Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 155: 155. Lukaku

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”The young players, hailed as Belgium’s golden generation, were seen by European media as the dark horse of this World Cup before the match. Who would have thought they would struggle so much in their first match against Algeria!”

LeTV live broadcast room. Over 30 million viewers! Part of this was due to the World Cup; the World Cup, held every four years, is a national event.

Even though the Chinese National Football Team hasn’t made it to the main tournament since 2002, the World Cup seems to have no connection with the Chinese people. But everyone’s participation is still very high.

During the World Cup, you can see elements celebrating the World Cup everywhere, television news, Weibo hot searches, subway screens, outdoor print advertisements... it’s like a festival. Even many late-night food stalls set up TVs to broadcast World Cup matches during the World Cup, people eat crayfish and drink beer while watching the games.

Originally, before this, everyone was just watching the excitement. Until Lance’s official announcement of joining the Belgium Team’s 23-man squad... Alright, now domestic fans have a home team.

Italy, England, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Argentina... all of them move aside! It must be our European Red Devils, Belgium! Just look, isn’t the Belgium Team’s jersey red!

”Go, Lance!!”

”Just arrived, which one is Lance?”

”Who is the good guy?”

”What are they playing, to be crushed by Algeria!”

”Where is Lance? I don’t see him!”

”Wow! I see him, Lance is so handsome!”

57th minute of the second half. Belgium 0-1 Algeria. The goal from the first half has held until now, and the Belgium Team has still not been able to break through the opponent’s goal.

Algeria, wary of Belgium’s luxurious midfield configuration, defended tightly in the penalty area, parking the bus. This led to the Belgium Team’s strongest player, Eden Hazard, being completely unable to perform.

The attacking third was full of dense crowds, Hazard had no space to break through. As soon as he got the ball, he was inevitably double-teamed by at least 3 players, the rough defending completely restricted Hazard.

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Daniel Van Buyten, Jan Vertonghen

Midfielders: Moussa Dembélé, Axel Witsel, Eden Hazard, Nacer Chadli, Kevin De Bruyne

Forward: Romelu Lukaku

Many fans who frequently watch European matches found this luxurious lineup incredible. Atlético Madrid’s goal god who played in the Champions League Final; Manchester City’s main central defender who won the Premier League, Bayern Munich’s main central defender; Tottenham Hotspur’s main defensive midfielder, Zenit’s Russian Premier League champion defensive midfielder;

Premier League Best Newcomer + 2013-2014 season Premier League Best Player + Chelsea Season Best Player; VfL Wolfsburg’s main player + VfL Wolfsburg Season Best Player; Dutch Cup Champion Midfielder; Belgian Pro League Golden Boot + Chelsea’s highly anticipated rising star + Everton’s top scorer...

They can’t even beat Algeria, can they get out of the group? Can they play Russia and South Korea? No way, Belgium was indeed stumped by the compact defense.

The three universally recognized methods to break down compact defenses are: individual single-point breakthrough, long-range shots, and contesting headers in the penalty area. Breakthroughs were temporarily impossible.

Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Moussa Dembélé’s consecutive long-range shots were all blocked by Algeria’s defenders. Headers, however, had an advantage; the tall 191cm black central forward Romelu Lukaku was standing in the penalty area, the opposing defenders should feel pressure.

However, at this moment, in 2014, Lukaku was already subtly showing his future talent.

”Kevin De Bruyne’s pass!! Excellent placement!! Romelu Lukaku!!!”

Lukaku used his physicality to jump and get the ball, heading it towards the crossbar! The ball bounced back, hit him in a crucial area, and then went out for a goal kick.

The Algeria players didn’t touch the ball the entire time, they were all watching Lukaku perform. The Belgium Team regrouped and continued to attack.

Kevin De Bruyne was still trying his best, changing tempo on the right wing, using a feint and shoulder drop to shake off his opponent, then suddenly opening up an angle to send a curved ball! The exaggerated curve bypassed two central defenders, heading directly for Lukaku at the far post!

Lukaku only needed to lift his foot and tap it in; a shot from the six-yard box was almost a guaranteed goal. Who knew the young man wanted to be a hero too much, he instinctively put too much power into his right foot when shooting!

As a result, a shot from less than 2 meters from the goal became a sky-high shot!

”Romelu Lukaku!!! That shot flew!”

Zhan Jun looked on, feeling disappointed. He knew the Everton striker’s ability was more than this, but he was so abstract on the World Cup stage!

”After losing the ball, the Belgium Team briefly controlled possession and launched several threatening attacks, but their finishing touch was always a bit off... Oh? We see Enzo Scifo and Michel Preud’homme in the stands; Belgian legends have come to the scene. Wow! And David Beckham and his wife, there are quite a few football legends and socialites watching today. Belgium’s coach Marc Wilmots...”

This was Zhan Jun’s signature skill. He could basically recognize anyone the director’s close-up shot focused on and provide a brief explanation.

”...Marc Wilmots also seems dissatisfied with what’s happening on the field. Should he consider a substitution? Since the team currently lacks finishing ability, you know, sitting on the bench is the Bundesliga Golden Boot, a genius forward who broke Gerd Müller’s record!”

The camera had cut to Lance countless times. When the stadium was a bit quiet, the director’s favorite shots, besides the beautiful women in the stands, were of Lance.

Even female fans who usually don’t understand or watch football, occasionally changing channels to a match, couldn’t help but stop and watch for a few more seconds the moment they saw Lance. Perhaps from then on, they would become obsessed with football and gradually become fans.

Male fans might fall in love with a star because of spectacular goals and dribbling highlights. For a significant number of female fans, the initial reason for getting into football is very simple: starting with looks, staying for skill.

Lance had forgotten how many times he had warmed up. Every few minutes, he would be called up by the assistant coach to move with the substitutes and maintain his condition.

Anyway, watching the game was boring, Lance was twisting his waist while chatting with his childhood idol, Arsenal legend, and ”King of Highbury,” Thierry Henry.

”Thierry, you played for a season, didn’t go on vacation, why did you think of coming to the Belgium Team as a coach?”

Henry dominated the football world back then, leading Arsenal to a 42-match unbeaten run and even reaching the Champions League Final, unfortunately losing to FC Barcelona. He didn’t expect to win his Champions League title with FC Barcelona.

Six titles, plus his dominant performance at Arsenal, as well as the 1998 World Cup championship, 2000 European Championship, and 4 Premier League Golden Boots... With all these honors, Henry was already considered a football legend.

After fading out of European football, he went to North America, leading the New York Red Bulls to win the Eastern Conference and earning the MLS MVP. Who would have thought that Henry was invited by the Belgium Team this holiday, to participate in the World Cup as a forward coach.

During training, Lance also received guidance from Henry, learning many tips and tricks for shooting, benefiting greatly. Henry, whose beard was already graying, smiled:

”I want to be a head coach later, but I haven’t gotten my A-level certificate yet. This time I have an opportunity, I want to come to the World Cup to experience the atmosphere and accumulate some coaching experience.”

”By the way, Lance. I estimate you might be sent on soon; whether we can win today depends on your performance.”

Henry suddenly said. Lance was about to speak when coach Marc Wilmots indeed came over.

”Lance, if your warm-up is fine, change your clothes and get ready to go on. Today’s battle is quite tough, I hope you can find the feeling you had in the Bundesliga. Come on, young man!”

For some reason, when coach Wilmots patted his shoulder, Lance hallucinated hearing, ”Come on, Special Forces.” Was his World Cup debut going to be this sudden?

The match was originally very dull, and many fans who usually don’t watch games were almost falling asleep. Suddenly, Lance changed his clothes and stood on the sidelines.

Zhan Jun’s voice instantly rose by an octave:

”Oh? The Belgium Team is finally going to make a personnel change!”

”Lance!! Last season’s Bundesliga Best Newcomer, Bundesliga Best XI, Bundesliga Golden Boot, Bundesliga champion’s main forward!”

”The long-awaited Lance is finally making his World Cup debut!”

After 12 years, a Chinese player is once again stepping onto the World Cup stage!