Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 267: 267. Is this MSN?

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”Barcelona still maintains possession, currently leading 1-0 away.”

”Actually, Bayer Leverkusen played well at first; they had the right momentum. But after Barcelona scored, Bayer Leverkusen became hesitant and didn’t dare to attack.”

”That’s right, just now Rolfes had an opportunity to make a through pass to Lance in the front, but he hesitated and couldn’t make the pass. Barcelona’s high press also restricted Bayer Leverkusen’s build-up from the back, forcing Bayer Leverkusen to clear the ball hastily... Busquets! He won the header! No problem! To Xavi! Through pass to Neymar!”

”Whoa! Neymar is already enjoying himself; his skills...”

Coach Zhang Lu clicked his tongue in amazement.

Champions League semi-final, Bayer Leverkusen 0-1 Barcelona.

The first half reached the 42nd minute, and Barcelona had the advantage throughout.

Bayer Leverkusen simply had no chance to counter-attack; possession was almost entirely with Barcelona.

Once they got into their rhythm, it was difficult to easily cross Barcelona’s half again.

Messi, Suárez, and Neymar’s interchanging runs in the attacking third posed a huge threat to the Bayer Leverkusen defence, forcing almost everyone to fall back, desperately trying to stop the MSN trio’s offensive.

What made Bayer Leverkusen supporters most despair was that Barcelona still looked comfortable, seemingly in no hurry to crush Bayer Leverkusen.

Neymar grew more confident as he played, even showing off tricks on the left flank.

His continuous step-overs were dazzling, then he suddenly flicked the ball with his left heel to the right, deceiving Kimmich’s defensive centre of gravity, and then with his right foot, he pushed the ball, changed direction, nutmegged, and dribbled past to the left.

Kimmich, flustered, pulled him, Neymar swayed but didn’t fall, still dribbling into the penalty area!

Suárez, Messi, and Iniesta all made runs into the box simultaneously, Xavi and Busquets stood outside to receive the ball, whilst Alba and Alves overlapped on the flanks.

In an instant, Barcelona formed an inescapable net in front of Bayer Leverkusen’s goal!

”Neymar!! He’s taking a shot himself!!”

”Not a shot!! It’s a cross!!”

Neymar’s right-footed shot looked like a push towards the far corner, but the ball speed was very fast, almost skimming the six-yard box line.

The defenders didn’t dare to stick out a leg; a slight deflection would have been an own goal.

Suárez on the far side threw himself forward, for a sliding shot!

”Suárez!!!”

Seeing this, Bayer Leverkusen supporters’ hearts skipped a beat, imagining Suárez missing.

Unfortunately, Suárez is a world-class striker after all, and facing an open goal opportunity, he wouldn’t miss it easily!

”It’s a goal!! In the 38th minute of the first half, Barcelona leads Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 away!”

”With a two-goal away advantage! Bayer Leverkusen’s fate hangs by a thread!”

It’s over!

The moment Suárez scored, Bayer Leverkusen players’ eyes showed no sadness, only emptiness and helplessness.

Why was this happening?

After multiple reinforcements in the new season, experiencing ups and downs, and also glory throughout the season.

They emerged from the Champions League group of death, eliminated the reigning champions Atlético Madrid, and then eliminated the title favourites Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen had knocked out two of the three Spanish giants.

Could they still not get past the semi-final stage?

The most critical thing was that Bayer Leverkusen was also 2 points behind Bayern in the league, potentially losing the league title as well.

After a whole season of hard work, what was the German Cup title alone worth?

”Bayer Leverkusen actually defended that goal quite well. But this Barcelona’s ability to seize opportunities is too strong.”

Coach Zhang Lu also felt sorry for Bayer Leverkusen.

Joshua Kimmich is a promising talent, a future star.

But he is still young now, and simply can’t outplay a veteran like Neymar.

The defence of the others was also fine, and Messi was marked very tightly.

Unexpectedly, Suárez’s explosive power and shooting ability were too strong; he capitalised on such a chance.

Lance, who had been running, also stopped, and let out a long sigh.

”Is this MSN?”

They truly were the peak year of the trident.

Lance mused, no matter how strong his system and cheats were, most of the time they operated within reasonable football parameters.

Their biggest role was simply to help him grow quickly.

And the peak MSN was also the highest level of world football.

It was like, Lance was a regular Toyota Corolla, forcibly modified into a racing car by the system, capable of competing on a GT track.

The MSN trio were already world-class sports cars, like the Ferrari 296GT3, Porsche 919Hybrid, McLaren F1GT...

With the system, Lance could reach the upper limit of the three of them, but their original strength should not be overlooked.

Now in this endurance race, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, they temporarily held the leading positions, Lance could only chase hard from behind, waiting for his chance to overtake!

Whilst Barcelona players were celebrating, Lance glanced at the time.

”Good, there’s still a chance.”

As long as the game wasn’t over, Lance wouldn’t give up!

”What do you say?”

It seemed De Bruyne and Son Heung-min, the two who usually had the best relationship with Lance, hadn’t given up either.

The three huddled together to discuss a strategy.

”Let’s try to create some opportunities for Son.”

”Me?”

”Give it a try; Barcelona is marking us two more tightly.”

”Alright, I’ll try.”

Son Heung-min was uneasy.

When Lance and De Bruyne were tightly restricted, he had to carry the team’s attacking hopes!

”The first half is about to end, a chance for Bayer Leverkusen to counter-attack!!!”

Barcelona, leading by 2 goals, kept possession until the 44th minute.

Van Dijk, the god of 1v1, anticipated and positioned himself to steal the ball from Suárez.

He passed the ball directly to Lance!

Lance received the ball and performed a Marseille turn simultaneously, beating Xavi’s defence and sharply dribbling to the right, creating the illusion of attacking down the right flank.

De Bruyne and Firmino both drifted right, attracting Barcelona’s defence, then Lance suddenly made a no-look pass to the left, a delightful through ball!

”Monster Passing”!

”Beautiful!!”

”As expected of Lance!!”

Even De Bruyne was full of admiration; Lance’s crucial passing ability was already on par with his own!

”This ball!! Lance’s surgical through pass!! What a ball!!”

Jian Jun excitedly stood up, watching Son Heung-min receive the ball, beat Alves, then dribble past Piqué, going straight for the box to create a one-on-one opportunity!

As the last chance of the first half approached, Son Heung-min had a chance to score, but the young Son Heung-min still paid the price for his inexperience.

”Son Heung-min!!! That shot was saved by Marc-André ter Stegen!”

The home fans, who had raised their hands in celebration, were filled with regret, thousands of people simultaneously clutching their heads.

The last attacking opportunity of the first half, Son Heung-min missed the one-on-one and couldn’t convert.

With the score at 0-2, both teams went into the changing rooms.

The Catalan TV commentator simply popped champagne.

”Barcelona scored 2 away goals; it looks like they can completely win today! In the second leg at Camp Nou, Bayer Leverkusen will be even less of a match for Barcelona. We will once again advance to the Champions League final after many years!”

”Barcelona has a chance to win their second treble, and their second sextuple!”

Not only Catalan TV popped champagne, at this moment, all Barcelona supporters were celebrating with champagne, already looking ahead to their Champions League final opponent.

They already had one foot in the Champions League final.

In the changing room, Messi, Suárez, Piqué, Xavi, and others looked relaxed, chatting and laughing about the recent match.

In contrast, in the home team’s changing room, the entire Bayer Leverkusen team was in low spirits, with no one speaking up.

Among the crestfallen Bayer Leverkusen players, only Lance’s eyes still held a glimmer of light.

”Rage Value: 85%”

”Tiger Shot (3/4)”

The ultimate moves of both templates were almost fully charged, Lance still had a trump card!

”It’s time to sound the horn of counterattack!”