The sunlight on the training ground was exceptionally dazzling.
Luna lay on the grass, clutching his left leg, his face contorted in pain.
The team doctor quickly ran to him, knelt down, and carefully examined his injury.
"Damn it!" Paco kicked a water bottle by the sideline fiercely. The plastic bottle arced through the air and crashed heavily to the ground.
The team doctor's diagnosis quickly came: a thigh muscle strain, requiring at least two weeks of rest.
This meant Luna would miss the upcoming crucial matches, including the do-or-die game against Málaga.
"Why now of all times?" Comesaña shook his head and sighed, his eyes full of helplessness.
Substitute left-back Savić walked over to Paco, his expression grave.
He was more adept at the center-back position, and suddenly playing left-back would change the entire backline's chemistry.
This was not just a positional adjustment, but a complete reconstruction of the entire defensive system.
After training, the atmosphere in the locker room was unusually somber. The players quietly packed their gear, with occasional soft sighs.
As Lu Chuan was about to leave, he heard hushed voices from a corner.
"The coach's tactics are too aggressive," young forward Antonin Cortés whispered, complaining to his teammates beside him, "Look at Luna, this is already the third starting player injured this month."
"Yeah, and our offense relies too much on Lu Chuan," substitute midfielder José Pozo chimed in, with clear dissatisfaction in his voice, "We don't even get a chance to perform."
"Every game it's pass to Lu Chuan, then wait for him to create a miracle," Antonin's tone grew more agitated, "We're here to play football, not to be props."
"Exactly, why does he, an Asian, get so many opportunities?" another voice joined the chorus of complaints.
Lu Chuan stopped and stood outside the locker room door. Anger surged in his chest, but he quickly took a deep breath, calming himself down.
At this critical moment, any conflict could destroy the team's unity.
Lu Chuan didn't rush in to confront them, but waited quietly for the others to leave. When Antonin was the last to walk out of the locker room, Lu Chuan proactively went up to him.
"Antonin, let's talk."
Antonin clearly hadn't expected Lu Chuan to approach him, and a hint of awkwardness and panic flashed across his face. His eyes darted around, not daring to meet Lu Chuan's gaze.
"I… I just…" Antonin stammered, trying to find an excuse for his words.
"I heard everything." Lu Chuan's tone was calm, without any hint of accusation, "I know you want to play, you want to score goals. That's normal, every player has that desire."
Antonin lowered his head, ashamed of what he had just said.
"But now is the team's most difficult time." Lu Chuan looked directly into Antonin's eyes, "What we need is unity, not complaints. Trust me, as long as you're prepared, your chance will come."
"I… I just feel it's a bit unfair." Antonin's voice was small, like a child who had done something wrong, "I also want to contribute to the team."
"You are already contributing." Lu Chuan patted his shoulder, his tone gentle yet firm, "Every training session, every time you come off the bench, is a contribution. Football isn't a one-man sport; we need everyone."
Antonin stood frozen, Lu Chuan's words like stones dropped into a lake, making his cheeks burn.
He looked up, his eyes avoiding contact; the previous resentment and grievances were gone, replaced only by embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Lu Chuan." Antonin's voice was a little choked, "I shouldn't have spoken like that."
"It's okay." Lu Chuan extended his hand, "We are teammates, always."
The two shook hands firmly, this simple gesture resolving the discord in their hearts.
Captain Trejo also noticed the subtle atmosphere in the locker room. As the team's spiritual leader, he decided to call a team meeting.
Before training the next day, all the players gathered in the locker room. Trejo stood in the center, looking around at each teammate.
"gentlemen, I know everyone's spirits haven't been great lately." Trejo's voice was strong and clear, "Losing streaks, injuries, pressure—these are all testing us."
The locker room was so quiet that only the hum of the air conditioning could be heard.
"Any doubts about the coach or teammates can be said directly here!" Trejo's tone became stern, "But plotting behind their backs is the act of a coward!"
Several players who had complained earlier lowered their heads, ashamed of their actions.
"We are a team, no matter what difficulties we face, we must face them together." Trejo walked up to Antonin, "If we ourselves aren't united, how can we expect to win games?"
Antonin stood up and faced the entire team.
"I want to apologize to everyone." His voice trembled, "Yesterday I said some inappropriate things, questioning the coach and Lu Chuan. It was my fault, and I am ashamed of my immaturity."
Several other players who had participated in the complaints also stood up to apologize. This small incident, instead, strengthened the team's cohesion.
"Very good." Trejo nodded in satisfaction, "Now, let's focus our attention on the Málaga match."
After training, Lu Chuan stayed on the training ground alone, practicing extra shots. As the sun set, his shadow stretched long across the grass.
Esther appeared by the sideline, quietly watching him practice. She didn't interrupt, just waited silently.
"How was training today?" Esther walked over and handed him a bottle of water.
"There were some twists and turns, but it was resolved in the end." Lu Chuan took the water bottle and drank deeply, "The team had some internal issues."
Lu Chuan told Esther in detail about what had happened today. She listened carefully, occasionally nodding in understanding.
"So, now you not only have to score goals, but also be a big brother?" Esther teased, "It sounds like you're becoming someone they truly rely on, not just on the field."
"I hope so." Lu Chuan nodded, "But I still have a lot to learn."
"Everyone grows through learning." Esther held his hand, "The important thing is that you have this awareness and are willing to work for it."
Back at the apartment, Lu Chuan opened his system panel to review his status:
Host: Lu Chuan
Current LP Balance: 5550
Activated Skills: Full Field Vision (Permanent), Big Heart (Permanent), Penalty Box Finisher (Permanent), Direction Change Acceleration Master (Master-level)
Seeing the ample LP, Lu Chuan began planning his next goal.
Facing increasingly rough defense and frequent physical confrontations, he set his sights on Iron Body.
This skill required 2500LP and could significantly enhance physical confrontation ability and injury resistance.
In the recent few matches, defenders' actions had become dirtier, and he had almost been tackled several times. He needed to make himself a bit "harder," and Iron Body was exactly what he needed now.
His phone rang; Carlos was calling.
"Lu Chuan, I have good news for you." Carlos's voice was full of excitement, "L&ECapital's first quarterly report is out, and all investment projects have yielded good returns."
"What are the specifics?" Lu Chuan asked.
"The company specializing in AI pharmaceutical technology performed the best, with its valuation increasing by 25% in a short period."
Carlos reported in detail, "Your investment vision is truly accurate."
"This is just the beginning." Lu Chuan smiled, "Continue to focus on projects with potential."
"Also, the Red Bull endorsement contract has been officially signed." Carlos continued to report, "It will be announced tomorrow and is expected to cause quite a stir."
After hanging up the phone, Lu Chuan felt a sense of relief. At least on the business front, everything was going according to plan.
But the team's problems remained severe. Luna's injury was just the surface; deeper issues included the team's over-reliance on him and a lack of internal trust.
Just then, Paco's call came in.
"Lu Chuan, I have bad news." Paco's voice sounded very tired, "Suárez felt muscle discomfort during today's training."
Lu Chuan's heart sank. Suárez was the defensive core of the team's midfield; his absence would further weaken an already fragile midfield defense.
"Is it serious?" Lu Chuan asked.
"The team doctor said it's nothing major, but to be safe, he will be rested for the Málaga match."
Paco sighed, "Our midfield defense will face another test."
After hanging up, Lu Chuan sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
Consecutive injuries were not accidental; they reflected issues with the team's physical conditioning management and training intensity control.
More importantly, every absence of a key player would impact the team's tactical system.
This fragility exposed the team's lack of sufficient depth.
Esther sat beside him, saying nothing, just quietly accompanying him. She knew that at this moment, Lu Chuan didn't need comfort, but space to think.
"We must change." Lu Chuan suddenly spoke, "We can't continue to be so passive."
"What are your thoughts?" Esther asked.
"I want my teammates to understand that even without me, they can play brilliant football."
Lu Chuan's eyes were firm, "Only then can we become a truly strong team."
During training the next day, Lu Chuan consciously began to change his playing style.
He focused more on setting up teammates, providing cover, and defending, rather than solely seeking individual breakthroughs.
When young midfielder Pozo made a passing error, Lu Chuan was the first to run up and encourage him.
"It's okay, try again next time." Lu Chuan patted Pozo's back, "Your passing has a lot of imagination, keep it up."
This change surprised his teammates, but it also made them re-evaluate their own roles in the team.
They were no longer Lu Chuan's supporting cast, but an indispensable part of this team.
At the end of training, Paco called Lu Chuan aside.
"I saw your change." Paco's eyes gleamed with approval, "This is exactly what we need."
"We all need to change." Lu Chuan responded, "Including myself."
"The Málaga match will be very difficult." Paco looked into the distance, "But I believe that after these setbacks, we will become stronger."
As night fell, Lu Chuan stood on the apartment balcony, overlooking the night view of Madrid.
Tomorrow the team would depart for Málaga; this would be a crucial battle to test whether they could escape their predicament.
The system's notification sound echoed in his mind:
Detection: Host has demonstrated outstanding leadership and team awareness in adversity!
Mental attribute "Leader" has been improved!
Current LP Balance: 5550
Lu Chuan smiled and closed the system panel. While stat improvements were important, the team's unity and progress were even more so.
The Málaga match was approaching; this was not only a game concerning promotion prospects but also a litmus test for whether the team could reunite.
Regardless of the outcome, Lu Chuan was ready.
He was no longer just a player focused on individual statistics, but a leader willing to take responsibility for the team.
This transformation, perhaps, was more meaningful than any goal.