The turf at the Vallecas training ground gleamed emerald green in the morning light.
A pall of successive defeats hung over everyone.
Players gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves.
The occasional words that drifted over were filled with heavy complaints.
"Damn it, the defense is useless!" Young forward Antoñín kicked at the grass.
"We're running our hearts out up front, and they can't even make a decent pass."
"What did you say?" Left-back Fran García spun around, his eyes burning with anger.
"Do you forwards ever track back? Is every goal conceded our defenders' fault?"
"Enough!" Comesaña stepped between them. "Now is not the time for infighting."
But the arguments did not stop. In the locker room, on the training pitch, and even during meals in the cafeteria, similar frictions constantly arose. The bond of trust was slowly breaking.
Lu Chuan stood at the edge of the training pitch, quietly observing everything.
He could feel the complex emotions in his teammates' eyes when they looked at him. It was no longer the trust and reliance from before, but a subtle distance.
Training began. Paco Jémez stood by the sideline, his face terribly grim.
The head coach no longer roared as loudly as before, merely watching the players' performance in silence.
"Pass!" Lu Chuan raised his hand for the ball in the attacking third.
But Álvaro García hesitated, ultimately choosing to dribble through himself. He was easily dispossessed by the opposing defender.
Such scenes repeatedly occurred in training. Teammates no longer unconditionally passed the ball to Lu Chuan as they used to.
They would rather choose a riskier individual breakthrough than bear the responsibility of a "misplaced pass."
A wave of bitterness welled up in Lu Chuan's heart. He understood his teammates' thoughts. The continuous losses made everyone look for a scapegoat, and he, the "goal-scoring machine," naturally became the target.
The term "Lu Chuan dependency" repeatedly appeared in the media and took root in the players' minds.
After training, the players quickly left. The atmosphere in the locker room was suffocatingly oppressive.
As Lu Chuan was about to pack his gear, Captain Trejo walked over.
"Lu, come with me."
They went to the stands of the training ground. The empty seats cast long shadows under the setting sun.
In the distance, the city of Madrid appeared hazy and serene in the twilight.
Trejo lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. The smoke slowly dispersed into the air.
"The team's problem now isn't just tactics," Trejo's voice was low and hoarse, "It's that morale has crumbled."
Lu Chuan sat silently beside the captain. He could feel the weight in Trejo's heart.
"I know, I'm responsible," Lu Chuan finally spoke, his voice tinged with self-reproach.
"My continuous goals made everyone dependent on me, and also put immense pressure on me. Sometimes on the field, I played too 'selfishly'."
Trejo turned his head and looked at Lu Chuan earnestly. There was no accusation in the captain's eyes, only understanding.
"No, it's not your fault," Trejo patted Lu Chuan's shoulder.
"You were just doing what you were supposed to do. The problem is that the rest of us lost confidence."
The sun set, painting the sky orange and red. The turf on the training pitch appeared exceptionally quiet in the dusk.
"But now, only you can bring everyone back together," Trejo flicked off the cigarette ash.
"You're no longer just a scorer; you're the team's ace, their hope."
Lu Chuan felt the weight of the captain's words. This was not just trust, but a kind of legacy.
"You need to step up, like a true leader," Trejo stood up.
"Not with goals, but with actions. Make them believe that we still have a chance."
After the captain left, Lu Chuan sat alone in the stands. Night gradually fell, and the training ground lights came on.
His phone vibrated. It was a message from Esther: "How was training today?"
Lu Chuan told Esther about his conversation with Trejo.
"Óscar is right," Esther's reply came quickly.
"People follow not the strongest player, but the one who, in adversity, can make those around him stronger too."
These words deeply touched Lu Chuan's heart. He recalled his experiences in his previous life, remembering those teammates who persisted even in difficult times.
Football was never a one-man game.
Lu Chuan made up his mind. He no longer dwelled on individual goal records but began to think about how to activate every teammate around him.
The next day's training, Lu Chuan showed a completely different demeanor.
"Great play!" When Álvaro García completed a brilliant breakthrough, Lu Chuan was the first to run over and high-five him in celebration.
In one defensive play, Lu Chuan actively tracked back to midfield, helping his teammates complete a tackle. He then steadily passed the ball to Trejo, who was in a better position.
"Beautiful pass!" Trejo gave Lu Chuan a thumbs-up.
During training, Lu Chuan began to make more plays for his teammates, providing cover and defending. When a teammate made a mistake, he no longer frowned but was the first to run over and encourage him.
"It's okay, you'll do better next time," Lu Chuan patted the back of the teammate who made the mistake.
This change was quickly noticed by other players.
Veterans like Trejo and Suárez nodded with satisfaction. They saw the potential for leadership in Lu Chuan.
But not everyone understood this change.
"Is he not scoring goals, so he's starting to pass?" Young midfielder José Pozo whispered in the locker room.
"Maybe the pressure is too much," another substitute player chimed in.
These remarks reached Lu Chuan's ears, but he did not get angry. He understood that change takes time, and trust needs to be rebuilt.
After training, Lu Chuan proactively sought out the young players who had voiced their doubts.
"I know what you're thinking," Lu Chuan looked them directly in the eyes.
"But I want to tell you, my change isn't because I can't score goals, but because I want to make this team stronger."
The young players were touched by Lu Chuan's honesty. They saw the sincerity in the Chinese player's eyes.
"We all want to win," Antoñín spoke up, "but the recent losses have made everyone very frustrated."
"Frustration is normal," Lu Chuan nodded, "but we can't let frustration turn into despair. We still have a chance, we still have time."
He looked around at everyone present.
"I need your help, just as we need each other's help. Football is a game of 11 people; no one can win alone."
These words deeply moved the young players. They saw the maturity and responsibility in Lu Chuan.
"We'll support you," Antoñín extended his right hand. "Let's fight together."
The other players also stacked their hands together. This simple gesture rekindled the team's cohesion.
Leaving the training ground, Lu Chuan felt a long-lost sense of ease.
Although the team's problems had not been completely resolved, at least they had rediscovered the feeling of unity.
Madrid was brightly lit in the night. Lu Chuan drove through the familiar streets, his heart filled with anticipation for the future.
He knew that the real test was yet to come. But as long as the team could stand united, no difficulty was insurmountable.
His phone rang again; it was Esther calling.
"How are you feeling?" Esther's voice was filled with concern.
"Much better," Lu Chuan replied with a smile. "I think I've found the right direction."
"I knew you could do it," Esther's voice was full of pride. "You're not just an excellent player, but a born leader."
These words brought a warm feeling to Lu Chuan's heart. With Esther's support, he felt he could face any challenge.
"Is there training tomorrow?" Esther asked.
"Of course," Lu Chuan's voice was filled with determination.
"We need to prepare for the next match. This time, we'll appear with a different look."
After ending the call, Lu Chuan looked at the night view outside the window.
The city lights twinkled in the darkness, each light representing a hope.
He remembered Trejo's words: a true leader doesn't prove himself with goals, but inspires others with actions.
Although this crisis of trust was painful, it also taught Lu Chuan many things.
He was no longer just a player pursuing personal glory, but a leader willing to give everything for the team.
Tomorrow's sun would still rise, and new challenges would still come.
But Lu Chuan was ready. He would use his actions to reignite the team's fighting spirit.
The gloom of successive defeats would eventually dissipate, and the dawn of victory awaited them ahead.