Dominating Football with Perfect Ball Control

Chapter 312: 312. See you in the Champions League quarterfinals!

Check out advanced Chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari

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October was probably the most packed schedule before the winter break.

The Madrid Derby had just concluded on October 4th.

On October 7th, in a Champions League group stage match, Astana lost 1-2 to Atlético Madrid.

On October 12th, the third round of the Copa del Rey began, with La Liga teams officially entering the competition.

Atlético Madrid’s youth and reserve squad easily defeated third-tier team Tarragona 1-0, successfully advancing to the fourth round.

For matches of this level, there was no need to trouble Lance.

How could a top-flight team be easily upset by a lower-league team?

Atlético Madrid wasn’t some red team that lost to a fourth-tier League Two team; that would be truly embarrassing.

I’m talking about you, Manchester United!

Lance’s prophetic dream last night happened to be about the football world ten years from now.

Manchester United lost to a League Two team, and in the league, they plummeted into the relegation zone.

Facing imminent relegation, Amorim was on the verge of being sacked.

Who would have guessed they would then fight their way back, securing three consecutive wins, including a victory over Liverpool, and even pushing all the way up the table!

The Premier League really is too exciting.

He glanced at the 2025 Premier League standings.

Arsenal being first was no surprise; this team always starts the season like a Tiger Shot but completely collapses in the mid-to-late stages.

What about the teams below them?

Bournemouth in second place?

Sunderland, a relegation-bound team, ranked fourth?

Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea were all dropping further down the table, which utterly astonished Lance.

”I really need to play in the Premier League in a couple of years; it’s too thrilling.”

After the Madrid Derby, Lance had mostly sat out, focusing on rehabilitation training.

His ankle injury still affected him somewhat.

Many flashy dribbling moves require ankle strength, and certain sudden bursts of power could easily lead to another sprain if he wasn’t careful, potentially straining ligaments or affecting the joint.

Simeone was very worried about this.

On the pitch, Lance had just completed a flashy dribble using Bachira Meguru’s passive ability, drawing cheers from the entire team.

He was quickly called to the sidelines by Simeone.

”Lance, you should still rein it in a bit during training. We are mainly practising tactical coordination and positioning. Your dribbling is strong, but you can’t always rely on that.”

”Why? On the pitch, as long as I can get past the opponent, that’s all that matters.”

”This...”

Simeone was left speechless by Lance’s retort.

For anyone else, dribbling and breaking through couldn’t be a meal ticket, but this statement didn’t apply to Lance.

He could indeed make a living from it; his individual explosive plays on the pitch were already Atlético Madrid’s most threatening regular weapon.

Unfortunately, if Lance could perform better in off-ball movement, Atlético Madrid’s offence might be even more unstoppable.

Currently, Atlético Madrid’s opponents, Real Madrid aside, Barcelona would definitely use tactical deployments to limit Lance’s breakthroughs.

Many opportunity windows, relying solely on receiving the ball with his back to goal and initiating, would make it difficult to break free from Barcelona’s blockade.

Unless his off-ball movement near the penalty area improved, he could disrupt Barcelona and create some opportunities.

There was a counter-intuitive point:

In the first seven rounds of the 2015-2016 La Liga season, Atlético Madrid was not the best defensive team.

The best defensive team was Barcelona, who had only conceded one goal in the previous round during rotation against Rayo Vallecano, and had kept seven consecutive clean sheets in all other competitions!

Currently, Barcelona might be the only team that could truly threaten Atlético Madrid.

Last season, Barcelona’s Champions League loss and elimination by Lance seemed to have triggered an evolution and transformation within the entire team!

They had become much more formidable than in the original timeline!

Both Simeone and Lance himself felt that Barcelona was a formidable boss to deal with!

”I understand, Coach, I will try my best to improve my off-ball movement.”

”Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; take it slow. You are already one of the strongest players in the world.”

After training, Lance, uncharacteristically, didn’t do extra training, but instead went to the cold plunge pool.

He used the icy cold water to stimulate his muscles, helping to alleviate the fatigue from training.

Griezmann couldn’t stand it after less than two minutes and shivered as he climbed out of the pool.

”Lance, how can you endure this? Shall we go for a massage and physical therapy instead?”

”You go first; I’ll soak a bit longer.”

”Tough guy!” Griezmann smacked his lips.

Lance was definitely the toughest person he had ever met, even tougher than Cristiano Ronaldo.

In reality, Lance just hoped the cold water would help him think.

”Off-ball movement... that really depends on natural talent.”

The off-ball positioning learnt in tactical lessons and training was mostly mechanical and rigid, based on tactical requirements.

Lance himself didn’t really understand much of it.

Previously, whether it was Nagi Seishiro or Bachira Meguru, they were basically ”technical” archetypes.

To sum it up simply: divine first touch, divine dribbling, divine shooting.

Other B-rank and C-rank archetypes were merely icing on the cake.

Just look at the Bayer Leverkusen striker, former Manchester United forward Chicharito; this guy seemed unremarkable, but he always appeared in the most dangerous places, scoring goals in the most unpretentious ways.

Inzaghi of AC Milan was also this type of player.

”If talent determines my ability, then it seems I can only rely on drawing cards.”

Lance’s only way out was to improve through the next stage of archetype draws.

If he could draw an S-rank archetype skilled in off-ball movement, it might solve his weakness.

He was indeed strong enough now, but who would refuse to become even stronger?

”But there are too many archetypes, and not enough equipment slots.”

Lance pondered for a long time but couldn’t come up with a perfect solution, so he simply decided not to overthink it.

Never mind, just play every game well.

He would leave future matters to be considered later...

...

On October 17th, in the 8th round of La Liga, Real Sociedad lost 0-2 to Atlético Madrid.

In the 22nd minute of the first half, Lance broke the deadlock with a long-range shot from outside the box.

In the 60th minute of the second half, Lance drew a triple-team, back-heeled the ball to Torres, who sealed the victory.

0-2!

Atlético Madrid secured the win, remaining undefeated in eight league matches!

”Atlético Madrid Undefeated in 8 Games, Barcelona Leads La Liga with Perfect Record”

”Terrifying MSN! Barcelona Easily Defeats Eibar 3-0! Messi Scores 2, Neymar Contributes”

”La Liga Title Race Suspense Likely to Last Until Round 15, Direct Clash Between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona to Determine Champion”

”Messi Declares: Will Defend Title This Season”

...

On October 22nd, the third Champions League group stage match.

Atlético Madrid defeated Benfica 2-0.

Facing Benfica’s packed defence, Lance blasted two world-class shots into the net, showing the Portuguese the power of his Tiger Shot.

”Three Consecutive Champions League Wins! Atlético Madrid’s Champions League Odds Soar to Top”

”Champions League Qualification Secured, Lance’s Two Goals Easily Defeat Benfica”

”Astonishing Record! Lance Has Never Missed a Champions League Knockout Stage Since His Debut!”

”We cannot relax yet; the great journey has just begun. Our opponents are always the top teams in Europe!”

Facing the strong record of three consecutive Champions League wins and eight undefeated league matches, many worried that the young and famous Lance had become arrogant.

In reality, he wasn’t arrogant at all!

Aside from Real Madrid, had he encountered any truly difficult opponents so far?

No!

Lance knew very well that the real test of the 2015-2016 season would begin with the Champions League knockout stage.

Teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern were the stumbling blocks on the path to the championship!

”Lance, you’re first in your group? Annoying.”

”If you’re unhappy, then get first in your group too.”

After the match, Lance also received a text message from De Bruyne.

De Bruyne’s sour demeanour made Lance find it a bit amusing.

Manchester City was in a group of death, facing Champions League winner Juventus, Europa League winner Sevilla, and Bundesliga powerhouse M?nchengladbach.

They were not having an easy time and were not yet guaranteed to qualify.

”Just wait, we’ll climb to first place, and I’ll see you in the knockout stage.”

If both Atlético Madrid and Manchester City finished first in their groups, they definitely wouldn’t be drawn against each other in the Round of 16, at the earliest in the quarterfinals.

Lance really wanted to experience what it felt like to go head-to-head with De Bruyne in the Champions League.

”Brother, see you in the quarterfinals.”