Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 33: 33. New skills unlocked!

”Welcome to this important DFB-Pokal Round 2 clash, RB Leipzig at home against Bayer Leverkusen.”

”RB Leipzig, from the 3. Liga, have fielded their strongest lineup. They are on a rapid ascent in the 3. Liga, with a 5-game winning streak to start the season, hoping to contend for the 3. Liga championship and promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.

Their opponents, Bundesliga powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen, are facing a two-game week and have no choice but to field a rotated squad composed of reserves.

The strength gap between the two sides is still quite close.”

German Sport1 was broadcasting this DFB-Pokal match, with commentator Mehmet Scholl in the commentary booth alongside his old partner Oliver Kahn.

The two had previously witnessed the debut of a 16-year-old prodigy and were very interested in Lance.

This time, they had the opportunity to witness Lance’s first start, and Scholl was very keen to see how Lance would perform.

”We see that the young player Lance, who has been performing exceptionally well recently, has made it into the starting lineup for the first time. At 16 years old, he has already earned the deep trust of the coaching staff.

He has scored crucial goals in 3 consecutive substitute appearances, helping the team achieve come-from-behind victories and last-minute winners.

Especially in the last Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg, Lance’s bicycle kick winner was astounding, earning him a spot in the Bundesliga’s best goals of the week, and he even has a chance to compete for the 2013 Puskas Award.”

”That’s right.”

German legend, former starting goalkeeper ”Der Titan” Oliver Kahn, also greatly admired this young player.

”There’s usually a big difference between starting and being a substitute. Starters are more tested on their physical reserves and mental fortitude.”

”Breaking into the first team at 16 naturally puts him at a disadvantage in terms of physical fitness and strength.”

”But Lance is very good at using his excellent ball control to compensate for his weaknesses and displays agile play.”

”We have reason to pay attention to his performance today.”

”First, let’s look at the starting lineups for both teams.”

On the match panel, the starting lineups for home team RB Leipzig and away team Bayer Leverkusen were displayed in turn.

— — — —

RB Leipzig 4-4-2

Goalkeeper: Fabio Coltorti

Defenders: Honed, Hedlinger, Willers, Anthony Jung

Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Demme, Ernst, Kaiser

Forwards: Frahn, Yussuf Poulsen

— — — —

Bayer Leverkusen 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno

Defenders: Hilbert, Philipp Wollscheid, Kakuta, Stafylidis

Midfielders: Emre Can, Lars Bender, Julian Brandt, Castro, Kruse

Forward: Lance

— — — —

”The home team RB Leipzig has two players we should pay attention to.”

”Defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich, and forward Yussuf Poulsen.”

”Joshua Kimmich is 18 years old this year and has shown dominant performances in the past two seasons. Last season, he played 28 times, scoring 6 goals and averaging 4.1 key interceptions per game.”

”Yussuf Poulsen is 19 years old. It is said that the Danish National Football Team has already called him up, and he is about to become an international player. Last season, he started 32 times, scoring 15 goals, making him RB Leipzig’s top scorer currently.”

”Rumor has it that Bayern Munich has already sent scouts to observe them, Oliver, what do you say?”

Commentator Scholl made a little joke.

Everyone in German football knows that whenever a promising talent emerges at a club within Germany, Bayern is bound to take notice.

As Bayern Munich’s captain and a club legend, Kahn naturally understood the joke and smiled helplessly:

”Bayern Munich doesn’t scout just anyone, of course, your rumor is quite accurate. Joshua Kimmich might be on Bayern’s scouting list. If he develops, he definitely has the quality of a Bundesliga starter.”

The game started with a rather dull pace from both sides.

The two commentators chatted for a long time until Bayer Leverkusen launched their first threatening attack.

”Alright, let’s look at this play. Lars Bender made a beautiful tackle! They immediately launched an attack from the front.”

”To the left, Julian Brandt!! Attempting a breakthrough, he’s going to beat him with sheer force!!”

The incredibly fast blonde winger, Julian Brandt, forcefully overtook his opponent on the outside, breaking into the box and attempting a cross!

With starting forwards Stefan Kie?ling and Son Heung-min resting, and Eren Derdiyok slightly injured, Lance became the lone striker upfront.

In this match, head coach Sascha Lewandowski gave him a very important tactical assignment!

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, the role of a lone striker is not just to score goals, but also to serve as the team’s attacking pivot, holding up the ball near the box.

Otherwise, if he can’t hold the ball, it’s useless for the two wingers to work so hard to get it into the final third, because there’s no one in the box!

Fortunately, Lance was reliable enough.

His good friend Julian Brandt didn’t hesitate at all, directly crossing with his left foot!

To achieve speed, the pass was low and flat, cutting through the box at incredible pace.

But while it was fast, it was a half-body ball, impossible to head, and very difficult to control with the feet.

By the time he could control it with his chest, he would already be surrounded by defenders.

The time window was less than 1 second, making it generally very difficult to deal with.

”My bad, my bad! Sorry!”

Julian Brandt looked very apologetic; he was too eager and didn’t lift the ball, creating trouble for Lance.

With two center-backs sandwiching him, Lance was highly likely to lose the ball.

Seeing this, the Bayer Leverkusen teammates prepared to track back and defend.

How could Lance miss this opportunity?

Perfect Ball Control!

Lance didn’t face the ball directly; instead, he turned his back to the ball’s direction, using his hands to brace against the opposing defender’s charge.

The next second...

”My God!! What a beautiful touch!”

Commentator Scholl exclaimed in admiration!

Lance, calm and composed, actually controlled the ball with his back!

He stooped slightly, letting the ball bounce off his back, then it subtly leaped up, perfectly clearing the opposing defender’s head!

The problem of the tall defender’s slow turn was completely exposed, as Lance toyed with him like a monkey!

By the time the defender turned to intercept, Lance had already slipped past him, meeting the dropping ball with a volley!

[Rage: 32%]

Thud —

The ball was just a little unlucky, hitting the crossbar and going out for a goal kick.

The 16-year-old teenager, making his first start, delivered a shock to the home fans!

The fans in the stands were drenched in sweat; just 5 minutes into the game, Lance had given them a fright!

Didn’t they say Bayer Leverkusen’s reserve squad was weak?

This kid is a bit strong!

Outside the box, Joshua Kimmich was dumbfounded!

Lance’s audacious back control opened his eyes!

”What the heck? You can do that?”

Lance’s performance was already perfect.

If world-class forwards like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi were there, a volley wouldn’t necessarily be 100% accurate.

This shot boosted Bayer Leverkusen’s morale, while the home team RB Leipzig could only retreat to their own half and play on the counter-attack.

Who knew Lance was still unsatisfied? After missing the chance, he stood there, quite regretful.

Bad news: His shooting still needed practice.

Rage was less than 100%.

Good news: Today’s starting appearance pushed his Fusion Value over 55%!

— — — —

Template: Nagi Seishiro - S (Fusion Value 56%)

— — Skill: Perfect Ball Control

— — Skill: Hardcore Shot

Rage: 38%

— — — —

New skill Hardcore Shot unlocked!