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The first Champions League match, pre-match press conference.
Lance subconsciously prepared to go on stage, but was stopped by Hyypiä.
"Lance?"
"What's wrong?"
"Well..." Hyypiä almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Sorry."
Lance reacted in a second and smiled awkwardly.
He was accustomed to attending press conferences with the Bayer Leverkusen coach, but he forgot that he was already an Atlético Madrid player.
Simeone's expression was a bit resentful, like seeing a current boyfriend entangled with an ex.
"Lance, you're one of us, Atlético Madrid. Make sure you don't score in the wrong goal tomorrow."
"Don't worry, Diego, I can still tell the difference."
Bayer Leverkusen head coaches Sascha and Hyypiä, their words were full of praise for Lance's performance.
"We all watched the La Liga matches a few days ago. Lance has adapted very well in Spain. It's great to see him firmly at the top of the La Liga scoring chart, and it's very likely he'll break the La Liga record this season. Other players who left Bayer Leverkusen have also performed excellently. Facing this Atlético Madrid, our current squad might be at a disadvantage, and this match is destined to be very difficult. But I believe the spirit of Bayer Leverkusen is still here, and we will not give up easily."
After the home team Bayer Leverkusen finished their press conference, it was finally Lance's turn.
The German journalists present were all familiar faces.
"Lance, welcome back to Germany. I'm a reporter from the Munich Evening News. What does it feel like to return home again? Will you start in the upcoming match? What are your goals?"
"My two seasons at Bayer Leverkusen will always be memorable. I'm very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity back then, and also to the fans who have always supported me. But unfortunately, in tomorrow's match, I'm afraid I'll have to represent Atlético Madrid and do my best to defeat Bayer Leverkusen. Because my goal is very simple: the Champions League title."
As soon as these words were spoken, the press conference erupted.
It wasn't that Lance hadn't envisioned championships before; he had delivered on his public promises of Bundesliga titles.
This was the first time Lance had publicly stated his intention to win the Champions League.
Given Lance's credibility, Atlético Madrid would likely be one of the favourites for the title this season!
Indeed, immediately after the press conference, media reports across European football were flying.
"Lance Points to Champions League Title, Personally Confirms He Wants to Make Up for the Regrets of the Past Two Years"
"Champions League Odds Adjusted in Real-Time, Atlético Madrid Rises 1 Spot, Surpassing Bayern Munich. La Liga's Big Three Claim Top Three!"
The happiest and saddest were the Bayer Leverkusen fans.
Their beloved King Lance had returned to his territory, but unfortunately, this time the King had come to conquer it.
On match day, the small town of Leverkusen was deserted, with everyone out.
It felt like returning to last season's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, the area around the BayArena was completely blocked off.
Even Atlético Madrid's team bus was almost stuck two blocks away.
"It's crazy, this small town has so many people?"
"There weren't this many last time I came."
The Atlético Madrid players leant out the windows, marvelling at the scene outside.
Lance also couldn't help but glance out the window, and the excited fans outside spotted Lance in the bus.
The dense crowd on the street, like subjects welcoming their King Lance, waved and greeted frantically, songs converged into a massive roar, clearly audible inside the bus.
"He is the King of Bayer Leverkusen, Lance!"
"Great Lance!"
"Powerful Lance!"
"Lead us to the championship!"
"Lead us to witness a miracle!"
"Lance—"
"Lance—"
The match hadn't even started, but the fans outside the stadium were already singing Lance's song, even though he was now wearing the opponent's jersey.
This scene was rare in European football, and the teammates inside the Atlético Madrid bus were stunned.
"It's too exaggerated."
"Yeah, if I could get this kind of treatment, I'd have no regrets in this life."
Griezmann couldn't help but exclaim.
Only by being there can one truly feel the influence Lance has brought to this city...
"Hello, LeSports viewers, and welcome to the first match of Group C in the 2015/16 Champions League season. Bayer Leverkusen hosts Atlético Madrid! These are two teams very familiar to our Chinese fans. Lance, seen in the camera, looks very relaxed. I believe many fans got into football and the Champions League because of him. Facing his former club, Lance will start without question! It seems Simeone is determined to win this Champions League opener!"
Lance was prominently listed in the starting lineup announced before the match!
Although Lance had just started in the league a few days ago, the Atlético Madrid coaching staff still arranged for him to start two matches in a week.
His core status is already very clear!
LeSports acquired the Champions League broadcast rights this season, so Jian Jun no longer needed to shuttle between Sina and LeTV.
He could comfortably sit in the LeTV live broadcast room, and commentate on Lance's matches with Coach Zhang Lu.
"Let's first look at the starting lineups for both teams. After a major clear-out during the summer transfer window, the Bayer Leverkusen supermarket was emptied at the start. The departures of many star players like Son Heung-min and De Bruyne have affected the team's strength. However, during the summer transfer window, Bayer Leverkusen earned over 200 million purely from player transfer fees!"
Bayer Leverkusen 4-2-3-1
Leno
Hilbert, Ramalho, Papadopoulos, Wendell
Lars Bender, Kevin Kampl
Julian Brandt, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Yurchenko
Javier Hernández
"With so many key players leaving, Bayer Leverkusen loaned striker Chicharito, Hernández, from Manchester United. And they brought in central midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu from Hamburg. Bayer Leverkusen is currently ranked 3rd in the Bundesliga, so their strength is still guaranteed."
Atlético Madrid 4-4-2
Oblak
Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luís
Ángel Correa, Gabi, Koke, Griezmann
Lance, Torres
"Atlético Madrid currently leads La Liga, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona. They remain the best defensive team in La Liga to this day. And with the attacking trident of Lance, Griezmann, and Torres, today's away challenge against Bayer Leverkusen is destined to be a spectacular battle... Oh? We see, there are also many German celebrities in the stands to watch the match. The man in the hat is former Germany international Klinsmann, and next to him is Germany head coach Löw. F1 champion driver Max Verstappen is also here, as well as Bayer Leverkusen legend, former Germany captain Ballack..."
"Wow! A Champions League group stage match attracting so many people, that's something."
Zhang exclaimed in wonder.
"Just look at the fans in the stadium, they still haven't forgotten Lance."
The director's close-up shots also captured many scenes, with many fans holding up signs welcoming Lance home.
"King Lance! This will always be your home!"
"Forever Lance!"
"Welcome back! Great Lance!"
Even the main stand of the BayArena displayed a huge TIFO, welcoming Lance back to his home ground.
The giant portrait was of Lance raising his arms in triumph after defeating Barcelona last season.
Below it was a large line of text.
"DANKE LANCE"
Thank you, Lance.
Thank you for everything you've done for Bayer Leverkusen.
It was a powerful scene, which almost made Lance emotional the moment he walked out of the player's tunnel.
Even though he had left, the fans here were still thinking of him.
So today, he must live up to everyone's good intentions.
To defeat Bayer Leverkusen with all his might, this is the greatest respect Lance can show to the home fans!