Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 101: 101. Lance Dependence

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The first leg comeback against Arsenal made Bayer Leverkusen fans and domestic fans happy for a week.

When they were trailing 0-2, almost everyone despaired; some even turned off their TVs or closed their live stream pages at halftime.

Who would have thought Lance would orchestrate such a stunning comeback in the second half?

They scored 3 goals in a row to turn the game around!

While fans and media were still immersed in this classic first-leg battle, Lance and the entire Bayer Leverkusen team only had a short one-day break before returning to intense training.

Because in just four days, for Bundesliga Matchday 21, Bayer Leverkusen would face a strong opponent at home, their former ”top four race” rival—FC Schalke 04!

In the previous two seasons, these two teams went back and forth, fighting tooth and nail for a top-four spot.

Even in the first half of the 2013-2014 season, FC Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen were both busy contending for the top four.

At FC Schalke 04’s home ground, Veltins-Arena, FC Schalke 04 was leading by one goal at home at that time. In the second half, 16-year-old Lance came on as a substitute, marking his second Bundesliga appearance.

As a result, Lance scored twice, with his two goals helping the team overturn FC Schalke 04!

In the reverse fixture at BayArena, the fortunes of the two teams had undergone a dramatic change.

FC Schalke 04 was still battling Borussia M?nchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg, 1. FSV Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, and FC Augsburg for a top-four spot. Several mid-to-upper-table teams were fighting fiercely, almost all separated by just one point or tied on points. It was hard to tell them apart, and the suspense of the top-four race was expected to last for a long time.

But Bayer Leverkusen was no longer a team fighting for the top four; they were now hot on the heels of Bayern Munich.

Bayer Leverkusen was now a prestigious title-contending team! How could FC Schalke 04 compare?

At FC Schalke 04’s pre-match press conference, Jens Keller and player Jefferson Farfán were still clamoring for revenge.

”I admit, Bayer Leverkusen is a very combative team now; they defeated formidable Arsenal. But they just finished a Champions League match, and several key players are rotating for rest. This might be our chance for revenge!”

According to the pre-match starting lineup, Lance was temporarily placed on the bench; as long as the prodigious Lance was not on the field, FC Schalke 04 definitely had a chance to contend.

After the match began, FC Schalke 04 also played very aggressively.

The attacking trident formed by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Jefferson Farfán, and Chinedu Obasi frequently threatened the Bayer Leverkusen goal.

”Klaas-Jan Huntelaar!! A shot attempt inside the box—”

”Bernd Leno made a great save! He blocked a point-blank shot!”

”...Jefferson Farfán!! Very fast!! Cuts inside and shoots directly!”

”Blocked by ?mer Toprak!”

”Klaas-Jan Huntelaar again! Suddenly lays it off to Julian Draxler!!”

”Drives into the box from the flank!!! Oh no!! Julian Draxler hesitated! He couldn’t shoot at the first opportunity!”

”When he shot a second time, he had already lost the best chance to score.”

Bayer Leverkusen’s defense indeed looked precarious.

However, having gone through the baptism of Arsenal, FC Schalke 04’s level of attack posed no substantial threat.

During this period, the Bayer Leverkusen coaching staff also urgently consolidated defensive tactics to address the issues in the backline.

Everyone’s defensive positioning and their coordination were re-emphasized.

Sami Hyypi? encouraged them to communicate more and remind teammates when defending.

When a teammate was pulled out of position, someone needed to track back in time to cover.

Captain Simon Rolfes also frequently needed to drop back to the center-back position to assist in maintaining the defensive line’s integrity.

The new defensive strategy had only been upgraded for a few days, and everyone was not yet fully familiar with it on the training ground.

The match against FC Schalke 04 was a good opportunity for them to adapt, using the game as practice.

”Not bad, they are young after all, and they learn quite quickly.”

”Yes, but if the defensive problems are solved, what about the offense?”

”Uh...”

Hyypi?’s profound question left Sascha Lewandowski stunned.

Yes, what about the offense?

Without Lance as a pivot in the final third to hold up the ball and distribute, it was difficult for the wingers to create enough threat.

On the left, Andrés Guardado’s peak ability was not inferior to Son Heung-min, but his training attitude was poor, and he did not maintain his professional condition well, leading to a significant decline.

Up front, Eren Derdiyok, as a lone striker, was surrounded by FC Schalke 04 players and also struggled to make an impact.

On the right was Sidney Sam, a German winger of African descent. He was fast and explosive.

But he used to play for 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the 2. Bundesliga, and after coming to Bayer Leverkusen, he played for several seasons as a rotational substitute, his skill ceiling making it difficult for him to become a regular starter.

His technique was too rough, and his passing and dribbling lacked refinement.

This often led to Bayer Leverkusen’s right-wing attack being ineffective.

The first half ended 0-0; the coaching staff couldn’t stand it anymore in the second half. They brought on Son Heung-min and Julian Brandt to strengthen the attack.

It must be said that Julian Brandt made rapid progress in the second half of the season. He often did extra training with Lance and had developed a certain flair for dribbling. Coupled with his excellent physical qualities, Julian Brandt clearly showed the potential of a top-tier Bundesliga player.

”Why didn’t I notice before that this kid’s performance is actually quite good?”

”Indeed, perhaps it’s because he’s been doing extra training with Lance recently; he’s really trying hard to change.”

”I used to think he was a hopeless case, but now it seems I judged too soon...”

Both coaches felt a sense of renewed respect.

Just now, Julian Brandt broke through from the right flank, cut inside, and attempted a shot.

He is right-footed, theoretically more adept at breaking through from the left and cutting inside. A shot from the right cutting inside would be awkward.

But Julian Brandt’s shot from outside the box was quite threatening, forcing an extreme save from FC Schalke 04’s veteran goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand!

”Julian Brandt—”

His name echoed throughout BayArena.

When Lance wasn’t playing, Julian Brandt rarely felt like he was a rock star.

He wasn’t gloating; he was just envious of Lance.

”Does this kid always feel this good when he plays at home?”

However, Son Heung-min and Julian Brandt’s entry did not change much.

Atsuto Uchida temporarily contained Son Heung-min, and it was difficult to create breakthroughs on the left flank.

The key was the lack of a ball-holding threat near the box; FC Schalke 04 only needed to focus on defending the wings.

At this point, commentator Mehmet Scholl raised a question:

”Has Bayer Leverkusen developed a Lance dependency? When Lance is absent, it feels like the entire team lacks a decisive blow.”

”Indeed, when Lance is on the field, their attacking conversion rate is arguably the highest in the Bundesliga. But now, Bayer Leverkusen has created many brilliant attacks, but they just can’t convert them into goals...”

Oliver Kahn also agreed with this point.

Both coaches simultaneously realized the problem and exchanged glances.

”Sascha, do you think we really have a Lance dependency?”

”Hard to say...”

To verify, Sascha Lewandowski brought on Lance in the 83rd minute.

The 0-0 score had persisted until now, and it was time for someone to break the deadlock.

Otherwise, if they drew and only got one point, Bayern Munich would widen the gap.

Sure enough, when Lance came on, Bayer Leverkusen’s attack instantly transformed from ”threatening” to ”deadly”!

It was like an unsharpened sword waving in front of the opponent; it looked dangerous, but in reality, there was no real concern.

But when the sword was sharpened!

The opposing fans were in constant panic!

”Look at this goal!!”

Julian Brandt attempted to accelerate and break through on the right, but couldn’t shake off FC Schalke 04’s left-back Sead Kola?inac.

Unexpectedly, Julian Brandt suddenly stopped, pulled the ball back, and passed it horizontally to the top of the box!

Lance arrived just in time, skillfully trapping the ball with his right instep and hooking it to turn, his elegant footwork evading defender Jo?l Matip!

This continuous trap and dribble caught the FC Schalke 04 defense off guard!

No one immediately restricted Lance’s position, allowing him to shoot freely inside the box!

”Laaaaaance—”

”Gooooooal!!!”

”As expected, it had to be Lance!! A stylish performance in the 84th minute breaks the deadlock!”

”His 26th Bundesliga goal! This miracle-making killer continues his performance!”

Seeing the young Lance sprint to the corner flag, pull the corner flag pole down, and enjoy the cheers of the entire stadium like a rock superstar.

Sascha Lewandowski didn’t know whether to give a wry smile or a happy one.

”Indeed, we really do have a Lance dependency.”