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Lance felt he had made a grave mistake.
He relied too much on his prophetic dreams, judging opponents based on the impressions from his visions, and in doing so, he overlooked their current form.
In his mind, Manchester United in the "post-Ferguson era" was a team everyone picked on, and David Moyes was quietly dismissed before the season even ended.
Ultimately, Manchester United fell out of the top 4 for the first time in over 20 years, finishing a humiliating 7th in the Premier League.
After that, they continued to hit new lows, devolving from a Premier League giant into a Premier League laughingstock.
Therefore, Lance was not overly cautious at the start of the match.
The goal conceded was not his fault; none of his teammates expected Wayne Rooney to deliver a sublime long pass from 50 meters in his own half.
Robin van Persie then struck a wonder goal with a direct volley from outside the box.
When Rooney and Robin van Persie were in peak form, anyone would suffer.
But Lance was still consumed by self-blame.
He clearly had an opportunity to rush forward earlier to assist in defending Rooney and prevent his long pass.
"It's alright, brothers, we're only one goal down!"
"Let's push harder, we'll equalize!"
The Manchester United players were celebrating together, while Bayer Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes and vice-captain Lars Bender were encouraging their teammates.
Both of them are tough guys with extremely strong mental attributes, and under their encouragement, the Bayer Leverkusen teammates were not overly dejected.
As the saying goes, 1-0 is the most precarious score.
It wasn't the end of the world for Bayer Leverkusen.
"That's right!! Let's push harder! Equalize!"
Lance's confidence reignited, and he shouted along with his teammates.
He hardened.
His fists hardened!
Manchester United's strength was a good thing; it was a perfect opportunity to test his ability in tough matches.
Only by facing world-class giants can one truly transform into a world-class superstar!
...
The match resumed, and Bayer Leverkusen, trailing 1-0, did not rush forward impatiently; they still played steadily, actively ceding possession to Manchester United and defending deep to counter-attack.
This indeed surprised David Moyes.
"I thought they would push up."
"After all, they are a strong Bundesliga team; they won't be easy to deal with today."
Manchester United's Class of '92 veteran, Ryan Giggs, who was essentially semi-retired, began chatting with Moyes.
Bayer Leverkusen's displayed resilience made them unable to relax either.
"That kid you mentioned, I haven't seen much from him yet. I think we can let Marouane Fellaini push up and compete more for headers."
Moyes was slightly impatient.
As Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, the burden on his shoulders was too heavy.
They had to finish first in the group stage; otherwise, the England media would surely scrutinize them with a magnifying glass.
"No, Marouane Fellaini still needs to stay back and mark him. I always feel this Asian kid is very tricky."
Giggs's sharp gaze remained fixed on Lance.
He vaguely felt that this 16-year-old might become a key figure.
...
On the field, Lance felt the pressure from a strong team.
The 194cm tall Marouane Fellaini, with his bushy hair, constantly stayed by his side, likely under strict tactical instructions to restrict him in front of the box.
The match had been played for 30 minutes, and the score was still 1-0.
Bayer Leverkusen temporarily couldn't find many good counter-attacking opportunities.
Every time they tried to pass to Lance, there was always a Marouane Fellaini interfering.
Manchester United's other players also tightly blocked the routes for ground passes.
Lance didn't have many chances to touch the ball.
On the few occasions he did receive the ball, Marouane Fellaini constantly used his physical advantage to challenge him, and Lance's slightly slender frame was easily pushed aside by him.
This forced Lance to temporarily pass the ball back to his teammates.
Seeing that Manchester United currently had the advantage, Marouane Fellaini played very relaxed and even had the mood to trash talk with Lance.
"Lance, I heard you're going to join the Belgium team?"
News that the Belgium Football Association was about to call up a 16-year-old Chinese-Belgian player spread quickly today.
Marouane Fellaini and Kevin De Bruyne, being good friends in the national team, naturally knew about this.
"What about it?"
"Your body is so weak; you won't be able to handle it in the national team. Try to gain experience in the youth team for a few years."
Are you serious, buddy?
Mind your own business!
"Marouane."
"What is it?" Marouane Fellaini wore a smug smile.
"If we become teammates then, don't you dare hold me back."
"What?"
Marouane Fellaini's smile froze.
Before he could react, Bayer Leverkusen's defense had already gained possession, and Lars Bender immediately sent a through ball down the middle!
A perfect counter-attacking opportunity; he trusted Lance's handling!
Lance's words temporarily froze Marouane Fellaini, allowing him to get ahead and meet the ball.
Marouane Fellaini's heart tightened, and he quickly followed up, intending to challenge Lance.
But as soon as he got close, Lance's figure flashed, and he ghosted around from the side.
Marouane Fellaini instinctively looked down for the ball...
"WTF? Where's the ball?!"
Onlookers, however, saw it clearly, and gasps erupted from the stands at Old Trafford.
Commentator He Wei also applauded enthusiastically:
"Lance!! An elegant and artistic dribble!"
It was then seen that Lance, facing the bouncing ball, made no superfluous movements at all.
With a clever flick of his heel, he controlled and nutmegged Marouane Fellaini in one fluid motion, then turned and dribbled past him!
The tall Marouane Fellaini didn't even touch him, being easily played like a wooden stake!
"Lance, dribbling into the attacking third, Son Heung-min is very fast! Good!"
"Oh! That's a good shot, that's how it should be done!"
Lance's clear thinking earned Zhang Zhidao's endless praise.
The old man loved to see attacks into space behind the defense, and Manchester United's right-back Rafael da Silva had pushed too far forward, allowing Lance to seize the opportunity!
Son Heung-min surged forward, receiving the ball on the left and heading straight for the box!
Inside the Manchester United box, there were only two center-backs, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, nervously preparing to intercept.
Facing Phil Jones, Son Heung-min was very calm, slowing down slightly to observe his opponent's movement.
He then used a change of pace to suddenly accelerate and break to the outside!
"Oh no!"
Phil Jones was faked out; by the time he tried to follow up, it was already too late, and Son Heung-min bypassed him!
Manchester United fans' hearts were in their throats!
However, Son Heung-min was slightly nervous in that moment, and his dribble went a bit too far, seemingly heading straight for the byline.
Fortunately, he recovered it in time, but he was already caught in a pincer movement by Michael Carrick and Phil Jones.
"Damn it!" Son Heung-min cursed himself; his path forward was blocked at this point.
He glanced towards the center with his peripheral vision and saw a white figure rapidly surging forward.
"Please!"
Son Heung-min pulled the ball back, sending a reverse pass to the edge of the box.
Seeing who received the ball, Manchester United fans' hearts felt like a drop tower ride, having just relaxed only to plummet to the bottom again!
"Lance!! Receiving the pass back from Son Heung-min!"
He Wei couldn't help but have a thought, could it be...
Bayer Leverkusen had been suppressed for over 30 minutes; this might be their best chance of the entire match.
Lance didn't want to give up easily!
Jonny Evans was interfering nearby, and Marouane Fellaini was chasing back, eyeing him menacingly.
If he tried to control the ball, he could easily be pushed aside by their physical advantage.
Even with Perfect Ball Control, it would waste an extra 1-2 precious seconds.
[Rage Value: 47%]
At this moment, there was no opportunity to unlock the full power of the S-rank template; a rash shot might not get past David de Gea's hands.
In front of the goal was David de Gea in his prime!
It would be great if he could just volley it directly with his left foot.
Lance's left foot was his weaker foot, and with less than 100% rage, his shooting accuracy wasn't high... Wait!
In the nick of time, Lance suddenly remembered his new skill!
Template: Nagi Seishiro - S (Fusion Value 78%)
Skills: Perfect Ball Control
Skills: Hardcore Shot
Skills: Mirror Learning
Rage Value: 47%
Mirror Learning!
[Mirror Learning: When triggered, it can instantly lock onto and analyze any player on the field, allowing the user to temporarily use that player's abilities. This learning effect is not permanently mastered.]
If that's the case, what's there to hesitate about?
Robin van Persie, you're the one!
That's right, just 2 minutes into the game, Robin van Persie's left-footed volley was stunning.
Then I will return the favor, using his own methods against him!
Under the astonished gaze of everyone in the stadium, Lance unexpectedly lifted his left foot and volleyed it from outside the box!
"Lance!! He's going for it himself!!"
Amidst He Wei's hoarse shouts, Lance's left-footed shot became a cannonball, powerfully piercing through David de Gea's wall, and slammed into the net!
"That's a goal!! The Miracle Boy Lance continues to write miracles!"
"The Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford, has been breached by this young player!"
"Bayer Leverkusen 1-1! A powerful equalizer!"