"Oh?"
When Lance replaced Andrés Guardado, De Bruyne couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Did the Bayer Leverkusen coaches really consider this kid a substitute marvel?
In the DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga Round 4, Lance came on as a substitute twice and scored in both appearances.
But he was only 16 years old, and usually, to protect young players, they tried to avoid him playing too much.
De Bruyne knew very well that after Lance won the MVP in the previous round, he had already been thoroughly scouted by various club coaching staffs.
VfL Wolfsburg's head coach, Dieter Hecking, made a detailed assessment of Lance:
"...Next, I want to emphasize one point, regarding the substitute players who might play for Bayer Leverkusen..."
"Remember this player, Lance, you must pay attention to him!"
Dieter Hecking drew 3 exclamation marks on the tactical whiteboard!!!
It was clear he didn't underestimate him because of his age.
"MVP, do you think it was luck? No!"
"Just looking at his two touches in the front field, even Lionel Messi would find it hard to control the ball as perfectly as him."
"He can create terrifying threats in the tight spaces of the penalty area just by utilizing his ball control advantage."
"Good news, no matter how talented such a young player is, he has a huge weakness! Guess what it is?"
In the VfL Wolfsburg tactical meeting room, defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo raised his hand like a primary school student and spoke:
"Physicality!"
"That's right! His physical confrontation is a weakness; in previous games, he was at a disadvantage in at least 7 physical duels."
"So, as soon as he has a chance to get the ball, immediately challenge him physically, push him off his position, and force him to be unable to control the ball."
As long as Lance failed to handle his first touch well, he would also lose the space to dribble and threaten.
Without advantages in speed, passing, or long-range shooting, Lance would completely lose his threat.
"Try to push him outside the penalty area as much as possible, foul him if you can!"
"I believe with our special attention, this kid will learn a valuable lesson..."
At that time, the VfL Wolfsburg players were all smiling happily, but De Bruyne couldn't smile.
What if his younger brother's confidence was affected by his own teammates targeting him like this?
However... since he chose the path of a professional player, failure was inevitable.
He hoped today's failure would allow Lance to gain some experience and calm him down.
If he dedicated himself to training for 3 years before emerging, Lance would definitely become a world-class superstar.
"But not now!"
De Bruyne looked at Lance; he had already decided to help his younger brother quickly recognize reality—football was a cruel sport!
However, Lance seemed completely unfazed; seeing De Bruyne look over, he even waved.
"Sigh, I really don't want to do this."
De Bruyne felt a little cruel.
No time for pleasantries!
Looking at the clock on the field, the VfL Wolfsburg players spent a lot of time celebrating, plus the substitution.
It was already unknowingly the 86th minute!
Only 4 minutes left to equalize!
Lance was just about to run into position to receive the ball, but before he could even start, he was heavily bumped and stumbled, almost falling.
He turned his head and saw the dark-skinned, strong midfielder Luiz Gustavo with an apologetic look.
"Sorry, it wasn't intentional."
"I don't believe you!"
Luiz Gustavo was definitely intentional.
His purpose was nothing more than to give himself a warning, indicating that he would be given special attention by the opponent from now on.
Sure enough,
Bayer Leverkusen launched an attack, and VfL Wolfsburg retreated to their penalty area, waiting for a counterattack.
Lance took Son Heung-min's position, playing as a No. 10 forward, while Son Heung-min moved to the left wing.
Simon Rolfes tried to find Son Heung-min with a through ball, but Son Heung-min had no space to break through. He observed the center and decisively passed to Lance!
He had enough trust in Lance's ball control!
As the ball was about to arrive, Luiz Gustavo behind him again made physical contact, trying to push Lance out of position.
[Rage Value: 48%]
Two consecutive collisions caused his rage to surge.
Lance had already noticed Luiz Gustavo's movements, adjusted his position, and was pushed forward a few steps, getting to the ball first.
"No way!"
Another defensive midfielder, Maximilian Arnold, quickly closed in, and together with Luiz Gustavo, they blocked Lance's breakthrough route.
"Not good!!"
Bayer Leverkusen teammates exclaimed, thinking the ball would be intercepted, and quickly turned to track back.
Lance didn't give up, gritting his teeth and sprinting forward a step, touching the ball early!
At the moment of contact, his toe lifted to the extreme, and the ball was gently flicked, like a spirit, around Maximilian Arnold!
"What?!"
Luiz Gustavo was slightly stunned. Lance didn't let the ball drop, hooked his ankle, and chipped the ball again!
The ball went over Luiz Gustavo's left side, and Lance went over his right side!
Just outside the penalty area, Lance's perfect first touch + continuous chips to bypass two defenders, breaking through the defense in an instant, 1v2!
"An elegant and spectacular performance!! From Lance!"
"Inside the penalty area line, he still hasn't let the ball drop!"
The commentator secretly praised, full of anticipation!
Could it be...
"Impossible!"
VfL Wolfsburg's main center-back Naldo came forward to defend, blocking Lance's path.
At the critical moment, Lance cleverly flicked the ball with his right instep before it landed.
The ball narrowly threaded the needle, successfully nutmegging Naldo!
Lance in the front field, 1 against 3! He dribbled past 3 players in a row!
Even De Bruyne was stunned!
After a long time, his younger brother Lance had grown into something he couldn't understand!
Three consecutive perfect touches were simply unlike a professional player!
More like a magician's brilliant performance!
[Rage Value: 65%]
After getting past Naldo, Lance only had goalkeeper Diego Benaglio in front of him!
With a 65% Rage Value, his boosted shooting level was at most 65%!
Lance still decided to take a shot!
His teammates were tightly marked; when he needed to step up, he had to step up!
Facing the charging goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, Lance showed no hesitation!
A powerful shot!
This shot was filled with the sweat of countless training sessions, day after day!
Unfortunately, luck was slightly against him; it hit the post.
Fortunately, Stefan Kießling arrived just in time and scored on the rebound!
"Stefan Kießling—the ball is in!!"
"Youngster Lance also deserves immense credit!"
"Lance—for two consecutive rounds, he has played a crucial role!"
"Like De Bruyne, both young talents from KRC Genk have brought valuable points to their respective teams today!"
"The continuous chip-dribbles outside the box just now were simply perfect!"
"The score has been changed by Lance, and both teams are now on equal footing!"
2-2, seemingly a signal for a handshake and a draw.
But the battle-hardened Lance and De Bruyne clearly had no intention of holding back.
Suddenly, instigated by both sides, Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg simultaneously launched fierce attacks into each other's territory!
"An attacking battle in the last 10 minutes? This is getting interesting!"
[Rage Value: 82%]
[Rage Value: 86%]
[Rage Value: 92%]
Finally, right up to stoppage time, De Bruyne tried to deliver a deadly threat, but unfortunately, his teammates were low on stamina and found it difficult to create dangerous attacks.
Lance, however, was caught in a struggle with Luiz Gustavo and Naldo.
The opponents were clearly trying to wear him down physically.
But Lance wasn't flustered at all; he was just waiting for an opportunity!
In the 93:42 mark of stoppage time, the 4 minutes of added time were about to end. The referee already had the whistle in his mouth, ready to blow, and glanced at his watch.
Bayer Leverkusen's last dance, Son Heung-min dribbled from the left, looking for an opportunity.
He feigned a right-footed push to change direction, then suddenly stepped over the ball, pushed it with his left foot to go outside, creating a breakthrough!!
"Siba!!"
With a fierce desire for victory, Son Heung-min roared as he burst from the touchline into the box, glancing at the center, where a figure was rapidly making a run!
"Please! This ball, you must score it!"
Bang—
A low, half-volley shot zipped across the penalty area!
"Lance!!!"
De Bruyne noticed his younger brother's intelligent run into a dangerous position!
He had already set himself up for a volley!
Fortunately, main center-back Naldo remained vigilant and stayed close to Lance.
"It should be fine, right?"
Naldo, disregarding the risk of a foul and a penalty, charged with his upper body like a bull, already knocking Lance off balance, making it impossible for him to shoot.
Whew...
"That was close... What?!!"
De Bruyne was about to breathe a sigh of relief.
But then, Lance's leg swing wasn't a volley after all!
At the moment he lost his balance, his right-footed shooting motion miraculously transformed into a perfect first touch!
He trapped the ball with his ankle, gently flicking it upwards—
In the flash of lightning as he lost his balance and fell, he managed to perform such an impossible maneuver!
Immediately after!
"This..."
De Bruyne was aghast!
Everyone around him was petrified!
As Lance fell to his left side, he used a breakdance-like trick, supporting himself with one hand and spinning!
[Rage Value: 100%]
"Hey!"
A victorious smile spread across Lance's lips.
Bicycle kick!
Bang!!!
Swish—
When everyone in the stadium came back to their senses, the ball had already nestled into the top corner, blasting into the net!
The BayArena scoreboard mercilessly updated!
3-2!
A last-second winner!