San Remo

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	San Remo (圣雷莫)
Alias(es)	“Serie C Galactic Battleship”; “San Remo Miracle” 54 229
Affiliation	Italian football league system; associated with the Russell Group 32 182
Occupation/Role	Professional association football club
Home City	San Remo, Imperia Province, Liguria, Italy 117
Status	Active Serie A club 463
First Appearance	Chapter 4

League Progression

Competition level	Chapter	Result
Serie D	4	Sat 15th of 20 at midseason after conceding 46 goals, placing the club in the relegation zone.
Serie D	32 36	Secured promotion before the final round and subsequently celebrated the Serie D title.
Serie C	117 143	Won the league title and completed a treble of the Serie C title, Italian Cup, and Italian Super Cup.
Serie B	192	Finished the league season undefeated, won the Serie B title, and earned promotion to Serie A.
Serie A	236 463	Won its Serie A debut 2–1 against Cagliari and remained a Serie A club after the departure of the Lu Yang era.

History

Serie D revival

San Remo began its rise from a defensive crisis. At the halfway point of its Serie D season, the club had conceded 46 goals, stood 15th in a 20-team table, and faced relegation playoffs. Despite the position, only 12 points separated it from sixth place with 18 matches remaining. 4 6

Coach Soto rebuilt the side around Lu Yang, Moric, and Vedian. Their “Golden Axis” supplied both attacking output and defensive stability during a nine-match unbeaten run that lifted San Remo from the relegation zone to seventh. 14

San Remo secured promotion with one round remaining, then won the Serie D title after overturning Turris in the decisive final-round match. Lu Yang scored a hat-trick in that comeback, establishing the championship mentality later associated with the club. 32 36 202

Serie C expansion

Promotion was followed by aggressive investment. San Remo signed former Serie A midfielder Latuidi, acquired six players in a €300,000 package, and added experienced Serie B players including defender Palacios, goalkeeper Jarrad, and right-back Mathias. 38

The club’s squad was regarded as unusually strong for Serie C, while Lu Yang was elevated to second captain and temporarily filled the starting left-back role during an injury absence. 55

San Remo won its Serie C treble by claiming the league title, Italian Cup, and Italian Super Cup. The Super Cup victory came in a 4–3 win over Juventus, sealed by Lu Yang’s stoppage-time penalty rebound. 143

Serie B dominance and European breakthrough

San Remo entered Serie B with a heavily reinforced squad and quickly built a large advantage at the top of the table, recording 10 wins and three draws in its first 13 league matches. 167

The club completed an undefeated Serie B title campaign and won the Italian Cup final against AC Milan 3–2. Lu Yang finished as Serie B Golden Boot with 42 goals and 13 assists, while Moric led the division’s assist chart with 21. 192

By the following season, San Remo’s honours list included the Europa League title, turning the “San Remo Miracle” from an underdog run into a recognized legend. 202 229

Serie A and Champions League

San Remo won its Serie A debut against Cagliari 2–1, with Lu Yang scoring the decisive standout goal. 236

In its first Champions League campaign, the club reached the quarterfinals after eliminating Fiorentina on away goals following a 6–6 aggregate tie. Lu Yang scored a hat-trick in the second leg. 264

The club later defeated Juventus in the final round of Serie A, with Lu Yang scoring twice; the result also secured Fiorentina’s league title over Juventus. 284

Honours

Honour	Achievement
Serie D	Champions 36 202
Serie C	Champions 117 143
Italian Cup	Winners; defeated AC Milan 3–2 in the final 192
Italian Super Cup	Winners; defeated Juventus 4–3 143
Serie B	Champions; completed an undefeated league season 192
UEFA Europa League	Winners 202

Playing Style

San Remo’s identity developed around the complementary roles of Lu Yang and Moric. Moric controlled possession and organized play, while Lu Yang supplied defensive coverage, direct running, goals, and leadership. Their partnership allowed the club to function with two on-field cores rather than a single focal point. 84 120

The side became known for tactical flexibility. Lu Yang played as a center-back, defensive midfielder, left-back, attacking midfielder, right winger, and center-forward at different points, allowing San Remo to alter its structure without removing its principal match-winner. 39 55 69 142 177

Soto also used a 3-5-2 system in major matches, with Lu Yang operating as a creative commander from wide or advanced positions. 142 143

• The club was described as highly disciplined, often avoiding excessive scorelines because it prioritized fitness and injury prevention across multiple competitions. 242
• Its Serie B attack was considered Serie A-caliber, with Lu Yang, Soguer, and Baizami all among the division’s prominent scorers. 170
• Even when its attacking players were substituted, Lu Yang was expected to drop deep and protect leads through tackles, interceptions, and positional coverage. 85 101

Squad Building

Major arrivals

• Latuidi — Former Serie A and France national-team midfielder signed ahead of the Serie C campaign; became a midfield shield and experienced presence. 38 55
• Palacios — Veteran Serie B center-back acquired from Empoli for €150,000. 38
• Jarrad — Serie B goalkeeper signed from Perugia as San Remo’s starting goalkeeper. 38 55
• Mathias — Right-back acquired from Perugia; later developed into an Italian Cup Team of the Tournament player. 38 200
• Bernulini — Former Juventus captain signed as a defensive leader; his presence strengthened Palacios and stabilized the back line. 120 192
• Canyes — Juventus prospect signed alongside Bernulini as part of San Remo’s Serie B-era recruitment. 120
• Jan Lahm — Signed from Liverpool for €8 million and converted from a nominal defender into a defensive-midfield option. 139 141
• Kente — Midfielder who became an essential part of San Remo’s Serie B system after joining from Nice. 171
• Talista — Serie A Silver Boot signed on a free transfer as San Remo prepared to challenge Italy’s top clubs. 202

Notable departures

• Mathias — Sold to Udinese for €8 million after being allowed to choose his next club. 200
• Soguer — Returned to AC Milan after helping San Remo win the Italian Cup and Serie B. 192 200
• Versace — Sold back to Fiorentina for €15 million, where he was publicly presented as the “Prince of the Violets.” 200

Key Personnel

• Soto — Head coach who led the club out of Serie D relegation danger, oversaw its promotions, and maintained tactical authority despite Moric’s influence on the pitch. 4 101 143
• Lu Yang — Central player, second captain, and primary match-winner. His leadership gradually made him the club’s defining figure. 55 84
• Moric — Midfield core and Lu Yang’s long-term on-field partner; his game control elevated San Remo’s midfield beyond its division’s normal level. 14 120
• Rondo — Club captain during the early rise. He shared dressing-room leadership with Lu Yang while preparing for retirement. 31 84
• Mr. Russell — Chairman associated with the club’s investment, transfer activity, and long-term expansion. 133 200

Support and Identity

San Remo’s rise transformed it from a small tourist-city club into a regional symbol. The club’s Serie C title and cup celebration drew approximately 50,000 people into downtown San Remo, including supporters from across Liguria. 117

Its fans came to associate the team with toughness, resilience, and miracles. The number 24 jersey of Lu Yang became the dominant sight at celebrations, while supporter groups adopted a chant that framed the club’s ascent as an ongoing journey. 77 101 117

“The San Remo miracle!”

“Is setting sail!” 101

Trivia

• San Remo’s players briefly adopted a sunglasses superstition after every scorer in the win over Gubbio had worn the same style of sunglasses before the match. 66
• The club’s heavy Serie C spending earned it the media nickname “Serie C Galactic Battleship.” 54
• San Remo’s first historic championship was the Serie D title; the club had already secured promotion but still fought to overtake Turris and win the league outright. 202