Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 45: 45. One versus Two!

Check out advanced Chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari

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”Brother Xuan, why are you in such a hurry?”

”There is a traffic jam on East Fourth Ring Road, I almost didn’t make it!”

”Wow—it’s also raining heavily outside, you’ve worked hard.”

”It’s all minor stuff, missing today’s match would be a disaster.”

”Is there a Champions League match today?”

The CCTV5 building, completed just a year ago, had already seen CCTV5 gradually move from its Yuanyuan Tan headquarters to the new Guanghua Road office building.

Commentator Duan Xuan rushed into the lobby, almost bumping into Zhu Guangquan, an anchor from CCTV13 News Channel, who happened to be waiting for the elevator and casually chatted for a bit.

Zhu Guangquan was puzzled; he rarely saw Duan Xuan looking so flustered and hurried.

Logically, the only matches he would attach such importance to would be of the World Cup or Champions League caliber.

Didn’t the Champions League start next week?

”Bundesliga, Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen.”

”Oh... wait, Bayer Leverkusen?”

Zhu Guangquan finally understood.

Recently, a name kept popping up on Weibo, showing signs of breaking through the mainstream, just like Jeremy Lin did back then.

The 16-year-old prodigy, Lance, was performing exceptionally well at Bayer Leverkusen, hinting at the rise of a new star.

After the Chinese National Football Team lost 1-5 to Thailand, its reputation plummeted to an all-time low.

The public had almost given up on football, as if Chinese people could never truly make it in the sport.

It was in this darkness that a faint light appeared in Europe.

Lance’s rising fame inevitably sparked hope among domestic fans.

Could it be that by escaping the quagmire of domestic football, a true football superstar could emerge?

The match between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich would be the first major test for young Lance!

No wonder Duan Xuan was acting so anxious.

Ding—

The elevator chimed, reaching the CCTV5 floor, and Zhu Guangquan held the elevator door open.

”Brother Xuan, hurry up.”

”Thanks.”

Duan Xuan quickly rushed to the dressing room to prepare.

A while later, Duan Xuan appeared in the studio, commentating on this Bundesliga focal match with guest Xu Yang.

Unfortunately, his former partner, Director Tao, was no longer there.

If he could see a Chinese player emerging in the Bundesliga, Director Tao would surely be even happier.

...

”CCTV5, CCTV5.”

”Dear viewers, you are now watching a focal match from the 8th round of the 2013/14 season of the Bundesliga.”

”Defending champions Bayern Munich are hosting Bundesliga powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen at Allianz Arena.”

”Wearing their traditional red jerseys are Bayern Munich, attacking from left to right; Bayer Leverkusen are in white kits, attacking from right to left.”

Since Bayern Munich’s main color is red, and it clashed with Bayer Leverkusen’s away red jersey, Bayer Leverkusen had to use their third white kit.

Initially, Duan Xuan and Director Xu Yang were discussing the starting lineups of both teams and Lance’s potential role in Bayer Leverkusen’s lineup.

However, before he could finish speaking, Bayern Munich’s goal in 23 seconds left Duan Xuan speechless.

”Eh? Eh!! That goal!!”

His mind suddenly went blank, and he didn’t know how to commentate.

Fortunately, Xu Yang was there to add:

”Mario G?tze!! That shot was truly clean and decisive! Bayern Munich scored right at the start, that was so fast!”

”Yes, it was!”

Duan Xuan finally picked up the conversation.

”The goal in 23 seconds is the fastest goal in the Bundesliga this season.”

”Scored by Mario G?tze, this former Borussia Dortmund star, who transferred to Bayern Munich this summer, is also performing exceptionally well today!”

Mario G?tze is only 21 years old this year, with a promising future!

Of course, Bayer Leverkusen also has 16-year-old Lance in their squad!

Mario G?tze was performing so well, and Duan Xuan hoped Lance could also deliver a brilliant performance.

However, after Bayern Munich’s goal, their momentum was like a rainbow.

They showcased Pep Guardiola’s style of tiki-taka football, completely dominating Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bayer Leverkusen players were also stunned by the opening goal, temporarily unable to organize a counterattack, passively retreating into their penalty area and taking a beating.

Even if Lance had three heads and six arms, it would be useless if he couldn’t get the ball; for now, he could only wait for an opportunity.

”Pep Guardiola’s arrival at Bayern Munich this season has instilled his football philosophy into this Bundesliga powerhouse.”

Duan Xuan remembered Bayern Munich as a typical tough, iron-blooded team.

They relied on solid defense, tenacious midfield pressing, and counterattacks from both wings to create threats, playing a very hard-nosed style of football.

At least, that’s how it was when Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry were playing.

Now, Arjen Robben was injured, and Franck Ribéry was also temporarily out with a muscle strain, unable to play.

With Mario G?tze on the left, Thomas Müller on the right, and Mario Mand?uki? in the middle, the midfield still consisted of the combination of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, and Xabi Alonso, making passing and coordination seem effortless.

They continuously passed the ball back and forth, not rushing to attack, but rather constantly wearing down Bayer Leverkusen players’ stamina outside the penalty area.

”It looks a bit like FC Barcelona, after 20 minutes, the score is still 1-0, with the home team Bayern Munich temporarily leading.”

Duan Xuan was numb from watching; one might have thought it was a FC Barcelona match.

Even when FC Barcelona played, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, and Lionel Messi would occasionally speed up.

But with this Bayern Munich lineup, neither Toni Kroos nor Bastian Schweinsteiger were adept at speeding up.

Thomas Müller and Mario G?tze also played more cautiously.

For 20 minutes of the match, it was almost entirely Bayern Munich controlling the ball.

”In terms of possession, Bayern Munich has reached 79%, while Bayer Leverkusen’s possession is less than 21%!”

”In terms of shots, Bayern Munich has had 4 shots and 1 goal; in contrast, Bayer Leverkusen has not yet had a shot.”

Lance’s touches were pitifully few.

”Lance, he is actively running on the field, helping his teammates defend...”

”But from the look of the game, Bayer Leverkusen seems to be struggling to break through Bayern Munich’s tiki-taka.”

Duan Xuan was even feeling anxious for Lance.

...

At this moment, inside Allianz Arena.

Lance was not anxious.

As a forward, he knew very well that the more rushed a game became, the more prone to mistakes one would be; the more difficult the situation, the calmer and more composed one needed to be.

With the team being pressed, Lance couldn’t just stand by.

He occasionally appeared near Bastian Schweinsteiger and Xabi Alonso, disrupting their passing.

Lance wasn’t good at physical challenges, but he could read the game and interfere with Bayern Munich’s passing lanes.

With Lance stirring things up, Bastian Schweinsteiger was having a difficult time.

During a dead ball, he couldn’t help but complain to Thomas Müller next to him:

”This kid Lance, he’s really changed a lot.”

”Yeah, he’s becoming more and more like a professional star.”

Thomas Müller couldn’t help but sigh.

Toni Kroos took the corner kick, Bayern Munich’s sixth corner opportunity of the match.

Jér?me Boateng and Dante, two tall center-backs, both rushed up to contest, everyone gathered in the penalty area.

Lance quickly glanced around.

Only Philipp Lahm and David Alaba were protecting the backfield.

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Xabi Alonso were outside the box, ready to contend for the second ball, this was Bayern Munich’s most vulnerable moment defensively!

”This is an opportunity!!”

Lance quickly winked at Son Heung-min, who was not far away, signaling him to make a timely run later.

Son Heung-min was startled:

”Oh, me? Ah, Fuck... Can I do it?”

He had already been beaten down by Bayern Munich and was feeling less confident.

Moreover, he didn’t quite believe Lance could snatch the ball from between Bayern Munich’s two defensive midfielders.

Beep—

Unfortunately, there was no time to think.

Toni Kroos delivered the corner kick.

The ball, with strong spin, plunged into the penalty area, and Jér?me Boateng was seen leaping high, about to head the ball towards goal.

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno charged forward, like a superman, punching the ball away with a single fist!

Although Bernd Leno’s goalkeeping technique wasn’t as good as Manuel Neuer’s, his specialty was neutralizing aerial balls!

”Bayer Leverkusen’s penalty area is my domain!”

”Beautiful!!!”

The opportunity had arrived!!

Seeing this, Lance quickly sprinted outwards, aiming for the landing spot.

”Not good!!”

Xabi Alonso and Bastian Schweinsteiger simultaneously rushed over to stop Lance.

The Bayern Munich fans at Allianz Arena were not worried at this moment; it was impossible for a 16-year-old kid to break through two world-class defensive midfielders.

Can Chinese people play football?

Template: Nagi Seishiro - S (Fusion Value 60%)

Skill: Perfect Ball Control

Skill: Hardcore Shot

Rage Value: 32%

Lance was extremely focused on the approaching ball, as if the world ceased to exist, and in the dark space, there was only the football in front of him.

Bastian Schweinsteiger had intended to wait for him to control the ball at his feet, then press him from behind to prevent him from turning, working with Xabi Alonso to double-team him...

Unexpectedly, Lance turned directly without even receiving the ball! His eyes met Bastian Schweinsteiger’s!

”What?”

Bastian Schweinsteiger didn’t even see clearly, but saw a blur, and Lance had already glided past him!

Turning his head again, he saw the kid, like the wind, had also bypassed Xabi Alonso!!

He completed a one-against-two breakthrough in an instant! And delivered a deadly through pass!

A long sword unsheathed!

Piercing straight through Bayern Munich’s flank!!

”Lance!!! What a pass!!!”

”Directly to Son Heung-min!! This ball is not offside!!”

Duan Xuan felt his blood surge, his heart pounding!

Lance’s through ball assisted Son Heung-min into a one-on-one situation, Bayern Munich’s backline was as wide as the Horqin Grassland!

”Son Heung-min!! Facing Manuel Neuer directly in front of the box!!”

”Right-footed curling shot—”

At this moment, Bayern Munich fans almost had a heart attack!

The next second, the ball curled in a beautiful arc, flying straight into the top corner!

It’s in!

Bayer Leverkusen actually scored!