In the past six matches, Lu Yang has also acquired two Player Skills and one pack-opening opportunity, along with the one he had saved, he now has two pack-opening opportunities.
The two skills he acquired are Midfield Defensive Coordination and Sliding Tackle.
This has also increased his defensive data again.
Steals have leapt from 55 to 63.
Interceptions have gone from 50 to 55.
Steals and interceptions are two different abilities and data points.
Steals refer to the act of disrupting the opponent's control of the football by engaging them directly.
In contrast, interceptions refer to breaking the football's trajectory during its pass.
The former requires a strong ability in confrontation and tackling, targeting the opponent's dribbling and ball control skills.
The latter requires a strong ability in anticipation and explosive speed, targeting the opponent's passing ability.
In the last league match, Lu Yang was substituted in the seventy-second minute.
This was also the first time after securing a starting position that he did not play the full match.
But it wasn't because of his poor performance.
It was because San Remo's Captain, the team's distinguished player Rondo, recovered from injury and returned.
Lu Yang was replaced by Rondo, who gave Lu a strong hug: "Well done, kid!"
Lu Yang responded: "Thank you, Captain. Enjoy the game!"
When Lu Yang returned to the bench, Sotu sat next to him: "Do you know why I subbed you out?"
Lu Yang looked at the field and said: "It probably wasn't due to my performance, but it definitely has something to do with me."
Sotu was speechless: "Is saying 'I don't know' really that difficult? Why do you smart people never want to show weakness even in trivial matters?"
Lu Yang said: "Suddenly, I have a bold idea."
Sotu covered his head. Damn it, could it be that this kid guessed it?
Lu Yang said: "Are you finally fed up with me, so... you want to adjust my position on the field?"
Sotu, dead!
Lu Yang really guessed it right.
The center-back position, how to say it.
This is akin to being a goalkeeper, a position where you don't need to shine in any aspect outside of defense.
Alisson scoring with a header is indeed awesome.
But what gauges whether he is a top goalkeeper are always his defensive stats.
Neuer pioneered the Gatekeeper style, setting new standards for goalkeepers worldwide, but how many saves he could make was the main reason he became the world's number one goalkeeper.
Defenders who score and attack are awesome, of course.
Yet...
A center-back only needs to do a good job at defending.
No amount of bonus points outweighs the importance of your main duty.
And Lu Yang's performance in this regard is obviously... worrisome.
His personal skills make the team, fans, and even the Head Coach Sotu very assured.
But his style of play definitely makes everyone nervous.
V-shaped Pull in the penalty area!
Ball Control escape near the penalty area!
Dribbling across at the top of the penalty arc!
Preferring to trap the ball rather than Breakout with a long kick in the penalty area!
Late runs to explosively shoot from outside the opponent's penalty area!
These are all Lu Yang's regular maneuvers, bringing San Remo many victories and countless thrilling moments that made fans addicted to watching San Remo's matches.
But what if one day, because of these actions, the team concedes a goal?
This would be a blow to the team and an even bigger blow to Lu Yang.
Those fans gathered because of Lu Yang's flamboyant and luxurious playing style would quickly turn against Lu Yang, accusing him of showboating and neglecting the team's defense and interests.
This would be a huge blow to any player.
Sotu had been the sinner of the team before and understood that feeling very well.
It can destroy a player's confidence.
It could also make a player disappointed in the team and fans, leading to thoughts of leaving.
Yet, San Remo needs Lu Yang!
Just a week after signing with Arthas, Lu Yang and Morici re-signed youth contracts with the team. Their treatment greatly improved, even becoming among the top five highest-paid players on the team.
This was the only way San Remo could keep Lu Yang and Morici, by showing sincerity.
Therefore, Lu Yang and Morici should be better protected, so they are never exposed to
the fans' attacks.
This is one aspect.
On another aspect, the center-back position limits Lu Yang's performance too much.
Because you must always remember to return to the defense line to guard, you inevitably lose many opportunities.
This is the loss that a center-back must bear.
And Lu Yang... his talent and ability in defense shouldn't be confined by one position.
He has his own ideas, which have surpassed what the center-back position can accommodate.
So when Rondo returned, Sotu immediately put Rondo back on the defense line and withdrew Lu Yang.
He wanted to see whether the San Remo defense without Lu Yang was still stable.
If they could adequately withstand the opponent's attacks, Sotu would give Lu Yang a new mission on the field.
And indeed, having a veteran like Rondo on the back line in the Italian D League was indeed like having a treasure.
Although different in style from the defense line led by Lu Yang, Rondo's defense was not bad.
So, now it's time to unleash Lu Yang's nature!
...
"Really? Is this for real?" Morici was completely stunned after seeing the player groupings for the training match.
Lu Yang and he were both on the main team, there was no doubt about that.