If you are a brother, come and play football

Chapter 269 The Troubles of Young Totti (Please Subscribe)
"Is it hard to get used to? You'll get used to it eventually. That guy's counterattack speed is very fast."

Deschamps walked over to Zidane and said.

He's been doing the same thing all these years, and he met Ludjohn and Sampdoria while he was in Marseille.

He transferred to Juventus and continued to be thrashed.

Lu Deyang is finally gone, but we'll still have to face Manchester United in the Champions League.

This tough Frenchman has gotten somewhat used to it by now.

Zidane nodded without saying anything.

A skilled player is naturally arrogant, and he's not exactly known for his good temper.

But a bad temper doesn't mean he's stupid; he knew Lu Deyang's capabilities.

When it comes to playing football, if you win, any other actions you take will at most draw criticism for lacking sportsmanship.

If you can't win and you still try to do other things, you'll only be looked down upon.

He understood these things when he was young; as the son of immigrants, he matured earlier than most people.

More importantly, his idol, Uruguayan Prince Francisco, was also defeated by Lu Deyang. Zidane was already mentally prepared for the possibility that he might not be able to beat Lu Deyang.

Lippi clapped his hands and gestured to the field, saying, "You must pay attention, we need to counter-attack, don't give them a chance to counter-attack. Even if it means committing a foul, we must interrupt their counter-attack. AC Milan's counter-attacks are very dangerous."

In his ideal scenario, Juventus could simply capitalize on fouls in the attacking third.

Not only can it disrupt AC Milan's counter-attacks, but it can also make the opponent lose their composure.

However, this is only in theory. Players are not used to changing their playing style on short notice, and if they can't remember it, there's nothing he can do.

Juventus restarted the game and passed the ball to Zidane.

Zidane wasn't in such a hurry this time. After receiving the ball, his first action wasn't to dribble forward, but to retreat with the ball.

He was almost right in front of Deschamps.

Totti charged straight at them, but the French pair easily outmaneuvered him in a two-on-one situation.

Deschamps isn't a technically gifted player, but he can still easily play one-two passes with Zidane.

After failing to catch the ball several times in a row, Totti stood there dejectedly.

Seeing this, Lu Deyang also went up to force and seize the opportunity.

You should know whose child it is before you bully them.

Deschamps passed the ball to Zidane, and Lu Deyang immediately accelerated and charged forward.

The start was very sudden, but after all, it was Zidane. After a brief moment of panic, he pulled the ball back and passed it to Torricelli. With enough space, it wasn't easy to steal the ball from him.

Baggio decisively rushed to the wing to press the ball.

Torricelli's cross was very obvious, and Baggio intercepted the ball with a quick stretch of his leg while running.

Unfortunately, his movements as a striker were not professional. After intercepting the ball, he failed to hold onto it. Tacchinardi quickly went up to get the ball and passed it back. Peruzzi immediately launched a long ball towards the midfield.

The midfield battle between the two teams was very intense today.

In terms of defense, Juventus is more physically imposing, after all, they are all muscular players.

With Totti dropping back, Milan had a numerical advantage.

Fortunately, Bokšić's retreat allowed them to level the score.

This Croatian striker is incredibly fast, and both Del Piero and Vieri have praised him highly. Del Piero's exact words were that if Bokšić could score a goal every five attempts, he would have scored 1200 goals in his career.

The main point is to illustrate that Boksic's speed creates many opportunities.

However, his shooting skills were among the worst in Europe, with an average of one goal every seven and a half games, which meant he could only be a nuisance. Any goalkeeper who conceded a goal to him would have to go home and reflect on their performance for a few days.

As a troublemaker, he's truly a top-tier character.

Their speed and stamina, ironically, made Milan's game somewhat chaotic.

Fortunately, Milan's defenders kept Vieri out of the way when defending, allowing Buffon to easily deal with the Croatian striker without posing any real threat to Milan.

After several unsuccessful dribbling attempts, Totti spat out a breath towards the sideline and walked back in frustration.

Today, he kicked his teammate, and for the first time, he couldn't find any opportunities.

"Don't rush, Francisco."

Lu Deyang said with a smile, "The competition is still going on, and we're in the lead."

"I understand, Deyan."

Totti said in a muffled voice.

Lu Deyang shook his head.

That kid just can't hold his temper.

I've been on a winning streak lately, and I'm not happy unless I win by a large margin.

The best way to play against a team like Juventus is to keep playing on the counter-attack.

Anyway, with a one-goal lead, Juventus is on the back foot.

In the 33rd minute, Juventus regrouped in their own half, with Iuliano and Torricelli both making forward runs.

With both full-backs pushing forward, it was clear they were in a bit of a rush.

Savicevic sprinted toward Iuliano, who had the ball. Iuliano feigned a diagonal pass, but Savicevic flicked the ball past Iuliano and forced his way through.

Savicevic was quick to catch up, and Iuliano realized he couldn't get rid of him with speed, so he immediately turned and made a cross pass.

Deschamps had barely received the ball when Totti rushed up to press him again.

The French captain was also extremely annoyed.

Although Totti isn't fast, he's really ruthless.

If you can use your body, you absolutely won't use your mind.

Fearing another kick, Deschamps quickly passed the ball forward, but as soon as Di Livio received it, Maldini stepped in front of him to block the shot.

The winger looked somewhat helpless.

If it were Lu Deyang, he might dare to give it a try.

However, it's really not easy to get past a defender of Maldini's caliber.

Without hesitation, Di Livio delivered a backheel strike, and Torricelli, following up, chipped the ball from the wing into the penalty area without stopping it.

"Defend against Vieri, let the Croatians get in!"

Verjoward couldn't get back, and Maldini wasn't in his defensive zone either.

Boksic started too fast, and Baresi instinctively ran after him, prompting Panucci to immediately warn him.

If we can only defend one, we'll definitely have Bokšić mark Vieri.

It's always the bystander who sees things clearly, but when it comes to the situation, it's easy to get carried away and act impulsively.

Baresi paused, then turned and charged toward the young Vieri.

Boksic felt insulted and prepared to use his speed to head the ball, but Buffon could use his hands. The young player took a step forward, jumped, and stretched out his hands, easily catching the ball over Boksic's head.

"Milan's defense had a slight lapse this time, but the defenders and goalkeeper handled it very calmly. Buffon is getting better and better, and Dejan is truly Milan's lucky charm."

"Totti came to Milan because of Dejan, and this young man is already recognized as the next core player of the national team. Gianluigi Buffon has long wanted to play with Dejan and even went to Sampdoria's youth team before. Now it seems that he may be the next Zoff. While fans are criticizing AC Milan for buying too many foreign players, Milan's national team players have actually increased a lot."

"Krudelli said with a smile."

Excellent young players are so important.

A few minutes later, Milan launched a counterattack. Redondo received the ball and, without even looking up, passed it to Lu Deyang.

As soon as Lu Deyang got the ball, Torricelli and Deschamps immediately double-teamed him.

Lu Deyang, who was standing still, suddenly started moving and flicked the ball with his left foot. Baggio, who had moved forward, ran in front of the ball and made a backheel pass to Lu Deyang.

Lu Deyang also passed the ball across the field without stopping it. Totti had only taken two steps when Deschamps made a sliding tackle from the side to break up the play.

"Send it earlier next time, Francisco."

Lu Deyang reminded him.

"It's alright, just be careful," Baggio said with a smile.

Totti nodded.

That's just how he plays. When Baggio and Lu Deyang suddenly started playing fast-paced passing and cutting, he didn't react in time.

Many number 10 players tend to hold onto the ball for a long time, including the Mediterranean player wearing number 21 on our opponent's team today.

Totti has realized that Zidane played better than him today.

It's hard not to compare yourself to others when you're in the same position.

The other person was a little taller than him and looked slightly stronger because of his age, but overall they seemed about the same size.

Totti astutely noticed that the Mediterranean player was smarter and faster when making the pass.

The opponent often passes the ball diagonally straight in without adjusting their position.

Totti takes two steps to observe the ball before passing it.

After figuring it out, Totti immediately reminded himself to speed up his passing. Many of his beautiful passes were direct passes; it wasn't that he couldn't do it, but rather a matter of habit.

……

Cesare Maldini was sitting in the stands.

Rivera said with a smile, "Well, aren't the young people in Italy pretty good?"

Cesare is Sacchi's successor and is currently the head coach of the Italian national team.

Vieri and Totti were his favorite players when he coached the U21 team, and he had previously won the European Youth Championship three times. It seems that he will be the head coach of the next World Cup.

"It was alright, the best performers weren't Italians," Cesare Maldini sighed.

He hopes Italy can produce a top player, not necessarily at Lu Deyang's level, but at the level of Matthäus or Rijkaard, and even better if it's Maradona, as an attacking player can provide even greater assistance.

Rivera smiled and patted the old captain's arm without saying a word.

His demands are too high.

Rivera, on the other hand, thinks Italy is doing well now, with many outstanding young people.

The team boasts a host of young forwards in their early twenties, including Vieri, Inzaghi, and Montella, who are waiting to take their place, as well as established attacking players like Del Piero and Totti.

The midfield and defense lacked talent, but Milan's Buffon in goal was good, which Rivera felt represented a passing of the torch. As a legend, he naturally recognized Lorenzo Buffon.

The game wasn't as exciting on the field today, but the two players thoroughly enjoyed watching the tactical aspects.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to replicate the complex tactics of club teams in the national team, as training time is shorter and it's harder to develop team chemistry. National team coaches generally prefer to use the same defensive lineups from their clubs, as this tends to be more stable.

Neither side managed to score again in the first half, which left the fans somewhat disappointed.

Inside the away game's locker room.

As soon as he sat down, Totti complained, "Juventus doesn't seem to want to play properly; they're just defending all the time."

"Defense is also an art."

Paul Ma smiled and offered his words of advice.

“Art is an explosion,” Lu Deyang casually remarked.

Maldini looked at Lu Deyang.

"Paul, you've been selected for the 15-man shortlist this time. Are you confident of making the Ballon d'Or top ten?" Lu Deyang asked.

The locker room erupted in laughter.

Maldini got up and rushed towards Lu Deyang, grabbing his shorts before Lu Deyang could run away.

"Let go, Paul, or there will be strange rumors."

Lu Deyang quickly said.

“You bastard, I’m the only defender on the roster,” Maldini said.

“Desailly is also a defender,” Lu Deyang reminded him.

Maldini then remembered his former teammate.

Desailly played more as a defensive midfielder for Milan, and he seems to have forgotten that he was originally a defender.

“That Zidane didn’t make the cut, but he’s no slouch either,” Baresi said.

"He'll be selected next year; that guy's got some talent."

Redondo nodded and said.

These guys can sense the opponent's strength after playing on the field for a while.

It was indeed not easy to steal the ball from Zidane. He dribbled the ball back and forth, and with his good physique, it would take two or three people to easily steal it.

"Be careful in the second half. The same principle applies: if you can't mark him, give that Croatian some space," Baresi advised.

"We know, Captain. We all love Allen Bokšić."

Maldini blinked and said.

The men on the defensive line laughed even harder.

This isn't them slandering their opponent. According to Maldini's estimate, that guy might not score a goal even after 40 shots. No defender dislikes an opponent like that.

Maldini looked at Lu Deyang.

Lu Deyang is also known for his speed. Boksic is not much slower than Lu Deyang, and even his high-speed change of direction is very similar to Lu Deyang's.

The only problem is that his shooting technique is really bad.

After a short break, both teams returned to their own half.

"Neither team's coach made any substitutions. After all, to play at this level, the starting lineups arranged by the coaches have already been carefully considered. Even if they made substitutions, there might not be better options."

"Not long after the start of the second half, Juventus launched a fierce attack. Zidane received the ball and dribbled to the wing. Maldini tried to intercept but failed. The two struggled as they ran back, with Maldini refusing to give an inch... Zidane suddenly stopped and passed back to Deschamps, then ran towards the center. Deschamps passed the ball!"

"Buffon has done it again. The young Buffon came out very decisively. Zidane pretended to shoot from a distance but sent out a through ball. Bokšić is very fast. If Buffon had come out even a step later, he would not have been able to get the ball."

Buffon was somewhat excited after making the save.

Lu Deyang, standing outside the penalty area, immediately waved for him to throw the ball, and Buffon then stepped forward and threw the ball to Lu Deyang.

Di Livio and Zidane were both watching Lu Deyang. Lu Deyang turned his back and headed the ball with his chest. Before the ball hit the ground, he kicked it high behind him.

Totti, inside the center circle, received the ball and began sprinting. Deschamps, chasing back, couldn't keep up with his speed. Torricelli took the initiative to meet him, and Totti accelerated and passed between the two.

The away fans cheered.

Cesare Maldini and Rivera also stared wide-eyed.

Just when everyone was lamenting the lack of talent among young Italians, Totti delivered a ruthless blow.

Although there were teammates ahead of him, Totti didn't pass the ball. Instead, he sprinted down the left flank, dribbling inside and cutting into the middle. Borini, standing at the top of the arc, could only grit his teeth and stretch out his leg.

This time he failed to touch the ball and instead bumped into Totti's thigh.

"Penalty! Penalty!!!"

Totti quickly turned over, raised his hand, and shouted at the referee.

“I didn’t touch him, Mr. Referee, he fell down on his own.”

Borini also raised his hands innocently and said.

Torricelli nodded on the sidelines and said, "Yes, Mr. Referee, this is not a penalty."

The referee, looking somewhat annoyed with the Juventus players, pointed to the grass and said, "Whether it's a penalty or not isn't up to you to decide, but this isn't a penalty, it's a free kick."

"Referee, he fell down on his own."

Torricelli offered a reminder.

The referee glanced at him and said again, "If you have any objections, you can file a complaint after the game."

Torricelli immediately shut up.

Often, players know what's going on, but they still try to deceive the referee.

If it doesn't work, so be it; only a fool would complain.

Totti got up somewhat dejectedly, even though he had already stepped one foot into the penalty area.

"Come on, Dejan, teach them a lesson."

Totti said indignantly.

This is a great position, right on the edge of the penalty area.

Lu Deyang taking the penalty kick was no different from taking a penalty kick.

"Go ahead and kick it, Francisco."

Lu Deyang patted Totti on the shoulder and said.

Totti wasn't playing well today, which gave the little prince a chance.

"Deyang..."

Totti was taken aback by this arrangement and hesitated for a moment.

Baggio rolled his eyes. His position in the team's set-piece pecking order was getting lower and lower, and Lu Deyang didn't even ask him this time.

However, he had no objections. Baggio had a good mentality when he was young, and now he is more willing to give young people a chance.

What if we don't get in?

Totti said with some concern.

Saki is not as easy to talk to as Lu Deyang.

"Don't worry, if I don't get in, I can just try again."

Lu Deyang said with a smile.

Totti stood there, stunned.

That's really domineering.

But he had no doubt about Lu Deyang's words.

Is this what it feels like to play football with Dejan?
At this point, Totti was truly glad he decided to escape Rome, because there was no one like him to back him up in Rome.

Lu Deyang had already made his decision, and Totti stood at the spot where the foul had occurred.

Tardelli walked to the sidelines and asked, "Arigo, this isn't your arrangement, is it? Totti is very far down the pecking order."

"Yes, it should have been Dejan and the others who made the decision. Marco, as a coach, you can't control every detail. Sometimes you shouldn't worry about the little things. The players know their own situation better. Maybe they weren't feeling their best today, so it's not a big deal that Totti took the penalty."

Sacchi said from the side.

Marco Tardelli: ...

If Donadoni heard you say that, he'd put a sack over your head.

You forced him to become a winger, one of the most creative wingers in Italy and a player who broke world transfer records. Every time he makes a mistake in positioning, he gets a barrage of criticism.

When can you allow players to make their own decisions on the field?

However, Tardelli did not say it.

Otherwise, Sacchi would definitely not be happy.

On the field, the human wall has already been formed.

Totti stood in the penalty spot, adjusting his breathing.

This wasn't his first time taking a free kick, but this one put him under a lot of pressure.

A 1-0 scoreline is not a safe bet. If the penalty kick is not converted and the team loses, it will also affect Lu Deyang's reputation.

That's why Totti was somewhat afraid.

They have too much to bear.

The thought of the potential consequences of failing to score made him lose confidence.

Totti instinctively turned around and saw Lu Deyang giving him a thumbs up.

The little prince closed his eyes, trying not to hear the noise made by the Juventus fans.

"Hurry up and take the free throw," the referee urged.

Totti then opened his eyes, still somewhat afraid he wouldn't be able to get over the wall of people; the distance was too close.

At that moment, Totti suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

I was reminded of the free kicks that Lu Deyang used to take.

He stepped forward with his left foot and immediately swung his right foot.

Juventus' wall rushed forward quickly, but at that moment Borini, inside the wall, also noticed the problem.

Totti's pose looks like a long-range shot.

The spread of the wall gave the ball space to roll through, and the low shot encountered no resistance. Peruzzi dived quickly to the side, but his shot was even faster. Totti's angry strike made Peruzzi the backdrop, and he only fell to the ground and stretched out his hand after the ball rolled into the goal.

"Francisco!!!"

After scoring, Totti excitedly hugged Lu Deyang.

The away fans cheered in the stands.

"Totti!!!"

"Totti scored a brilliant free kick, which also stemmed from his long run."

"What an outstanding young man! Totti will definitely learn a lot from playing alongside Dejan and Baggio. Now I'm excited to announce that AC Milan's attacking line now has the ability to run solo. We, AC Milan, are invincible!"

Cesare in the stands was also clapping excitedly.

As the head coach of the Italian national team, it's none of his business if other players perform well, but it's a good thing for him if the Italian players perform well.

Now it seems that Totti is a very talented young man, no wonder Roma regarded him as the future core so early on, and even when he was still in the youth team, they valued him so much.

Giannini Sr. also said that Totti would definitely surpass Giannini Jr.

That seems to be true.

"Well played, Francisco."

Baggio said with a smile.

"That's right. I often watch Dejan's free-kick videos. Do you want me to lend them to you?"

Totti said excitedly.

Baggio smiled and shook his head.

Damn, at this point he could also feel Mancini's feelings.

However, Roberto might be overthinking things.

In Baggio's judgment, he was the best in Europe, Mancini was at most a little short of the best, Maradona was above the best, and Lu Deyang was above Maradona.

Mancini always compares himself to Lu Deyang, which is no different from Roberto Baggio, a lay disciple, comparing himself to Buddha.

Lately, he's been thinking about Mancini a lot, mainly because that guy keeps calling him and harassing him with stories about the Genoa Three Musketeers. Baggio thinks that Mancini's image in those stories is somewhat exaggerated.

After taking a two-goal lead, Milan's attack became even more ferocious.

Totti clearly regained his confidence after scoring the free kick, and Lu Deyan and Baggio were willing to let him take the ball and attack Juventus' defense. This kid is indeed very strong physically.

After receiving the ball, Albertini passed it to the left wing again, and Lu Deyang flicked it with his right foot, sending it behind Juventus' defense.

Totti and Baggio started immediately.

However, Peruzzi decisively rushed out of the penalty area this time, clearing the ball with a diving header from the edge of the penalty area.

Jugovic, chasing back, received the ball, turned, and launched a long ball down the left flank. Zidane received the ball on the left and entered the penalty area. Baresi stretched out his leg but failed to intercept, and Zidane cut inside and curled a shot into the far corner of the goal...

(End of this chapter)