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"Bayern Munich, Star of the South, you never give up!"
"Whether in adversity or in paradise, we will always share your destiny!"
"Bayern Munich, King of Germany, my lifelong love!"
The home team often gains a 150% combat power courage buff from the songs and cheers of the fans. Especially in a stadium of Allianz Arena's scale, Bundesliga teams coming here are bound to suffer.
Parity is equivalent to an advantage, a slight disadvantage is equivalent to parity. If it's a 2-0 lead, home team Bayern can basically secure the win.
In recent years, with Bayern Munich regaining its dominance, no one can overturn Bayern here, except for one team! No one!
If you ask which team has overturned Bayern here... it just so happens to be Bayer Leverkusen!
"First half, Bayern Munich leads Bayer Leverkusen 2-0."
"Let's see if Bayer Leverkusen can turn the tide in the second half. After all, besides Bayer Leverkusen, it's hard for any other team to challenge Bayern's position."
"Oliver, what do you think was the main reason for Bayern's two-goal lead in the first half?"
"In my opinion..."
German football legend and commentator Oliver Kahn analysed seriously:
"Actually, Bayer Leverkusen was able to withstand Bayern's offensive at the start."
"Robben's breakthroughs were threatening, but they could still handle them and even counterattack."
"The turning point came with that controversial call."
"It's hard to tell from the slow-motion whether it warranted a penalty."
"In any case, the penalty in the 5th minute tilted the scales."
"As a result, Guardiola could play freely, with full high-pressing, which confined Bayer Leverkusen to their own half."
"So how should they break through Bayern's blockade? If you were Bayer Leverkusen's coach, what would you do?"
"It mainly depends on individual performance. Bayer Leverkusen's several attempts in the first half failed. Most conventional methods were restricted by Guardiola."
"Only individual ability can create variables."
"Bayer Leverkusen fans in front of your TVs, don't panic. Let me translate that sentence."
Commentator Scholl laughed heartily:
"Just look forward to Lance."
"I didn't mean..." Kahn also laughed. "Well, that is what I meant. We can indeed look forward to Lance's performance."
The commentators knew, the fans knew, Guardiola naturally knew as well. During half-time, he specifically emphasised defensive tactics:
"Everyone, don't rush. Always maintain your positions."
"Philipp, no matter what method you use, you must hold him back immediately to give your teammates a chance to support."
"In the second half, when they are at a loss, they will definitely trust the Asian player more. You, Philipp, you are our most important link."
Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich captain, German National Football Team champion hero. From the moment of his curved shot inside the penalty area in the 2006 World Cup, which made him famous, Lahm has been a symbol of steely will and tenacious defence.
He experienced the pain of being broken through by Fernando Torres and losing the 2008 European Cup. He also experienced Bayern Munich's low period, being toyed with by Grafite of Wolfsburg, suffering a humiliating 1-5 defeat.
Now, facing an opponent that defeated his team twice last season, Philipp Lahm's mindset is as calm as water. He knows very well how terrifying this seemingly scrawny Asian player can be when he explodes.
Guardiola entrusted him with the responsibility, and Lahm has made up his mind to completely freeze this lad. No matter where he runs to...
"Philipp, it's not that serious, is it?"
In front of Bayer Leverkusen's penalty area, Lance had almost run into his own penalty area. Lahm, as a defensive midfielder, had actually followed him.
Lance received the ball with his back to goal, which was difficult to handle, so he tapped it horizontally to the full-back to continue the run. Bayer Leverkusen's attack was difficult to advance, so they could only pass back to the goalkeeper to switch to the other side.
Glancing at Lahm beside him, Lance couldn't help but complain. Lahm, however, just looked at Lance without speaking.
"We're friends who started with a fight, aren't we? How about coming over to my place after the match?"
"..."
Who's friends with you?! Lahm was stunned for a moment, then quickly realised that Lance was teasing him.
As an honest bloke, Lahm didn't respond, just quietly followed Lance, using his body to push him out of position. This caused Lance to trap the ball and pass it to Lars Bender.
99%!
His rage metre was almost full. Now!
Ever since Bayern took a 2-0 lead and Lewandowski provoked him, Lance had been planning this attack. To lower Bayern's guard, he had acted as low-key as possible in the latter half of the first half.
He didn't expect Bayern not to fall for it, constantly having Lahm harass him relentlessly. Too bad, Philipp.
Your defence is very serious, but so what? A monster's breakthrough is unreasonable!
At the start of the second half, in the 47th minute, Lance again dropped back to the top of the penalty arc. Lahm indeed followed him.
But then Lance suddenly accelerated, running towards his own penalty area. Lahm was momentarily puzzled. This Asian lad was full of tricks; did he have some clever idea?
Just as Lahm sped up, rushing towards Lance, the ball was restricted by Ribéry on the left flank and passed back to Rolfes in the middle. Lewandowski and Thiago double-teamed Rolfes.
Rolfes feigned a pass back to the penalty area, positioning Lance as a midfielder, dropping back between the two centre-backs to receive the ball. This tactic is considered one of the advanced tactics in European football to break high-pressing.
Guardiola was prepared, and Lahm was already wary of this move. Unexpectedly, Rolfes's pass was not backward, but a backheel flick towards the attacking side!
Lance simultaneously stopped abruptly and turned! He perfectly intersected with Lahm!
His upper body was prepared, and he collided with Lahm, protecting the pass. Over a year of strength training had made Lance much stronger, enough to withstand the initial impact from a defensive player.
[Rage: 100%]!
In an instant, Lance turned to his right, trapping the ball with the outside of his foot whilst nutmegging Lahm and slipping past him! Lahm only saw a blur as Lance turned and darted past him in one smooth motion!
By the time he reacted, Lance had already completed the breakthrough!
"Beautiful!! Bayer Leverkusen's counterattack!! Lance begins his show!"
Bayer Leverkusen suddenly accelerated! In "Monster Mode," Lance dribbled, swaying left and right, performing a step-over to face Xabi Alonso's interception, he chipped the ball with his right foot and flicked it with his heel to the left!
"No way!"
This lad is trying fancy tricks to get past him? He has been dominant for over a decade; how could he fall for it?
Xabi Alonso took a step sideways, blocking the left side. But the next second, the ball Lance had chipped to the left was lightly tapped by Lance's left outside foot, like kicking a shuttlecock, it was flicked to the right!
Deceptive and unpredictable, in less than 1 second, Xabi Alonso was completely beaten!
"Two players beaten in a row!! Lance breaks through head-on!"
"Boateng comes up to cover... A change of direction and a nutmeg to beat another player!!! Lance is unstoppable!!"
It's over! Guardiola's face was horrified, his hands covering his mouth in disbelief.
Head-on defence is a priority for any team, yet Lance alone broke through 3 players head-on, piercing Bayern's barrier! Only Dante was left, and he was already struggling to deal with Lance.
Indeed, the tall Dante was slow to turn and was faked out by Lance's change of direction, making a solo run into the penalty area.
"Neuer!! He's rushed out!"
Bayern fans' hopes could only be placed on Neuer. Could the world's best goalkeeper stop him? The answer is no!
Lance swayed his shoulders left and right, Ronaldo's iconic "pendulum dribble" reappeared! He pushed the ball past Neuer's defence, and facing an open goal, he unleashed a furious shot that pierced the net!
"Goal!!!"
"Goooooooal — Laaaance —"
"Just 2 minutes into the second half, Bayer Leverkusen, thanks to Lance's superb performance, has temporarily pulled one goal back!"
"Bayer Leverkusen hasn't given up! The match is back in suspense!"
Years later, when Philipp Lahm retired and was interviewed by German television, asked about the most memorable opponent of his career, Lahm did not mention Torres, nor Messi, Neymar, or others.
He just suddenly remembered that league Round 14, which decided the championship, the moment Lance suddenly turned from the backfield and bypassed Bayern's entire defence.
"He is unstoppable; he truly is a monster."