter Lu Yang."

In front of the camera, it took Soto a long time to digest the news.

Looking at Maniero's sly grin, Soto knew he had been set up by his old friend.

He had actually been schooled by a youth player from his own club; how was he supposed to maintain his iron-fisted authority when he arrived?

Did he not have a reputation to uphold?

"Good, very good," Soto said, his smile tinged with tears. "Lu Yang is an excellent young player; I never expected such a fate between us. Once I officially begin my work, I will prioritize the matter of bringing him into the first team."

"In my team, there are no absolute starters. As long as you have enough ability, a youth player can be a starter, and a center-back can play as a forward!"

Clap, clap, clap!

Soto's statement won thunderous applause from the entire room.

This attitude of recruiting talent without sticking to rigid patterns was very popular among the youth.

After the match ended, Lu Yang exchanged phone numbers with big names like Maniero and Soto before leaving the stadium to meet up with his friend Moric outside.

He was, after all, just an amateur; once he changed his clothes, no one recognized him.

Of course, Lu Yang was satisfied with today's experience.

Not only had he transmigrated into the body of a semi-professional player, fulfilling the football dream he couldn't achieve in his past life, but he had also obtained the Legendary Footballer System.

Opening the system panel, Lu Yang discovered that his data panel had actually changed.

In his physical attributes, balance had gone from 50 to 55.

Close control had gone from 50 to 55.

Speed had changed from 55 to 60.

Acceleration had changed from 50 to 55.

At the same time, the previously invisible attacking and defensive panels had also had some data points activated.

Interception 50, tackling 55.

Dribbling 50, ball control 55, shooting 50.

Judging by the increase in data, the basic tackling and basic ball trapping skills had provided additional growth to his tackling and ball control.

Using the Messi Moment Card to replicate Messi's classic scene against Girona in 2018, where he dribbled past three people in five seconds, had given Lu Yang a brand-new experience. This caused several of his stats to leap forward, reaching 50 and unlocking the panels.

Especially his speed, which reached a high of 60—a top-tier stat even among center-backs in Serie D and Serie C!

Of course, based on Lu Yang's understanding of football games, although he had now unlocked the four major panels of attacking, defending, physical, and mental, he still hadn't unlocked more than half of the data in the other panels besides mental.

Each ability only unlocks once it reaches 50.

And 50 is the entry-level standard for a professional player.

Judging by a 100-point scale, below 50 is an amateur player.

50-59 is a professional player.

60-69 is a lower-league player.

70-79 is a top-five league player.

80-84 is a top-five league starter.

85-89 is a star player, a big-club player, or a powerhouse starter.

90-94 is a first-class star or a big-club starter.

95-100 is a superstar!

As for whether there is anything stronger, Lu Yang couldn't guess; he would have to explore more of the system's rules to determine that.

"Ding! Victory in the Italian Football Legend Invitational achieved. Obtained random gift pack *3."

"Ding! Obtained player-level proficiency: Defensive Retreat Footwork. Enhances defensive movement ability and reduces the chance of falling or stumbling while retreating."

"Ding! Obtained player-level skill: V-Pull. Quickly pull and release the ball, allowing you to evade an opponent's press and change the direction of your pass."

Lu Yang resisted the urge to open the last one.

Damn it!

Both were player-level skills; why couldn't he get a star-level or superstar-level skill?

Look at Xavi's God's Eye View, which maxes out vision instantly.

Meanwhile, player-level skills often only increase a few points of data.

The gap is too big.

At the very least, a Moment Card would have been nice.

A Moment Card not only allows for a highlight performance but also enables one to retain some residual abilities through personal insight after the highlight, comprehensively improving one's strength.

It seemed his luck was bad today, so Lu Yang decided to open the last gift pack another day.

But then again, even player-level skills were already quite strong.

Serie D belongs to the lowest level of professional leagues, where players likely have an average ability below 55. Lu Yang already had several attributes rated at 55, which meant he was already at a leading level in Serie D in certain aspects.

For example, ball control, speed, acceleration, tackling, balance, and close control.

Once he mastered Defensive Retreat Footwork, he estimated he could push his "defensive positioning" stat past 50.

And entry-level tricks like the V-Pull, while seemingly simple, could exert a huge impact in a match once truly mastered.