Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 20: 20. The battle for the top four!

FC Schalke 04’s home ground, Veltins-Arena.

The Bundesliga’s fourth-round focus match between FC Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen was underway.

Thirty-one minutes into the game, both teams remained tied 0-0.

In a contest worth six points, neither side dared to make a mistake, with more attention focused on defense, making the offense relatively weak.

Such a dull match, coupled with the small fan bases of both teams, and the awkward kick-off time...

Sunday evening, 00:30, or more accurately, already Monday morning, everyone had to go to work or school, who would want to watch this terrible game?

Originally, there were over 80,000 people online in the live stream room.

Pushed away by the silent and dry game, only less than 30,000 people remained.

The composition was also quite complex: there were Bundesliga fans, Bayern Munich fans scouting the enemy, Borussia Dortmund fans scouting the enemy, a small number of FC Schalke 04 fans, a small number of Bayer Leverkusen fans, bored general fans, and passersby who clicked in by accident...

The live stream room had just enabled the bullet comment function, but there were very few comments.

Zhan Jun somewhat regretted taking on today’s commentary.

”How could it be that easy? A 16-year-old kid coming on as a substitute in such an important game? What are you thinking?”

Zhan Jun laughed self-deprecatingly.

However, out of professional integrity, he still maintained enough passion for his solo commentary.

”Son Heung-min, dribbling in the front field, attempting a breakthrough... FC Schalke 04’s defense is quite solid, not giving him space to dribble.”

”Drag the ball horizontally to create an angle—take a shot himself!”

”Oh! That shot was quite threatening, just slightly wide of the post.”

”Signed by Bayer Leverkusen from Hamburger SV for 10 million euros, Son Heung-min has earned the trust of head coach Sascha Lewandowski, starting as a forward in four consecutive Bundesliga rounds.”

”However, his performance on the field shows he prefers to attack along the wing. Son Heung-min’s technical characteristics also favor cutting in from the wing. In the crowded area in front of the box, he seems to struggle to make an impact.”

Regarding this South Korean star, Zhan Jun was quite envious.

Why did the neighboring countries produce so many talents?

Park Ji-sung, Son Heung-min...

Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa, Makoto Hasebe, Atsuto Uchida...

Yet the Chinese National Football Team couldn’t even find a place for Hao Junmin?

Looking at the field, Son Heung-min and Atsuto Uchida were going head-to-head, with continuous 1v1 offensive and defensive battles that were quite exciting.

Zhan Jun couldn’t help but sigh just thinking about it.

At this moment, the camera happened to sweep across the Bayer Leverkusen bench, lingering for a few seconds on a handsome and slightly youthful face.

Those who didn’t know might have thought he was an idol from some boy band.

”Oh? We see that this young player, Lance, on the Bayer Leverkusen bench, is not a Japanese or Korean player, but a Belgian-Chinese.”

”Lance’s parents and ancestors are all from Fujian province, and he himself was born in Belgium. After leaving the Bayern Munich youth academy, he was signed by Bayer Leverkusen this summer.”

Since the game was very dull, Zhan Jun simply talked more about Lance, interspersing some personal opinions.

”...In last week’s first round of the DFB-Pokal, Lance came on as a substitute, setting the record for the youngest appearance in DFB-Pokal history. 16 years and 75 days old!”

”And Lance, coming on as a substitute, scored twice and created multiple dangerous attacks, helping Bayer Leverkusen overturn their opponent and advance to the next round of the DFB-Pokal.”

”This young forward is skilled at using his excellent ball control to find opportunities in tight spaces and create shots. He is full of spirit and has immense potential. Placing him on the bench in an important match shows that the coaching staff is still quite focused on Lance.”

Zhan Jun spoke like he knew every detail from the commentary booth.

Upon hearing that a Belgian-Chinese genius had appeared in the Bundesliga, the number of viewers in the live stream room slightly increased, reaching nearly 40,000.

”...Lance has been highly praised by the German media, saying he is the next Marco van Basten, the next Ronaldinho. Hopefully, we can see Lance get an opportunity to play today, and show himself on the Bundesliga stage...”

...

Zhan Jun talked for a long time, but the first half still ended 0-0.

Finally, someone started sending comments in the live stream room.

”Where is he? Didn’t they say there was a Chinese player?”

”They’re messing with you, he’s just a substitute.”

”He won’t play.”

”Don’t wait, just close it and go to sleep.”

The remaining fans in the live stream room had long given up hope at this point.

The matter of Chinese players playing abroad was a huge ”The Boy Who Cried Wolf” story.

After repeated disappointments, who would believe it!

From the fans’ perspective, Bayer Leverkusen signing Lance was definitely a marketing tactic by Bayer Group to boost its market share in China.

If they truly wanted results, who would field a Chinese player?

Did they want to lose faster or something?

Whether abroad or domestically, Chinese players had already become synonymous with being weak.

They simply couldn’t be trusted at all.

During halftime, many more viewers closed the live stream platform and left.

Only over 10,000 people remained in the live stream room, still holding on.

Zhan Jun secretly clicked his tongue when he saw it.

”Damn, there are still 10,000 people? Our fan base is indeed large enough.”

”Teacher Zhan, you’ve worked hard, I’m really a bit embarrassed today.”

Editor-in-chief Chen Tong was still comforting Zhan Jun beside him, ”After you finish commentating today, I’ll give you a week off.”

”It’s fine, Mr. Chen, I’m quite happy to commentate on this match.”

Being able to see a Chinese face, at least there was something to look forward to.

Zhan Jun truly hoped Lance could play.

...

”Klaas-Jan Huntelaar! That’s a goal!”

”In the 71st minute of the match, former Real Madrid hitman Huntelaar, a low shot from outside the box, found the net!”

”Home team FC Schalke 04 scores first! 1-0, temporarily leading Bayer Leverkusen!”

Amidst Zhan Jun’s passionate commentary, FC Schalke 04 players embraced each other in wild celebration.

In contrast, Bayer Leverkusen looked devastated.

The balanced situation on the field instantly tilted towards the home team, FC Schalke 04!

Bayer Leverkusen’s offense was already a bit constipated, and if FC Schalke 04 decided to defend resolutely, they would have very little space to operate.

”Fuck!”

Head coach Sascha Lewandowski was so angry he kicked a water bottle flying.

”Are they all useless on the field?! Are they all pigs?! I emphasized man-marking so many times, yet there was no one guarding in front of the box!”

Sascha was fuming, nothing was going smoothly.

Sami Hyypi? quickly consoled him:

”It’s okay, it’s only one goal, we still have a chance.”

”No, it’s difficult now, we can’t break through them.”

”Should we try to make an adjustment?”

Hyypi? suggested.

Sascha shook his head: ”Wait a little longer.”

...

Another 10 minutes passed, and with the score still 1-0, the home team leading by one goal, Sascha finally couldn’t sit still.

He looked towards the bench, his gaze sweeping over Julian Brandt.

The current problem for the team was a weak offense, especially on the left flank, which was completely shut down by Atsuto Uchida.

That guy was in excellent form, they couldn’t break through him.

Their own left winger, the veteran Mexican Andrés Guardado, was in concerning form—no breakthroughs, no passes, no shots... What was the use of him!

Sascha subconsciously wanted to send in the substitute left winger Julian to use his speed to make an impact.

However, the moment his eyes landed on Lance, Sascha suddenly had an inspiration!

”Lance.”

”Coach?”

After sitting on the bench for 80 minutes, Lance finally heard his name!

Could it be...

Lance approached, subtly excited.

”Change your clothes, get ready to play!”

”No problem!”

It was finally his turn!

Bundesliga debut!

And it was an emergency call-up in a crucial match!

Despite his nervousness, Lance’s chest was already ablaze with passion!

...

In the Sina Sports live stream room, Zhan Jun was equally excited!

”Oh? We see! The Belgian-Chinese youngster Lance is standing on the sidelines!”

”He is about to come on as a substitute and make his Bundesliga debut!”