Chapter 1243: Unbeaten Barça, The San Remo Miracle Spreads Across Europe (Part 6)

This makes Group C destined to become the Group of Death.

The first-seeded team in Group C is Ajax from the Eredivisie.

Last year, the Eredivisie’s score surpassed the Russian Super League, becoming the sixth largest league.

The champions of the six major leagues plus the Champions League and Europa League champions, a total of eight teams, make up the first-seeded teams.

Although Ajax is likely the weakest among the eight first-seeded teams, oh no… the reigning Champions League champion San Remo should be considered the weakest.

And the second-seeded team in Group C turns out to be… the former Champions League winner AC Milan!

The third-seeded team is Barça.

The fourth-seeded team is from the Bundesliga, Dortmund.

When this grouping was announced, the media was thrilled.

They always manage to find points that the public is unaware of.

For instance…

“Champion’s Group! The cumulative number of championships won by the four teams in Champions League Group C reaches a staggering 161!”

“30, 44, 63, 22! A detailed look at the number of championships for each team in Champions League Group C!”

“A war among Champions League winners! Group C is the only group where all four teams have previously won the Champions League!”

“The true Group of Death! Barça could lose the Champions League before Lu Yang’s return!”

The external view on this grouping is unanimously pessimistic.

Because both Ajax and Dortmund have the strength to challenge Barça and AC Milan.

There’s not a vast difference in strength between them.

However, if it were Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern, Chelsea, or Juventus, no one would dare to say this.

The reason ultimately lies in Barça losing Moreira, AC Milan losing Izalelt.

Sometimes, the impact of a superstar is so enormous.

Whether it’s public opinion or on the field, they can play a stabilizing role similar to a seamount.

What?

You mention Lu Yang?

He would only be available if Barça advances past the group stage.

Otherwise, would Lu Yang lead Barça to win the Europa League?

This year is undoubtedly the toughest group stage for Barça in recent years.

It’s also a real test for Barça’s extreme ball control tactic against strong opponents.

As the Eredivisie powerhouse, Ajax has never lacked talented players.

Many superstars have emerged from this club.

And in recent years, Ajax has produced another batch of hot commodities.

Their central forward Robin Fan and central defender Virgil Peterk are among the popular rookies this year.

More or less equivalent to Enriquez and Mancini three years ago.

Two years ago, it was Farrela, Sevajos, Rashim, and Lu Yang.

Last year, it was Averro and Morici.

The fall of football stars is very common. People often talk about who is failing, but in reality, the vision of world football looking at young players is quite magical.

Both Enriquez and Mancini are now top-tier stars, playing indispensable roles at Barça and Real Madrid, truly big stars now.

Farelra, Sevajos, Rashim, serving Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, respectively, might be slightly less impressive than the previous year, but they are not to blame.

They can only blame being in the same era with a certain extraordinary individual, being outshone significantly.

The undisputed king of that year was Lu Yang.

Even two or three years back and forth, it was Lu Yang!

This fact is beyond dispute.

He is also the only player at the age of 20 who can be compared with the top-tier stars in the world.

Last year’s Averro and Morici, one was all-in by the Lord of Manchester United, the other followed Lu Yang to win the Champions League becoming the core of Arsenal.

This is considered head-to-head.

“Possibly the strongest striker in Red Devils’ history” and “Possibly the most assist-prone midfielder in the world,” have become one of the core attractions created by the Premier League.

These two are also highly likely to become superstars.

Of course, here we’re talking about young stars.

Figures like Talista, Izalelt, Gutierrez, Mateo aren’t included in this category.

Lu Yang is also nearly excluded.

However, others are excluded due to their age.

Lu Yang is excluded because his ability, honor, and status exceed the scope, thus not included.

Sure, though there’s the big brand “Red Devils VS Gunners,” but the Premier League is still frustrated.

If Lu Yang came to the Premier League, they wouldn’t have needed to play this “might or might not” strategy.

They wouldn’t need to rely on the popularity of Red Devils and Gunners.

They could directly hold up the “future number one” brand!

Internally in the Premier League, the battle for the number one spot among Lu Yang, Gutierrez, Mike Loring, and others.

In European Football, the battle for the number one spot between Lu Yang and Izalelt.

Though Lu Yang is a half-step behind these individuals.

But Lu Yang, Gutierrez, and Izalelt are all key figures in Serie A!

With this connection, sneaking through the back door for an early comparison is quite normal.

So, imagine how frustrated the Premier League is right now.

Besides Ajax, Dortmund also has a player of such caliber, even… someone who believes he is the combination of Ajax’s Robin Fan and Virgil Peterk.

This player is called Erling Haland!

Three super rookies in one group, with Lu Yang and Sogel from the previous round and Mancini from the round before, it can be said to be a magnificent face-off!

If these three can withstand the pressure, they might become the next superstars.

Interestingly, all three have expressed their goodwill towards Lu Yang.

Robin Fan: “My football idol undoubtedly is Lima, there’s no player our age who doesn’t like Lima, he will always be the strongest forward in our hearts!”

“But since the semi-finals of this year’s Champions League, I found a new football idol.”

“He surprisingly is my age, only twenty years old, but perhaps for this reason, his achievements are so remarkable.”

“Yes, I’m talking about Lu, I’m now a fan of his!”

“Our games with Barça are the third and fifth matches of the group stage, I hope I can at least meet Lu Yang on the field once!”

Virgil Peterk: “In the beginning, I didn’t have a football idol, I only admired myself. But when I realized we had shockingly similar pasts, I couldn’t help but become a fan of Lu.”

“He and I were both central defenders by origin and initially, neither of us was outstanding.”

“Two years ago, the boss of the place I worked for repeatedly advised me to give up football, as he believed I had no talent for it.”

“I indeed considered giving it all up, however, I’m grateful that I read about a lower-tier team called San Remo miraculously winning the Italian Cup.”

“Grew ten centimeters within a year, from central defender to defensive midfielder to midfield! Seventeen goals and ten assists in the Italian Cup! Saving all penalties in the semi-final shootout and scoring the winning penalty! Hat-trick in the final to kill AC Milan!”

“I will always remember these! This is also what eternally inspires me.”

“I didn’t become exactly the same player as Lu Yang, I still am a central defender. But without a doubt, it was Lu Yang’s strength that made my height soar seventeen centimeters in one year, leading to a qualitative metamorphosis on the defensive end!”

“I’m very excited to meet Barça, I never thought I could someday compete alongside Lu Yang. This feeling is too magical!”

The two players from Ajax aren’t shy about their fan status.

But compared to Lu’s fans, Hanlanda next door is not left behind either.

Hanlanda: “Am I a fan of Lu Yang? Certainly, who among players my age doesn’t want to be the next Lu Yang?”

“At first, I thought I just wanted to replace him, but when Lu Yang’s leg was broken by Santos in this year’s Champions League final, I realized, I just purely admired him, just like a father!”

“I know this statement is hard to understand, but my father was once a top league player. He had his leg broken in a league match, and after that… he never played the same way again, leading to his subsequent retirement.”

“I disdain violence on the field, and Lu Yang is the toughest player on the field I’ve ever seen, yet he doesn’t resort to violence.”

“Every day, I pray for his recovery, hoping this injury leaves no aftermath.”

“I don’t know if he can play in our game against Barça, but I will give my all to show him.”

“The San Remo miracle has spread across Europe! I’m honored to be part of it!”

The high level of writing in these young players’ statements means many media outlets don’t even need to edit them and can directly publish their interviews as copy.