Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
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Things didn't go as Lance expected; he was happy for nothing. But it wasn't without harvest.
Defeating the peak Real Madrid certainly seemed difficult, so much so that after the victory, the system additionally awarded some fusion value. Before the match, Lance saw the fusion value was 83%.
For a crucial Champions League battle, it usually increases by 1 point, so it should have been 84%. However, facing the immense pressure from Real Madrid, the fusion value surged to 88%!
After the match, an additional 2 points were added. Looking at the system again now, the fusion value is 90%!
"Good heavens, this increase is comparable to the World Cup instances!"
Lance secretly marvelled. It was a pity, though, that the mysterious feeling from before didn't appear, as if it didn't exist.
But Lance always had a premonition that if this wave of fusion value increased to 100%, and after awakening the third template, the system should, as usual, undergo an update.
The updated system might have some extra features. Lance often browsed the internet, sometimes reading web novels to de-stress during training breaks.
Not long ago, he read some so-called "system novels," where these systems would always produce some unexpected surprises when giving rewards. Lance thought that if his system was sensible and as competitive as the systems in novels, it might also be giving him surprises!
"Real Madrid Suffers Double Defeat to Bayer Leverkusen 1-2, Group Top Spot Goes to Bundesliga Powerhouse"
"Lance's Two Goals End Bernabéu Suspense, Cristiano Ronaldo Unable to Save His Team..." — Marca
"Bayer Leverkusen Conquers Bernabéu! Five Wins in Five Matches Secure First Place in Group of Death!"
"Lance Leads Champions League Goal Scorers with 9 Goals, the So-Called Sophomore Slump Does Not Exist, the New Season is Lance 2.0 Evolved Version! He Might Help Bayer Leverkusen Replicate Last Season's Dark Horse Miracle..." — Bild
"[Champions League Report] Bayer Leverkusen Comes from Behind to Beat Real Madrid 2-1 Away, Securing Top Spot in Group C with a Match to Spare" — Kicker
"Real Madrid's Home Ground Falls! Ancelotti's Tactics Countered by Bayer Leverkusen's Efficient Counterattacks! Chinese Youngster Steps Over Cristiano Ronaldo to Become Group Leader!" — Mundo Deportivo
The result of the crucial match once again sent shockwaves through European football. As the previous Champions League runner-up, Real Madrid was still widely considered the strongest team, hailed as the biggest favourite to win the 2014-2015 season, hoping to make up for last year's Champions League Final disappointment.
As for Bayer Leverkusen, they had brought in a bunch of "unknown" defenders, and their fighting strength was questionable. Real Madrid's performance indeed showed dominance, making people fearful.
Barcelona's mouthpiece, Mundo Deportivo, had published many articles analysing Real Madrid before the match, pointing out that Real Madrid was Barcelona's biggest enemy for the championship, a strong contender for the Champions League title.
If Barcelona wanted to win in the 2014-2015 season, the only thing they needed to worry about was Real Madrid. Even their arch-rivals were hyping Real Madrid as an invincible armada, so it's imaginable that all of Europe was watching how Real Madrid would crush Bayer Leverkusen at home.
They had a 100% home win rate this season! They maintained a clean sheet record at home!
Their first-leg loss to Bayer Leverkusen was called "carelessness" by the Madrid media. Even Bayer Leverkusen's own fans were worried, as their recent form had been somewhat inconsistent.
And their defence hadn't fully gelled. Could they really defeat Real Madrid?
The match process proved that Real Madrid was indeed very strong. But the result proved — Lance was stronger!
The concept of "Cristiano Ronaldo's Nemesis" also gradually emerged. Originally, he was eliminated by Real Madrid last season, but Lance eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo in the World Cup, and then completed a double kill in the Champions League group stage.
Facing a team Lance was on, Cristiano Ronaldo truly seemed to struggle to win. As a result, Lance completely became the "number one enemy" of Cristiano Ronaldo's fans, on foreign online forums, Twitter, and other online communities.
Especially amongst Cristiano Ronaldo's fan base, Lance's image was comparable to the little moustache of World War II, or Harry Potter's Voldemort.
"This person is so annoying!"
"How can he win?"
"This match was unfair! Many of Bayer Leverkusen's fouls weren't called! Our Ronaldo was theoretically denied at least 2 penalties!"
"That goal which Lance scored... wasn't it offside?"
"It should have been offside, right? The referee didn't even blow the whistle for that?"
"And his tackle in the first half, by rights, should have warranted a card, right? At least a yellow, even a red would be acceptable."
The next day, Lance returned to Bayer Leverkusen with the team from Madrid, to continue preparing for the upcoming league matches, and the future showdowns with Bayern Munich in a few rounds. Spanish reporters even chased them to the base entrance.
Driving his Lamborghini out of the base, Lance routinely signed autographs for fans. After signing an autograph and taking a photo with a international student, he was suddenly stopped by a reporter speaking with a Spanish accent.
"Madrid media?"
"Yes, I'm Gonzalo, a reporter from Marca. Can I have a quick interview?"
"Go ahead."
Lance already sensed that the visitor had ill intentions, but still responded in Spanish.
"Oh?" Hearing Lance's fluent Spanish, the reporter was also a bit surprised.
"It's mainly about the last Champions League group stage match; there's been some public opinion generated in Spain."
"Regarding your tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo, do you personally believe it was a foul?"
"Also, what are your thoughts on the referee's officiating standards?"
"Objectively speaking, should Real Madrid have been awarded at least one penalty?"
"Are you sure you're asking me?"
Lance was amused by him. Are Marca reporters so obsessed? It's one thing for their own fans to get carried away, but to specifically interview the opponent, even chasing them all the way to Germany.
Are they that idle?
"First of all, the referee's decisions are his own to consider. What's the point of asking me?"
"If there's really an issue, go appeal to UEFA. Please handle it through proper channels."
"Also, for those of you who haven't watched the match, I suggest you watch the replay. Whether my tackle was a foul or not is very clear to any discerning person."
"To clarify, there's something called slow-motion. Camera technology is so advanced now, you can see it from different angles."
"Similarly, if a penalty wasn't awarded, it means there was no foul."
"The match is over. Regardless, we are the winners. If you're so confident, try to defeat us in the knockout stage."
"Otherwise, researching these things after the match just makes it seem like you're a sore loser."
Lance didn't hold back with the reporter, making the Spanish reporter flush with embarrassment on the spot. There were also some German reporters around, watching the spectacle.
After understanding their conversation, the German reporters couldn't help but applaud Lance's retort, whilst also giving the Spaniard an unfriendly look. Seeing the situation turn sour, Marca reporter Gonzalo quickly made an awkward departure.
Lance rolled up his window and stepped on the accelerator. The Lamborghini roared away amidst a furious engine sound.
The next day, when he arrived at the cafeteria, De Bruyne and Son Heung-min didn't even bother getting food, rushing over with their phones.
"Aren't you two eating?"
"Never mind eating, Lance, look at this."
Seeing how excited they both were, Lance was quite curious. Then he took a closer look, good heavens.
The debate about the Real Madrid match had not only not subsided, but had become the number one trending topic on Twitter.
#LanceInterview
His interview keyword was trending? Lance took De Bruyne's phone and looked closely.
It turned out that the reporter Gonzalo, not giving up, had uploaded the interview recording to YouTube and Twitter, intending to stir up a wave of online bullying, calling on everyone to denounce the arrogant Lance.
Who knew that in the comment section below, and other football bloggers on Twitter who followed suit, ended up scolding the reporter instead.
"Lance is right, if there's a problem, go to UEFA and the referee. Is an internet judge useful?"
"After carefully watching the replay, Lance's tackle was fine."
"Cristiano Ronaldo's several falls had hints of diving."
"He already has a history of diving; even referees don't believe him, only brainless extreme fans do."
"As a Manchester United fan, I say Bayer Leverkusen's victory was fair and square! #JusticeTriumphsOverEvil"