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"There isn't much time left for Bayer Leverkusen!"
He Wei uttered that line which gives domestic fans PTSD.
Against the Red Devils, Manchester United, Bayer Leverkusen's midfield and defense were in rather ordinary form today.
Perhaps affected by the intense schedule of two matches a week, or perhaps due to a lack of Champions League experience, it felt like these players' performance in the Champions League wasn't as stable as in the Bundesliga.
Only 16-year-old Lance and Son Heung-min on the left, two Asian-faced stars, were still trying their best.
Manchester United had dragged the 2-1 score to the 85th minute, and Bayer Leverkusen's chances of equalizing or even taking the lead were quickly slipping away!
Lance knew that everyone actually wasn't under much pressure.
The management didn't have high hopes for this Champions League campaign, so they hadn't given any specific combat missions.
As long as they could qualify from the group stage, both the club and the fans would be satisfied.
Losing to Manchester United, at worst they'd just finish second in the group…
But Lance didn't think so!
There was still time, why not strive for victory?
Wouldn't it be better to qualify as group winners?
Even though his stamina was gradually depleting, Lance still ran and pressed frantically on the field, trying to create an opportunity.
Lance's performance also made Sascha Lewandowski reluctant to substitute him.
In a state of low morale, perhaps Lance still maintained a certain possibility!
Thinking of this, Sascha made a substitution.
He had already used two substitutions, replacing players in the midfield and defense who were running out of stamina, and then brought on Eren Derdiyok, who was tall, strong, and good at being a pivot, replacing Stefan Kießling.
Finally, Sascha decided to take a gamble, replacing the underperforming right winger Robbie Kruse with Julian Brandt.
Like a golden retriever, he sprinted onto the field and immediately found Lance.
"Lance, Sascha said to conserve your energy, don't defend anymore, leave the defending to us."
"Then what about me?"
"You're responsible for finishing, we'll all set you up!"
Julian Brandt was on the left, Son Heung-min on the right, and Eren Derdiyok served as a pivot for support.
The three attacking players had only one tactical objective: create opportunities for Lance!
His teammates were willing to pass the ball to him.
Lance had proven himself worthy of trust in these past few matches!
"Julian Brandt has been very active since coming on, attempting to break through on the left with his speed."
"It's difficult for Bayer Leverkusen to break through Manchester United's blockade in the middle, but they can still open a gap on the wings."
Seeing that the time had already reached the 87th minute, He Wei couldn't help but feel anxious for Bayer Leverkusen.
Manchester United had started to turtle, actively retreating and setting up a tight defense near the penalty area.
Many Bayer Leverkusen fans, seeing this, inevitably felt despair.
But Lance saw an opportunity in it!
The team finally had a chance to control the ball and launch an attack! As long as they had possession, it meant possibility!
"Rage Value: 100%"
With full rage maintained for some time, Lance was not in a hurry to activate his full potential.
He had been looking for the right moment for a fatal blow!
"Bayer Leverkusen's midfield gains possession, Simon Rolfes, Lars Bender, Lance's active retreat!"
Given that Marouane Fellaini was always marking him closely, Lance decided to take him on!
With his teammates controlling the ball in the center circle, he quickly moved forward to receive it.
Marouane Fellaini subconsciously stuck close to Lance, and seeing that the kid was about to receive the ball, Marouane Fellaini intended to use his old trick again, pulling his jersey to stop his movement.
But this time, Marouane Fellaini underestimated Lance!
"Beautiful!! That ball was too imaginative!"
The moment he received the ball with his back to goal, Lance feigned a right-footed stop, then suddenly stepped over! With his left foot, he back-heeled a pass diagonally to the left!
Without turning to observe, he passed purely by feel!
This ball completely caught Marouane Fellaini off guard; he didn't interfere immediately, and Lance had already moved it away!
Julian Brandt on the left showed great chemistry, rushing forward to receive the ball, and before Rafael da Silva could press, he swept it across with his left foot!
Lance had already turned and surged forward! Successfully receiving the ball!
This was the result of the two of them often staying behind for extra practice!
Sweating countless times on the training ground, Julian Brandt knew Lance's passing and running habits with his eyes closed!
Bayer Leverkusen's attack continued!
Lance received the ball and immediately passed it to Son Heung-min on the right!
"Mirror Learning" has cooled down!
Lance mimicked Wayne Rooney with this pass, delivering a exquisite through ball with his passing technique!
It instantly penetrated Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans' two defensive lines, and Son Heung-min on the right overtook Patrice Evra, surging directly into Manchester United's ribs!
"Oh wow!!! Beautiful! Beautiful!"
Zhang Zhidao almost fainted from excitement.
Lance's handling of these few touches was simply comparable to a midfield maestro!
His technique, speed, awareness, and passing ability were all maxed out!
Manchester United's defense was in immediate distress!
Lance's pass was so comfortable, Son Heung-min had already dribbled diagonally into the penalty area!
Marouane Fellaini knew he had made another mistake, failing to contain that kid immediately.
Just as he was about to charge forward and pull his jersey to slow down his support speed, Lance suddenly picked up speed, activating a nitro boost, instantly creating a two-body-length gap!
"WTF?"
Marouane Fellaini was completely stunned.
"Rage Value: 100%"
S-rank template fully activated!
Speed, stamina, and technique all comprehensively boosted!
Lance transformed into a white lightning bolt, charging into the penalty area!
At this moment, Son Heung-min had already reached the byline, and while fending off Evans' defense, he sent a chipped pass with his right foot, finding Eren Derdiyok's head!
However, Eren Derdiyok was trying to block Phil Jones for position, so it was difficult for him to head the ball towards goal with his back to it.
Seeing Lance rush in, Eren Derdiyok didn't care anymore and immediately headed the ball back to Lance!
"Kid, I'm counting on you!"
"Not good!"
Manchester United's midfield general Michael Carrick's heart tightened, and he quickly changed direction, charging straight at Lance!
Colliding with him in an 'Iron Mountain Lean' posture would surely prevent the kid from receiving the ball.
Never mind if it's a foul, at least it can disrupt his shot!
"Oh no! Lance's gone up!"
He Wei was a bit nervous; this ball wasn't easy to deal with!
The Bayer Leverkusen fans at the stadium didn't dare to watch; Lance was probably going to take a heavy hit.
David Moyes stared intently at the field, his fists clenched tightly.
"Hit him! Hit him!!"
Lance, facing the header back, originally intended to volley it directly with his right foot.
Just an instant before the two collided, he suddenly sensed the attack whistling through the air, and his already raised right foot, which was meant for shooting, incredibly pulled the ball back at extreme range!
Then, using his left foot as an axis, he turned to avoid Michael Carrick!
"What?"
"Impossible!!!"
The surrounding Manchester United players' pupils constricted simultaneously!!
Lance's quick counter, calm handling, and exquisite footwork simply subverted their understanding!
What kind of monster was this 16-year-old guy?
He was already in the opponent's penalty area, and he was still showing off?!
"Is he going to turn and shoot?"
The talented goalkeeper David de Gea was already prepared to face Lance's shot after turning.
He had conceded one goal in the first half, and he absolutely would not allow himself to concede a second!
But the next second, David de Gea was stunned!
Lance didn't fully turn and shoot, but rather, just as he turned to avoid Michael Carrick, with his back to the goal, his ankle, gripping the ball, gently flicked it upwards, and with a back-heel kick, he delivered a fatal blow!
Bang—
David de Gea didn't even have time to react, his vision blurred!
The ball had already scraped the post and shot into the goal!!
"Jesus!! What the fuck?"
"Lance!! Whoa oh oh oh oh!"
He Wei's eyes nearly popped out, he had never seen anyone score such a dazzling and audacious goal when the match was about to end and their team was trailing!
Every time he thought Lance was amazing enough, he could still open people's eyes!
"The ball is in!!"
"In the 88th minute of the match, Lance helps Bayer Leverkusen equalize away from home!"
"2-2!!"
"Manchester United's fighting spirit is certainly tenacious, but Bayer Leverkusen in despair, Lance in despair, is no less tenacious!"