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Logically, Genk has already proven its worth.
It's usually very difficult for these second-tier European clubs to enter the Champions League group stage.
Even if they enter the Champions League group stage, it's hard for them to get out of the group stage.
The club's goal is only one: to pray to be drawn with one or two giants in the group stage.
Whilst other teams avoid entering a "group of death," small clubs like Genk wish they could be drawn into one.
This way, three strong teams would compete together.
Every time a strong team visits their home stadium, it attracts ticket sales, tourism, accommodation, shopping, and dining, boosting the entire city's economy.
The club would also receive a substantial share of broadcast revenue.
Knockout rounds and qualification are not important; making a fortune quietly is the real truth.
Unexpectedly, Genk's combat power exploded this season, and they actually made it into the Champions League knockout stage!
Their opponent is also one of the top three most popular teams in Europe, one of the favourites to win the title, Atlético Madrid!
The team also has one of the top three superstars in the world, the player with the highest transfer value in football history, the hope of Belgium, and a "Genk legend"—Lance.
Regardless of whether they win or lose in the knockout stage, drawing Atlético Madrid was a huge profit.
But this does not mean Genk surrendered.
The 18-year-old Jamaican forward Leon Bailey was full of fighting spirit.
After the match began, he repeatedly used his speed advantage to impact Atlético Madrid's defence.
Even if his teammates didn't pass the ball, he would sprint whenever there was an opening, regardless of his stamina.
Lance assisted Griezmann's goal, and Genk fell behind, but he was not discouraged and still gave his best performance.
In the 28th minute, he finally found an opportunity!
Timothy Castagne successfully won a header in the backfield, defending against Torres's challenge, and headed the ball to Ndidi!
Ndidi displayed the potential of a top Premier League defensive midfielder, using his strong body to resist Koke's challenge, and then turning to deliver a long pass directly to Leon Bailey!
"We are indeed a weaker team. The moment we drew Atlético Madrid, we might have been destined for elimination. But that is not a reason to give up! No matter who we face, we must have the determination to give everything to win!"
The football travelled 40 metres, flying precisely to Leon Bailey's head!
Only then did Atlético Madrid's midfield and defence realise something was wrong!
They had been complacent!
Gabi gritted his teeth and sprinted to catch up, whilst left-back Filipe Luís also tried to challenge for the ball.
With the two of them closing in, it should have been an easy defence.
But Leon Bailey touched the ball with his toe a step ahead, gently flicking it over Gabi's head, and then cleverly turning to control the ball and change direction, accelerating past Filipe Luís!
"Beautiful! Genk's counter-attack is very threatening... Leon Bailey!"
"He's in! Shoot!"
Hiss—
At this moment, Atlético Madrid fans almost collectively gasped!
The black forward's movements were very familiar!
This kid has something!
"Am I going to be a hero?"
Leon Bailey, unmarked, broke into the penalty area with a one-on-one, his heart beating fast!
The goalkeeper rushed out to narrow the shooting angle.
Leon Bailey panicked slightly, hesitating and not shooting immediately.
It was too late to get a good angle!
"Damn it!"
Just 0.2 seconds short!
Bang—
A hurried shot was reacted to by goalkeeper Oblak, who stretched out his foot to block it out for a corner!
"Oblak! A world-class save! He saved Genk's deadly one-on-one!"
"Oh oh oh oh—"
The home fans collectively held their heads, letting out sounds of regret, and then over 20,000 people applauded in unison, giving an ovation to the 18-year-old Leon Bailey.
A brilliant offence and defence!
Even Lance praised it endlessly.
This black forward has something; he almost equalised!
Regardless of whether Genk wins or loses, they showed the fighting spirit they should have.
"Well done."
Passing Leon Bailey, Lance actively gave him a thumbs up.
The black forward chuckled shyly twice, revealing his bright white front teeth.
"Lance, thank you. I'm your fan, and I chose Genk this summer because of you."
"Ah?"
It was Lance's turn to be confused.
Why are there little fans here too?
...
What he didn't know was that Leon Bailey indeed chose Genk because of Lance.
His performance during his youth training was mediocre, and he wasn't scouted by well-known European clubs.
He moved between Jamaican teams, Austrian clubs, Slovakian clubs, and other youth teams, remaining unknown.
It wasn't until Lance rose like a meteor to become a superstar that Leon Bailey saw Lance's matches and was amazed.
From then on, he constantly imitated his playing style and practised furiously.
When Genk extended an olive branch, Leon Bailey unhesitatingly chose Genk, even though it was just a small, struggling club in the Belgian First Division.
Because this was the team Lance had played for in his youth!
No one expected that a bargain signing of merely 1.4 million euros would lead to Genk's complete explosion this season.
They ranked first in the Belgian league, advanced from the Champions League group stage, and made it into the knockout rounds.
Leon Bailey was instrumental, becoming the team's top scorer with 19 goals.
The familiar dribbling move Leon Bailey used to break through Atlético Madrid's defence, taking on two defenders, was precisely an imitation of Lance!
If not for being too young and not having adjusted his mentality well, he could have scored that one-on-one.
...
During the dead ball, Griezmann came over to tease him.
"Your little fan?"
"I don't know!"
"His playing style is quite similar to yours; he must have imitated you."
Wait.
Griezmann suddenly realised that Leon Bailey is 18, and Lance is also 18!
They are the same age!
One is a newcomer at a second-tier European club, the other is already a superstar at a giant club, the world's most valuable player!
Considering this, Lance is even more monstrous!
"Damn it."
Griezmann felt unbalanced again.
He once prided himself on being a French football genius, but in front of Lance, Griezmann couldn't even compare.
"Lance, when we go back, teach me too. I'll be your disciple; you'll be my master from now on."
"Fuck off! Focus on the match!"
Atlético Madrid had already restarted play from the back, and Lance didn't have time to chat with Griezmann.
Leon Bailey's attack just now made Atlético Madrid much more cautious; they didn't dare to be negligent and held their ground in the backfield.
The front was left to the trident of Lance, Griezmann, and Torres.
The three of them also completed their tasks very well.
Before the end of the first half, Lance moved horizontally outside the penalty area, receiving a lay-off from Torres and suddenly shooting!
The confident "fierce tiger" pierced Genk's goal.
Atlético Madrid led by 2 goals!
In the second half, the teams switched sides, and Genk still had no room to retaliate.
When Atlético Madrid got serious, they could completely withstand the attacks of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
This was a pure gap in strength, giving the opponent no chance for an upset.
The iron triangle of Torres, Griezmann, and Lance became even more skilled in their cooperation, plus Saúl disrupted the defence on the right flank.
Lance found another opportunity, dribbling the ball and using simple rhythm changes to create an opening, accelerating to break through from the wing!
Inside the penalty area, he was surrounded by four players, and Lance was tripped in the chaos.
Penalty!
"Are you taking it?"
Griezmann was usually the first-choice penalty taker.
"No, this is your penalty."
Griezmann handed the ball to Lance.
Lance didn't stand on ceremony with him, taking the ball to the penalty spot.
Actually, he had never really taken a penalty kick before; he scored so many goals from open play that penalties felt a bit bland.
Amongst Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Lance's penalty/goal ratios, Cristiano Ronaldo's penalties accounted for a high 19.71%, the highest amongst the three; Messi's penalties accounted for 12.66%, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, having scored quite a few penalties in recent seasons.
As for Lance... 0%!
Standing at the penalty spot, Lance looked very relaxed.
He took a slow run-up, like an old man strolling, and shot!
Genk's goalkeeper was nervous, having already anticipated the direction, fearing he wouldn't be able to save it otherwise.
However... "Oh oh oh oh—A Panenka penalty! A chip shot to the middle!"
Seeing Lance's artistic penalty, the commentator slapped his thigh.
That's the flavour!
An elegant arc, hitting the underside of the crossbar and bouncing into the net!
A tribute to Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.
"In the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage, Atlético Madrid leads Genk 3-0 away!"
"Under Lance's leadership, they are halfway to entering the quarter-finals!"