"Defend! Quick, get back!"
Seeing the opposition launch a swift counterattack, Bayern captain Lahm charged toward Lin Quan while shouting loudly to his teammates.
Only Boateng was beside him. The two needed no communication; in perfect coordination, one stepped up to challenge while the other hung back to provide cover.
Though Lahm was calling for support, he did not think too highly of Lin Quan.
The opponent was simply too young. A player that young, under the immense pressure imposed by defenders, would likely make the wrong choice in a panic.
The reason Lahm shouted so loudly was not only to call for support, but also to put psychological pressure on Lin Quan, letting him know that if he slowed down with the ball, Bayern's players behind him would catch up.
Therefore, he had to get past Lahm as quickly as possible.
And in that kind of urgency, his intention to dribble past him would be very obvious.
Lahm was a short defender, far more agile than those bulky, towering players.
So long as his opponent showed any sign of breaking through, Lahm was confident he could win the ball.
So, young man, what would you choose?
Lin Quan did not even glance at Lahm, as if he did not exist.
He looked up toward the goal. Neuer had already retreated to the edge of the penalty area.
A direct lob would not be very reliable. With Neuer's shot-stopping ability, he could absolutely save it.
And Boateng, behind Lahm, had kept a sensible distance from his teammate. Even if Lin Quan got past Lahm, he would lose both speed and space.
Boateng could then easily steal the ball from his feet or clear it away.
So he could only get past both of them.
With that in mind, Lin Quan adjusted his stride and feinted toward the right.
As a right winger, he had been carrying the ball with his right foot all along.
So when Lahm saw the move, he decisively stuck out a foot. But just as he confidently believed he would win the ball—
The ball vanished before his eyes!
What?
Lahm froze!
It was actually a feint!
By then, Lin Quan had already shifted the ball onto his left foot and charged toward Boateng.
Boateng had not clearly seen how his teammate had been beaten when he saw the ball coming toward him.
He instinctively tried to stick out a foot to kick it, only to see another foot strike the ball and change its direction.
Boateng was secretly relieved. Good thing he had not rashly gone for it. This guy's touches were astonishingly quick; he had no chance of reaching the ball before him.
This kid was not simple!
Alarm bells rang in Boateng's mind. He realized that he and his teammates had underestimated this young forward.
He was far more dangerous than he looked. In fact, Boateng sensed the faintest hint of familiarity from him.
It was like—like facing Barca's number 10!
The thought made Boateng even more cautious.
He stared at the ball and retreated sideways, giving Lin Quan no opportunity to break through.
Though Lahm had been beaten, he had not been left completely behind. His short stature and low center of gravity allowed him to turn immediately and chase after Lin Quan.
As long as Boateng held on for a few seconds, the tracking Lahm could join him in double-teaming the opponent.
By then, even if Messi came, he would have to surrender the ball here.
Lin Quan clearly knew that as well, so he began deliberately moving closer to Boateng.
Seeing his opponent approach him on purpose, Boateng felt something was wrong.
He did not know what the other player was planning, but this move was clearly no gesture of goodwill.
Just then, both of them crossed the penalty-area line.
Seeing the white line on the ground, Boateng instantly understood Lin Quan's intention.
This guy wanted to draw a foul and win a penalty?
He could not let his scheme succeed!
Boateng immediately put both hands behind his back to avoid a handball.
At the same time, he kept as appropriate a distance as possible, refusing to let his opponent bait contact.
Lin Quan smiled when he saw Boateng's reaction.
He cut the ball to the left. As Boateng shifted his weight in that direction, he immediately cut it back to the right.
What a Boateng. Relying on his outstanding physical ability, he actually adjusted his balance again.
But Lin Quan was not done. He cut the ball once more, taking it back to the left.
And this time, he changed direction as he cut, opening up the distance between himself and Boateng.
Panicking, Boateng immediately tried to twist around and follow, only to find that his center of gravity had not adjusted at all. With a thud, he fell to the ground.
An uproar swept through the stadium!
The home side's center-back had been sent sprawling without any physical contact?
Was this a joke?
That guy was only sixteen!
It was not just the fans who found it hard to accept. Even Bayern's players on the field were stunned.
Lahm was closest to the scene. Seeing Lin Quan get past Boateng, he knew he could not catch him, so he could only place his hopes on the goalkeeper.
"Neuer, it's up to you!"
Neuer stared at Lin Quan with determination. Rather than waiting helplessly, he immediately rushed out at him.
Neuer was tall and had long arms, giving him an enormous reach when he spread them wide.
His decisive choice to come off his line made it difficult for many forwards to get past him.
But Lin Quan was not intimidated.
Seeing Neuer rush over, he cut the ball and changed direction, moving diagonally to create space. Then he took a step forward and went straight past Neuer.
After Neuer dropped his center of gravity, his footwork was greatly slowed. At that point, there was no way he could catch Lin Quan. He could only watch helplessly as Lin Quan went around him and kicked the ball into the empty net.
In the eighth minute, Werder Bremen took advantage of a counterattack, with Lin Quan scoring to make it 1:0!
Allianz Arena fell deathly silent. Fifty thousand fans were speechless.
Only the two thousand Werder Bremen supporters who had traveled with the team in the East Stand erupted into thunderous cheers after a brief moment of disbelief.
Their team had actually taken the lead!
It was such an incredible surprise, so utterly unexpected!
Inside a luxury box at Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich's club chairman and manager were entertaining a guest who had come from afar—former Barca manager Guardiola.
The two watched the match while chatting.
After talking for a while, Rummenigge became deeply impressed by Guardiola's coaching philosophy and decided that he was the person best suited to Bayern.
So he decided to test the waters and see what Guardiola thought of Bayern:
"Hehe, Coach Guardiola, what do you think of the current Bayern squad?"
As a guest, Guardiola felt that he should naturally say a few good things about his hosts.
So he said, "Bayern's squad is excellent and well-balanced in attack and defense.
Whether it is the attacking setup up front or the organization and defensive personnel in midfield and at the back, they are among the best in European football."
Seeing that Guardiola rated Bayern so highly, Rummenigge became even more delighted.
"Hehe, you flatter us, Coach Guardiola. Our team's results over the past few years have not been that good. If our squad were truly as strong as you say, we would not have gone two years without a trophy."
Guardiola shook his head and said:
"Every team experiences fluctuations in results; that is perfectly normal. Bayern reached the Champions League final last year, and that alone proves your strength!"
"I heard that your son plays in the Bundesliga, Coach Guardiola?"
Seeing that the chairman was very satisfied with Guardiola, Hoeness, who was beside them, tried to make small talk and build rapport with him before naturally extending an invitation for him to coach the team.
"Yes, he plays for the team across from us."
"Oh? What a coincidence. Then, Coach Guardiola, who do you think will win this match?"
Guardiola thought for a moment and answered seriously:
"In theory, Bayern should win. But football is round; before the final whistle, no one knows the outcome."
Before he had even finished speaking, Werder Bremen launched a counterattack. Lin Quan sprinted forward with the ball, beat two men, then rounded the goalkeeper and scored to change the score.
Guardiola smiled and spread his hands at the two men, saying with some pride:
"See? Football is round!"
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