You are now watching, the legend of San Remo sets sail!

On January 21st, the 21st round of the Serie D began.

What Lu Yang had said to Moric earlier was by no means empty talk.

When Moric returned home and checked the Serie D standings for the current season online, he made a startling discovery.

The total point gap between the 15th place and the 6th place was actually only twelve points!

What did this mean?

Twelve points; theoretically, one only needed to win four matches to secure twelve points.

Of course, the teams ahead were not going to lose four consecutive matches just to let San Remo overtake them, but at the very least, it showed that the gap was not insurmountable.

If four matches weren't enough, what about ten?

What about fourteen?

What about eighteen?

With eighteen matches remaining, San Remo's situation was not as dire as everyone had imagined.

Vedian was still performing impressively, becoming the league's mid-season silver boot with 12 goals, trailing Arnold, the star striker of the mid-season champion Bisceglie Football Club, by only two goals.

In the low-level Serie D, this was no small feat.

The lower the league, the harder it is to score consistently, because everyone is just relying on luck; why should you be the only one scoring so much?

However, once you possess a certain level of skill, using tactical coordination to rack up goals in a lower league can have unexpected results. Many "black shops"—clubs that flip players for profit—use this tactical advantage to pad a player's stats and sell them for a high price.

That said, what Moric and Lu Yang could perceive, Soto naturally perceived as well.

Soto was more than capable of handling a game that looked like a hellish start but was actually easy once you put in the initial effort.

Especially when he discovered that the team included three players: Lu Yang, Moric, and Vedian.

In lower-level leagues, you can absolutely rely on the talent of geniuses to force your way through.

Vedian counted as a genius, at least in Serie D.

His explosive power could even be useful in Serie B.

Moreover, he was a fast winger with a decent ability to pass and shoot.

As long as he had enough ammunition, twelve goals would definitely not be his limit.

Moric also counted as a genius; in Soto's eyes, he was even more of a genius than Vedian!

Fast wingers are everywhere, emerging every year.

But a midfield maestro only appears once every few years.

What's more... Moric had the shadow of Maniero in him!

Even the slightest resemblance was enough for Soto to use all his strength to cultivate him.

Because even if only a tenth of the talent of a midfield master like Maniero were shared with someone else, it would be enough to benefit them for a lifetime, or even establish them in the top five leagues!

As for Lu Yang, to be honest, Soto couldn't quite figure this player out.

A center-back who lacked height and wasn't particularly strong.

His speed was barely fast, yet he had a knack for ball control.

If you called him trash, he knew everything a center-back should know, and he even appeared quite excellent in Serie D. His defensive positioning, tackling, interceptions, and backfield coordination were incredibly slick.

But a player like this could only play in Serie D; if he were to change environments, even to Serie C, Lu Yang would likely struggle to cope.

Could such a person be considered a genius?

No!

Soto believed that Lu Yang was a talent, but not a genius. He lacked natural gifts, but he was hardworking and clever. He used his intelligence and sweat to secure his footing in the intensity of Serie D matches.

But... he would likely be stuck in Serie D for the rest of his life.

For some reason, after making this assessment, Soto felt a trace of sorrow in his heart.

He discovered that, deep down, he actually hoped his judgment was wrong.

Because in his mind, he could never forget that stunning dribble and shot Lu Yang had displayed at the Marassi Stadium.

Such brilliance clearly belonged only to the world's super assassins and superstar strikers, so why did it shine on a teenage center-back in Serie D?

Was his judgment flawed, or did Lu Yang truly possess potential that others could not see?

On January 22nd, at the San Remo Municipal Stadium.

San Remo welcomed their first match after the winter break against Avellino, a team just one step away from the relegation zone, currently sitting in 14th place.

For this match, neither Lu Yang nor Moric earned a starting spot.

It wasn't that Soto wasn't bold enough to make changes, but rather that he was deliberately looking after the two of them, avoiding putting them under excessive psychological pressure.

If they were to start, they would be the focus of the entire stadium from the very first minute.

And Lu Yang's job was not well-suited for being in the spotlight.

Any center-back, if targeted and assaulted repeatedly, is bound to make a mistake.

Likewise, Moric, as the midfield engine, is destined to become a primary target.

Why should they be the only two rookies?

Therefore, Soto's only requirement for the team in the first half was simple: do not concede.

Once Moric comes on, the team will finally possess the tactical capability to attack.

"Defend! Give me a proper defense... Don't let him break through again... Don't rush in blindly, just control your zone... Go and press! There are defenders behind you, your job is to sweep the midfield!"

Soto screamed until his lungs burned.

This team is still missing too many pieces.

But fortunately, they are playing in Serie D, not Serie A or Serie B; otherwise, they might as well just surrender.

San Remo's defensive line is as trashy as ever.

In the forty-second minute, the opposition finally utilized a corner kick routine to successfully score a goal.

However, Soto, who had been fired up the entire time, did not berate his players—a stark contrast to his previous attitude.

Seeing Tom's puzzled look, Soto explained, "I demand that my players give their all to execute my plans. In this process, they might need some courage, and I can provide that for them."

"The old San Remo played too cleanly; that kind of defense just gets you bullied. The first element of changing defensive quality is letting others know you're dangerous! At the very least, you must never lose the psychological battle!"

As the saying goes, a weak leader makes for a weak pack.

Butcher Soto may lack many things, but he is an expert at being vicious.

And as the leader of the Four Butchers, he knows exactly how to lead a team to victory.

For instance, by taking the blame!

"Likewise, when they have given their all, even if the result is disappointing, a leader should step up to shield them from the storm and inspire them to get back on their feet," Soto said, clenching his fist. "Set-piece and corner-kick tactics are inherently unpredictable; they are one of the biggest headaches for defensive teams like us."

"No matter how strong a team is, they cannot avoid conceding goals like that. It's normal; there's no need to blame the players."

Soon, the referee blew the halftime whistle.

The first half ended.

Soto and Tom headed toward the locker room, but upon seeing Lu Yang and Moric about to rise and follow, he spoke up: "You two don't need to come; go warm up on the pitch."

The two were stunned for a moment, then nodded quickly.

The stadium commentator clearly noticed this: "Oh, our young number 23 Moric and number 24 Lu Yang have not entered the locker room; they are warming up! Without a doubt, Soto is about to make his move."

"Fans who follow the team's youth academy must know that Moric is the jewel of San Remo. Watching him play is a pleasure; he has the potential to become a midfield maestro."

"As for Lu Yang, it goes without saying—he is the player famous for his 'lumberjack' shot. After becoming an overnight sensation, he gained many fans. Some say he is a true genius, while others say he just got lucky. Now, there is no need for speculation; let's wait and see!"

On the pitch, under the gaze of nearly a thousand people, Lu Yang said to Moric, "Do you want to give them a wake-up call?"

Moric frowned. "You want to play that tactic?"

Lu Yang nodded.

"We are trailing, if you lose your position, it could easily..." Moric sounded worried.

"Exactly because we are trailing," Lu Yang shrugged.

Moric could only nod.

In the second half, with the sound of the whistle, the match began.

System: Host has entered the first match as a substitute. Acquired player skill: Super Sub!

Super Sub: When entering the match as a substitute in the second half, all attributes increase by 5%!

After receiving the ball, Moric quickly tapped it to Lu Yang behind him, then surged toward the opponent's right half like an arrow released from a bow.

At the same time, Vedian, who had been pulled aside and given strict instructions by Lu Yang after leaving the locker room, also sprinted toward the opponent's left half.

The two were like sharp blades, piercing straight into the flanks of Avellino.

In an instant, Avellino's backline fell into chaos.

But simultaneously, Avellino's midfield and forward players launched an assault on the ball carrier, preparing to nip this threat in the bud.

After all, the half just started; we weren't ready, but surely you weren't either?

Besides... the one controlling the ball for San Remo is their newly substituted center-back?

A sixteen-year-old "child-level" player.

Avellino's striker was the first to rush in front of Lu Yang.

"Oh no! Bad move, pass the ball quickly!"

"Why isn't he passing?"

"It's over, he's going to lose the ball!"

"What! Lu Yang is actually moving laterally with the ball? This... this is definitely not a good idea! Although he seems to have dodged the striker's tackle with this lateral dribble, how will Lu Yang deal with the two midfielders rushing in from the side?"

The stadium commentator's assessment was spot on.

Two opposing midfielders were pressing, one blocking Lu Yang's path while the other moved in for the tackle.

It looked as though the ball was about to be snatched away.

But then, a shocking scene unfolded!

Lu Yang executed a V-pull, evading the opponent's tackle and shifting his trajectory, transitioning from a lateral dribble to a vertical charge.

Once he slipped past his markers, the path ahead was completely clear.

By this time, Vedian had already sprinted into a massive pocket of space on the left flank.

Before the other opposing midfielder could rush over to cover, Lu Yang sent the ball flying.

"Great ball!" Soto's eyes lit up.

The risky tactic of having a center-back carry the ball was incredibly bold.

But high risk brought high reward.

After beating his man, the conditions for Lu Yang's pass were perfect.

If he were a midfielder, the opposition wouldn't have been so arrogant with their defensive positioning; they would have prioritized preventing the pass. It was precisely because he was a center-back that this opportunity arose.

However, Soto nearly coughed up blood a moment later.

Lu Yang's long pass was, frankly, a bit lackluster.

Not only was the power excessive, but it also drifted too far to the left.

Fortunately, Vedian was fast enough to bring the ball under control just before the opposing right-back could intercept it, though he was immediately pressured by the defender.

Vedian lacked the physical strength to shake off the sudden acceleration of his marker, getting knocked aside the moment they made contact.

Yet, Vedian managed to sweep the ball toward the edge of the penalty arc before he went down.

There, Moric, who had also been sprinting forward, drew back his leg like a bow.

A powerful strike!

It flew straight into the top right corner of the net!

The opposing goalkeeper didn't even have time to dive.

Everything happened so fast!

"GOAL! It's a goal! We've leveled the score!" the commentator was ecstatic. "This was a calculated lightning strike! From the initiator Lu Yang, to the dribbler Vedian, and finally the youngster Moric, this was a perfect team goal!"

"Oh, what a staggering record—thirteen seconds! It took San Remo only thirteen seconds to score this goal. This is the fastest second-half goal in the history of Serie D! In fact, it's the fastest second-half goal in all of Italian professional football!"

"Look at Lu Yang's ball control, how pleasing to the eye. This is not how a center-back should play, yet here we are! A perfect V-pull that fooled everyone, followed by a long pass..."

"Vedian is too fast; he outpaced both the center-back and the right-back while off the ball. The final pass was also spot on—sweeping it into the middle was the right choice! He knows how to harness his speed and passing; he is incredibly intelligent and deserves the title of a genius!"

"I must remind everyone that this is Vedian's fifth assist of the season. Twelve goals and five assists—he is simply omnipotent!"

"The youngster Moric, on the pitch for thirteen seconds in his official debut, scores with his second touch. A goal on his debut—today's match is already complete for him!"

"Look at his shooting technique. A first-time volley requires immense skill; one slip and it flies into the stands. His free kicks must be excellent. He has everything a midfielder needs!"

The commentator ignored the flaws in Lu Yang's long pass and showered the three contributors with praise, knowing exactly what the fans wanted to hear—a point Lu Yang particularly appreciated.

"Hey, Lu, that long pass..." Vedian sounded a bit regretful. If that pass had been a bit more comfortable, he could have gone straight for a one-on-one. What a pity.

"If we don't talk about that pass, we can still be friends!" Lu Yang quickly cut off Vedian's lament.

After all, his passing was certainly not at a professional level.

If it had been Moric, he would have delivered it better.

Of course, if it had been Moric, the opponent wouldn't have given him the chance to make that pass in the first place. By the time he shook off his marker to find a passing lane, Vedian might have already been offside.

This goal required everyone's contribution!

The Avellino players looked like they had just eaten something foul.

Damn it, how are you supposed to defend against that?

A center-back carrying the ball and doing a midfielder's job.

A defensive midfielder charging forward like a damn attacking midfielder.

And a track star running at full speed—why bring cross-sport athleticism into football? Can't they just play the game simply?

"Celebrate, we haven't celebrated yet!" Vedian, having plenty of experience with goals, reminded the two rookies.

Lu Yang and Moric finally snapped out of it and sprinted toward the corner flag together.

Moric faced the camera and shouted, "Attention, attention!"

Lu Yang followed up, "You are now watching..."

Both of them yelled in unison, "The San Remo legend! Setting sail!"