Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 263: 263. Substitute

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”Welcome back to this Bundesliga clash, the main event between Bayer Leverkusen at home against Bayern Munich!”

”In the first half, Bayer Leverkusen is temporarily trailing Bayern Munich 1-2. Lewandowski scored twice, giving Bayern a two-goal lead. Just before the end of the first half, De Bruyne assisted Julian Brandt to pull one goal back.”

”Because Lance played the full 90 minutes in two matches within a week, and there was a certain risk of injury, the Bayer Leverkusen coaching staff, for safety’s sake, placed Lance on the substitutes’ bench.”

”Currently, Bayern Munich still holds a certain advantage, we might see Lance come on as a substitute in the second half. After all... Bayer Leverkusen needs a hero to step up!”

In the past, Chinese players were marginal figures in their teams, and even East Asian players were marginal figures in top European leagues.

Domestic fans couldn’t even imagine that a Chinese player could become the soul of the team, the saviour of the team!

No one wanted to see Lance play more than Chinese fans. The local Bayer Leverkusen fans felt the same way.

In the stands of BayArena, some fans had already held up spontaneously made support signs.

”We need Lance!”

”Please let Lance play!”

”Please, King, return”

At this moment, the King of this stadium was still sitting on the substitutes’ bench, intently watching the pitch.

”Lance, wait a bit longer. Give the brothers some more time.”

Sascha felt a little embarrassed.

He should have brought on Lance at half-time, but in professional football, a half-time substitution usually means a player has made a major mistake or performed poorly.

The attacking combination upfront was trying their best, and a half-time substitution could discourage them. The coach planned to hold out a bit longer.

It was also a good test to see if the team without Lance could cope with a top team.

”It’s fine, I can observe a bit longer.”

Lance didn’t mind; time was not an issue.

His view from the sidelines was better, making it easier to observe the situation. At the beginning of his professional career, Lance became known in the Bundesliga as a ”super-sub.”

”Hey! Pass the ball, pass the ball!!”

”Stop him!!”

”Here! Kevin!”

”Drop back a bit, don’t push up!!”

The stadium was filled with players’ shouts. In the stands of BayArena, drumming, applause, and cheers continued non-stop.

The players were fighting, and the home fans were fighting too! Everyone knew, today’s match was crucial; whether they could win the league depended on today!

”Kevin De Bruyne... is in excellent form today. That was another outside-of-the-boot through ball. Unfortunately, Firmino couldn’t convert.”

”It’s Bayern’s attacking turn, the ball goes to Robben! Robben, very fast!!! Attempts to break through!”

”He cut inside!!! Direct shot——”

”The shot was slightly over, going above the crossbar. Still quite threatening!”

”Another Bayern attack, from Lahm’s midfield play. Converted from a full-back to a defensive midfielder by Guardiola, Lahm is gradually finding his rhythm. Thiago... passes to Lewandowski! One-two pass!”

”Lewandowski——saved by goalkeeper Leno, Bayern gets their 12th corner kick of the match.”

Duan Xuan’s tone was very tense, which inevitably made viewers in front of their televisions feel nervous. Bayern’s sustained pressure recently had almost suffocated Bayer Leverkusen.

It looked like Bayern was about to score another goal, and a 1-3 result would be very bad.

Many fans even began to despair.

”It’s over, no title this season.”

”I said it long ago, they should have given up on the Champions League and focused on winning the league title.”

”If God Lance were here, he would definitely crush Bayern.”

”He’s Bayern’s nemesis, hurry and bring God Lance on!”

Fans were anxious; if possible, they would fly onto the pitch, grab the coach’s collar, and demand a substitution. But both coaches seemed calm, not in a hurry at all.

As Bayern got closer and closer to scoring, Bayer Leverkusen found it difficult to threaten Neuer’s goal.

Everyone was hoping for that person to arrive on a colourful auspicious cloud, saving the entire team from dire straits.

A handsome youth with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes finally stood on the sidelines. The Bundesliga director immediately gave Lance a big close-up, even though the match was still ongoing.

BayArena instantly erupted in cheers!

”Lance——”

”Lance——”

”Lance——”

Lance was almost a superstar at a concert; everyone else on the pitch was just a guest performer. The true goal for tens of thousands of people who bought tickets was Lance.

Like a rock star, he waved in acknowledgement, eliciting a new wave of cheers.

Finally, there was a dead ball, and De Bruyne, clutching his knee, gasped to recover. Next to him, Son Heung-min sounded relieved:

”Such a big commotion? But, he finally came.”

”Yes, it’s about time that kid came on.”

Julian Brandt remained silent. As expected, he would likely be the one substituted.

De Bruyne would return to the right wing, and Lance would continue to play his attacking midfielder position.

However, the fourth official held up the electronic board, and the number to be substituted was surprisingly 9, Firmino!

”Oh? A somewhat unexpected substitution. Single striker Firmino comes off, does this mean Lance will play as a striker?”

Duan Xuan was a bit puzzled.

After Lance and Firmino high-fived, Lance entered the pitch and indeed stood at the very front of the team.

Playing a bit deeper could avoid direct interference from defenders, allowing for more flexible shooting. A single striker means constantly battling with defenders.

Can Lance really do it?

Beep——

Duan Xuan was still discussing Lance as a single striker with commentator Gong Lei, when the referee blew his whistle.

Bayer Leverkusen was awarded a free kick in their own half. The ball was passed to De Bruyne in the attacking third.

Lance ran in from the sideline, without stopping, rushing straight into the penalty area. De Bruyne immediately sent a chipped pass into the box.

Jér?me Boateng held Lance firmly, not allowing him to turn. But at that very instant, Lance leant on Jér?me Boateng, cushioning the ball with his chest, not stopping it at his feet, but deflecting it to the left at an angle. Suddenly, he turned and volleyed the ball!

”Lance——this goal!!!”

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard! By the time everyone reacted, Lance’s volley had already rocketed into the top corner!

What? What just happened?

Duan Xuan didn’t even comment at first. It was Director Gong who reacted quickly enough.

”Oh wow! That goal went in!”

”Lance!! Substituted in and scored in just 10 seconds, Bayer Leverkusen successfully equalised the score!!”

”2-2! Both teams are back on level terms!!”

”Bringing on Lance had an immediate effect!”

The entire BayArena completely erupted! Once again, they chanted Lance’s name in unison.

”Lance——”

”Lance——”

”Lance——”

Less than a minute had passed since the last cheer!

The replay footage was even more incredible, following Lance’s actions throughout, from his substitution, jogging all the way to the penalty area, receiving the ball, and scoring in one fluid motion!

As everyone at Bayer Leverkusen went wild, only Guardiola stared blankly, slumping in his chair.

”It’s over, it’s finished.”