Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
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In economics, there's a concept called the law of diminishing marginal utility.
The first time Lance was alone with the goddess he had a crush on for a long time, he would blush for half a day just saying a word.
If he could hold her hand, his heart rate would probably soar above 150.
If he could even kiss her, he would be completely dizzy.
It wasn't until he officially started dating the goddess, gradually began living together, and spent every day with her.
The initial excitement would gradually fade, requiring more novelty for strong stimulation.
Otherwise, even the most beautiful goddess would become ordinary after seeing her for a long time.
The economic explanation is that as a consumer's consumption of a certain commodity increases, the incremental utility (satisfaction) obtained from that commodity gradually decreases.
This concept holds true in many fields.
Lance still remembers the first time he played against Bayern Munich after joining the Bundesliga.
The treble winners of the 2012/13 season, the absolute Bundesliga overlord Bayern Munich, were incredibly oppressive.
Lance stood in the player tunnel, radiating excitement and thrill from the inside out!
That was the world-class giant Bayern!
I, a 16-year-old Bundesliga newcomer, am playing against Bayern!
This was even more exciting than ending his virgin career for the first time!
Although Lance hadn't experienced it yet, he was still a virgin to this day.
Later, after encountering Bayern many times and gradually dispelling the mystique, Lance felt no inner stir when he met Bayern again.
He even almost wanted to vomit after seeing Bayern three times in one week.
At that time, only the Champions League could excite Lance, and only Real Madrid and Barcelona could stimulate him.
To this day, the 2015/16 Copa del Rey semi-finals began!
The opponent was Real Madrid.
All Atlético Madrid players were ready and lined up in the player tunnel, with Real Madrid's Galácticos luxurious lineup right beside them.
Lance could turn his head and see superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Modrić.
His gaze was no different from an old monk in meditation.
"Ah... it's Real Madrid again."
"Bastard! What's with that expression? Are you impatient, huh?"
Before the match, Cristiano Ronaldo spent two hours in the changing room styling his hair as usual, making it shiny and slick.
He even imitated Superman's hairstyle at the fringe, with a slight curl.
When Cristiano Ronaldo stood in the tunnel, feeling good about himself, accepting a close-up shot from the camera, he simultaneously pretended to be casual.
He accidentally caught a glimpse of Lance's expression.
Cristiano Ronaldo immediately felt uncomfortable.
What does this kid mean?
He's rolling his eyes, isn't he? I saw it, you rolled your eyes! Damn it!
Is he really that hateful?
In fact, zero people present hated Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lance had no emotions at all; it was simply a lack of stimulation. Playing against Real Madrid and Barcelona was like going to work.
Even if the system was upgraded today and the template equipment was banned.
"We see that Lance is also eager today. He performed excellently in the last league match, coming on as a substitute to help Atlético Madrid defeat Sevilla 3-0."
"In this Copa del Rey semi-final, one team will lose the chance for a 'treble'."
"Will Atlético Madrid seize the initiative, or will Real Madrid get their revenge? Let's go into today's match..."
Spanish National Television's free channel broadcast this Madrid Derby.
Free channels usually only broadcast important matches, and there was no match more important than this one.
It was a pity that on the other side of the world, fans were still desperately looking for a broadcast signal.
In the Baidu [Lance Bar], many netizens were posting online for help.
"Please, kind person, give me a link."
"Where is the Copa del Rey broadcast live?"
"Does LeTV have the rights to the Copa del Rey? I want to see God Lance!"
"To watch the Copa del Rey, please log in to xxxxx"
"Don't believe the above, it's selling films."
These were new fans; as for the seasoned fans, they had already logged into the live streaming site to find links.
However, in recent years, as the internet has become more regulated and copyright awareness has awakened, mysterious overseas links have also been banned by the live streaming site.
Only text live broadcast content could be seen.
Only fans who had been watching football for more than 10 years knew how to use scientific internet access to find live streaming links from Spain or Sky Sports.
"Why don't domestic platforms buy the rights?"
"If they do buy the rights, you won't be happy. They'll ask you to get a membership, and a few dozen yuan a month won't even let you watch a few matches."
"A season pass might cost two or three hundred yuan; it's really not easy to watch a football match."
It was indeed not easy for domestic fans to watch a match.
Enduring the lag of foreign networks, constantly consuming accelerator data, they finally saw Lance's handsome face.
The machine-gun-like Spanish commentary buzzed in their ears.
...
"It's clear that both sides in today's Madrid Derby are taking it very seriously. Having reached the semi-finals, neither team can easily give up."
"They are just one step away from the Copa del Rey championship."
"Atlético Madrid has fielded its full starting lineup.
Goalkeeper: Oblak;
Defenders: Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Filipe Luís;
Midfielders: Saúl, Koke, Gabi, Griezmann;
Forwards: Lance, Torres;"
"Real Madrid is also responding with its strongest lineup. This is Zidane's first encounter with a strong team since taking over. Let's see if he can lead Real Madrid back to its dominant position."
"Goalkeeper: Navas.
Defenders: Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo;
Midfielders: Casemiro, Modrić, Toni Kroos;
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo..."
"The referee's whistle sounds, and the 2015/16 Copa del Rey semi-final officially kicks off!"
Just as Simeone had predicted before the match, Real Madrid did not show enough aggression at the start.
They were clearly very wary of Atlético Madrid's counter-attacks and dared not commit too many players rashly.
Marcelo, who always considered himself a left winger, didn't even cross the halfway line, which showed how cautious Real Madrid was.
"This kid's discipline is that good now?"
Lance was a bit surprised.
He had planned to create some threats by exploiting the space behind Marcelo, but it seemed there was no opportunity for now.
However, Lance was not in a hurry.
Atlético Madrid and their arch-rivals Real Madrid had played so many times that both sides knew each other inside out.
The defensive line formed by his teammates behind him was impregnable, and the BBC trio really didn't have a very good solution. Real Madrid should be the one getting anxious.
Lance guessed correctly.
The most anxious person on the pitch right now was clearly Cristiano Ronaldo.
Every time Real Madrid gained possession, before Modrić could even orchestrate, Cristiano Ronaldo was already raising his hand for the ball.
"¡Vamos!"
"Here, here! Pass it!"
If he passed it, Cristiano Ronaldo would easily take a wild shot that flew into the stands.
If he didn't pass it, Cristiano Ronaldo would definitely confront him after the match. What did he mean by not passing to the big brother? Was that acceptable?
"For god sake! This is really..." Modrić was speechless.
He pushed the ball to the left to evade Koke's tackle, used his arm to hold off the challenge, and passed the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo didn't even make a forward run, standing still waiting for the ball. Was he really acting like a big shot?
Lance was originally chasing back desperately, but seeing Cristiano Ronaldo receive the ball, he slowed his pace and turned to intercept Modrić and Toni Kroos's positions.
He then saw Cristiano Ronaldo attempting to break through from the left flank, his upper body still rigid, only his feet moving.
Juanfran was also speechless.
"You're not even moving your upper body, I just need to watch your shoulders."
As expected, Juanfran defended and retreated, giving Cristiano Ronaldo no opening.
"This guy is so strong!" Cristiano Ronaldo was shocked. Could an Atlético Madrid full-back really defend him?
Damn it!
Ignoring Benzema's call for the ball on the right, Cristiano Ronaldo backheeled the ball to change direction and decisively cut inside!
His physical explosiveness was strong enough, and he finally shook off Juanfran's defence, and with a bang, he shot straight at the goal!
"Holy crap..."
Lance was a bit nervous.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo's shot was all bark and no bite; it looked impressive but actually flew high over the crossbar and into the stands.
"Hmph—"
Cristiano Ronaldo was as camera-aware as ever.
Once the camera surely gave him a close-up, he made a very stereotypical expression of regret, put his hands on his hips, shook his head with a wry smile, and then gave a thumbs-up to Modrić for the pass, feigning the demeanour of the team's leader.
He had a whole routine of subtle gestures, as if the whole world was watching him.
In reality, Oblak had already quickly taken a goal kick, a long ball directly to midfield!
Lance jumped, using his height advantage, temporarily towering over Modrić, and headed the ball back to Griezmann.
"Good chance!"
He turned instantly upon landing and sprinted forward!
He had no Monster Dribbling like Bachira Meguru, nor any special running skills.
It was all based on his accumulated experience on the pitch!
Griezmann received the ball and quickly dribbled to the edge of the box, attempting to dribble past Carvajal and Casemiro who were sandwiching him.
He couldn't find a good opportunity.
"As expected of Real Madrid."
The defence was very tight.
Griezmann didn't dare to be overconfident, so he stopped the ball and turned back, with Carvajal pressing him from behind.
Casemiro blocked the central angle, and Gareth Bale tracked back in time, blocking the pass route to the left-back.
Griezmann was immediately surrounded, and the pocket was about to close.
Fortunately, he and Lance had enough chemistry.
Without a clear view, he made a blind prediction, passing the ball between Casemiro's legs!
"Lance, if it were you, you would definitely..."
The sound of wind, a fleeting afterimage!
Lance appeared behind Casemiro, let the ball pass slightly, used his body to block Toni Kroos's tackle, and used his left foot to pull the ball back, attempting to turn.
"Dream on!"
Toni Kroos was an old opponent of Lance's; he had defended Lance during his Bayern days, moving into position early to prevent Lance's Marseille Turn.
To deal with Lance, he had to be extremely focused!
"Good timing!"
Lance's heart tightened; he already felt Toni's attention!
The opponent had predicted his prediction!
If he had the Bachira Meguru template, Lance would definitely hand everything over to the "monster," attempting to continue dribbling horizontally with Monster Dribbling.
If it were the Nagi Seishiro template, Lance would try to stop the ball and flick it up, juggling it to find a suitable angle, and then directly volley it.
If it were the Hyuga Kojiro template, Lance would have shot from long range just now.
But none of these templates were available.
In the nick of time, he had to make a decision within 0.1 seconds!
Relying solely on self-conscious reaction was too late.
In high-level football, it's all about instinct!
If it were Bachira Meguru, how would he dribble?
Without the template, could he really break through a world-class defence?
Who cares!
There was no room for any thought or worry!
Lance's body was one step faster than his mind!
"Toni Kroos and Casemiro are simultaneously pressing, Lance—"
Just as the commentator was worried about Lance losing the ball, Lance moved!
The Marseille Turn was only half completed. The moment his left foot pivoted and he turned, Lance's body twisted as if 360 degrees, and his right foot suddenly dragged the ball from right to left!
A lightning-fast "roulette" formed, the ball dragged by his right foot bounced off his left foot, and his entire body became an afterimage, flashing through and breaking past Casemiro and Toni Kroos!
"OHHHH—Cruyff Turn! Lance's performance!"
"Successful breakthrough! Facing the defensive line directly!"
The whole stadium erupted!
Everyone at the Vicente Calderón Stadium stood up to watch Lance's dance on the green pitch!
Although not overly flashy, it was extremely effective!
Ramos was half a beat late in coming up. Lance dipped his left shoulder, feigning a breakthrough, then paused his feet, and quickly burst to the right, pulling the ball away.
The change in rhythm shook off Ramos, creating a shooting angle at the edge of the penalty area, and his right foot whipped the ball like a lash!
Bang—
"Fuck!"
Amidst Cristiano Ronaldo's silent curses from afar, his worst fear had come true.
The 18-year-old Lance shone brightly, a world-class strike piercing Real Madrid's goal!
8 minutes into the match, Atlético Madrid led 1-0!