Chapter 248 241: Challenge

On the flight from Turin, Italy, back to Amsterdam, everyone from Ajax sat in silence.

Not a single person was willing to speak.

Yang Yang sat in his seat. For once, he wasn't "sleeping," but no one seemed to notice this change.

He was replaying the entire match in his mind: his duels with the Juventus stars, the mistakes he had made, and the chances he had been given.

Two voices kept echoing in his head.

One told him that Zambrotta was a world-class full-back, outstanding in both attack and defense. Nedved was a world-class star, too, and Emerson and Tachinetti were both exceptional midfielders. Facing such opponents, the fact that he hadn't looked completely out of his depth was good enough.

'You only just turned eighteen!'

But another voice told him he could have done better. He'd even had a chance to break into the box with the ball, but in a physical confrontation with Zambrotta, the Italian full-back shouldered him aside and he lost possession.

'If I'd broken into the box and gotten up to speed, I'm sure I could have gotten a shot off.'

'What if it had gone in?'

Guilt, self-reproach, frustration, helplessness...

A maelstrom of complex emotions intertwined—this was Yang Yang's state of mind.

Unconsciously, at some point, Yang Yang had started shouldering more responsibility, especially on the offensive end.

Perhaps it was when the media started calling him the new standard-bearer of Ajax. Or when a group of fans wearing his jersey showed up outside the De Toekomst training grounds to cheer for him. Or when Van Basten told him his opportunity had arrived. Or...

Who knew when it was?

This was a good thing. It meant his status within the team was constantly rising.

With great power comes great responsibility.

He knew that if he wanted to take up the mantle left by Ibrahimovic and Van der Vaart, he had to learn to play under this kind of pressure and responsibility—and even conquer it.

And now, Yang Yang was also beginning to feel that same mountain of pressure that had once left Van der Vaart gasping for air, crushed beneath its weight.

He didn't know if he could bear this burden, but he was willing to accept the challenge.

...

...

The flight landed at Amsterdam Airport late that night.

The moment Yang Yang turned on his phone, he received two text messages from back home.

"Even though you lost, you did your best. Don't be sad."

"I've got some good news to tell you. My dad agreed to let me apply to the Central Academy of Drama! Thanks for your encouragement!"

After reading the texts, an image of Su Xiaomei's radiant smile appeared in Yang Yang's mind. Her clear laughter seemed to ring in his ears, and his heavy heart lightened considerably.

"I'm fine, don't worry. And congratulations on getting your wish."

After sending the text, he put his phone away, followed the team out of the airport, and boarded the bus.

Unexpectedly, he received a reply almost immediately.

"It's not a done deal yet. I might not even get into the Central Academy of Drama."

Yang Yang was surprised that Su Xiaomei was still awake so late.

'Could she have been waiting for my reply all this time?'

But then he thought about it, found it unlikely, and shook his head with a chuckle.

"It's okay. If you don't get in this year, you can just study and try again. If you really can't make it, I'll do whatever it takes to help you realize your dream. At the very least, I'll get you into a movie, put you on the big screen."

"You said it. I'm counting on you now."

Another message came right after. "So don't you get discouraged. You have to keep working hard at soccer. Otherwise, where will you get the money to get me into a movie?"

Seeing her take it so seriously, Yang Yang couldn't help but smile. But he quickly realized this was just Su Xiaomei's roundabout way of comforting him.

"Thanks. I feel much better now."

"Then you should smile more. You're quite handsome when you do. All the girls in my class say they love to see you smile."

Yang Yang couldn't help but smile again when he read that.

"Okay, I'm gonna go. I'm tired and have to sleep. Got class tomorrow. Bye."

"Yeah, go to sleep. Good night."

"You too. Good night."

Yang Yang put his phone away, the turmoil in his heart having eased considerably.

He had to admit they were outplayed in their loss, but he still couldn't stomach the defeat.

...

...

「Super Training」

After reviewing the match, Yang Yang threw himself into training.

But this time, instead of his usual basic drills and Star Skills, he went straight into sparring.

The simulated opponent was none other than Zambrotta of Juventus.

As a world-class full-back, Zambrotta could play on both the left and right flanks. Although he was right-footed and had started his career as a right-back, he was, in fact, equally outstanding on the left.

He was 1.81 meters tall and weighed 76 kilograms. He was highly proficient with both feet, fast, and possessed outstanding physical conditioning. Strong in challenges and fierce on the pitch, he was a threat going forward—able to cross or cut inside—and solid falling back, always getting into position to defend. He was an extremely well-rounded player.

In fact, Yang Yang felt he was the very definition of the perfect full-back.

And so, in Super Training, Yang Yang sparred with the simulated Zambrotta again and again. He was knocked to the ground time after time, finding it nearly impossible to break through the defender's guard.

But each time, Yang Yang would get back up and throw himself right back into the challenge.

At first, Old Ice didn't intervene, but he gradually realized that Yang Yang was venting his frustration more than actually training.

After one particularly nasty tackle from Zambrotta sent him flying, Yang Yang staggered back to his feet, only to find that the glowing image of the star player had vanished.

He knew Old Ice had stopped the simulation.

"Do you know why you can't get past Zambrotta?" Old Ice's voice asked calmly.

Yang Yang sat on the grass without a word.

"It's not just you. Countless attacking wingers can't get past him. Do you know why?"

Yang Yang's curiosity was finally piqued. "Why?"

"Because on a normal day, he's a completely well-rounded player with almost no weaknesses."

Yang Yang fell silent. He had to admit Old Ice was right; Zambrotta really had no discernible weaknesses.

"Remember what I told you before? Only a comprehensive skillset allows for rich and varied tactics. Zambrotta is like a full-back with no obvious flaws, and Juventus is like an iron legion with no obvious flaws."

"When facing a team and an opponent like that, you only have one path: become as well-rounded as they are. Hide all your own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, then go head-to-head and see who exposes their weakness first."

Yang Yang still didn't speak, but he knew Old Ice was right.

Juventus was exactly that kind of team. And in the Netherlands, there was another team of the same type.

Eindhoven, under Hiddink's coaching, was like a lite version of Juventus.

After the national derby, Yang Yang even found himself thinking that if he hadn't managed to break through against Lee Yong-Soo, and hadn't drawn a penalty and a red card from Alex, the final result for Ajax in that match would have likely been a disaster.

This was true for teams, and it was true for players.

What made Ibrahimovic so fearsome?

He possessed exceptional physical attributes—height, strength, and power in duels—all the advantages of a tall Northern European center forward.

But what was even more terrifying was that he also possessed delicate footwork on par with a number 10 playmaker and had incredible flexibility. It was like he was a technical, finesse player inhabiting the body of a Northern European giant, making him all the more complete.

'Looking at myself, in contrast... my fundamentals are solid now, and my first touch is no longer a liability. But it's still nowhere near enough.'

Especially when facing a European full-back like Zambrotta, Yang Yang knew he needed to become more complete. This meant setting higher, more demanding standards for himself.

He needed to hone his fundamentals until they were sharper and more solid. He had to polish his first touch until it was perfectly consistent, making every single reception of the ball feel natural and effortless.

'I want to get stronger!'

...

...

The next morning, Yang Yang woke up early as usual. He led Maxwell, Vermaelen, Maicon, and the others for their three laps around Oude Kerk Lake, but the run lacked its usual cheerful atmosphere, feeling somewhat oppressive.

After the run and breakfast, Yang Yang went straight to the gym at De Toekomst.

Just as he always did, he meticulously completed his warm-up routine before strength training, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Winston Bogard arrived at the gym on time, as usual, to personally supervise Yang Yang's morning strength training session, occasionally correcting minor details in his form.

After Yang Yang finished his bench presses, squats, deadlifts, power cleans, and cycling, Bogard handed him the specially prepared nutritional drink. He watched as Yang Yang pinched his nose and chugged it all down, only then looking satisfied that his task was complete.

Today, however, Yang Yang didn't leave right away. Instead, he asked, "Winston, are you free during the winter break?"

"The winter break?" Bogard seemed surprised.

According to Ajax's schedule, the team was on holiday for the winter break. They wouldn't reassemble until early January, after Christmas, for a training camp in southern Europe to prepare for the second half of the season.

During this time, the players were on leave. The coaching and support staff were also on holiday, save for a skeleton crew left on duty. Many had already made their vacation plans well in advance.

"Do you have any plans?" Yang Yang asked.

Bogard shook his head. "Not yet. I'll probably stay home, or maybe go help out at a friend's gym. You know my biggest dream is to own my own gym."

"I'd like to hire you to continue as my personal trainer, if that's okay?"

"Personal trainer?" Bogard was taken aback.

"Yes. I want to keep training during the winter break, and I need an experienced coach like you by my side to supervise and guide me. I can pay you the standard rate for a private coach for your time."

Bogard's salary at Ajax wasn't particularly high; his position was more for the prestige. Paying him the standard rate for a private coach wasn't a problem for Yang Yang, especially since it would only be for ten days or so.

"Let me think about it," Bogard said, hesitating.

Yang Yang nodded. "Of course. I'll wait for your answer."

With that, he turned and walked out of the gym as Bogard watched him go.

The moment he stepped out of the gym, he suddenly noticed soft white flurries drifting down from the sky.

It was snowing!