Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
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To repel invaders, you must first pacify the interior!
After eliminating Real Madrid, there were about two weeks until the next Champions League semi-final.
Bayer Leverkusen had not relaxed at all recently.
Competing on three fronts—league, Cup, and Champions League—they had to prioritise domestic competitions.
The entire team was under immense pressure.
So much so that in the 30th round of the Bundesliga, Cologne vs Bayer Leverkusen!
Bayer Leverkusen conceded a goal right at the start.
A defensive error between the defensive midfielder and the defenders led to Cologne's through ball passing through three players, resulting in a surprise goal in the box.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich had already secured a 3-0 victory over Hertha Berlin.
"Cologne, playing at home, has high morale and scores first!"
"Now Bayer Leverkusen is in trouble!"
Berenberg, a neutral commentator for German television, gave a wry smile.
"According to the real-time standings, Bayern Munich is already 8 points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen!"
"If this score holds until half-time, Bayer Leverkusen, with only 4 league rounds remaining, will find it very difficult to come back."
"Even if they beat Bayern in the next direct encounter, it won't matter."
"One can only say that Bayer Leverkusen has been under too much pressure during this period; even giants struggle with three-front warfare, let alone a dark horse that has only risen in the last two years..."
Bayer Leverkusen's best decision would be to abandon the Champions League and the German Cup, and focus on securing the league title.
Or focus on the German Cup, at least winning one trophy first.
Given their current squad depth, three-front warfare is truly too difficult.
However, the coaching staff had already reached an agreement with the players: they didn't want to miss out on a single trophy!
I want them all!
They played with a full main squad in the Champions League, rested for only 4 days, and then had to face the league with a full main squad again.
After the league, there was also the German Cup semi-final, which also required a full main squad.
The following week, it was the 31st round of the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich.
Just 4 days after that tough Bundesliga match, they also had to face the ultimate tough match against Barcelona.
"This kind of pressure is not something an ordinary person can bear. Defensive errors are understandable."
Commentator Berenberg had already started to comfort Bayer Leverkusen fans.
From the look of the game, the entire team was exhausted.
It was truly difficult to break through Cologne's 'bus parking' defence.
After the first half, the score was 0-0.
"In 45 minutes, Bayer Leverkusen's key player, Lance, was heavily marked by Cologne."
"I've lost count of how many times he fell to the ground, even his jersey's original colour was indistinguishable."
"This shows how much Cologne valued Lance."
"Despite this, Lance still managed 3 shots, threatening Cologne's goalkeeper."
"Let's see how the Bayer Leverkusen coaching staff adjusts during half-time."
"Lance, you've worked hard. You too, guys. You've all given your best."
Failing to score for 45 minutes was quite a blow to Bayer Leverkusen's morale.
1-0.
Being one goal down away from home, Cologne, fighting for survival, would definitely play even harder in the second half.
Sascha was even mentally prepared to lose the game and the championship.
"Look, it's alright if we don't win this championship. We've played brilliantly this season on all three fronts—league, Champions League, and German Cup."
"Even if we end the entire season empty-handed, the fans will still support us. Each and every one of you should be proud."
"So, if we lose this game..."
Before Sascha could finish, a voice cut through the changing room.
"Coach."
Everyone looked up. It was Lance who had stood up.
"Coach, we're not idiots. Stop pretending."
"What?"
Sascha's expression turned slightly awkward.
"Yeah, Lance is right. We saw through you ages ago."
"How could we not fight for it?"
"Exactly! We've still got 45 minutes—that's plenty of time!"
"It's only one goal! Just wait, coach. We'll bring that championship trophy back!"
The players stormed out of the changing room with fierce determination.
Hyypiä walked last, nudging Sascha with his elbow and smirking.
"I told you they'd see right through that. They want the championship more than you do—how could they give up so easily?"
"Well? Did it work or didn't it? Their morale's through the roof now."
"They pumped themselves up. You didn't need to say a word."
"Rubbish. They got fired up after my speech."
"Please. That speech was terrible."
The two coaches didn't seem the least bit worried about being behind, still bickering as they walked onto the pitch.
Lance had seen through Sascha a long time ago.
This guy is a hyper-competitive coach, how could he let his players give up on a championship?
Lance himself wasn't anxious; it was only one goal!
He glanced at the system.
New skill: [Tiger Shot (3/4)]!
He had attempted several shots in the first half, but they were all thwarted by the opponent's tight defence.
With the dense crowd in the penalty area, it was difficult for a regular long-range shot to get through.
Cologne was almost playing for their lives to win this match for relegation survival.
But sorry, football is cruel, I want to win too!
Don't blame me for having an overpowered skill!
"In the second half, Lance seems even more active!! Trying to link up in the front..."
"To Son Heung-min, the left wing is not easy to break through, too many people."
"Back to De Bruyne!! Cross-run to receive the ball!"
"Beautiful cross!"
De Bruyne and Lance swapped positions, moving to the left side of the pitch, and with an outside-of-the-foot, non-stop diagonal through ball, it perfectly bypassed the opponent's defensive midfielder and landed in front of Lance!
Lance didn't hesitate at all!
Bang—
A long-range shot from 25 metres, direct strike!!
"Shit!!!"
Cologne's goalkeeper Timo Horn sprang into action, flying to tip the ball over the crossbar!
The moment he touched the ball, he felt like his hand was about to break!
"Such immense power!! Is this man a devil?"
To save Lance's sudden long-range shot, Timo Horn even collided with the goalpost, wincing in pain.
In FM Football Manager, Timo Horn's potential exceeds 145, making him one of the cost-effective goalkeepers that small clubs must sign at the start of a save.
In the coming seasons, he would also frequently appear in Kicker's Bundesliga Team of the Season, his shot-stopping ability on par with star goalkeepers like Neuer and Ter Stegen.
It could be said that Timo Horn's performance today was almost perfect, blocking all shots from Son Heung-min, De Bruyne, and others, with 9 crucial saves throughout the match so far!
Lance's almost certain goals were being saved, and Bayer Leverkusen fans were growing desperate.
"How is it this hard to score?"
De Bruyne looked lost.
"Lance, what do we do? Are we actually going to lose this?"
"Relax. Just get the ball to me. On the tactical corner—pass it straight across."
Lance patted De Bruyne's shoulder, his confidence unwavering.
"What?"
De Bruyne was full of questions, but didn't press further. He walked silently towards the corner flag.
Lance stood near the sideline, posing as if to deliver a tactical corner kick cross, Cologne didn't pay too much attention.
Lance's shooting angle was too narrow; it was impossible for him to shoot... Beep!
De Bruyne took the corner kick, a short tactical corner.
Lance received the ball and struck it directly, logically, it should have been a curling cross, everyone thought so.
"Lance, preparing to cross... Wait!! That ball!!"
The commentator hadn't even reacted yet, when a loud bang echoed through the stadium!
Like the main cannon of a Tiger tank firing!
The cannonball whistled through the penalty area, almost tearing the goal apart!
Timo Horn, who had made numerous saves, had no reaction to this ball!
Making his debut in the Bundesliga, he finally felt the malice from the top league!
"World-class goal!!!! Lance's Super Cannon is firing on all cylinders!!!"
"In the 52nd minute of the second half, Lance helps Bayer Leverkusen equalise!! Breaking through Cologne's 'bus parking' defence!"
1-1!
Even Lance himself was startled.
If the previous Tiger Shot without the skill was just a slightly powerful long-range shot, then this corner kick was an unstoppable, ultimate move!
No matter how many people were in the penalty area!
No matter how incredible the goalkeeper was!
Even if God came... No, God was already on the pitch!
At this moment, Lance, celebrating in mid-air, was the God of this stadium!