Heavy breathing, a chest about to burst.
This was Lance's first real match with the first team in his professional career!
Even though it was just a warm-up match.
Before this, whether it was KRC Genk or Bayern U18, Lance could only play against youth academy players.
The 22 players on the field were all children whose bodies had not fully developed, so Lance did not feel much pressure.
It wasn't until today that he understood a problem.
Why do most players only join the first team after 18 years old?
Why, when technical and tactical levels are similar, are there rarely players under 17 appearing in top league matches?
Any player under 17 who appears is bound to be a genius famous throughout Europe.
Today's warm-up match was against SC Freiburg.
Pre-season warm-up matches usually have no substitution limits; typically, starting players play 45 minutes in the first half.
At halftime, all 11 players can be rotated, allowing substitutes to get a feel for the game.
Lance was substituted on in the 68th minute.
At that time, Bayer Leverkusen and SC Freiburg were tied 2-2, and both sides were playing very intensely.
The outcome of a warm-up match is meaningless; it's more for evaluating players and testing tactics.
But losing is always unpleasant.
After Lance came on, he felt the intensity of a top league first team.
Just as he was about to receive the ball, he was collided with by a tough SC Freiburg defender and almost flew out.
His 16-year-old body was at a huge disadvantage!
"Tsk tsk tsk."
After squeezing Lance out of position to clear the ball, the defender disdainfully glanced at Lance.
However, the referee quickly blew the whistle; the defender had used his hands and committed a pushing foul.
Lance's Bayer Leverkusen teammates were very supportive, rushing over to back him up.
"What are you doing? Want to fight?"
"You damn it!"
"Hey! Bastard!"
Seeing so many people rush over, the defender immediately backed down, muttering curses.
"Lance, are you okay?"
"That guy really deserves a beating. If he dares to touch you again, we'll teach him a lesson!"
Rolfes acted like a reliable big brother, trying his best to protect the only underage player on the team.
"Thanks, Simon, I'm fine."
"Come on! Believe in your skills, you've got this!"
After more than a month of training, Simon Rolfes was increasingly amazed by Lance's ball control.
He could always stop the ball in an unscientific way and unexpectedly complete shots or crucial passes.
Rolfes had a premonition that this young man with an East Asian face was definitely a treasure Bayer Leverkusen had unearthed this year.
Perhaps he would become the cornerstone of Bayer Leverkusen's rise in the future!
He was very willing to help Lance.
However, Lance was not a child hiding behind his teammates; he was a sharp blade capable of posing a threat!
In the 77th minute, Lance finally found an opportunity.
SC Freiburg's attack was collected by the goalkeeper, and the starting goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, launched a long kick to the front.
The ball was too powerful, and it looked like it would fly into the opponent's penalty area, a wasted possession.
Almost the entire Bayer Leverkusen team gave up on offense, preparing to fall back and defend.
However, a figure in a black jersey bravely rushed towards the opponent's penalty area!
"Lance!"
"What is he doing?"
"So reckless?"
Lance actually intended to face the entire defense alone?
That's very difficult!
A 16-year-old player pressing high, SC Freiburg didn't pay much attention.
Just now, the number 5 center-back went to contest the ball, and everyone else had already spread out, preparing to attack.
The center-back also relaxed his guard; he didn't head the ball clear immediately but intended to wait for the ball to land and try a short pass to a teammate.
This would allow them to launch an attack more quickly.
As the soccer ball bounced off the ground, the center-back was about to control it.
Suddenly, a foot stretched out, skillfully hooking the ball away!
"What?!"
He actually snatched it?
It was the 16-year-old kid he almost collided with earlier!
The center-back immediately blocked Lance, preventing him from turning and breaking through.
But the next second, Lance actually flicked the ball up with his heel and ducked under from the other side!
[Rage Value 65%]
Nutmeg!
The center-back didn't even see the ball clearly; he was completely beaten, completely outplayed by Lance!
"Damn it! This guy!"
"Stop him!"
The SC Freiburg defenders panicked, and another center-back, 195cm tall, stepped forward, preparing to challenge physically.
Lance's small frame definitely wouldn't be able to push through.
Who would have thought that the young man with the East Asian face would, before the ball landed, flick the ball up with his toe again, and at the same time, use the defender as an axis to complete a turn and dribble past him!
He had no intention of engaging physically!
Lance simply overwhelmed them with his technique!
"Beautiful!"
"Awesome!"
"OMG!"
Teammates on the bench and some warm-up match spectators were thrilled!
Lance's performance was truly outstanding!
[Rage Value 85%]
"Damn it! Stop showing off!"
The last full-back was enraged, making an unreasonable flying tackle, intending to keep Lance outside the penalty area.
The ball or the person, one must stay!
"Be careful!"
"Watch out!"
Teammates exclaimed.
If Lance were to be tackled, he would most likely get injured!
It would be too much of a loss for a 16-year-old to get injured, and in a meaningless warm-up match!
Teammates were all holding their breath for Lance.
Coach Sascha and Coach Hyypiä's hearts were in their throats.
At the crucial moment, Lance noticed the flying tackle from the side, and his entire being quickly entered a mysterious state.
Everything around him slowed down; his breathing and heartbeat were exceptionally steady.
Under the effect of the [Nagi Seishiro] template, Lance was calmer than ever before!
The fierce flying tackle seemed to be in slow motion, allowing Lance to calmly stop and pull the ball, move around the tackle's range, and at the same time, gently lift the ball with both feet!
At that moment, the entire warm-up match venue instantly erupted!
Lance actually used a rainbow flick to evade a fatal flying tackle! Leaping over the defender!
[Rage Value 100%!]
The moment he landed, Lance drew his bow and aimed his arrow!
Unleashing a fierce volley—
"No way?"
"Ah?!"
Lance's actions had already stunned his teammates.
Did he really pull it off?
Single-handedly dribbling past 3 players, tearing through SC Freiburg's entire defense!
Lance even took a volley shot, unleashing a beautiful blast!
Bang—
The soccer ball turned into a meteor, plunging into the net!
3-2!
Bayer Leverkusen completed the comeback!
"Oh oh oh oh!"
"OHHHHHH—"
"Goooal!"
"So cool!"
Bayer Leverkusen teammates excitedly rushed towards Lance, surrounding him in a hug.
This felt less like a warm-up match and more like a Champions League final.
Lance himself didn't feel anything special, but his teammates were going crazy, completely hyped up.
Only from an outsider's perspective could one feel the excitement and tension this goal brought.
Everyone was initially worried about Lance, who knew this kid would actually blow past the entire opposing defense?
Too much of a show-off!
On the bench, Son Heung-min, who had been substituted off, was just drinking water.
Lance's incredible display almost made him choke on his water.
"Cough cough cough... So strong?"
"Looks like I was narrow-minded before?"
Son Heung-min was somewhat questioning reality.
The two coaches were also discussing Lance's performance.
"How about it, my judgment wasn't wrong, was it?"
Hyypiä was very proud.
Coach Sascha Lewandowski had to admit that this kid indeed had talent.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it directly, so he just lifted his head arrogantly.
"It's just a warm-up match, it doesn't count for much."
"Then you still have to give him a chance."
"Alright, he'll get playing time later, as long as he can maintain this form."
Sascha Lewandowski was also very curious.
When it comes to an official match, can Lance still be so stunning?