0021 Dejan, hurry up and warm up (seeking recommendation votes and follow-up reads)

After several days of deliberation, Boškov decided not to give Lu Deyang a chance to play just yet.

Young talents rarely possess robust mental fortitude. In this era, players routinely told interviewers that they were nervous about their debuts or couldn't sleep the night before. It was rare to find one with a steady temperament. Boškov believed that since Lu Deyang possessed such immense talent, he should first be tempered to develop a mentality that matched it. This approach would also limit his exposure; he didn't want a gifted player to lose himself in the glare of the spotlight. He didn't want him to end up like a movie star, with more headlines off the pitch than on it. If it were a few years later, he might have used the name "Beckham" instead of "movie star." Most managers share similar concerns when dealing with players who attract too much attention.

Soon, the team entered summer training. Because Lu Deyang’s performance remained inconsistent due to his experience cards, Boškov’s resolve to keep him off the pitch grew firmer.

Boškov turned to Pezzotti and said, "Do not include Deyang in the matchday squad for the time being."

Pezzotti had played in the lower divisions in his youth, retiring early due to a knee injury. He had previously assisted Bersellini at Torino—a renowned manager who had led Inter Milan to a league title. After his time with Boškov, he would go on to be an assistant to Lippi. He was a good-natured man who excelled at communicating with players.

"Shouldn't we at least include him on the bench?" Pezzotti suggested. Given the intense media coverage Lu Deyang had been receiving, he felt that such a young man would surely have a high sense of self-worth and would likely throw a tantrum if he couldn't even make the matchday squad.

"No need, I will talk to him myself," Boškov replied.

Pezzotti could only nod. He hoped Deyang wouldn't be too upset. From what he had seen in training, Lu Deyang’s personality was actually quite pleasant.

After Mannini returned from his vacation abroad, Lu Deyang quickly grew close to him. Marco Lanna, the only local player and a product of the club's youth academy, was constantly following Lu Deyang around. For the young players, the impact of Lu Deyang’s unveiling ceremony had been immense. Lanna, a native of Genoa who had never traveled further than a two-week trip to Rome, was immediately won over.

This was also a reflection of the team's culture. Compared to the giants of the sport, Sampdoria’s players were talented, but the atmosphere within the team was significantly better. After Vialli rejected Milan, the rest of the squad had no intention of leaving. Furthermore, with little gap between the starters and the substitutes and no cutthroat competition, the coach and club president were both decent men.

Mantovani helping Lu Deyang find a house was just one example; he would even consult with the players on the design of the new season’s jerseys and other club matters, effectively downplaying his own authority. Everyone treated each other like family, so it was no surprise the team atmosphere was excellent.

"My mother is planning to open a restaurant; you all have to come and show your support," Lanna said after training.

"Don't worry, Deyang will bring the reporters along. They’re chasing him everywhere right now," Pagliuca said with a laugh. He actually admired how Lu Deyang handled the constant media attention. If it were him, he would have panicked long ago.

"It’s a deal then, Deyang, you have to come!" Lanna insisted.

"Don't listen to that kid's nonsense; last time he said his mom wanted to sell ice cream," Mancini joked.

This highlighted the uncertainty players of that era felt about their futures. While they earned more than the average person, it wasn't the astronomical wealth seen in later years. Once a ten- or twenty-year career ended, their income would plummet. Limited by the era, they could only gather information through traditional media and those around them, making them desperate to make money. This created opportunities for dishonest agents and managers. By scaring players with stories of former stars ending up homeless, they could easily swindle the players' savings with fraudulent, high-return investment schemes. The players' families were often even more desperate to grow their wealth, as they were older and had experienced inflation; no one knew when their money might become worthless.

After a month of harmonious training, the Serie A opening match approached. Television and newspapers were reporting on it constantly. Thanks to the summer news cycle, Lu Deyang had garnered significant attention. Otherwise, with so many stars in Serie A—the "Three Dutchmen," the "Three Germans," Maradona, Völler, and local icons like Baggio and Mancini—someone like Balbo wouldn't even get a mention. The title "Little World Cup" was well-deserved.

What Lu Deyang found a bit regrettable was that CCTV only broadcast Serie A highlights at the time, and it would be another three seasons before they began broadcasting full matches. However, Mantovani had already gone to negotiate this matter. The enthusiastic president was terrified that Lu Deyang might become disillusioned and want to leave if he couldn't showcase his skills to his compatriots.

On August 26, the Serie A season officially began. Lu Deyang didn't even make the matchday squad. He stayed in Genoa to study the system's new features.

[Mysterious Event]: Randomly refreshes mysterious items or props with unknown effects. These can be used to assist in life and work, thereby improving your status in the football world.

Current Mysterious Event: Lucky Taxi—When you drive this taxi, good things will happen.

Lu Deyang: ...

Sure enough, a taxi was parked downstairs. Play football by day, moonlight as a night driver? In 90s Italy, he could afford a house without having to work that hard, damn it! He had no interest in driving a taxi for now, and unlike his motorcycle, this car didn't come with the "no injuries" perk. He’d try it out when he had the chance.

Lu Deyang watched the match at home with Monica; Sampdoria won 2-0 away against Lazio, getting off to a flying start. However, the next day, Lu Deyang saw his name in the papers.

*La Gazzetta dello Sport* interviewed Galliani. The Milan vice-president said: "All summer we’ve been hearing the name Deyang. At first, I thought he was Slavic, I didn't expect him to be Chinese. I don't care where he comes from, but Rivera keeps saying in the papers that I made a mistake. Did I? If he’s really a genius, why hasn't he appeared in a single Sampdoria match?"

Lu Deyang was baffled when he saw the report. *What the hell, you have a feud with Rivera, what does that have to do with me? Do you really think I’m that easy to bully?* There was nothing he could do for now, but he made a mental note. He’d "take care" of the bald man when the opportunity arose.

At training the next day, Boškov pulled Lu Deyang aside.

"Coach." Lu Deyang sat on the sofa in the office.

Boškov poured him a glass of water and said with a smile, "I saw the papers. Don't worry about what Galliani said. No one knows your potential better than I do. I just want you to keep a level head and not be influenced by the media. Understand?"

"I'm not worried," Lu Deyang replied with a smile. He had already played in Serie C2, so why would he be afraid of sitting on the bench in Serie A? It wasn't like he wasn't getting paid. If the salary were higher, he wouldn't mind not playing at all.

"As long as you understand. I will let you play when the time is right," Boškov said.

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to training, Coach."

"Go ahead."

Seeing that Lu Deyang wasn't emotional, Boškov breathed a sigh of relief. But the second match dealt him a blow; the team was held to a goalless draw at home by Bari. The boos from the stands were a reminder that the fans expected more than that.

Pezzotti asked with concern, "Should we put Deyang in the matchday squad? His ability to hold the ball is excellent. If he were playing today, he could draw more defenders, making it easier for others to find gaps. We might have won."

"No, that won't be necessary," Boškov said after a moment's thought. He had already made his statement; he couldn't change his mind after just two games, could he?

Three days later, on September 5, Sampdoria scored first. But in the second half, Ascoli’s Borislav Cvetković scored twice, helping Ascoli turn the game around. Boškov was devastated. The key was that the team hadn't played poorly; it was just that Cvetković’s performance was too brilliant. A star’s individual talent had changed the game—what could he do? Was he supposed to blame his own players for that?

At that moment, Boškov thought of a player with exceptional individual ability. He had even prepared teammates for Lu Deyang at the unveiling ceremony, but he hadn't used any of them. He quickly turned and said, "Where is Deyang? Tell him to start warming up."

Pezzotti replied innocently, "I asked you last match, and you said not to include him in the squad."

Boškov finally remembered his own words and cast a resentful glance at Pezzotti. *Why be so obedient at a time like this?*

"Put Deyang in the squad for the next match?" Pezzotti asked cautiously.

Boškov mentally reviewed the schedule; the next round was against Inter Milan. Although Matthäus’s character wasn't great, he was an incredible player. In terms of presence, he was perhaps even more overwhelming than Maradona. His explosive power was terrifying; anyone who didn't turn their body when blocking a Matthäus shot was a warrior.

Though Boškov wanted to hold his ground and maintain the image of a stern manager, his neck wouldn't obey. He nodded.